The Perth Business Podcast

Welcome to our swan song studio episode for Perth business owners. Chris has been a long anticipated guest for me as we bumped into each other at networking events and through mutual networks time and time again. And, I think it was absolutely worth the wait.

Not only is Chris a testament to our previous guest, Rob Bentley's mentorship, he's also part of a long standing agency that successfully navigated going from broad service marketing to specialising in something niche.

We chat about the lessons learned in starting a business with two partners to leading a team of autonomous managers and their broader teams, what the Perth market is missing and how to capture external opportunities to enrich your local agency, and personal growth above all else.

Give this episode a listen if you're looking to be inspired. No cliches here, we promise.

Thank you to Brett from ICN who lent us the studio for recording. Keep an eye out for the video that will launch on YouTube in the coming month.

Also, I'm in Berlin now which means the future of the poddy will be more digital, although it's still to be decided as we enter a short hiatus. More details to come on our social pages!

This episode may be just what you need to crack into a new burst of motivation for the second half of this year. With 20 years of business coaching and mentorship under his belt, many of Perth's fastest growing businesses owe their success to Rob.

In this episode, we don't cloud secrets to success in hints and nuances, or suggest that you, too, could be an up and coming business coach if you follow five easy steps (yeah, right, a cookie cutter approach never works). However, what we will do is dive into what makes Rob who he is, and how he navigated through previous experience to get to where he is today.

Knowing the inside story could help you connect with your own potential career path as a coach, see new ways to gain or seek mentorship or fill you with confidence to take the next leap for your business and engage someone like Rob to help you grow.

As always, leave your comments and questions and we'll continue the conversation!

Check out more about Rob www.robertbentley.com.au.

Michael Maiolo, Juliana Ho and Roydon Elliott from PS Digital join me in the studio to talk about entering the workforce in Perth.

It's not often we get the perspective of young people leaving university and entering the "rat race," and I'd say it's far more uncommon to think of it as the typical corporate grind when it comes to career planning these days. We've heard how our parents experienced the working world. We may even be the people in positions where 9-5 grinding or owning a business follows a rigid set of rules, but these guys come from a different perspective and it's clear this model is shaken up for future generations.

This episode covers university experience in marketing versus the real world, harnessing available tools when you're joining a new business and making your mark based on your character, not the set of skills you did (or didn't) learn in education. With a supervisor, a newly employed graduate and a student/intern, this little panel will hopefully provide the insight you need to build your business better, or to take the right path if you're looking to gain experience.

We also interviewed Philip, the director of PS Digital, recently, so make sure you catch his episode for the other perspective.

Find out more about PS Digital at psdigital.com.au.

The Brand Agency are what they say they are. It's in their name - they're all about brand. But we take it back and get behind the scenes with Daniella Chadinha, TBA's Senior UX Specialist. User experience is key when you're building or changing aspects of your brand because neglecting it can only be detrimental to your business. As business owners or wannabe entrepreneurs, we know this, but let's get into the nitty gritty of what that actually means.

Read more about The Brand Agency or get in touch at www.brandagency.com.au.

Connect with Dani at www.linkedin.com/in/daniella-chadinha-086912126.

Charlie was bullied at school... by the teachers, and his experience has probably been felt by many entrepreneurial kids who learn a little differently. Sound like you? The rest of this episode touches on exactly why we need AI in business, from real estate to HR and international corporations that hire across the globe. We chat fraudulent documentation, how to put new best practice security measures in place as a business following the Optus and Medicare data breaches and where the future of data security is headed in Perth.

Check our Personr at https://www.personr.co/

You may have heard of the controversial billboard in Osborne Park, WA, bought by OnlyFans content creator and adult model Savannah, A.K.A West Coast Savage. It's a hot topic among news outlets and all the Karens out there, so we brought her into the studio after fangirling on Instagram (@w.c.savage for anyone living under a rock).

This episode is a first for the pod, but fear not, we get down to the business of exactly how the billboard has catapulted Savannah to success, where it all started before she was struck with the wild idea to blow her face (and body) up to a couple hundred thousand pixels, and what the future looks like.

We certainly wish we could have had more time in the studio because this chick rocked. If you have questions for her and are keen for a follow up episode, send a voice note via the Anchor podcast platform or drop a line in our DMs on Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn.

This episode is all about the benefits of having young people in your team culture, why flexible workplaces look so different these days, and the nitty gritty of human design. Philip hails from the UK and compares the culture he built at PS Digital to his aviation training pre-pandemic, which turns out to make a lot of sense. Tune in if you're building a team with young members pushing through the underbrush to take on the current world's climate and all its pressures. Enjoy!

We welcomed Matt into the hot seat and as a fellow podcaster who's familiar with spilling the tea on mic, we dove straight in. With experience as a corporate accountant, an author, business coach and consultant, it's been a self-confessed long road to get to where he is now. We chat about experience with major burn-out, resilience in times of tragedy, chronic illness and the epidemic. Business owners face challenges along their entrepreneurial journeys and this episode might be something you resonate with if that's you, as well.

You can find out more about Matt and his projects at:

Website: https://mattjhanham.com/

Business: https://visible.com.au/

Instagram: @mattjhanham

Book presale: https://tca.mattjhanham.com/ds-book-presale

Welcome to the first episode of our down south road trip series! Note: audio quality is compromised due to the mobile nature of this interview.

If you've ever driven from Perth to our south west region, in particular Bunbury, Busselton, Margaret River or Dunsborough, you'd be familiar with the Bunbury Farmers Market. A super fresh food mecca with 350 staff and all the fruit, veg, meat, dairy and meal options to choose from, you'd be remiss to skip a visit en route down south or back to P Town. 

Graham tells us about his humble beginnings as a grocer, how he values his customers for more than just their basket size, and the secret ingredient to high quality products that many supermarket chains simply don't consider. 

Whether you listen for nostalgia, for the lessons of someone who's truly experienced it all in the world of business failings and successes, or out of curiosity for the industry of wholefood, you'll leave with more than one nugget of wisdom.

Check out the full episode here and show your support by filling a trolley next time you drive past the famous market, or giving the episode a rating whether you listen to your podcasts.

Are you curious about ecommerce and how to build a team that focuses on that niche? 

Have you ever been tempted by the promising idea of a side hustle that could solve a real problem in the world, in your market or in your life?

Or perhaps you are here for general advice on how to successfully run a business for over 15 years in WA. 

Ben covers everything from developing the perfect formula for an event that gets potential clients and advocates in a room in the name of your business or niche, to prioritising your specialties and main business with tips on staying motivated and avoiding the temptation of side gigs. 

You can weigh in on the topics we cover in 50 minutes by jumping onto our Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn and dropping a comment on our posts. Don't forget to keep an eye out for the YouTube video release!

Katy Miles is infectiously encouraging in this episode! She's like no other guest we've had on the podcast and you'll hear why as soon as you press play.

Lashes, brows and spray tans; they're either your religion every Thursday ahead of the weekend or an indulgence you can appreciate for others. 

As a beauty therapist, it's a craft you've refined from watching YouTube videos and practicing to be like your idols, to taking the leap and betting in yourself professionally.

Whether you're struggling with confidence, motivation or creativity, this episode is for you and for all the beauty therapists who want to find connection with someone in their field.

Rob is finally in Australia, and while he's setting up base in Melbourne, we got him in the studio for an interview. We chat all things Gyroscope from his days touring internationally and beyond that, to managing artists like RedHook and The Faim. We record this podcast at The Hen House Rehearsal Studios in Osborne Park, WA, so it's a doubly special episode with Rob, who owns the studio. Listen in for a candid convo and thank us later. You're welcome! 

We chat to Kate and Nicolette from We Are Womxn, which is a health promotion organisation working to reduce women's stigma in WA. Make no mistake, the gals are Health Promotion Practitioners themselves, so we're hearing from internationally accredited and highly experienced professionals, passionate about making change in WA. Their goal is to communicate with and empower young people, while sharing education, encouraging honest conversation and facilitating collaboration at the same time. Listen to our conversation about making major positive impacts on the lives of women in Australia, all inclusive!

Less than an hour to get to know the founder of The Push Up Challenge was a feat, but we got stuck right in and delved straight to the guts of things. From Nick's personal story with a heart issue leading to mental health deterioration to how an international community demanded The Push Up Challenge to get through Covid lockdowns. We won't give it away so you'll just have to listen and let us know what you think!

Check out our fellow podcaster Aria Scarlett on WA Expose! Before you do, get to know Aria behind the scenes and hear her origin story. From studying classical music to running her own productions across WA, we discuss the nuances of respecting traditional land, showcasing performers in formats that expand the interests and tastes of locals interested in the arts, and the relevance of performing arts in Perth. Plus, so much more.

Catch WA Expose episodes at https://shows.acast.com/wa-expose or on your favourite podcast streaming platform.

You can head to her podcast to catch an episode with me, talking all things podcasting, business communities and collaboration in this cross over bonanza!

From customised painting of babies and pets to becoming a highly sought after muralist commissioned for work up and down the coast of WA, Jordan has a pretty unique story to tell. If you've ever experienced learning difficulties, growing up in a rural town, pivoting from one major life decision to the next or making a living out of your passion when it's not regarded as a mainstream skillset, you might resonate with this episode. Aside from the relatable struggles, we hear Jordan's best tips for progressing as an artist, finding the confidence to level up and how to laugh at the things that once made you cry.

Find Jordan on the gram at instagram.com/jordan_rushhh (@jordan_rushhh)

This story is one of epiphanies, a childhood on Christmas Island, and following opportunities over east even if it means leaving home, family and your partner, in order to enrich your knowledge to start a successful business in Perth. Cheech is hilarious, and passionate. He talks about following his heart to be true to himself, and creating a great example for his staff by committing to a positive workplace as well as culture and lifestyle because it's easy to talk the talk, but more important to walk the walk.

Check out Ignite Search at https://www.ignitesearch.com.au/

No matter where we get our endorphins each day, whether it's a boxing class, being with loved ones or following a passion, we don't often talk about how important it is to find space to create these moments in our day-to-day. Flow Jiu Jitsu is more like a brotherhood than a gym class, welcoming kids and adults who are male-identifying. Mens Talk ties in nicely with their outright goal to speak directly to males and the people in their lives about mental health, and we're sure you'll gain something new from this conversation.

Catch Ben and his crew from Flow Jits at https://www.facebook.com/flowjits/.

Read more about Mens Talk at https://mtalk.com.au/.

Benjamyn has an incredible story of going from mega beauty brand clerk to an ambassador for fighting unrealistic beauty norms and starting their own business to compete with existing narratives. The learnings Ben has to share from brands we probably use every day are frankly quite scary, and they even have a perspective on what it's like to experience and get out of homelessness. 

Check out the their ethos and products at https://www.antibeauty.com.au/.

Give them a follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/antibeautybrand/ or Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AntiBeautyBrand/.

Hear from a young entrepreneur who started a non-profit initiative from 10 years old. At 19, Dean is able to tell us his story of pitching an idea to investors and supporters as qualified as CEOs as a mere fifth grader, to developing partnerships that enable him to help thousands of animals each year in Perth. We also ask about growing a business as a teenager and young adult while balancing school, study and future goals.

In this episode, we had the pleasure of speaking with Dr Rakesh N. Veedu on the topic of oligonucleotide therapeutics. If you're drawing a blank, we bet you've heard of the scientific pursuits into finding cures for HIV infection, macular degeneration, and spinal muscular atrophy. 

What about the endeavour to protect humanity against Covid? 

That one's pretty fresh and don't worry, we don't have divisive discussion around whether or not the vaccine is effective in the context of the current climate. We simply talk facts and get into the nitty gritty of how scientists manufacture DNA and RNA in order to diagnose and treat conditions beyond our comprehension.

It's fascinating and I hope you'll join me in the conversation with DR Rakesh. Drop your notes on your preferred channels or find us on social media or via email at theperthbusinesspodcast@gmail.com.

Ever wondered what it would be like to run your very own business, but intimidated by having no game plan going in? Or perhaps your business is thriving and you're ready to branch it out to various different locations and entrust your brand to future business owners as passionate as you are?

We talk to Julian Chong, Director of Marketing at United Franchise Group, and cover franchising from both angles. This is a first time topic on the podcast and one you don't want to miss. 

Catch this episode on your favourite podcast streaming platform and let us know your thoughts once you've had a listen!

Picking the brains of someone who's worked with Rusty, BMW, Volley, Poppy Lissman, Bonds, Universal Store Tourism WA and more epic brands is basically the pinnacle of podcasting. 

Liam's younger than I am, and as a photographer, videographer and creative director with over 109k followers on Instagram, it's hard to picture how he makes his dream a reality without needing fourteen clones of himself.

His secret? Passion first, discipline second and authenticity always. Listen to this episode if you're on a creative pursuit and if you want insights from someone who is literally living their dream every day.

Check him out at https://www.liamfawell.com/photo or on the gram at https://www.instagram.com/liamfawell/

Cameron is a Perth based entrepreneur with an award winning IT business. His ethos is to proactively reduce the ROI lost during IT downtime. 

This episode is for anyone who is wasting time fixing things when they break instead of being proactive, for business owners who are looking for advice on finding a clear, managed service, and for companies within industries that are under a lot of pressure right now.

Find out more about Cameron and his business at https://downtimeassassin.com.au/

With Muay Thai & Boxing gyms in Highgate, Myaree and Joondalup, Whitney knows a thing or two about starting and expanding a successful business.

Check out Champions at https://championsgym.com.au/ and let us know what you thought of the episode!

Barbells, beers, burpees and BBQ's - isn't this your idea of the perfect gym/life balance? CrossFit Long Haul achieve an inspiring ethos in the best interest of their clients through practicing what they preach, and they don't compete in an industry that is seriously inundated (gym, personal training, life coaching, etc). 

Phoebee's approach to running her business helped them survive COVID and an online transition in the nick of time, grow without focusing on the threat of competitors, and prioritising the individual instead of purely profit.

For anyone who is in a category of business or industry that seems inundated, under resourced or experiencing other challenges, this episode is for you. We chat about setting realistic goals, balancing health and happiness, and the actual process Phoebee went through to get to where she is now - a successful gym owner, a life coach and soon-to-be mum.

With large brands like RAC, HBF and Murdoch under his belt, David Saraga from Gettin' Hectic has a story or two to tell about immigrating to Perth after setting a high standard for experiential marketing in the UK. 

Does marketing translate internationally? How do you know when an idea will resonate with the user or a mass audience? Will experiences be a thing of the past as we move toward more online and virtual platforms? 

There is a lot to be said for the digital experience that are replacing day-to-day activities like shopping or interacting with every day brands, but we discuss why connecting with your audience is more important than ever, and why the first instances of human trading are a great example that in-person experience will trump all digital advancements in terms of brand experience.

Check out the GH team and case studies at their website: https://gettinhectic.com.au/

Jack Anderson is 21 years old and an entrepreneur, not-for-profit founder, 4x author and independent film maker. Yeah - you're going to want to pick up your jaw off the floor and listen to his incredibly humble and inspiring story.

When he was 18 years old he started writing Year 12 textbooks and set up a not-for-profit, ThrivEd, where the proceeds from every two textbook sales is used to produce and donate a third textbook to donate to the library of the school in a low-socioeconomic area. He's currently on the board of ThrivEd, facilitating a team of uni-student writers to help hundreds of school students in the WA community.

Jack has since started a life education organisation that combines the power of documentaries and books to inspire young people to reach their dreams, how to build self-worth and how to develop great ideas. He has written three books and has produced an independent documentary called ‘Realising Dreams’., which highlights insights and stories of how how young people can conceive and reach their biggest dreams.

Jack's journey is very unique and his learnings are entertaining, inspiring and helpful for anyone looking to start their own business or non-profit.

You can find out more about ThrivEd at: https://www.thrived.org.au/

Check out the Realising Dreams documentary on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NtlsHCvC6o

Graphic design from brand naming and logo creation to translating the story of your business through social assets, websites and other marketing channels; Wandering Design Studio with Kim Leiper transcends the journey right into your blessed earholes.

With a vault of "been there, done that" learnings and a to-do list of future growth opportunities, Kim imparts knowledge that's valuable for any creative, particularly graphic designers. You'll take away a whole lot from this episode and hopefully feel invigorated and inspired to tackle your own path - and then talk to us about it!

You can find Kim and her creative musings at https://www.wanderingdesignstudio.com/ and:

- On Instagram https://www.instagram.com/wandering_design_studio/

- On Facebook https://www.facebook.com/wanderingdesignstudio

- On Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com.au/wandering_design_studio/_saved/

From the 6'10 Russian who brings you Sev's Pics (@sevspics on Instagram) and The Sevo Show (@thesevoshow on TikTok, YouTube and Podcast channels), it is our pleasure to share the interview between Taryn and Sev for the Perth biz pod. 

You may recognise his face and/or voice from Red Rooster's TikTok, billboards or bus ads for Pentanet neXus and many more Perth-centric campaigns.

For marketing executives and creators in Perth, this is packed with candid stories of beginning a career in wedding photography, teaching, TikTok and now content marketing. We don't like the word influencer, but Sev is indeed influencing the creative content space in Perth in a massive way, and his story is not to be missed.

Tune in and let us know your thoughts!

Sev's website: https://sevspics.com/

This episode is full of laughs and tales of successful - and not so successful branding and social marketing endeavours. We discuss whether there's method to the madness of testing until you simply cannot test any more (and then test some more), or if a templated approach works. Clayton gives us his secrets to cold outreach, copywriting in a world of visual stimulus and everything in between. Give it a listen and let us know what you think!

Imagine a dementor with no filter or risk adversity... enter Brandon Willington from Where U? Anyone who has ever had to be their own sales person/marketing team/creative in a new business needs to hear this. Trust us.

Find out more about where u? at https://www.whereu.com.au/ 

Amy is not just any marketer, she's a Perth marketer with the single minded goal to make premium marketing affordable and achievable for even the most clueless small business owner, because if you're doing everything else, marketing shouldn't be the hardest part of your journey.

Listen to our chat with Amy and Adrianna from Lumos Marketing all about how small business owners from gardeners to accountants and everything in between can effectively market their businesses for growth, profit and efficiency.

You can find Amy on LinkedIn at https://au.linkedin.com/in/amymiocevich

Read more about Lumos at https://lumosmarketing.com.au/

If you've owned a Twitter account or you follow news in Perth, you've probably heard of So Perth. Did you know that Adam Barrell, who began designing websites in grade 12, is responsible for one of Perth's biggest media publishing agency? 

This conversation touches on the landscape and media industry in Perth and opportunities for expansion, resourcing after COVID and building a brand. With a following of over 250,000, we're sure you'll gain a lot from discussing Adam's skills with content, data and networks, whether you're in media, agency or other business in Perth.

You can find out more about So Media Group at https://somediagroup.com.au/

Connect with Adam at https://au.linkedin.com/in/adambarrell

And of course, get your news and media from https://soperth.com.au/ or whatever social platform you're on.

Hannah Richards is our new money buddy and this chat couldn't have come at a better time! The economy is in turmoil (when isn't it, tbh?) and we're out here trying to figure out how to best afford our $6.50 coffees as well as a house one day. These tips are great if you're looking to implement a tracking plan for your finances, if you think everyone has the same issues and if you need some ideas on how to save effectively.

This episode is part one in a two part series, the second of which cover more business-budget subjects, coming in the next few months.

We had a very special St Patrick's Day episode with the creators of HoverIT; an e-commerce platform connecting local businesses with their communities. These guys are Irish and they're lifting the game for businesses owners in Perth. 

We talk about creating an e-commerce platform in Perth in a time where we lack resources like developers, and when there are so many social media apps that businesses owners think they need to be on in order to be relevant. So, what really matters? And where do businesses go now?

Check them out at hoverit.com.

Excuse the quality of the introduction which was recorded on a laptop during isolation.

This lighthearted chat with Bob and Liam from That's Rank touches on the origins of podcasting, the nuances of podcasting with a cohost, podcasting on behalf of a business or for personal interest, and random facts you may find useful if you're thinking of starting a podcast or have one yourself.

Sneaky announcement, Taryn is joining the That's Rank team as a third counterpart so keep an eye out for upcoming episodes on their channel at https://audioboom.com/channels/4991249.

You can check out an episode the trio have already done, ranking Star Signs: https://audioboom.com/posts/8059286-guest-rank-taryn-perth-business-podcast-star-signs

If you've got a business then you know publicity and media could be your ally, or your ultimate challenge. With roots in PR, Pim's story is telling of the non-linear pathway to finding your passion in an industry that has a lightning-speed pace. Listen if you're curious about the steps required to take your passion to the next level, or if you're a business owner curious about the industry and opportunities in PR.

This conversation with Amy covers topics that you may not have considered for your company, or maybe you have and you haven't got a solution. Accessible digital in an age where trends change so quickly, awareness on channels that cater for one consumption method only, like video with audio and little text, and considering the many people with disabilities around us.

Note that Amy uses a breathing apparatus which may affect the audio, but with your patience we think you'll get a lot out of this episode.

You can find her at lbddigital.com.au and on Instagram at @amy_c_evans, and on LinkedIn.

*At the time of recording, Amy had under 10k followers and at the time of posting she has 15.3k

Listen in to this riveting discussion around Acknowledgement of Country, how to feel comfortable using the words and how Rhys is educating businesses on cultural application. If you've ever wondered how to include acknowledgement in your business practices, or if you feel uncertain approaching cultural application as more than a box ticking exercise, this episode is for you.

You can find Rhys at acknowledgethis.com.au and on LinkedIn.

If you're asking the question, it can't hurt to explore the topic. Many business owners before you and many after you ponder this query. Just like the many challenges business owners have felt before you, various solutions are created that enable you to do your best work and learn from others' mistakes. Well, this episode talks about just that, as well as accountability, the difference between advisory and coaching, and marketing strategy.

This exciting new episode covers Ed's start in Australia with only a couple of English sentences and his mom's stern words of "You'll be fine" in his artillery, and his climb to success in curating the fashion label Cabinet Noir in the humble town of Perth, with goals big enough to take on the likes of Paris Fashion Week.

We talk about how ego played a part in his assimilation into Australian culture and his now success, his experience with bullying and standing out which remains a reason for creating his fashion label, his creative outlet in break dancing, his winning mentality and how he has 17 winning scratchies in his wallet, and why he's not stopping here with his goals.

Tune in to this riveting story and be inspired, don't forget to share, like and subscribe, and let us know what you think in the comments!

Just Google Edward Maradona and you'll find articles delving into mutiple angles of his career, as well as his profiles and webpages, which we've included below

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edward_maradona/?hl=en

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edward-maradona-5a3743122/

In this episode we dig deep into Lachie's problematic past, his trauma and vulnerability, and how he changed his path to find purpose. From seeing a psychic as a child who told him he'd become a healer, Lachie survived life's tough lessons and now works to create a fair and safe mining culture across Australia. You may have heard us talking about him in Becky's episode, since they partner to deliver workshops and connect with mining and construction teams around WA.

Trigger warning: sexual assault, suicide, disordered eating and cheating.

Trigger warning: sexual harassment, domestic abuse

Becky is a lived experience sexual harassment speaker in the FIFO and mining industry and she's making waves in Perth. She's also the best chick ever, and we're so proud to have her on the podcast. We cover a lot of ground, from understanding why she doesn't drink anymore to hearing stories of why she's so passionate about empowering women and men to talk, be vulnerable and grow beyond the current culture in which sexual harassment thrives.

Tune in to the next episode as we chat to Lachie, the FIFO Mental Health guy and Becky's workshop partner!