About Aaron McLeish
From childhood hustle to industry specialist, Aaron McLeish helps plumbing & heating businesses master their finances, systems, and growth.
Offering invaluable insights for plumbing and heating businesses.
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Practical knowledge backed by years of experience in plumbing and heating businesses.
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About Us
The curious start: Chaos, questions and clarity
Aaron McLeish was never the kind of child who could sit still or follow the crowd quietly. Growing up in a large family of six children, he was constantly surrounded by movement, conversation, and creative chaos. He was endlessly curious, and from a very young age, he wanted to understand how everything worked. His most frequently used word as a child was “why,” a question that both delighted and exhausted his mum, who spent many of her days trying to keep up with his endless line of questioning.
While the family home was rarely quiet, Aaron McLeish looks back on those formative years with fondness. The days were filled with invention and imagination—tea towels regularly doubled as superhero capes, and the family garden transformed into everything from a fortress to a marketplace. But amid the playful scenes and childhood games, something deeper was taking root. Aaron McLeish wasn’t just pretending to run a shop—he was closely observing what it actually meant to run one.
The biggest influence on Aaron McLeish during those years wasn’t found in any school textbook or classroom. It was his mum, who, with six children to care for and no option for a traditional 9–5 job, chose to start her own business. Aaron McLeish watched her take an empty unit in Wellingborough and turn it into a thriving shop. He observed the way she dealt with suppliers, priced her products, managed cash, and kept her records in handwritten ledgers. It was raw, real, and incredibly inspiring. That lived experience was the spark. It showed Aaron McLeish that starting something from scratch wasn’t just possible—it was powerful.
Early hustles: Pocket change and market share
Aaron McLeish’s first foray into entrepreneurship didn’t come in the form of a formal job or weekend work experience—it came through selling ice poles at school. On hot summer days, Aaron McLeish would stop by the corner shop and buy ice poles for 5p each. He saw an opportunity others missed. Once he got to school, he sold them to his classmates for 50p. The margins were impressive, especially for a schoolboy.
At first, the venture had flaws. The ice poles would melt before break time, and Aaron McLeish quickly realised that a good idea needs proper execution. He adapted by packing them in better insulation and double-bagging them to keep them cold. His trousers soon jingled with so much spare change that he needed a belt to hold them up.
Naturally, a classmate attempted to replicate his model, which led to what Aaron McLeish humorously refers to as a “patch war”—his first brush with competition, territory, and brand loyalty. While the memory brings laughter today, it also offered an early understanding of pricing, margins, product delivery, and market share. Even then, it wasn’t just about the money. For Aaron McLeish, the real thrill came from building something that worked and learning how to improve it through trial, error, and persistence.
Education and the path that made sense
Throughout his school years, Aaron McLeish was regularly placed in the top academic sets. At the time, he didn’t interpret this as a compliment—instead, he believed his teachers were trying to separate him from his mates to keep him from misbehaving. It wasn’t until later in life that Aaron McLeish understood that these placements reflected potential that others saw in him, even when he couldn’t yet see it himself.
After finishing his GCSEs with a strong set of results, Aaron McLeish chose to change schools for his A-Levels. He felt that a new environment would give him a better chance to focus and take his studies seriously. While many of his peers left school to go into trades, apprentices or local warehouse work, Aaron McLeish felt that path wasn’t for him. At the same time, university didn’t appeal. The idea of racking up student debt without a clear end goal didn’t sit well.
That’s when accountancy appeared on the radar. Aaron McLeish discovered that you didn’t need a degree to become a qualified accountant. You could study one day a week and work for the other four, building experience and earning a wage. It offered structure, opportunity, and a deep insight into how businesses functioned. For someone who had already seen the inside of a shop floor and the back office ledgers, it was a perfect fit. Aaron McLeish applied for training roles and began what would become a defining career.
From practice to the pressure cooker
Aaron McLeish started his professional journey in accountancy at a small firm in Northamptonshire. The practice was modest, with three partners and a small team of five. It was a close-knit environment and a good place to learn the ropes. But Aaron McLeish was driven to develop more, and he soon realised that he needed a broader stage with more structure and more complex client work.
This ambition led Aaron McLeish to join Moore Stephens, a well-respected top-tier accountancy practice. There, he immersed himself in the full spectrum of accountancy, tax, and business advisory services. Aaron McLeish worked with a diverse client base—from sole traders and limited companies to multi-site businesses. He prepared accounts, processed VAT returns, managed payrolls, and filed self-assessment tax returns.
Despite the variety, Aaron McLeish found that being a generalist across so many areas often meant never truly mastering one. And that didn’t sit well with him. What he wanted was depth. He wanted to understand a business from the inside—not just from the outside looking in.
So, in his late twenties, Aaron McLeish took a leap into industry. He accepted a position as Finance Director at one of the largest independent plumbing and heating businesses in the South East. It was a multi-million-pound operation delivering installations, servicing, maintenance, and renewable energy solutions.
This wasn’t just a role—it was an education. Suddenly, Aaron McLeish was no longer advising clients based on reports. He was in the trenches. He saw the stress of cash flow challenges, the negotiations with merchants, the demands of running a team, and the dozens of daily decisions that shaped the direction of the company. It was hard. It was real. And it was exactly what he needed to prepare for what came next.
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Building Together We Count
While working full-time as a Finance Director, Aaron McLeish began laying the foundations for his own business. He didn’t have the luxury of a savings pot or external investment—just experience, determination, and long evenings. After finishing a full day managing a large team and complex finances, Aaron McLeish would spend his evenings and weekends building Together We Count. He wasn’t in a position to hand in his notice and gamble on a business idea. Instead, he committed to the long hours, the late nights, and the steady climb.
As Together We Count gained momentum, Aaron McLeish reduced his time in the Finance Director role—gradually stepping down to four days a week, then three, then two—until the business had legs of its own. It was never a dramatic leap. It was a carefully managed transition built on discipline, patience, and planning.
When it came time to hire, Aaron McLeish didn’t bring in another accountant first. Instead, he brought in a PA. He recognised early on that marketing, communication, and administration were just as important as technical skill if he was going to build a visible, trustworthy brand. For Aaron McLeish, clarity and consistency were non-negotiable.
From day one, Together We Count specialised in plumbing and heating businesses. This wasn’t a coincidence. Aaron McLeish had lived in that world, understood the pressure points, and knew the systems and financial structures that supported growth. He didn’t want to build a generic practice. He wanted to build something tailored and meaningful. Something that made a difference.
The launch of Together We Build
As Together We Count grew, it became clear that clients needed more than just tax returns and bookkeeping. Business owners were constantly asking Aaron McLeish and his team for templates, employment contracts, staff handbooks, calculators and general SOPs, and more. These were the tools that business owners lacked—but desperately needed.
Rather than keep reinventing the wheel for each new client, Aaron McLeish began building a library of resources. What started as a few helpful documents eventually grew into hundreds of templates, checklists, and frameworks—each one tailored specifically to the plumbing and heating industry. That library is now the backbone of Together We Build.
Together We Build is a sister platform to Together We Count. One provides the financial insight and compliance. The other provides the systems and operational tools. Combined, they offer business owners the structure, clarity, and control they need to grow something sustainable.
The Quote Handbook: Giving power back to the trades
In 2020, as the world slowed during lockdown, Aaron McLeish turned his attention to a topic that had long frustrated him: quoting. Far too many plumbing and heating businesses were underpricing themselves—either through guesswork or by using outdated pricing models. Aaron McLeish saw this time and time again. Too many trades were working hard, delivering great work, but failing to charge enough to make their business viable.
So, Aaron McLeish wrote The Quote Handbook.
Drawing on lessons from his mentor Mark Wickersham and his own years of experience, Aaron McLeish broke down value-based pricing in a way that made sense for tradespeople. No fluff. No overcomplication. Just clear, actionable advice on how to quote with confidence, understand your margins, and win work at the right price.
The Quote Handbook has since helped hundreds of business owners turn quoting from a guess into a strength—and pricing from a stress into a strategy.
The Systems Handbook: Building businesses that don’t rely on you
Following the success of his first book, Aaron McLeish turned his focus to the second problem he saw time and again: lack of systems.
Through Together We Build, Aaron McLeish had already built hundreds of SOPs, templates, and policies. But business owners often didn’t see the value—until they were overwhelmed and burnt out. Aaron McLeish realised that the issue wasn’t the solution. It was the understanding.
That’s when he wrote The Systems Handbook.
This book takes readers through the why and how of building systems in a trades business. Aaron McLeish explains why documenting tasks matters, how to delegate effectively, and how to build a company that can operate without you at the centre of every single decision. He draws on insights from The E-Myth, client case studies, and his own hard-earned experience.
The Systems Handbook is more than theory—it’s a practical guide to gaining control and building something that lasts.
The present day: Balance, growth, and intentional living
Today, Aaron McLeish splits his time between writing, mentoring, managing his team, and spending time with his daughter, Lola. He lives in Sheffield, stays active with CrossFit, enjoys time outdoors with his dog, and regularly escapes on camping trips or pub lunches with friends.
Aaron McLeish is deeply committed to his work, but he’s just as committed to making sure his business supports his life—not the other way around. That’s the message he shares with clients, and the standard he holds for himself.
Drawing on lessons from his mentor Mark Wickersham and his own years of experience, Aaron McLeish broke down value-based pricing in a way that made sense for tradespeople. No fluff. No overcomplication. Just clear, actionable advice on how to quote with confidence, understand your margins, and win work at the right price.
Looking forward: A sharper focus and what’s next
Aaron McLeish is currently focused on refining his niche even further. Together We Count now works exclusively with ambitious plumbing and heating businesses that want to grow. These are businesses ready to invest in proper systems, pricing, and financial understanding.
Together We Build continues to expand, adding new tools and resources each quarter. The platform is becoming an essential resource for business owners who want to take control and scale with structure.
A third book is in the works. What it covers remains under wraps, but it’s designed to complete the picture: quoting, systems, and… well, you’ll have to wait and see.
Final reflections from Aaron McLeish
If there’s one message Aaron McLeish would share with every plumbing and heating business owner, it’s this:
“Sort your finances. Know your break-even point. Price properly. Build solid systems. Create a business that works for you—so you don’t have to do it all yourself.”
And if you’re ever hesitating about your next move?
As Aaron McLeish tells his daughter: “Go for it. What’s the worst that can happen?”
Resilience in 2024: Health, challenge, and rebuilding
In 2024, Aaron McLeish was forced to slow down. After years of persistent exhaustion and fatigue, he was diagnosed with sleep apnoea. It had been affecting every area of his life—his work, his health, and his family.
Aaron McLeish underwent several operations, including nasal and tonsil surgeries, to address the issue. During his recovery, a routine compliance review by his professional body highlighted delays in responses to their queries—delays that occurred while Aaron McLeish was recovering from surgery. Despite the context, disciplinary action was taken.
It was a tough pill to swallow after years of professionalism. But Aaron McLeish owned the mistake, made the necessary corrections, and used the experience as a catalyst to strengthen his internal systems, enhance team responsibility, and refocus on wellbeing.
Today, Aaron McLeish is back to full health. His team is thriving. His businesses are stronger than ever. And the lessons from that period continue to inform how he leads—with more clarity, resilience, and purpose than ever before.
Cases
See How We've Supported Business Success
Our books and resources have guided plumbing and heating businesses toward improved operations, better financial management, and sustainable growth.
Effective Quoting Strategies for Plumbing and Heating Businesses
Learn practical steps to create accurate and competitive quotes that win customers while ensuring profitability for your business.
How Systemising Operations Can Boost Your Business Efficiency
Discover how implementing structured processes can reduce errors, save time, and help your business run smoothly without constant oversight.
Common Quoting Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Avoid common errors in quoting that can impact your revenue and client trust with these proven solutions for better outcomes.
It is truly a genuine review. It is the only book on the market that provides helpfull information.”
Nikola Petrov
Business in a Box is a subscription service designed for plumbing and heating businesses, providing resources to help systemise operations and improve efficiency.
Both books are ideal for plumbing and heating business owners looking to improve their quoting processes and streamline their operations for better growth and profitability.
Business in a Box offers practical tools, templates, and ongoing support to implement the strategies outlined in The Systems Handbook, making systemisation easier and more effective.
Yes, both The Quote Handbook and The Systems Handbook are available in Kindle format and audiobook versions on Audible and Spotify.
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