#85: The Truth About Business Risk

This week on Elevate with Mets, I sit down with John Saade — Chartered Accountant, entrepreneur, and Co-Founder of Latitude Accountants, one of Australia’s fastest-growing accounting and advisory firms.From growing up in Western Sydney in a migrant family to building a national firm servicing thousands of business owners, John’s story isn’t just about numbers — it’s about discipline, resilience, leadership, faith, and reinvention.We dive deep into business growth, risk-taking, failure, leadership evolution, and the personal health transformation that changed everything.In this powerful conversation, we explore:💼 Building a Business From ScratchFrom earning $22,000 a year as a junior accountant to launching Latitude in 2011 — and scaling across multiple states with 50+ staff.📊 Why Most Businesses Fail FinanciallyThe real mistakes business owners make with structure, debt, ego, and bad advice — and how to fix them before it’s too late.🔥 Risk, Failure & Decision-MakingWhy Australia is one of the safest places in the world to take business risks — and why moving fast beats overthinking.👊 Leadership & CultureWhy great operators lead from the front, why dictatorship leadership eventually collapses, and how to build teams that win long-term.🏋️ 170kg to PowerliftingJohn opens up about reaching 170kg, a near-fatal motorbike accident, gastric bypass surgery, reversing it, and finally committing to doing health the hard way — with discipline, coaching, and strength training.🧠 Health = Business PerformanceWhy neglecting his body stalled his company — and why fixing his health helped Latitude grow 5x.🌏 The Vision for LatitudeJohn’s mission to empower small business owners across Australia — with a bold goal of operating in every state by 2030.This episode is a masterclass in entrepreneurship, personal accountability, leadership growth, and playing the long game.If you run a business, want to start one, or feel stuck between comfort and potential — this one will challenge you.🎙️ Elevate with Mets — EPISODE 85Now live on YouTube & Spotify👉 Subscribe, comment your biggest takeaway, and share with a business owner who needs this.