Why high standards build excellent businesses with James Pridgeon

The Bottom Line Podcast
Written By Alexander Spencer

James Pridgeon is the Founder and Director of Steel Window Design. Steel Window Design is one of Australia’s leading manufacturers of steel windows and doors for commercial and residential projects.

In this episode, James shares his journey from civil engineer and draftsman to founding his own company. He discusses the challenges he faced building and growing the business, including finding skilled fabricators and balancing cost with maintaining high product standards during the growth phase. He also emphasises the importance of mentorship, networking, and careful delegation for building a successful business

Key lessons from the podcast

  • Quality Shouldn’t Be a Compromise – Scaling a business doesn’t mean lowering standards. James highlights how maintaining product excellence, even during rapid growth, builds long-term credibility and trust in your brand.

  • People Build the Business – From finding the right fabricators to leveraging mentorship and networks, James shows that success hinges on surrounding yourself with capable, aligned people who share your vision.

  • Delegate with Intention – Growth demands letting go of control—but not without strategy. James stresses the value of thoughtful delegation to empower your team while staying focused on big-picture leadership.

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