Institute of Excellence (Despina Karatzias)

• Despina runs a leadership training business based in Melbourne called Institute of Excellence.
• Despina is working with various tourism operators in Victoria and is advising and guiding business owners.  Her messages include running business audits and educating yourself on what SEO means, thinking about how you communicate with your customers, and many other worthwhile activities.
• People that rise to the top out of this pandemic: business owners, leaders, and teams that care about their staff and will do anything they can to keep them.  Finding ways to pivot and continue to support people and the community.
• An emotional milestone: “This is enough!… this is no longer congruent with my values.”  Then create a strategy to move forward.
• Tools for emotional intelligence: Seeking mentors and/or coaches, self awareness (understand where gaps are), having the right people around you, have a daily ritual.
• Don’t just sit there and whinge, take action!
• The worst thing that can happen to your business if you don’t market yourself right now is NOTHING.  Nothing will happen for you.

Links:

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/despinakaratzias/

• https://www.instituteofexcellence.com/
• #BeExcellent
• https://www.facebook.com/BeExcellentHQ/
• https://twitter.com/desikaratzias
• https://www.instagram.com/BeExcellentHQ/
• https://www.linkedin.com/company/instituteofexcellence/

It's late September 2020 and the government has rolled out new eligibility criteria for businesses accessing JobKeeper.

This information is general in nature and it is recommended that you seek professional financial advice for your own circumstances.

• Max - https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxine-parker-071343143/
• Judy - https://www.linkedin.com/in/judy-o-connor-1b60a2129/
• https://accessabilityaustralia.com/
• Access Keys was conceptualised and developed by Judy and Max as a resource and valuable tool for access, and sensory advice for various venues and events.
• Cooper IP - https://cooperip.com/
• As co-founders, using boundaries and sharing the same core values helps achieving the same goals.
• Learnings as business owners: be authentic, clear, and concise with how you operate.
• Spent 12-18 months on developing their business before launching

• Jason - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason0078/
• Jordan - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordanyim/
• https://inhaabit.com/
• Augmented reality is a technology that allows someone to visualise what an object would look like within the same space using a mobile device like a smartphone or tablet.
• Inhaabit’s niche is producing hyper-realistic AR imagery
• Suzanne Harward AR App - https://inhaabit.com/say-yes-to-the-dress-with-augmented-reality/
• Learnings: When working with family, test out the waters, ensure that your routines don’t clash.

Amit (SAPTax)

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/amit-aggarwal/
• http://saptax.com.au/
• From a corporate background, Amit using his CPA qualifications and experience to help startup founders in all phases of their business.
• Danielle and Amit discusses the impacts of COVID-19 for startups and other businesses.
• Discussions around government stimulus packages through COVID-19, and compliance.
• What is your cash flow focus?

Giving Socks a Second Life - Michael Elias (Manrags)

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-elias-22822312/
• https://manrags.com.au/

Show notes:

• Developed a return and recycle program, one of the most successful in Australia
• Initially launched subscription brand for premium quality socks
• Realised that there was no sock recycling program, and launched the first one in the world.
• Textile waste in Australia is very big
• Created a program where consumers can leave their unwanted clothes/socks at their front door to be picked up by Manrags and then put into the recycling process
• Working with other organisations to access Manrags warehouses and take fit-for-wear clothes for those in need
• Part of The Circular Advantage group: http://www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianoutlook/the-circular-advantage-from-denmark-to-australia/
• Expressions of interest: https://www.birchal.com/
• Advice for startups: Just get started.

No Cure For Hearing Loss - Laurent Dapremont (Cotral)

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurentdapremont/
• https://www.cotral.com.au/

Show notes:

• In the business of protecting the health of employees (hearing protection and hygiene)
• Above 85dB is the point where hearing protection is recommended
• The problem with noise is when it’s painful, it’s too late.  Consequences of hearing loss, and unfortunately no medication or cure after the fact.
• Ear muffs vs disposable ear plugs.  Problem with the ear plugs is the thinking of one size fits all.
• Cotral produces hearing protection devices that are customised for each person, for each of their ears using 3D scanning.  The result is a perfect fit, thanks to the moulded, customised product.
• Observation that Australian businesses don’t value ear protection as European businesses
• Favourite quote: “It always seems impossible until it is done - Nelson Mandela”

Waste to Energy - Damien Bassett (Delorean Energy)

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/dbas/
• http://www.deloreanenergy.com.au/
• [email protected] 

Show notes:

• Business formed 7 years ago
• Convert food waste into electricity and gas (working on a project with one of the largest anaerobic facilities in the Southern Hemisphere)
• Brought the technology into Australia and developing it in-house, producing local jobs
• Main challenges around the regulatory framework and approval process with the government.  Investments can be financial, as well as support frameworks.
• Engagement with the industry will provide an opportunity to educate various bodies that can benefit from the technology

We chat with Rod Ponce de Leon, co-founder of Kulroom

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodolfo-ponce-de-leon-65145a15/
• https://www.kulroom.com/index.html
• Kulroom was developed 5 years ago to solve the distribution problems for microbreweries and other beverage production businesses
• Rod has created an end-to-end and automated dispensing platform for various beverage products
• Learnings: define the scope of a project thoroughly, find investors in the early stage of business rather than using own money.
• Current stage: product ready for sale (certifications in place), just-in-time production
• Problem Kulroom solves simple setup and automated delivery with new generation machines for new bars/restaurants who struggle with initial costs to setup beer fonts