Emajin Golf: Beyond the 19th

Welcome back to the Emajin Golf Podcast: Beyond the 19th.

In this episode, we sit down with Matt Skehan - Director of Azure Buyers Agents and one of Melbourne's leading buyer's advocates - to unpack the Australian property market, investment strategy, and the biggest mistakes buyers make.

Matt shares valuable insights on what actually drives long-term property value, why

emotional buying can cost people thousands, and how smart investors identify

opportunity during uncertain market conditions.

We explore:

- Why location, land size, and fundamentals matter more than cosmetic renovations.

- How market fear and uncertainty can create investment opportunities.

- The biggest red flags buyers often miss during inspections.

- Why Melbourne may currently be one of Australia's most undervalued property markets.

- How buyer's advocates help clients avoid costly mistakes and negotiate smarter deals.

🎧 Tune in now for practical property insights, investment strategies, and expert advice on navigating today's market with confidence.

Welcome back to the Emajin Golf Podcast: Beyond the 19th.

In this episode, we sit down with Tom Lawrence and Oliver Faulkner from Solos Socks for an honest conversation about building a business from the ground up, backing yourself before you feel fully ready, and learning through action rather than waiting for the perfect plan.

Tom and Oliver share the realities of starting and growing a business in today's environment, from navigating uncertainty and making decisions on the fly, to understanding the importance of execution, consistency, and momentum. Their approach is grounded in taking opportunities when they appear and figuring things out through experience.

We explore:

• Why waiting for the "perfect time" often holds people back • The value of execution over overthinking • What they learned while building without a clear blueprint • How consistency and adaptability drive long-term growth • The mindset required to navigate uncertainty in business • Why acting creates opportunities that planning alone never will

Throughout the conversation, Tom and Oliver reflect on the lessons that come from building something in real time, including the wins, the mistakes, and the importance of staying adaptable as the business evolves.

🎧 Tune in now for a practical and relatable conversation on entrepreneurship, execution, and building momentum through action.

Welcome back to the Emajin Golf Podcast: Beyond the 19th.

In this episode, we sit down with Irwin Hau, founder of Chromatix, also known as "The Website Whisperer," to unpack what makes a website actually work in today's digital world.

Irwin shares why your website is often the first impression people have of your business, and how trust, clarity, and authenticity can be the difference between winning or losing opportunities. From genuine messaging and social proof to conversion strategy and user experience, this conversation is packed with practical insights for business owners looking to improve their online presence.

We explore: • Why most websites fail to clearly communicate who they are and what they do • The balance between great design and conversion-focused strategy • How trust and "proof density" influence buying decisions • The biggest mistakes business owners make with their websites • Whether AI-built websites and chatbots are helping or hurting businesses • Why your website is still one of your most important business assets

Irwin also shares a powerful story of a business losing a $2 million tender simply because their website created less trust than a competitor's.

🎧 Tune in now for an insightful conversation on building a website that not only looks good, but actually drives results.

Welcome back to the Emajin Golf Podcast: Beyond the 19th.

In this episode, we sit down with Hugh Perks, Partner at Grant Thornton Australia, for a candid conversation on one of the most important and often mismanaged aspects of running a business: financial management.

With over a decade of experience advising business owners across a wide range of industries, Hugh brings real-world insights into the financial mistakes that can derail even the fastest-growing companies, and what it actually takes to build a business that is not just revenue-driven, but financially sound.

We explore:

• Why scaling without financial oversight is one of the most common and costly mistakes business owners make
• The critical role of cash flow management and why a 12-week rolling forecast could save your business
• How the ATO is cracking down on business debt, and what the new payday super changes mean for your cash flow
• The importance of business structure, not just for tax efficiency, but for growth, asset protection, and succession planning
• How technology, from cloud accounting to AI, is transforming the way business owners access and act on financial data

Hugh also shares real stories of businesses that came undone through poor financial governance, and the clear, actionable steps that could have changed their outcomes.

🎧 Tune in now to hear Hugh's insights on building a financially resilient business and why "fail to plan, plan to fail" has never been more relevant.

Welcome back to the Emajin Golf Podcast: Beyond the 19th.

In this episode, we sit down with John Dyer from Air Adventure, who shares how he's built and scaled a premium travel and golf experience by putting one thing above everything else: the customer.

From flying guests into some of the most remote and iconic locations in Australia to delivering seamless, high-end experiences, John breaks down what it really takes to create a brand that consistently delivers at the top end of the market.

This conversation explores the balance between operational excellence and growth, and how businesses can scale without compromising on experience.

We explore:

• Why customer experience must sit at the centre of every decision • How operational excellence underpins premium service delivery • The importance of being "growth ready" before scaling • Building strong partnerships to deliver consistent experiences • Knowing your weaknesses and investing in the right areas to grow

John also shares the story behind Air Adventure, from its origins in the Australian outback to becoming a market leader in premium golf and travel experiences.

If you're a business owner, founder, or leader looking to build a premium brand, scale effectively, or improve your customer experience, this episode offers a practical and honest perspective on what it takes.

🎧 Tune in now to hear John's insights on building a premium experience that stands out.

Welcome back to the Emajin Golf Podcast: Beyond the 19th.

In this episode, we sit down with Darren Thorpe from Australian Paper Recovery, who shares a powerful perspective on what sustainability really looks like in practice and why businesses can no longer afford to treat it as an afterthought.

With more than 40 years in the recycling and sustainability space, Darren has seen the industry evolve from a time where landfill was the default to today's growing push toward circular economies and responsible business practices.

This conversation dives into the realities behind recycling, the challenges Australia still faces, and the opportunities ahead as businesses, governments, and industries work to create more sustainable systems.

We explore:

• Why sustainability needs to be embedded into business strategy, not treated as a side initiative • The truth about recycling rates in Australia and where the gaps still exist • How innovation is driving new solutions in soft plastics and packaging • The commercial realities of sustainability and why cost often slows adoption • Practical ways business owners can take action, even with a small footprint

Darren also shares insights into emerging technologies, including converting soft plastics back into oil, and his vision for scaling these solutions to create real impact over the next decade.

If you're a business owner, founder, or leader looking to better understand sustainability and how it applies to your organisation, this episode offers a grounded and practical perspective on where to start and what matters most.

🎧 Tune in now to hear Darren's insights on building a more sustainable future through business.

In this episode of Beyond the 19th, we sit down with George Guse to unpack the realities of building, operating, and sustaining a business in today's environment.

George shares a candid perspective on what it takes behind the scenes, from navigating uncertainty and making high-stakes decisions, to managing growth without losing control of the fundamentals. This is a grounded conversation on leadership, accountability, and the discipline required to build something that lasts.

We also dive into:

• The mindset required to lead through pressure
• Lessons learned from scaling and setbacks
• The importance of structure, clarity, and execution
• What separates businesses that survive vs. those that thrive

If you're a founder, operator, or aspiring business owner, this episode offers practical insight without the fluff.

Listen now and take the next step in your business journey.

Welcome back to the Emajin Golf Podcast: Beyond the 19th.

In this episode, we sit down with Oscar Van Elten from Event Management Professionals, who shares an extraordinary journey of building and evolving a business over more than 30 years.

Oscar's story is anything but conventional. From working in airlines and travel to accidentally stepping into business ownership, he has built, scaled, pivoted, and reinvented multiple ventures across events, travel, and experiential services.

This conversation dives deep into what it really takes to stay in business long-term — navigating major global disruptions like 9/11, the GFC, and COVID, while continuously adapting to new opportunities and market shifts.

We explore:

• Why some of the best businesses are built opportunistically • How to pivot when external events disrupt everything • The importance of staying agile across industries and markets • Building a service-driven culture that actually delivers • Why longevity in business comes down to adaptability, not perfection

Oscar also shares how he's evolved his business model over time — from events into bespoke travel experiences — and why thinking ahead to an exit strategy and scalable products is critical for long-term success.

If you're a business owner, founder, or leader navigating growth, uncertainty, or change, this episode offers a practical perspective on how to adapt, evolve, and keep moving forward.

🎧 Tune in now to hear Oscar's insights on building a business that lasts.

Welcome back to the Emajin Golf Podcast: Beyond the 19th.

In this episode, we sit down with Andrew McGregor from Design & Build, part of Search4, to explore one of the biggest challenges facing growing businesses today: attracting and retaining the right people.

Andrew shares insights from years of working closely with organisations navigating growth, leadership and recruitment in an increasingly competitive talent market. The conversation dives into why many businesses treat hiring as a reactive HR function rather than a core part of their growth strategy — and why that mindset needs to change.

We explore the concept of an Employee Value Proposition (EVP) and how businesses can clearly define what makes them an attractive place to work. Andrew also explains why organisations should be hiring for potential and future capability, not just for the role that exists today.

The discussion also covers:

• Why there isn't a shortage of people — but there is a shortage of talent • How leadership and culture shape an organisation's ability to scale • Practical steps business owners can take in the next 90 days to improve their hiring strategy • Why the best businesses treat employees the same way they treat customers

If you're a founder, business owner, or leader trying to build a team that can scale with your vision, this episode offers practical insights into how people strategy can become one of your strongest competitive advantages.

🎧 Tune in now to hear Andrew's perspective on building stronger teams and stronger businesses.

Welcome back to the Emajin Golf Podcast: Beyond the 19th.

In this episode, we sit down with Chris Jansen, Regional Leader at Kieser Australia, to explore what it really takes to scale a business while maintaining a consistent and personalised customer experience.

Chris shares insights from leading a network of clinics with over 800 team members, discussing the balance between standardised systems and empowering teams to innovate locally. The conversation dives into leadership, culture, and why defining "what good looks like" is critical when growing a business across multiple locations.

We also explore topics including:

• How strong leadership shapes culture and performance • Why storytelling and company history matter when onboarding new team members • The concept of "running mates" and building strong internal support systems • How businesses can scale without losing the personal touch

If you're a founder, leader, or business owner looking to grow your organisation while keeping your culture and customer experience strong, this episode offers practical insights you can apply straight away.

🎧 Tune in now to hear Chris' perspective on leadership, systems, and scaling a business the right way.