Remarkable Regional Business

By Hebron FilmsBusiness Entrepreneurship Careers Management

Remarkable Regional Business episodes

August 31, 2025Brent Nolan - Blunt Agency
Remarkable Regional Business – Episode 33
Guest: Brent Nolan
Business Name: Blunt Agency
Website: https://www.bluntagency.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brentnolan/

Topics Covered
/ What is Blunt Agency? A 3-Part Brand Framework
Brent explains Blunt’s structure as a brand agency with three core services: brand strategy, implementation (design and content) and ongoing nurture. This integrated model helps clients build, launch and sustain strong brands over time.

/ The Power of Regional Perspective in Branding
Operating nationally from Bendigo, Brent shares how understanding regional and metro markets adds unique value to national clients. His team’s deep local knowledge helps brands better connect with varied Australian audiences.

/ Hiring and Culture in a Regional Creative Business
Brent discusses the challenges and wins of building a design-led team in regional Victoria. He talks candidly about sourcing talent, integrating international hires and fostering long-term team loyalty and mentorship.

/ No Scarcity Mindset: Building a Community of Creatives
Rather than guarding market share, Brent embraces abundance. He encourages growth in the local creative ecosystem and maintains positive relationships with former team members – even those who become competitors.

/ Why Brand Strategy Comes Before Design
Brent reveals how a lack of strategy used to lead to guesswork in design. Today, Blunt begins every project with strategy, enabling better messaging, positioning and visual outcomes that align across the organisation.

/ Case Study: Reframing a Tech Product for Growth
A Singapore-based tech firm needed help simplifying their complex point-of-sale solution. Brent’s team helped translate technical value into customer-facing messaging, tailoring narratives for different stakeholders.

/ Discovering the Real Product: Solving the Right Problem
Brent shares how strategic workshops revealed that a client’s oil product wasn’t really about the oil – it was about solving inflammation. This repositioning opened up a much larger, health-conscious customer base.

/ From Design to Business Transformation
Brand strategy at Blunt often unlocks deeper business insights. Brent describes how aligning internal teams under a unified brand story helps organizations reduce inefficiencies and create cultural clarity.

/ Who Should Invest in Brand Strategy?
While big corporates benefit greatly from strategic branding, Brent explains how even startups and SMEs can gain long-term value from foundational brand work – if they are growth-oriented and market-driven.

/ Efficiency Through Clarity: Avoiding Wasted Marketing
Without brand clarity, businesses stall, delay campaigns, and waste time. Brent outlines how strong strategy creates marketing agility, faster execution, and a more confident path to growth.

References
GJ Gardner Homes – https://www.gjgardner.com.au/
Cor Cordis – https://www.corcordis.com.au/
Bendigo Bank – https://www.bendigobank.com.au/
Emporium Creative Hub – https://www.emporiumcreativehub.com.au/
Afterpay – https://www.afterpay.com
ChatGPT – https://chat.openai.com
1 hr 33 min
August 17, 2025Anthony Jenkin - Outlier Studio - Part 2
Remarkable Regional Business – Episode 32
Guest: Anthony Jenkin
Business Name: Outlier Studio
Website: https://outlierstudio.com.au
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-jenkin-6b553785/

Topics Covered
/ Scaling with Systems: How Anthony Runs Lean and Efficient
Anthony shares how he builds capacity without growing his team by leveraging systems, automation, and AI. From templated digital proposals to automated inbox workflows, he shows how staying lean doesn’t mean limiting growth.

/ The 5-Minute Proposal: Using Go High Level to Save Time
Anthony walks through his proposal process, powered by Go High Level, that takes just 5–10 minutes from start to send. Digital signatures, auto-responses, and video walkthroughs make client onboarding fast, clear and scalable.

/ Building Client Trust Through Transparency
From outlining potential project delays to including realistic timelines in proposals, Anthony emphasises the importance of setting clear expectations early to avoid disappointment later especially in industries like town planning and design.

/ AI as a Business Partner: From Analysis to Copywriting
AI has become integral to Outlier Studio’s workflows, generating performance reports, analysing data and even assisting with architectural design logic. Anthony shares how tools like ChatGPT are reducing consultancy costs and time overheads.

/ The Power of iOS + ClickUp: Running Better Meetings and Teams
Anthony has integrated the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS/iOS) into ClickUp for better team alignment and accountability. Weekly snapshots, scorecards and structured agendas keep everyone on track and help avoid bloated meeting times.

/ Financial Efficiency Over Headcount
Instead of growing headcount, Anthony focuses on reviewing expenses quarterly and streamlining operations. He explains how cutting "nice-to-haves" and improving productivity metrics have been critical for profitability and long-term sustainability.

/ Sustainability and Construction: Systemic Barriers to Change
Anthony breaks down the misalignment between builders, banks and regulators that hampers sustainable construction. Alternative materials like hempcrete and modular builds face compliance and funding roadblocks, despite strong demand.

/ PanelHouse and FlexiHouse: Innovative Solutions for Modern Building
Anthony discusses his new ventures: PanelHouse (flat-pack panel kits) and FlexiHouse (modular homes). These prefab systems offer faster construction, lower labor needs, and better insulation, perfect for addressing material and skill shortages.

/ The Modular Building Boom: Opportunity and Friction
As more builders pivot to modular methods, Anthony explores the growing popularity of transportable homes. He explains why financing remains a barrier, despite government incentives and consumer demand for faster, healthier housing solutions.

/ Marketing, SEO, and The Outlier Brand
Anthony credits much of Outlier’s growth to digital marketing fundamentals he learned early, SEO, podcasts, newsletters and giving away value freely. A rebrand and a focus on niche content helped attract aligned, high-quality clients.

References
Go High Level – https://www.gohighlevel.com
ClickUp – https://www.clickup.com
EOS/iOS – https://www.eosworldwide.com
ChatGPT – https://chat.openai.com
Town Planning Australia – https://www.townplanning.com.au/
1 hr 13 min
August 03, 2025Andrew Hamilton - Euca
Remarkable Regional Business – Episode 31
Guest: Andrew Hamilton, Founder
Business Name: Euca
Website: https://eucabuilt.au/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewghamilton/

Topics Covered
/ Purpose-Driven Product Design for Regional Tourism
Andrew introduces Euca, a company specialising in architecturally designed, prefabricated eco-cabins tailored for regional tourism. The business focuses on enabling operators like wineries and agri-tourism ventures to offer high-quality accommodation without the typical construction complexities.

/ Streamlined Development Process
Euca offers pre-designed, customisable cabins that are fully engineered and compliance-ready. By centralising architecture, interior design, and compliance work, the company reduces barriers for clients—especially those wanting to start small and scale gradually.

/ From Product to Platform
The cabins are built in a modular factory in Geelong, leveraging efficiencies like material optimisation and reduced waste. Clients can configure their cabins online, similar to customising a car, aligning with their brand and site aesthetics.

/ Regional Identity in Design
Andrew discusses creating an authentically Australian cabin design aesthetic, inspired by eucalyptus tones and local materials—steering away from imitating overseas trends like Scandinavian or American log cabin styles.

/ Market Opportunity and Impact
He highlights the mismatch between regional tourism demand (nearly half of accommodation dollars spent in regional Australia) and the lack of appropriate infrastructure. Euca fills this gap by offering scalable, premium, and compliant prefab cabins.

/ Sustainable and Scalable Manufacturing
Design choices include using full panel sizes, minimising offcuts, and sourcing local materials. The factory-based model also allows faster deployment, avoids lengthy on-site builds, and ensures lower environmental and logistical costs.

/ Andrew’s Diverse Background
Andrew’s journey spans product design, media, e-commerce, and property development. He blends creative and commercial skills, applying product thinking from tech and consumer goods to placemaking and prefab property.

/ Placemaking and Value Creation
The episode also explores how Andrew's background in immersive environments and commercial property led to his understanding of customer experience and product-market fit in tourism accommodation.

References
Euca – https://eucabuilt.au/
Pivot City Innovation District, Geelong - https://www.pivotcity.com.au/
Zaha Hadid / Hudson Yards Project – https://www.zaha-hadid.com/design/520-west-28th-street/
1 hr 15 min
July 20, 2025Jenn Donovan - Social Media & Marketing Australia
Remarkable Regional Business – Episode 30
Guest: Jenn Donovan
Business Name: Social Media & Marketing Australia
Website: https://socialmediaandmarketing.com.au
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenn-donovan/

Topics Covered
/ From Law to Retail to Marketing: Building a Rural Business Empire
Jenn shares her journey from working in law to co-owning a kitchenware retail shop and eventually launching her own marketing consultancy. A late-night decision with a friend led to buying a store – where she quickly learned the value of listening to customers and adapting to market needs.

/ Born on the Border: Running a National Business from the Farm
Jenn operates her business from a farm near Mulwala, NSW, right on the state border. She talks about the pros and challenges of rural entrepreneurship – especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the infamous "red line" lockdown cut through her living room.

/ Launching Social Media & Marketing Australia: From Domain Name to Brand
In 2018, Jenn founded her business after finding the perfect domain name by chance. With a no-frills approach, she built a service-based brand focused on coaching, speaking, and empowering small businesses to take control of their marketing.

/ The Power of Speaking: How Keynotes Became Her Main Business
Speaking now forms the largest revenue stream for Jenn. She shares how she books paid speaking gigs across Australia, from chambers of commerce to major conferences – like a standout 20-minute keynote in Esperance that required multiple flights and a 3-hour drive.

/ Creating a Movement: Buy From a Bush Business and Spend With Us
In response to drought and economic downturn in 2019, Jenn launched a Facebook group that grew to nearly 400,000 members. The initiative helped inject over $11 million into rural businesses and eventually grew into a full-fledged marketplace, Spend With Us.

/ Strategic Collaboration: Turning Community into Company
Jenn partnered with another founder to launch “Spend With Us,” offering regional businesses a platform to sell online – even if they didn’t have a website. She later exited day-to-day operations to refocus on speaking, retaining a stake as an advisor and advocate.

/ Leveraging Government Contracts and Digital Training
During the pandemic, Jenn saw an opportunity in government-funded business support. She created webinar packages and simplified the delivery for local councils – doing all the heavy lifting so they could say “yes” quickly. This created consistent income and long-term partnerships.

/ The Speaking Business Model: Outreach, Timing, and Systems
Jenn breaks down how she fills her speaking calendar through direct outreach, cold pitching and follow-up systems. She shares how she balances paid and unpaid gigs and uses strategy to get her foot in the door with larger events.

/ Rebranding and Personal Brand Clarity
Jenn is now separating her personal brand from her business. While Social Media & Marketing Australia is being positioned as a scalable asset with conferences and products, Jen Donovan is emerging as a speaker, author, and marketing educator in her own right.

/ Podcasting as a Business Engine
Jenn’s podcast, Small Business Made Simple, has been running since 2018 and serves as a top-of-funnel tool. She finds that most clients have listened before reaching out—creating instant trust and warming leads before they book coaching or speaking.

/ Writing the Book: Small Town, Big Impact
Jenn authored a book with 107 actionable marketing ideas specifically for rural businesses. It reflects her mission to show regional entrepreneurs that effective marketing doesn’t have to rely on big budgets or social media alone.

/ Lessons Learned: Mindset, Messaging, and Moving On
From overcoming self-doubt and tall poppy syndrome to recognising when to exit a venture, Jen shares candid lessons about leadership, mindset, and scaling a purpose-driven business in regional Australia.

References
Social Media & Marketing Australia – socialmediaandmarketing.com.au
Spend With Us – https://www.spendwithus.com.au
Podcast – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX0x53Shqz3beTmb0991jEg
Book – Small Town, Big Impact https://socialmediaandmarketing.com.au/product/small-town-big-impact/
1 hr 3 min
July 06, 2025Melanie Clark - Fabriq
Remarkable Regional Businesses – Episode 29
Guest: Melanie Clark
Business Name: Fabriq
Website: https://fabriq.com.au/

Topics Covered
/ From Family Legacy to Fabriq: Rebuilding a Curtain Business
Melanie shares the multigenerational story of her family’s curtain business, originally founded by her parents in 1995. She and her husband Justin officially took over in 2010, transforming it from “Reanne Curtains” into Fabriq—a vertically integrated, design-led business in Bendigo.

/ A Rebrand with Purpose: Identity, Quality, and Future-Proofing
The transition to the name Fabriq, reflected a modern, design-forward ethos. With support from branding agency Studio Ink, the rebrand helped shift customer perception, create independence from the previous name, and lay the groundwork for future business scalability and potential sale.

/ From London Showrooms to Regional Style
Melanie’s time living in London—and admiration for Designers Guild’s aesthetic—inspired her passion for textiles and interiors. This personal design vision continues to influence the style and curation of Fabriq’s offerings and customer experience.

/ Manufacturing In-House: A Regional Point of Difference
Unlike most retailers, Fabriq manufactures its window furnishings in its own workroom, attached to the showroom. Customers can literally see where the product is made, fostering trust, quality control, and flexibility for custom work.

/ Surviving the Slump: Business Lessons from 2016 and 2024
Melanie reflects on two major downturns in the business: one in 2016 and another in early 2024. She shares how radio advertising, builder outreach, and doubling down on local networking helped them bounce back. Lesson: when sales slow, get on the phone—and the radio.

/ Expanding Into Upholstery and Home Design
With growing demand for more than just curtains and blinds, Fabriq now offers custom upholstery, ottomans, cushions, and bedheads. Their team repurposes old pieces and creates bespoke furnishings, extending their reach into full-home design.

/ Building a Skilled, Culture-Focused Team
The business employs a tight-knit team of eight, including family members and long-standing staff. Melanie prioritises culture and personality fit as much as skills—especially in the workroom—ensuring longevity and collaboration.

/ Rebuilding Reputation Post-Takeover
When Melanie and Justin first bought the business, customers assumed the original owner had left—and quality with it. Reputation management became key. Their mistake? Not telling the story well enough. The fix? Consistent messaging and community engagement.

/ Systemising vs. Knowing by Heart
Melanie admits most operational knowledge still lives in team members’ heads—a risk they’re slowly addressing. With staff retention high, it’s worked so far, but creating documented systems remains a priority for long-term scalability.

/ Embracing Smart Homes: When Curtains Go Digital
Fabriq now installs motorised window treatments integrated with Google or Siri. Melanie stresses the importance of early-stage collaboration with builders and architects to plan for wiring, power, and automation in modern homes.

/ The Reality of Small Business Ownership
Melanie gives a candid account of the ongoing rollercoaster of entrepreneurship: good years, hard years, and everything in between. She emphasises persistence, team loyalty, and remembering why you started—as key to staying in the game.

References
Fabriq – https://fabriq.com.au/
Designers Guild – https://www.designersguild.com
Studio Ink (Branding Agency) – https://www.studioink.com.au
1 hr 18 min
June 22, 2025Lachlan Edwards - OFRM Lawyers
Remarkable Regional Businesses – Episode 28
Guest: Lachlan Edwards
Business Name: OFRM Lawyers
Website: https://ofrm.com.au/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lachlan-edwards-ba0283198/

Topics Covered
/ Making Law Engaging and Practical for Business Owners
Lachlan Edwards shares his approach to making law more relatable for small business owners, breaking down complex legal concepts into understandable and practical advice. His goal? To be the lawyer who makes law not boring.

/ The Four Phases of Legal Business Support
Lachlan outlines a proactive legal framework for business success:
Setup – Choosing the right business structure (sole trader, company, trust).
Support – Creating infrastructure like contracts, guest waivers, and IP agreements.
Responsive – Handling employment issues, conflicts, and social media risks.
Exit – Facilitating clean and fair transitions with ownership agreements.
/ From Courtroom to Counsel: Inside a Regional Law Firm
OFRM is a multidisciplinary law firm serving individuals and businesses across regional Victoria. Lachlan describes the firm's structure, team collaboration, and the breadth of services offered — from wills and estates to family, property, and commercial law.

/ Beyond the Billable Hour: Value-Based Pricing
Lachlan explains OFRM’s shift away from traditional time-based billing. Instead, they’re adopting value-based pricing to align legal services with business outcomes, especially in commercial and conveyancing matters.

/ Building a Collaborative Legal Team
To avoid departmental silos, OFRM encourages cross-pollination between its legal teams through regular “lunch and learn” meetings. This creates a dynamic learning culture and stronger client service.

/ Governance vs. Operations: The Leadership Balancing Act
As a law firm director and board member at organisations like Bendigo Stadium and Bendigo UFS, Lachlan discusses the challenge of separating strategic governance from day-to-day operations — a vital skill for any business leader.

/ Law and Leadership Through Real-World Scenarios
In a light-hearted "Will Caleb Go to Jail?" segment, Lachlan guides the host through real-world scenarios involving partnerships, intellectual property, and employee misconduct — offering legal insight in an engaging, relatable format.

/ Unwritten Agreements and the Partnership Risk
A cautionary tale on the dangers of informal collaborations. Lachlan explains how lack of agreements in creative partnerships can lead to legal disputes — and how simple documents could prevent big headaches.

/ Employment Law: Social Media, Misconduct, and Legal Risk
Lachlan explores how businesses should handle controversial employee behavior online, the role of employment contracts and policies, and how anti-discrimination laws influence termination decisions.

/ Personal Journey: From Deniliquin to Law Director
Lachlan recounts his shift from journalism to law, his early days in community legal centres, and how living abroad helped him find clarity in his career. His story reflects the values of persistence, service, and local impact.

References
OFRM – https://ofrm.com.au/
Fair Work Legislation - https://www.fairwork.gov.au/about-us/legislation
Bendigo Stadium / Red Energy Arena - https://redenergyarena.com.au/
Bendigo UFS - https://www.bendigoufs.com.au/
Consumer Action Law Centre - https://consumeraction.org.au/
1 hr 14 min
June 09, 2025Anthony Jenkin - Outlier Studio
Remarkable Regional Businesses – Episode 27
Guest: Anthony Jenkin
Business Name: Outlier Studio
Website: https://outlierstudio.com.au/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-jenkin-6b553785/

Topics Covered
/ From Carpentry to Climate-Conscious Design: The Birth of Outlier Studio
Anthony shares his unconventional journey from carpentry and skatepark construction to founding Outlier Studio — a design firm committed to creating energy-efficient, durable homes. His early trade experiences and later education in building design and entrepreneurship shaped a mission-driven business.

/ Verifying What’s Built Matches What’s Designed
Outlier Studio specialises in “as-built verification,” using onsite testing to ensure homes are constructed exactly to energy efficiency specs. Anthony highlights how common it is for features like insulation to be compromised during construction — often unnoticed by builders or regulators.

/ Blower Door Tests and Energy Modelling: Tools of the Trade
The episode dives into the specifics of energy audits, including blower door tests and thermal imaging. These tools expose air leaks and insulation failures and guide low-cost upgrades that significantly boost energy efficiency and comfort.

/ Australia’s ‘Glorified Tents’: A Housing Wake-Up Call
Anthony critiques the poor thermal performance of many Australian homes, especially compared to global standards. He cites alarming World Health Organisation data showing that many rental properties fall below minimum safe temperatures — especially harming vulnerable populations.

/ Designing for Health and Comfort, Not Just Aesthetics
Inspired by passive house principles, Outlier Studio designs homes that prioritise air quality, thermal stability and occupant wellbeing. Anthony explains how airtight construction, controlled ventilation and even plant placement can create healthier living environments.

/ A Full-Service, Performance-Driven Studio
Outlier handles everything from client briefs and regulatory research to energy modelling, concept design and construction phase testing. Their integrated approach avoids budget blowouts by involving builders early and managing cost throughout the design process.

/ Architect vs Building Designer: What’s the Difference?
Anthony unpacks the legal, educational and practical distinctions between architects and building designers — and why the title isn’t always a proxy for quality. His advice? Interview the designer, assess values alignment and focus on relationships over labels.

/ The Courage to Niche: Committing to Sustainable Builds
A pivotal decision to only accept sustainable projects redefined the business. Anthony speaks candidly about the fear of losing work — and the unexpected rewards of finding a community that shares his passion and supports open knowledge-sharing.

/ Modular Construction and European Prefab Panels
Outlier Studio has expanded to offer prefabricated, high-performance wall systems imported from Europe. These panels reduce waste, speed up builds, and ensure long-term insulation and durability — a game changer for remote or hard-to-build areas.

/ Vertical Integration: From Design to Turnkey Delivery
The studio now builds complete modular homes off-site and delivers them ready-to-live. Anthony reveals how this leap was powered by smart systems, tech stacks, and a lean team — allowing them to grow without rapidly expanding headcount.

/ Leading a Business That Builds You Back
Anthony and the host reflect on how building a values-driven business catalyses personal growth. From mental resilience to sales and leadership, Anthony shares how the business journey shaped him — and why constant learning is key to staying relevant and impactful.

/ Scaling Sustainably with Purpose
Whether it’s future government partnerships, prefab innovation, or creating more energy-literate builders, Anthony’s vision is national. His mission is simple: better homes for Australians, built with performance, dignity, and health in mind.

References
Passive House Standard – https://www.yourhome.gov.au/passive-design/passive-house
Blower Door Testing – https://outlierstudio.com.au/research/thermal-performance-check/
World Health Organization Housing Standards – WHO Housing Guidelines
Outlier Studio – https://outlierstudio.com.au/
1 hr 1 min
May 25, 2025 Shannon Lemanski - Aqua Ubique
Remarkable Regional Businesses – Episode 26
Guest: Shannon Lemanski
Business Name: Aqua Ubique
Website: https://aquaubique.com.au/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-lemanski/

Topics Covered

/ Turning Air into Water: The Aqua Ubique Story
Shannon introduces the core concept behind Aqua Ubique: a water cooler that doesn’t require plumbing or bottles, but instead generates clean, mineral-rich drinking water from air. He explains the proprietary filtration and mineralisation process, and how it delivers premium water without harmful chemicals or microplastics.

/ From Army Officer to Startup Founder
A deeply personal origin story traces back to Shannon’s time in the Australian Army. His experience managing drinking water logistics during overseas deployments — and witnessing local communities scavenging plastic bottles for clean water — planted the seeds for a socially driven enterprise.

/ Tackling Australia’s Hidden Water Crisis
Shannon sheds light on the staggering reality that over 8% of Australians, especially in remote or Indigenous communities, lack access to safe drinking water. He shares shocking examples from places like Cherbourg, where children drink cola instead of formula due to water mistrust.

/ Engineering with Empathy: The Product Design
The machines are designed to operate reliably in diverse Australian climates, from humid offices to drier regions like Bendigo. Shannon emphasises user-friendliness, minimal maintenance and data transparency as key differentiators from offshore alternatives.

/ A Social Enterprise Model That Scales
Aqua Ubique operates on a “buy five, give one” model: for every five office units sold, one machine is deployed to a remote community. This approach solves both a commercial and social problem, making every customer part of the impact story.

/ Positioning for Purpose and Profit
Shannon explains why social good isn’t enough — products must also be more affordable, more effective and deliver better value. His pricing model saves businesses money while cutting plastic waste and emissions.

/ Strategic Thinking: Military Roots, Business Execution
Using military planning tools like SMEAC and mission appreciation, Shannon approached the startup like a tactical operation. His first business plan was literally sketched using army formats to map competitors, allies and customer segments.

/ Winning Without Paid Marketing
Despite zero marketing spend, Shannon has achieved rapid sales growth through highly targeted outreach, local networking and word-of-mouth. He pinpoints small to mid-sized businesses with high bottled water usage and services them within 90 minutes to ensure quality support.

/ Offers So Good They Convert Themselves
Shannon describes the slam-dunk offer inspired by Alex Hormozi: 90-day risk-free trial, full refund plus $100 for wasted time. The results? Zero returns and sky-high conversion rates.

/ Leadership, Legacy and Staying Values-Driven
As a father and former officer, Shannon reflects on humility, servant leadership, and building a business that aligns with deeply held values. He rejects commodification in favour of relational business that customers are proud to support.

/ Vision for the Future
With strong early traction and national banks courting Aqua Ubique to support ESG goals, Shannon aims to scale nationwide, and ultimately, globally. His mission is clear: deliver 1 million litres of clean water into communities by 2030.

References
Alex Hormozi – How to Turn Trash into Cash https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaiLcj6tzBQ
Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council Water Crisis – https://nit.com.au/08-10-2024/14116/queesland-government-announce-26million-to-tackle-cherbourgs-long-running-water-crisis
Silicon Coast – Sunshine Coast innovation ecosystem https://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/business/regional-innovation/the-ecosystem
1 hr 10 min
May 11, 2025 Tom Isaacs - PRD Bendigo
Remarkable Regional Businesses – Episode 25
Guest: Tom Isaacs
Business Name: PRD Bendigo
Website: https://www.prd.com.au/bendigo/
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tom-isaacs-45b69397/

Topics Covered
/ Building PRD Bendigo from the Ground Up
Tom shares the journey of growing PRD Bendigo from zero market presence to one of the leading real estate agencies in the region. He reflects on the early days, unexpected opportunities, and how initial “dumb luck” evolved into strategic business decisions.

/ Reimagining Real Estate Business Models
This episode unpacks how Tom departed from the traditional real estate model to build a fully resourced, department-led structure. From media to sales to admin, each arm of the business supports growth and enables team specialisation.

/ Creating Career Pathways and a Scalable Team
Tom explains how PRD fosters long-term careers by developing internal pathways - from support roles to independent agents or management tracks. The team culture is built on clarity, mentorship and flexibility.

/ The Power of Culture Captains
A standout initiative, “culture captains,” empowers team members to uphold values and call out misalignment, creating peer-led accountability. Tom discusses how this simple framework transformed team dynamics and strengthened internal cohesion.

/ Investing in People and Personal Goals
Rather than traditional KPIs, PRD’s leadership begins with personal aspirations. Whether it’s buying a home or starting a family, team reviews are structured around what matters most to each employee.

/ Embedding Community into the Business Model
Tom shares the origin and structure of the PRD Community First Fund - a quarterly initiative where staff contributions are matched by the business to support underfunded community organisations. Past recipients include Sunshine Bendigo and Southern Cross Kids Camp.

/ Changing Public Perceptions of Real Estate
Tom and host Caleb discuss the negative stereotypes around real estate agents and how PRD is helping shift that narrative through service-first mindsets, trust-building and long-term community commitment.

/ Leadership Lessons and Evolving Roles
From hands-on sales to full-time leadership, Tom reflects on stepping out of the frontline, especially during COVID, and how that transition demanded new approaches to empathy, vision and business planning.

References
PRD Bendigo – https://www.prd.com.au/bendigo/
Sunshine Bendigo – https://www.sunshinebendigo.org.au
Southern Cross Kids’ Camp – https://www.sckc.org.au
Simon Sinek – https://simonsinek.com
1 hr 5 min
April 21, 2025 Ben Amos - Innovate Media
Remarkable Regional Businesses – Episode 24
Guest: Ben Amos
Business Name: Innovate Media
Websites: https://innovatemedia.com.au/
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/beninnovate

Topics Covered
/ From Videographer to Strategist
Ben Amos shares his journey from traditional video production to becoming a pioneer in video strategy. He discusses the realisation that delivering high-quality videos without strategic input often fails to deliver real value to clients.

/ Why Video Needs Strategy
Ben and host Caleb discuss the importance of video strategy in business - how it connects business goals with audience needs, customer journeys, and platform-specific execution. They break down what it means to move from “video for video’s sake” to intentional, goal-oriented video content.

/ Innovate Media and Regional Roots
Ben gives an overview of his agency, Innovate Media, based on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. He talks about the unique opportunities and challenges of running a regional business and how regional agencies can still lead globally in innovation and thought leadership.

/ The Rise of the Video Strategist
The role of a video strategist is dissected - part producer, part marketer. Ben emphasises the importance of helping clients choose the right video for the right audience at the right time and measuring results meaningfully.

/ Educating Through Content and Podcasting
Ben reflects on launching the Engage Video Marketing Podcast as a way to “learn out loud.” Now with over 300 episodes, the podcast has grown into a platform that attracts clients, builds authority and deepens his industry relationships.

/ Launching an Online Brand and Book
Beyond his agency, Ben talks about building a personal brand through content, courses, and coaching—culminating in the release of his book Engage. He outlines how this thought leadership initiative has fueled both personal and business growth.

/ Resilience and Revenue in a Challenging Year
Ben explains how 2024 began with uncertainty but ended with Innovate Media’s strongest year in revenue. He attributes this success to long-term client relationships, consistent value-driven communication and strategic selling.

/ Business Lessons and Leadership Growth
Ben shares key lessons from over 16 years in business, including learning to manage time and ideas, building protective routines around work-life balance and developing a mission-first mindset with clients and his team.

/ Lead with Value, Always
The episode emphasises the power of leading with education, not sales. Ben advocates for a business approach rooted in generosity, strategic listening and building genuine trust - especially when selling creative or consulting services.

References
Engage the Book – https://engagevideomarketing.thrivecart.com/engage-book/
Engage Video Marketing Podcast – https://engagevideomarketing.com/podcast/
Riverside.fm – https://riverside.fm/
Smart Passive Income Podcast – https://www.smartpassiveincome.com/spi/
Loom – https://www.loom.com/
1 hr

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Interviewing Founders and CEOs of Australia’s most remarkable regionally based businesses. You’ll hear about their company and what makes it so remarkable. You’ll also get an insight into their growth journey, the mistakes they made, and how they overcame some of their hardest challenges.

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