Antony Crowther is a 'street fighter' who built New York Minute, a burger franchise with 30 locations, that is now down to six. And guess what? He couldn’t be happier! Strap in for an inspiring story of business resilience, adaption and reinvention. And some very actionable business and marketing tips along the way.

In this high-energy episode of The Small Business Big Marketing Podcast, I sit down with Antony Crowther—founder of New York Minute, the burger franchise that went from 30 locations to just 6… and Ant couldn’t be happier. What looks like a setback is actually a masterclass in resilience, reinvention, and smarter marketing. From Collingwood flats to Noosa’s main drag, Ant’s street-fighter journey is packed with gold for any small business owner ready to punch above their weight.

We kick off with Ant’s daily ritual: purpose before chaos. Every morning, he sets one clear goal—today’s sense of achievement—before the universe (or staff, weather, or UberEats) throws punches. This keeps him solution-focused, not reactive. Then comes the real secret: he’s the quietest guy in the room. Ant surrounds himself with mentors like Vanessa Lontos (who taught him to understand women in business) and Mick McGonaght (the ultimate people manager). His rule? If you think you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room.

Staff are the heartbeat of New York Minute. At its peak, Ant employed 125 people across 30 stores. Today, with 30 staff in Noosa alone, he’s obsessive about culture. His mantra: every role is equally vital—the host, the chip fryer, the cleaner. “If we serve dog shit from the kitchen, no amount of charm out front saves us,” he says. He teaches standards, not hierarchy. Result? Industry-leading retention in the world’s highest-turnover sector. One standout story: a 15-year-old kid named John started flipping burgers… now, at 24, he owns the biggest New York Minute store opposite the MCG.

Franchising is where Ant disrupts. Most burger franchises demand six-figure buy-ins. Ant’s model? Low-entry, high-support. He’s vocal about fixing a broken system that lines franchisor pockets while partners struggle. His fix: harmony—everyone wins together. When UberEats kneecapped margins and COVID locked Melbourne down for two years, Ant didn’t sink. He pivoted to virtual kitchens, merging New York Minute into other restaurants’ setups. Zero rent, zero risk, brand still alive in 30 kitchens. Lesson: adapt fast, control what you can.

Marketing? Ant’s been burned by “impressions-only” agencies. Now, he demands accountability: “If I can’t measure it, I can’t manage it.” His breakthrough came from ex-BRACS marketing guru Jesse Martin, who hand-delivered 5,000 fake $10 notes with menus in a 1km radius. Result? 2,500 redemptions—overnight transformation. Today, Ant blends old-school hustle with digital precision: events, cricket captain partnerships, late-night bar vibes till midnight when every other joint shuts at 8pm.

Noosa was the ultimate test. Ant opened on a Thursday and took $640 after 12 hours. Most would panic. He trusted process: unique product, killer experience, late-night edge. Two months without a paycheck, reinvesting every dollar. Now? New York Minute Noosa is a junction cornerstone—proof that process beats outcome obsession.

Ant’s final dream? Sell the burger franchise and launch into health & wellness—while staying in Noosa, flip-flops and all. This episode is a street fight you’ll want to replay. Grab a burger, take notes, and punch harder tomorrow.

Key Learnings

• Set daily purpose — One clear goal each morning keeps you proactive, not reactive.
• Be the quietest in the room — Seek mentors who’ve stepped on the landmines you haven’t.
• Every role = equal value — Chip fryer = host. Teach standards, not status.
• Low-entry franchising — Disrupt with accessibility; support > extraction.
• Pivot without ego — Virtual kitchens saved the brand when greenfield sites collapsed.
• Marketing ROI or bust — Measure every dollar. Hand-delivered menus > vanity metrics.
• Trust process, not till rolls — Experience first, revenue follows.
• Consistency breeds loyalty — Black logo in a red/yellow world? Brave wins.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Setting the Stage
01:52 The Street Fighter Mentality in Business
03:57 Daily Purpose and Achievements
05:51 The Importance of Mentorship
08:53 Building a Team and Company Culture
11:53 Understanding Roles and Value in the Workplace
14:54 Creating a Strong Company Culture
17:49 The Journey from Danny's Burgers to New York Minute
28:18 The Power of Naming and Branding
30:04 Identifying Core Business Identity
32:50 Scaling Through Challenges
38:03 Nimbleness in Business Adaptation
42:12 Lessons from COVID-19
47:14 Entering the Noosa Market
51:51 Marketing Strategies for Success

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/marketingpodcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Keen to turn your precious customers in to customers for life? In this solo episode of Small Business Big Marketing, I turn my week of errands into a marketing masterclass. I’ve just had a haircut, visited the shrink, and—clumsy me—snapped two pairs of prescription glasses. While ticking off my to-do list, I couldn’t switch off my marketing brain. So I’m sharing the good, the bad, and the brilliant customer moments I experienced, all to help you build your beautiful business in to the empire it deserves. 

The star of the week?  

My local Mitre 10, five minutes from home. I accidentally broke a leg off Sarah’s painting easel and walked in hoping only to buy glue. The team greeted me like I’d just stepped into a Japanese restaurant—big smiles, instant help. They checked the break, said glue would work, then spotted only a giant bottle on the shelf. I shrugged, said I’d take it, and asked them to hold the wood while I shopped. When I returned to pay, the leg was fixed—glued, nailed, clamped, perfect. No charge. “All part of the service, mate.” I left with a repaired easel, I gave them a Google review, and a new lifelong habit: this is my hardware store. The formula? High perceived value at low cost to me. A mechanic could wash wheels after a service. An electrician could swap a lightbulb for free. Tiny moves, massive loyalty.

Next, I dive into customer emotions—the heartbeat of every great ad brief. I ask myself: How does my customer feel right now? Accountants meet confused clients drowning in tax forms. Travel agents greet excited holiday planners. Leak detectors calm worried homeowners. Baristas serve stressed, rushed caffeine addicts. I name the feeling, speak to it in headlines and scripts, and watch connection explode. My advice? Ask your customers directly. Let their answers shape your messaging, service, and even who you hire.

Then there’s problem-solving. I shattered two pairs of glasses in one week—hello, panic. My optometrist quoted a flat two weeks, zero empathy. I suggested buying a new frame and popping in the old lenses. Boom—$209 later, I walked out seeing clearly. The lesson? Challenge “that’s how it’s always done.” I give my team permission to think laterally, like a Formula One pit crew. I love “killer questions”: What would [insert your problem-solving hero] do? (Check episode 75 with HP’s Phil McKinney on Killer Questions for more.)

Finally, I need your help. My favourite barber serves great cuts, free beer, and lively chat—but the queue is brutal. I walk in, see 10 blokes waiting, and half the time I walk out. No bookings, no numbers—the owner says people vanish if he tries. I say: look through your customer’s eyes. Acknowledge the wait. Serve the person in front of you, not the line.

Hit the hotline (0480 015 150) or the Facebook Tribe and tell me your fix. That’s my week in marketing lessons. If you love this raw, real-life format, let me know—call, text, or jump into the Tribe. And please subscribe and share; every listen helps us both build something beautiful.

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/marketingpodcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

G’day, I’m your host Timbo Reid, and welcome to the 16 year-old  award-winning Small Business Big Marketing Podcast. 

I’m guessing you’re a motivated business owner keen to grow that beautiful business of yours into the empire it absolutely deserves to be.

Well, you’ve come to the right place.

I’ve been in marketing all my working life (that’s a long time!), cutting my teeth in Australia's largest ad agency, to being a Marketing Manager in big corporates, to speaking at business conferences in 12 countries, to helping not-for-profits, well, make a profit!

And I get how frustrating, and often complicated, marketing can be.

Through it all, I’ve realised that the marketing disciplines used to build big brands apply just as equally to small businesses. So, 16 years and over 700 episodes ago, I set out to teach David how to compete with Goliath.

I love sharing the knowledge and chatting with founders, all in the spirit of  motivating you to be your best. And that’s what the Small Business Big Marketing Podcast is all about.

Episodes chock-full of marketing G O L D.

You’ll hear from successful business owners from around the world on how to implement proven and practical marketing tips & tricks to attract more of the right customers, more often to grow your business. 

This is the award winning Small Business Big Marketing Podcast with me, Timbo Reid.

Listen for free on your favourite podcast app. Or find out more at SBBM.com

For now, and always, may your marketing be the best marketing … bye for now.

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/marketingpodcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hey motivated business owner, Timbo here. I trust your business is thriving, as are you. I haven't been. It's been almost two years since we last spoke, so I thought I owed it to you to let you know what's been going on, and what's about to go on. So here's a little message from yours truly.

Key points if you can't be bothered listening:

• I've been battling some mental health demons - anxiety, depression, loss of confidence
• I became frustrated with the lack of ROI I was getting from my podcast, conference speaking, my membership offering over at Patreon
• Podcast sponsorship became super competitive to the point of it almost being commodity pricing
• If you're a small business owner doing it tough, please reach out to someone for support ...Now!
• If you know a small business owner, and we all do, then let them know what a great job they're doing - leave them a review, send them a gift, refer people to them
• What's next for me?
  • More podcasting
  • The occasional episode of The Small Business Big Marketing Show
  • A new podcast called What a Stranger Told Me & here's it's YouTube
  • Plus I'm working on a couple of other podcasts I hope to launch in the coming months
  • I'm also available for emcee conference work
• If you'd like to get in touch:
  • Leave me a message - 0480 015 150
  • Email me
  • Join other motivated business owners and me on the Small Business Big Marketing Facebook Tribe

As always, thank-you for your support. May your marketing be the best marketing.

Timbo.

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/marketingpodcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Discover the bold and boundary-pushing marketing tactics in episode 663 of the award-winning Small Business Big Marketing podcast. Our guest, renowned for his creative strategies, has done everything from promoting his business via aeroplane PA systems to swimming products out to kayakers. This episode is a testament to the power and potential of unconventional marketing, offering unique insights and inspiration for businesses looking to make an impactful statement. Dive into the world of innovative marketing with us and learn how thinking outside the box can lead to extraordinary success.

A little more about unconventional marketer and Forij founder Parker Olson...

Welcome to today's episode featuring a truly unique figure in the world of business, Parker Olson. He's not just any entrepreneur; he's a cereal entrepreneur with a deep-seated passion for unconventional marketing tactics. And when I say cereal, I'm talking literally – he's the innovative mind behind Forij, a thriving granola brand.

Parker's journey in mastering unconventional marketing tactics is nothing short of remarkable. From handing out product samples to kayakers mid-swim to commandeering the cabin crew's microphone on flights, his methods are as unconventional as they are effective. He even embarked on a cross-country adventure in a Forij-branded Mazda van, making stops across the United States to engage with buyers directly – all epitomising the essence of cost-effective, high-impact marketing.

In our conversation, we delve deep into the realm of these unconventional marketing tactics. We'll explore the creative process behind Parker's innovative ideas, how he assesses the return on investment of such unique strategies, and why he believes in the power of simple tools like a $10 whiteboard to drive massive marketing success.

And there's more – for an exclusive glimpse into our intriguing discussion, check out a captivating video snippet over at Patreon.com/MarketingPodcast.

So, without further ado, let's dive into the world of unconventional marketing tactics with the master himself, Parker Olson.

 

Businesses that make this podcast possible

StudioHawk - No generalists, just a damn good SEO agency (award-winning actually!).

 

Patreon - Join Timbo's Business Owner Membership and take control of your marketing.

 

Book Tim Reid - Keynote or conference emceeing.

 

As always, thanks for your support. May your marketing be the best marketing.

 

Timbo Reid

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/marketingpodcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Explore the booming hot chilli sauce market with Renae Bunster, a leader in Australia's hot sauce scene. In episode 662 of the award-winning Small Business Big Marketing podcast, Renae updates us on her expanding empire, including her new Tequila and pre-mixed cocktail lines. Get ready for a fiery discussion!

A little more about Bunster's Worldwide founder Renae Bunster ...

During a holiday through central America in 2011, Aussie journalist Renae Bunster fell in love with the delicious fresh hot sauces from the region.

Upon returning home she couldn’t find anything that came even close, so like all good entrepreneurs, she began making her own, calling it Shit The Bed!  Friends who'd never even liked chilli before were suddenly kicking down her door, and it quickly turned into a thriving business with orders coming in from all over Australia.

In fact, when I first interviewed Renae in episode 401, she was already selling $8,000 worth a day, and was the number one selling hot sauce on Amazon Australia ahead of the giant Sriracha! Realising she was on to something, she sent a load over to the US and Shit The Bed quickly became number one on Amazon USA!

Today, the Bunster hot sauce empire is thriving with new flavours added, supported by a huge national distribution including Woolworths, plus Renae has extended the brand into pre-mixed cocktails and a dedicated Tequila brand with flavours including Peanut Butter and Fruit Tingle!

So sit back as Renae shares how she’s gone about building her empire, along with how she’s raised $3.7M through equity crowd-funding, and how she got her hot sauce brand featured on Hot Ones, one of YouTube's biggest channels.

As always, you’ll find a video snippet from this interview that I feel is super interesting over at Patreon.com/MarketingPodcast.

Enough from me, let’s go meet Renae …

Resources mentioned in this episode ...

 Built To Sell interview with John Warily

Working Backwards interview with Colin Bryar

Hot Ones YouTube channel

 

Businesses that make this podcast possible

StudioHawk - No generalists, just a damn good SEO agency (award-winning actually!).

 

Patreon - Join Timbo's Business Owner Membership and take control of your marketing.

 

Book Tim Reid - Keynote or conference emceeing.

 

As always, thanks for your support. May your marketing be the best marketing.

Timbo Reid

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/marketingpodcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As a smart business owner you’re constantly making adjustments to your product or service offerings, your customer experience, your pricing and many other key parts of your business. But (like me) I bet you avoid, or at the very least, don’t find the time to give yourself a bit of a spruce-up, as well.  If that’s the case, then you’ll love the tips New York stylist Nicole Russo has to share. It’s a smartly dressed episode 661 of The (14 year-old, award-winning) Small Business Big Marketing podcast.

A little more about New York stylist Nicole Russo...

 

Today’s special guest, Nicole Russo, is a fashion stylist based in New York who is all about helping business owners look and feel like the rockstars they truly are, regardless of their size or what's held them back before. 

From the Saudi Royal family to Google big shots and even New York Times executives, she’s dressed them all and left them pretty damn happy with themselves.

So if the idea of looking sharper, smarter or more business-like appeals to you, then you’ll love what Nicole has to share including:

• What’s the right look for you and how to get it important
• Examples of how a change in one’s appearance resulted in a measurable ROI
• How styling advice differs by industry
• How to change your look based on the business setting
• When should a business have branded uniforms
• Whether we should dress to match our clients
• And of course some simple hacks to get you looking sharp pronto!

As always, you’ll find a snippet from this interview that I feel is super interesting over at Patreon.com/MarketingPodcast.

I kicked things off by asking Nicole how she turned some bad dates into a successful styling business …

 

Businesses that make this podcast possible

 

StudioHawk - No generalists, just a damn good SEO agency (award-winning actually!).

 

Patreon - Join Timbo's Business Owner Membership and take control of your marketing.

 

Book Tim Reid - Keynote or conference emceeing.

 

As always, thanks for your support. May your marketing be the best marketing.

Timbo Reid

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/marketingpodcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today’s guest lives by the philosophy that offering less enables you to build a business that others simply can’t touch. Has it worked? Has it ever! It’s a ridiculously simple yet powerful, episode 660 of The (14 year-old, award-winning) Small Business Big Marketing podcast.

 

A little more about Mobile Skips owner Jacob Spencer ...

 

Eight years ago, and without any industry experience, Jacob Spencer bought the underperforming Mobile Skips business.

 

This year it will turn over $8 million, thanks to his 17 very motivated franchisees across Australia, a lucrative Bunnings contract and his very own and unique skip bin design.

 

Now … if you think there’s nothing to learn from a mobile skip business, then you could not be wronger!

 

Jacob, who’s incredibly humble about his business achievements and marketing know-how, has built a highly profitable business off the back of some very clever, yet simple, concepts. Concepts, that as you’ll see, have made it hard for others to replicate. And concepts that you can apply immediately into your business.

 

So seriously, grab a journal, as you’re about to discover so much business and marketing gold including:

 

• Why choosing to do less creates an untouchable business
• The power of offering a celebrity service (and that’s not what you think)
• What you can learn from Janine Allis and her Boost Juice empire
• How to create a brand that attracts the right people
• Jacob explains how he’s encouraged over 5,000 Google reviews
• And you’ll hear yet another example of a compelling customer experience

 

A big thank-you to past guest and founder of Lord of the Fries, Amanda Leigh-Walker, for bringing Jacob and his business to my attention.

 

Oh, and a reminder that if you’d like to watch this interview, then simply join my small business owner Membership at Pateron.com/MarketingPodcast. The first 7-days are free.

 

I started off by asking Jacob why rubbish removal?

 

Resources mentioned in this episode ...

Product Review website Jacob mentioned

Geoff Ramm's book on Celebrity Service

Businesses that make this podcast possible

 

StudioHawk - No generalists, just a damn good SEO agency (award-winning actually!).

 

Patreon - Join Timbo's Business Owner Membership and take control of your marketing.

 

Book Tim Reid - Keynote or conference emceeing.

 

As always, thanks for your support. May your marketing be the best marketing.

Timbo Reid

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/marketingpodcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recently ex-chef turned online entrepreneur Frank Greef shared his incredible journey with us in which he and his brothers started a business in a field they knew nothing about, risking their parents’ livelihood, and then selling it for $180M. As amazing an episode as it was, I was reminded by a long-time listener that Frank and I neglected to cover one very important point. One that if you truly get your head around, your business life will never be the same again. It’s an inspiring episode 659 of The (14 year-old, award-winning) Small Business Big Marketing podcast.

A little more about Real Base co-founder Frank Greeff ...

In episode 655, I interviewed ex-chef Frank Greeff, who with his two brothers, created and sold a real estate marketing business for $180M, risking their parent’s business along the way. If you’re yet to listen to that chat, I’d encourage you to do so.

Based on your feedback, it’s clear that you guys loved Frank’s story BUT, it’s also clear that I didn’t go quite far enough, as this note from long-time listener Ben Minutoli makes clear. Here’s what Ben had to say …

“Hey Timbo, please tell me you have plans on getting Frank Greeff back on the show again soon?

We went the whole episode hearing about his business and how he built it up from nothing and sold it for a fortune and all the lessons along the way.

But then, right at the end, Frank drops the bombshell that he’s planning to write and sell a cookbook, to raise a million bucks for charity in less than 2 months, and to do that he has hired a videographer and will be doing content marketing costing up to $300,000.

Ohh mate!!!! You need to get him back on so we can hear about what he plans to do and why he decided to go that way.”

Well Ben (and others) your wish is my command.

 

Businesses that make this podcast possible

StudioHawk - No generalists, just a damn good SEO agency (award-winning actually!).

 

Patreon - Join Timbo's Business Owner Membership and take control of your marketing.

 

Book Tim Reid - Keynote or conference emceeing.

 

As always, thanks for your support. May your marketing be the best marketing.

Timbo Reid

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/marketingpodcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dive into the world of strategic partnerships on The Small Business Big Marketing Podcast as we explore Unyoked's journey with co-founder Chris Grant. Discover how their alliance with Matthew McConaughey and Apple epitomises the fusion of nature and business, and learn the secrets behind Unyoked's success. This is a masterclass in leveraging high-profile collaborations to redefine the escape from modern stressors through the power of nature. Tune in for inspiration on cultivating impactful partnerships.

A little more about Unyoked's founder Chris Grant ...

In 2017, Chris Grant and his twin brother Cam embarked on a venture to redefine our connection with nature through Unyoked, with strategic partnerships at the heart of their mission. Unyoked’s off-grid, minimal impact cabins, strategically placed in the midst of unspoiled landscapes, offer a respite from the relentless pace of modern life, serving as a bridge back to the ancient calm of the wild.

With a growing portfolio of 100 bespoke cabins across three countries and over 35,000 stays, Unyoked's journey has been bolstered by strategic collaborations with the likes of Matthew McConaughey and tech titan Apple. These alliances have not only amplified their reach but have also affirmed their innovative approach to merging tranquillity with enterprise.

This expansion and recognition as leaders of innovation have been fuelled by a recent $28 million funding, earmarked for a European venture. Chris and Cam's recognition in The Australian's Top 100 Innovators for two consecutive years speaks volumes of their vision.

In our conversation, I explore with Chris the challenges of transitioning from corporate life to carving a path in the wilderness, underpinned by strategic partnerships that transform and transcend.

 

Businesses that make this podcast possible

StudioHawk - No generalists, just a damn good SEO agency (award-winning actually!).

 

Patreon - Join Timbo's Business Owner Membership and take control of your marketing.

 

Book Tim Reid - Keynote or conference emceeing.

 

As always, thanks for your support. May your marketing be the best marketing.

Timbo Reid

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/marketingpodcast

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.