Founders Before 9am

You can have the most beautiful brand in the room — but if the commercial side of your business isn't built right, none of it will matter when you walk into that retailer meeting.Thu Nguyen spent years as a Fashion Buyer at Myer, sitting on the side of the table that most founders are desperately trying to reach. Now, as the founder of Unhinged Business, she helps fashion, beauty and consumer product brands build what actually gets them there — and keeps them there.This episode is packed with practical insight: what kills a pitch before it starts, why awareness is almost never the real problem, what retail ready actually looks like from the inside, and the commercial blind spots that quietly hold most product brands back.One of the most eye-opening episodes yet.Hosted by Candice — founder of Ms Morning.Follow Thu: @unhingedbusiness

She's curated superyacht experiences for some of the world's most recognisable names — including a certain Leonardo DiCaprio — but Joey Dunleavy will be the first to tell you her mornings are anything but glamorous.Joey is the co-founder of The Yacht Life Australia, Sydney's leading luxury yacht charter and events agency. Before building her own business, she spent years as a stewardess on some of the world's most prestigious superyachts — crossing the Atlantic six times, working in Europe, the Caribbean and the US — before coming home to Sydney in 2018 to build something of her own alongside her co-founder and partner, Sam.In this episode, Joey gets genuinely honest about the gap between the polished exterior of a luxury brand and the reality of building it — as a business mother, as a co-founder, and as someone who had to learn to redesign her own business before it broke her.We talk about:→ What six years working on superyachts actually taught her about what people want from a luxury experience→ The Leonardo DiCaprio story (yes, really)→ How she and Sam went from meeting on the yachts to co-founding The Yacht Life — and how they navigate business and personal when you're both→ The long nights and early mornings nobody sees behind a high-touch, always-on business→ How to build trust with a brand-new client in an industry where trust is everything→ Setting boundaries with high-end clients — and knowing when to say no to a booking→ The version of the business she had to let go of before she could build the one that actually works→ What she'd say to any business mother who's in the middle of the hard part right nowIf you've ever wondered what it looks like to build something extraordinary while also trying to be present for your family, this one is for you.

Kirsten Scott—co-founder of BOA (a networking platform for the new generation of entrepreneurs)—joins me to unpack how BOA blends product + IRL to build real relationships (not just business cards). We cover her morning non-negotiables, the origin story, designing events that actually move the needle, BOA Chapters, the BOA Bus mentor tour, and her identity shift from employee to co-founder.You’ll learnHow to design founder events that create trust and momentumWhy “meet more people” ≠ better networking (and what does work)The Chapter model: consistent touchpoints → deeper relationshipsThe BOA Bus: curating mentors and operationalizing serendipityMindset shifts: from seeking approval → decisive leadershipKeeping community engaged without huge marketing budgets

Before the pink boxes and corporate orders came the pre-dawn grind and very real sacrifice. In this Before 9AM conversation, Kristy Valentine traces the arc of Dr Dough—from lonely founder days and 4AM starts, to a pandemic pivot that reframed donuts as gifting, to the emotions and lessons of selling her “baby” and moving into a portfolio of new ventures.You’ll hear:The calm morning routine Kristy uses now vs. the grind yearsEarly-day trade-offs, self-doubt, and the mental game of competitionThe gifting insight that unlocked scale (and kept the lights on)How she knew it was time to sell, what was hardest, and what she’d do differentlyLife post-exit: choosing projects, guardrails, and energy managementA grounded message for founders still in the messy middle

Ten quiet minutes changed everything. Rosy shares how meditation turned her from reactive to steady—reshaping how she leads people and makes hard calls. She traces the spark for IV League Drips back to a trip across the U.S., where seeing IV wellness everywhere inspired a studio-plus-mobile model at home. And she’s honest about the falls—scale tests that didn’t work—and the mindset that treats each stumble as data, not drama.In this episode:How meditation made her a calmer leader and better decision-makerThe U.S. trip that birthed IV League Drips’ business modelRebuilding after setbacks—and using every fall to pressure-test scaleIf you’re building something new (and getting bruised on the way), this one’s your permission to keep going—smarter, steadier, and stronger.

Most artists go mobile—Elyse built a studio-first brand where looking polished is effortless any day of the week. In this chat, she shares how Up Make turns luxury into convenience with repeatable systems and a calm, client-first experience.We cover:Morning rituals and staying in peak state on back-to-back daysStudio vs. mobile: quality control, capacity, and brand powerThe client journey: prep, consent language, hygiene, and mirror check-pointsHandling the touch moments in businessPress play to learn how to make glam a lifestyle—not just a special occasion—the Up Make way.

What happens when a self‑taught designer turns a side hustle into 700+ projects, three decorating books, and a thriving studio? Emma Blomfield—founder of EB Studio and author of the brand‑new guide Style Your Home—joins Candice for a 45‑minute, before‑sunrise chat about:- Morning momentum: dog walks, get ready, and the tidy‑bed rule that sets her day.- From GFC to EB Studio: how a marketing grad pivoted into property styling and built her own design business.- Insider design hacks: rug sizing, art height, and the “pro secrets” she finally put in print.- Mindset & resilience: the low moments, the power of constant learning, and the mantra that keeps her creative under pressure.If you’re craving a home glow‑up—or the courage to turn your own passion project into a business—Emma’s story will light the way.Press play, grab your coffee, and join us Before 9 AM.

She went from cattle-farm kid to Miss Universe Australia 2022, and now she’s whisking vibrant green tea into a fast-growing wellness brand.In this episode, Candice sits down with Monique Riley, model, actress, and founder of Mrs Matcha. They dive into:1.Life after the crown — what pageant boot camp really taught her about grit, public scrutiny, and pitching a business.2.Morning rituals that stick — how a whisk, bamboo bowl, and gratitude list fuel 12-hour shoot days and late-night spreadsheets.3.Why matcha? — the backstage “aha” that turned a calm-energy latte into a premium product line.4.Sourcing in Kyushu, Japan — volcanic soil, 20-day shade-grows, and the language-barrier moments that almost derailed the deal.5.Brand building on two fronts — founder-led storytelling online and wholesale partnerships offline.6.Tiny habits, big lessons, and what’s next?Whether you’re a wellness junkie, a first-time founder, or just curious how a pageant queen became a premium-tea entrepreneur, this conversation will leave you inspired—and maybe craving a jade-green latte.Pour a cup, press play, and join us Before 9 AM.

What happens when a new mom builds one of the most innovative tech platforms in luxury fashion?In this episode, I sit down with Lauren Kennedy — tech co-founder of HIGH END, the AI-powered platform redefining how we buy and sell pre-loved luxury. We talk about the bold bet she made to leave a stable job, how she built trust into a market flooded with counterfeits, and what it’s really like to raise a baby while scaling a startup.Inside this episode:– Why the luxury resale market needed a shake-up– How Lauren uses AI to verify authenticity and set fair value– The honest truth about juggling founder life and new motherhood– Tiny routines that help her stay grounded before 9AMThis one’s for the founders, the innovators, and the ones building big things quietly — and fearlessly.

In this episode, we sit down with Sophie Hood, the powerhouse founder and CEO of Seoul Tonic, a disruptive wellness beverage brand inspired by her love for Korean culture. From navigating the early days of entrepreneurship while juggling a full-time job, to being ripped off before she even launched, Sophie’s journey is one of resilience, bold storytelling, and unapologetic confidence.She opens up about how she turned a personal obsession into a business idea, how she broke into retail with a totally new product category, and what it was really like pitching to Gordon Ramsay and Janine Allis on national TV.If you’re building something new, or struggling to find your voice in a crowded market—this one’s for you.

What does it take to build unshakable confidence and turn risks into rewards? In this episode, Amy Castano reveals how growing up as an only child shaped her calm energy and mental resilience. She shares her unique perspective on setbacks—seeing them as mere moments, not roadblocks—and how this mindset has fueled her journey through life’s highs and lows. Amy also unpacks the power of word-of-mouth and social media in building Acero, and how knowing the right moment to take a leap made all the difference. Plus, she takes us inside her morning routine, showing how waking up early and starting the day with intention keeps her grounded, focused, and ready to take on anything. Tune in for an inspiring deep dive into resilience, confidence, and the art of making bold moves.

Ever wonder how top professionals stay unshakable in high-stakes situations? In this empowering episode, recruitment powerhouse Alex Montrezor—founder and visionary Recruitment Consultant—reveals her transformative morning ritual to conquer chaos before the day begins.Join us as Alex shares her battle-tested routine of self-talk, affirmations, and visualization, honed through years of navigating high-pressure negotiations. Discover how a simple 5-minute emotional check-in can clarify your priorities, why phrases like “I navigate challenges with grace” rewire your mindset, and how envisioning success primes you to win—even on the most hectic days.Alex doesn’t just preach theory: She spills stories from the trenches, including journey of her career where her routine turned a crumbling deal into a major win. Plus, she tackles skeptics head-on, offering bite-sized tips like “one ritual I would never skip” for time-strapped listeners.Walk away with:🔹 Actionable steps to design your OWN “fully charged” morning (no hour-long meditation required).🔹 A sneak peek into Alex’s mantra: “Starting ‘fully’ isn’t optional—it’s your competitive edge.”Whether you’re closing deals, leading teams, or juggling life’s daily pressures, this episode is your toolkit to own your mornings—and your outcomes.Subscribe now and never miss an episode. Stay tuned for next week’s deep dive on building unbreakable resilience in remote work! Follow Alex ON Instagram: @⁠alexandragreatnessPerfect for fans of: Productivity hacks, mindset mastery, and real-world career strategy.