This is a LIVE episode of the podcast launch party!

Our podcast guests and 25 attendees came together to bring their good vibes and open mind to engage in raw conversations about solving problems, pioneering and tapping into our customers' biggest needs. Listen to our podcast's guests alongside the visionary behind it all, our founder & CEO of Propel Innovations - Junie!

A fireside chat giving us some behind-the-scenes into their journey into building businesses obsessed with understanding their customers' problems to launch products they love.

Watch the LIVE podcast on Propel Innovations' YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/live/RqkWzg8xc84?feature=shared

Are brands missing the mark at being inclusive in marketing? Now more than ever, customers value brands that are inclusive - making real, meaningful connections. In this episode with Rachel Castelino, founder of Blume, a prebiotic tonic drink for gut health, we explore how marketing should not be about ‘marketing to one type of person’, but to include customers as they are, being sensitive and aware, to not alienate any groups of people in branding. Rachel walks us through how to create a pleasant experience for neurodiverse customers, the potential of AI to reduce clutter with tech and how being an immigrant woman of colour with fibromyalgia have been a superpower to create a brand everyone can see themselves in. 

What if the world you lived in didn't cater to your needs? Lucinda Bruce, Award-Winning Australian Film Producer and Owner of Lady of the Light Productions, illuminates us on her everyday battles as a person with invisible needs. From an undiagnosed ADHD and fibromyalgia to a spinal cord injury, Lucinda narrates her story of resilience trying to carve out a space in a world that isn’t designed with her invisible needs in mind. In a candid conversation, Lucinda unveils the barriers experienced in conventionally designed work settings that led her to endless job losses when needing to finance her ultimate dream. And, that’s not all - tune in as Lucinda shares her golden insights into the realm of gaming becoming her haven for engaging her uniquely neurodivergent mind. 

Wonder how to ignite employee excellence? Nikki Lugano, founder of SeenCulture, has got answers, and she brilliantly connects the dots between the movie Moneyball and her positive psychology, DEI for workplace excellence platform. Through the lens of positive psychology, Nikki reveals the remarkable ripple effects of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) to accelerate business performance while enhancing individual and collective wellbeing of employees.

SeenCulture is changing the game of workplace dynamics with data and behavioural science. Nikki's background and insights challenge our assumptions, prompting us to explore the true intentions behind workplace DEI efforts. With a nod to fair decision-making and levelling up the playing field, SeenCulture champions those from underrepresented backgrounds to feel seen as people exceptional at what they do.

Ever thought poetry and computer could mix? Our next guest, Matt, is here to show you how his interests blended together, even though it might sound a bit surprising!  us how non-linear pathways into technology bring a fresh perspective in the product lifecycle. Matt is a proud Luritja person from a small Indigenous community about 250km north west of Alice Springs called Papunya or Warumpi. 

Matt faced some unfair thinking, about his capabilities, that tried to keep him away from tech because of where he's from. But he didn't let that stop him! Matt's journey is inspiring where he uses all his different skills to adapt tech with a cultural twist to it: Indigenous emojis for young Indigenous people to engage in tech and maintain their culture. This episode is all about how he broke into tech and how we can learn from customer segments in the product lifecycle to adapt technology to grow your bottom line.

After witnessing his wife's agonizing post C-section struggles, Chris couldn't help but question why a solution hadn't been found. In this episode, we delve into how Chris's frustration transformed into innovation; leading him on a relentless quest to reshape the parenting landscape.

Unable to find a suitable product online, he decided to design his own—a high rise baby cot that eliminates the need for parents to bend and strain. But this creation isn't just about convenience; it's a game-changer for those battling chronic back pain and parents with disabilities.

Chris's journey showcases the power of individual determination to spark change in the baby cot industry and offers a fresh perspective on solving everyday problems with a holistic approach.

Faced with the beauty industry's neglect of her melanin-rich skin, Princess, a visionary entrepreneur, decided to take matters into her own hands. Growing up in Australia, Princess struggled to find beauty products that truly embraced her melanin-rich skin, leaving her feeling unseen and uncomfortable.

Princess forged her own path creating a beauty venture from scratch to champion her roots and celebrate the rich culture she belongs to. Speaking with potential customers and finding out what they really wanted, Princess discovered the true potential of her venture: adapting a hyperpigmentation product for melanin-rich skin that benefits all skin tones. 

Listen in to this inspirational story of resilience and determination as Princess walks us through how creative an entrepreneur she has been forced to become to build a groundbreaking beauty product that will revolutionize the industry and redefine beauty for all.

The episode delves into the challenges of technology adoption and the critical role of education in keeping everyone abreast of innovation. Michael Bronfman, the Chief Commercial Officer & Majority Shareholder of baresop, a modern-day zero-waste personal care brand, shares his unique perspective on the global sustainability movement and its evolution into a mainstream concern that resonates with consumers worldwide.

A seasoned entrepreneur, Michael openly reflects on the lessons he learned along the way, emphasizing the importance of involving customers at the start of the journey; making the case for co-creating products and services to ensure their success. Michael provides valuable insights into navigating industry shifts, driving adoption of technology, and staying ahead of the curve.

Tune in as Michael shares practical advice and a fresh perspective that can elevate your own business ventures.

Do you know what it's like losing a part of your independence? Ingrid unveils the often overlooked challenges faced by individuals with disabilities when it comes to technology and the pressing need for accessibility and inclusivity in the design process.

By neglecting to include multifaceted perspectives in design, companies not only exclude a significant portion of the population from the benefits of technological advancements but also miss out on the lucrative opportunities that arise from designing with people with accessibility needs in mind.

Listen to this deeply meaningful conversation about the impact of this widespread problem and explore possible solutions that can make technology more inclusive, fair for everyone and good for business.

Born out of a lived experience and a passion for helping newly arrived migrants tap into their community, social groups, friends, and family to pool funds, Chippit is carving a path in breaking down financial barriers and give people back their financial destiny.

But that's not all - we also expose a startling truth: one in six Australians suffers from persistent debt. By removing the awkward conversation about asking friends and family to borrow money to pay off your debt, Chippit gives everyone access to the capital they need to live their best lives.

Join us in this captivating episode with Eli Muse, founder of Chippit, as we shine a spotlight on this innovative community financing platform.