Business Brain Food

This week we speak to a serial entrepreneur who’s really been there and done it. Amber Renae went from building bridges as a civil engineer to building up three six-figure businesses, including a fashion label supported by none other than Paris Hilton. But this certainly isn’t a story of serene progress and overnight success. Amber was refershnighly open about how she recovered from bankruptcy and bad money management to become the inspirational entrepreneur she is today, delivering e-courses and building sales funnels.

 

See some of Amber’s top tips below:

**  Don’t call yourself an entrepreneur unless you actually have a proper business!

**  You can still be successful in business if you’re bad at managing money, but make sure you delegate to someone who is a specialist in this area.

**  Don’t be afraid to say no to new clients and growth. If you can’t manage it properly then don’t do it.

**  Pay people for the knowledge you don’t have. The amount of time you save by doing this is nearly always worth it.

**  If you’re a good learner then you’re probably good at business. The day-to-day work of an entrepreneur is all about learning and problem solving.

 

In this episode of Business Brain Food you will learn:

**  What motivates an internationally successful entrepreneur

**  What it was like to be an entrepreneur before it was fashionable

**  How Amber came back from bankruptcy

**  The power of learning

**  The challenges of selling a product versus selling a service

 

Resources mentioned in this episode:

**  Enter our competition to win a 17,000 AUD coaching program. Winners will be entitled to free entry to events and workshops, quarterly Business Excellerator Conferences, access to the online resource centre, and over 20 experts on hand to answer your questions. Just click this link here to sign up: http://winbusinesscoaching.com.au/bbf/

 

**  Go to http://www.amberrenae.com/ for free marketing and funnel courses.

 

**  All previous BBF episodes & show notes can be found at http://www.businessbrainfood.com.au

 

**  Join the Business Brain Food Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BusinessBrainFood/

**  Twitter: https://twitter.com/bfewtrell

 

Call to action:

According to Amber, persistence is the key. “The only reason I am where I am is that I’ve failed more than everybody else.”

Also, if you are enjoying these Business Brain Food podcasts, then make sure to share them via social media sites or email the links to family and friends. A lot of time and effort goes into producing each of these podcasts with the goal in mind of the more people we can inspire about business the better. You can help us do just that!

Until next time, have a profitable day!

Cheers,
Ben Fewtrell
02 8808 5500

 


Emma Lovell had a flash of inspiration on the plane one day that led her on the most incredible journey of entrepreneurship and TV fame, and she managed to do all this while being the mother of two small children. It was her children who inspired her to pioneer the Cozi Go: a canopy that protects babies from light and noise to enable them to sleep more easily in public places. Her idea was so good that she was invited onto the very first series of Shark Tank and walked away with the investment she needed to get the business off the ground and dominate the marketplace.

 

See some of Emma’s top tips below:

**  When you’re designing and developing something new, always assume it’s going to take a lot longer than you originally planned. Pick a figure and double it!

**  Be prepared for there to be a big difference between the quality of a prototype and the first mass-produced batch of products. Make sure you have external quality control to check this.

**  If you’re letting someone down, make damn sure you have a clear plan to resolve the situation.

**  If you’re getting a business off the ground, have a mentor in place that you can be accountable to. This could be a director, investor, or even someone from a pier group.

**  Do things at your own pace. Make sure you can actually handle the consequences of business growth.

 

In this episode of Business Brain Food you will learn:

**  How Emma brought an invention to market with no design experience

**  The pros and cons of manufacturing in China

**  What it was like to be there at the very beginning of Shark Tank

**  How to play it when you’re on Shark Tank

**  What Emma did to solve the problem of dead stock

**  Influencer marketing explained

 

Resources mentioned in this episode:

**  Enter our competition to win a 17,000 AUD coaching program. Winners will be entitled to free entry to events and workshops, quarterly Business Excellerator Conferences, access to the online resource centre, and over 20 experts on hand to answer your questions. Just click this link here to sign up: http://winbusinesscoaching.com.au/bbf/

 **  Check out the Cozi Go here: http://www.cozigo.com

 **  Email Emma: emma@cozigo.com

 **  All previous BBF episodes & show notes can be found at http://www.businessbrainfood.com.au

 **  Join the Business Brain Food Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BusinessBrainFood/

**  Twitter: https://twitter.com/bfewtrell

 

 

Call to action:

As Emma says, if you want to bring a new product to market, do your market research and get yourself a mentor. Simple but effective!

Also, if you are enjoying these Business Brain Food podcasts, then make sure to share them via social media sites or email the links to family and friends. A lot of time and effort goes into producing each of these podcasts with the goal in mind of the more people we can inspire about business the better. You can help us do just that!

Until next time, have a profitable day!

Cheers,
Ben Fewtrell
02 8808 5500

 


Ben Kooyman is a fine example of what you can achieve with good planning and hard work. His Endeavour Brewing Company turns over 7 million AUD per year and can count our very own Ben as a super fan of their Amber Ale!

Any new company can learn from the Endeavour story, especially how they have managed to gather over 600 investors and keep them happy.

 

See some of Ben’s top tips below:

**  Don’t blame challenges in a changing industry. If there are challenges then there will also be opportunities.

**  Do a proper business plan! It sounds obvious, but so many businesses fail because they don’t do this properly.

**  Don’t be scared to give away a share of your business to raise money. If the value of your shares is rising then there are more slices of the pie to go around.

**  Be up-front with your shareholders. Is it a yield investment or is it more about capital growth? What are the challenges you face and what are you doing about them?

**  Remember that shareholders can offer skills and insight. There is no shame in asking their advice. Engaged shareholders are happy shareholders.

 

In this episode of Business Brain Food you will learn:

**  What inspired Ben to start a brewery

**  The power of local produce

**  How Ben raised 250,000 AUD from nothing

**  How to emerge from ‘the tunnel of death’

**  How Ben developed a winning mindset

 

Resources mentioned in this episode:

**  Enter our competition to win a 17,000 AUD coaching program. Winners will be entitled to free entry to events and workshops, quarterly Business Exceleration® Conferences, access to the online resource centre, and over 20 experts on hand to answer your questions. Just click this link here to sign up: http://winbusinesscoaching.com.au/bbf/

 **  Endeavour’s website: https://endeavourbeer.com/

 **  Check out Endeavour’s own bar in Sydney: 39/43 Argyle St, The Rocks NSW 2000

 **  All previous BBF episodes & show notes can be found at http://www.businessbrainfood.com.au

 **  Join the Business Brain Food Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BusinessBrainFood/

**  Twitter: https://twitter.com/bfewtrell

 

 

Call to action:

Ben’s favourite inspirational quote is “get shit done!”, and we certainly can’t argue with that as a motto!

Also, if you are enjoying these Business Brain Food podcasts, then make sure to share them via social media sites or email the links to family and friends. A lot of time and effort goes into producing each of these podcasts with the goal in mind of the more people we can inspire about business the better. You can help us do just that!

 

Until next time, have a profitable day!

 

Cheers,
Ben Fewtrell
02 8808 5500

 

Direct download: BBF223_There_is_light_at_the_end_of_the_tunnel_with_Ben_Kooyman_02.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm AEDT

This week we speak to a woman who took her business global from the most humble of beginnings. Fabienne Costa had an idea when sitting at her high school desk that she was going to make and sell her own jewelry, so eventually she went out and did it. Now she presides over YCL Jewels and distributes to 85 countries around the world. The story of how she overcame adversity along the way to build up a global business with zero outside investment is a great lesson to any entrepreneur.

 

See some of Fabienne’s top tips below:

**  Cultivate a positive relationship with yourself. Once you manage this, it will be a lot easier to succeed in business.

**  Being young and inexperienced can be a blessing in business. You’ll make mistakes but you’ll be malleable enough to learn from them.

**  See your business as something that exists in the context of a wider lifestyle. If you don’t you run the risk of being consumed by stress and negativity.

**  Define your ideal customer. You can’t focus your marketing properly without this.

 

In this episode of Business Brain Food you will learn:

**  How to overcome self doubt in marketing

**  How to run a company without working long hours

**  Influencer marketing explained

**  Recruiting on Instagram

**  How to get a company off the ground with no investors

**  How Fabienne went from selling on Etsy to a worldwide operation

 

Resources mentioned in this episode:

**  Enter our competition to win a $17,000 (AUD) Business Coaching program. Just click this link here to sign up: http://winbusinesscoaching.com.au/bbf/

 

**  Fabienne’s company website: http://www.ycljewels.com

 

**  YCL Jewels Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ycljewels/?hl=en

 

**  All previous BBF episodes & show notes can be found at http://www.businessbrainfood.com.au

 

**  Join the Business Brain Food Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BusinessBrainFood/

**  Twitter: https://twitter.com/bfewtrell

 

 

Fabienne’s motto rings true for all of us: “Take one small step every single day”.

 

Also, if you are enjoying these Business Brain Food podcasts, then make sure to share them via social media sites or email the links to family and friends. A lot of time and effort goes into producing each of these podcasts with the goal in mind of the more people we can inspire about business the better. You can help us do just that!

 

Until next time, have a profitable day!

 

Cheers,
Ben Fewtrell
02 8808 5500

 


 

This week we talk to someone who truly understands the humanity of entrepreneurship.

Although Stella Petrou Concha has been named as one of Australia’s Top 10 Female Entrepreneurs, she insists that failure was one of the main things that helped her get there.

Today she presides over the REO Group: a dynamic management consultancy and recruitment agency, but the most interesting part of her story is how she coped with her turbulent life in business before it.

 

See some of Stella’s top tips below:

**  If you have too much energy for the corporate world then you should probably be an entrepreneur!

**  Remember that an entrepreneurial mindset might not always be the best for setting up structure. If you’re more of a visionary, don’t be afraid to delegate.

**  Don’t be scared to change direction. Every decision Stella took was to take an opportunity to be her own best self.

**  Be willing to put yourself out there and give it a go. The best way to learn is to fail first!

**  If you’re a small business you have a great opportunity to sell an experience beyond just your product and give something back while you’re doing it, i.e. a B1G1 initiative.

 

In this episode of Business Brain Food you will learn:

**  How CBT and NLP relate to business

**  How to name your business

**  How to scale

**  The questions you should ask of yourself as an entrepreneur

**  How you can give back

 

Resources mentioned in this episode:

**  Do you think you have what it takes to become a Business Excelerator® at Max My Profit? Visit: https://maxmyprofit.com.au/business-exceleration.html

 

**  Stella’s personal website: http://www.stellapetrouconcha.com.au

 

**  REO Group website: http://www.reogroup.com.au

 

**  All previous BBF episodes & show notes can be found at http://www.businessbrainfood.com.au

 

**  Join the Business Brain Food Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BusinessBrainFood/

**  Twitter: https://twitter.com/bfewtrell

 

Call to action:

A final nugget of advice from Stella: “Fall in love with the success in business just as much as you fall in love with the failure.”

Also, if you are enjoying these Business Brain Food podcasts, then make sure to share them via social media sites or email the links to family and friends. A lot of time and effort goes into producing each of these podcasts with the goal in mind of the more people we can inspire about business the better. You can help us do just that!

Until next time, have a profitable day!

Cheers,
Ben Fewtrell
02 8808 5500

 


Like many of us, our guest this week started out as a reluctant marketeer. Allan Dib is living proof that you can start from a very low base and make yourself a marketing guru if you follow the right  advice. From being a self-confessed IT geek obsessed with his product, Allan used his newly acquired marketing knowledge to grow his business exponentially to the point that it was named by BRW as one of Australia’s fastest-growing companies.

 

See some of Michael’s top tips below:

**  Before someone buys from you they only know how good your marketing is, not how good your product is. Never forget this!

**  Always capture your clients’ details. Make sure you build that critical mass of an audience to spread your message to.

**  The best way to get new business is to speak to old business.

**  Lay your foundations properly. Get your marketing plan right and get the help of an expert.

**  Trust your managers to hire the right people. If your managers have made the hiring decisions then they’re going to be more invested in making the team work.

 

In this episode of Business Brain Food you will learn:

**  Direct-response marketing

**  How to convert your leads

**  The benefits of mentoring

**  How to find the right marketing advice

**  The importance of skills versus attitude in an employee

**  How too much experience can be a bad thing in a manager

 

Resources mentioned in this episode:

**  Do you think you have what it takes to become a Business Excelerator® at Max My Profit? Visit: https://maxmyprofit.com.au/business-exceleration.html

**  Go to Allan’s website for a free marketing plan: https://successwise.com/

**  Allan’s book, “The 1-Page Marketing Plan” can be bought here

**  All previous BBF episodes & show notes can be found at http://www.businessbrainfood.com.au

**  Join the Business Brain Food Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BusinessBrainFood/

**  Twitter: https://twitter.com/bfewtrell

 

Call to action:

 

If Allan can learn the ropes to become a marketing guru, so can you!

 

Also, if you are enjoying these Business Brain Food podcasts, then make sure to share them via social media sites or email the links to family and friends. A lot of time and effort goes into producing each of these podcasts with the goal in mind of the more people we can inspire about business the better. You can help us do just that!

 

Until next time, have a profitable day!

 

Cheers,
Ben Fewtrell
02 8808 5500

 

Direct download: bbf220_how_a_marketing_mindset_will_help_you_business_growth_01.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm AEDT

This week we have a frank and inspiring discussion with Michael Laps: co-founder and strategy director at Yoghurt Digital. An expert in user-behaviour research and customer-data analysis, Michael also knows a thing or two about building a business from the bottom up.

 

See some of Michael’s top tips below:

**  Surround yourself with good people. If you want to be an entrepreneur, make sure you’re around them.

**  It’s easy to set up an agency - you just need your skills and a laptop!

**  Don’t underestimate the power of brand recall. Calling a digital agency ‘Yoghurt’ has certainly worked for Michael.

**  Understand the customers of your customers. That will give you an edge as an agency.

**  If you don’t love the challenge of business then you quite simply shouldn’t be in business.

**  Don’t glorify the concept of entrepreneurship - there is no such thing as an overnight success!

 

In this episode of Business Brain Food you will learn:

**  How to make your way in the digital marketplace

**  What makes the perfect partnership

**  How to develop the winning mindset

**  The benefits of putting it out there

**  How to make bootstrapping work

 

Resources mentioned in this episode:

**  Do you think you have what it takes to become a Business Excelerator® at Max My Profit?
Visit: https://maxmyprofit.com.au/business-exceleration.html

**  Check out Michael’s agency here: www.yoghurtdigital.com.au

**  The Entrepreneur Roller Coaster by Darren Hardy can be bought here

**  The Lean Startup by Eric Ries can be bought here

**  All previous BBF episodes & show notes can be found at http://www.businessbrainfood.com.au

**  Join the Business Brain Food Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BusinessBrainFood/

**  Twitter: https://twitter.com/bfewtrell

 

Call to action:

Remember what Michael said about perfection? “Perfection doesn’t exist in entrepreneurship. Speed of execution and the ability to learn from mistakes is more important.” If you’re thinking about doing something, just do it!

Also, if you are enjoying these Business Brain Food podcasts, then make sure to share them via social media sites or email the links to family and friends. A lot of time and effort goes into producing each of these podcasts with the goal in mind of the more people we can inspire about business the better. You can help us do just that!

Until next time, have a profitable day!

Cheers,
Ben Fewtrell
02 8808 5500

 


There is a massive gap between how businesses think they are serving their customers and how customers actually feel about the service they receive.

 

This week we learn from someone who has made it his business to close that gap. Damian Kernahan is the main man at Proto Partners: a company that helps organisations actually deliver what they promise. He talks a lot of sense about the customer journey that we could all learn from, so listen up!

 

See some of Damian’s top tips below:

 

**  70% of Australia’s GDP is service based… service is where the money is!

 

**  67% of people don’t buy from business because of perceived indifference about their service.

 

**  Everyone says they’re busy, but that is not the same thing as being in tune with your customers. Make sure you are busy in the right areas.

 

**  “Predictable” and “consistent” are under-rated words. Do not underestimate the importance of them in your business.

 

In this episode of Business Brain Food you will learn:

**  The theory of the customer journey

 

**  How Damian built up his business but stayed small

 

**  How large businesses are letting down their employees

 

**  The dangers of being too busy for your customers

 

**  The gap between customer perception and the reality of their customer-service experience

 

Resources mentioned in this episode:

**  Do you think you have what it takes to become a Business Excelerator® at Max My Profit? Visit: https://maxmyprofit.com.au/business-exceleration.html

 

 **  Damian’s company website: http://www.protopartners.com.au

 

 **  All previous BBF episodes & show notes can be found at http://www.businessbrainfood.com.au

 

 **  Join the Business Brain Food Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BusinessBrainFood/

 

**  Twitter: https://twitter.com/bfewtrell

 

Call to action:

Remember the study that showed 80% of organisations thought they provided a good service, but only 8% of the public agreed with them? Don’t be one of those deluded organisations!

 

Also, if you are enjoying these Business Brain Food podcasts, then make sure to share them via social media sites or email the links to family and friends. A lot of time and effort goes into producing each of these podcasts with the goal in mind of the more people we can inspire about business the better. You can help us do just that!

 

Until next time, have a profitable day!

Cheers,
Ben Fewtrell
02 8808 5500

 

Direct download: bbf218_celebrating_11_years_of_business_success_with_damien_kernahan_01.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm AEDT

This week we find out the secret to growing a business quickly and successfully with Julie Castle: the inspirational founder of Struber. Struber is an engagement consultancy business that specialises in the infrastructure sector, and as we will find out, they also specialise in growing a happy team and creating a great workplace culture.

 

See some of Julie’s top tips below:

**  There is never just one management style that can get the best out of every member of your team. Be flexible.

**  Outsourcing can work if you manage it properly. The process-driven nature of Julie’s team in the Philippines has been a godsend for her business.

**  A quick and dirty strategy can get you a quick and dirty result. Don’t be lazy when you’re implementing something fundamental i.e. an outsourcing strategy.

**  Don’t take it personally when your employees leave. It normally won’t be your fault.

 

In this episode of Business Brain Food you will learn:

**  How Julie achieved such phenomenal growth with Struber

**  The key to good leadership

**  How to grow a business with only self-funding

**  Outsourcing to the Philippines

**  The top skills you need to be a successful entrepreneur

 

Resources mentioned in this episode:

**  Do you think you have what it takes to become a Business Excelerator® at Max My Profit? Visit: https://maxmyprofit.com.au/business-exceleration.html

**  Struber’s website: http://www.struber.com.au

**  Find Julie on Linkedin here

**  All previous BBF episodes & show notes can be found at http://www.businessbrainfood.com.au

**  Join the Business Brain Food Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BusinessBrainFood/

**  Twitter: https://twitter.com/bfewtrell

 

 

Call to action:

As Julie says, don’t be scared of failing in business. The key is to own it and learn from it when you do.

Also, if you are enjoying these Business Brain Food podcasts, then make sure to share them via social media sites or email the links to family and friends. A lot of time and effort goes into producing each of these podcasts with the goal in mind of the more people we can inspire about business the better. You can help us do just that!

Until next time, have a profitable day!

Cheers,
Ben Fewtrell
02 8808 5500

 

Direct download: BBF217_From_2_to_a_team_of_30_in_just_5_years_with_Julie_Castle_01.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm AEDT

It’s not often we get to speak to a neuro-branding specialist, so it was a privilege to speak to one of the best in the business, Lauren Clemett.

Lauren has 25 years of experience in the game, having worked for some leading agencies and nowadays with her own agency, The Business Propellor. She is also the author of the branding guidebook ‘Selling You’, so it was a great opportunity to discuss how being an author has helped her career.

 

See some of Lauren’s top tips below:

**  Networking is king. Get yourself out there and make sure people know who you are and what you do.

**  You can grow your business much more quickly with good collaboration. Don’t assume you should do it all yourself.

**  Make sure you have fun! If you enjoy your working days, you stand a much better chance of success.

**  If you’re thinking about starting a business just go ahead and do it! Don’t wait about and let the fear take over.

 

In this episode of Business Brain Food you will learn:

**  How to pick the right business partner

**  How to manage failure in business

**  The best way to manage a partnership agreement

**  The importance of being an author

**  How to develop a winning mindset

 

Resources mentioned in this episode:

**  Do you think you have what it takes to become a Business Excelerator™ at Max My Profit? Visit: https://maxmyprofit.com.au/business-exceleration.html

 **  Check out Lauren’s agency: https://ultimatebusinesspropellor.com/

 **  Join Lauren’s Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/RocketLaunchYourBusiness/

 **  Buy Lauren’s book here

 **  All previous BBF episodes & show notes can be found at http://www.businessbrainfood.com.au

 **  Join the Business Brain Food Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BusinessBrainFood/

**  Twitter: https://twitter.com/bfewtrell

 

Call to action:

Remember what Lauren said about how to validate your business idea… “Where is the gap that you can fill?”

Also, if you are enjoying these Business Brain Food podcasts, then make sure to share them via social media sites or email the links to family and friends. A lot of time and effort goes into producing each of these podcasts with the goal in mind of the more people we can inspire about business the better. You can help us do just that!

Until next time, have a profitable day!

Cheers,
Ben Fewtrell
02 8808 5500