D32 Small Business Podcast

What happens when a nurse sees a growing problem and a marketer sees an opportunity? In this episode of the District 32 Business Insight Show, Michael Worthington speaks with Kasey Bryden, co-founder of Sunbella, about the journey from a handmade sun parasol created in Perth to a nationally recognised sun protection brand for women. Kasey shares how a simple idea born from her mum's experience as a nurse evolved into a thriving business helping women stay stylish while protecting their skin. From local markets and maternity leave side hustles to a royal endorsement from the Duchess of Cornwall, this is a story of persistence, smart branding and entrepreneurial courage. You'll discover: How Sunbella turned a niche product into a scalable business The marketing lessons behind building trust in e-commerce Why solving a problem matters more than selling a product The power of customer experience and brand credibility Practical advice for anyone starting or growing a business A must-listen for business owners, marketers and entrepreneurs looking to build a brand that truly connects with customers.

What if the tasks taking you hours could be done in minutes? In this episode of the D32 Business Insights Show, Michael Worthington chats with Christopher Murphy from C-Solutions about the real-world impact of AI on modern business. From marketing and systems to sales, profitability and productivity, Christopher explains how business owners can use tools like ChatGPT to reclaim time, improve efficiency, and work smarter — not harder. No jargon. No hype. Just practical strategies to help business owners stay ahead in an AI-driven world.

What happens when childhood bullying, anxiety, and emotional trauma become the catalyst for building a movement that changes lives? In this powerful conversation, Adam Przylula shares his deeply personal story — from being severely bullied throughout high school and struggling with anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts, to founding a resilience organisation that has now impacted almost one million young people. As founder of Armed For Life, Adam opens up about the experiences that shaped him, the turning points that helped him rebuild, and why resilience is one of the most important life skills for both young people and adults. This episode explores bullying, mental health, self-esteem, burnout, and practical ways to build resilience — not just in schools, but in workplaces, families, and everyday life. You'll also hear why resilience is not something we automatically develop as adults, the hidden causes behind bullying behaviour, and the practical habits Adam believes make the biggest difference to mental wellbeing. Key Takeaways: • Adam's journey from severe bullying to purpose-driven leadership • Why bullying affects both the bullied and the bully • The warning signs of anxiety, depression, and emotional struggle • How resilience can be taught and strengthened over time • Practical tools for better wellbeing: food, exercise, sleep, and breathing • Why vulnerability and asking for help can change lives • How resilience training is now transforming schools and workplace  

*]:pointer-events-auto [content-visibility:auto] supports-[content-visibility:auto]:[contain-intrinsic-size:auto_100lvh] R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" data-turn-id= "request-WEB:6a20a81a-d2cb-4b9f-b980-ddefe5682e50-1" data-turn-id-container= "request-WEB:6a20a81a-d2cb-4b9f-b980-ddefe5682e50-1" data-testid= "conversation-turn-4" data-scroll-anchor="false" data-turn= "assistant"> Leadership is not just about trust, loyalty, and being liked, it's also about accountability, clarity, and having the difficult conversations most leaders avoid. In this episode, leadership consultant Mark Pope joins host Michael Worthington to unpack the realities of authentic and pragmatic leadership. Mark shares lessons from building teams across healthcare and national consulting businesses, revealing why many leaders struggle with accountability and how avoiding difficult conversations quietly damages team performance. You'll discover Mark's practical PTA framework for building accountability, the five real reasons employees underperform, and why great leadership starts with learning to lead yourself first. From setting clear expectations and coaching team members to handling underperformance with empathy and professionalism, this conversation is packed with practical strategies for business owners and leaders who want stronger teams and better results. Key Takeaways: • Why accountability is one of the hardest leadership skills to master • The PTA framework for creating accountability in teams • The 5 reasons employees underperform (and how to fix them) • How to have difficult performance conversations with empathy • Why self-awareness and self-leadership matter first • The balance between trust, care, and business performance  

Jonathan Marlowe, co-founder of Xceed Real Estate, shares the realities of scaling a business through acquisitions, building culture, and evolving from a high-performing salesperson into a true business leader. In this conversation, Jonathan unpacks how Xceed transformed struggling businesses into profitable operations through systems, restructuring, and strategic integration. He discusses the importance of culture during acquisitions, why many great salespeople struggle as business owners, and the mindset required to keep growing through uncertainty. From learning to park the ego and partner with the right people, to reinvesting early profits and building succession plans for long-term success, this episode offers practical insights for entrepreneurs looking to scale sustainably. Key Takeaways: • How to assess the right acquisition opportunities • Why culture integration matters after a business purchase • The difference between being great at sales vs. building a business • Why entrepreneurs need to embrace constant learning • The mindset shift required for long-term business growth Perfect for: business owners, entrepreneurs, growth-minded leaders, and anyone looking to scale beyond themselves.

Lorraine sits down with Kayla Vukancic from the HR Department Northern Suburbs Perth to dive into the essential HR knowledge every business owner needs. ✅ What do you need to know before hiring staff? ✅ How do you manage team performance? ✅ And how can early, clear communication prevent costly issues?   Kayla shares actionable tips, real client insights, and the #1 piece of advice that could save your business from HR headaches. If you're a business owner preparing to scale your team, this conversation is a must-watch!   🔗 Connect with Kayla Vukancic: 🌐 Website: https://hrdept.com.au/northern-suburbs-perth/ 📞 Phone: +61 421 176 072 📧 Email : [email protected] 📱 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-HR-Dept-Northern-Suburbs-Perth/100089569315021/ 💼LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayla-vukancic-cahri-a6b0b549/   👇 Let's keep the conversation going! Got a question about hiring, team management, or performance issues? Drop it in the comments!   📩 Need HR guidance tailored to your business? Reach out to Kayla today and take the stress out of staffing.   ✅ Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell icon so you never miss out on more expert business insights from D32 Business Network!    #hrdeptnorthernsuburbsperth #KaylaVukancic #HiringTips #TeamManagement #SmallBusinessSupport #HRAdvice #BusinessTips #ManagingPerformance #CommunicationInBusiness #BusinessGrowth #LeadershipTips #StaffManagement #DifficultConversations #EmployeePerformance #WorkplaceCulture #HiringRight #BusinessHR #HRConsulting

In this episode, Lorraine catches up with the incredible Rueben Taylor, a seasoned business advisor and coach in Perth. Rueben shares his journey from engineering to business coaching and reveals key insights on diagnosing business challenges, streamlining operations, and setting the foundation for long-term success. If you're a business owner looking to grow and overcome obstacles, this conversation is packed with practical advice you won't want to miss! 👉 Connect with Rueben Taylor: 🌐 Website: https://www.businesssuccesseducators.... 📧 Email: [email protected] 🔗 Follow Rueben Taylor: 📱 Facebook:   / ruebentaylor  📸 Instagram:   / ruebenjtaylor  💼 LinkedIn:   / ruebentaylor  Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more business growth insights:   / @d32businessnetwork  🎙️ Prefer audio? Subscribe to our podcast! 🔹 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1kpUWcS... 🔹 Libsyn: https://five.libsyn.com/show/episodes 🔹 Audioboom: https://audioboom.com/dashboard/49350... #BusinessSuccess #BusinessCoach #Entrepreneur #BusinessTips #SmallBusiness #BusinessGrowth #BusinessStrategy #ScaleYourBusiness #BusinessAdvisor #BusinessGoals #ProductivityTips #TimeManagement #SuccessMindset #Leadership #BusinessDevelopment #GrowthMindset #StreamlineBusiness #BusinessPlanning #GoalSetting #Entrepreneurship

In this episode, Lorraine from D32 Business Network sits down with the legendary Nick Vague from Leap Virtual Assistant to uncover how VA support can help you grow and scale your business. Nick shares invaluable tips on setting goals, onboarding VAs effectively, and maximizing your business potential with smart delegation. Whether it's managing emails, invoicing, or client follow-ups — Nick explains how a VA can handle it all so you can focus on what matters most! ✅ Key Takeaways: 💡 Know your business goals before hiring a VA. 💡 Create a list of priorities and focus on three key tasks in the first 3 weeks. 💡 Effective follow-ups and streamlined invoicing can significantly boost your bottom line. 💡 Honest communication with your VA ensures they align with your business needs. 👉 For more information or to get started with VA support, contact Nick Vague at: 📧 Email: [email protected] 🌐 Website: https://leapvirtualassistant.com.au/ 🔗 Follow Leap Virtual Assistant: 📱 Facebook:   / leapresourcing  📸 Instagram:   / growwithleap  💼 LinkedIn:   / leap-resourcing  Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more business growth insights:   / @d32businessnetwork  🎙️ Prefer audio? Subscribe to our podcast! 🔹 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1kpUWcS... 🔹 Libsyn: https://five.libsyn.com/show/episodes 🔹 Audioboom: https://audioboom.com/dashboard/49350... #VirtualAssistant #BusinessSupport #Outsourcing #BusinessGrowth #VA #LeapVirtualAssistant #Entrepreneur #BusinessTips #SmallBusiness #BusinessStrategy #DelegateToElevate #BusinessOwner #BusinessSuccess #ScaleYourBusiness #RemoteWork #BusinessEfficiency #TimeManagement #ProductivityTips #OnlineBusiness #BusinessGoals #SuccessMindset

In this insightful interview, District32's Lorraine Garvie sits down with Dev Visagie from Perthgrow Finance to uncover The Secrets to Building a Property Portfolio. Whether you're a seasoned investor or just getting started on the property ladder, Dev shares expert tips on how to navigate the real estate market, secure the best finance options, and grow your wealth through smart property investments. Ready to take the next step in your property journey? Contact Dev Visagie today: 🌐 Website: www.perthgrow.com.au 📧 Email: [email protected] 📞 Phone: +61 44 806 5155 Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn from one of Perth's leading finance experts.