#26 - Karlie Cummins: Saying Yes, Building Trust, and Growing a Fun Business

In this episode, Sam Bell speaks with Karlie Cummins about saying yes before you have every answer, building trust through action, and growing a business that feels both effective and fun.Karlie is the founder of Bali Buddies and Indo Buddies, two influential travel media platforms helping tourism and lifestyle brands reach Australian travellers through trusted storytelling, digital media, brand trips, PR, and strategic partnerships across Bali and Indonesia. Her background in education still shapes the way she leads, teaches, mentors, and builds.Together, Sam and Karlie explore the accidental beginnings of Bali Buddies, the courage it took to move a family to Bali without a backup plan, the role of trust and generosity in business growth, and why fun is not a distraction from serious work but part of what makes it sustainable. The conversation also moves through online schooling, raising very different daughters, adapting through Covid, and using new technology with curiosity rather than fear.This is a practical and energising conversation about backing yourself, learning in motion, and building a business and life that keep expanding.This episode explores• Saying yes before knowing exactly how• Turning a passion project into a trusted media business• Building trust with clients, communities, and tourism partners• Moving a family to Bali and going all in on a new life• Adapting business models through uncertainty and recovery• Teaching, mentoring, and consulting as a through-line in Karlie’s work• Using AI and new technology to work smarter• Fun as a strategic choice in brand, team, and client experience• Designing work that supports family life, adventure, and growthGuest links• Karlie Cummins: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karliecummins/• Bali Buddies: https://balibuddies.com/• Indo Buddies: https://indobuddies.com/Chapters01:34 From classroom teacher to accidental Bali business founder05:07 The first paid client, clear communication, and backing yourself08:18 Moving to Bali and nine years of expat life10:48 Saying yes, figuring it out, and growing through action13:11 Selling everything, moving a family, and going all in15:29 Online schooling, family choices, and raising an academic and a hustler17:03 The 12-year-old candle business and WhatsApp entrepreneurship20:29 Family influence, multitasking, and being most like her dad22:35 Building community and becoming known in Bali24:28 Pandemic in Bali, helping hotels, and the long lead-up to growth28:22 Learning new tech, using AI well, and staying curious30:09 How Karlie likes to be seen: genuine, honest, and fun31:00 Building a brand through parties, delight, and industry connection34:11 Family, adventure, and moments that make the whole thing worth itExplore furtherBook a Lab: https://naturalgenius.com.auLearn more about Sam: https://samanthabell.com.auSubscribe to hear future episodes.About Natural GeniusThe Natural Genius podcast explores how people discover and express their natural strengths, instincts, and contributions.Through conversations with leaders, thinkers, builders, and practitioners across many fields, the podcast explores the signals that guide meaningful work and the choices that shape a life.More at https://naturalgenius.com.auCreditsHosted by Samantha (Sam) Bell in Violet Town and Bali, 27 January, 2026Produced at the Violet Town, Peregian Beach and Sunshine Motorway offices, 27 January - 25 March, 2026