Catching Up With CUB

Daniel Catches up with Sean Cortis, Founding Partner of HACH Private Capital. Following his 30-year corporate career, which concluded with his retirement as CEO, Sean ventured into entrepreneurship by establishing the Australian division of a US family office. This move positioned him as an influential figure in the private equity sector, delivering keynotes globally.

Daniel and Sean delve into the critical aspects of securing funding and the strategies founders should employ to effectively manage their investors. They also discuss the importance of assembling and utilising an advisory board and how focusing on key development milestones can help lead you to your final destination as a business owner.

Daniel catches up with former The Apprentice contestant Sabrina Maddock, Founder of Avanti Search. In just two years at the helm of her recruitment agency, the Miss World runner-up turned entrepreneur has claimed the title of Top Recruitment CEO, secured a spot among the Top 20 Australian Women Making Moves in 2022, and more.

Daniel and Sabrina discuss her journey from employee to entrepreneur and the ups and downs of making that transition. They dive deep into what companies can be doing to attract the best talent and discuss how business can be a tool to building your dream lifestyle.

Daniel catches up with Stephen Pastor, Founder and CEO of Kings of Neon. Listed the #2 Smart Company Fastest Growing SME in 2023, Stephen's business is shaking up the old and established industry of signage on a global scale, working with companies such as McDonalds, Netflix & Mercedes.

On this episode Daniel and Stephen discuss Kings of Neon's meteoric rise to the top of the industry and how to stand out in a saturated market. They also explore the concept of business being a tool for self fulfilment and belonging and the importance of understanding the dream experience of your customer.

Daniel catches up with Nolan Keenan, Founder of Aveline Investments. Working in leadership positions at some of the world's largest corporations such as Salesforce & NAB for 25 years, Nolan decided to turn his side hustle & passion of property development into a full time gig at age 50. With multiple national projects already under his belt, Aveline Property Development now focuses on the coastal regions of NSW.

Daniel and Nolan discuss how to overcome fear when starting a business, the secrets every business owner should know to make their company scalable as well as other tips and tricks for entrepreneurs to reduce stress and improve efficiency.

Daniel catches up with Bruce Morrison, Founder & CEO of Motor Active. Serving the automotive aftermarket for over 33 years and turning over $40 Million + annually, Bruce shares the journey of starting the B2B2C business with no capital to transforming it into the national powerhouse it is today.

Daniel and Bruce discuss how to leverage grass roots marketing and the importance of building relationships with key figures of influence within your target market. They also explored key recruitment tactics and ways to build a strong, resilient team & the mindset required to ensure your business can withstand tough times when they come your way.

Daniel catches up with Lawrence Micalizzi, Founder of SolBox. Being recognised for his outstanding sales skills in his early 20s, Lawrence took the decision to put his expertise towards his own business. Now, his SaaS company SolBox is growing 80-100% a year, helping businesses with last-mile delivery automation, GPS fleet management and driver apps, ultimately saving them tens of thousands a year.

Daniel and Lawrence speak about the importance of listening to the market when starting your business and the joy of solving problems for others through business (in particular, software). They discuss the qualities that help business owners make it through challenging times and the importance of having a strong & like-minded team by your side.

Daniel catches up with Sheilah Hogan, Founder of BX Collective. Starting her first business in NYC at the age of 30 & scaling it to 150 staff across the US & UK, Sheilah exited the company after 10 years to move to Australia with her family. With her wealth of business experience in both America and Australia, Sheilah now supports founders and leaders of entrepreneurial organisations to strengthen and scale their businesses, implementing the EOS Model.

Daniel and Sheilah discuss her extensive entrepreneurial journey, that's been enabling her to live the life she always envisioned for herself & unpack what makes a good vs. a bad business leader. They explore the concept of looking inward when it comes to innovation within your business, the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) and what life is like as a 'solopreneur' vs. having a team.

Daniel catches up with Courtney Joyce, Co-Founder of Virtual Spotter. After realising a life in the mines wasn't enough for him, Courtney decided to take a leap by starting his own cleaning company, scaling it to 50 staff in just 3 years. Now, Courtney & his brother own four F45 gyms and provide admin support to health businesses through Virtual Spotter, employing 100+ staff.

Leaving his secure mining job while juggling life as a father of four, Courtney shares his experience of taking the first step into entrepreneurship. Daniel and Courtney further discuss the importance of self-belief and how to enter a crowded market through niche identification.

Daniel catches up with Andrew Robertson, CEO of FIX-A-TAP. Founded in 1972 by Andrew's father Ken, FIX-A-TAP is one of Australia's leading manufacturers & suppliers of top quality plumbing parts and accessories nation-wide.

Celebrating over 50 years in business, Andrew, alongside his father, has experienced a vast array of challenges that business owners encounter regularly. In this episode, Daniel and Andrew explore the qualities of effective leadership and strategies for dealing with new competitors and potential threats. They touch on the cyclical nature of the economy, the importance of keeping a 'fighting fund' and how better days are always just around the corner.

Daniel catches up with Avi Efrat, Founder of Fantastic Framing. After retiring from the Israeli special forces as a Lieutenant, Avi migrated to Australia to begin a new life. Starting with selling artwork door-to-door, Avi's business is now 10 stores and 60 staff strong, with an incredible 5,000 5-star reviews on Google.

On this episode Daniel and Avi discuss the problem-solving nature of business ownership and how to manage and coach your sales team to help them create a successful life, both professionally and personally. They speak about how building an eco-system for his clients truly accelerated his business and share Avi's secret to collecting an astonishing 5,000 5-star reviews.