The Growth Equation

Want a business that aligns with your values? Listen up. 

I sat down with Brian Meert, founder of AdvertiseMint, on The Growth Equation. We explored what it really takes to run a thriving business, especially in the ever-evolving marketing world.

Brian shares his journey from entertainment marketing to launching his own agency, even landing his former boss as his first client! His passion for marketing keeps him energized through constant industry shifts.

We dive into leading teams, navigating setbacks like COVID-19, and making tough decisions. Brian credits mentorship during his MBA for realizing his potential. He emphasizes hard work, delayed gratification, and long-term goals. That's golden. 💰

We also discuss AI, automation, and the shifting digital marketing landscape, including platforms like TikTok.

If you're looking to grow your business without losing sight of what truly matters, this conversation is essential.

Website: https://www.advertisemint.com/

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

AdvertiseMint on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/advertisemint

AdvertiseMint on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/advertisemint/

AdvertiseMint on Twitter (now X): https://twitter.com/advertisemint (though the search result for Brian's Twitter links directly to his personal, which is also: https://twitter.com/brianmeert)

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

Sitting down with Rhys Southern for The Growth Equation was eye-opening. His story? It's the honest truth of building a business—the highs, the lows, the relatable journey we all face.

Rhys started with Facebook ads for real estate but quickly saw the real need: local businesses needed to be found on Google. He made the leap into SEO, helping plumbers, landscapers, and accountants get noticed online.

His genius move? Registering his business in both Australia and the Netherlands. This wasn't just paperwork; it unlocked global possibilities and fueled his team training for international growth. His European presence has paid off big time, even with an English-speaking team.

We also discussed AI in marketing. Rhys uses it for planning but stressed that the human touch is critical for content that truly resonates.

• Website: https://rhyssouthern.com/, https://tophillmarketing.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TopHillMarketing 
• LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/rhyssouthern
• Instagram: @rhyssouthern, @tophillmarketing

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

You've got to hear my conversation with Tracie Parisi, the force behind Student Convert. She's cracked the code on how educators attract and convert inquiries into enrollments. Tracie's entrepreneurial path — from property to indoor play, now leading marketing innovation — is genuinely captivating.

We explored the cutting edge: how systems, automation, and AI are completely disrupting education marketing. Imagine tools like voice replication and AI agents making lead generation incredibly efficient. This is the new standard, and you need to know about it.

Tracie opened up about the tough stuff, too. We discussed the critical importance of clear agreements, safeguarding your intellectual property, and building a strong foundation with mentorship and community. These are lessons every entrepreneur needs.

She also highlighted the constant demands of leadership and maintaining emotional resilience. Her advice on managing your mindset and practicing self-care—especially for women balancing their journey—is both practical and deeply inspiring.

For anyone looking to future-proof their education business with innovative marketing and a strong mindset, this episode delivers. It's full of direct, actionable insights.

Connect with Tracie & Get Started:

• Website: https://studentconvert.com.au/ 
• LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/tracieparisi 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tracie_parisi/ 

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

In this episode, I’m joined by Emily Fitton from Punch Buggy, and her story is one every entrepreneur can relate to. Emily walks us through the early days—late nights, small wins, and the leap from freelancing to running a full-fledged agency with her husband, Ryan. We talk candidly about the realities of scaling a team, managing stress, and why sometimes less really is more when it comes to business growth.

Emily shares how the Punch Buggy team weathered the storm during COVID-19, adapted to remote work, and found their sweet spot by focusing on Shopify. She also gives us a peek into the future of digital development, where AI is changing the rules and developers are shifting from coding to strategy.

Whether you’re on a journey to expand your business or just want to hear an honest founder’s perspective, this episode is packed with useful takeaways.

Follow Emily and Punch Buggy at:

Linkedin: https://au.linkedin.com/in/ecagriffiths

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

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @punchbuggyda

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

In this episode of The Growth Equation, I have a great chat with Andrew "Doza" Handosa, the founder of Geronimo Academy. Doza walks us through his incredible journey of building multiple F45 studios into seven-figure businesses, then shifting his focus to coaching other studio owners to achieve similar success.

We also dive into how he adapted during the pandemic by offering virtual workouts and renting out equipment, two moves that helped him stay connected with clients while keeping his business afloat. On top of that, Doza shares how he managed to skyrocket his free trial conversions from 20-30% all the way up to 80%. The key? Making the customer journey more engaging and building deeper connections with potential clients.

One of the gems Doza offers is his “Separation Sunday” tool, a simple yet powerful method to help you plan your week and find balance across work, wealth, personal life, and relationships. Throughout our conversation, Doza drives home the importance of valuing your time, learning and mastering key skills before you delegate, and always looking at challenges as opportunities to grow. Whether you run a studio, a small business, or are just starting out, this episode is packed with actionable tips and no-nonsense advice that you can apply right away.

Connect with Andrew "Doza" Handosa:

Website: https://thegeronimoacademy.com 

Instagram: @thegeronimoacademy and @hey.doza 

LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/andrewhandosa

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

In this episode of The Growth Equation, I sit down with Sean Chaudhary, founder of Alchemy Leads, to talk about scaling a remote-first digital agency and leading with trust. From a solo start to a 35-person global team, Sean shares how he’s built a results-driven culture without micromanagement—and how integrating AI, cold outreach, and authentic branding has helped him stay ahead.

Whether you’re growing your team, refining your leadership style, or looking for fresh ways to generate leads, this episode is packed with practical insights you can apply right away.

Episode Highlights:

• How Sean scaled from a solo consultant to a 35-person remote agency
• Why trust and outcomes matter more than hours on the clock
• The role of AI in daily operations and staying competitive
• Lead gen strategies using cold emails, personalised video, and automation
• The impact of authentic personal branding on attracting ideal clients

Listen now and discover tools, resources, and real-world examples you can implement today.

Connect with Sean Chaudhary:

• LinkedIn: Sean Chaudhary
• Website: Alchemy Leads

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

Running a business isn't always smooth sailing—it comes with surprises, challenges, and valuable lessons. In this episode of The Growth Equation, I sit down with Matt Hodgson, founder of Bring Digital Performance, to dive into his entrepreneurial journey and the insights he’s gained along the way.

Matt has been working in SEO since before Google existed, and today, his business specializes in digital performance, helping clients with SEO and paid search strategies. We explore his path from leaving a role at Similar Web to identifying a gap in the market and launching his own company, focusing on transparency and integrity in the industry.

Matt shares how he approached team growth, the unexpected hurdles—including financial setbacks—and the crucial role of invoicing and payment management. We also discuss how AI is reshaping business strategy, where its real advantages lie, and why Bring Digital Performance chooses not to use AI for content generation.

Beyond business strategy, Matt opens up about work-life balance, productivity struggles, and the mindset shifts that have helped him maintain his focus. His advice for entrepreneurs? Be transparent, focus on what you can control, and keep moving forward.

Tune in to hear his story and get practical takeaways for building a resilient business.

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

In this episode, I had the real pleasure of speaking with Matt Jones from Tradie Web Guys. Matt’s journey is a cracking example of what happens when hands-on experience meets digital innovation. Starting out as a plumber, Matt transitioned into the world of marketing and tech, ultimately building a successful agency dedicated to helping trades-based businesses grow and thrive online.

We unpacked his path from the job site to the digital space, exploring the pivotal moment when he realised his passion for marketing and how it could transform the trade industry. Matt shared some brilliant insights on using AI and automation to streamline marketing efforts as an absolute game-changer for time-poor business owners.

We also chatted about the power of podcasting for building authority and trust, and how creating value-rich content can deepen your connection with your audience. Another big theme we covered was building and managing remote teams. Matt offered down-to-earth advice on communication, delegation, and maintaining a strong culture, even when your team’s spread out across the map.

This conversation is full of practical strategies for tradies (or any business owner, really) looking to make the shift from working in the business to leading it strategically. Matt also shared his go-to tools and resources, and how he’s cultivated a supportive, engaged community around his brand.

If you're a tradie looking to scale, or an entrepreneur wanting to better understand digital marketing and team leadership, this episode is packed with gold.

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

What does it really take to evolve from a generalist design studio into a razor-sharp brand consultancy? In this engaging episode, John Reid, the founder of Love Hate Design, unpacks the lessons learned from 18 years in the industry.

We unpack the foundational principles that drive his work, starting with the power of a clear brand message. For John, it’s not just about attracting the right clients; it’s about creating a lens for every business decision. He dives into the importance of truly understanding client needs, maintaining open communication, and, when necessary, having the integrity to walk away from misaligned partnerships.

Our conversation also touches on the challenges of leading a remote team. John offers practical strategies for maintaining clarity and momentum using tools like Zoom and visual frameworks. We also discuss a critical yet often overlooked topic: financial resilience. John explains how building a cash buffer can help business owners weather the inevitable ups and downs.

At its heart, this episode is about alignment—between your brand, your clients, your team, and yourself. John’s honest reflections are a reminder that growth isn’t just about doing more—it’s about doing what’s right.

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

In this engaging conversation on The Growth Equation, I had the pleasure of speaking with Dave Levett, the driving force behind Murmur, a thriving media and marketing agency right here in Australia. Dave shared the interesting story behind Murmur's name, inspired by a moment of reflection during a trip to Croatia. We delved into his career path, which took him from the bustling media scene in London with Sky UK to the leap of faith in starting his own consultancy that ultimately blossomed into Murmur.

Dave recounted Murmur's impressive journey, highlighting their evolution from a strategic focus to embracing performance marketing and now adopting a comprehensive full-funnel approach for their clients. He proudly spoke about the recognition they've received for their data-centric work. A key theme that emerged was Murmur's strong emphasis on fostering a collaborative team environment and the critical importance of continuous learning and staying agile, especially when facing unexpected challenges like the recent pandemic. We also explored Dave's perspective on truly measuring marketing success, with a particular focus on the power of marketing mix modeling to gain a holistic understanding, and his cautious view on over-relying on metrics like ROAS in isolation. Towards the end of our chat, we touched on the ever-present challenge of maintaining a healthy work-life balance, particularly the desire to be more present at home with young children, a sentiment I'm sure many entrepreneurs can relate to. We wrapped up by discussing the role of AI, the necessity of staying curious, and the value of decisive action in the business world – sometimes, making a decision, even if imperfect, is far better than staying stagnant.

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