Uncommon

Scott Handsaker is an enigma. Well that’s at least how a few in the startup community have coined it. Scott isn’t the loudest of individuals - which I would I say is certainly his secret weapon - but he is tangible proof in the value of persistence.

Every startup founder want results on a platter, and I think Scott’s episode showcases how true grit and sound practices hold you in good stead in the long term.

Felicity Mashuro is a human rights advocate, with a special interest in Women’s Development. In this click-first, think-last world I felt that it’s important to investigate and understand how to build principles around topics of morality and ethics.

This is crucial to identifying the difference between what is right, and what is wrong. The truth to certain topics is incredibly important in this modern era, particularly as globalism and technology affects our political and social landscape - giving rise to trends such as populism.

Nathan Sampimon is one of the most selfless people I’ve met so far in the Victorian Startup community.

Founding Inspire9 and building a community around it has indirectly pushed the Melbourne startup world forward. It’s forced many wannabe entrepreneurs or geeks into hobbies or businesses they would never have thought of doing, if they were just sitting at home.

His work as one of the founders of AngelCube only supported the community further and we’re sure that we’ll see great things as Dream Factory & Tribes start to flourish.

Tim Bishop is the original Man With A Van. Tim is a brilliant entrepreneur, the type who knows how to build a quality experience. So much is lost amongst all this startup hype in the modern era, and it’s people like Tim who show that what it takes to build an exceptional business - to continually improve and not let technology define your progression, instead, focusing on the product.

This episode is required learning for any wannabe entrepreneurs, new business owners or frankly corporate executives. Tim distills valuable lessons on building a simple and invaluable product to a unique market.

Chris Michaelides is my uncle, businessman, and in many ways the head of the wider Michaelides family. The reason for this episode is slightly selfish in that I wanted to gradually capture the memories and knowledge of the older generation within my family.

In earlier years, my grandmother (and Chris’ mother), was really the “matriarch” of our family - the glue that bound us all together. Her recent battle with dementia has been a somewhat swift changing of the guard, as her memory has gradually faded. That’s made me realise how important it is to capture the knowledge and memories for the next generation.

Chris has a wealth of knowledge in business and life, and has always shown the value in hard work or grit. As a secondary father figure, I’ve looked up to Chris over the years, and learnt immensely by picking his brain in business and life.

My hope is that you enjoy his knowledge and this conversation as much as I did.

Charlie Carrington's skills as a chef are distinct, not just because of his age, but because of the breadth of knowledge accumulated in such a small period of time. Committing to what his competency & passion, at a very young age, has led Charlie to a position that most promising chefs would only dream of at the age of 30, let alone 22.

Petros Dellidis is a man for all seasons in the hospitality world. He’s worked his way from an apprentice at the RACV Club, to a development chef for both Shane Delia & George Calombaris, globe trotted the mediterranean as man of many hats, then made a necessary lifestyle change by going out on his own.

He exemplifies what it means to have the growth mindset, to see your life as a system and always be learning.

Anthony Ross is a Personal Trainer, with unique knowledge in evolutionary biology, health and catastrophism. Anthony’s constant drive to learn provides him with the principles that ensure his clients maximise their genetic potential.

Ren Butler is by day Blue Chilli’s Entrepreneur-in-residence, and by night founder of the Whisky Social. She has a unique perspective on building marketable products across a multitude of industries. Her love for whisky and the passion for such a project is what all founders should strive for.

In our conversation we covered a bunch of different ideas and notes that startup founders and lovers of alcohol can take away.

Michael Jayaranjan is a good friend, who’s always had a nous and interest in improving his life. Michael’s a fascinating real-life example of a direct change from the fixed to growth mindset, that we constantly push at Neuralle. He’s had some huge changes recently, losing 20 kgs, ending a long-term relationship and moving his mindset from consumption to experience.

This interview is definitely more conversational, and I hope this is enough to convince him to do it regularly. Thereby allowing us all to cover these performance & improvement topics & tools regularly.