Before they were cofounders, Dan and Ed were just two tradies navigating the daily grind—long hours, tough jobs, and the usual banter on site. But everything changed when Dan lost his best mate to suicide, just days after his friend had landed a long-awaited apprenticeship. That moment was devastating—and transformative.
In the aftermath, Ed became Dan’s main support, and through their raw, honest conversations, they uncovered a deeper truth: mental health was a serious issue in their industry, but the way it was being talked about wasn’t helping. The conversations were too heavy, too clinical, or simply too hard to start.
Determined to change that, Dan and Ed created TradeMutt, a social impact workwear brand with bold, eye-catching designs that spark conversations and make mental health impossible to ignore. Their shirts, emblazoned with “This Is A Conversation Starter,” quickly gained attention and helped break the silence on job sites across Australia.
But they didn’t stop there. Recognising the need for accessible support, they launched TIACS—a free, early-intervention counselling service for blue-collar workers and those that care about them. Funded through TradeMutt and industry partners, TIACS has provided thousands of hours of professional support, helping people before they reach crisis point.
Dan and Ed’s journey is a testament to the power of vulnerability, mateship, and action. By turning tragedy into purpose, they’ve built a movement that’s changing the way mental health is seen, spoken about, and supported—one conversation at a time.