What happens when an engineer gets fed up watching projects fail because no one coordinates properly? Moussa Youssef started BMY Engineering in 2018 after years of witnessing costly mistakes that could have been prevented. Six years later, he made a bold move—merging with Prime Engineering to create Vanguard Consulting Engineers, a 24-person multidisciplinary firm with a reputation for never missing deadlines. 

In this conversation, Moussa shares the reality behind that merger: the first six months of chaos when communication broke down, how three partners learned to run decisions through one funnel instead of three, and why writing down roles and responsibilities saved the business. He talks about the systems that allow any team member to pick up where another left off, the weekly coordination meetings that keep projects on track, and the balance between over-committing to impress clients and burning out trying to deliver. 

You'll also hear why Moussa believes scaling culture is harder than scaling capacity, how early engagement with clients shifts the relationship from consultant to partner, and the long-term vision for building a firm where engineers want to stay for their entire careers. This is an honest look at the messiness of growth, the importance of having hard conversations early, and what it takes to build systems that actually work when the unexpected inevitably happens.

What does it take to start a business at 20, in the middle of a pandemic, and turn it into one of Australia’s leading fire compliance companies?

Aleks Culic is the founder of Projects Fire, a passive fire compliance company he launched in 2020 while most of his peers were still at university. By spotting a gap in the market and backing himself, Aleks built a business that now employs over 20 people and delivers complex fire safety solutions across the country. Known for his strong technical capability and commitment to doing things right, he has earned a reputation for integrity and innovation in one of construction’s most safety-critical fields.

In this conversation, Aleks shares how an early focus on emotional intelligence helped shape his leadership and decision-making from day one. He discusses what it means to build credibility at a young age, the lessons learned from rapid growth, and how he transitioned from working solo to leading a joint-venture team of 23. Aleks also opens up about the challenges of scaling systems, managing older teams, and maintaining quality as Projex Fire continues to grow.

If you have ever wondered whether you are too young or too uncertain to start your own business, Aleks’s story is proof that belief, integrity, and a relentless work ethic can overcome any doubt. This episode is for every entrepreneur determined to do things the right way, even when no one is watching.

Episode Highlights

(00:00) Meet Aleks Culic: Founder of Projects Fire

(10:00) Lessons from Mentorship and Emotional Coaching

(12:00) Scaling Through Partnership and Trust

(15:00) Managing Rapid Growth and Systems Under Pressure

(25:00) Developing Processes for Quality and Compliance

(28:00) Leading Older Teams with Confidence and Respect

(33:00) Advice for Young Entrepreneurs

Connect with Aleks Culic https://www.linkedin.com/in/aleks-culic-bb0756138/

Connect with Rick Merten https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickmerten

Subscribe to the Newsletter https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/inside-out-with-rick-6956089421838307328/

Andrew Gall walked away from a secure engineering career to challenge the industry’s biggest perception problem: that engineers are box-ticking cost centres rather than creative partners in design.

Andrew is the founding director of ARGALL, a structural and civil consultancy based in Melbourne, with over 15 years of technical expertise and an entrepreneurial mindset. He has positioned ARGALL as the partner of choice for progressive architects, developers, and councils across Australia. The firm is recognised for its next-generation thinking, combining sustainability, creativity, and operational maturity to deliver award-winning projects.

If you’re an engineering leader looking to grow without losing your values, this conversation is a blueprint for scaling smart, building a team that thinks differently, and proving that structural engineering can deliver both creativity and commercial success.

Episode Highlights: 

(00:00) Meet Andrew Gall: Founder of ARGALL

Connect with Andrew Gall 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewrgall/

Connect with Rick Merten

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickmerten

Subscribe to the Newsletter

https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/inside-out-with-rick-6956089421838307328/

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Ray Keefe discovered that being a brilliant engineer wasn't enough when his business coach challenged him: "Are you any good? I don't believe your answer - prove it." This brutal honesty launched a transformation that saw his electronics manufacturing consultancy win over 60 awards and challenge how Australian businesses think about local manufacturing. 

Ray confronts uncomfortable truths about Australian business culture. Learning that Australia ranks dead last globally for business collaboration (181st out of 181 countries), he built Successful Endeavours on partnership and collaboration in an industry known for keeping trade secrets. 

His pricing philosophy provides a masterclass in value thinking. When a client brought failing $70 Chinese circuit boards, Ray charged $200 but eliminated $1,200 in labour costs and warranty failures. The client saved money overall and saw sales skyrocket. This illustrates his philosophy of designing for the total cost of ownership, not the unit price. 

Ray addresses what many engineering owners face but rarely discuss: he spent six years running "a job with tax benefits" because he had technical expertise but lacked business skills. His systematic approach to developing business acumen provides a roadmap for technically brilliant entrepreneurs struggling with commercial challenges. 

Rather than accepting that everything must be made cheaper overseas, Ray demonstrates how Australian manufacturers win through operational efficiency, customisation, and total solution value. His examples show that designing specifically for local capabilities often beats offshore pricing while delivering superior outcomes. 

The episode explores his "hot teams" philosophy - small groups of domain specialists tackling difficult problems - offering an alternative to the scale-at-all-costs mentality. This approach keeps businesses agile while building deep, specialised expertise. 

For engineering business owners struggling with pricing, positioning, or transitioning from technical expert to business leader, Ray's journey offers practical guidance and proof that Australian manufacturing can compete globally while creating local value. 

What if the secret to growing an engineering business isn't just about technical excellence, but about completely redefining how designers and contractors work together?  

Adam Hull, Managing Director of Hullcon, discovered this revolutionary approach when he recognised the massive waste created by the traditional "us versus them" mentality plaguing the construction industry. 

After a decade at major consultancies and two years in government, Adam witnessed how poor communication was costing projects millions.

His solution? Start an engineering consultancy that operates like a trusted partner rather than a typical service provider. The results speak for themselves – Hullcon has tripled in size every year since 2021. 

Adam shares how he's building something genuinely different in the crowded engineering space. Rather than competing solely on price, Hullcon embeds with contractors, sometimes providing services at cost during tender phases to build lasting relationships. This strategic approach generates consistent repeat work and referrals. 

One fascinating aspect is Adam's commitment to radical transparency with his team. In weekly meetings, he shares financial numbers most employees never see, believing an informed team is an empowered team. He's implementing an innovative profit-sharing bonus structure that rewards collective success, not just individual performance. 

Adam's insights into working "on" versus "in" the business will resonate with any technical leader. He candidly discusses how getting too involved in project delivery – even when clients specifically request him – leads to dropped balls elsewhere. His solution involves building an advisory board and systematically delegating technical work to his capable team. 

The episode reveals practical culture-building strategies, from Adam's organic mentoring approach to his method of staying involved as a silent advisor. 

Most intriguingly, Adam is challenging fundamental industry payment norms, exploring how to move from traditional lump-sum contracts toward retainer models for predictable cash flow – a change that could revolutionise engineering service delivery. 

For business development, Adam offers a refreshing perspective: focus intensively on existing clients who share your values rather than constantly chasing new ones. His experience shows that once you've built genuine relationships, price becomes less important and opportunities flow naturally. 

Whether you're scaling a technical business, building better client relationships, or challenging the industry status quo, Adam's story provides a masterclass in creating a values-driven engineering consultancy that puts relationships and transparency at the centre of everything. 

Josh Robinson, founder of JR Hammer, is a story that turns everything you thought you knew about recycling upside down.

His ability to create value from what others threw away fascinated me. While everyone focused on the copper, Josh tackled the forgotten half of every cable – the PVC insulation typically sent to landfill. In an industry where recovery rates hover at a dismal 2-5%, Josh's innovations now achieve over 90%.

The journey wasn't smooth. Italian technicians installing his equipment literally fled Australia with two hours' notice when pandemic borders closed, leaving Josh barely trained on complex machinery he'd have to operate alone for months.

His persistence is changing an industry. JR Hammer has secured federal grants, pioneered Australia's first operational solar PVC recycling plant, and earned recognition that competitors can't match.

Whether you're interested in circular economy innovations, spotting market opportunities others miss, or simply curious about turning environmental problems into commercial solutions, Josh's story offers a masterclass in purpose-driven entrepreneurship that actually works.

What does it take to move to a new city with zero connections, build a thriving engineering consultancy, and eventually become a company director? In this compelling episode, Derya Horasan shares how he transformed Scientific Fire Services' Sydney office from a two-person operation to a respected team of nine professionals.

When you listen, you will appreciate Derya's candid insights about learning to separate emotions from business decisions and the power of declining projects that don't align with company values. His creation of an engineering management structure demonstrates how leadership must evolve as companies grow.

From succession planning challenges to adapting relationship-building for younger generations, this episode offers practical insights for anyone building a sustainable industrial business based on quality, culture, and strategic relationships.

What happens when a former diesel mechanic decides to solve one of the construction industry's biggest hidden problems?

After an injury ended his original career path, and his adventures took him from Australian mines to the mountains of Kazakhstan, Ben Horstmann spotted a critical gap in how construction and mining companies manage equipment safety and compliance.

Eight years ago, he launched Consolidated Plant Services with a passionate refusal to hire any employees. Today, his team has assessed tens of thousands of pieces of equipment and is redefining industry standards across Australia. Ben’s journey from technical expert to business leader wasn't straightforward.

In this episode, Ben shares candid insights about building a category-defining business. He explains why he fired customers who didn't align with his values, how he overcame his resistance to building a team, and his unconventional approach to growth, which prioritises long-term relationships over "sugar-hit" profits.

Whether you're running an engineering firm, a technical services company, or any business where quality and reputation are paramount, Ben's insights on building a sustainable, values-driven organisation while maintaining technical excellence are invaluable. His story demonstrates how combining technical expertise with strong values and long-term thinking can create a unique and successful business model in a traditional industry.

Join us to discover how combining deep technical expertise with strong values can create a unique and successful business model in a traditional industry.

What happens when a successful utility engineer trades job security for entrepreneurial freedom? In this compelling episode of Long Term Thinking for Business Success, Jonathan De Carlo reveals how his dream of a relaxed lifestyle business transformed into a thriving engineering consultancy.

After two decades in the utilities sector, Jonathan launched Grid Power Design with visions of three-day weekends. Instead, he discovered the challenging reality of building a specialised engineering firm.

His candid insights about maintaining quality while scaling, innovative approaches to competitor collaboration, and the ongoing struggle to step back from technical work offer valuable lessons for technical professionals considering entrepreneurship.

Learn how Jonathan:

This episode is for engineering professionals ready to build their own success stories.

In this episode, with Michael Grogan, one of the directors at Birzulis Associates, a consulting engineering firm that's been shaping Australia's structural landscape since 1989.

Michael's journey from a laid-back surfer and cinema ticket-taker to becoming a key leader in one of Sydney's respected engineering firms is entertaining and inspiring.

What stands out is Michael's refreshingly honest account of his accidental entry into engineering. Picture this - a fresh University of Newcastle graduate who only applied for the job to get his father off his back, then cheekily told the 67-year-old interviewer that he looked close to retirement or death! That bold move surprisingly landed him his first and only job since graduating.

The conversation takes fascinating turns as Michael shares how the firm evolved from a 12-person operation to their current success with offices in Sydney and Newcastle.

He provides invaluable insights into maintaining quality while growing, including their innovative "pod" system for project management and unique hiring approach, where personality fit often trumps technical brilliance.

Michael's candid discussion about the challenges of transitioning from engineer to leader makes this episode particularly valuable for business owners. His struggle with letting go of technical work to focus on management and how he eventually found a balance that allowed him to return to his engineering roots while leading the company offers practical lessons for anyone facing similar challenges.

Michael's straightforward discussion about their commitment to quality over profit, even when it means standing up to powerful clients, demonstrates how strong principles can drive sustainable business success.

Whether you're an engineering professional, business owner, or simply interested in how successful businesses navigate growth while maintaining their values, this conversation offers actionable insights and authentic perspectives on building a sustainable professional services firm.