The Owners Outlook Podcast

In this episode of Owners Outlook, Shaun sits down with artist, entrepreneur, educator, and travelling creative Natalie Martin for a raw and honest conversation about creativity, resilience, motherhood, business, and what it really means to build a life around your passion.Natalie’s journey started long before she confidently called herself an artist. From selling old treasures to her younger brothers as a kid, to launching an early fashion label at university, working in graphic design, building a creative business, and now travelling Australia in a caravan with her family while teaching watercolour workshops — her story is one of evolution, courage, and learning to back herself through every season.But this conversation goes deeper than business.Natalie opens up about the challenges of running a creative business, the lessons that came from a difficult business partnership, the reality of being a mum while chasing creative work, and the major ankle injury that left her in hospital, unable to drive, on crutches for months, and forced her to rely on others in a way she never had before.Here’s what you can expect from this episode:Creativity, Business and EvolutionNatalie shares how she went from graphic design to building a life as an artist, and why creative people need to allow themselves to grow, shift, and evolve over time.The Reality of Running a Creative BusinessFrom multiple income streams to online courses, workshops, artwork, e-commerce and teaching, Natalie explains what it really takes to make a living from your art — and why there is no fast track.Resilience Through Injury and MotherhoodNatalie reflects on the hardest 12 months of her life, including grief, trauma, a serious ankle injury, raising two young boys, and learning how to ask for help when independence was no longer enough.Finding Purpose Through TeachingNatalie speaks beautifully about the joy of helping people reconnect with creativity, especially those who may not see themselves as creative at all.Owning Your Own SuccessIn the final part of the conversation, Natalie shares a powerful perspective on success — not as a destination, but as something we need to pause, acknowledge, celebrate, and share along the way.This episode is a reminder that success isn’t always about arriving somewhere perfect. Sometimes it’s about looking back at every lesson, every mistake, every hard season, and realising they all played a part in shaping who you are today.Tune in for an honest, thoughtful and inspiring conversation with Natalie Martin on creativity, resilience, identity, and owning the journey you’re already on.Chapters:0:00 Introduction0:08 Natalie’s early creative and entrepreneurial journey2:29 Leaving a dream job to build her own business4:48 Injury, grief, motherhood and resilience8:50 Learning to accept help10:21 The sacrifices behind chasing a dream12:19 Reframing mindset through pain and recovery14:24 Natalie’s first business and early lessons15:47 Walking away from a business partnership19:53 Building multiple streams of income as an artist21:46 Advice for up-and-coming creatives26:50 Habits and routines that support creativity29:39 Creating while travelling Australia32:20 Discovering the joy of teaching35:27 Learning to call herself an artist39:23 What owning your own success means to Natalie

In this episode of Owners Outlook, Shaun sits down with Nick — entrepreneur, investor, Shark Tank Australia judge, and founder behind multiple successful businesses — for a raw and honest conversation about business, resilience, ego, money, mistakes, and what it really means to take ownership of your own success.Nick’s story starts well before the big exits. From selling school lunches and sports equipment in high school, to building a skincare business that left him earning just $100 a week, his journey is one of hunger, hard lessons, and refusing to stay down.After years of struggle, Nick started a digital marketing business from his bedroom — cold calling across New Zealand and Australia, learning every part of the business, and eventually growing it into a company he sold for $39 million. But as Nick shares, the wins didn’t come without pressure, mistakes, public criticism, failed investments, and some very tough moments behind the scenes.Here’s what you can expect from this episode:From Struggle to ScaleNick shares how he went from losing money in his first business to making $10,000 in three days and scaling rapidly from his bedroom.The Reality of Business GrowthShaun and Nick unpack what happens when a business grows too fast without structure, systems, and the right people in place.Lessons From Losing MillionsNick opens up about failed investments, being burned by people he trusted, and why he now backs himself more than anyone else.Taking OwnershipA powerful conversation about responsibility, avoiding the victim mentality, knowing your numbers, and why the person at the top must take full accountability.The Shark Tank PerspectiveNick shares what he looks for in entrepreneurs within the first few minutes of a pitch, and what most business owners miss when trying to grow.Building for Cash Flow, Not Just ExitNick explains why he focuses on profitable, cash-flow-positive businesses — and why he never starts a business purely to sell it.This episode is full of honest reflections, sharp business lessons, and real-world perspective from someone who has lived the highs and lows of entrepreneurship.Maybe the biggest takeaway is this: success is not just about money or the exit. It is about building something, learning from the hard moments, taking responsibility, and finding what genuinely drives you.Tune in to hear Nick’s story and reflect on the question we ask every guest:What does it mean to own your own success?Chapters:0:00 Introduction2:14 From struggle to $1 million in three months4:13 Building resilience after losing everything8:21 Growing too fast and learning the hard way14:14 Life after a $39 million exit16:20 What makes a business truly thrive23:01 The lows, failed investments, and tough lessons32:51 Habits, productivity, and working with speed36:39 Building multiple businesses at once49:15 Lessons from Shark Tank Australia56:43 What it means to own your own success

In this inspiring episode of Owners Outlook, Shaun Lord sits down with Australian lawn bowls champion Barrie Lester to explore a life shaped by sport, resilience, community, and gratitude.From growing up in a small country town in Victoria to representing Australia on the world stage, Barrie shares the moments that shaped his journey — the early competitive fire, the mentors who believed in him, the heartbreak of losing his mum, and the mindset that helped him turn the page and keep moving forward.Here’s what you can expect from this episode:Growing Up with a Competitive SpiritBarrie reflects on his childhood in country Victoria, where sport became part of his identity from a young age. Whether it was football, swimming, handball or lawn bowls, he carried a deep desire to give everything his best shot.The Power of Mentorship and CommunityBarrie shares how the Lakes Entrance Bowls Club, his mentor John Snell, and the wider bowls community helped shape not only his career, but the person he became along the way.Turning Pain into PurposeAfter the sudden passing of his mum, Barrie opens up about grief, rebuilding, and the decision to move to Melbourne to chase his dreams — carrying her memory with him every step of the way.Mindset, Preparation and LongevityBarrie speaks about what it takes to perform at the highest level for nearly two decades, from preparation and self-belief to learning how to handle pressure, judgment and setbacks.What It Means to Own Your SuccessFor Barrie, success isn’t something you keep to yourself. It’s something you share with the people who helped you get there — the mentors, friends, family, teammates and supporters who played a part in your journey.Tune in for a heartfelt conversation about resilience, gratitude, perspective, and why no achievement is ever truly won alone.

In this episode of Owners Outlook, Shaun sits down with Trent Falson, a fourth-generation Bondi local, Bondi lifeguard, former Australian surf lifesaving champion, and someone whose life has been shaped by service, pressure, purpose and community.Trent shares his journey from growing up in the water at Bondi, to becoming a lifeguard at just 18, and the reality of stepping into a role where life-changing decisions often happen in seconds. From dealing with fatalities early in his career, to supporting others through trauma, Trent opens up about the mental weight of first responder work and the importance of speaking up, seeking help and learning how to truly listen.Here’s what you can expect from this episode:Growing Up in BondiTrent reflects on his childhood as a fourth-generation Bondi local, his early years in the ocean, and how surf lifesaving shaped his identity from a young age.Life as a Bondi LifeguardFrom rescues and medical emergencies to moments of chaos and calm, Trent shares what it really takes to show up when people need you most.Mental Health, Trauma and ListeningTrent speaks honestly about the emotional toll of first responder work, early signs of PTSD, and why sometimes the most powerful thing we can do for someone is simply listen.Purpose Over StatusAfter stepping into the corporate world, sales, buyer’s agency and real estate, Trent realised that money and status could never replace the feeling of doing work that truly mattered.Owning Your SuccessFor Trent, success means waking up each day, looking in the mirror, and feeling genuinely aligned with the person looking back.Tune in for a thoughtful and honest conversation about courage, purpose, slowing down under pressure, and what it means to build a life that actually feels right.

In this episode of Owners Outlook, join Shaun Lord as he sits down with Sevan Tuna, Managing Partner at Alexander Spencer, to explore a journey shaped by hard work, sacrifice, and a deep love for business.From migrating to Australia at a young age and watching his parents rebuild their lives from scratch, to working in his family’s restaurant and eventually rising to partner within 10 years at a leading accounting firm, Sevan’s story is a powerful reflection of what it means to take ownership of your path. Through honest conversation and real-world insight, Sevan shares how discipline, strategic thinking, and a genuine commitment to people have shaped both his career and leadership philosophy.Here’s what you can expect from this episode:Foundations & Early LessonsGrowing up in a migrant family and witnessing the power of hard workEarly exposure to business through a family-run restaurantHow real-life experiences shaped his mindset around successCareer Growth & LeadershipThe journey from graduate accountant to partner in 10 yearsWhy “doing the right reps” matters more than just working hardThe role of humility, relationships, and leadership in long-term successBusiness Strategy & ScalingHow Alexander Spencer evolved from a traditional accounting firm into a multi-service businessThe concept of “share of wallet” and solving more problems for clientsBuilding a $14M business by adding value, not just chasing growthMindset, Sacrifice & OwnershipThe reality of sacrifice at different stages of lifeWhy young people should embrace short-term sacrifice for long-term gainWhat ownership really means in leadership—taking responsibility for both wins and lossesFinancial Awareness for Business OwnersThe biggest red flags Sevan sees in struggling businessesWhy understanding your numbers is non-negotiableHow data and financial insight tell the real story of a businessWhat It Means to Own Your SuccessWhy success isn’t just about profit—but about the growth of your peopleThe impact of leadership on team development and cultureBuilding something that outlasts you through othersThis conversation is a reminder that success isn’t one big moment—it’s built through small, consistent actions, tough decisions, and the willingness to keep showing up.Maybe this is something we can all sit with this week:Are we just working… or are we intentionally building something that matters?

In this episode of Owners Outlook, Shaun sits down with Australian pole vaulter Olivia Gross to explore what it really takes to chase a dream—especially when it pulls you away from everything familiar.From starting athletics at just five years old to taking a leap of faith and moving across the country to pursue elite sport, Olivia shares a journey grounded in commitment, self-discovery, and resilience. But this conversation goes beyond the highlight reel—it dives into the moments of doubt, injury, homesickness, and the mindset required to keep showing up when things get hard.Here’s what you can expect from this episode:The Early JourneyHow Olivia discovered pole vaulting and the curiosity that turned into a passion.The moment she realised this wasn’t just a hobby—it was something worth chasing.Taking the LeapThe decision to turn down a “normal” path and pursue sport full-time.What it felt like to leave home, step into the unknown, and back herself.Mindset & ResilienceHow Olivia deals with homesickness, setbacks, and moments of doubt.Why “a bad session isn’t a bad day” is a mindset that’s shaped her journey.Injury, Setbacks & GrowthNavigating a challenging season filled with injuries and forced time away from competition.How she’s reframing setbacks as opportunities to rebuild stronger.Habits of High PerformanceThe small, consistent habits that support elite performance—both physically and mentally.Why learning your body and asking “why” has become her biggest advantage.The Bigger PictureHer long-term vision of competing at the LA Olympics.And how she defines success—not as a result, but as becoming someone she’s proud of.This is a conversation about perspective—about trusting the process even when it doesn’t make sense, and continuing to move forward when doubt creeps in.Maybe this is something we can all sit with this week:What would it look like to keep going, even when the outcome isn’t guaranteed?🎧 Tune in now to hear Olivia’s story—and what it means, in her words, to truly own your success.