The Glass Ceiling

The conversation has some excellent stories, particularly Michele's unexpected encounter with Eric Bana, his move into Home and Away and the growth of Harvey Norman Business and Education from zero to approximately $200 million in two years.

What makes this episode particularly interesting for The Glass Ceiling, though, is how Michele connects those experiences to commercial judgement, resilience, relationships and the courage to make difficult decisions.

Clint Adams started his working life delivering pizzas for Domino’s. Today he owns Waterpro and Lawn Hub through Hectagon Group and is building towards an ambitious goal of $100 million in turnover.

In this episode of The Glass Ceiling, Clint shares the failures, decisions and lessons behind that growth. We talk about acquisitions, digital marketing, expanding into the United States, retaining great people and why genuine culture is something your employees demonstrate rather than something written in a mission statement.

Clint also explains the framework he now uses when talking with other business owners: get clear on the goal, understand your values, build the budget and then develop the strategy to get there.

Ray O’Connor knows what it is like to build a business, lose it and make the decision to start again. Now Managing Director and founding director of Premier Building Solutions, Ray began as an apprentice carpenter in his father’s construction business before moving through supervision, residential construction and business ownership.

In this episode of The Glass Ceiling, Ray speaks candidly about losing money on property development, the collapse of a family building business in 2009 and the difficult lessons that followed. One of the biggest was also one of the simplest: learning when to say no.

We also explore how Ray approached business differently the second time around, managing risk more carefully and growing Premier Building Solutions from relatively small commercial projects into multimillion-dollar opportunities. It is a frank conversation about failure, family, resilience and why success is rarely as overnight as it looks.

Mark Roe has built businesses in industries that could hardly be more different. From an award-winning Australian printing company, to a major ferry operation in Fiji, and now advanced manufacturing for surgical training, his career has been shaped by one habit: noticing problems other people have learned to live with.

In this episode, Mark shares how skills from one business transferred into the next, why emotional intelligence became crucial while leading teams in Fiji, and how returning to Adelaide ultimately led him to search for a global problem worth solving.

That search became Fusetec, a company developing realistic surgical training models designed to give surgeons repeatable, hands-on practice before operating on patients. It is a fascinating conversation about reinvention, leadership, challenging long-established systems and why being told something is impossible does not necessarily mean it is.

How do you know when a successful business has run its course, and when it is time to back the next opportunity?

In this episode of The Glass Ceiling, I’m joined by Claire Osterstock, founder and director of Simply Olive & Bee, for a conversation about business evolution, women's health, manufacturing and the reality of building a product from an idea into an international business.

Claire spent more than two decades working as a physiotherapist across Australia and the UK and, for 14 years, owned Adelaide Physiotherapy & Pilates Studio. Through her work in women's health, she repeatedly heard the same question from women looking for a more natural intimate moisturiser and lubricant.

That clinical experience ultimately became the catalyst for Olive & Bee Intimate Cream.

But there was no instant leap from idea to hundreds of retailers. Claire began developing the product while continuing to run her physiotherapy business. She worked with compounding chemists, asked questions, built connections, learnt about clinical trials and started manufacturing from home, complete with machinery in the garage and plenty of trial and error along the way.

We talk about why business owners sometimes need to recognise when a model that once worked needs to change, and why Claire believes businesses today have to become increasingly comfortable with reinvention.

Claire also shares how Simply Olive & Bee moved from direct sales to health professionals and eventually into pharmacies. Rather than trying to convince retailers to stock an unknown product, the business focused on educating doctors, physiotherapists, nurses and other health professionals. Patients then began walking into pharmacies asking for the product by name.

Today, Olive & Bee Intimate Cream is stocked in more than 700 stores across Australia and sold internationally, with the UK becoming an important market.

We also explore the less glamorous but incredibly important side of scaling a product business: cash flow, inventory, supply chains, export labelling, manufacturing capacity and maintaining enough stock to protect the business when supply chains become unpredictable.

Claire has deliberately built manufacturing capacity at Simply Olive & Bee's Mount Barker facility beyond its current requirements, allowing the business to respond quickly to larger orders and new international opportunities.

And she isn't stopping there.

With new products being developed and opportunities emerging around private label and contract manufacturing, Claire is once again asking the question that has shaped much of her entrepreneurial journey:

Claire Osterstock is the founder and director of Simply Olive & Bee.

Simply Olive & Bee: https://oliveandbee.com.au/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-osterstock-b4a61a4a/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/olivebeeandme/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oliveandbee

Produced by Wavebreaker Productions 
#TheGlassCeilingPodcast #SimplyOliveAndBee #OliveAndBee #FemaleFounders #WomenInBusiness #AustralianBusiness #SouthAustralianBusiness #AustralianMade #AustralianManufacturing #WomensHealth #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #MenopauseAwareness #FounderStory #MountBarker

In this episode, you will hear about:About Claire OsterstockConnect with Claire Osterstock

What does it take to leave a successful career, enter an entirely different industry and build something your family can carry into the future?

In this episode of The Glass Ceiling, Marissa Hankinson speaks with Trevor Harch, founder of Brockenchack Wines, a family-owned vineyard and winery in South Australia’s Eden Valley.

After building a successful career in the building industry, Trevor purchased the Eden Valley property in 2007. What began with a personal passion for wine soon developed into Brockenchack Wines, which was officially established in 2008.

The name Brockenchack brings together the names of Trevor’s four grandchildren: Bronte, Mackenzie, Charli and Jack. It is a fitting reflection of a business built around family, connection and the desire to create a lasting legacy.

Trevor shares the journey of moving from the building industry into wine, developing the property and learning what it takes to establish a respected cool-climate wine brand.

He also discusses the changing nature of Eden Valley tourism and how Brockenchack has evolved from being primarily a vineyard and winery into a destination where visitors can experience the region, the wines and the story behind the family business.

Nearly two decades after purchasing the property, Trevor remains actively involved in Brockenchack Wines. He continues to share his knowledge, experience and love of Eden Valley while helping prepare the business for future generations.

This conversation explores career change, family enterprise, regional tourism, long-term business growth and the importance of building something with a purpose beyond immediate success.

• Trevor’s successful career in the building industry
• Why he purchased the Eden Valley property in 2007
• The establishment of Brockenchack Wines in 2008
• The family story behind the Brockenchack name
• Moving from one established industry into a completely different field
• Developing a vineyard and winery in a cool-climate wine region
• How Trevor’s passion for wine developed into a family business
• The changing expectations of wine tourism visitors
• Building Brockenchack into an Eden Valley destination
• Remaining actively involved in the business nearly two decades later
• Sharing experience and knowledge with the next generation
• Creating a family legacy through business, wine and connection

Trevor Harch is the founder of Brockenchack Wines, a family-owned vineyard and winery in Eden Valley, South Australia.

Following a successful career in the building industry, Trevor purchased the property in 2007 and transformed his passion for wine into what would become Brockenchack Wines.

Established in 2008 and named after his four grandchildren, Bronte, Mackenzie, Charli and Jack, Brockenchack is built on family, connection and a commitment to crafting exceptional cool-climate wines.

Nearly two decades later, Trevor remains actively involved in the business, sharing his knowledge, experience and love of the Eden Valley region while helping build a legacy for future generations.

Website:
https://brockenchackwines.com.au/

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/brockenchackwines

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/BrockenchackWines

#TheGlassCeilingPodcast #BrockenchackWines #TrevorHarch #EdenValley #EdenValleyWine #SouthAustralianWine #AustralianWine #FamilyBusiness #FamilyLegacy #WineBusiness #Winemaking #CoolClimateWine #RegionalTourism #BusinessJourney #Entrepreneurship

In this episode, you will hear about:About Trevor HarchConnect with Trevor Harch and Brockenchack Wines

Discover how Cindy Koehler transformed personal adversity, decades of learning and a successful business career into a powerful mission to help others redefine who they are and what is possible.

In this episode of The Glass Ceiling, Cindy shares her journey from a challenging childhood and a career in education to building, scaling and ultimately selling a successful health and wellbeing business. She opens up about the hospital experience that first introduced her to meditation, the science behind mindset and manifestation, and why lasting growth often begins with identity rather than strategy.

Key topics:

Cindy Koehler’s early life and the impact of losing her father at a young age
How a Buddhist nun and a simple breathing meditation changed Cindy’s understanding of the mind-body connection
Moving from teaching and educational leadership into health, wellbeing and business ownership
Using personal development and mindfulness to navigate trauma and significant life changes
Building a health business from a home-based practice to multiple locations and a team of therapists
The importance of creating an exit plan before scaling a business
Leading a physical service-based business through the disruption of COVID-19
Finding the courage to sell a successful business without knowing exactly what would come next
Why values alignment mattered more than money when choosing the business’s new owner
The difference between mindset as a popular buzzword and the deeper science behind meaningful change
Why identity, rather than strategy, can become the greatest barrier to business and personal growth
Investing in yourself, remaining curious and becoming a lifelong learner
Supporting established business owners who feel they have reached a ceiling
Empowering women over 55 to embrace a fulfilling and powerful next chapter
The inspiration behind Cindy’s book, Manifest You, and her desire to create an impact through education

Connect with Cindy Koehler:

Website: www.mindgarage.com.au
Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn: Cindy Koehler | LinkedIn 
Connect with The Mind Garage:
Website: www.mindgarage.com.au

Learn more about Manifest You:

Visit www.mindgarage.com.au for information about Cindy’s book, programs and coaching.

The Glass Ceiling is brought to you by Wavebreaker Productions.

Visit Wavebreaker Productions: www.wavebreakerproductions.com

#TheGlassCeilingPodcast #WavebreakerProductions #CindyKoehler #TheMindGarage #ManifestYou #MindsetCoach #MindsetMatters #IdentityShift #WomenInBusiness #FemaleFounder #WomenOver55 #BusinessLeadership #Entrepreneurship #PersonalDevelopment #Manifestation #Neuroscience #Mindfulness #BusinessGrowth #BusinessExit #CareerChange #ResilienceInBusiness #WomenInLeadership #FounderStory #PodcastAustralia #LifelongLearning

What does it really take for a woman to build a profitable business, create financial independence and have the freedom to make choices on her own terms?

In this episode of The Glass Ceiling, Marissa Hankinson speaks with financial feminist, Fellow Chartered Accountant, consulting CFO and business adviser Shaye Thyer.

Shaye is the founder of Pallas, where she helps women build profitable, sustainable businesses that support the lives they want to lead. Her goal is direct and unapologetic: to help more women build what she calls “fuck you money”, giving them greater choice, independence and financial safety.

Growing up in Strathalbyn, Shaye was surrounded by small business. Her mother owned a hairdressing salon, her father built a financial advisory business and her grandfather ran the local service station. That early exposure gave her an understanding of both the freedom and the enormous responsibility that comes with running a business.

Shaye shares how her career in accounting, finance, technology and business transformation eventually led her to create Pallas. She also discusses the moment she began to recognise how differently women were being advised, funded and supported in business.

The conversation explores the unconscious and systemic biases that can keep women’s businesses small, including advice to stay below the GST threshold, assumptions about women’s roles within families and the financial consequences women can face when relationships or family structures change.

Shaye explains why many women do not need complicated strategies. They often need practical answers to questions such as how to choose accounting software, improve cash flow, get clients to pay sooner, move away from hourly billing and create a business model that can grow without causing burnout.

They also discuss Shaye’s involvement with the Coralus community, formerly known as SheEO, which supports women-led businesses creating social impact, and the AI Women’s Circle, which was created to give women greater visibility and influence within conversations about artificial intelligence and professional services.

Practical, honest and full of insight, this episode is for women at every stage of business, from those considering a side hustle to established founders ready to build greater profitability, independence and choice.

• Shaye’s journey from aspiring lawyer to Chartered Accountant and business founder
• Growing up surrounded by small business in Strathalbyn
• Why women often receive different financial and business advice
• The motherhood penalty and the financial risks women continue to face
• The mental load carried by women business owners
• Why profitability must be a priority, not an afterthought
• Practical steps for improving cash flow and building sustainable revenue
• Moving beyond hourly billing when there are no more hours to sell
• The importance of financial independence, safety and choice
• How Coralus supports women-led businesses creating social impact
• Why women need a stronger voice in AI and innovation
• Building a business that supports the life you want to lead

Shaye Thyer is a financial feminist, Fellow Chartered Accountant, consulting CFO and business adviser with more than 20 years of experience across finance, technology and business transformation.

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

Pallas website:
https://www.wearepallas.io/

About Shaye and Pallas:
https://www.wearepallas.io/aboutus

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/shayethyer.finance/

Email:
[email protected]

Real Money pricing tool:
https://www.wearepallas.io/real-money

#TheGlassCeilingPodcast #ShayeThyer #WomenInBusiness #FemaleFounders #FinancialIndependence #FinancialFeminism #WomenAndMoney #BusinessGrowth #ProfitableBusiness #SmallBusinessAustralia #WomenSupportingWomen #Entrepreneurship #BusinessAdvice #WomenInFinance #Pallas

In this episode, you will hear about:About Shaye ThyerConnect with Shaye Thyer

Discover how Helen Whait transformed her passion for occupational therapy into a pioneering franchise, empowering practitioners and impacting lives across Australia.

In this episode of The Glass Ceiling, Helen shares her inspiring story of resilience, innovation and leadership. From starting her occupational therapy career in 1989 to founding ActivOT, the world’s first occupational therapy franchise, Helen opens up about the values, mindset and determination that shaped her journey.

Key topics:

Helen Whait’s background and evolution in occupational therapy since 1989
The origins of ActivOT and turning a passion into a franchise
The importance of values alignment in selecting franchisees
The strategic move to a franchise model to scale impact
Challenges of balancing family, work and business growth
Building a sustainable team and expanding across Australia
The power of mindset and trusting your instincts
Insights into leadership, professionalism and lifelong learning
Future global opportunities and leaving a legacy

Connect with Helen Whait:

Website: www.activot.com.au
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: Helen Whait
Instagram: @helen.whait

Connect with ActivOT:

Website: www.activot.com.au
Instagram: @activot_occupational_therapy
Facebook: ActivOT Australia
LinkedIn: ActivOT

The Glass Ceiling is brought to you by Wavebreaker Productions.

Visit Wavebreaker Productions: www.wavebreakerproductions.com

#TheGlassCeilingPodcast #WavebreakerProductions #HelenWhait #ActivOT #OccupationalTherapy #AlliedHealth #WomenInBusiness #FemaleFounder #FranchisingAustralia #BusinessLeadership #Entrepreneurship #MindsetMatters #LeadershipJourney #BusinessGrowth #AustralianBusiness #PodcastAustralia #WomenInLeadership #FounderStory #ResilienceInBusiness #ScalingABusiness

In this episode of The Glass Ceiling, Marissa Hankinson speaks with Matthew Dew, State Manager of SMAART Recruitment in South Australia.

Matt brings a refreshing lens to recruitment. His background spans tech, retail and financial services, but it’s his people-first mindset that stands out. He believes hiring should be about alignment, values and long-term fit, not just checking boxes on a CV.

We explore what businesses often get wrong about recruitment, why culture fit really matters, and how leadership needs to evolve if teams are going to thrive. From high-performing contact centres to industry advisory boards, Matt shares real stories and sharp insight from the hiring front line.

This is a conversation for anyone who manages people, wants to hire better, or is rethinking how we build stronger teams.

Produced by Wavebreaker Productions

#TheGlassCeilingPodcast #MatthewDew #SMAARTRecruitment #PeopleFirstLeadership #CultureFitMatters #HiringWithHeart #ModernRecruitment #LeadershipStrategy #BusinessCulture #WavebreakerProductions #ValuesBasedHiring #TeamPerformance