Frank Li, From Migrant to Dux to Deal Maker

In this episode, Frank Li, a China market specialist, shares his journey from arriving in Australia unable to speak English at age 10 to becoming the Dux of his Catholic school by year 12! He discusses his career path, including his MBA from AGSM and his transition to China in 2004. Frank founded 31Jiu, a beverage distribution company, and later secured distribution rights for Bundaberg ginger beer in China, which became a huge success. Despite challenges, including a severe lockdown in Shanghai, Frank sold his business to Jebsen Group in 2022. He now consults Australian brands entering the Chinese market, emphasizing the importance of cultural understanding and strategic partnerships.

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Tim Hutchinson, Unlocking AI

In this episode, Tim Hutchinson, co-founder and CEO, shares his journey from studying zoology to leading SkillsGPT, a pioneering generative AI business. Tim discusses how SkillsGPT is helping organisations adopt AI strategically, enabling them to adapt to change and gain a competitive advantage.
Tim provides examples of AI’s current and potential impact on work, emphasising the need for a ‘lifelong learning’ approach for all employees. He offers listeners a thoughtful perspective on ethical considerations, how AI is reshaping the workforce and how successful AI adoption should be led “from the boardroom, not the server room.”
Tim illustrates SkillsGPT’s role in helping 75,000 Australian regional SMEs adopt AI through the Australian Regional AI Network (ARAIN), a Federal Government-supported initiative. Focused on SMEs in agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and clean energy, ARAIN and SkillsGPT guide successful AI adoption with free access to tools, education, and insights. For FREE early access to ARAIN’s AI adoption resources, register at arain.com.au

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Nick Armstrong, Unlocking the Power of AI

Nick Armstrong, an entrepreneur since university, launched his latest venture, Chirp, which uses AI to enhance sales pipeline conversion. Nick discussed his journey, starting with GreenTriCity in 2005, which was acquired by AGL. He then founded Co Zero, Australia’s fastest-growing company in 2011, before pivoting to Identity, a neobank addressing anti-money laundering challenges. Identity listed on the ASX in 2018, but Nick moved on to Chirp, targeting B2B SaaS companies with 5-20 sales reps. Chirp uses AI to qualify deals, automate research, and suggest next steps, aiming to improve win rates and productivity.

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Sheree Sullivan, Turning Grit into Gold

Sheree Sullivan, an entrepreneur since age 19, discussed her journey from cheese making to hospitality and electro-enhanced beer. She highlighted her parents’ entrepreneurial influence and the challenges of starting a business. Sheree transitioned from a goat dairy to a cheese factory, eventually selling 90% to a Japanese trade buyer. She then scaled Grunthal Brew, a hospitality venue, and introduced eBEER, a low-carb, high-flavour beer with unique brewing techniques. Sheree emphasised the importance of financial sustainability, leveraging products over time, and the value of fun in business.

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How to Play the Long Game!

Brendan Green has been running his company for 18 years, and along with these two directors has built GCG into one of the leading independent health, safety, and hygiene companies in Australia and they are not done yet. This growing business is reinventing the way the industry delivers its services through tech enabled innovation. GCG is a great example of what happens when talented people get together and play the long game.

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Meet Mr EBIT

Episode Description:
Mark Holloway is a working class guy from Birmingham in England, who is not just football crazy, but is himself a very decent centre-forward. His life changes direction when Sydney Croatia spots him and bring him to Australia to play semi-professional football. At that point, this cryogenics engineer switches to sales and becomes a very effective troubleshooter, nicknamed Mr. EBIT, for his consistent ability to make profit! He then gets to work on building a very successful eyewear company. He is currently the owner and director of Shades of Pale-sourcing antiques for over 20 years in France, Belgium, Sweden & beyond.

About Mark:
Mark Holloway is the owner and director of Shades of Pale- Sourcing antiques for over 20 years in France, Belgium, Sweden & beyond.
They specialise in French antiques, homewares, interiors, architectural & garden pieces. Follow them @shadesofpalestore on Instagram.
Contact Mark: markholloway@shadesofpale.com.au

Points of interest:
Life journey from football to eyewear entrepreneurship. (0:10)
Upbringing, sports, and business success. (1:21)
Career progression from engineering to sales management to business ownership. (3:16)
Leadership and company issues. (7:43)
Liquidation and survival in the fashion industry. (11:50)
Overcoming business challenges in the eyewear industry. (16:35)
Selling a business to a supplier. (21:13)
Business ownership and sale. (25:37)
Selling a business and transitioning to a new role. (31:17)
Turnarounds, brands, and entrepreneurship. (36:33)

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Finding Purpose

Finding Purpose: How Mat Stillone built 4 healthy food businesses. Mat Stillone started his first business, Protein Supplies in his garage!

Episode Description:
Mat Stillone started his first business Protein Supplies in his garage! So successful was it, that it eventually took over the whole house. This bold startup initiative, in the ‘better for you food’ sector, followed a period of deep reflection by Mat, who had suffered from anxiety in his late teens and early 20s. Mat felt he needed to express himself and do more of what mattered to him. Since then, he has started three more companies, all of which have become successful. Listen to this inspiring story of how Mat overcame adversity, built strong resilience, and found what really matters in life.

About Mat:
Mat is the Managing Director of Integrity Food Co, Protein Supplies Australia, Botanika Blends & Flexible Foods.
He was the Business News Australia’s Young Entrepreneur Awards Winner – Manufacturing, Wholesale & Distribution in 2021!

Contact Mat: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mathew-stillone-b4797a41/

Points of Interest:
The “AHA” moment for Mat. (0:30)
Food industry, entrepreneurship, and product quality. (3:35)
Starting and growing a supplement business, quality control issues, and manufacturing products. (7:38)
Starting a contract manufacturing business and creating a brand. (12:09)
Entrepreneurship, innovation, and plant-based nutrition. (16:36)
Managing stress and purpose in business ownership. (23:29)
Entrepreneurship, resilience, and relationships. (31:52)

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Overcoming a set-back!

over coming a set back

Episode Description:
Straight from the ready fire aim to school of hard knocks, Mick Spencer started his first business at age 22. On-the-go, a sports branded apparel business started literally in his garage and became a multi-million-dollar business challenging the status quo in a traditional market.
Just when he thought he cracked it, COVID appeared and put pay to his plans of world domination, rather painfully, Mick had to call in the liquidator. Yet, even after all that he managed to get back on the horse in true troubleshooter fashion and started his latest venture Gravity Seltzer, a company which is thriving.

Points of Interest:
Getting started at age 21 2:09
The role of Tech 8:41
Shark Tank 9:25
Next steps & scaling up 11:47
Covid ramifications 14:30
Survival long term amid rising tensions 17:12
Difficult but amazing long-term learnings 18:24
Being a sole founder is lonely 23:49
Writing a book-start before you’re ready 24:33
Bouncing back 26:10
Why I am not the CEO of Gravity Seltzer 30:00
Taking a family break 36:00
What’s next? 37:00

About Mick:
Mick Spencer is the Co-Founder & Chairman of high growth Seltzer brand Gravity Seltzer Co. He is also author of best seller Start Before You’re Ready!
Get in touch with Mick:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mickspencer247/
Gravity Seltzer: https://www.gravityseltzer.com/

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Edible Blooms Overnight Success!

Edible Blooms overnight success

Mike sits down with Kelly Jamieson, the co- founder, and MD of Edible Blooms for a chat about their 18 yearlong success story alongside her sister Abbey. Their online gifting business that delivers delicious bouquets of chocolate, among other things to homes and offices (every 2 minutes) is the #1 gift delivery business in Australia.

Points of Interest:
When your business partner is your sister 1:30   
Country girl at heart-lessons from your mum! 2:40
An online business in 2005! 4:15
Start a business or buy a house? 6:00
Raising money as a startup 9:14
Making mistakes is gold! 10:42
Fast paced business world-trial and error 12:45
The Blackberry, iPhone, and Google 15:24
The Telstra Business Awards-there’s no way a little start up, 4 years in can win it? 18:00
Female entrepreneurs-the ups and downs of navigating business 19:30
Edible Blooms and Sustainability 24:00
The future of Edible Blooms 27:50

About Kelly:
Kelly is the co-founder and Managing Director of Edible Blooms. She started the company with her sister in 2005 and they have won numerous awards including, 2022 Canstar #1 Online Gift Delivery Company for Australia, Telstra Business of the Year for Australia and SA Businesswoman of the Year!

Connect with Kelly:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-jamieson-871aa73/
Website: www.edibleblooms.com.au

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The Deal Doer’s Deal Doer

The Deal Doer's Deal Doer

Episode Description:
The Deal Doer’s Deal Doer
Mike sits down with John Willcox-Jones, founder of Oasis Europe for a chat about all things deal-doing. John has been responsible for literally hundreds of transactions, mainly acting for business owners seeking a successful exit from what is often their life’s work.

About John:
John has worked in industry since 1972 holding management positions in sectors as diverse as building products, retail furnishing and horticultural machinery. During the early 1980s he was actively involved in the City advising companies on behalf of several stockbrokers and issuing houses in connection with stock market flotations and on the board of several public companies. He relinquished these appointments in 1984 to specialise in mergers and acquisitions work. He regularly lectures on Corporate Finance matters throughout the UK as well as in Europe and North America.

Contact John- john@oasiseurope.com
Website: www.oasiseurope.com

Points of Interest:
Introduction to John’s story-0:10
How to market to a wider audience-5:47
How to sell your business-11:23
Highs and lows of the process-16:03
Be forthright and straight up with the advice-22:49
The importance of diversity of interest in business-25:34
John’s advice to other investors-37:00
What do you like to do outside of work-44:00

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Pat Farmer the Ultra troubleshooter!

PAT FARMER THE ULTRA TROUBLESHOOTER An Australian Icon that has turned persistence into a way of life

Pat Farmer the Ultra troubleshooter. Our first guest for the new season of the Troubleshooters Podcast is Pat Farmer. Pat is an Australian Legend – famous for his ultra running feats, including running from the North Pole to the South Pole in 2012. Pat is an inspiration and an Ultra Troubleshooter. Leaving school at 14, Pat became a household name as an ultra-marathon runner in the 1990s, setting a number of Australian and world records. He later became the federal member for Macarthur South, becoming the Junior Minister for Education, Science and Training. At age 60 Pat shows no signs of slowing down. He is about to embark on yet another endurance test – running around the continent to bring attention to the upcoming referendum on The Voice. Starting in April Pat will be running 80km per day for six months in an effort to raise awareness for the referendum to enshrine and Indigenous Voice to the Parliament in the Australian Constitution. Check out my conversation with him which talks about how he got started, how important service is to him, and what keeps him going. It is guaranteed to give you a lift.

If you want to become a corporate sponsor to support Pat in his upcoming Event for The Voice-Email: pat.farmer@live.com

The Voice https://voice.niaa.gov.au/#
Pat Farmer https://www.patfarmer.com/

Some points of interest:
Pat Farmer: Influenced by parents’ values (3:58-6:06)
Pat Farmer: The Early days (6:17-8:07)
Inspired by Cliff Young (9:27-15:36)
First run round Australia (37:51-45:01)
The least educated member of Parliament (49:02-54:33)
Dedicating time to yourself (58:12-1:00:29)

The only man to run from the North to the South Pole (1:00:34-1:08:26) & (1:16:43-1:18:43)
Running for a purpose (1:09:53-1:00:12)
The value of family (1:12:39-1:16:42)
The most significant event he will ever do (1:25:45-1:31:16)

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The Troubleshooters Podcast: Season 1 Wrap up!

The Troubleshooters Podcast: Season 1 Wrap up!

Episode Description
The Troubleshooters Podcast: Season 1 Wrap up! In this episode we have wrapped up Season 1 of the Troubleshooters Podcast with some highlights of each episode. Mikes only goal when he started this podcast was to bring you the insights from everyday heroes who have had a go, genuine business troubleshooters, who’ve overcome adversities and dealt with whatever life has thrown at them. It’s been his pleasure to interview our guests this season. 12 episodes of genuine troubleshooters each with their own unique stories. Listen to the Best bits by clicking above and if something resonates then find full episodes on the website or wherever you like to listen to your podcasts. In the meantime, lookout for Season 2 coming soon..

About our guests:
Please find below a list of guests this season in order of episodes & their LinkedIn profiles. More information about each guest is available in the full episode descriptions. 
Robert Silver-Tesserent https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertasilver/
Stanislav Roth-Source Legal https://www.linkedin.com/in/stanislavroth/
Stuart Edgedly-Emerald Planet https://www.linkedin.com/in/stuart-edgley/
David Astone and Peter Gordon-Design to Production https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-astone-1891612a/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-gordon-60807260/
Richard Skarzynski- Coraggio https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardskarzynski/
Keitah Matens-shaw B.OKideas https://www.linkedin.com/company/bokideas/
Kunal Sawhney KALKINE https://www.linkedin.com/in/kunal-sawhney-6a63a346/
Hannah Chipkin & Pippa jospeh Merch Girls https://www.linkedin.com/company/merchgirls/
Jacinta McCombe Nectar Cold Pressed Juices https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacinta-mccombe-865b51a9/
Luke Cook-Cuppa.tv https://www.linkedin.com/in/cookluke/
Scott Fry-Loving Earth https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-fry-74813a34/
John Florey- Loving Earth https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-florey-maicd-17271913/

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