Running a seven-figure business? Thinking a bookkeeper is enough might be holding you back.

In this episode, Marcus Kroek is joined by Nadia Vendetti to explore the hidden gaps in bookkeeping that can quietly limit growth. From payroll and BAS to reconciliations and accounts management, we dive into what full-service bookkeeping really looks like — and why it matters.

Are your numbers giving you clarity or just more questions? What responsibilities should your bookkeeping handle without you lifting a finger? How can understanding your financials, not just receiving reports, change the way you make decisions?

If you want to gain control, make informed choices, and discover the simple bookkeeping changes that can save you time, money, and stress, this episode is a must-listen.

Unlock the insights your business needs to grow confidently — and find out why “just a bookkeeper” might be costing you more than you think.

If you'd like to get in touch, I'd love to hear from you! You can visit http://businessunlocked.com.au or shoot an email to [email protected]

This is a Podvan Media production.

I've noticed a recurring problem for seven and eight figure business owners. They have a bookkeeper, but they don't have clarity.

Most people think bookkeeping is just about data entry and staying compliant with the government, but that's only the tip of the iceberg. If you're only getting reports at the end of the month, you're looking at history instead of shaping your future.

In this episode, I break down the four levels of bookkeeping capability. We move from the traditional "office junior" style of entry all the way up to the financial analyst level. I explain why a BAS agent is a legal necessity for your GST, how software integration experts can fix your messy workflows, and why a true financial analyst is the real CFO of your business.

I also share some hard truths about why paying $40 an hour for an external bookkeeper is a massive red flag. If you don't understand your margins, your true break-even point (beyond just the profit and loss statement), or the impact of your next hire, you're flying blind.

It's time to stop treating your numbers as an expense and start seeing them as a return on investment.

If you'd like to get in touch, I'd love to hear from you!

You can visit http://businessunlocked.com.au or shoot an email to [email protected]

This is a Podvan Media production.

Sales often feels “fine” in growing businesses — but fine isn’t scalable.

In this episode, Marcus Kroek breaks down a seven-step sales meeting system designed to help business owners inspect, train, and scale sales without relying on instinct or individual talent. Learn where sales conversations quietly leak opportunity, why most teams miss a critical step, and how structure in sales creates leverage, clarity, and freedom.

If you’d like to get in touch, I’d love to hear from you! You can visit http://businessunlocked.com.au or shoot an email to [email protected]

This is a Podvan Media production.

In today's episode, I sit down with Nathan Rigney (Principal of NGR Accounting) to discuss a question that every business owner needs to ask: Does your accountant actually care about you? Nathan's built his entire practice on the idea that they should. He's even got a banner that asks (pretty bluntly) if your accountant gives a s#!t about your success.

(I have to censor that so the algorithm will keep showing the episode!)

We talk about Nathan's journey from being an employee to starting what he calls an "accidental business." He shares how he used his frustration with the industry to write down exactly what he didn't want his practice to be. We also talk about why tax compliance is just the baseline and how a real advisor acts as a sounding board for your biggest decisions (like whether you should really be leasing that new car).

Nathan also explains why pattern recognition is a shortcut to growth and why it's okay to copy the methods of people who've already won. If you've ever felt like talking to your accountant is like being sent to the school principal's office, you're going to want to hear Nathan's perspective on authenticity and emotional intelligence in business.

If you'd like to get in touch, I'd love to hear from you!

You can visit http://businessunlocked.com.au or shoot an email to [email protected]

This is a Podvan Media production.

If you've ever felt like your business is stuck despite all your hard work, it's likely because you're focusing on the wrong part of the equation. In this episode, I'm breaking down two fundamental frameworks that determine whether you'll actually hit your goals this year (the Be-Do-Have formula and the Formula for Change).

I cover why most business owners start with what they want to "have" but fail because they don't address who they need to "be." We explore the difference between a reactive manager and a strategic CEO, and why your identity is often the biggest bottleneck in your company's growth.

I also share the original version of the Formula for Change, which includes a critical element many modern versions leave out (believability). If you don't truly believe the plan will work, you'll never overcome the natural resistance to change that exists in every business. Whether you're looking to reduce weight or triple your profits, these principles are the keys to creating lasting transformation.

If you'd like to get in touch, I'd love to hear from you!

You can visit http://businessunlocked.com.au or shoot an email to [email protected]

This is a Podvan Media production.

We all complain that we don't have enough time, but the truth is we all have exactly the same amount. The real difference lies in how we use it to build a life we actually enjoy. In this episode, I explain how small, consistent changes (the Kaizen principle) can compound into massive results for your business and personal life over just 90 days.

I also break down the concept of the "Default Diary" or "Ideal Week." It's a system that treats your schedule like a school timetable to ensure you aren't just reacting to urgent tasks but are prioritising the important ones. I discuss the importance of placing your "Big Rocks" first - whether that's getting invoices out or having dinner with your family, so the trivial things don't crowd them out.

Finally, I walk you through a realistic schedule of a high-performing CEO, showing you how they balance deep work, team huddles, and personal health while still aiming to finish by 5 PM. If you're tired of running on a hamster wheel, this framework will help you take back control.

If you'd like to get in touch, I'd love to hear from you!

You can visit http://businessunlocked.com.au or shoot an email to [email protected] 

This is a Podvan Media production.

It's the start of 2026, and it's the perfect time to get serious about what lies ahead. I'm joined again by my business partners (Nadia and Felicity) to look at the critical difference between hoping for an outcome and actually planning for it. Most people rely on willpower, but that usually fades by February.

In this episode, I explain why you need emotional leverage (pain and pleasure) to make changes stick. We discuss the "Identity Iceberg" and why you can't just change your actions; you have to shift who you are to see lasting results.

We also look at the mechanics of growth. Nadia shares a cautionary tale about a client who chased sales while losing money on every transaction. It's a reminder that you need to fix your model before you pour gas on the marketing. We wrap up with how to use a 90-day plan to keep your team focused and profitable.

If you'd like to get in touch, we'd love to hear from you!

You can visit http://businessunlocked.com.au or shoot an email to [email protected]

This is a Podvan Media production.

It's time to review the year, so we can understand where we are, what worked - and what we could do better. In this episode, my business partners (Felicity and Nadia) and I discuss the highs and lows of the last 12 months. We look at personal wins and the reality of launching Business Unlocked from scratch.

We cover the importance of saying no to the wrong people to protect your business culture, and we break down our financial model - which applied Profit First principles from day one to ensure profitability and tax compliance.

If you'd like to get in touch, we'd love to hear from you!

You can visit http://businessunlocked.com.au or shoot an email to [email protected]

This is a Podvan Media production.

Today, I sit down with Kim MacDonald, a money and mindset mentor who I met during our Profit First Mastery days. We look at why logic and strategy only account for 80% of your success and why the other 20% (your mindset) is actually the most critical part.

Kim explains why work-life balance is a myth and describes it more as a "dance" where you constantly shift focus. We also look at the "money stories" we inherit from our parents (like feeling guilty about spending on yourself while buying expensive groceries) and how these hidden beliefs stop business growth.

Finally, we discuss a road rage incident that perfectly illustrates why "everything is neutral until I give it meaning." If you feel stuck despite having all the right strategies in place, this episode helps you ask the right questions to move forward.

You can reach Kim via kimmacdonald.com.au

If you'd like to get in touch, I'd love to hear from you!

You can visit http://businessunlocked.com.au or shoot an email to [email protected]

This is a Podvan Media production.

Our logo and our brand are often confused as being the same thing. To clear this up, I am joined by professional graphic designer Amanda Hargraves from Creative Cause. She explains why a logo is merely a trigger while the brand is the actual experience your customer feels.

We discuss the psychology behind colour selection (why accounting firms use blue and fast food chains use red) and why picking colours just because they look nice is a mistake. Amanda shares her insights on how industry giants like Apple create tribe-like loyalty through consistent experiences rather than just clever design.

We also cover the shift in modern business where personal branding and authentic relationships (even for plumbers and trades) are becoming more valuable than technical skill alone. Amanda shares her background working with major charities and how those lessons in connection apply to every small business owner.

If you'd like to get in touch, I'd love to hear from you!

You can visit http://businessunlocked.com.au or shoot an email to [email protected]

This is a Podvan Media production.