Our Story

G’day I’m Sean, I’m 27 years old and I have been working as an electrician in the electrical and air conditioning industry for 9 years, which by no means makes me a veteran tradie. But I can tell you, that the time I have done working in the sun was enough for me to think, surely there must be a better option for us tradie grinding out hours of fault-finding and installations in the sun and rain. One too many of these hot summer days and The Trade Shade was born.

A few initial embarrassing prototypes made in the downstairs car park of my rental apartment, cutting down steel pipe with an angle grinder at 7pm, a few hours of research and I finally produced a prototype I was semi happy with. Putting my pride aside I gave a few original prototypes out to friends with strict instructions to give me any criticism they had. Let me tell you, if you’ve got mates like mine you sure won’t be short on criticism.

"It is estimated that around 200 melanomas and 34,000 non-melanoma skin cancers per year are caused by occupational exposures in Australia not to mention the vast majority of us that neglect to get a skin check."

A few beers, a couple of laughs and a bit of constructive criticism later, came a few key modifications that made The Trade Shade what it is today. It wasn’t until I sat down behind the computer and researched some very scary facts regarding sun exposure did, I come to the realisation that there were thousands of tradies putting themselves at risk every day. Not to mention the millions of dollars its costing employers for skin cancer compensation every year. It is estimated that around 200 melanomas and 34,000 non-melanoma skin cancers per year are caused by occupational exposures in Australia not to mention the vast majority of us that neglect to get a skin check. 

The very first prototype! 👉

Let's face it 2020 wasn’t exactly the prime year to try and launch a business, but with a bit of persistence, support and most of my weeks wages I jumped the hurdles that many new business’s face. With an idea and a bit of free time I designed a product that is a simple, cost-effective (we’re looking out for you apprentices), and portable shading and element protection solution, with a clear goal to make tradies lives (including my own) safer and hopefully more comfortable at work. With a bit of luck and a bit of awareness I hope we can shade and protect tradies all across the country.

Cheers!
Sean