The Intentional Business: Human | Leadership | Digital & AI
by Sam Hurley | 25eight
For capable business owners who want to make better decisions, build stronger systems and use AI intelligently, while keeping sight of the life they're building the business for. Hosted by Samantha Hurley, CEO of 25eight, each episode delivers research-backed thinking on human potential, business capability, AI adoption, leadership development, and small business growth. Practical actions that you can use immediately helping you lead a business on your own terms.
Episodes
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Why Your Business Model Is Limiting Your Growth
Your business can be busy, growing and fully booked and still have no spare capacity.That's because capacity is shaped by more than calendars, productivity tools or team size. It's built into what the business sells, how customers pay, what delivery really requires and where the owner remains...
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How to Use Your Business Vision to Make Better Decisions
A Vision Is a Decision-Making SystemA useful business vision does more than describe a desirable future. It helps you decide which opportunities, offers, customers, technology and demands on your time belong in the business—and which do not.In this episode, Sam Hurley explains how to turn vision...
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The Problem You Can See May Not Be the One to Solve
The most visible problem in a business is often a symptom of a constraint somewhere else.You may think you need more time because your day keeps disappearing into questions and approvals. But if the team has responsibility without the context or authority to make decisions, another productivity...
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Is your business too reliant on you? When the owner becomes the system
Your capability may have built the business, but has the business become too dependent on you? When the owner holds the knowledge, answers every question, approves every decision and protects every standard, the business can only move at the owner’s speed and capacity. More customers, new…
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Why More Customers Can Make Your Business Harder to Grow
Can attracting more customers make a business less sustainable?In this episode of The Intentional Business, 25eight founder and CEO Sam Hurley explores a paradox familiar to many small business owners: the business needs more sales, but the customers it attracts make it increasingly dependent on...
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How to Build an Intentional Business That Works for You
What is an intentional business, and how do you build one that works for you? Sam Hurley explains why effort eventually stops moving a business forward, how disconnected systems make the owner the system, and why your vision for life should shape the business you build. You'll leave with a...
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AI GIves You Time: But Only You Can Decide What To Use It For
AI Can Save You Time, but It Cannot Decide What That Time Is For One of the biggest promises surrounding AI is that it will give us time back. It can draft the email, summarise the meeting, analyse information, update systems and complete in minutes what may previously have taken hours. But…
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Why Clarity is Your Secret Weapon with AI
You signed up for the AI tool everyone was talking about. You experimented with prompts, produced some useful outputs and felt that initial spark of possibility.Then, a few months later, you realised the business was still operating in much the same way. You still felt busy, the results were...
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The Fresh Start Effect: hat do you want from the next 12 months?
It is the end of the financial year in Australia, which makes this a natural moment for business owners to pause, reflect and reset.In this short school holiday episode, Make Time host Sam Hurley explores the “fresh start effect” and why the beginning of a new financial year can create the...
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Are You Adopting AI In The Wrong Order?
A lot of AI advice skips the most important part: the order you do things in. In this episode of Make Time, Sam Hurley makes the case that when AI is brought in to fix a business rather than enhance it, it simply amplifies what was already wrong, which is part of why we're starting to see a sea…
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Three important decisions your need to make now about AI in your business
Governance isn't the most exciting word, and for a busy owner it usually sits well below customers, suppliers and staff. But in this episode of Make Time, Sam Hurley makes the case that a small amount of clarity about how AI is used in your business now saves a disproportionate amount of trouble...
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Why knowing isn't the same as doing and how this impacts business
If you've read the books, taken the courses, attended the workshops and filled notebooks with good intentions, but your business looks much the same, this episode is for you. Sam makes the case up front: that gap isn't a reflection of your intelligence, your work ethic or your commitment. It's...
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What you can't outsource - and why it explains the delegation gap
Most business owners who hit a ceiling with delegation aren't failing at delegation. They're running into a structural problem: a capability layer underneath delegation that only the business owner can hold. In this episode of Make Time, Sam Hurley breaks down what that layer is, what the…
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Feeling behind with AI? Why capability matters more than speed
Make Time host, Sam Hurley, explores the pressure many small business owners are feeling right now: the sense that everyone else is moving faster with AI, while you are still trying to run the business, serve customers, manage the team, make decisions, and keep up.At the centre of this episode is…
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Why Local AI Could Change Everything for Small Businesses
Make Time host, Sam Hurley, explores one of the most important emerging shifts in artificial intelligence for small and medium-sized businesses: the move from cloud-based AI tools toward local AI models owned and controlled by the business itself. While most businesses currently interact with AI...
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Why AI Isn't Delivering ROI for Many Business
Make Time host, Sam Hurley, explores one of the biggest misconceptions surrounding AI adoption in business today: the assumption that AI tools alone create value. Drawing on research from organisations including McKinsey, Stanford, MIT, and OECD, Sam explains why many businesses are investing...
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The Capability Advantage In The AI Economy
Make Time host, Sam Hurley, opens season two by exploring one of the most significant shifts facing small and medium-sized businesses today: the closing gap between individuals and large organisations, driven by the rapid advancement of AI. Drawing on over a decade of experience supporting…
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Business Don't Fail Because People Are Incapable
Make Time host, Sam Hurley, explores one of the most important things to get right early in business: understanding the problem you solve and why it matters.Drawing on over a decade of experience working with small and medium-sized business leaders, she reflects on the patterns behind business...
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Knowledge vs Capability And Why This Matters More Than Ever
Make Time host, Sam Hurley, CEO, 25eight explores the critical difference between knowledge and capability, and why this gap is one of the biggest constraints to small business growth.She explains why knowing more does not necessarily lead to better results, drawing on research from…
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The Digital Gap: Turning Online Activity Into Customer Growth
In this weeks episode of Make Time, host Sam explores the gap between digital presence and effective digital strategy for small businesses. She emphasises the importance of understanding customer journeys, measuring results meaningfully, and acting with intention in a noisy digital landscape,...
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Why More Tech Makes Some People Less Productive And What To Do About it
In this week's episode of Make Time, Sam explores how small business owners often accumulate too many digital tools in response to problems, leading to decreased productivity. She offers strategies to streamline your digital environment, adopt intentional technology, and ultimately work smarter,...
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The most important consideration for integrating AI in your business
In this episode, Sam tackles one of the most common frustrations small business owners face with AI: trying it, not getting the results they expected, and wondering what went wrong. The answer, more often than not, isn't the tool. It's that AI has been dropped into a business that isn't yet ready...
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Market Forces & The Future For Small Business
In this episode, Sam discusses the challenges small businesses face in a competitive market dominated by larger enterprises and cheaper alternatives. She emphasises the importance of innovation, local economic resilience, and the need for small businesses to adapt their strategies to remain…
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Unlocking Business Growth: 10 Mindset Shifts for Success
In this episode, Sam discusses essential mindset shifts and practical tools for small business owners to overcome limitations and achieve sustainable growth. She emphasises the importance of transitioning from a doer to an architect, focusing on long-term strategies, embracing a growth mindset,...
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From Practitioner to Business Leader: Jessica Sammut's Story of Success
In this episode of Make Time, host Sam Hurley interviews Jessica Sammut, an accomplished entrepreneur and business coach in the allied health sector. They discuss Jessica's journey from practitioner to business owner, the importance of execution in turning ideas into reality, and the challenges...
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What Data Tells Us About Business Success
Make Time host, Sam Hurley, CEO, 25eight explores the multifaceted nature of entrepreneurship, emphasising that it is not a universal path for everyone. She delves into global and Australian data on entrepreneurship, highlighting the challenges, isolation, and the psychological traits that...
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12 Practical Actions to Reduce Mental Load In Your Business
In this episode of Make Time, host Sam delves into the concept of decision fatigue and its impact on small business owners. She explains how the famous tech boss uniform is not just a fashion statement but a strategy to protect decision quality. Sam emphasises that running a business involves...
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How to Determine Pricing in your Small Business
In this episode, Sam discusses the complexities of pricing for small businesses, particularly in service-oriented fields. She emphasises the emotional and ethical dilemmas faced by business owners when setting prices, the importance of establishing a viability floor, and the shift towards...
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Business Growth on Your Terms
In this episode of Make Time, host Sam delves into the critical process of identifying what truly matters to business owners. She emphasises that growth should be defined on personal terms, challenging the common misconception that leaders should inherently know their priorities. Instead, Sam...
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How to Set Business Goals You'll Actually (Want To) Achieve
In this episode, Sam discusses the importance of setting intentional and meaningful growth goals for businesses. She emphasises that growth should be defined personally and aligned with individual values rather than societal expectations. The conversation explores the relationship between money…
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From Rock Star to Entrepreneur: Cam Bird's Journey
In this episode, Sam interviews Cam Bird, a rock and metal recording artist turned entrepreneur, who shares his journey from a young guitar enthusiast to a successful music teacher and business owner. Cam discusses the importance of mentorship, the challenges of navigating the music industry, and...
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The Hidden Key to Business Growth: Self Efficacy
In this episode of Make Time, host and CEO of 25eight, Sam discusses the critical role of self-efficacy in achieving success in business and leadership. She explains how self-efficacy, defined as a person's belief in their ability to succeed, is a strong predictor of performance and resilience.…
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How to future proof your business
In this episode, Sam discusses the concept of human-centred business, emphasising its strategic importance in creating value for all stakeholders and why it is necessary for future survival. She outlines five core principles: empathy and inclusion, psychological safety and trust, purpose and...
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The difference between a coach and mentor (and what to expect from each)
In this episode, Sam discusses the critical differences between coaching and mentoring, emphasising their unique roles in supporting successful business leaders. She highlights the importance of education as a foundational element that enhances the effectiveness of both coaching and mentoring. By...
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The most powerful skill you need
In this episode, Sam discusses the importance of developing your own critical thinking skills and strategies in business. She emphasises that relying on others for answers can lead to a loss of power and agility. By cultivating your own thinking, you can be confident to make informed decisions,...
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Where to make your best investments
In this episode, Sam discusses the concept of investment beyond just financial terms, emphasising that every choice we make is an investment of our time, energy, and attention. She explores the importance of self-investment, the compounding effect of small, consistent actions, and the need for...
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Why your marketing isn't working
In this episode of Make Time, host Sam discusses the common challenges small businesses face in marketing, emphasising the importance of having a solid strategy rather than just relying on tactics. She highlights how understanding customer needs, building a strong brand, and creating a seamless...
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Purpose Stories; what they are, why they're important, ours and how to develop yours
In this episode, Sam delves into the significance of purpose stories and why sharing yours will help you in your business.She emphasises their role in connecting with audiences and inspiring action. In sharing 25eight's purpose story, Sam explores the challenges many small business leaders face…
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Solving the challenge of time
In this episode of the Make Time podcast, Sam discusses the origins of the brand 25eight, emphasising the importance of clarity and education for startups. She shares insights on how the company evolved from a marketing agency to a focus on empowering businesses through educational programs. The...
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Why SMEs matter
In this podcast episode, Sam, the CEO of 25eight and host of the podcast, shares her journey from being an international sales and marketing director to becoming an entrepreneur focused on empowering small and medium-sized businesses. She discusses the importance of education, the challenges…
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To master the art of pitching for business success
In this week's episode Sam delves into the significance of pitch training as a crucial element of business strategy. She discusses how effective pitching can help businesses understand their value proposition, stabilise sales, and adapt to market changes. Sam emphasises the importance of...
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Erika Hughes; Building a Culture of Innovation at Integra Systems
What will ensure the longevity of your business when things get tough?In this weeks episode we Make Time for Erika Hughes, the 2023 Women Manufacturer of the Year and Commercial Director of Integra Systems. Erika shares her journey in the manufacturing industry, discussing her strategic approach…
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Focus on Core Competencies for Sustainable Success
In this week's episode, Sam discusses the importance of focusing on core competencies, especially during uncertain times or in the early stages of business. She shares insights from her own experience in her 10 years of Small-Medium Business Leadership and talks about how you can use the…
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Why you struggle with Product-Market fit
In this episode, Sam discusses the challenges businesses face in achieving product market fit (PMF) and offers strategies to overcome these obstacles. She highlights common pitfalls such as insufficient market research, overestimating early feedback, ignoring customer input, and premature…
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The Single Most Important Factor In Business
In this week's episode of Make Time, Sam discusses the critical importance of product market fit for all businesses, regardless of what stage you are in. She highlights that it is the key factor in determining success or failure. With statistics on startup failures due to lack of market need and...
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The power of focus
In this episode, CEO of 25eight, Sam Hurley discusses the critical importance of focus in both personal and business contexts. Highlighting the cognitive limitations that hinder our ability to maintain attention, the challenges posed by modern distractions, and the significant impact of focus on...
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Increase Sales in Complex Industries: Michelle Creevey, CEO Purpose Procurement.
This week on Make Time: A business podcast by 25eight, we make time for Michelle Creevey, CEO of Purpose Procurement and ex supply chain leader from Boeing Defence Australia. Interviewed by Make Time host, Sam Hurley, CEO of 25eight. 25eight. Business education & high performance training for…
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Five Stages of Small Business Growth
What stage of growth is your business? In this episode, CEO of 25eight Sam Hurley, describes the characteristics of the five stages of small business growth as identified by Churchill & Lewis and published by Harvard Business Review. By understanding these stages it helps us to better navigate…
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About this show
For capable business owners who want to make better decisions, build stronger systems and use AI intelligently, while keeping sight of the life they're building the business for. Hosted by Samantha Hurley, CEO of 25eight, each episode delivers research-backed thinking on human potential, business capability, AI adoption, leadership development, and small business growth. Practical actions that you can use immediately helping you lead a business on your own terms.
Hosted by
Sam Hurley | 25eight
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