We’re currently revamping The Mentor podcast with a new studio and a new structure to bring you even better conversations. In the meantime, check out my podcast with one of the top podcast voices of 2025, Dan Bova.

Dan Bova, co-founder of The Yard Gym, leads a franchise network of over 50 locations in Australia, with ambitious plans to expand to 200 sites worldwide by 2025.

In our conversation, we explored Dan’s journey and early life, his move into gym franchising, the founding of The Yard, and what sets it apart. We also delved into its innovative business model and curriculum, the intricacies of franchising, his strategies for growth, and his bold vision for the future of The Yard.

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An alarming 6,200 NSW businesses went insolvent in 2025.

My latest guest on The Mentor was one of the business owners who had to shut down his business in 2025.

In this episode, Dean reflects on the journey of building Living Timber Co from $26 and a garage into a business delivering national projects, before the difficult decision to place the company into liquidation.

We explore what happens when passion meets rapid growth, rising interest rates and the quiet pressure many founders carry to do everything themselves. Dean speaks candidly about burnout, the warning signs he overlooked, and why he now views the experience as a failure without regrets, not something to be ashamed of, but something to learn from and move on from.

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Disclaimer: This episode was first released on 25th August 2025. 

This week I sit down with Paul Grosmann, CEO of R.M.Williams, to talk about one of Australia’s most iconic and enduring brands. We go back to 1932 and the story of founder Reginald Murray Williams, and how a bloke with no formal training built a business that became a global name. Paul shares what makes the boots and jackets so special, why Aussies are so loyal to the brand, and how it has stayed true to its roots despite decades of changing ownership. He also opens up about his own journey from Nike and McKinsey to Harris Farm Markets, and the leadership lessons he is bringing to R.M.Williams as he drives the brand into its next chapter while keeping its heritage front and centre. 

Check out R.M.Williams website here: https://www.rmwilliams.com.au/

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It’s been another big year on The Mentor. We’ve had some brilliant guests sharing incredible business insight. Who stood out to you, and who should we bring on next?

Here are some highlights of the standout episodes of the year.

00:00-8:52 (Hyro co-founders Steve & Taylor Chapman)

8:52-23:13 (R.M. Williams CEO Paul Grosmann)

23:14 - 33:36 (Dominique Gill)

33:37- 39:46 (Britt & Taz)

39:47- 48:08 (Mike Christidis)

Listen to the full podcast via the links below.

1. #493 Hyro co-founders Steve & Taylor Chapman
2. #495 R.M. Williams CEO Paul Grosmann
3. #499 Dominique Gill 
4. #501 Britt & Taz
5. #489 Mike Christidis

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It’s been another big year on The Mentor. We’ve had some brilliant guests sharing incredible business insight. Who stood out to you, and who should we bring on next?

Here are some highlights of the standout episodes of the year.

00:00-9:49 (Sam Kelly)

9:50-20:02 (Tracy Sheen)

20:03 - 27:33 (Jason Titman)

27:34- 32:03 (Little Rickshaw)

32:04- 39:13 (Zafferano)

Listen to the full podcast via the links below.

1. #478 Sam Kelly
2. #482 Tracy Sheen
3. #484 Jason Titman
4. #488 Little Rickshaw
5. #489 Zafferano

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

​​Nick Cogger is the CEO and co-founder of Better Beer, one of Australia’s fastest-growing beer brands. With a background spanning venues, alcohol, and drinks innovation, Nick’s journey has been anything but overnight.

In this episode, Nick breaks down how a chance Instagram scroll led him to The Inspired Unemployed, why influencer marketing only works when ambition matches audience, and how a “reverse pitch” sparked the idea of Better Beer.

He shares why he focused on creating a product everyone in Australia can enjoy, and how timing, discipline, and strategy are what it takes to take on the big brewers.

Follow Better Beer here: https://www.instagram.com/betterbeer

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At 28, Ari Kaklamanis has already reshaped how Australians consume real estate. He founded Million Dollar Listing Sydney (MDLS) at 17, building the country’s first social-media-driven real estate platform. What began as a small Instagram page is now Sydney’s most-viewed property portal, pulling in more than 21 million views a month.

In this episode, Ari breaks down how he spotted the gap, built a global audience, and turned MDLS into a powerhouse that changed the way people buy, sell, and talk about property online. A sharp look at the mindset and strategy behind a founder who rewrote the rules of real estate marketing.

Follow Million Dollar Listings Sydney here: https://www.instagram.com/milliondollarlistingsydney/

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In this episode, Candy Berger, CEO of Lox in a Box, talks through the journey from the early vision to the challenges that shaped the business. She explains how she navigated setbacks, built resilience and scaled what started as a small takeaway bagel shop in Bondi into three thriving locations in Coogee, Bondi and Marrickville, along with a retail line, baked goods and a fast-growing brand.

A sharp and honest look at building a modern hospitality business and what it takes to keep growing.

Check out the Lox in a Box website here: https://www.loxinabox.com.au/

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Michael Christidis is a 31 year old Melbourne entrepreneur and the Co Founder and Managing Director of Untitled Group, one of Australia’s leading independent live music and events companies. He started young, running uni events and selling tickets before co founding Untitled Group in 2014, now home to festivals like Beyond the Valley, Pitch Music and Arts, Wildlands and Ability Fest.

We cover his early entrepreneurial DNA, how he built a nightclub that took off, and how that momentum evolved into major festivals and a wider ecosystem that includes artist management, touring, events and strategic partnerships like The Daily Aus. Mike also opens up about the importance of mentors, the impact of COVID 19, dealing with chaos, staying bulletproof under pressure, diversification and why thinking bigger is the only way forward.

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Every small business owner wants to know the same thing — how do I execute?
How do I take the idea in my head and turn it into something that actually works?

In this conversation with David Kenney, we break down the real fundamentals of execution — not the theory, but the stuff that actually moves the needle.

We cover:

• David’s background and the thinking behind his new book

• Why so many people get stuck inside corporate environments and how to handle midlife career shifts

• The common patterns across successful and unsuccessful businesses

• The four pillars of capital allocation every founder needs to master

• Entrepreneurship today vs. 30 years ago — what’s changed and what hasn’t

• How to apply “Epic Execution” across different industries

• Finding, testing and validating business ideas the right way

• Building the right team and why early hires make or break a venture

• The importance of co-founders — and how to know if you need one

• Staying relevant in a fast-changing market

Purchase David's book here: https://www.amazon.com.au/EPIC-EXECUTION-SPEED-SCALE-LEVEL/dp/1960346342

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Chris Lucas is one of Australia’s most successful and influential restaurateurs — the visionary behind some of the country’s most culturally defining venues, including Chin Chin, Grill Americano (Melbourne & Sydney), Society, Maison Bâtard, Yakimono, Kisumé and Baby Pizza.

In this conversation, we discuss his newest venture, Grill Americano Sydney, and explore the mindset behind building restaurants that don’t just serve food — they shape culture.

We cover his Greek heritage and family influences, his journey from corporate life into hospitality, and the lessons learned from decades at the top of Australia’s restaurant scene.

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