Helen Baker is the visionary founder of Xolvit, a groundbreaking crowdsourcing app designed to foster student innovation by helping companies tackle pressing social issues. Xolvit's mission is to bridge the gap between socially responsible organisations and the next generation of the workforce.

In our conversation, we delved into Helen's inspiring journey, from her upbringing with her adoptive parents in rural Australia to her personal experiences with racism. We explored her impressive corporate career, the challenges she aims to address with Xolvit, and the meaningful work her company is doing. Helen also shared her insights on how businesses should approach employment and diversity, her exciting plans for the future, and much more.

To learn more about their Xolvit, check out their website here: https://www.xolvit.io/

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Matt Jones is a creative strategist and entrepreneur who co-founded Four Pillars Gin in 2013, transforming it into a multi-award-winning global brand.

We had a fascinating conversation about his early career in politics and brand strategy before venturing into the gin business, how he made Four Pillars stand out in a fiercely competitive market, the essence of building a great brand, how they got it so right at Four Pillars, his new book, and what’s next on the horizon. Don’t miss this one if you’re looking to leverage your brand to its fullest potential.

Purchase Matt's new book Lessons from Gin: Business the Four Pillars Way here: https://www.amazon.com.au/Lessons-Gin-Business-Four-Pillars/dp/1394268378

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Liquid & Larder is the brainchild of two lifelong mates who’ve turned their passion for hospitality into one of Sydney’s most celebrated groups. With four standout venues—Bistecca, The Gidley, The Rover, and Alfie’s—Warren and Jimmy have created something special. Warren leads the charge on quality and culture, while Jimmy drives growth as CFO, and together, they’ve built a reputation for execution that matches their authenticity. From The Gidley Burger being crowned the best in Australia and 9th globally, to their steakhouse ranked 24th in the world, these guys have proven they don’t just dream big—they deliver. We unpack their story, their friendship that started in high school, how they’re shaking up Sydney’s dining scene and what's next.

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Many people driving with Uber or delivering with Uber Eats have innovative business ideas they’re eager to launch or grow. In recognition of this entrepreneurial spirit, Uber partnered with Inspiring Rare Birds to develop the Business Booster Program, designed to help those earning with Uber or Uber Eats achieve their business goals.

The 2024 program saw over 4,500 applicants, and I was lucky enough to sit down with three remarkable participants to discuss their experiences with Uber or Uber Eats and how the Business Booster Program has supported their journeys to date. 

Nicholas Brbot (Cat Harness), Simon Pemberton (Workr.co), and Suraya O’Brien (Flow Rider).

Our conversations delved into their journeys, small business development, as well as the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship.

For more information on Uber's Business Booster program with Rare Birds click here: https://www.uber.com/au/en/u/business-booster/

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What makes many of Australia’s most iconic brands stand out is their exceptional branding.

The creative process of branding demands relentless effort, strategic vision, and brilliant minds.

Hans Hulsbosch is a name synonymous with branding in this country. A renowned designer and branding expert, Hans has been at the helm of projects for some of Australia’s biggest names—Qantas, Woolworths, and Virgin Australia—turning their brand strategies into benchmarks for the industry. As the founder of Hulsbosch Design, he’s been instrumental in shaping the way Australians experience these household names.His son, Jaid Hulsbosch, with over 20 years of global experience, joined the family agency after working in businesses around Europe. Now as Director, Jaid oversees strategy, business development, and culture, driving Hulsbosch’s continued success and creative edge.

Together, this father-son duo has propelled Hulsbosch into Australia’s gold standard of branding. Their portfolio includes standout work for organisations like Tennis Australia, Liquorland, Football Australia, Rebel, SBS World, Channel 7, Taronga Zoo, and QMS—just to name a few. Tune in as Hans shares how he crafted the messages of these iconic brands, dives into the creative process behind them, explores the unique father-son dynamic at Hulsbosch Designs, Jaid reveals what the best brands get right, and much more.

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Mia McLeod is a seasoned digital leader, known for her strategic insight, creativity, and global marketing expertise. With 20 years in the industry, she has excelled in audience engagement, social media, content creation, and digital advertising, holding pivotal roles at top companies like Walt Disney, Sony Music, and Universal Music. Now, she leads Digital Collective Co, where she leads a team in crafting high-impact marketing campaigns that connect with clients and consumers.

In this episode Mia dives into the early days of digital marketing, the crucial role of content and how Mia’s career trajectory shaped her expertise. Discover the significance of networking, personal branding, and building a digital agency that drives business growth. 

Check out Digital Collective Co's website here:https://www.digital-collective.co/

Check out Mia's course here: https://beyondthegrid.teachable.com/p/make-money-with-social-course

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Charlie Puchala is not your typical entrepreneur. Her journey, spanning from interior design and construction to property development, reflects a relentless commitment to sustainability, craftsmanship, and redefining industry standards. After immigrating from Poland, Charlie turned early challenges into opportunities, establishing herself as a powerhouse with ventures like Puch Constructions, Charlies Interiors, and Za Collective. Her debut book, Sex, Control, Money, set to release later this year, offers insights on success, personal growth, and the mindset shifts that fuelled her diverse career. Enjoy!

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If you know me, you know I'm a proud Greek Australian. My pride runs deep, shaped by my dad, who left Greece to build a better life here in Australia. The immigrant mentality he passed on has stayed with me and resonates with many Greeks and others whose families immigrated to Australia. And this is one of the things I value most about Australia, how we celebrate and embrace our multicultural roots, which is what this week's episode of The Mentor is all about.

I had the pleasure of sitting down with Yannis Mallikourtis, the Consul General of Greece in Sydney. We shared our Greek backgrounds, discussed his role and life in public service, the challenges Greek Australians face, the importance of preserving the Greek culture and language, why so many first-generation arrivals find success here and much more.

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In this episode of the Mentor, Mark Bouris sits down with Matteo Franceschetti and Alex Zatarain, the co-founders of Eight Sleep, to discuss their journey in revolutionising sleep technology.

They delve into their personal backgrounds, previous careers, and how they joined forces to launch Eight Sleep.From the early challenges of building their first prototype and navigating manufacturing in China, to creating a product that tracks sleep stages and regulates temperature, Alex and Matteo highlight the crucial role sleep plays in health and longevity. They also talk about the importance of customer feedback, their plans for continued innovation in the sleep fitness industry, and how they now work with some of the world’s top entrepreneurs, scientists and athletes.

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Con and Kerrie Dedes, a dynamic husband-and-wife team, have built their celebrated brands around core values of excellent food, outstanding service, and unforgettable experiences. The Dedes Waterfront Group, which operates seven iconic venues across Sydney’s waterfronts, is renowned for catering to everything from casual outings to high-end fine dining. With over 30 years of experience in hospitality, Con Dedes draws deep inspiration from his Greek heritage.

In this episode, we dive into Con's upbringing, his passion for hospitality passed down from his father, how he met Kerrie, and the pivotal moments that shaped their journey. We also explore the challenges of the hospitality industry, how the couple successfully run their business together, what makes a venue truly great, and what’s next for them.

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