Thats Audacious

Nicole Lamers, an award-winning Australian entrepreneur and educator, dedicated 22 years to the hairdressing industry, including 15 as a salon owner. Driven by a deep passion for well-being and sustainability, she worked hard to implement conscious choices within her salon.

Despite her efforts, Nicole was shocked to discover that many products, even luxury and seemingly natural ranges, contained harsh chemicals that contradicted her values. She realised that the industry needed genuinely clean and safe hair care options. This realisation lit a fire in her to protect herself, her loved ones, and her clients, leading her to believe there was a solution she could create herself.

The desire to offer a superior, clean, and safe alternative spurred Nicole to spend a couple of years on research and development, collaborating with local chemists and manufacturers. Her goal was to create something Australian-made, sustainable, and luxurious. The brand, AER Wellness Co., was born not just as a business, but as an extension of Nicole's core values, filling a gap she had identified for safe, clean products for professional hairdressers and the general public.

As the company grew, Nicole sought to elevate her personal profile and the brand's credibility beyond local and industry recognition. She needed to validate her efforts on a bigger stage to support her dream of becoming a business educator, specifically supporting women in business, and expanding AER Wellness Co. globally.

Nicole's journey into the world of international awards proved to be a pivotal and successful move. Having previously entered skills-based and business awards within the hairdressing industry, she decided to “give it a go” with global recognition programs.

The most significant achievement was winning the Bronze Stevie Award for Best Female Entrepreneur in Australia, Asia, and New Zealand at the Stevie Awards for Women in Business. This win provided immense validation, especially considering she was a solo female business owner from Perth competing against large, established corporations like Microsoft and IBM.

Key outcomes achieved through this recognition include:

Nicole’s story is a testament to trusting one's instincts and the power of taking a chance.

"I remember thinking we would never ingest these ingredients so why are we putting them on our body which is like the most absorbent organ we have".

"It wasn't born just as a brand, it was an extension of my values".

"I just feel very very grateful to have even experienced going to New York and going to the Stevie Awards and being surrounded by amazing other women in business was a real pinch me moment".

"It is that conversation you have with yourself... I guess the award gives you more confidence. It gives you a little bit more resilience to go into the next project".

"What I what I'm saying and what I'm sharing is actually valid and I know I've got evidence and I've got backing".

"I would definitely tell my younger self to trust my intuition. I've always led with my gut and when I question that is when it doesn't feel right. So I guess trusting in myself, backing myself... If it feels uncomfortable, that's generally where you get the most growth. So I always sort of say, you know, there's no comfort in growth".

To learn more about Nicole Lamers and AER Wellness Co., please visit the links below:

Marissa Candy, the dynamic force behind The Marketing Factory, has dedicated over 20 years to the media and marketing industry, navigating its complexities and helping businesses thrive. The Marketing Factory specialises in providing key insights and strategies to drive growth and sustainability in the face of constantly evolving customer needs and an overwhelming economy. They are particularly adept at handling franchise marketing with multiple location outlets.

Marissa's journey began with a curious start at Stockland Shopping Centres, where she initially didn't even know what marketing was. Under the mentorship of incredible women, she quickly embraced the field, pursuing formal education in the late 90s and 2000s, before the digital revolution. This traditional grounding gave her a deep understanding of foundational marketing principles, which she feels is often lost in today's digital-first, low-barrier-to-entry environment.

The core issue The Marketing Factory aims to solve is a lack of strategic clarity. In the modern business world, it's too easy for businesses, particularly small ones, to create marketing content without first asking: "Why am I doing it? Who is it for? And what outcome do we actually want from this?". Many business owners don't fully understand marketing, often assigning marketing roles to undertrained staff, such as a graphic designer, just because they are good at social media, which results in efforts not being attached to a strategic outcome.

Marissa and her team at The Marketing Factory address this by deliberately focusing on the unsexy side of marketing: strategy, and by looking at a business holistically. They assess every element, from signage and sales team operations to the front-of-house experience, knowing that every part impacts the marketing result.

Marissa's goal and aspiration is to elevate the standard of marketing knowledge and awareness. She is passionate about helping people and finding solutions to problems at the core of marketing. Her forthcoming initiative, the Rebel Marketing Club, launching in 2026, is a testament to this, aiming to provide low-cost, high-value monthly lessons and Q&A sessions to uplift the entire industry.

Matthew Manahan, a talented actor and performer, found himself on an unexpected journey that led him from the stage to the inner workings of Precedent Productions, the company behind the prestigious Australian Small Business Champion Awards. He was introduced to Steve Loe, the founder of Precedent Productions, who was also a keen supporter of the arts, after a theatrical show wrapped up and with no immediate acting gigs on the horizon. Matthew joined Precedent Productions, starting in an administrative role, and his initial tasks included the meticulous and arduous process of hand-scanning over 50,000 archival images. This behind-the-scenes work, coupled with his background in the performing arts and his keen eye for storytelling, set the stage for a new and audacious project that would showcase the profound impact of the awards - the Champions book. His challenge was to find a creative way to encapsulate the rich history and human stories that defined the Australian Small Business Champion Awards.

Matthew and the team at Precedent Productions have been part of a monumental project - the creation of Champions: The Legacy That Shaped Small Business for a Nation, a premium, pictorial and inspirational coffee table book that celebrates the history of the awards. The book was born from an accidental moment - Matthew, in a clumsy error, sent an email with the wrong documents, including his boss Steve Loe's personal banking details. Though he feared being fired, Steve instead noticed Matthew's creative and persuasive writing in the email and tasked him with creating a sponsorship proposal book. What was initially a six-month project evolved into a three-year endeavour, resulting in an opulent publication that showcases the triumphs, struggles, and real-world impact of small business owners.

The book, which has been described as a laudable addition to any collection of Australian works, aims to inspire readers and provide an honest look at the lives of business owners. It captures the personal stories of those who have won the coveted Champion statuette, exploring their journeys and the financial, communal, and economic effects the award has had on their lives. This project has allowed Matthew to leverage his storytelling skills to honour the legacy of the awards, while also providing a valuable resource for small business owners and a testament to the life-changing power of recognition.

"Don't sweat the small stuff," Matthew advises, a lesson he learned from his own accidental career pivot. He believes there is always a solution, even when faced with a heart-sinking moment like sending your boss's banking details to a group of people. This experience taught him to trust the process and embrace the unpredictable journey of life and career.

Matthew also encourages businesses entering the Small Business Champion Awards to share their true story, not just their financial success. "We're also looking for the heart of your community," he explains, urging people to focus on their involvement, their staff, and their value system. He cautions against using AI to write award submissions, noting that the judges "can smell it a mile away". Instead, he suggests using it as a tool for structure and then "put it in your own words" to ensure the genuine, human element shines through.

"We get you guys," Matthew states, highlighting the awards' focus on the Australian small business community. He notes that the free resources and marketing materials provided to finalists and winners are a direct reflection of the team's understanding of small business needs. "We would want the same in return," he says, reinforcing the program's commitment to championing and rewarding hard-working entrepreneurs.

Michael Arnot, co-founder of Encore Speakers and Mainstage, is a prominent figure in the Australian speaking industry. His journey began not as a speaker, but as an event manager, where he co-founded an event management company. While organising events, he and his team frequently needed to book speakers and quickly realised there was a significant gap in the market. This experience, coupled with the difficulty they faced in finding the right talent for their clients, led them to pivot into a new venture: a speaker agency.

Michael's goal was to create a different kind of agency - one that focused on understanding the client's needs on a deep level. He recognised that event organisers were not just looking for a person to stand on a stage; they were looking for someone who could create an electrifying impact and deliver practical, transformative value for their attendees. This understanding became the foundation of Encore Speakers' value proposition: to have in-depth conversations with clients about their event's purpose, attendees, and desired outcomes. This focus on the attendee experience, from invitation to follow-up, was what set them apart from competitors and became a crucial lesson that Michael believes is essential for any speaker to understand.

Through Encore Speakers and Mainstage, Michael has achieved significant results by focusing on the business of speaking and helping others do the same. He proudly shares two key achievements that highlight the impact of his work.

For Encore Speakers, a major win was helping an education industry association curate an entire three-day conference. By carefully placing speakers, they were able to create an experience where attendees felt not just professionally developed, but personally transformed.

With Mainstage, Michael's focus shifted to helping speakers grow their businesses. A proud moment was witnessing a speaker completely transform their enterprise after implementing the program. This individual, who was considering returning to corporate life, instead built a globally impactful business, proving the value of being coachable and following a proven process.

Recognising the need for credibility and differentiation in a crowded market, Michael also made a strategic decision to enter Mainstage into business awards. This move was not just about winning; it was about seeking independent validation from industry experts. The awards provided an external stamp of approval and helped build a credible profile, justifying the value and expertise they offer. Michael believes this independent validation is crucial for speakers and businesses alike to justify their value to potential clients and stand out from the competition.

Michael also expressed immense pride in winning three Stevie Awards, and was especially proud of winning the category of for "best business process". To him, this is world-class validation from independent judges that the Mainstage Speaker Academy process is world-leading. Michael also pointed out that they won in a category that also featured IBM, well known for its innovative systems, which took out the gold award. To be ‘rubbing shoulders’ with such well-known brands and being recognised for the innovative approach they are implementing with such impressive results for speakers is a massive achievement.

Michael’s insights are direct and practical, stemming from years of experience on both sides of the speaking industry. He emphasises that speakers are "not selling to the audience, but rather to the person who signs the check". His core message to those in the industry is that success is about more than just being brilliant on stage; it requires "understanding the business of speaking". He advises speakers to make themselves easy to book by having a "laser focus" on their specific value proposition, and to ensure their messaging "does exactly what it says on the tin".

Michael’s key business advice is to "partner quicker". He believes that entrepreneurs should avoid trying to hold everything precious and instead collaborate with others to scale their businesses.

For more information about Michael Arnot, The Mainstage Speaker Academy and Encore Speakers, please visit:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelarnot

Dr. Younes began his career as an aerospace engineer with the Australian Department of Defence and Boeing. However, a life change prompted an audacious decision. When he and his wife, Sarifa, an education professional, couldn't find a suitable childcare centre for their young son, he suggested they build one themselves. This was the start of a new career path.

For the first five years, he worked behind the scenes while still at his engineering job, but his passion for business grew. Despite a handsome salary at Boeing, he decided to take a leap of faith. He took a few months of unpaid leave to test out full-time business management. This period allowed him to be fully present with his family, taking his kids to school and being part of their daily lives. The experience was so rewarding that he decided to resign from his engineering career and become a full-time entrepreneur.

This pattern of identifying a gap in the market and filling it became the blueprint for his future ventures. When he and his wife needed a travel agency in their suburb and couldn't find one, they started their own. This travel business quickly expanded to three locations. The same philosophy led to the founding of a successful training organisation. As Lauren notes, this "fabulous grassroots approach to entrepreneurship" is a common and inspiring story in Australia.

The idea for the ABLE Book Awards and Expo was born from another personal experience. In 2019, after Dr Younes and his wife published their books, they realised their books were "just in a box on the shelf." They hadn't properly launched them to a wider audience. They saw a need for a professional platform where authors could launch their books on a real stage, with media coverage, photography, and video.

Dr Younes explains that many authors put immense effort into writing their book but then stop, failing to promote it properly. He believes this is due to a lack of understanding about the marketing process and the belief that they need a huge online following to succeed. The ABLE Book Awards and Expo fills this gap by providing a professional, ready-made platform that gives authors the marketing support, exposure, and community they need.

For an author to participate, they simply register, provide professional assets like their book's images and a bio, and the ABLE team handles the rest—marketing, promotion, event organisation, and stage management. Authors get to enjoy the "spotlight and the exposure." This includes a physical expo where authors can speak, get professional videos, and sell their books, as well as an opportunity to connect with other authors and industry leaders.

The Able Book Awards is a key component of the event. It's open to authors from around the world and from any genre, whether fiction, non-fiction, children's, business book or autobiography. Authors who launch their books at the expo are automatically entered into the awards. Authors who aren't launching can also nominate their books, regardless of when they were published. Dr Younes and his team use a thorough, collaborative judging process that includes a panel of judges and author interviews to ensure every book is given a fair and comprehensive review.

When asked what advice he would give his younger self, Dr Younes's answer is simple and powerful: "Start everything sooner." Reflecting on his journey, acknowledging the mistakes and failures along the way but seeing them as essential learning experiences, he emphasises that life is short and that it's important to put your heart and soul into what you're passionate about, learning and growing from every experience. His journey is a testament to the idea that success is not a straight line, but a series of ups and downs from which you learn and grow.

If you have a book sitting in a box in your garage, the ABLE Book Awards and Expo offers an incredible opportunity to share your message with the world. Your book deserves to be well-known, well-paid, and wanted.

Links:

ABLE Book Awards: https://www.authorexpo.com.au/gba-nominate

In this episode of the That's Audacious podcast, host Lauren Clemett speaks with the brilliant Melissa Williams, CEO of Learning Dimensions Network. An award-winning corporate training organisation, LDN specialises in leadership, safety, and cultural change. With over 20 years of experience, Melissa shares her personal journey and professional insights on how to create truly impactful learning solutions.

Melissa Williams is the CEO of Learning Dimensions Network (LDN), an award-winning corporate training organisation specialising in leadership, safety and cultural change learning solutions. With over 20 years of experience in adult learning and instructional design, Melissa is passionate about creating engaging and impactful training programs that drive workplace transformation.

To learn more about Melissa Williams and LDN’s award-winning solutions, find her contact information below:

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

Welcome to a powerful episode of the That's Audacious Podcast! Host Lauren Clemett sits down with the fabulous Katrina Sawa, a sought-after business coach, international speaker, and book publisher who's all about making your book a core part of your business strategy. With over 25 years of experience, Katrina has helped thousands of entrepreneurs simplify their marketing and automate their business, and she's guided over 150 authors to success.

Katrina’s journey into publishing is surprising: she never wanted to be an author and doesn't even like to read. Her interest in books came from observing others. Initially skeptical of selling a low-cost item like a book, she had a breakthrough when she realised a book is a powerful marketing tool for opening doors to speaking engagements, media appearances, and high-value clients.

A critical point she and Lauren discuss is that writing the book is only half the job; the other, and arguably more important, half is marketing it. Katrina emphasises that you must view your book as a business or a funnel into your existing business. If you don't, you risk spending thousands of dollars on a book that just sits on a shelf.

For those considering writing a book, Katrina's first piece of advice is to write the back cover copy first. This exercise forces you to think about the book's marketing, purpose, and audience before you've written a single word. It’s all about having a clear goal, whether that’s to launch a speaking career, gain new clients, or just share your story with family and friends.

A book should be more than just a collection of information. Katrina suggests that authors use their books to create a sales funnel. This can be done by including:

This strategy turns a $20 book into a lead generator for high-ticket coaching, consulting, or speaking. She shares a story of a client who initially wrote a massive 500-page book and workbook combined, only to realise that nobody would want to read something so long. By separating them, they created a powerful bundle and a clearer path for their audience.

Katrina also advises authors to consider a book's physical size. A massive, expensive-to-ship book isn't ideal for a media kit. Giving away a smaller, concise book can be far more valuable, as the cost of printing is minimal compared to the revenue gained from a new client who reads it and hires you.

Katrina explains that many traditional publishers fail to offer marketing support because they aren't marketers themselves; they are simply book production specialists. She warns against paying for a book and receiving no help with promotion, as this is a recipe for a business-building failure. Her business coaching background gives her a unique perspective, allowing her to assess not just the book, but your entire brand presence—from your social media to your website—to ensure everything aligns to support your book's success.

Lauren and Katrina agree that a well-marketed book, especially one that has won awards, positions you as a "go-to expert". This makes you more attractive to event organizers and media outlets, leading to more speaking gigs, more visibility, and higher pay.

For anyone with a book gathering dust in a garage, Katrina has a clear call to action: perform an audit of your online presence.

Katrina's final advice to her younger self is to stop settling. She believes that settling in personal or professional relationships closes the door on great opportunities. She encourages listeners to stop putting up with things that are not serving them and to reach out for support if needed.

Katrina Sawa is a sought-after business coach, international speaker, and book publisher. Known for her direct, humorous and inspiring style, Katrina delivers actionable insights that leave audiences equipped and motivated to take their businesses to the next level. With 25 years of experience, she has helped thousands of business owners level up their confidence and pricing, simplify their marketing, automate operations, and build sustainable revenue streams. As the founder of Jumpstart Publishing, Katrina has also guided over 150 entrepreneurs through the process of becoming a published author, using books as powerful tools to boost their visibility, credibility, and their business

To learn more about Katrina Sawa's business coaching and publishing services, and how she can help you turn your book into a business, find her contact information below. If you're a published author, consider entering your book in awards to further boost your credibility and visibility. You deserve to be well-known, well-paid, and wanted!

Contact Info

Book Publishing website: https://JumpstartPublishing.net    

Events Webpage: http://www.JumpstartEvents.net

On this episode of the That's Audacious Podcast, host Lauren Clemett speaks with the exceptional Sharon Jurd, a seven-figure business coach, mindset expert, author, speaker, and CEO of the Sharon Jurd Coaching Institute. A self-described country girl with nine companies to her name, Sharon shares her remarkable journey, emphasising the core values and mindset shifts that have driven her success.

Sharon's journey began in a small country town, instilling in her a strong sense of community and values like respect and curiosity. She realised early on that her work had to align with a central purpose: helping people get from pain to pleasure. Whether it was helping clients buy their first home in real estate or guiding entrepreneurs to grow their businesses, her focus has always been on the person, not the product. She has coached in over 127 industries, and her success, she says, comes from the belief that if you put out good energy, you will attract good people.

In her real estate career, Sharon won an astonishing 36 awards in a very short time. She shares that this wasn't about ego but about building credibility and a profile in a new town where she knew no one. The awards created a snowball effect, legitimising her expertise and attracting clients.

Later, in her coaching business, Sharon hit a roadblock: her clients had great strategies but weren't implementing them. This led her to discover hypnotherapy, timeline therapy, and NLP. She became a master trainer and now teaches these skills to other coaches. Integrating these tools into her coaching has been a game-changer, allowing her to address the "what's going on up here" (the mindset) before focusing on strategy. She believes that without the right internal beliefs, a great marketing plan will never yield consistent results.

Lauren and Sharon delve into the critical topic of self-worth and mindset, particularly concerning awards. Sharon highlights that many people fear success as much as failure. She offers several powerful tips to combat this:

Sharon challenges the insidious tall poppy syndrome prevalent in Australia. She encourages people to celebrate their wins openly, citing a story about a man whose exuberant celebration at an awards night was met with quiet judgment. She suggests that if more people were confident in their success, it would become the new normal.

She also addresses the fear of being disliked, reminding listeners that there will always be some people who won't like you, and that's okay. The key is to focus on the overwhelming majority of positive support and not be held back by the few who are unsupportive.

At the end of the podcast, Sharon shares three pieces of advice she would give her younger self:

Sharon's insights offer a powerful lesson in combining a strong ethical foundation with a fearless mindset to achieve audacious success.

SHARON JURD is a 7-figure business coach, mindset and success coach, speaker, author, and CEO of SMJ Coaching Institute. She owns nine companies and enjoys margaritas and hiking. Sharon is a #1 Best Selling International Author of two books entitled ‘How to Grow Your Business Faster Than Your Competitor’ and ‘Extraordinary Women in Franchising’.

To learn more about Sharon Jurd and her coaching, mindset programs, and hypnotherapy, visit her website at https://www.smjcoachinginstitute.com.au/.

In this episode of the That's Audacious Podcast, host Lauren Clemett welcomes Rose Davidson, host and producer of the globally ranked and award-winning "Talking with Experts" podcast. Usually the interviewer, Rose steps into the hot seat to share her journey, insights, and unique system for helping others navigate the world of podcasting.

Rose's podcasting journey began on a whim in 2020 during lockdown. Witnessing brick-and-mortar businesses struggling, she felt a strong desire to help. With no prior podcasting experience, she simply thought, "Why not start a podcast?" and invited a few Facebook friends as her first guests. This impulsive decision blossomed into something extraordinary: 633 recorded episodes over five years, earning "Talking with Experts" a spot in the top 5% of podcasts globally.

Lauren notes that most new podcasters quit after just five episodes, finding it too hard. Rose's secret to longevity? A heart-centered approach and a genuine love for connecting with people who openly share their knowledge. She sees her podcast as a valuable resource, even for herself, often revisiting episodes for insights. Her personal motivation to help others, rather than chasing numbers, has kept her dedicated.

Rose explains her choice of an interview-style podcast: she finds it difficult to talk to a camera on her own. The dynamic of conversation allows her to be authentic and comfortable. Her tagline, "Business owners helping business owners," perfectly aligns with the show's name, as her guests are indeed experts in their fields.

She uses PodMatch to find incredible guests, a platform she highly recommends for its vetting process and ability to connect hosts and guests effectively. Rose and Lauren both emphasise that podcasting offers a unique way to build a personal brand, allowing audiences to hear your voice and passion, which is invaluable for speakers, thought leaders, and authors.

Rose has distilled her years of experience into the Signature OPAL System (Organise, Produce, Arrange, Launch), a comprehensive program designed to guide aspiring podcasters.

Rose stresses that the biggest mistake people make is overcomplicating things and thinking they need expensive equipment. She started with just a laptop, microphone and camera. Her key advice: prioritise audio quality over visuals, as listeners will forgive poor video but not bad sound. Podcasting doesn't have to be expensive to start.

While her podcast achieved a global ranking in the top 5%, Rose admits she has no idea exactly how it happened. She credits consistency and dedication as crucial mindset elements for any podcast host. She views podcasting as a craft and acknowledges that it takes time to build an audience; instant success with millions of downloads is a myth.

Rose is passionate about authentic conversations. Her show is guest-centric, with minimal host interruptions and straightforward editing. She also expresses disappointment when guests don't leverage their appearance, calling it a waste of time, and shares frustration over no-shows.

Looking back to 2020, Rose would advise her past self to "be more organised." Despite her significant success and awards, she believes better organisation from the start would have propelled her even further.

Her final tips for aspiring podcasters:

Want to start your own podcast, become a better guest, or revive an old show? Rose Davidson's expertise, born from real-world success, can guide you.

Embrace the journey, be bold, and get your voice out there!

Welcome to a special solo episode of the That's Audacious Podcast! Lauren Clemett tackles one of the most frequently asked questions she receives as a professional award writer: "Am I ready? Have I done enough to enter awards?" Lauren debunks common myths, challenges self-limiting beliefs, and instils the confidence needed to pursue recognition for your hard work and impact.

Many believe that awards are only for businesses with sky-high revenue or exponential growth. Lauren clarifies that this is largely a myth. Most awards, almost 90% of them, don't even ask for your financials. Instead, they focus on:

Therefore, you don't need a massive income jump to be award-worthy.

Awards are for businesses of all sizes, from startups to large enterprises. The key is finding the right categories. Lauren highlights a golden window for startups, with categories specifically designed for new ventures (often within 12-24 months of operation), even those pre-profit or without external funding. Missing this window means losing eligibility for these unique opportunities, so if you're a startup, now is the time to seize it.

This is a common internal battle. Many entrepreneurs feel insecure, believing their business isn't "perfect," optimised, or free of mistakes. This mindset often focuses on external validation and the fear of judgment. However, Lauren encourages a shift in perspective: "Nothing ever really is perfect."

By pausing to reflect on your journey – your challenges, your original motivations, and your achievements – you can gain a profound sense of self-recognition. Even failures are part of your success story. You're never too small, too new, or too late to enter awards. There are countless categories for various business types, products, services, and impact makers, regardless of whether you have a physical product or a well-established business model.

To illustrate her points, Lauren shares three compelling examples:

These stories underscore that you don't need decades of history or massive revenue to be award worthy. Your impact, your innovation, and your unique story are more than enough.

Ultimately, being awards ready comes down to:

Don't let self-doubt or outdated myths hold back your brilliance. Lauren encourages listeners to find out just how awards ready they are right now by taking the free Are You Awards Ready? Quiz.

Take the quiz, embrace your journey, and be bold, brave, and audacious!

https://theaudaciousagency.com/quiz-are-you-award-ready/