If you think NFTs are just an internet fad, then maybe now is the time to take it more seriously. NFTs – non-fungible tokens – represent unique digital files such as audio, art and video that can't be replaced by something else. One-of-a-kind but in digital form. Robbie Ferguson, the co-founder of Immutable, a trading solution for NFTs built on ethereum, wants to be at the global forefront of asset trading.  Join the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Amanda Williams cut her teeth in politics as a media advisor in federal and state politics. Here, she learnt how to build someones public image and reputation, starting from ground zero.Amanda was dubbed by the media as a “rising star of the federal media team” – not only was Amanda making a name for her MP, but she was also building one for herself. But one day, after an almost deadly accident, she decided her heart wasn't in politics and decided to lean into her creative, bright self. So she started Yellowpanda, a PR marketing agency that helps other startups get going. Amanda shares her unpredictable story of how she went from politics to PR, why you need to use this time to build brand awareness and why it's more cost-effective to have an analytical strategy in place.  Join the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube. ___If you or anyone you know needs help:StandBy — Support After Suicide on 1300 727 247Lifeline on 13 11 14Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636Headspace on 1800 650 890See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chris Lamont has been the NSW Small Business Commissioner since June 2020.Chris has extensive experience in both the public and private sectors.Having grown up in regional Australia, Chris has a solid interest in supporting regional communities.  Mark and Chris discuss how to deal with landlord disputes, confusion around COVID-19 relief payments, and why NSW isn't hearing from the commissioner directly?Join the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fred Schebesta is the co-founder of Finder.com.au, one of the largest comparison websites and has recently launched the finder app that combines personal finance management with automated product comparison.Finder is now worth over half a billion dollars – all without funding. Fred is Australia’s highest-profile advocate of cryptocurrencies and sees Bitcoin replacing fiat currency in five years.Fred and Mark discuss honouring your commitment to business, take a deep dive into the cryptocurrency wormhole and why it might become the future of currency. Join the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube. ___Disclaimer: The information on this podcast contains general information and does not consider your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While many of us understand how sex works (maybe), the business of sex work is rarely spoken about. Samantha X is Australia's most know high-class escort best selling author of ‘Hooked’, a book that thrust her into world fame. There are two sides to the Samantha X business; Samantha X Afterdark – a successful e-commerce business selling lingerie and sex toys, and samanthax.com.au helping people feel empowered through life coaching.  Samantha X After DarkSamantha X Life Coaching ___Join the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At the moment, people across the country tune in to their state's press conference every day to hear the latest COVID-19 case numbers. Our physical and mental health is important, but what about our economic health?NSW Minister for Small Business Damien Tudehope spoke to Mark about the frustration felt by small businesses and calls upon the minister to be part of the NSW crisis cabinet. Access NSW Business Connect hereJoin the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In nature there's no such thing as waste, so why isn't this the same for business? Instead, society relies heavily on the 'linear economy' – take, make, use, waste. The Circular Economy is rethinking the way we use products and is designed to benefit businesses, society, and the environment.Nicole Garofano is the Head of Circular Economy at Planet Ark who has teamed up with Gumtree to encourage Aussies to become part of the circular economy.  Nicole and Mark discuss why more businesses are adopting a circular model, why you should consider implementing it into your own business and why it is the future.Join the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr Suzy Green is the CEO and founder of The Positivity Institute which is dedicated to improving wellbeing in the workplace. Early in her career, she worked for many years with people who were very psychiatrically unwell, before taking the science and psychology of wellbeing out to the public through The Positivity Institute.The Positivity Institute has helped many businesses and employers develop the muscle that is our mental wellbeing.Dr Suzy Green and Mark discuss finding your “golden mean” how to achieve it, resilience and mental toughness and how to create a positive work culture.  Join the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube. ___If you or anyone you know needs help:StandBy — Support After Suicide on 1300 727 247Lifeline on 13 11 14Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636Headspace on 1800 650 890See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"There's an infinite upside to giving something a go." Inefficiency drives Rich Joffe crazy, which is why he's set out to sweeten a bland industry – home insurance.Richard Joffe is the CEO and founder of the insurance tech company Honey.Rich and Mark discuss why so many of us are obsessed with the downside of risk and rarely consider the upside, being deliberate with who you receive advice from and how to find good talent for your business when it feels like a needle in a haystack. Join the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The economic cost of a lockdown in a major Australian city is estimated to be nearly $1 billion a week.Lockdowns are crippling the economy, and the small business community is taking a disproportionate hit. A report published by the Australian think tank, Grattan Institute Race to 80: our best shot at living with COVID, has explained how the country could exit lockdown. Brendan Coates is the Economic Policy Program Director at Grattan Institute. Join the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tim Fung is CEO and co-founder of Airtasker – a marketplace enabling users to outsource everyday tasks. Tim and his co-founder Jonathan Liu launched Airtasker back in 2012, and it has become synonymous with getting odd jobs and services done. Fast forward to 2021, and it has become a listed company on the ASX.  Tim Fung and Mark Bouris discuss how to execute a convincing pitch to your audience, develop a marketplace business and why TV ads are still relevant. Join the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark Bouris is joined by world recognised hairstylist, Natalie Anne in an Instagram Live event discussing small businesses in lockdown. Watch the Instagram live broadcast HERE Join the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"If you can come up with bigger questions you'll come up with bigger answers." Self-belief is one of the few things that’ll get you through the shit…during those uncomfortable moments that make you wonder, ”why the hell am I here?” After witnessing the tragedy of workplace incidents as a private investigator, Luke created SafetyCulture, a darling of Australia’s growing tech sector.Luke and Mark discuss the humble beginnings of working in a Mobil service station, investment from his dentist, and why your imagination could be killing your business.Join the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark shares his frustration caused by the NSW lockdowns and the growing disunity and disconnect.He also answers your questions about using this time to rebuild your business and why you should adjust your business to reflect your customers' needs who are also experiencing lockdown.Join the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Natalie Anne has worked in the hair industry since she was 14 years old and has hustled her way to becoming one of Australia's most influential hair specialists. But no small business is immune to the impact of lockdown. The small business community has been severely impacted and many are hanging by a thread. Natalie Anne also shares how small businesses can use this time to improve social media presence and brand. Join the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a special lockdown episode outlining the Commonwealth government's Covid-19 Disaster Payment announced by Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Tuesday, 13th July. For more information about the COVID-19 Disaster Payment visit: Services AustraliaServiceNSW   Join the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After being misdiagnosed with polycystic ovaries (PCOS) by her doctor, Nicole Liu found herself travelling down the confusing, fragmented path of women's reproductive health. Nicole is the founder of Kin Fertility – a platform empowering women with the information, products and access to the health care they need to take control of their fertility.Backed by venture capital Eucalyptus, Kin Fertility has created Australia's first contraceptive prescription service and provides personalised telehealth consultations to patients throughout their fertility journey. Nicole discusses the importance of facilitating risk, cultivating interest and evolving into a business model.Join the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's time we hear from you; business owners, startups, sole traders or people who just love the podcast. Mark shares his thoughts on the latest lockdown in Sydney and its effect on small owners, and what you can do to survive during this period.Join the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

They say that the only thing that’s certain in life is death and taxes.  Today on the show, we’re going six feet under and talking about the business of death. There’s always a need for funeral services. It’s one of the few services that are never in short supply. Matthew Kwoka is the owner of Southern Cross Funeral Directors and host of Death Defined, educating people about the process of what happens when we die. Mark and Matt discuss how you navigate professional environments when you feel like you’re stagnating and why sometimes the best thing you can do for your business is refuse service. Join the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When Nik Robinson’s kids asked their dad,’ what can we do about the global plastic problem?’ They were deadly serious.Together they launched Good Citizens – turning your plastic bottle into everyday sunglasses. Nik Robinson and Mark discuss the value of transparency in maintaining trust around your business, simplifying your focus to one key problem and putting power back into your customer.  Join the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Who is Jimmy Brings? David Berger is the co-founder of the alcohol delivery service Jimmy Brings. David and his business partner, Nathan Besser, first became small business partners through a B2B company, Suppertime. This eventually evolved into what we now know as Jimmy Brings. Mark and David Berger discuss the beauty of letting an idea evolve on its own, making the most out of marketing opportunities and how being flexible is likely more important than your business idea.  Join the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anyone can make a coffee or a good meal. What separates customer service from hospitality is the genuine desire to serve and provide.True hospitality runs through Ameer El-issa’s veins and his family businesses; Bar Biscotti, Shisha, Knafeh Bakery and The Bearded Bakers.You’ll hear how important it is to create a genuine experience around your business, attracting and connecting big companies to your own and why making seemingly small adjustments to your business can create a huge impact. Join the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jason Daniel is the founder of sportswear gear LSKD – functional sportswear with a street aesthetic.It's a company that's experienced a few rebrands since Jason founded the company in his teens, then called Loose Kid, and has gone on to grow with the founder. Jason Daniel is brutally honest with himself and shares how a mad motocross kid from Logan, Queensland managed to create cool lifestyle clothing for Hollywood stars and everyday customers who want to chase the vibe.Join the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Customers are savvier than ever before, which means it's much harder to win their trust. Gimmie is a start-up company based in Queensland that wants to disrupt the consumer goods rental industry by simply offering a fair product.Co-founders Scott Roworth and Nadine Tuckey are democratising life's bigger purchases for those who often feel financially excluded. Mark and Gimmie talk about anticipating a change in business, how important it is to keep up with what your customer wants and why change needs to be part of your business mindset. Join the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Erica Berchtold is the unsuspecting CEO for The Iconic.   The eldest of four children, the daughter to a German migrant father and a mother who was a nurse.After finishing up as the Managing Director at Rebel Sport, spending most of her career in the bricks and mortar world, Erica scored the CEO role at Australia’s number one online retailer – The Iconic.Erica moved into a disruptive online industry while disrupting her career.   The overwhelming mantra Erica carries throughout her career is, 'Why can’t I?'Join the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When Mike Smith decided to take an eighteen-month sabbatical to the middle of nowhere, he didn't expect to find plastic ...and lots of it. Smith is the founder of Zero Co, sustainable, reusable home-cleaning and personal-care products.Not only do you feel good buying one of Zero Co's products, but it's managed to make laundry detergent look really sexy with its fun, cool design.  I want to know why so many people have decided to back such a young startup, Mike's Smith's story behind his company, and how Zero Co plans to change the plastic industry.Join the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Data is always talking. You just need to learn how to listen. Dharpan Randhawa is the CEO of Talisman, a sports marketing agency, and a former SVP at McLaren Racing. To put it simply, he's a marketing matchmaker.Working alongside big names including Formula 1, Heineken and tennis player Andy Murray, Dharpan Randhawa delivers marketing results by utilising and applying data to his clients. As business owners, data is one of our most valuable resources. Mark Bouris and Dharpan discuss how your small business can learn from big businesses and take things to the next level using data.Join the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Miss Amara is an e-commerce rug business achieving online business cult status. Co-founders Alex and Aaron Weller have built a strong customer-centric business strategy with a beautiful online presence and virtual reality styling services.Miss Amara proves it doesn't matter what product you're selling online, as long as you keep the customer front of mind.What makes a rug business so successful online? We discuss product data, production fulfilment, and what what happens when your business faces a crisis? Join the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Persuading parents to do a course that will save a kids life is an easy sell. But how does it work as a business? Theo Mallos is an Intensive Care Paramedic and the co-founder of pediatric first-aid business Rescueblue. After attending a heartbreaking job while working as a paramedic, Theo and his wife decided to apply his knowledge as a health care professional on a larger scale – first aid courses for first-time parents. I want to know how Rescueblue recruits new people into the business, the challenges of licensing agreements and the responsibility of a hectic schedule. Join the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When the Sydney Lockout laws were lifted seven years after they were imposed in 2014, what remained was a nightlife in decay. This decision cost $16.1 billion annually, as reported by finance analysts at Deloitte.Many small businesses have struggled to stay alive as high-rise buildings replace what was once a bustling hotspot for night goers.Michael Rodrigues is determined to help inject life back into the economy as the newly appointed NSW 24hr Economy Commissioner. I want to know why he is the right person for the job, his strategy, and how he plans to execute it.Join the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Naomi Simson is the co-founder of Australia's largest experiences marketplace, Big Red Group and RedBalloon. During the end of the dot-com era, while working in freelance marketing, Naomi found it difficult to attract clients who were willing to pay for her service. She realised a gap in the market for a digital marketplace for experiences. The idea for RedBalloon was born. Over 2200 small businesses in Australia and New Zealand use RedBalloon, now part of Simson's parent company Big Red Group. I want to hear from Naomi how she brought BRG to scale, how it benefits Australian small businesses and what makes it the third-largest experiences marketplace?Join the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael Fox co-founded an online shoe business, Shoes Of Prey, which gave customers the ability to customise their very own shoes. The company raised 35 million dollars in funding, made its way into the U.S, and hired over 200 employees. It appeared to be on its way to become another Aussie success story. But in 2019, Shoes Of Prey went into liquidation. Michael is now the co-founder of a meat alternative mushroom company, Fable Food.Found in over 1000 grocery stores across Australia, backed by celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal, Fable is on an ambitious mission to shake up the meat industry.I want to know what happened when Michael had to tell his investors the bad news? How did he convince them to fund his latest business, Fable Food? Join the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Irene Deutsch is the managing director and co-owner of Australia's oldest jewellry house, Fairfax & Roberts. After spending 25-years in banking and sales at Macquarie, Goldman Sachs, and ANZ, Irene was ready for a change of scenery, landing her at the 160-year-old jeweller at the start of 2020. Fairfax & Roberts first opened their doors back in 1858 and continue to hand-craft their signature pieces at their Sydney showroom. It's a business that serves and survives on love and emotion.I ask Irene about her experience and skills she's gained working with high investment clients and how she's transferred her understanding of customer emotions and motivations to her role at Fairfax & Roberts.Join the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oscar McMahon is one of the Co-Founders of Sydney brewery Young Henrys, whose mission is to create a beer company that’s in touch with the people drinking the beer, showcasing Australian hops and malts without all the bells and whistles. The business was started in 2012 by founders who shared a love of beer and music, and the view that the Australian beer scene should be more innovative and adventurous.With their combined experience in brewing and hospitality, they started Young Henry’s in a warehouse in Sydney’s Newtown, with 8 employees producing a few dozen kegs each week. They now have more than 60 staff and distribute 1500 kegs of beer a week to over 2000 bars, pubs and bottle shops around Australia, and they’re on track to sell 9 million litres of beer this financial year. I ask Oscar about the rise of the local Newtown Brewery to becoming one of the largest Independent Breweries in Australia and their role in supporting live music.Join the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jonathan Moody is the Founder and CEO of Physio Inq, a physiotherapy business that takes people through simple changes that have profound effects on athletic performance and pain relief. Physio Inq started as a bricks and mortar clinic in 2006 in Western Sydney, and the business now has 14 clinics and 300 staff across Australia, with a new arm of mobile and in-home care for disability & aged care. In the last year, Physio Inq’s commitment to their clients went into overdrive, and the business looked at telehealth offerings and how they could use technology not just as an alternative, but as potentially a superior option to face-to-face treatments. I ask Jonathan how the business has leveraged technology in its offering and why the relationship between the different sciences is so important to his business.Join the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Morgan Coleman was working in a corporate career when a chance encounter at the vet with his dog got him thinking about how he could make the process more efficient and painless than traditional vet visits. He saw the opportunity to disrupt the pet care industry with a service that was more convenient for pet owners and less stressful for their pets, so he started his business Vets on Call; a mobile app that delivers high-quality veterinary care right to your door.The business grew rapidly throughout 2020 with people looking elsewhere for services, and their average monthly revenue grew by 600% from July 2020 to January 2021. I ask Morgan about the discipline required to start a business in a field you know nothing about and how he continually pushes for improvement across customer usage and innovation.Join the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sean Satha is the Founder of Local Supply - a sustainable, zero-waste eyewear label that is revolutionising the production of glasses. Local Supply uses a plant-based resin to produce their frames, resulting in 50% less carbon emissions than traditional eyewear. In 2020, Local Supply saw online sales surge by over 50% and are set to keep growing.Covid gave the business a chance to completely pause all manufacturing and switch processes and materials to make everything more sustainable, with all of their packaging to be made from recycled or biodegradable materials by the end of 2021. I ask Sean how he’s grown the business, the importance of social media to the brand and how he continually pushes for improvement across sustainability, design and innovation.Join the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joanne Howarth went from being a waste offender in a previous business, to a sustainability crusader after seeing the effect polystyrene was having in her own business. Joanne is the founder of Planet Protector Packaging, who produce sustainable recyclable and biodegradable insulated packaging made from sheep wool waste. They’re on a mission to eliminate polystyrene and become the market leader in sustainable thermal packaging.Since launching in 2016, Planet Protector Packaging has removed 6.5 million polystyrene boxes from supply chains and stopped it from ending up in our oceans. In 2020, the business grew by 50% with increased revenue to farmers and 3500 tonnes of waste wool diverted away from landfill, commercialised, and given a new life. I ask Jo how she’s grown the business so rapidly and the importance of sustainability to her business proposition.Join the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My guest today went from a career as a stressed-out corporate lawyer to a hugely successful self-made entrepreneur in a matter of years. Alyce Tran co-founded The Daily Edited (TDE) in 2011 as a fashion and lifestyle blog that quickly evolved into a personalised accessories line. Now The Daily Edited is the go-to destination for luxe lifestyle accessories that are affordable, specialising in monogram-able leather goods.TDE employs more than 150 staff and is available online and in stores across Australia, Singapore and the USA. 2020 was the first time the business didn’t experience growth, so Alyce pivoted the product range to focus on gifts for friends and family sent directly to their door. I ask Alyce how she’s grown the The Daily Edited so rapidly, the importance of social media to her brand and how Covid affected her product range.Join the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My guests today were studying at uni when they came up with the idea for their business, which is now Australia’s fastest growing quick service restaurant. Nathan Dalah and Nic Pestalozzi are two of the three founders of Fishbowl, the Japanese inspired salad bar on a mission to change the culture of fast food with their healthy salad bowls. They launched their first store in 2016 in the middle of winter, and by spring they were selling over 500 bowls a day.Now Fishbowl has expanded to 28 locations with 300 employees and they’re now expanding their hospitality venture with a new venue called Fish Shop - a fine-dining experience with a chef driven menu of sustainable seafood. I ask Nic and Nathan how they’ve scaled the Fishbowl empire so rapidly and why good company culture is so important to the success of the business.Join the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hiam Sakakini is the Founder and CEO of The Culture Equation, a boutique management consultancy that specialised in creating high performing culture within organisations. Hiam grew up, studied and worked among vastly different cultures around the world, before working in the leadership team at Google for 10 years and seeing firsthand the importance of culture and good leadership in the workplace.2020 saw businesses trying to navigate the uncertainty of Covid, so Hiam’s team created a bespoke program to supercharge businesses by developing high performing cultures able to lead through any crisis. I ask Hiam how the last year has shown the importance of good leadership and motivating teams in uncertain times, why company culture is so important and what distinguishes good from great management.Join the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anthony Welsh has seen first-hand just how much the transportation landscape has changed over the last year. He is the Director of Popcar, a car-sharing service that operates across NSW, Victoria and the ACT. Anthony started PopCar in 2016 after seeing where trends in commuting were, to allow people to rent a communal car by the hour and only pay for the time used.Over the last year the business experienced a surge in bookings, with people looking for safe alternatives to avoid public transport. I ask Anthony why community support for the business has boomed and how he sees the future of PopCar evolving as Australians think differently about the value of sustainability and the sharing economy. Join the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My guest today left his successful career in advertising to set up his business after realising his passion for the ethics and origin of food. Cameron Romeril is the Founder and CEO of Soda Press Co, who create organic soda, cocktail and mixer syrups that aren't made with artificial ingredients and full of sugar. Soda Press Co. has now spread beyond Australia to 19 countries and all their products are end-to-end plastic free, organic and manufactured right here in Australia. I ask Cameron where his passion for provenance and health based products came from, and how important sustainability is to the success of his Soda Press Co.Join the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After working as a model and producer since the age of 15, Taryn Williams was frustrated by the inefficiencies in the industry, with late payment common practice and jobs few and far between. So at the age of 21, she founded WINK Models with the company policy to pay all models within seven days, and include diversity in the representation. The business was completely bootstrapped and WINK now has over 650 talent nationally.Taryn quickly realised how important technology was to directly connect creative talent with brands and agencies. So she created her second business – The Right Fit, a marketplace of over 9000 influencers, models, actors and photographers all in one place, to make booking a creative campaign easy and cost effective. I ask Taryn how both WINK and The Right Fit aim to revolutionise the creative industry, how this year has affected her businesses with an accelerated shift towards digital, and how they deliver value and convenience to both their creative talent and clients.Join the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If this year has shown us anything, it’s that mobility, flexibility and understanding your customer are essential to any successful business. Customer loyalty is hard to win and you can’t get it by just offering a great product – you must create amazing experiences around your brand as well. So today I’m speaking to a guest who knows a lot about investing in customer care, establishing loyalty in your customer base and leveraging technology to redefine mobility, and that is Scott Thompson, CEO of Lexus Australia. I ask Scott how the Lexus brand thinks differently when it comes to creating consumer satisfaction in an ever-changing environment, how they're ahead of the curve in creating luxury experiences for their customers, and how you can apply these principles to your own business.Join the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One industry that has boomed this year is horticulture, with people spending more time working on their garden, reaping the benefits of sustainable living and the ‘do it yourself’ ethos. Simon Holloway is the Marketing and Sales Director of Vegepod, a self-watering, portable garden bed company helping people grow their own food at home. Following their win on Shark Tank in 2016, Vegepod’s success has spread beyond Australia to 19 countries.Early on in the business, Simon lived out of the back of his van, driving across the country to introduce the product to garden centres. Fast-forward to operating during the pandemic and they’ve had their best year on record, with a 500% increase in sales. I ask Simon how Vegepod dealt with the challenge of not being able to keep up with that demand and why easy edible gardening has proven to be a favourite at-home activity.Join the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Don Robertson and Matilda Murray are the co-owners of STAX, a fashion-forward, premium activewear brand for all shapes and sizes. This year STAX had a surge of new business as people started to work - and work out - from home, and demand for comfortable clothing boomed. So much so that during lockdown, STAX released a collection of activewear that earned them $150,000 in just seven minutes.They had the right product for the right time and 2020 has been STAX best year to date, with 2000% growth. I ask Don and Matilda how they’ve created such a strong brand following, how their business has leveraged the visual impact of social media and what it's really like to be a couple running a business together.Join the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's guest is proof that a great product, the ability to adapt and evolve, and a strong community around you can really make a business thrive, even in challenging times. Ed West is the owner of Poho Flowers, a Sydney florist that offers a premium retail experience as well as an online store, and creates contemporary floral arrangements for weddings, offices and hotels.In March this year, when all event and corporate work evaporated, Ed focused on ramping up their online retail and reaching new customers who were looking for ways to brighten up their homes. I ask Ed how his business has leveraged the visual impact of social media to create brand recognition and why community support for the business has boomed with people looking for new ways to work together and support each other.Join the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.