Give It A Nudge

We’ve got a great episode of Give It A Nudge today as Steve sits down with Nima Kermani, the founder of Kermani Capital. Nima’s business has seen exponential growth over the last year, but the road to building a $7 million property portfolio wasn't exactly a straight line.Nima shares the story of how getting fired from his last job was the final push he needed to go all-in on his own business. We dive into his history as a hyper-productive paperboy at age 13, and the brutal life lesson he learned at 17 when he lost $10,000, his entire life savings at the time, to an online scam.The conversation also touches on the patterns in Nima's career, including the time he tried to work two full-time finance jobs simultaneously, his brief stint as a model, and the terrifying transition from being a solo operator to hiring his first staff members. To wrap things up, Nima puts Steve in the hot seat to talk about the hardest lessons he’s learned about ego and leadership.Timestamps00:00 - Intro and the exponential growth of Kermani Capital01:14 - Getting fired and why Nima finally decided to give it a shot05:24 - The wealthy parents banter and the guarantor loan shortcut07:15 - The 13-year-old paperboy hustle and losing his savings to a scam14:53 - The secret to landing jobs: Applying for 1,000 positions at a time16:46 - The pattern of getting fired and working two jobs at once18:54 - Addressing the rumors: Nima’s history in modeling23:18 - The fear of the first hire and the reality of founder responsibility27:02 - Future plans for Kermani Capital and launching a property fund30:35 - Renting by the room: Solving the housing shortage while boosting yield32:29 - Steve's hardest lesson: Dealing with internal turmoil and ego

Steve sits down with Rowan McNamee, co-founder of Mary Technology, the legal AI startup that just closed a $7M funding round led by OIF Ventures to completely disrupt how litigation teams handle evidence.Rowan’s journey started where all great business ideas do: pitching his mate on the way home from a bucks party. As a former family lawyer, Rowan intimately understood the absolute misery of taking hours of handwritten notes and spending weeks manually digging through thousands of case documents. So, he helped build a solution to eliminate the "fact chaos." Mary Technology is a Fact Management System (FMS) that can ingest thousands of pages of complex, unstructured legal documents and spit out a fully organized, actionable fact record in just 10 to 20 minutes.We dive into the origin of the company's unique name (yes, it’s named after his actual Aunt Mary), and how they hit 10x ARR growth in 2025 with over 2,000 lawyers globally—including heavyweights like Shine Lawyers and Maurice Blackburn—now using the platform. Rowan also opens up about the "delusional optimism" it takes to get an AI startup off the ground, opening their new San Francisco office, and launching a self-serve model so small-to-mid-sized firms can get the exact same fact management power as the global giants.Hit play and get the inside scoop on one of Australia’s fastest-growing legal tech startups.What We Cover:00:00 - Intro and the elevator pitch for Mary Technology02:50 - Founding the company and pitching the idea at a bucks party03:32 - Why they named a highly advanced AI after his Aunt Mary07:24 - The original product idea and the misery of manual legal work11:49 - Eliminating "fact chaos" and turning weeks of document review into 20 minutes13:42 - Raising $7M with OIF Ventures, launching in SF, and scaling the team21:50 - Navigating the exploded Legal Tech market and standing out23:56 - Co-founder dynamics and the heavy weight of founder responsibility30:19 - How the platform handles everything from foreign languages to GIFs35:00 - The 59% time-saving pitch and their new self-serve model for smaller firms37:45 - Team offsites, guest speakers, and getting way too competitive at lawn bowls

In this episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve sits down with Dain Walker, CEO of the branding agency Rivyl. Dain has built a global agency from the ground up, and brings a very direct, no-nonsense approach to building businesses and brands.Dain shares his journey, starting with his childhood in and out of foster care, and explains how a mentor's "rubber band" analogy helped him reframe those early challenges as a foundation for his resilience. We also get into the difficult realities of running an agency. Dain opens up about a cash flow crisis in early 2024 that brought his company within days of missing payroll. He walks Steve through the "ego death" required to take full ownership of the situation, and his contrarian strategy to expand and spend more while competitors were shrinking.With Steve and the team currently in the middle of a 90-day content sprint, they spend some time diving into practical content strategy. Dain breaks down his 3-Circle Framework to help founders find a genuinely interesting niche, explaining why creating content just to "get leads" is a losing battle. They also discuss the impact of AI on content creation, why raw human experience is becoming more valuable, and Dain’s subtle "sneaky love" approach to team leadership.Timestamps:00:00 - Dain’s origin story04:18 - Hustling Pokémon cards at age 7 & lessons from foster care08:41 - The "Rubber Band" mindset: Reframing childhood trauma into resilience14:28 - Navigating a cash flow crisis and the reality of founder ego18:46 - The contrarian playbook: Expanding when the market is shrinking29:33 - The 90-Day Content sprint: Moving past the "get leads" mentality36:47 - The 3-Circle Framework: Finding a content niche that actually works44:21 - How AI is making genuine human connection the ultimate premium51:15 - "Sneaky Love": Dain’s approach to nudging his team toward their potential58:41 - The float pod vision and writing a business book in 3 weeksLinks:Connect with Dain Walker → https://www.linkedin.com/in/dainwalker/Rivyl → https://www.rivyl.com/Agency Podcast → https://www.youtube.com/@agencypodcast/Connect with Steve → https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevegrace/The Nudge Group → https://thenudgegroup.com/Give It A Nudge Podcast → https://www.youtube.com/@giveitanudge/The Trouble With People → https://thetroublewithpeople.substack.com/

In this episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve sits down with Richard Stevens, the CEO of Zyft. With a rich background in scaling tech businesses, Richard is leading the charge in the ever-changing retail landscape, with AI coming in strong and shaping the way brands and shoppers interact.We take a proper deep dive into Richard’s career, exploring his journey from falling into product management before it was even a recognized field to holding key leadership roles at prominent comparison sites like iSelect and LocalAgentFinder. He unpacks the challenging transition from a hands-on product builder to a CEO, explaining how he learned to let go of the day-to-day execution to focus on scaling a vision. Richard also shares how taking a five-month family road trip across Australia helped him reset before stepping into Zyft with a clear perspective.The conversation centers on how Zyft is helping empower both consumers and retailers to make informed decisions, whether it’s purchasing smarter or promoting products more effectively. Richard explains the mechanics of Zyft’s browser extension and app, which act as a silent shopping assistant scanning over 140 million products across 50,000 Australian retailers. By completely removing the friction of manual comparison, he highlights how consumers feel empowered all year to find the best prices and save a few extra pennies.Steve and Richard also discuss where Zyft is heading next and how the rapid pace of technological adoption is transforming the industry. They touch on how major retailers are using Zyft's predictive search data to navigate high-pressure sales events like Black Friday, and how platforms are dealing with global disruptors like Temu. Richard provides a glimpse into the future of automated, AI-driven personal shopping, explaining why maintaining a ruthless focus on genuine user value is the ultimate key to surviving retail disruption.Timestamps:00:00 - Intro and Richard’s journey from the Mornington Peninsula01:17 - The elevator pitch for Zyft and its AI-based shopping tool03:43 - The shift in consumer habits and shopping for value in-store vs. online05:11 - A deep dive into Richard’s product management background and iSelect09:23 - Transitioning from a product builder to a CEO and learning to let go12:18 - Traveling Australia with family and resetting before joining Zyft15:03 - How the Zyft extension and app seamlessly find the best deals20:11 - The business model and working with over 1,000 retailers23:39 - Using predictive consumer search data to forecast retail trends25:11 - Navigating the Black Friday rush and cost-of-living pressures30:27 - Dealing with global disruptors like Temu and exact product matching35:42 - The future of AI shopping and automated digital personal shoppersLinks:Connect with Richard Stevens → https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardfstevens/Zyft → https://zyft.com/Connect with Steve → https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevegrace/The Nudge Group → https://thenudgegroup.com/Give It A Nudge Podcast → https://www.youtube.com/@giveitanudge/The Trouble With People → https://thetroublewithpeople.substack.com/

In this episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve sits down with David Kenney, the author of Epic Execution. With over three decades of hands-on experience, David has advised the who's who of Australian entrepreneurial fame, supporting tens of thousands of founders from early-stage ideas all the way to NASDAQ listings.David's journey into the mechanics of business began at 18 when he hitchhiked across Sydney to interview CEOs and uncover exactly what drives growth. He spent 28 years as a chartered accounting partner and has refined his sharp pattern recognition through top accelerator programs like Startmate, UNSW Founders, and Tech Ready Women. He explains how his systematic thinking helped early tech startups commercialize their ideas before the ecosystem even really existed. Instead of just delivering standard accounting advice, David focuses on getting People, Product, Promotion, and Profit right.We dive deep into his new book, Epic Execution. It is not a generic roadmap, but a complete Founder Operating System distilled into 24 pragmatic chapters. David spent a year crafting it as a series of tough questions founders need to ask themselves to test reality against their assumptions. He breaks down why pathological optimism can be a founder's biggest asset, but also their downfall if they let ego and the need for social media validation drive their decision-making.Steve and David also trade thoughts on surviving the chaos of the COVID-19 pandemic, the massive shift in commercial real estate with 750,000 square meters of empty office space, and how the rise of AI is forcing companies to be more human-centric. David opens up about his personal operating system too, from mentoring youth startups to his non-negotiable 6:00 AM walks and freezing ocean swims at Shelly Beach.Timestamps:00:00 - Intro and the authenticity of unedited podcasts01:54 - The 28-year accounting career and 30,000 founder meetings05:03 - Commercializing university ideas in the early tech ecosystem07:39 - Why pricing and capital allocation are the true foundations of scale13:08 - Leaving a major partnership to drive deeper advisory impact16:56 - Writing Epic Execution and forcing founders to ask hard questions22:05 - The philosophy that great businesses are bought not sold27:38 - Cash flow mistakes and the reality check loop for founders31:18 - Navigating founder egos and the trap of social media perception37:39 - Advising startups through the chaos of the COVID-19 pandemic46:00 - Empty office buildings and the new era of co-working spaces50:38 - How AI is shifting knowledge work and the value of human connection57:27 - Mentoring youth startups and morning swims at Shelly BeachLinks:Connect with David Kenney → https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidkenneyofficial/Epic Execution → https://www.epicexecution.com/Connect with Steve → https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevegrace/The Nudge Group → https://thenudgegroup.com/Give It A Nudge Podcast → https://www.youtube.com/@giveitanudge/The Trouble With People → https://thetroublewithpeople.substack.com/

In this episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve sits down with Dr. Mariam Martin-Mnatsakanyan, the Founder and CEO of AirLabOne. They talk about the reality of digitizing physical assets for complex, high-risk industries like healthcare, mining, and space exploration. Mariam explains exactly how her embedded technology takes existing legacy machinery and makes it intelligent and self-regulating. This autonomy is crucial for environments that are harsh or completely isolated, like microgravity, where human intervention just isn't possible.Building deep-tech hardware is notoriously hard. Mariam spent over five years bootstrapping the business entirely on her own, without traditional funding. She explains why she deliberately ignored early investors who didn't understand her vision, choosing instead to follow her own structured path. This resilience paid off when she secured a global patent for remotely accessing real and virtual scientific instrumentations, and later won major validation from tech giants at the Select USA Investor Summit. She also walks through her plans to expand into Southern California while waiting on a major grant that could see her technology manufactured in local clean rooms and sent into space.We get into Mariam's personal story, too. She traces her early career as an analytical chemist and pharmacology researcher , from hunting for male contraceptive drugs at the University of Geneva to breast cancer drug discovery at the University of Sydney. She opens up about the exact moment her own frustration with accessing lab equipment sparked the idea for her global collaborative platform. Steve and Mariam also trade thoughts on the loneliness of being a solo founder, the critical importance of industry validation over random advice, and why building new technology that pairs with old equipment is the ultimate sustainable business model.Timestamps:00:00 – Intro: From pharmacology researcher to deep-tech founder02:50 – The origin of AirLabOne: Making legacy machinery intelligent04:53 – Microgravity: Why space is the ultimate test for autonomous tech08:06 – How the frustration of drug discovery sparked a global patent13:03 – The lonely road: 5 years of bootstrapping without co-founders16:24 – Ignoring the noise: Why you shouldn't take advice from outside your industry19:00 – Winning validation at the Select USA Investor Summit23:20 – The pivot to scaling: Expanding to California and raising capital29:56 – Sustainability: Pairing cutting-edge AI with old infrastructure34:11 – Manufacturing locally and the wait for a major space grantLinks:Connect with Mariam → https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariam-martin-mnatsakanyan-phd-4b0310104/AirLabOne → https://airlabone.com/Connect with Steve → https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevegrace/The Nudge Group → https://thenudgegroup.com/Give It A Nudge Podcast → https://www.youtube.com/@giveitanudge/The Trouble With People → https://thetroublewithpeople.substack.com/

In this episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve sits down with Tom, co-founder and CMO of Lawpath. They talk about the reality of scaling a legal tech platform to over 600,000 small businesses. Tom shares a staggering statistic: up to 120,000 new companies are registered in Australia every single month. He explains exactly how Lawpath built a system to capture that massive audience.Starting a business is hard. The standard three-year survival rate sits at a grim 51%. Most founders get completely crushed by the administrative burden of running a company. Tom explains why taking the legal and compliance work off their plates frees them up to actually build their products. This shift has pushed the survival rate of Lawpath users up to 65%. He also walks through their massive $10 million investment from Westpac, and why they doubled down on advertising during the COVID-19 lockdowns while their competitors froze.We get into Tom's personal story, too. He traces his early career from Spritz—a startup that went through a wild $40 million acquisition by Yahoo7—to learning strict brand discipline at Tom Waterhouse. He opens up about the painful jump from being an individual contributor to a scale-up executive. He even admits that the sudden birth of his first child right before Black Friday finally forced him to stop micromanaging his team. Steve and Tom also trade stories about maintaining an 11-year co-founder relationship, and why loyalty always beats cheap pricing in the Australian market.Timestamps:00:00 – Intro: Surviving Spritz’s $40M Yahoo7 acquisition05:47 – Learning strict brand discipline at Tom Waterhouse08:31 – The origin of Lawpath: Fixing the headache of business setups11:48 – Reaching 600,000 customers and the roadmap to 1 million13:51 – How to secure a $10M strategic investment from Westpac16:24 – Why 120,000 Aussies register new businesses every month18:56 – Market quirks: Why Australian clients value loyalty over a cheap price20:39 – The COVID pivot: Doubling ad spend while everyone else panicked26:19 – Leadership realities: How a Black Friday baby cured his micromanaging30:00 – Co-founder survival: 11 years together without imploding37:01 – The 65% survival rate: Why automating the back-office keeps startups aliveLinks:Connect with Tom → https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomwillisweb/Lawpath → https://lawpath.com.au/Connect with Steve → https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevegrace/The Nudge Group → https://thenudgegroup.com/Give It A Nudge Podcast → https://www.youtube.com/@giveitanudge/The Trouble With People → https://thetroublewithpeople.substack.com/

In this episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve sits down with Jacqui Clarke, ex-Deloitte Private Partner and author of Stop Worrying About Money, to talk about the single most important number 95% of people don't know: "What does it cost to open your front door?"With the cost of living skyrocketing and "inheritance impatience" on the rise, financial stress is no longer just for those struggling to make ends meet. Jacqui explains why earning more money rarely solves a spending problem and why even high-net-worth individuals are terrified of their own bank accounts. She breaks down the "Toyota vs. Porsche" mindset trap and why smart women often find themselves financially vulnerable after a divorce.Jacqui shares her background advising Australia’s wealthiest families and the brutal reality of the "ghosts" that come out of the woodwork when you leave a major firm. She also opens up about the "Orphan Club"—losing both parents in six months—and how it reshaped her view on legacy. Together, they prove that financial freedom isn't about how much you make, but about clarity, control, and honest conversations.Timestamps:00:00 – Intro: Steve’s 15-year history with Jacqui02:00 – The "Orphan Club": Losing both parents in 6 months08:00 – The secrecy of money & why families don't talk12:15 – Divorce & financial literacy: Why smart women get stuck17:45 – Leaving Deloitte: Bad leadership & the decision to jump21:30 – The exit: Non-competes and the relief of walking away24:40 – The "Ghosts": When former colleagues circle back30:30 – The Big 4 Model: Why the "magic" is fading36:00 – Writing a bestseller in 12 weeks (The 5am routine)49:15 – The 95% Stat: Knowing the cost to open your front door52:10 – The Toyota vs. Porsche mindset for young adults56:30 – Longevity Risk: Can you afford to live to 100?58:30 – Closing thoughtsLINKSConnect with Jacqui → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacquiclarke/Stop Worrying about Money → https://www.jacquiclarke.me/stop-worrying-about-money Connect with Steve → https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevegrace/The Nudge Group → https://thenudgegroup.com/Give It A Nudge Podcast → https://www.youtube.com/@giveitanudge/The Trouble With People → https://thetroublewithpeople.substack.com/

In this episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve sits down with Jevon Le Roux (CEO) and Tahir Rauf (CTO), co-founders of Keeyu, to talk about the single most expensive question in e-commerce: "Where's my order?" With 40% of all support tickets relating to delivery status and 56% of customers churning after just one bad post-purchase experience, the stakes have never been higher. Jevon and Tahir explain how they built a system to monitor 28 different failure points across fragmented software systems. This moves the industry from reactive resolution to proactive prevention.The results? A massive 90% reduction in complaints and a 29% drop in workforce costs for their pilot customers.Jevon shares his background in high-pressure retail ops where he saw teams spending half their day manually searching for orders. Tahir breaks down the technical challenge of connecting a "spaghetti stack" of legacy systems. Together, they are proving that while it takes 4 hours to fix a problem, it only takes 1 hour to prevent it.Timestamps:00:00 – Intro: The 56% Churn Stat & The Where’s My Order Nightmare01:58 – Jevon & Tahir’s background: From Fintech & Retail to Founders06:58 – The Problem: 28 failure points across 8 different systems08:35 – How Keeyu Works: Moving from Reactive to Proactive12:00 – The “4 Hours vs 1 Hour” Efficiency Rule15:15 – It Can’t Be Done: Tackling the integration spaghetti18:15 – The Pilot Results: 90% less complaints, 29% lower costs21:00 – Raising Capital & The Plug-and-Play Architecture34:00 – Steve’s horror story (and why manual support is dying)38:15 – Services as Software: Redefining the industry standard40:00 – The Founder Dynamic: Why Jevon said “I’m in” in one second42:50 – Closing thoughtsLinks:Connect with Jevon → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jevonleroux/Connect with Tahir → https://www.linkedin.com/in/tahirrauf/Keeyu → https://www.keeyu.com/Connect with Steve → https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevegrace/The Nudge Group → https://thenudgegroup.com/Give It A Nudge Podcast → https://www.youtube.com/@giveitanudge/The Trouble With People → https://thetroublewithpeople.substack.com/

In this episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve sits down with Crystal McGregor, General Manager at Tech Ready Women Academy, to talk about what it really takes to help more women start, grow, and fund businesses — and why the investment numbers still don’t reflect the performance data.Crystal shares a career path that starts in local government in Central Queensland (building skateparks, pools, and community programs), then moves into entrepreneurship through an 18-year consulting business, and eventually into the startup world via a fashion-tech company where she raised funding (including a friends-and-family round) and learned, in her words, by “making every mistake possible.”Now, she’s focused on scaling Tech Ready Women’s impact nationally after the business’s acquisition by Scolari, helping founders build traction, revenue, and confidence — without drowning in contradictory advice.In this episode, we cover:Crystal’s move from government to entrepreneurship — and why she “got sick of saying no.”The youth entrepreneurship program that taught teens how to problem-solve (including twins who learned to read using audiobooks + physical books).Raising a friends-and-family round ($100k) — how those conversations actually happen.Why VC data says “invest in women” and the market still doesn’t follow it.How AI is changing the game for non-technical founders.Tech Ready Women’s three-step pathway: Ideation → Customers → Investment Readiness.The “1 to 1000 customers” sprints — and founders making their first sales fast (e.g., $300 in 24 hours).The worst advice founders hear: “Take every piece of advice.”Timestamps:00:00 – Intro: Why this topic still isn’t shifting fast enough00:52 – Crystal’s start in local government (sport & recreation)03:20 – Leaving government + building an 18-year consulting business04:30 – Youth entrepreneurship program: how it worked + the outcomes08:52 – Fashion-tech startup: virtual try-on, grants, angels, and reality10:33 – Friends-and-family round: how they raised $100k11:25 – “We made every mistake possible” + lessons from the experience13:00 – Tech Ready Women + the Scolari acquisition15:10 – Has the environment changed for women founders?16:14 – Why the VC model doesn’t match the data17:18 – AI and the rise of the non-technical founder22:14 – Program breakdown: Female Founders Startup Program24:19 – “1 to 1000 customers” sprints + first sales momentum26:38 – Investment Ready program (5 months) + capital options beyond VC31:12 – Free resources, scholarships, and low-cost options32:55 – Worst advice founders get: “Take every piece of advice”33:23 – Closing thoughtsLINKSConnect with Crystal → https://www.linkedin.com/in/crystal-mcgregor-86201068/Tech Ready Women Academy → https://www.techreadywomen.academy/Connect with Steve → https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevegrace/The Nudge Group → https://thenudgegroup.com/Give It A Nudge Podcast → https://www.youtube.com/@giveitanudge/The Trouble With People → https://thetroublewithpeople.substack.com/

In this episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve finally sits down with Brendan Malone, Managing Director and Group CEO of Raiz Invest (ASX:RZI), after six years of trying to get him on the show!Brendan takes us through his fascinating career journey, transitioning from a traditional background in investment banking (RBS) in London and Asia to owning a pub in Newcastle, and finally leading one of Australia’s most successful FinTechs.They dive deep into the evolution of Raiz (formerly Acorns Australia), managing over $2 billion in funds, and the lessons learned from their expansion into (and withdrawal from) the Asian market. Brendan also discusses the power of "round-ups," the importance of financial literacy, and how Raiz is helping Aussies—and their kids—build wealth during tough economic times.In this episode, we cover:* Brendan’s shift from corporate banking to startup founder.* The "sustainable growth" philosophy vs. burning cash.* The mechanics of Raiz Rewards and reinvesting $10M+ back to users.* Lessons learned from listing on the ASX and expanding into Indonesia & Malaysia.* New features: From Bitcoin allocations to "Jars" for specific savings goals.* How user behavior changes during market volatility (Brexit vs. Trump vs. Now).Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro: Finally getting Brendan on the show02:00 – Brendan’s Background: From Newcastle to Investment Banking in London/Asia05:00 – The pivot: Owning a pub & discovering Acorns06:00 – Launching Acorns Grow in 201609:00 – The strategy of sustainable growth12:00 – Explaining the “Round-Up” technology14:00 – Adding Bitcoin & custom portfolios16:00 – Raiz Rewards: $10M reinvested into user accounts17:00 – Rebranding to Raiz & Listing on the ASX19:00 – The Asian Expansion: Challenges in Indonesia & Malaysia24:00 – Branding consistency & App design30:00 – The power of Dividends & Financial Literacy32:00 – Raiz Kids & Intergenerational wealth35:00 – Data insights: Raiz Jars & saving for haircuts46:00 – How Raiz educates users through market volatility49:00 – What’s next for Raiz?LINKSConnect with Brendan → https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendanmalone/Raiz Invest Australia → https://raizinvest.com.au/Connect with Steve → https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevegrace/The Nudge Group → https://thenudgegroup.com/Give It A Nudge Podcast → https://www.youtube.com/@giveitanudge/The Trouble With People → https://thetroublewithpeople.substack.com/

In this episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve chats with James Sneddon, the founder of Hyphen Health, Australia’s largest network of sexual health and harm minimization telemedicine clinics.James didn’t start in medicine; he started in hospitality. The idea for Hyphen Health was born while owning a café across the street from a GP clinic, watching patients wait hours just to get a simple script. He realized the system was broken, and he built a digital solution to fix it.Steve and James dive deep into the reality of scaling a business in a high-stigma industry. They discuss why doctors are legally refusing to treat steroid users (and why James steps in to help), the "cooking medication for grandma" privacy problem, and how COVID finally forced the public health sector to ditch fax machines and join the 21st century.They also cover the massive shifts in the business—from buying out a co-founder and acquiring competitors to landing a world-first partnership with the public health sector.TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Intro: Taboo subjects and "Hyphen" Health 00:55 Steroids & Stigma: Why doctors refuse to treat users 02:25 From Hospitality to Healthcare: The "Founder Mindset" 06:10 The Epiphany: Watching the doctor's waiting room from a cafe window 08:40 How COVID killed the fax machine 09:50 Navigating regulatory panic & buying out a co-founder 14:40 "Cooking meds for Grandma": The need for absolute privacy 15:50 The reality of HIV today (vs Diabetes) 20:35 The "Work From Home" impact on testing trends 23:00 Acquiring "Hey Fella" & navigating growth 29:20 The World-First Public Health partnership 33:22 The 84% Statistic: Why you need to get testedQUOTES FROM THIS EPISODE:"HIV has less of an impact on your life now than diabetes.""The same reason you don't see a doctor... You're cooking your medication for the next grandma.""Covid ended the trust. It also encouraged public health to stop in line with fax machines and allow emails to work.""16% of Australians from 16 to 49 have never been tested... So 84% of the population have never been tested."ABOUT JAMES:James Sneddon is the founder of Hyphen Health, a group of digital health brands focused on removing barriers to healthcare. His portfolio includes Stigma Health (sexual health), PrEP Health (HIV prevention), and other harm-minimization platforms.Starting his career as an accountant before building a hospitality empire in Newcastle, James pivoted to health tech to solve the inefficiencies he saw in the traditional medical system. He has since grown Hyphen Health into a profitable, multi-brand ecosystem that is reshaping how Australians access sensitive healthcare.LINKSConnect with James → https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-sneddon-a3a4b52b/Hyphen Health → https://hyphen.health/Connect with Steve → https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevegrace/The Nudge Group → https://thenudgegroup.com/Give It A Nudge Podcast → https://www.youtube.com/@giveitanudge/The Trouble With People → https://thetroublewithpeople.substack.com/

In this episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve chats with Yash Varma, a seasoned tech founder, investor at Empress Capital, and high-performance coach.While Yash has a massive background in tech (founding Spaarks, investing in Tesla and Moderna, and studying AI at Stanford), this conversation is not about code. It is about code for the human body. Steve and Yash dive deep into the concept of Longevity to debate why the "retire at 65" model is broken and why health is officially the new wealth.Yash opens up about the health scare that forced him to stop the "founder grind," the specific habits he uses to optimize his energy (including a live demonstration of a Tony Robbins style state change), and why eating food that "goes off" is actually the secret to living longer.If you are a founder, business leader, or just someone looking to add more life to your years, this is a must-watch.TIMESTAMPS:00:00 Intro: Why we need a "grown-up" conversation about longevity01:18 Defining Longevity: It is about quality of life rather than just years03:55 Why retirement is an outdated concept05:00 State Management: Jumping off bridges with Tony Robbins07:06 LIVE DEMO: Yash teaches Steve the "Power Move" to change energy instantly12:00 The 3 Pillars of Performance: Work, Purpose, and Health16:30 "You can’t do anything if you’re dead": Prioritizing founder health19:00 The Wake-Up Call: Yash’s hospitalization story23:15 Parenting: Why kids do what you do, not what you say25:00 The widening gap between the healthy and unhealthy26:45 AI, Technology, and the "Glasshole" story36:55 The pros and cons of wearable health tech (Whoop, etc.)40:00 Yash’s Sleep Routine: Same time, dark room, and "sleepy tea"46:50 Blue Zones & The "Centenarian Olympics" (Getting up without hands)50:40 Yash’s advice: Move heavy things, eat fresh food, and connect with peopleQUOTES FROM THIS EPISODE:"It's not about living more years, it's about the life in your years.""I prioritize my health over everyone else’s because if I want to give to my family and my business, I can’t do anything if I’m dead.""Health is wealth. You can have as much money as anyone in the world, but without your health, you're on a hollow vision of performance.""People do what you do, not what you say."ABOUT YASH:Yash Varma is a global citizen, tech founder, and high-performance coach. After founding and exiting the global software consultancy Spaarks (with offices in London, Glasgow, and Canberra), Yash shifted his focus to empowering other founders.He is currently a Principal at Empress Capital and an active Angel investor with early stakes in companies like Tesla and Moderna. Beyond business, Yash is a certified high-performance coach, a mentor with Energy Labs, and a dedicated philanthropist leading the Canberra Chapter of Room to Read. He lives by three words: Love, Joy, and Contribute.LINKS:Connect with Yash → https://www.linkedin.com/in/yashvarma/Connect with Steve → https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevegrace/The Nudge Group → https://thenudgegroup.com/Give It A Nudge Podcast → https://www.youtube.com/@giveitanudge/The Trouble With People → https://thetroublewithpeople.substack.com/

In this episode, Steve Grace sits down with Albert Patajo, VP Strategy & Operations at Nexl, to unpack one of the rarest outcomes in Australian tech right now: a local startup hitting Series B, and what it actually takes to get there.Albert shares his non-founder path into the operator seat, from Deloitte to early-stage startups to capital raise advisory, before joining Nexl with one urgent mandate: raise money and build a more capital-efficient business in a market that had tightened overnight. He breaks down why focus beats ambition, how Nexl went deep in the US Northeast instead of trying to launch everywhere, and what changed when top US investors started coming inbound with term sheets.They also dig into the founder-operator partnership: trust, low ego, and working like co-founders without the title. Plus why Albert thinks AI’s biggest immediate impact in legal won’t be the practice of law, but everything around it, relationships, BD, and operations.Timestamps:0:00 – Intro: Nexl and the Series B milestone0:40 – Darwin to Canberra to Sydney (and the culture shock)3:20 – Why consulting is startup training in disguise6:30 – First startup lessons: being employee #6 and doing everything9:15 – Capital raise advisory in the 2020–21 boom10:45 – How Albert met Phil (Nexl’s founder) and why the role existed12:25 – Why Series B is "escape velocity"13:55 – The first six months: raising with limited runway15:30 – Capital efficiency: small bets, incremental hires16:20 – The focus move: winning the US Northeast (not launching the US)18:45 – What Nexl does: relationship-first CRM for law firms20:35 – Inbound term sheets and testing the waters for Series B22:00 – Bringing in the "dream" investor and why it was worth it23:05 – Founder-operator dynamic: low ego, high trust26:55 – Australia as the timezone bridge for US and Europe teams28:50 – Post-Series B: hiring leaders who’ve "seen the movie"33:25 – The big ambition: category leadership and deep penetration35:10 – AI in legal: where it actually changes firms firstLinks:Connect with Albert → https://www.linkedin.com/in/albertpatajo/Connect with Steve → https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevegrace/The Nudge Group → https://thenudgegroup.com/Give It A Nudge Podcast → https://www.youtube.com/@giveitanudge/The Trouble With People → https://thetroublewithpeople.substack.com/

In this episode, Steve Grace sits down with Kevin Lu, founder of Atrium, to unpack the "reverse journey" of leaving a prestigious career in Venture Capital to enter the trenches as a founder. Kevin reveals why he walked away from investing in some of Australia's most successful tech companies to solve a problem that haunted him for years, which was the absolute chaos of managing professional relationships.Kevin breaks down the "Founder Hierarchy" used by top VCs to spot unicorns (and why having a "chip on your shoulder" is the ultimate competitive advantage), the 100-year-old secret from Rockefeller’s Rolodex that inspired his new AI startup, and why he believes constraints rather than massive funding rounds are the true drivers of innovation.Timestamps:0:00 – The “Reverse Journey”: Investor to Founder1:47 – Escaping the “Lawyer Trap” into Tech6:11 – Corporate VC (Reinventure) vs. Pure Play (AirTree)10:07 – The 2021 Funding Craze: “It was nuts”14:10 – The Founder Hierarchy: Why you need a chip on your shoulder22:42 – REVEAL: What is Atrium?25:18 – Rockefeller’s 120,000-card secret30:17 – The joy of co-founding with a sibling33:17 – Why constraints create value (Bootstrapping vs. VC)37:47 – US vs. Australia: Risk appetite and hiring bias40:47 – Where have all the young founders gone?Links: Connect with Kevin → https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-lu-514420112/Connect with Steve → https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevegrace/The Nudge Group → https://thenudgegroup.com/Give It A Nudge Podcast → https://www.youtube.com/@giveitanudge/The Trouble With People → https://thetroublewithpeople.substack.com/

In this episode, Steve Grace sits down with Arjun — founder of inaam — to unpack how a tragic loss of his father's life savings fueled a mission to disrupt the Australian financial system, and why he believes the local VC ecosystem is fundamentally broken due to a crippling lack of risk tolerance.Arjun breaks down the dangerous myth that "impact investing" means sacrificing returns (proving it with a portfolio that outperformed the market), why he famously believes the tagline for Australian venture firms should be "F*ck off," and how he is gamifying financial literacy to help young Australians build wealth without compromising their values.They also dive into:The "Oligopoly" problem: Why having only three major VCs is stifling Australian innovationThe reality of building a fintech as a migrant founder and facing racism on the streets of MelbourneThe irony of being an award-winning innovator who still doesn't qualify for a National Innovation VisaHow inaam combines education with execution to bridge the wealth gapWhy email is a terrible leadership tool and the power of the "Communication Triangle"The "Non-Linear" career path: From investment banking to losing it all, to building a unicorn contenderTimestamps: 0:00 From investment banking to startup founder 6:45 Arriving in Melbourne 3 weeks before lockdown 10:27 The "F*ck Off" critique of Australian VCs 11:04 Why Australia has capital but zero risk tolerance 15:22 The Origin Story: Losing his father's life savings 17:20 Debunking the myth: Impact Investing vs. High Returns 23:30 The reality of racism and the migrant founder experience 28:16 The struggle to get a National Innovation Visa 36:00 Why email kills culture: The Communication Triangle 43:10 How to start investing with just $10Links: inaam → https://www.inaam.me/Connect with Arjun → https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjunagarwal1996/The Nudge Group → https://thenudgegroup.com/Give It A Nudge Podcast → https://www.youtube.com/@giveitanudge/Steve on LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevegrace/The Trouble With People → https://thetroublewithpeople.substack.com/

In this episode, Steve Grace sits down with Mick Liubinskas — founder of Climate Salad — to unpack how a simple newsletter turned into an industry body representing over 800 companies, and why Australia is world-class at inventing technology but historically terrible at commercialising it.Mick breaks down the massive difference between scaling software and industrial hardware, why the real funding gap isn't at the start but in the messy middle, and why he predicts a massive economic tipping point for climate tech in 2027 driven by policy and profit, not just goodwill.They also dive into:- Why Australian corporations refuse to be the "first customer" for local tech- The "Valley of Death" for funding physical infrastructure- Real examples of deep tech: Jet engines running on sewage and infinite thermal batteries- The generational shift from "doing less bad" to "nature first"- How Wright’s Law is driving down the cost of batteries and solar- Why capitalist business models are the fastest way to solve climate problemsTimestamps:0:00 From newsletter to industry body 1:20 The accidental founding of Climate Salad 5:33 Australia’s commercialization crisis 6:37 Why hardware is harder than software 12:14 Capitalism vs. Climate Change 15:53 The investment "Valley of Death"17:54 Jet engines running on sewage 19:33 The Generational Divide: Nature First 26:19 The 2027 Tipping Point Prediction 35:43 Antarctica and the fragility of nature Links:Climate Salad → https://www.climatesalad.com/ Connect with Mick → https://www.linkedin.com/in/mliubinskas/The Nudge Group → https://thenudgegroup.com/Give It A Nudge Podcast → https://www.youtube.com/@giveitanudge/Steve on LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevegrace/The Trouble With People → https://thetroublewithpeople.substack.com/

In this episode, Steve Grace sits down with Tiana Manticos — founder of TX Method — to unpack how her career across airports, QSR franchises, luxury yachts, and global retail brands turned into a repeatable scaling framework now used by founders looking to grow with intention, not chaos.Tiana breaks down the four-part TX Method framework (Truth, Translation, Transmission, Tempo), why founders should stop obsessing over content execution and start with clarity, and how personal brand can create competitive advantage — without trying to be an influencer.They also dive into:What she learned managing 250+ franchise operatorsWhy some brands scale and some burn outThe difference between perception economy and manufactured hypeThe rise of events and in-person connection post-content fatigueHow authenticity creates trust faster than perfectionWhy founders need to build brand before they need itTimestamps:0:21 What TX Method is1:55 The system behind scaling brands4:35 Lessons from franchising and customer behaviour7:48 Trend-chasing vs long-term growth10:55 Moving into the luxury sector and Ahoy Club15:20 Branding founders without turning them into influencers19:02 The Perception Economy explained24:57 Personal brand vs vanity metrics29:21 The TX Method framework33:12 Content, attention, and the role of events38:50 Starting vs perfecting43:40 The reality of becoming a founder47:53 Final advice: Start with truth, not tacticsLinks:TX Method → https://www.txmethod.com/Connect with Tiana → https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiana-manticos/The Nudge Group → https://thenudgegroup.com/Give It A Nudge Podcast → https://www.youtube.com/@giveitanudge/Steve on LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevegrace/The Trouble With People → https://thetroublewithpeople.substack.com/

In this episode, Steve Grace sits down with Paz Pisarski, co-founder of Community Collective, to unpack how a small 17-person meetup in Melbourne grew into a global community spanning 18 countries — without paid marketing, without hype, and without trying to be everything to everyone.Paz breaks down the Niche Cubed framework (profession + location + domain), how Who Not How changed how she makes decisions, and the simple community flywheel that turned early gatherings into an international movement.They also go deep into:Building with members, not for themFocus vs FOMO, and knowing what not to doScholarships and access pathways for community buildersWhy Nigeria unexpectedly became one of their strongest hubsHow music, ritual, and state-shifting practices shape her work and creativityTimestamps:0:00 Opening1:25 What Community Collective is3:08 The first meetup and early traction8:40 The 8-week cohort and 992-person waitlist10:55 Quitting full-time work to build community13:40 Who Community Collective trains and supports15:57 Paz’s background in music & sound19:44 Rituals, brainwaves, and performance29:02 Niche Cubed explained32:10 Focus, prioritisation, and saying “not yet”36:20 Growing to 18 countries40:48 Scholarships and global access43:50 Local leaders, city chapters, and sustainability46:42 Final advice: Start small. Do it with others.Links:Community Collective → https://www.communitycollective.com.au/Connect with Paz → https://www.linkedin.com/in/paz-pisarski/The Nudge Group → https://thenudgegroup.com/The Trouble With People → https://thetroublewithpeople.substack.com/Give It A Nudge Podcast → https://www.youtube.com/@giveitanudge/Steve on LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevegrace/

Host: Steve GraceGuest: Christie Jenkins — 3-sport pro athlete (ex-AUS #1), Managing Director at Techstars Sydney, investor (Athletic Ventures; ex-Blackbird), keynote speaker & performance coach.Christie unpacks how an elite-athlete mindset translates to venture and leadership: covering her leap to the U.S., buying European football clubs, and returning to run Techstars Sydney.What we cover:Packing up life in a week and landing in the U.S. with one introNetworking that compounds (and why Aussies under-index on intros)Building FC32: raising ~US$8M and buying 3 football clubs (Ireland, Austria, Italy)How soccer’s unique player-trading economics workWhat Christie learned meeting ~200 U.S. VC fundsWhy consistency beats “chasing gold medals”Carry 101: how VC incentives really workWhy founders need coaches (belief + trust) as much as athletesInside Techstars Sydney: 565 applications → 12 startups, retreat, mentors, and lifelong supportLinks:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christiejenkins/Newsletter: https://christiejenkins.substack.com/Website: https://www.christiejenkins.com.au/

In this episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve interviews Caitlin Judd, who takes us through her fascinating journey, starting with her roots in Melbourne, where she studied business and media at Monash University. She shares her transformative experience living in Miami, working across marketing, acting, and even selling high-end art, before returning to Melbourne to pursue a corporate marketing career.Feeling unfulfilled, Caitlin made a bold pivot into freelancing, supporting female entrepreneurs and leaders in the wellbeing sector. She discusses the importance of mentorship, coaching, and empowering women in business—particularly in the male-dominated investment world. Caitlin also dives into her podcasting journey with Lady Brains, which became a powerful tool for personal and professional growth, allowing her to build a community of like-minded individuals.Timestamps:00:18 – Meet Caitlin Judd and her journey from Melbourne to Miami01:07 – From corporate marketing to freelancing for women entrepreneurs02:26 – The power of mentorship and coaching women in leadership05:45 – How podcasting with Lady Brains became a tool for growth11:15 – Exploring angel investing and the gender funding gap16:55 – The importance of self-compassion and taking risks in business19:30 – Caitlin’s mission to create meaningful change for women27:00 – What’s next for Caitlin and her future goalsDon't forget to subscribe to Give It A Nudge for more inspiring conversations with founders and industry leaders making an impact!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/give-it-a-nudge--4623437/support.

In this episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve chats with Tom Waterhouse, a well-known name in Australian bookmaking and online betting. Tom opens up about his fascinating journey, from growing up in a family of bookmakers to launching his own online betting business, TomWaterhouse.com, in 2009. He shares how he went from being an on-course bookie to building a business that grew from 100 to a quarter of a million customers in just 18 months! After selling to William Hill in 2013, Tom became the CEO of William Hill Australia, overseeing a massive $2.5 billion turnover. But Tom wasn’t done yet—he’s now focused on a new adventure: his own venture fund, investing in tech suppliers for the gambling industry. He explains his unique option strategy and how he’s building a global portfolio.Timestamps:00:18 – Meet Tom Waterhouse and a quick intro to his background01:07 – From on-course bookie to launching TomWaterhouse.com02:26 – Growing the online business and selling to William Hill05:45 – Tom’s time as CEO of William Hill Australia11:15 – Starting his venture fund and focusing on gambling tech suppliers16:55 – The option strategy and finding the next big thing19:30 – Diversification and expanding globally27:00 – Why execution is everything when it comes to startup success31:10 – What’s next for Tom and his fundDon't forget to subscribe to Give It A Nudge for more fun and insightful chats with founders and industry leaders shaking things up!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/give-it-a-nudge--4623437/support.

In this episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve welcomes Rafael Niesten, founder of Proptech Labs, a company revolutionising property management by handling essential back-end services like maintenance, inspections, and invoicing for residential properties. Rafael, a serial entrepreneur, shares his colorful journey, from running a mobile phone business and starting a youth radio station in Perth to tackling the challenges of the property tech space.Timestamps:00:18 – Introduction to Rafael Niesten and Proptech Labs01:07 – Overview of Proptech Labs and its back-end property services02:26 – Rafael’s early ventures: mobile phones and community radio05:45 – From Perth to Sydney: starting over and building new ventures11:15 – Managing a medical IT company through a data breach16:55 – Transition to Proptech Labs and the drive to innovate property management19:30 – Expanding internationally and navigating different markets27:00 – Reflections on resilience and the entrepreneurial journey31:10 – Rafael’s future plans to mentor and give backDon’t forget to subscribe to Give It A Nudge for more fascinating conversations with founders and industry leaders who are making an impact!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/give-it-a-nudge--4623437/support.

In this episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve sits down with Ben Ford, a fintech expert who’s been shaping Australia’s fintech landscape for over a decade. Ben shares his journey from corporate roles to becoming a key player in fintech, proptech, and logistics, recounting his early days with industry pioneers like Afterpay and Acorns. Beyond business, Ben opens up about his latest project—the Vanessa Ford Foundation, a new initiative inspired by personal loss and focused on mental health support for high-achieving professionals. Timestamps:00:18 – Introduction to Ben Ford and his fintech journey01:20 – Early days with Afterpay, Acorns, and fintech in Australia06:14 – The evolution of fintech and Ben’s insights on the sector’s future10:03 – Challenges in open banking and new fintech opportunities16:25 – Proptech and logistics: Ben’s latest ventures in tech19:00 – Launching the Vanessa Ford Foundation and its mission23:15 – Remembering Vanessa and the motivation behind the foundation26:00 – Future goals for the foundation and mental health advocacy30:12 – Ben’s thoughts on upcoming tech trends and the next wave of startupsDon’t forget to subscribe to Give It A Nudge for more inspiring conversations with founders and innovators who are making an impact!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/give-it-a-nudge--4623437/support.

In this episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve sits down with Scott Berriman, founder of TenantX, a unique commercial property consultancy that’s all about representing tenants. Scott, who’s flying solo as a founder, dives into his transition from a long career in corporate real estate to building his own brand and business.Scott shares his journey from the early days working in retail leasing, through the highs and lows of corporate life, and what finally pushed him to go independent. He talks about how TenantX saves companies time and money by navigating lease negotiations, and he explains why having a dedicated tenant representative is crucial, even if many businesses don’t realise it. They also discuss the impacts of COVID-19 on the real estate market and how it led to many people reevaluating their careers.Timestamps: 00:18 – Introduction to Scott Berriman and TenantX00:45 – What TenantX does and the role of a tenant rep02:28 – Scott’s background: From retail leasing to office leasing05:12 – The transition from corporate life to entrepreneurship09:07 – Reflecting on the impact of COVID-19 and making life changes13:46 – Challenges and rewards of running a solo business16:34 – Strategies for business development and building a brand21:00 – Handling setbacks and staying motivated24:41 – Scott’s future plans and vision for TenantXDon’t forget to subscribe to Give It A Nudge for more fascinating conversations with founders and industry leaders who are making an impact!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/give-it-a-nudge--4623437/support.

In this episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve welcomes back Jessica Baird Walsh, who has made big changes since her last appearance. Formerly the founder of Remote Social, Jessica now plays a key role in KPMG Futures, where she drives innovation, venture partnerships, and strategic collaborations with startups. Jessica shares insights on her new role, how KPMG is staying ahead in tech, and what it's like working with early-stage founders from the corporate side. She also dives into her personal life—raising three kids and running every day for two years straight!Timestamps:00:18 - Jessica’s return: Big changes since Remote Social01:02 - Jessica’s role at KPMG Futures explained02:16 - Working with early-stage startups in a corporate setting03:50 - Why KPMG continues to invest in innovation06:23 - Jessica’s journey from Remote Social to KPMG08:25 - Balancing startup and corporate cultures09:48 - The resources and flexibility at KPMG11:08 - How having three kids shapes Jessica’s work-life balance13:32 - Jessica’s daily habit: Running for over 760 days straight!18:20 - Launching her passion project, Capital X24:37 - How Capital X is helping female founders find investors27:16 - The future of work and AI: What’s next for Jessica?Don't forget to subscribe for more inspiring interviews with founders, innovators, and business leaders!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/give-it-a-nudge--4623437/support.

In this episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve Grace sits down with Damon Rahmate and Andrew Davey, the innovative minds behind Genevo Marine, as they prepare to launch Australia’s first luxury electric recreational boat.Steve, Damon, and Andrew dive into the creation of Genevo Marine, exploring how their backgrounds in boat building, electrical engineering, and renewable energy led them to develop a groundbreaking electric boat. Designed to offer a smoother, quieter, and eco-friendly alternative to traditional boats, Genevo Marine is poised to make waves in the rapidly growing electric boating industry.Damon and Andrew share their vision for the future of electric boating, discuss the importance of government support, and outline their strategy for showcasing the boat at international boat shows. They also touch on their unique career paths, the burgeoning market for electric boats, and the potential for Australia to become a leader in sustainable marine technology.Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction00:18 - Meet Damon Rahmate and Andrew Davey of Genevo Marine00:36 - The vision behind Australia’s first electric luxury boat03:30 - Overcoming challenges in electric boat design08:23 - The environmental benefits of electric boating12:29 - Leveraging government support for innovation15:36 - The growing market for electric boats23:10 - Future plans for international expansion27:09 - The evolution of sustainable marine technologySubscribe to Give It A Nudge for the latest conversations from top startups, scale-ups, and high-growth companies!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/give-it-a-nudge--4623437/support.

In this episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve Grace sits down with Timo Kugler, co-founder of Foodini, a cutting-edge platform designed to help people with dietary needs navigate the food world more easily. From gluten-free to vegan and everything in between, Foodini is simplifying dining for 33% of the global population with dietary restrictions.Timo shares the journey of launching Foodini, the growth of the app in Australia and the recent expansion into the U.S. market. He dives into how AI and a dedicated team of dietitians power the app, helping restaurants cater to dietary needs, while also improving their business operations. Timo also talks about his fascinating career journey, from MTV Europe to launching multiple startups, and how Foodini is positioned to reshape the future of food and hospitality.Timestamps:00:00 – Meet Timo Kugler and the Foodini story02:16 – Tackling dietary challenges with Foodini04:33 – From MTV to startups: Timo’s wild career ride07:10 – How Foodini makes dining safer for everyone09:34 – AI and dietitians: The brains behind Foodini11:52 – Boosting restaurant menus and revenue with Foodini15:10 – Foodini’s big leap into the U.S. and beyond19:34 – Fundraising and scaling: What’s next for Foodini?Don't forget to subscribe for more insightful interviews with founders, innovators, and industry leaders!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/give-it-a-nudge--4623437/support.

In this episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve chats with Elena Tsalanidis, Co-Founder of Deeligence, a cutting-edge legal tech startup that’s using AI to transform the traditionally tedious process of legal due diligence. Elena explains how Deeligence is cutting down the time lawyers spend on M&A due diligence, helping law firms improve accuracy and efficiency while reducing risk.Elena also shares her journey from being a corporate lawyer to becoming a tech founder, the challenges of building a secure AI-driven platform, and the future of AI in the legal world. She dives into the role of AI in legal workflows and discusses how Deeligence is poised to reshape the way law firms handle complex transactions.Timestamps:00:45 – What Deeligence does and how Elena transitioned from law to legal tech03:15 – The initial challenges of building an AI-driven platform05:30 – How Deeligence uses AI to speed up the due diligence process07:00 – Overcoming resistance from traditional law firms to adopt new technology09:10 – The impact of AI on reducing manual work and improving efficiency for lawyers11:45 – Ensuring security and confidentiality in a legal tech platform13:30 – How Deeligence improves lawyer retention and client satisfaction15:20 – Elena’s vision for the future of AI in the legal industry and what's next for DeeligenceDon't forget to subscribe to Give It A Nudge for more inspiring conversations with startup founders and industry innovators!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/give-it-a-nudge--4623437/support.

In this episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve sits down with Thomas Telfer, Chief Operating Officer of Scimita Ventures, to explore how his company is driving innovation across industries, with a strong focus on science, engineering, and sustainability. Thomas shares his journey from studying pharmacology to leading a startup that helps companies turn early-stage tech ideas into tangible products. They dive into Scimita’s pioneering work in battery recycling and the circular economy, the transition from academia to entrepreneurship, and the exciting plans for expanding Scimita’s operations. Timestamps: 00:35 – What Scimita Ventures does 02:10 – Thomas’s background: From pharmacology to entrepreneurship05:00 – Transitioning from academia to startups07:45 – Working on innovative medical devices like non-invasive blood glucose monitors10:15 – The impact of COVID-19 on product development and remote testing12:30 – The importance of collaboration with universities and entrepreneurs15:00 – Circular economy projects: Battery recycling and reducing waste18:40 – Future plans: Expanding Scimita Ventures' operations to a new facility in Western SydneyDon't forget to subscribe to Give It A Nudge for more conversations with innovative startup founders & innovators!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/give-it-a-nudge--4623437/support.

In this episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve sits down with Michael Batko, CEO of Startmate, to dive into how he’s building one of the most successful startup accelerators in Australia. Michael shares the story of his journey from consulting to startups, the growth of Startmate, and his vision for the future. They discuss how Startmate is supporting founders, investors, and job seekers while scaling a vibrant startup community. Michael also gives a sneak peek into his productivity-focused side hustle and reveals his ambitious plan to build a "Startmate City" for founders and innovators.Timestamps:00:18 - Welcome Michael Batko to the show00:53 - What is Startmate and its mission01:31 - Michael’s background in consulting and transition to startups02:18 - Early days at Mad Paws and lessons from scaling startups03:50 - The value of making mistakes in startups06:49 - Trekking through the Amazon: Lessons from Michael’s travels10:00 - Returning to Australia and the serendipity of landing at Startmate13:09 - Setting up and scaling an incubator at Startmate14:42 - The challenges of running a startup accelerator16:00 - Michael’s thoughts on community-driven growth and marketing17:05 - The vision for Startmate’s future and building "Startmate City"20:48 - The success of Startmate’s investments and community-driven venture fund24:00 - Michael’s productivity side hustle and teaching AI tools26:13 - The hardest lessons Michael has learned in fundraising and people managementDon't forget to subscribe for more great conversations with founders and innovators!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/give-it-a-nudge--4623437/support.

In this episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve chats with Scott King, co-founder of Zapme, an innovative global communications platform that simplifies international travel by providing seamless connectivity. Scott dives into the story of how Zapme was born out of the challenges he faced during the COVID-19 pandemic while working overseas, sparking the idea for a service that offers global numbers, data, and messaging—all in one app.Scott shares his entrepreneurial journey, from growing up in Alice Springs to working in Japan, Miami, and on cruise ships before founding Zapme. He reflects on the importance of solving problems, the lessons learned along the way, and Zapme’s potential to help not only travellers but professionals, recruiters, and even dating app users.Scott also offers a glimpse into Zapme’s exciting future, including plans to expand into B2B markets and how the platform can be used beyond travel. He emphasises the importance of building a global community and solving everyday communication challenges.Timestamps:01:00 - What Zapme does and Scott’s inspiration03:00 - The impact of COVID-19 on Zapme’s creation06:45 - Scott’s entrepreneurial background: From Japan to cruise ships09:30 - How Zapme solves global communication issues for travellers13:00 - Expanding Zapme’s use cases: Recruiters, dating apps, and more16:30 - Scott’s vision for Zapme’s future and the B2B market19:00 - The importance of community and solving global problemsDon't forget to subscribe to Give It A Nudge for more inspiring conversations with founders, innovators, and industry leaders!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/give-it-a-nudge--4623437/support.

In this episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve sits down with Ruth Hatherley, Founder & CEO of MoneyCatcha, a fintech company making waves by using open banking data to revolutionise the home loan process for consumers and brokers alike.Ruth shares the story of MoneyCatcha's evolution, starting from blockchain technology to leveraging open banking to democratise data and offer faster, more competitive home loan solutions. She dives into the impact of COVID-19 on the financial landscape, how the shift toward digital processes changed the game for brokers, and her passion for improving the customer experience in the home loan industry.Ruth also discusses the challenges of being a first-time founder, the resilience required to build a fintech startup, and her exciting plans for MoneyCatcha’s future, including expansion into other industries and markets.Timestamps:00:57 - What MoneyCatcha does and Ruth's journey03:30 - Shifting from blockchain to open banking05:00 - The impact of COVID-19 on the home loan industry07:45 - Helping brokers use data to provide better loan options09:30 - Ruth’s personal journey from banking to fintech founder12:00 - Open banking and its impact on consumers15:00 - The future of MoneyCatcha: Expanding beyond banking18:30 - Ruth's thoughts on resilience and growth as a founderDon't forget to subscribe to Give It A Nudge for more amazing conversations with startup founders, innovators, and industry leaders!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/give-it-a-nudge--4623437/support.

In this episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve Grace chats with Cameron Smith from Take2, a company that provides individuals who have had contact with the justice system a second chance at life through a three-year tech training and employment program. Cameron explains how Take2 offers not just technical training but also essential life skills, aiming to break down barriers and create employment pathways for those who have faced significant challenges.Cameron shares his journey into founding Take2, his background in recruitment, and how witnessing the discrimination faced by people with convictions inspired him to launch the organisation. The conversation dives into the difficulties of getting prisons, funders, and employment partners on board, and the challenges of implementing the program in both New Zealand and now Australia.Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction01:10 - Take2's mission: A second chance for those in the justice system02:03 - Cameron's background and inspiration for starting Take203:30 - Overcoming initial challenges in launching the program05:00 - The transformative power of employment for marginalised individuals07:00 - Launching in Australia: Adapting the model for a new market09:30 - Building employer partnerships and breaking down prejudices11:15 - Success stories from Take2's graduates13:00 - How to get involved and support Take2’s missionDon't forget to subscribe to Give It A Nudge for more inspiring stories from the world of startups, scaleups and high-growth companies! Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/give-it-a-nudge--4623437/support.

In this episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve sits down with Sophie Hood, founder of Seoul Tonic, to explore her journey of creating a unique health tonic inspired by South Korean traditions. Sophie shares her story from starting in consulting and finance to diving into the world of consumer health products. She discusses her fascination with Korean skincare, which led her to discover traditional ingredients that help with alcohol metabolism and liver detoxification.Timestamps:01:17 - Quick pitch on Seoul Tonic01:43 - Sophie's inspiration from South Korea03:12 - Transition from consulting to Moet Hennessy04:52 - Experience at Moet Hennessy and Red Bull06:29 - Starting Seoul Tonic and creating the product09:59 - Finding the right manufacturer during COVID13:10 - Distribution challenges and initial marketing15:59 - Winning Gordon Ramsay’s Food Stars21:04 - Expansion into international markets25:35 - Bootstrapping the business and maintaining equity30:26 - Future plans and new product launchStay ahead of the curve—subscribe to Give It A Nudge for the latest conversations from top startups, scale-ups, and high-growth companies!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/give-it-a-nudge--4623437/support.

In this episode of Give It a Nudge, Steve chats with Alex Kerr (https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-kerr-6599b7197/), the founder of Kumo Study (https://www.kumostudy.com/), a study management tool for students with ADHD and other forms of neurodiversity.Steve and Alex discuss her journey from university to founding Kumo Study, the unique challenges she faced as a non-tech founder, and how she successfully bootstrapped the business. They also explore Kumo Study's innovative approach to digitising occupational therapy techniques to create an effective learning tool for neurodiverse students.Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction and setting the scene00:18 - Meet Alex Kerr of Kumo Study01:06 - Quick pitch on Kumo Study and its mission02:21 - Alex’s background and journey to founding Kumo Study03:13 - Realising the impact of ADHD on her own study habits06:29 - Transition from university to startup life09:18 - Importance of setting up the right study environment12:30 - Features of Kumo Study: digitising occupational therapy techniques15:00 - Addressing comorbidities: Dyslexia, Autism, and ADHD20:21 - Bootstrapping and building Kumo Study25:35 - Current state and future plans for Kumo StudyThis episode is perfect for anyone interested in how technology can support neurodiverse students in their academic journey, and how personal challenges can lead to innovative solutions.Stay ahead of the curve—subscribe to Give It A Nudge for the latest conversations from top startups, scale-ups, and high-growth companies!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/give-it-a-nudge--4623437/support.

In this episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve chats with Gabriela Scharf, Founder of Get Cool Brands. Gabriela's fascinating career journey takes centre stage as she shares her experiences moving from Brazil to Australia, working with major brands like Red Bull and WeWork, and eventually finding her passion in purpose-driven initiatives.Gabriela recounts the challenges of starting anew in Australia, initially working in hospitality before landing marketing roles. Her time at WeWork during COVID shaped her views on the importance of flexibility and community, leading her to focus on building communities and promoting sustainable brands through Get Cool Brands.Gabriela also discusses her role as an ambassador for the Community Collective, a global network for community managers, and emphasises the value of human interaction and community in a post-COVID world.Timestamps:00:18 - Introduction to Gabriela Scharf01:22 - Moving from Brazil to Australia03:00 - Early career struggles and transition06:19 - Working at WeWork during COVID08:14 - Importance of community and human interaction11:46 - Founding Get Cool Brands15:20 - Supporting sustainable brands18:24 - Ambassador role at Community Collective21:50 - Future plans and goalsSubscribe to Give It A Nudge for more inspiring stories from top startups, scale-ups, and high-growth companies!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/give-it-a-nudge--4623437/support.

In this episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve Grace chats with Jessie Hughes, Senior Creative Technologist at Leonardo.Ai, just days after their acquisition by Canva.Steve and Jessie discuss the groundbreaking features of Leonardo.Ai, a generative AI-powered content creation suite designed to democratize creativity by making high-quality content creation accessible to everyone. Jessie shares insights into the company’s rapid growth, innovative tools like real-time canvas doodling and high-resolution upscaling, and the strategic benefits of the Canva acquisition while maintaining Leonardo.Ai's independence.They also explore Jessie’s unique career path, from her background in interaction design and VR filmmaking to her role in the AI industry, highlighting the importance of adaptability and the transformative potential of AI in various sectors. The conversation touches on the future of AI, the balance between technological advancement and human creativity, and the collaborative efforts to ensure AI's positive impact on society.Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction00:18 - Meet Jessie Hughes of Leonardo.Ai00:36 - Canva's acquisition of Leonardo.Ai03:30 - Overview of Leonardo.Ai's tools and features08:23 - Democratizing creativity with AI12:29 - Jessie's career journey and impact of AI15:36 - Synergy between Leonardo.Ai and Canva23:10 - Future of AI and creative industries27:09 - Navigating rapid technological advancementsSubscribe to Give It A Nudge for the latest conversations from top startups, scale-ups, and high-growth companies!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/give-it-a-nudge--4623437/support.

In this episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve chats with Stephen Zilioli, the Founder & CEO of PostLock (https://www.postlock.com.au/), a revolutionary new savings product designed to help aspiring homeowners keep up with runaway property prices.Steve and Stephen discuss the journey from a stable banking career to founding PostLock, the difficulties of navigating government regulations, and the unique approach PostLock takes in partnering with governments to provide secure, inflation-adjusted returns for home savers. They also explore the significant progress made in the UK, the strategy behind choosing the UK market, and the future plans for expansion and capital raising.Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction00:18 - Meet Stephen Zilioli of PostLock00:33 - Quick pitch on PostLock and its mission03:30 - Challenges of saving for home deposits08:23 - How PostLock works12:29 - Flexibility and potential exceptions15:36 - Government partnerships and UK progress23:10 - Raising capital and ideal investors27:09 - Surprises and easiest aspects of the journeyStay ahead of the curve—subscribe to Give It A Nudge for the latest conversations from top startups, scale-ups, and high-growth companies!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/give-it-a-nudge--4623437/support.

In this very exciting episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve sits down with Dickie, known as "the hype man" for the Australian tech and innovation ecosystem.Dickie talks about his unique career path, starting from law school and the Territorial Army, moving on to become a Moroccan country specialist in the travel industry, and finally diving into the Australian startup world. He shares his colourful experiences and the impactful roles he's had, highlighting his passion for promoting Australian innovation.Steve and Dickie discuss his move from Melbourne to Sydney and his impact on the startup community through roles at Startup Victoria and his current project, Tech Australia Advocates. This initiative aims to connect the Australian tech ecosystem with global partners and create a more inclusive community.Dickie also talks about his dedication to creating meaningful content and fostering innovation. He reveals his long-term dream of becoming a travel writer, telling global innovation stories and linking them to Australia.Timestamps:00:18 - Introduction to Dickie, the hype man01:08 - Dickie's unique career journey06:19 - Startup experiences in Australia10:02 - Role at Startup Victoria and Tech Australia Advocates18:43 - Moving from Melbourne to Sydney22:00 - Dickie's dedication to content creation and innovation26:45 - Balancing work-life and avoiding burnout32:15 - Dickie's long-term dream of becoming a travel writer36:30 - Importance of diversity and inclusion in tech40:50 - Final thoughts and future outlookSubscribe to Give It A Nudge for the latest insights from top startups, scale-ups, and high-growth companies!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/give-it-a-nudge--4623437/support.

In this episode of Give It a Nudge, Steve chats with Melissa Reader, the founder and CEO of Violet (https://www.violet.org.au/), a pioneering virtual care platform dedicated to supporting individuals and their families during the last stage of life. Steve and Melissa talk about her shift from consulting to starting Violet, the unique challenges she faced as a non-tech founder in a tech world, and how she successfully bootstrapped the business while keeping control. They also cover Violet’s innovative approach to blending humanity and technology to offer scalable, impactful solutions.Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction and setting the scene00:18 - Meet Melissa Reader of Violet01:17 - Quick pitch on Violet and its mission03:12 - Transition from consulting to founding Violet04:52 - Melissa’s personal story and inspiration behind Violet06:29 - Building Violet: Combining humanity and technology09:59 - Overcoming challenges in a non-tech founder journey13:10 - Distribution challenges and initial marketing strategies15:59 - Winning support and recognition for Violet’s mission21:04 - Expansion into international markets and future plans25:35 - Bootstrapping Violet and maintaining equity30:26 - Future plans and new product launchThis episode is perfect for anyone interested in how technology can be used to support people during one of the most challenging times in life, and how personal experiences can drive impactful innovation.Stay ahead of the curve—subscribe to Give It A Nudge for the latest conversations from top startups, scale-ups, and high-growth companies!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/give-it-a-nudge--4623437/support.

In this episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve talks with Bardia Khalilifar, the Founder of Conicio Advisory.Bardia shares his journey from the corporate tech world to founding his own consulting firm. Initially working as a programmer and network engineer, he transitioned into sales and partnerships, holding executive roles over a 20-year career. His move from corporate life to entrepreneurship was driven by his desire to apply his skills in a more dynamic environment.Steve and Bardia discuss the challenges of leaving a stable corporate job for the uncertainty of entrepreneurship. Bardia highlights the importance of building networks and continuous learning to keep up with rapidly evolving technology. He also talks about mentoring interns and the value of understanding market needs to provide tailored consulting services.Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction and setting the scene00:18 - Meet Bardia Khalilifar of Conicio Advisory02:05 - Founding Conicio Advisory and its mission06:05 - Bardia’s first client and early successes12:14 - Building a future vision for Conicio Advisory14:00 - Challenges of starting a business from scratch18:25 - Balancing growth and innovation in a consulting firmStay ahead of the curve—subscribe to Give It A Nudge for the latest insights from top startups, scale-ups, and high-growth companies!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/give-it-a-nudge--4623437/support.

In this episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve is joined by Neelan Sornalingam, a financial advisor passionate about transforming how clients manage and think about their finances. During their talk, Neelan explains the importance of having clear, defined life and financial goals before getting into the nuts and bolts of financial planning. He believes that aligning financial strategies with personal dreams, whether those are as straightforward as saving for retirement or as unique as buying an island or starting a bee farm, is crucial.The conversation also touches on Neelan's insights into personal growth, the benefits of building a strong team around him, and his commitment to continuously improving the services his firm offers. They discuss the broader effects of financial planning, like how it influences lifestyle choices, helps ease financial stress, and the deep satisfaction Neelan gets from making a real difference in his clients' lives. Neelan wraps up by sharing his excitement about the future and his ongoing efforts to make his firm even better.For more inspiring stories about entrepreneurship, startups, and high-growth businesses, don't forget to subscribe to Give It A Nudge for weekly episodes.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/give-it-a-nudge--4623437/support.

In this episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve chats with Damien Cooley of Cooley Auctions. Damien shares his journey from starting out in real estate to becoming a well-known auctioneer, recognised by his signature orange tie. He discusses his unique approach to auctioneering, emphasising the role of energy, strategy, and marketing in his success.Damien also talks about the challenges and breakthroughs he has faced, including how he adapted his business to incorporate online auctions before the pandemic made it a necessity. He gives insights into the psychological tactics used in auctions and the importance of staying detached as an auctioneer to ensure fairness and transparency.The discussion covers practical advice for new real estate professionals and Damien’s thoughts on the future of auctioneering. He also shares personal stories about the highs and lows of his career, offering a glimpse into the day-to-day realities of the auction world.For more stories on entrepreneurship and tips from industry leaders, make sure to subscribe to Give It A Nudge and tune in next week for another episode.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/give-it-a-nudge--4623437/support.

In this long-awaited episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve finally has the chance to sit down with Mike Langford, Head of VC & Startup Ecosystem JAPAC at Google Cloud.Mike discusses his role at Google, overseeing the VC and startup ecosystem across Asia-Pacific. He shares his 12-year journey with the company, his passion for technology, and the strategic moves that led to his current position.Mike covers Google’s Digital Futures initiative, a $1 billion commitment to advancing Australia’s digital landscape, highlighting projects like AI research centres and environmental efforts in the Great Barrier Reef and kelp forests.The conversation includes how Google supports startups through tools, credits, and mentorship, helping them start, build, grow, and scale. Mike emphasises the importance of balancing passion with practical business strategies and staying aligned with evolving revenue models.The discussion also touches on the impact of AI, its rapid advancements, and its applications across various industries. Mike stresses the need for an innovative mindset and embracing AI as a tool for growth and efficiency.Mike explains why startups should choose Google Cloud, citing its user-friendly interface, cost-effectiveness, and comprehensive support. He highlights Google’s commitment to open-source models and fostering innovation within the startup community.Timestamps:00:44 - Mike's journey to Google01:20 - Role at Google Cloud and focus areas02:35 - Mike’s tech background and early career03:40 - Transition to non-tech roles at Google05:11 - Building a role in the startup space06:11 - Digital Futures initiative and key projects09:50 - Environmental and medical partnerships11:35 - Supporting startups through various stages14:00 - Importance of balancing passion and practicality16:18 - Impact of AI and its future applications19:45 - Why choose Google Cloud for startups?23:10 - Final thoughts and future outlookSubscribe to Give It A Nudge for the latest insights from top startups, scale-ups, and high-growth companies!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/give-it-a-nudge--4623437/support.

In this episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve sits down with Sam Wood, the CEO & Co-Founder of Azura Fashion Group, to discuss the innovative journey of his company.Sam shares the origin story of Azura Fashion Group, which started in 2019 with a mission to provide a better solution for luxury fashion brands to manage their off-season and postseason stock. The company helps brands like Dolce & Gabbana by moving their excess inventory into new markets rather than traditional outlet stores, thereby maintaining brand value.Throughout the interview, Sam discusses how Azura Fashion Group has grown to operate in 28 countries, partnering with over 900 brands, and how their AI-driven platform has revolutionised their operations by handling data enrichment and order management efficiently. He also talks about the company’s upcoming launch into the Korean market and plans for further expansion.Sam emphasises the importance of leveraging technology to scale without increasing operational costs and highlights the success of their recent $3 million investment raise. The conversation also touches on the company's commitment to supporting Australian designers and retailers by helping them reach international markets.For those interested in investing, Sam discusses their crowdfunding campaign and the unique benefits for investors, including potential luxury fashion perks.Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction00:41 - What is Azura Fashion Group?01:26 - The initial concept and market disruption02:53 - Landing the first big client: Dolce & Gabbana04:03 - Sam’s background in sales and marketing06:08 - The leap from employment to entrepreneurship07:26 - The importance of stress and adrenaline in business08:15 - The company’s growth journey and technological advancements08:44 - Expanding globally and leveraging AI for data management11:00 - Innovative AI platform using Google, Microsoft, and Amazon technologies13:16 - Zero-inventory model and digital consignment14:05 - Current scale and brand partnerships14:50 - The challenge and opportunity of circular fashion17:10 - Future plans and market expansion20:52 - Scaling with AI and crowdfunding plans22:10 - Final thoughts and call to actionSubscribe for more insights into the world of startups, scale-ups, and high-growth businesses, and don’t miss out on this exciting episode with Sam Wood!Links: Azura Fashion Group website - https://www.azurafashiongroup.com/Crowdfunding campaign - https://www.onmarket.com.au/offers/azura-consulting-eoi/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/give-it-a-nudge--4623437/support.

In this episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve visits the Honey Insurance offices to talk with Richard Joffe, the Founder & CEO.Richard shares the story behind Honey Insurance, a digital home insurance company aiming to simplify and improve the insurance experience in Australia. He explains how his move from San Francisco to Australia highlighted the need for a more modern and customer-friendly insurance service.Richard discusses his background, from growing up in South Africa and Canada to his experiences building businesses in London, New York, and San Francisco. He talks about the challenges of starting Honey Insurance, navigating Australia's competitive market, and overcoming regulatory hurdles.You'll hear about the inspiration for the name "Honey Insurance," the company's new partnership with Aldi, and their plans to offer better deals to customers.Richard also talks about the importance of company values, maintaining a close-knit team, and the effort required to secure funding and grow a startup.Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction and setting the scene00:24 - What is Honey Insurance?01:06 - The inspiration behind Honey Insurance02:15 - Challenges in traditional insurance models03:18 - The Australian market and its unique challenges06:11 - Richard's background and journey to entrepreneurship09:32 - Identifying the opportunity in the insurance industry12:09 - Regulatory hurdles and market entry challenges14:03 - Why "Honey Insurance"?15:13 - Honey Insurance’s launch and early successes18:00 - High technical talent in Australia20:18 - Fundraising challenges and strategies22:44 - New partnership with Aldi25:01 - Growth plans and maintaining company culture27:14 - Importance of company values and hiring standards30:48 - Closing thoughts and future plansStay ahead of the curve—subscribe to Give It A Nudge for the latest insights from top startups, scale-ups, and high-growth companies!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/give-it-a-nudge--4623437/support.

In this episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve reconnects with Ali Lord, CEO of Headbox Australia, two years after their first interview during the early days of the COVID-19 lockdowns. Ali talks about how Headbox navigated the challenges brought by the pandemic and the changes within the events industry.Starting with a small team during the pandemic, Headbox adapted by focusing on market expansion and improving their technology. This technology now helps corporate clients and venues manage events more efficiently and sustainably, reflecting the growing global focus on environmental responsibility.Ali shares how Headbox has grown into a diverse team that offers innovative and practical event solutions across Australia. Their technology simplifies event planning and incorporates sustainability practices.For those interested in business resilience and innovation, this episode with Ali provides practical insights into overcoming challenges and adapting to change. Make sure you subscribe to Give It A Nudge for more discussions on technology, entrepreneurship, and business trends.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/give-it-a-nudge--4623437/support.

Join us on this episode of Give It A Nudge where host Steve chats with Cheryl Mack, CEO of Aussie Angels. Cheryl takes us through her journey from Toronto to becoming a key player in Australia’s startup scene. She shares her insights into the evolution of Aussie Angels, her experiences with angel investing, and the growing startup ecosystem in Australia.🔗 Useful Links:Connect with Cheryl on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherylmack/Check out Aussie Angels to explore investment opportunities: https://www.aussieangels.com/Find helpful tips and guides for founders and investors on Mack's Resources: https://macksresources.com/Make sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more interesting talks with the movers and shakers of the startup world!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/give-it-a-nudge--4623437/support.

In this episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve chats with Lucy Wark, the dynamic founder of two innovative companies: Normal and Fuzzy. Normal revolutionises sex education with engaging digital content and sex toys, while Fuzzy focuses on teaching essential soft skills often overlooked in traditional education.Lucy shares her path from launching a student magazine at the University of Cambridge to her strategic experiences at McKinsey, which helped pave the way for her entrepreneurial ventures. She also introduces her latest project, Grapevine, aimed at combating sexual harassment in the tech industry by sharing stories and providing practical advice.Feeling inspired by Lucy's story? Tune into Give It A Nudge for more episodes that explore the intersections of tech, business, and meaningful impact. Subscribe now to catch every inspiring story that could be just the nudge you need in your own entrepreneurial journey.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/give-it-a-nudge--4623437/support.