I Started a Business

In this episode of I Started a Business, we sat down with Tim Henry, founder of Aspire Planning, to chat about a different way of thinking about financial planning - one that starts with the life you want to live, rather than just the numbers in your bank account.

Tim shares why he believes financial planning should be about understanding what happiness and success actually look like for each person, and how his approach helps clients break down big goals into smaller, more achievable steps. 

We chat about some of the common misconceptions around property, shares and superannuation, and why you don’t need to be a numbers person to feel more confident about your finances.

aspireplanning.com.au

This month’s podcast features Mat Garthwaite from Mat’s Hot Shop, a Melbourne legend who’s been selling hot sauces since 2019. From locally made sauces to products from around the world, Mat has built a business around his love of chilli, with collaborations spanning breweries, audio brands, soft drinks and restaurants.

We chat about how Mat’s Hot Shop has grown, the different collaborations he’s been part of and the experiences he’s picked up along the way. Since joining CLIK West Footscray in 2026, Mat has also become a big part of our community, sharing his knowledge, ideas and plenty of valuable insights with the other businesses around him. 🌶️

This month’s podcast features David from Silver Australia, who shares the journey from packing jewellery orders at home to building a thriving jewellery brand alongside his long-time best mate, who lives on the other side of the world in England. While David leads the operational side of the business, his co-founder is the creative force behind the designs, proving that distance is no barrier when you're building something great together.

We chat about the lessons that come with scaling a business, how travel and different countries inspire new collections and why listening to customer feedback has been key to creating products people truly love.

@silveraustraliajewellery
silveraustralia.com.au

In this episode of I Started a Business, we sit down with Eva — one of the founders of Aunty Jenny Spices, a no-nasties spice brand sourced fresh from farms in India and now stocked on shelves nationally....and that's all in under a year.

We talk about the ups and downs of building a brand from the very beginning, what it’s like working alongside your husband, and Eva’s tips for staying grounded through it all. Plus, what the word asli really means to her.

This one’s honest, a little chaotic in the best way and worth the listen. 🌶️

Spoiler: she even shares which spice blends are dropping next 👀

Click below to listen 🎧

In this episode of I Started a Business, we chat with Will, founder of TANORA, a brand inspired by Madagascan heritage and Australian living, known for its beautifully woven raffia pieces and considered approach to design.

We dive into what it’s been like building a brand across two countries, working closely with artisan communities, and growing something with real intention at its core.

tanora.com.au

@tanora

In this episode of I Started a Business, we sat down with Hans and Febby - the founders behind With Miles Store. Based in Melbourne, they’re building a brand that brings a colourful, playful side of Japan to Australia, curating everything from Japanese homeware to matcha.

What started in 2023 as a passion for sourcing unique pieces has quickly evolved, with their first experience of matcha in 2024 opening up a whole new world of flavour (think popcorn and chocolate notes). In our chat, Hans and Febby share how those early discoveries shaped the direction of the business, and what they learned from their first market - where customers showed a real curiosity for both matcha and Japan’s vibrant culture.

Most of all, we talk about the value of real-life connection - why offline experiences matter to them, and how that might shape what’s next for With Miles Store.

withmiles.com.au

@with.miles

Jo Whitton​'s journey began ​in 2008, when she turned to nutrient dense, traditional foods to address her family’s health challenges, food intolerances and her son’s severe OCD and anxiety.​ Her research and dedication led to significant health improvements for her entire family​, leading her to found ​'Q​​uirky Cooking​' ​from her home in the Atherton Tablelands​, Far North Queensland.

​​Since then, she has written three best selling cookbooks​: Quirky Cooking, Life-Changing Food and Simple, Healing Food​, and is currently developing her​ much awaited fourth title.

​Passionate about teaching simple ways to transition to a whole food, nutrient dense diet, Jo's approachable style helps others adopt sustainable, nourishing habits​, supporting them to reduce and alleviate chronic health issues and improve overall wellbeing.

​The Quirky Cooking online​ retail store, ​wholesale operations​ and ​Quirky product development are managed by Commercial Operations Manager, Emma, ​based out of CLIK Collective ​in Vermont​, allowing Jo​ to focus on ​her passion "food as medicine​", producing recipes, videos, podcasts, programs and support resources for her hundreds of thousands of loyal followers.

Today, Quirky Cooking offers a variety of resources designed to promote health and wellbeing, including:

• Free recipe blog 
• 3 best selling cookbooks
• A range of health focused products
• Online and in person cooking classes and workshops
• An online ​gut health​ cooking and lifestyle program
• 1 on 1 personal coaching​ calls
• Gut health cooking retreats in Italy and FNQ
• Cooking videos, podcasts & much more!

quirkycooking.com.au

@jowhitton

@quirkycooking

In this episode of I Started a Business, we had the pleasure of chatting with Andi and Kim - the duo behind Calla Collective. Best friends turned business partners, they’re the creative force behind a brand built on beauty, truth and goodness, with products designed to bring meaning into everyday moments.

What started as a quiet whisper has grown into a purpose-led business now reaching customers far beyond Victoria through wholesale. In our chat, Andi and Kim share how Calla Collective began, what it’s really like working alongside your best friend and how their different approaches - dreamer and realist - shape the way they grow.

We also talk about showing up authentically online, navigating the hard seasons of business (including closing two physical stores) and why failure is a bruise, not a tattoo.

callacollective.com.au

@callacollective

Julie from NATIF joins us on the podcast to share her journey from naturopathy to native food expert. We chat about ethical sourcing, MasterChef moments, her favourite native ingredients and what it’s like running a 100% Aussie made business. 

If you’ve ever wondered how native foods go from bush to table. This episode is packed with stories, tips and inspiration.

natif.com.au

@natif

In this episode we’re joined by Aidan McEvoy, one half of the duo behind GIFTROO who are redefining thoughtful corporate gifting. What started as a gut instinct leap (and a near house purchase turned business investment!)

GIFTROO has carved out its own lane by championing quality over quantity, spotlighting small makers and donating to charity with every box. We unwrap the story behind GIFTROO, the skills they’ve had to learn from scratch and what it really looks like to build a gifting business heading into its first year of peak festive season trade.

giftroo.com.au

@giftroo