This episode spotlights Joe Romeo’s inspiring evolution from uncertain job hunts in Adelaide to helming Melbourne’s award-winning Aperitif Agency. Joe’s story unpacks the true grit required to transition from early agency gigs and client-side challenges into building his own fast-growing business, all while juggling leadership and family life.

You will also discover how Joe used hard-won lessons from his time at Airwallex and working across top agencies to shape Aperitif’s philosophy: hire slow, document everything, build smart systems, and never compromise team culture for quick wins. The conversation delves into the realities of agency growth, from the rush and nerves of going full-time at Aperitif, through expanding his team to nine, to crafting rituals for presence with his young son and co-founder wife. Joe also reveals how partnering with complementary businesses, openly sharing learnings, and entering industry awards boosted Aperitif’s reputation and referrals, fueling sustainable growth.

Hear behind-the-scenes strategies for managing onshore and offshore teams, building progression plans that truly motivate staff, and navigating tough client situations with honesty. Resources like Notion, Loom, ScribeHow, and One Life Club get practical shoutouts for founders keen to streamline operations and learn from others. Packed with relatable moments, real setbacks, and triumphs, this episode delivers genuine, actionable insight for ambitious Australian entrepreneurs ready to scale — while keeping their values front and centre.

Connect with Joe Romeo:

Website: https://aperitifagency.com.au/

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-romeo/?originalSubdomain=au

IG: https://www.instagram.com/aperitifagency/#

Connect with us. 👇

Evolve To Grow: https://m.mtrbio.com/evolve-to-grow 

In this episode, you’ll hear firsthand from Nathan Farmer, partner at One Picture—a firm that’s navigated over two decades of market turbulence without losing its human edge.

Nathan’s story isn’t just about riding the highs of business. It’s about weathering life’s curveballs—capital crunches, shifting markets, and the kind of partnership dramas you never see on LinkedIn. We pull back the curtain on what it takes to keep four partners on the same page, all while embracing rapid shifts in technology (AI included) and evolving how insight and strategy work gets done.

If you reckon business is only about numbers, think again. Nathan talks openly about the trust that holds his partnerships together, the tough calls made when revenue models change overnight, and why human relationships remain front and centre—even when processes go digital.

This episode isn’t here to sugarcoat things. Instead, you’ll find the grit, humour, and clarity that make the journey worth it, including practical takeaways for business owners learning to adapt in a market that doesn’t sit still.

Listen to the full episode on The Growth Equation podcast.

Connect with Nathan Farmer:

Website:  https://onepicture.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-farmer-25542b5/?originalSubdomain=nz

Connect with us. 👇

Evolve To Grow: https://m.mtrbio.com/evolve-to-grow

This episode is a ripper for anyone riding the entrepreneurial rollercoaster. Tristan gets real with Steven Gringlas, founder of Picos Media, about what it takes to build, break, and rebuild a thriving marketing agency in today’s e-commerce game.

Steven kicks things off, recounting his humble beginnings: launching the agency from his dad’s spare office, turning café trips with his charismatic dog Maddie into client wins, and rolling up his sleeves in social media marketing. But business isn’t all belly rubs and lattes—the story takes us through Steven’s learning curves: scaling up to a team of ten, confronting the harsh reality of swelling wage bills, and making tough calls to reshape his team around what actually drives results.

You’ll hear how shifting from a “do it all” creative agency to a focused, performance-driven model transformed Picos Media’s growth, profitability, and client impact. Steven shares game-changing insights about hiring for expertise, letting go of daily hands-on tasks, and finding the right people for the right seats. 

We dig into the nitty-gritty of using tools like Slack and Monday.com to streamline operations, and how embracing processes, structures, and mentorship—think EOS, EO Accelerator, and the Agency Mentor Community—helped Steven break plateaus and regain his confidence.

Whether you're just starting out or scaling for the next big leap, Steven’s honesty about seeking advice, staying resilient, and sharpening your strategy offers plenty of inspiration and lessons you can apply straight away. Want to get in touch with Steven or learn more? Head to picos.com.au or search @picos.media on social. This one’s a must-listen for every Aussie founder ready to tackle their next challenge with a bit more grit and a solid plan.

Connect with Steven Gringlas:

Website: https://www.picos.com.au/

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-gringlas/?originalSubdomain=au

IG: https://www.instagram.com/picos.media/?hl=en

Connect with us. 👇

Evolve To Grow: https://m.mtrbio.com/evolve-to-grow 

Ever wondered what it looks like to genuinely rebuild from scratch and come out stronger, even after a curveball or two? In this episode of The Growth Equation, I dive deep with Ben Jones, the brain behind Titan Marketer. 

Ben’s entrepreneurial journey is anything but ordinary: from buying and growing 34 online businesses (and flipping a fair few of them) to surviving seismic Google algorithm updates that threatened to shut it all down. Through every twist, he’s managed to reinvent, adapt, and find new ways to thrive, whether launching successful agencies, leveraging YouTube advertising when others were giving up, or even tackling the wild west of actual gold mining.

If you’re ready to get real about business growth, ready to adapt, and keen to dig for a few hidden gems, this episode’s for you.

Key Takeaways:

• Ben Jones reveals how he rebuilt after major business setbacks and why reinvention is a key to long-term success.
• The episode highlights the lesson that “traffic is king” regardless of the business type—online or offline.
• You’ll discover why putting all your eggs in one basket (one platform or tactic) is risky for growth.
• Ben shares his proven frameworks for leveraging YouTube ads and paid marketing to keep results coming, even when the rules suddenly shift.
• Insights into building teams and systems that let you step back without losing momentum—plus a glimpse into Ben’s surprising gold mining venture.

Ready to get started? Listen now.

Connect with Ben Jones:

Website:  https://titanmarketer.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben09/?originalSubdomain=au 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ben.jonesofficial/?hl=en

Connect with us. 👇

Evolve To Grow: https://m.mtrbio.com/evolve-to-grow 

You don't need a big city to build a big vision.

I sat down with Phil Robinson, founder of Back 9 Creative, who is proving just that from his home base in Invercargill.

His story is a masterclass in what happens when you decide to back yourself, no matter your zip code. He proves you can build something meaningful far from the city skyline.

We cut the fluff and get straight to the lessons.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why narrowing your offer delivers bigger results than being everything to everyone.
• How to make the tough calls on team changes and finances.
• The truth about remote hiring and using AI to stay sharp.
• Why every asset, especially your website, needs to work as hard as your best employee.

This is for every leader of a small or regional business who wants a real-world playbook. No buzzwords, just honest strategy that works.

Ready to get started? Listen now.

Listen to the full episode on The Growth Equation podcast.

Connect with Phil Robinson:

Website: https://www.Back9.co.nz/team/phil-robinson/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-robinson-189b5736/?originalSubdomain=nz 

Connect with us. 👇

Evolve To Grow: https://m.mtrbio.com/evolve-to-grow 

Justin Meadows built a 25-person remote team in the Philippines. He's the only non-Filipino on the roster.

How did he do it?

In this episode, he shares his exact playbook for building and managing a high-performing offshore team from the ground up.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

✅ The Hiring Blueprint: The step-by-step process to find, test, and onboard A-players.

✅ Attitude > Skill: How to screen for motivation and character, not just technical ability.

✅ Remote-First Culture: The systems that keep a remote team connected and performing at a high level.

✅ Leadership Lessons: How to manage across cultures and turn hiring missteps into growth.

✅ This episode is a practical roadmap for anyone looking to scale with an offshore team.

Connect with Justin Meadows:

Email: [email protected] 

Website: https://tunedwp.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-meadows 

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/justin.meadows/ 

Connect with us. 👇

Evolve To Grow: https://m.mtrbio.com/evolve-to-grow

On this episode of The Growth Equation, I sit down with Steve Jaenke from Digimark to talk about what it really takes to push past your comfort zone. His journey is a powerful one—he started in nursing before realizing his true passion was in building websites, which led him to found a successful SEO agency. But it wasn't easy. Steve gets real about the challenges, from battling low-cost freelancers to nearly losing his entire business just five years ago.

So how did he turn it around? Steve breaks down exactly how he rebuilt Digimark by creating a rock-solid foundation of clear expectations, robust training, and a culture of accountability. We get into the massive lessons he learned about leadership, the importance of dropping your ego, and the undeniable truth that your business can only grow as much as you do personally.

We also look at how AI is changing the game in digital marketing, and Steve offers practical advice and his must-read book recommendations for any business owner. If you want a real story of resilience and actionable wisdom for your own journey, you need to listen to this. You can connect with Steve directly at the links below.

Connect with Steve:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-jaenke/?originalSubdomain=au 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steve.jaenke/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/steve.jaenke/ 

Digimark: https://www.digimark.com.au/ 

Connect with us. 👇

Evolve To Grow: https://m.mtrbio.com/evolve-to-grow 

Ever heard a story that just stops you in your tracks? This is one of them.

I sat down with Dan Nikas of Elite Brands. His journey is anything but ordinary. Imagine spending 17 years in policing, over a decade as a homicide detective. Then, at just 36, you're medically retired. For many, that's the end of a chapter. For Dan, it was the start of a new one. He turned to digital marketing and discovered his greatest asset wasn't a new skill, but an old one: building trust and truly understanding people.

Dan gets real about launching his first e-commerce brand, Gearbunch.com, and the lessons learned. But what truly stands out is his core philosophy: "help first." It’s the bedrock of his agency, Elite Brands. We explore why he insists on testing every marketing strategy on his own dime, with his own brand, before a client ever sees it. His flat-fee model isn't a gimmick; it’s proof he’s committed to doing right by people.

This conversation is a masterclass on career pivots, the power of giving without expectation, and how genuine relationships are the real bottom line in any business.

Connect with Dan and learn more about Elite Brands. 👇

Website: elitebrands.org 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-nikas-10379665/?originalSubdomain=au 

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

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

Connect with us. 👇

Evolve To Grow: https://m.mtrbio.com/evolve-to-grow

Ready to ignite your entrepreneurial spark? This episode of The Growth Equation is a must-listen. I'm sitting down with Yvette Adams, founder of Creative Collective, who's been crushing it in marketing for 18 years. She started her business in 2007 from her living room, raising a young family, and built an agency that now spans the Sunshine Coast and Newcastle. Talk about dedication! 

Yvette gets real about what it takes to succeed. You'll hear how she tackled early challenges by smartly outsourcing tasks and how her genuine client care built a referral-driven powerhouse. Plus, she shares her strategy for embracing AI, even launching an AI Academy to keep her team ahead. This is crucial for staying relevant. Beyond business, Yvette reveals how she leverages profits for travel, property investments, and building a secure financial future. It's a powerful story of vision, values, and solid systems.

Key Takeaways:

• Smart Delegation: Outsource tasks you don't enjoy or excel at.
• Client-Centric Growth: Genuine care leads to lasting relationships and referrals.
• Embrace AI: Proactively integrate new tech to stay competitive.
• Holistic Success: Use business profits to build personal financial freedom.

Ready to transform your business? Don't miss this episode! Listen now and start building your own growth equation. 👇

Connect with Yvette:

Creative Collective: thecreativecollective.com.au 

Yvette on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yvetteadams/

Connect with us. 👇

Evolve To Grow: https://m.mtrbio.com/evolve-to-grow

Ever wondered how someone goes from graphic design dreams to building a successful branding agency? That's Steve Osborn's story, and it's packed with lessons every entrepreneur can relate to.

Steve didn't follow the typical path. What started as design aspirations turned into Identity Marketing when he realized he had a knack for helping businesses figure out who they really are. His journey from juggling two jobs to buying out a business partner? It's refreshingly honest.

We dive into his "three pillars" approach, nailing visuals, sharpening messaging, and delivering killer customer service. Steve's all about mastering the fundamentals before chasing fancy marketing tactics. He also shares the tough stuff: learning to say no to wrong-fit clients and why being picky actually helps your business grow.

Plus, we explore how AI is shaking up marketing, but Steve's clear—nothing beats real human connection. If you want practical tips and honest stories from someone who's been in the trenches, this episode delivers.

Connect with Steve:

Website: https://identitymarketing.com.au/about/steve-osborn/ 

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steve.osborn/

Connect with us. 👇

Evolve To Grow: https://m.mtrbio.com/evolve-to-grow