In this episode, Tom McGhie speaks with Renata Sguario, who left a 30–year corporate career to found MaxMe, a startup helping people build the human skills often missing from traditional education and workplaces. Renata shares her leap from executive life into entrepreneurship, the realities of being a first–time CEO, and why she is passionate about democratising soft skills training so everyone can thrive.

Episode Overview:

Renata reflects on her background in major corporates such as Accenture, British Airways, Telstra and NAB, and what ultimately pushed her to leave. Frustrated by cultures that sidelined people development, she decided to create a company that would put human potential at the centre.

 Now six years into running MaxMe, she explains the challenges of bootstrapping, the steep learning curve of sales and marketing, and how optimism and resilience kept her going. The conversation explores how MaxMe equips people with skills like communication, adaptability and emotional intelligence, and why these are fundamental to both personal success and organisational transformation.

Key Themes

Corporate to Startup: Renata grew tired of corporate environments where people’s leadership was undervalued. Moving from large firms to a tier–two company didn’t fix the problem, so she left to build MaxMe.

First–time CEO Realities: Bootstrapping meant investing her own funds and living with uncertainty. She had to learn fast, wear every hat, and stay optimistic despite constant setbacks.

Why MaxMe Exists: Many graduates use only a fraction of their technical training in the workplace, while employers struggle with staff lacking soft skills. MaxMe’s mission is to close that gap by building competence and confidence in everyone, not just those in elite programs.

How MaxMe Works: Learning is delivered in small, sustainable chunks embedded in daily work. Cohorts of around 30 participants build skills over time, with group learning emphasised because “humans are wired to be in packs”. Programs serve both large corporations like Deloitte and small businesses that pool staff together.

People and Culture Drive Success: Renata notes that most business transformations fail because leaders overlook the human element. Skills like trust, communication and collaboration determine whether change sticks. She shares examples from her career where focusing first on people delivered results faster than chasing KPIs.

Advice for New CEOs: She encourages leaders to stay curious, let go of what they “know”, and invest early in their people. When staff feel supported to grow and contribute, discretionary effort follows — and that drives the business forward.

This episode offers candid insights into leaving corporate life, starting a company from scratch, and why people and culture matter more than processes or balance sheets. Listeners will gain practical advice on leadership, transformation and the essential role of human skills in business success.

Join us as Alex Miller unpacks his journey from Adelaide to London and back to Australia, culminating in his role at Longreach Credit Investors. You'll learn about Longreach's strategic focus on Australian and New Zealand's middle market SMEs, their unique approach to bespoke senior secured loans, and the art of relationship-building that sets them apart. Alex shares the firm's sector-agnostic mandate, deep-dives into their lending strategies, and explains how each loan is meticulously crafted to meet the distinct needs of their clients.

In this episode, we also explore the proactive measures Longreach employs to support businesses under financial strain. We discuss the importance and value of having a team with insolvency and restructuring experience and why timely information from borrowers is crucial. Alex delves into the involvement of Longreach's investment committee in understanding business culture and key stakeholders. Additionally, we discuss the burgeoning Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA) community and how search funds align with Longreach's structuring capability.

What if there was a way to navigate the turbulent waters of debt financing with unparalleled speed and flexibility? Join us as we sit down with Michael Kurland, co-founder of Arrowpoint Capital, to uncover the secrets behind his journey from Investec to creating a formidable force in corporate debt lending. Alongside his partner Andrew McDonnell, Michael offers a fresh perspective on the crucial role that non-bank lenders play in today’s market as traditional banks are constrained by regulation. 

Michael shares invaluable lessons from managing complex business administrations and receiverships, shedding light on the importance of tough decision-making and close collaboration with management teams. We delve into the vast opportunities emerging from the impending generational wealth shift in Australia, driven by retiring baby boomers. This shift is poised to unlock myriad business ventures ripe for entrepreneurial groups with the right capital and support. As we look ahead, we’re eager for future discussions that promise to align interests and foster continued growth. Buckle up for an episode packed with practical wisdom and forward-thinking strategies!

Ever wondered how the financial landscape has shifted from the late '80s to today? Join us as we sit down with Paul Carman, the trailblazing founder of Private Capital Group in New Zealand, who takes us through his riveting journey from the heart of UK banking to the innovative world of private credit. Paul shares his firsthand experiences with NAB and Japanese banking groups, offering a rare glimpse into the leverage loan and private equity markets of the late '80s and '90s. Discover how a fund business he created within a Japanese bank evolved into a cutting-edge private credit operation, shaping the financial strategies pre-and post-global financial crisis.

Our discussion then shifts gears to Paul's ambitious venture in New Zealand, shedding light on the unique regulatory environment and market maturity that set NZ apart from its global counterparts. Paul eloquently explains the nuances of direct lending opportunities, the dynamics between the NZ and Australian markets, and the pivotal role of SMEs in this evolving landscape. Learn how innovative methodologies from search funds and private equity transactions are being tailored to catalyze growth in New Zealand’s nascent but promising private credit market.

We wrap up our conversation by diving into the complex world of business transactions, focusing on acquisitions and carve-outs. Paul emphasizes the crucial alignment needed between lenders, equity providers, and management teams, and the importance of clear communication and robust risk mitigation strategies. To cap it all off, Paul and Tom share their excitement for an upcoming event, expressing their eagerness to connect with everyone and enjoy a well-deserved beer. Don't miss this chance to gain valuable insights from one of the financial industry’s seasoned veterans.

The conversation provides a comprehensive look at Jacqui Colwell's experience in launching a new bank in Australia as the Chief Risk Officer. It explores her motivations for leaving a traditional banking role and starting a new venture with a focus on customer relations and SME banking. The talk delves into the complex challenges of regulatory compliance and licensing while emphasising the importance of team alignment and culture in risk management. Topics covered include:

Challenges in Founding a New Bank: - Regulatory hurdles and capital requirements specific to launching a new bank.

Pursuit of a Banking License: - Decision to proceed with a full banking license despite a changing regulatory landscape.

Regulatory Dynamics: - The weight of regulations that come with being categorised as a 'bank'.

Operational Challenges: - The systematic approach to tackling licensing requirements while preserving the vision for the bank.

Organisational Culture: - The importance of nurturing the right culture for risk management across the team.

Team Dynamics: - Team expansion and the necessity for alignment in vision and risk understanding.

Additional Insights from Jacqui Colwell: 
- What is the role of a Chief Risk Officer?
- Managing risks within set appetites.
- Innovations in decision-making and customer engagement at the new bank.
- Does making a wrong lending decision matter for a credit officer?
- What's the role of director's guarantees in lending?

In this episode, we delve into the world of “Bad Bank”, credit risk, and expert witness advisory with industry expert Geoff Green. With over 35 years of experience in finance, insolvency, credit risk, and credit advisory, Geoff brings a wealth of knowledge. He's spent years in insolvency, worked across various risk teams in major banks, and now runs his own consulting business Harborside Advisory. 

The episode unveils the intriguing concept of the "Bad Bank" and the variety of ways banks handle non-performing loans (aka, the part when things don’t go to plan). Geoff offers clarity on this topic, emphasising that being transferred to a Bad Bank doesn't necessarily spell disaster. Spoiler: It can also be a reflection of a bank's concern and efforts to find a tailored solution.

This conversation takes you on a journey through Geoff's remarkable career and provides insights into discovering what it means to be a Bad Bank Credit Executive, the nuances of presenting complex financial matters in simple terms, and the art of saying "no" when needed.

In this episode, Cindy Batchelor discusses transitioning from leading Australia's most prominent business banking division to launching her small business start-up, Spiritum Scrubs. Cindy's executive background includes executive leadership roles in banking, being the Executive General Manager of Nab Business, Australia's prominent business banking business for over four years and international experience in an Asian private bank, building and transferring leadership capabilities in the Asian banking sector.

Cindy's recent professional engagements include serving as the Deputy CEO of the Australian Red Cross and currently as the Chair of Auto and General Insurance, overseeing well-known brands like Budget Direct, iSelect and Compare the Market.

The core focus of the podcast is on Spiritum Scrubs, Cindy's innovative start-up venture. Spiritum Scrubs aims to address the needs of healthcare professionals, particularly women, by creating specialised medical scrubs. These scrubs prioritise breathability, functionality, and style. The start-up also includes a well-being component, Spiritum Well-Being, which offers guidance and support to healthcare professionals beyond attire.

Cindy emphasises the importance of leveraging strengths, partnerships, and networks when embarking on an entrepreneurial journey. She underscores the significance of maintaining a realistic but optimistic mindset and highlights the learning curve of starting a business.

Furthermore, Cindy sheds light on the values driving Spiritum Scrubs, including courage, integrity, connection, and sparkle. These values underpin the business's commitment to positively impacting and fostering personal growth within the healthcare community.

The podcast also explores the process of selecting an SME banking partner. Cindy shares insights into considerations CEOs and boards should consider, such as building solid relationships with banks and understanding delegation of authority frameworks.

Cindy's unique insight, from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship, is an inspiring example of pursuing passion and purpose. The discussion provides valuable insights for entrepreneurs and business leaders navigating the challenges and opportunities of working with banks in the business world.

During the start-up phase and being the CEO of Nura, several key points of reflection emerged. Here are the main takeaways:

1. The Genesis of Nura: The idea for Nura originated from a discussion among a group of music-loving engineers who marvelled at the technological advancements in music reproduction. They pondered the possibility of creating a sound system that could adapt to an individual's unique hearing capabilities, resulting in a perfect match between the sound system and the listener's hearing.

2. Transitioning Careers: The decision to pursue Nura as a start-up involved leaving comfortable corporate jobs and embracing the challenges of entrepreneurship. Despite the potential risks and financial uncertainties, the founders were driven by their passion for the concept and the belief that doing something they truly cared about could lead to success.

3. Passion and Success: The story of Pascal Rigo, a baker who pursued his passion and eventually achieved remarkable success, served as a reminder that doing what one truly enjoys can lead to personal fulfilment and even financial rewards. Following one's passion in a chosen profession can lead to higher levels of expertise and commitment, ultimately increasing the chances of success.

4. CEO Role and Learning Opportunities: Becoming the CEO of Nura was an exciting challenge and a valuable learning experience. As a first-time CEO, numerous aspects of running an organization were unfamiliar, especially coming from a larger corporate background. Setting up various functions, such as HR, governance, compliance, and finance, required a deep dive into understanding and implementing these essential components.

5. Complexity and Growth: The start-up journey presented numerous complexities, including dealing with operations in different countries, managing multiple currencies, supply chain logistics, and regulatory compliance. The rapid growth of Nura further amplified these complexities, highlighting the need for efficient processes and systems to support the expanding organization.

6. Need for Speed and Growth: In the venture capital world, emphasising growth and speed is vital for creating a successful start-up. The pressure to achieve significant growth and create a unicorn-like outcome is inherent in the VC model. The steeper the growth trajectory, the more favourable the outcome.

Overall, the reflections during Nura's start-up and CEO journey highlighted the importance of pursuing one's passion, embracing learning opportunities, dealing with complexities, and navigating the growth-oriented nature of the venture capital landscape.

A podcast for Searchers and the EtA community to demystify being a CEO with Australian debt requirements.

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