In this episode, I interview Brett Steel, the Founding Director and General Manager of Spirit Thief Distilling Co, an independent bottling company based in Tasmania, Australia, and was established in 2015. Brett is defined for his passion for brewing and distilling and found an...
200: From a Professor at a Business School, now a Virtual Marketing Professor and Founder of a Mini MBA in Marketing. Became a CPD accredited & MBA standard course, representing 60 countries in the program with 20,000 alumni & 8 FTEs. (Mark Ritson)
Apr 13, 2022
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In this episode, I interview Mark Ritson, Virtual Marketing Professor and Founder of Mini MBA in Marketing based in Cygnet, near Hobart here in Tasmania. Mark Ritson has set up his own Mini MBA to help entrepreneurs learn more about marketing and brand management conveniently through an online...
180: Aged 24 in 2016, transformed a small family project into a fast-growing health and wellness business that impacts thousands of people. With 7 FTEs, a B Corp score of 86, and got $3 million in the most recent financial year. (Hayden Brass)
Feb 02, 2022
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In this episode, I interview Hayden Brass, the Founder and Managing Director of Zea, an Australian-based health and wellness company. At Zea, they are committed to unearthing the diverse healing properties of the Kunzea ambigua plant. All Zea products are made with natural, sustainably sourced...
172: Aged 27 in 2017, launched a luxury adventure mountain biking experience with a three-day itinerary. Grew FTEs from 2 to 6. From running one trip per week through peak season, now running all year round with back-to-back trips. (Tara Howell)
Jan 05, 2022
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In this episode, I interview Tara Howell, the Founder and Director at Blue Derby Pods Ride based in Launceston, Australia. Blue Derby Pods Ride is a luxury adventure mountain biking experience with a three-day itinerary. Tara Howell is living her values by showcasing just how special the...
164: Founded a subscription membership business at the age of 21 in 2020, simplifying the world of cryptocurrency. Doubled revenue in just a year. Started off just in Australia, now running across over 40 countries. From 5 to 18 FTEs. (Ben Simpson)
Dec 08, 2021
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In this episode, I interview Ben Simpson, the Founder and CEO of Collective Shift based in Melbourne, Australia. A pre-purchase investment firm composed of experts in cryptocurrency, helping crypto investors create wealth and freedom. Clients can get a $50 membership credit by using the...
151: Aged 25 in 2015, joined an event management & production company, bringing music festivals & cultural events to Tasmania. Starting from 1,200 to 10,000 people on site with gross revenue of $3.5 million in 2020 from $300,000 in 2015. (Ryan Limb)
Oct 24, 2021
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In this episode, I interview Ryan Limb, the General Manager at Vibestown, an event management & production company based in Tasmania, Australia. Vibestown organizes music, art, and cultural festivals to bring joy and excitement to the people of Tasmania. Due to his passion for attending music...
148: Works as a strategic planner, specializes in providing proactive, focused, and strategic advice to help & support Australian business owners. Clients he has been working with have achieved an increase of 37% in net profit. (Michael Denehey)
Oct 13, 2021
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In this episode, I interview Michael Denehey, an adviser at Collins SBA based in Hobart, Australia. Collins SBA is a financial advice and accounting service for Australian businesses. They work with small and medium business owners and assist them in growing and scaling their business. Michael is...
143: After a difficult experience with a staff dealing with a mental health crisis, she decided to learn & study psychology. Now a mental health educator, helping hospitality leaders on how to create a mentally healthy workplace. (Bianca Welsh)
Sep 26, 2021
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In this episode, I interview Bianca Welsh, the Co-owner of Stillwater Restaurant, and Founder of From Experience, a mental health service based in Launceston, Tasmania. Bianca Welsh is a Certified Mental Health First Aid Instructor who aims to equip business owners with the tools they need to...
141: Expert on cybersecurity, helping small to large organizations understand cyber risk and managing their outsourced business process. Shutting digital doors to cyber-attacks, ensuring a sustainable and high-performing business. (Mariae Leckie)
Sep 19, 2021
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In this episode, I interview Mariae Leckie, the Interim CEO, and Senior Consultant of The Project Lab, a consulting and advisory firm based in Hobart, Tasmania. They are experts on cyber security and they work with small to large organizations to ensure the safety and security of their assets....
130: Founded a small business in 2015 specializing in fermented products. Started in the shared kitchen, upgraded their space up to 1000 meters. Become the first and biggest Miso supplier in Australia with revenue growth of 40% p.a. and 5 FTEs. (Chris de Bono)
Aug 11, 2021
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In this episode, I interview Chris de Bono, the Founding Director, and Miso Master at Meru Foods, a food manufacturer based in Launceston Tasmania, specializing in fermented products. They supply premium ingredients to the food manufacturing sector. Meru Foods is the company behind Meru Miso and...
126: In 1993, established a travel agency and spent almost 30 years in the industry, sold it in 2017 with 35 FTE. Now turned attention to wine, sheep, and a luxury farm stay in a sixth-generation farming property in southern Tasmania. (Andrew Jones)
Jul 28, 2021
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In this episode, I interview Andrew Jones, the owner, and operator of Invercarron Wines, a young Tasmanian vineyard producing premium wines. The Jones family have maintained their farming origins and after constantly looking to diversify and grow the farm- Invercarron Wines was born.
Andrew...
118: In 2008, became a part-owner and opened a boutique steakhouse. An opportunity arose in 2010 to buy a share in a restaurant, take on the Executive Chef position of the operation & upgrade with a hotel just above the restaurant. (Craig Will)
Jun 30, 2021
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In this episode, I interview Craig Will, the Executive Chef and Co-owner of Tasmania’s finest restaurants, Stillwater and Black Cow Bistro, and just above Stillwater is a two-year-old hotel business, Seven Boutique Accommodation. Craig is passionate about local products and the seasonal...
107: Started dairy sheep enterprise in 2002, evolved from birthing sheep to vodka distilling- won World’s Best Vodka & awarded as the Australian Champion Vodka 5 yrs in a row. Grew 2 FTE to the current 20 in 19 yrs with 40% annual return. (Diane Rae)
May 23, 2021
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In this episode, I interview Diane Rae, the CEO of Ewenique Enterprises based in Tasmania, Australia- known for its sheep-making cheese expertise and best vodka. Ewenique Enterprises is the incorporation of Grandvewe Cheeses- a farmhouse cheesery that uses sheep milk to make exceptional...
062: Australia is the harshest country when businesses go under. Some simple and low cost ways to protect your business if your customers do – Insolvency, Administration & Receivership. Improved laws in Australia 1 Jan 2021 (Jennifer O’Farrell)
Dec 13, 2020
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In this episode, I interview Jennifer O’Farrell, a Senior Associate at Dobson Mitchell Allport. Jennifer is a commercial litigation and dispute resolution lawyer. She has a particular interest in insolvency, personal property securities, administrative and local...
035: Invented a world-leading shoe for horses, sells in Europe, USA, Canada, NZ, and Australia through 500+ stockists. Growing the team from 2 to 11 FTE since starting in 2015. With only 5 competitors, sales have grown 25%-125% p.a. (Annette Kaitinis)
Aug 23, 2020
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In this episode, I interview Annette Kaitinis, the Co-founder and Director of Scoot Boots Pty Ltd, Australia’s only manufacturer of equine hoof boots for barefoot horses. In 2015, she formed a business partnership with her ex-farrier, Dave MacDonald, who in invented a shoe for horses....
034: They took over a yoga studio with 35 members, in a year got that to 300 then added another 100 online members during COVID. Increased prices, offered Pilates, improved the value to members and doubled recurring revenue to $360k (Kate Cashman)
Aug 16, 2020
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In this episode, I interview Kate Cashman, co-founder of Mana Movement Studio in Hobart, Tasmania. In early 2019, they took over the lease of one of the oldest yoga studios in Tasmania, increased prices, added Pilates, and pivoted to a membership model. The Founders took it from 35...
033: When her ex-husband got too sick to run the business Kate took the helm in 2009, now Tasmania’s largest conveyancing firm. Grew from $350k to $2m in sales, and 2 FTE to 12. Key is using experts hiring well and great culture (Kate Goodman)
Aug 09, 2020
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In this episode, I interview Kate Goodman, the owner of Goodman Conveyancing, and a licensed conveyancer. Her ex-husband and best friend started a legal firm in Hobart in 2001. After he became too unwell due to MS, Kate stepped in to run the conveyancing business, now the...
032: With a single 300L still at home in 2007 made an Irish-style, triple distilled whisky – merged, moved to a 4,500L and 2 other stills, launched an award-winning gin then sold out to return to distilling from home on a 700L still (Damian Mackey)
Aug 02, 2020
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In this episode, I interview Damian Mackey, a master distiller of whisky and gin and the founder of New Town Distillery in Hobart, Tasmania. In 2005, he started building a small distillery (Mackey’s Distillery) in his backyard in Hobart, and in 2007, filled their first cask with triple...
030: In its 24 years the distillery was sold 4 times, the 3rd after the business failed. They went on to win the best single malt in the world – the first outside Scotland, Ireland and Japan. Grew from 4 FTE to 23 (Patrick Maguire)
Jul 21, 2020
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In this episode, I interview Patrick Maguire, the Master Distiller for Sullivans Cove Distillery in Hobart, Tasmania, and the Chairman of the Tasmanian Whisky Producers Association in 2012. Sullivans Cove was one of the first craft distilleries of commercial scale in Australia founded in 1996,...
028: Small business marketing consultant with 25 years experience talks about what marketing is, knowing your ‘why’ and focusing on the customer. Excellent books, podcasts and tools to help any fast-growing business with their marketing (Toni Kibbey)
Jul 05, 2020
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In this episode, I interview Toni Kibbey, a subject matter expert on marketing. With over 25 years in marketing, especially in small business, Toni strongly believes if you don’t have a customer, you don’t have a business. And that’s where your marketing should be built...
025: Late 2011 convinced her partner and another friend to quit their architectural jobs and found the internationally acclaimed Cumulus Studios, from $55k first year revenue to now $3m and 18 FTE after starting with 4 founders (Kylee Scott)
Jun 14, 2020
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In this episode, I interview Kylee Scott, a director, and the studio manager at Cumulus Studio. After leaving a leading architectural firm to work for a large engineering company, Kylee saw how profitable a well run professional services company can be, so she convinced her partner in Hobart...
024: In 2002 moved back from London to buy a cafe restaurant in Hobart. Sold that in 2009 and started two cafes and a Mountain Bike Tour business. Grew from 5 FTE to now 20 and over $2m in annual sales (Jon Stagg)
Jun 07, 2020
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In this episode, I interview Jon Stagg, the Founder/Owner of Atlas Cafe, The Stagg, and Hobart Mountain Bike Tours, all based in beautiful Hobart, Tasmania. After years working in banking and IT, in a blanket in the Wimbledon Common in London, where the Wimbles live, Jon and his wife decided to...
022: Over a beer at uni 3 friends started a forest management business in 2001, now with 125 FTE and $20m – $30m in sales. Diversified into value-adding wood products they now also harvest trees from the depths of a lake in Tasmania (David Wise)
May 24, 2020
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In this episode, I interview David Wise, a Co-founder, and Director at SFM Environmental Solutions Pty Ltd, a professional forestry business that provides forest management and consultancy services to a range of clients in Australia and New Zealand. David and his 2 partners started SFM back in...
018: Executive recruitment firm in the tech space launched in 2001 as the tech-wreck hit, from 2 FTE grew to 90 across 4 countries with $18m in revenue and minimal capital investment (Phaedon Stough)
Apr 26, 2020
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In this episode, I interview Phaedon Stough, the Co-Founder of Innovation Bay, the longest-running networking group for tech founders, startups, and investors in Australia. He’s also the founder and non-executive director of MitchelLake Global Executive Search and Talent Acquisition, an...
