Shows / Grow A Small Business Podcast
Grow A Small Business Podcast
Our weekly 30 minute podcast helps you, a small business owner with 5 to 30 team members, take your company to the next level. The Grow A Small Business community, weekly cast, blog and leadership email supports leaders get through the pain of growth. With insights, lessons learned, books and tools as well as habits these experienced small business owners suggest you develop, our interviews unearth tremendous value for anyone wanting to grow their business with less stress.
Episodes
Grow A Small Business PodcastAged 32 in 2007 with 2 kids under 3, 2 mortgages launched a unique business for kids in fitness and entertainment. 1 FTE to 10 with 100 contractors providing 1,300 classes each week to 15,000 kids in 5 States (Donna McColl)
In this episode, I interview Donna McColl, the Director at Happy Feet Fitness, a children's educational fitness program for 20 months to 5-year-olds. It was…
Grow A Small Business PodcastLeft school aged 16, uni late 20s, took over husbands' 1-person law firm in 2012 with $460k in debt - paid it off in 3 years. 1 FTE to 14 in 2 offices, $500k to $2m+ sales p.a. and works 10 hours a week with 8 weeks holidays (Caralee Fontenele)
In this episode, I interview Caralee Fontenele, the founder and director of Collective Family Law, a Gold Coast and Brisbane-based law firm specializing in…
Grow A Small Business PodcastAged 40 in 2013 quit law to look after their sick child for 2 years. For great flexibility, managed her family physio business, rebranded, opened a 2nd site, acquired a 3rd. Grew sales 130% in 5 years. 8 FTE to now 22 (Trisha Cashmere)
In this episode, I interview Trisha Cashmere, the Managing Director of The Healthy Body Company, an allied health professional services business that focuses…
Grow A Small Business PodcastBest-selling author on demand-side sales and innovation answering questions from 3 business owners. Created more than 3,500 products & services, from Patriot Missle to the fuel arrow in your car telling you which side the tank is on (Bob Moesta)
In this episode, I had a follow-up chat with Bob Moesta, the Founder, President, and CEO of the Re-Wired Group. The Re-Wired Group specializes in Demand-Side…
Grow A Small Business PodcastSells hot sauce to Americans and chili vodka to Russians. In 2012, aged 34, couldn't find sauce hot enough in Australia, made her own. 1 FTE to 5, sales doubled every year hitting $1m in 2019. Raised $2m from equity crowdfunding (Renae Bunster)
In this episode, I interview Renae Bunster, the Founder and Global President of Bunsters Hot Sauces. An ex Television journalist, Renae fell in love with hot…
Grow A Small Business PodcastAged 34 & 5 months pregnant, in 2009 quit cushy corporate job for greater flexibility. 2 years in, dropped all clients to focus on mentoring, memberships and online courses. 1 FTE to 3, just cracked $1m sales p.a. and 75% net profit (Kate Toon)
In this episode, I interview Kate Toon, an award-winning SEO copywriter and SEO consultant and speaker with over two decades of experience in all things…
Grow A Small Business PodcastIn 2008 2 brothers in NZ started an online toolkit for teachers. $30m AUD sales p.a., 80%+ gross profit, 30%+ operating profit. 2 FTE, now 180. Grew 18 to 58 countries in last year. Funded by bootstrapping until sold 80% in 2017 (Alex Burke)
In this episode, I interview Alex Burke, the visionary CEO of New Zealand EduTech company, Education Perfect (EP). A passionate storyteller, Alex boasts an…
Grow A Small Business PodcastOn maternity leave, aged 32 quit her corporate dental job, opened 1st site with a $5k loan from her husband. From 2 FTE, now 17 and $3.2m annual sales across 4 sites (Dr. Sonia Sonia)
In this episode, I interview Dr. Sonia Sonia, the Founder, and CEO of Kallangur Dental Surgery, a successful dental practice. In late 2013, aged 32 and while…
Grow A Small Business PodcastAt 19yo worked in her dad's financial planning firm, started her own in 2008 then another to focus on advising millennials. $250k to $2m recurring revenue, sold to ex-husband. 5 FTE to 18. Has sold 3 companies for $2m+ each (Sarah Riegelhuth)
In this episode, I interview Sarah Riegelhuth, the Founder and CEO of Growmotely, the first all-in-one platform for sourcing, growing and managing remote…
Grow A Small Business PodcastAged 15, still in high school, started a lawn mowing business, grew to 150 FTE, $10m USD annual sales and sold 18 years later. Then launched 'the Uber for lawn mowing' app, now has 200,000 customers, 22 FTE and $20m sales p.a. (Bryan Clayton)
In this episode, I interview Bryan Clayton, the Founder, and CEO of GreenPal, a web and mobile app that instantly connects homeowners with home service…
Grow A Small Business PodcastAustralia 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)
In this episode, I interview Jennifer O'Farrell, a Senior Associate at Dobson Mitchell Allport. Jennifer is a commercial litigation and dispute resolution…
Grow A Small Business PodcastAged 54 left a toxic government, bought a specialist business in bras & products for women after breast cancer surgery, having survived it herself. Largest range in Australia, double sales in 6 years and grew from 1.8 FTE to 6 (Gillian Horton)
In this episode, I interview Gillian Horton, the owner of Colleen's Lingerie and Swimwear and the Co-Owner of Treat Me Treasure Me. Colleen's offers…
- Grow A Small Business Podcast
Aged 54 left a toxic government, bought a specialist business in bras & products for women after breast cancer surgery, having survived it herself. Largest range in Australia, double sales in 6 years and grew from 1.8 FTE to 6 (Gillian Horton)
In this episode, I interview Gillian Horton, the owner of Colleen's Lingerie and Swimwear and the Co-Owner of Treat Me Treasure Me. Colleen's offers…
Grow A Small Business PodcastInvented the only product in the world which can air transport live fish with oxygen, a dangerous good. 3 other businesses in the group. Profit growing 5-7% each year. 2 FTE to 65 now 12 after strategic refocus (Gavin Hodgins)
In this episode, I interview Gavin Hodgins, the CEO at FloatPac Pty Ltd, a company that offers technologies to a diverse range of pioneering ideas and products…
Grow A Small Business PodcastIn 2011 after the divorce, kept the business with 6 stores and added franchisees, expanded to 24 stores in 4 States with 12 franchises. Taking over aged 52 grew from 20 to 65 FTE, sales $7M to $27M. Funded growth from profits (Daph Crowhurst)
In this episode, I interview Daph Crowhurst, the Managing Director at Crowies Paints, a fast-expanding retailer of paints. In 2019, Daph was named Telstra's SA…
Grow A Small Business PodcastIn 2007 aged 19 started a writing business, travelled the world for a few years, living off $22k pa from her award-winning blog. Back home doubled revenue for three years, peaking at $249k pa. Writer, author, speaker and trainer (Emily Gowor)
In this episode, I interview Emily Gowor, an inspirational writer, author, and speaker. Aged 19 in 2007, Emily launched her writing business, traveling around…
Grow A Small Business PodcastLeft a $220k corporate biotech job to start a business in 2014 aged 48, with a massive mortgage. Business partner got sick, never returned so sold for $1m to a listed company. Office across from her kids' school. 2 FTE to 6 (Michelle Gallaher)
In this episode, I interview Michelle Gallaher, a Melbourne-based award-winning entrepreneur, speaker, and advocate for the Australian health technology sector…
Grow A Small Business PodcastHelped 10,000 small businesses grow with their SaaS 13-month programme, 70-80% success rate, dropped fees from $2k USD to $300 a month, 1 FTE to 40 in 14 countries. Aged 22 in 2005, accidentally fired herself from corporate (Carissa Reiniger)
In this episode, I interview Carissa Reiniger, the Founder, and CEO of Small Business Silver Lining, a company that helps more small business owners make money…
Grow A Small Business PodcastProductivity increases 7%-23%, team engagement up threefold and retention from 5.4 to 9.4 years - why wouldn't you consider an ESOP, Employee Share Ownership Plan. ESOP Subject Matter Expert talks other benefits, costs and time (Craig West)
In this episode, I interview Craig West, the Founder, and CEO of Succession Plus, author, keynote speaker, strategic adviser, and leading authority on…
Grow A Small Business PodcastSales growing 267% pa, aged 38 quit to be the 1 FTE, now 9 over 4 years in a disruptive legal firm that only has lawyers with 20+ years experience, no juniors and an obsession on culture and putting value for clients first (Mellissa Larkin)
In this episode, I interview Mellissa Larkin, the Founder, and CEO of Peripheral Blue, a company that has been disrupting the way companies receive legal and…
Grow A Small Business PodcastMaking $250k USD pa in 2008, 3 years in as a virtual assistant, after pivoting from selling Egyptian rugs on eBay. Second pivot in 2010 pivot added online courses & team members - sales now 60% courses, 30% services & 10% affiliates (Michelle Dale)
In this episode, I interview Michelle Dale, the Founder, and CEO of Virtual Miss Friday and 1nSourcing™, the alternative virtual assistant service for digital…
Grow A Small Business PodcastWith 600 students in 10 countries, her online courses grew 214% in the last 6 months. Quit corporate to start a consulting business in marketing/branding/strategy, sick of selling her time moved to online courses in mid-2018 (Emily Osmond)
In this episode, I interview Emily Osmond, an international marketing coach, speaker, and podcast host. She is the founder and editor of Australian interiors…
Grow A Small Business PodcastDemand-side sales and innovation can unlock huge growth opportunities by understanding your customers' Struggling Moments, their Jobs To Be Done and their 3 Motivations for Progress. Professor and Subject Matter Expert (Bob Moesta)
In this episode, I interview Bob Moesta, the Founder, President, and CEO of the Re-Wired Group. The Re-Wired Group specializes in Demand-Side Innovation and…
Grow A Small Business PodcastQuit hairdressing in 1993 aged 21 to pursue her passion, now has 9 FTE and 100 contractors providing mobile massage and beauty services in 800 4 & 5 star hotels around Australia. From $20k in year 1 to now $2m (Kym Power)
In this episode, I interview Kym Power, the Founder of Rejuvenators Health Massage, Australia's largest professional mobile massage company. Kym passionately…
Grow A Small Business PodcastWon Australiasian business plan in high school, 2 years later in 2008, aged 19 launched a dog daycare, grooming & sitting business. 1 to 29 FTE. Out for 6 months due to burnout/brain infection made her let go - business boomed (Rhiannon Beach)
In this episode, I interview Rhiannon Beach, the Founder of Pups4Fun, Canberra's leading dog daycare and dog adventure center specializing in behavior-based…
Grow A Small Business PodcastWhile at uni came second in a business competition with a wearable product, bought his business partners out, raised $1m+ USD investment, merged with a similar company now with 40 FTE and an 8-9 figure valuation (Devin Miller)
In this episode, Troy interviews Devin Miller, the founder, CEO, and managing partner of Miller IP Law, a law firm that focuses on helping startups and small…
Grow A Small Business PodcastLargest vegan website in the world with 8,000 cruelty-free SKUs, quit corporate aged 38, started a business with a purpose in 2014. 2 FTE to 40+, sales from $60k to now $20m pa. Saved 30 tonnes of plastic with minimal packaging (Julie Mathers)
In this episode, I interview Julie Mathers, the ethical Founder, and CEO of BCorp Certified Flora & Fauna, the world's largest self-funded vegan and…
Grow A Small Business PodcastIn 1989 aged 35 bought 4,500 acres of Byron Bay rainforest and Macadamia trees, 10 years later started the cereal business, now exporting to 12 countries, 2 FTE to 70 and grew 10%-100% p.a. (Pam Brook)
In this episode, I interview Pam Brook, the co-founder of Brookfarm, Australia's leading producer of gourmet macadamia products known for its Macadamia…
Grow A Small Business PodcastOnline sales growing 2-3% per WEEK currently after flipping sales from 90% wholesale to now 89% online. Leading ethical beauty brand turned a $500k investment to a loan. FTE from 1 to 9 to 2.5 and spend $50k a month on FB ads (Anna Ross)
In this episode, I interview Anna Ross, the Founder, and CEO of Kester Black, an Australian-made, cruelty-free and vegan lipstick, and nail polish brand. She…
Grow A Small Business PodcastPricing consultant with 20 years' experience at the world-leading pricing firm with 1,400 staff talks about the importance of smart pricing in growing a small business, shares tips and resources for owners (Christoph Petzoldt)
In this episode, I interview Christoph Petzoldt, the Managing Partner of Simon-Kucher's Australia/New Zealand operations. Chris has 20 years of management…
Grow A Small Business Podcastnvestment on Shark Tank fell through, next month online sales exploded to $200k - the $100k+ profit from that funded the growth and after 6 years still owns 100% of the business, about to be stocked in 2,600 stores (Kate Johansson)
In this episode, I interview Kate Johansson, the Founder and Managing Director of Koja Health, an Australian company that produces a range of healthy foods…
Grow A Small Business PodcastGrew 60-300% p.a. after her business partner exited 3 years ago and totally transformed herself and the business, landed a big investor from Shark Tank in 2015, expanded from 1 to 16 products and now launching in the USA (Rachael Ferguson)
In this episode, I interview Rachael Ferguson, the Co-Founder, and CEO of SynxBody and the Founder of Elite Sports Podiatry. She's also a podiatry industry…
Grow A Small Business PodcastJoined 2 friends in a garden shed, over 16 years grew sales 10-15% p.a., put family and balance first from day one, uses a T-rex email for big sales, shafted overnight by a Big 4 bank and appearing on The Block almost bankrupt him (Luke Chant)
In this episode, I interview Luke Chant, the Founder, and CEO of Hotwire Heating, a wholesale distribution company that imports underfloor heating and heated…
Grow A Small Business PodcastYoungest franchisor in Australia at age 27, got to 35 franchisees and sold out after 13 years. Started 6 businesses, travelled the world with the family, started an online business which did $1m in its first 16 months at 65% profit (Tina Tower)
In this episode, I interview Tina Tower, an Australian businesswoman, entrepreneur, author, world traveler, and high-performance business consultant. In 2014…
Grow A Small Business PodcastWith 45% of female small business owners NOT contributing to their own superannuation she has a mission to change this. In 2005 left a corporate career to coach female owners, a big focus on pricing and overall healthy numbers (Ingrid Thompson)
In this episode, I interview Ingrid Thompson, the Founder of Healthy Numbers, a training, coaching, and consulting business for business startups and…
Grow A Small Business PodcastIn 2003 went 5 years as the founder and 1 FTE, peaked at 40 in 2011, due to a downturn in coal dropped to 12, and now has 32 FTE providing environmental consult. Invested a lot in a great team and culture (Patrice Brown)
In this episode, I interview Patrice Brown, the Founder, and CEO of CQG Consulting, a professional consultancy that delivers practical, creative, and…
Grow A Small Business PodcastAged 27 in 2014 skipped an MBA to get experience from her own business - empowering local food & beverage companies. Went from 1 to a team of 4, 50% growth p.a. over the 6 years and funded mostly from profits (Kim Bryden)
In this episode, I interview Kim Bryden, CEO, and Founder of Cureate, a social enterprise based in Washington DC that aims to empower the food and beverage…
Grow A Small Business PodcastIn 1966 started in a servo, bought a truck, built a fuel distribution business, poor exit with business partner, with new partner grew defunct distributor from 1 to 30 FTE, $0 to $80m sales & 100m litres pa 2001 sold for 5x profit (John Trewin)
In this episode, I interview John Trewin, the previous co-owner of Advanced Petroleum. At the age of 29 in 1966, John got his first job off the farm in a…
Grow A Small Business PodcastInvented 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)
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…
Grow A Small Business PodcastThey 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)
In this episode, I interview Kate Cashman, the co-founder of Mana Movement Studio in Hobart, Tasmania. In early 2019, they took over the lease of one of the…
Grow A Small Business PodcastWhen 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)
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…
Grow A Small Business PodcastWith 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)
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…
Grow A Small Business PodcastFounded in 2010, processed more than $2bn NZD in payroll for SMEs & charities, raised $500k in crowdfunding, grew 5 FTE to 18.5, huge donations to communities and just paid the 1st dividend for a social enterprise in NZ (Christina Bellis)
In this episode, I interview Christina Bellis, the CEO of Thankyou Payroll. The company was founded in 2010 and to date they've processed over two billion pays…
Grow A Small Business PodcastIn 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)
In this episode, I interview Patrick Maguire, the Master Distiller for Sullivans Cove Distillery in Hobart, Tasmania, and the Chairman of the Tasmanian Whisky…
Grow A Small Business PodcastFrom starting on a tractor in 2001 to owning the 130-400 FTE, golf construction business they pivoted after losing all sales in the GFC - adding golf course maintenance, design and renovation divisions (Craig Haltom)
In this episode, I interview Craig Haltom, President of Oliphant Golf Management (OGM). He is an active golf course architect and builder, and has a growing…
Grow A Small Business PodcastSmall 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)
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…
Grow A Small Business PodcastIdea from a sign in a French restaurant, sold his software dev business and coded the 1st version in 2014, aged 29. From 1 FTE to now 22 they have 1,400 restaurants using their unique product in 60 cities across 8 countries (Mat Weir)
In this episode, I interview Mat Weir, a tech entrepreneur and the founder of international table booking service, First Table, the only company in the world…
Grow A Small Business PodcastIn late 1999, started a developer code sharing website from his bedroom, and 6 months later was acquired by internet.com - a NASDAQ listed company. From 1 to 15 FTE, grew from 3,000 to 3M active users per month to maximise his exit (Mark Fennell)
In this episode, I interview Mark Fennell who in late 1999, from his bedroom in Sydney, started a developer code-sharing website and the now-defunct, Flash…
Grow A Small Business PodcastLate 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)
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…
Grow A Small Business PodcastIn 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)
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…
Grow A Small Business PodcastIn 2006 quit a senior job at Telstra to start a video tech business using little start-up capital with two other Founders, now a team of 90 and $15m in annual revenue growing 20% - 30% per annum (Christopher Stenhouse)
In this episode, I interview Christopher Stenhouse, the Co-Founder and former CEO of Switch Media, one of the world leaders in OTT (internet) content…
Grow A Small Business PodcastOver 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)
In this episode, I interview David Wise, a Co-founder, and Director at SFM Environmental Solutions Pty Ltd, a professional forestry business that provides…
Grow A Small Business PodcastQuit 20 years in the wine industry in 2010 with 1 FTE, now across 3 cask businesses has a team of 30, with 20 of those coopers. Grew from 80 casks initially to 20,000+ in FY19, while pivoting from 100% wine to now 90% spirit customers (Darren Lange)
In this episode, I interview Darren Lange, the founder and managing director of the Tasmanian Cask Co., one of the leading suppliers of casks to the Australian…
Grow A Small Business PodcastAged 24 he grew the team from 4 FTE in 2014 to now 11, sales from $50k to $2.3M AUD per annum with an online 6-month professional boot camp for young people. Participants have climbed from 14 in the first year to now 100+ annually (Cameron Sorsby)
In this episode, I interview Cameron Sorsby, the CEO at Discover Praxis, an online career boot camp business that offers content, weekly meetups, mentoring…
Grow A Small Business Podcast3 years to raise funds to set up a distillery in Melbourne, started in 2010 with 3 FTE and 2,700 bottles in 1st year sales to 35 FTE and 120,000 bottles sold in 2020, after the world's largest alcohol company invested in late 2015 (David Vitale)
In this episode, I interview David Vitale, the founder, and director of sales and marketing at New World Whiskey Distillery Pty Ltd (previously Starward…
Grow A Small Business PodcastExecutive 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)
In this episode, I interview Phaedon Stough, the Co-Founder of Innovation Bay, the longest-running networking group for tech founders, startups, and investors…
Grow A Small Business PodcastWith 2 FTE, Launched in 2006 Just Before The GFC, They Grew to 9 FTE and $1M in Annual Sales with Many Bumps in the Road and Lessons Learned Before Selling Out 10 Years Later (John Groom)
In this episode, I interview John Groom, the founder and previous CEO of Acrodata. In 2006, aged 39 and a year after getting married, John jumped from senior…
Grow A Small Business PodcastNo Investment Into A 3 FTE Software Company In 2006 Grew To 88 FTE, $12M Sales, $2.2M Profit And Listed On The ASX With A $27M Valuation (Stephen Chetcuti)
In this episode, I interview Stephen Chetcuti, the CEO and Managing Director of Protegic, an Australian-owned independent project management delivery and…
Grow A Small Business PodcastFrom 4 FTE in 2010, and literally chasing cars down the street of a small town in Michigan, to the current 95 FTE with 150 in the summer peak and 200,000 people through its doors (Bill Welter)
In this episode, I interview Bill Welter, the owner/operator at Journeyman Distillery, a business that he was propelled to start by his passion for golf, not…
Grow A Small Business PodcastIn 2009 started with a business partner, the 2 of them now have 32 FTE team members with 12 in Australia and 20 in Malaysia, as part of an elite SAP Consulting business with offices also in UK, Singapore, Germany, USA (Ed Davis)
In this episode, I'll have a conversation with Ed Davis, a trusted advisor on SAP security matters and a director at Turnkey Consulting, the Australian branch…