Catching Up With CUB

Daniel catches up with Rick Merten, Managing Director of InsideOut Group, a strategy-led B2B marketing consultancy with a unique approach - embedding fractional marketers inside businesses to drive growth from within. Originally founded in 2001 as an early digital start-up called Permission, InsideOut Group has evolved into a powerhouse for businesses looking to scale effectively. Daniel and Rick discuss how to position your business in the minds of customers, the power of scaling through niching, and how to embed your values within your team - even in a remote work environment.

Daniel catches up with Chris Cowley, Managing Director of CKJ Building Services, a family-owned construction company specialising in government and commercial projects across Sydney. From growing up in a small town of just 300 people to leading a major building organisation, Chris has built some of the country's largest private schools and heritage projects. Daniel and Chris discuss the pros and cons of private schooling, why learning lessons can be one of the most expensive things you do, and the challenges facing the construction industry today. Chris shares how traditional values have shaped his life and career, leading to an incredible journey of success and resilience.

Daniel catches up with Sylvia Arotin, award-winning educator and founder of My Montessori Education Centre and Guide & Grow, one of the world's largest Montessori at-home support platforms. After a life-changing car accident shifted her career path, Sylvia turned her passion for education into a thriving global business, supporting over half a million families. Daniel and Sylvia discuss the dos and don'ts of raising children, insights into early childhood education, and her journey of overcoming adversity through resilience.

Daniel catches up with Melissa Hosgood, Managing Director of Labassa Capital, a specialist real estate investment manager. Labassa Capital builds long-term structured wealth through tailored financial solutions, taking a conservative approach while aiming to deliver superior risk-adjusted returns. Daniel and Melissa delve into her expertise on wealth preservation and the Australian property market, as well as her journey from growing up in China to founding a successful real estate investment firm in Australia.

Daniel catches up with Lachlan Rowston, Co-founder of LOCKEROOM, a premium gym designed for high-performing professionals. Opening his first gym at just 21, he and his business partner have since launched three more locations while also co-hosting Australia's No. 1 fitness podcast, The Mind Muscle Project. Daniel and Lachlan discuss the journey of growing LOCKEROOM into a national success story and his experience training elite professionals. They speak about the key principles of health and fitness, fat loss and muscle gain, and how to optimise performance through supplements.

Daniel catches up with Amy Castano, Co-founder of Acero, one of Australia's leading fitness and wellness brands. With her love for health & well-being, Amy turned Acero into a fitness powerhouse, shaking up the industry. Daniel and Amy discuss why taking the leap and launching a business - even before it's perfect - is essential, the pros and cons of her having a large social media following when launching a brand, and the importance of rest and recovery for both physical and mental health.

Daniel catches up with Jessy Marshall, Founder of Hive HQ, a boutique Sydney-based PR and events agency helping beauty, fashion, and lifestyle brands stand out. Hive HQ works with some of Australia's most talked about brands including tbh Skincare, Naked Sundays, Bangn Body, and more. Daniel and Jessy discuss leadership as a young entrepreneur and how to build and maintain a strong team. They explore how to craft compelling brand stories that capture media attention, the evolving role of influencer marketing in PR, and more.

Daniel catches up with Blake Micola, Founder of GMS Media Group, a digital agency specialising in ads, creative, and web optimisation to drive growth. Since 2016, GMS has managed over $217 million in ad spend and earned Tier A premium agency partnerships with META, Google, TikTok, Snapchat, and more. Daniel and Blake discuss what's currently trending in the digital marketing world, how the industry has evolved, and the importance of having a strong sales process to back up effective marketing strategies.

Daniel kicks off the first episode of 2025 with his brother Thomas Hakim, Founder of WISECAST, a Sydney-based podcast and content studio known for previously working with global names like John Travolta, Chris Williamson, and Nedd Brockman. Daniel and Tom dive into the power of podcasting as a marketing channel and the importance of creating authentic content that genuinely connects with audiences. They explore the evolving content landscape, how brands can build trust through storytelling, and much more.

Daniel catches up with Brittany Wheeler, founder of One Wardrobe. Brittany shares her journey of turning a side hustle into a success and opens up about the challenges she faced during the early stages of her business.

Daniel catches up with Candice Feng, the founder and CEO of skincare brand Ms Morning. Immigrating to Australia without speaking English, Candice defied cultural expectations and broke societal norms to pursue her entrepreneurial vision. In this episode, Daniel and Candice explore her inspiring journey—from arriving in Australia alone to taking an entrepreneurial leap with her partner. They also delve into how Ms Morning is challenging industry norms and reshaping the way we think about skincare products and morning routines.

Daniel catches up with Adam Bouris, Co-founder of Who Is Elijah, Australia's fastest-growing fragrance brand, created with his wife, Raquel. From humble beginnings in a Sydney garage to being sold in over 700 stores globally, the brand recently hit over $1 million in Black Friday sales. Daniel and Adam discuss Who Is Elijah's meteoric rise and what it takes to thrive in a competitive e-commerce market. They speak about how to operate a business successfully as a couple and much more.

Daniel catches up with the world-renowned artist George Raftopoulos, whose work has been exhibited both in Australia and internationally, including in New York, Hong Kong, and Paris. George's artworks have achieved remarkable acclaim, fetching up to tens of thousands of dollars at auction. On this episode, Daniel and George dive into the world of art and the importance of being completely vulnerable as an artist. They uncover striking parallels between the art and business worlds, and the lessons we as business owners can draw from artists themselves.

Daniel catches up with Andrew Brooke, a mindset and leadership expert & one of Australia's leading business consultants. Before launching his own business, Andrew climbed the corporate ladder, ultimately serving as Executive Director at a nine-figure fintech company. He now brings his wealth of experience to his own entrepreneurial ventures. Daniel and Andrew discuss how your internal dialogue and self-belief dictate what you accomplish in life and the decisions involved in rebranding a business for growth or future sale. They dive into the current state of the economy in Australia, how to navigate it and build resilience as a leader.

Daniel catches up with Mel Gholami, Founder and CEO of Planix Projects, a multi-award-winning project management company known for its success in the government and non-profit sectors. From migrating to Australia at 16 in search of freedom and opportunity, Mel transformed adversity into ambition, building one of the country's most respected project management firms. Daniel and Mel speak about Mel's journey as an immigrant and the values that have driven her remarkable career. She shares unique insights on integrating work and life, creating a meaningful company culture, and harnessing your unique qualities to stand out as a leader.

Daniel catches up with Daniel Breese, Director of AS White Global, a company helping Aussie businesses build international teams, with over 1500 staff members under management across the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Thailand. Daniel and Dan discuss international staffing and the effects of COVID on the industry. They speak about flexible working arrangements and how business owners can get their teams back into the office, as well as how to successfully balance family & career.

Daniel catches up with Dominic Legg, Founder & CEO of Motion by Design. Originally starting the animation studio 6 years ago with a focus on marketing content, Dom and his team now specialise in creating videos for change management and staff education, servicing large transnational corporations and government organisations. Daniel & Dom discuss how Motion by Design helps organisations drive change through mixed media, the entrepreneurial mindset for success, and the importance of building and uplifting a strong team for achieving business goals.

Daniel catches up with George Psyhogios, Founder & CEO of ProGekt Group, a commercial cleaning business that has generated over $50 million in revenue and employs 150 staff members. In addition to his success with ProGekt, George has recently founded Power Potential, a ground-breaking holistic wellness centre that combines traditional Mediterranean and Nordic practices with innovative techniques to support individual health and recovery. Daniel and George dive into his remarkable journey from immigrant cleaner to owner of a leading cleaning corporation in the country. They discuss the challenges of scaling a business, the key lessons George has learned along the way, and the transformative power of entrepreneurship—demonstrating how it can shape lives and unlock new potential.

Daniel catches up with Leanne Elich, CEO of Leanne Elich Consulting, a company that helps businesses ethically influence customer behavior by understanding the brain and human behavior. Leanne is a decorated Sales Psychology Strategist, Neuroscientist, Leadership Advisor, Author, and Speaker. In 2023, she was named one of the Top 20 Women in Business, and in 2024, she was honored as a Master Neuroplastician by the Institute of Organizational Neuroscience. Together, Daniel and Leanne discuss how our brains can be influenced without us noticing, and Leanne shares insights from her exciting life and career.

Daniel catches up with Mark Connelly, Co-Founder of Populares, a communications company that leverages decades of experience in building change-making and political strategies to help governments and big corporations better understand their target audiences. Mark played a key role in shaping the strategy for several successful Teal campaigns in the 2022 Australian federal election and has been influential in the Australian climate movement. Daniel and Mark talk about how to identify and engage audiences based on their values and worldviews. They also dive into the upcoming US election, exploring the strategies both parties are using as the election approaches in just over two months, and more.

Daniel catches up with Jasmine Chilcott, Founder & CEO of FixBIOME, a leading gut health education and supplement company making a difference in the lives of thousands suffering from gut health issues. In this episode, Jasmine shares her inspiring journey from years of battling bloating and IBS while working as a professional model, to uncovering the root causes of her health issues—insights that ultimately paved the way for her to become a successful entrepreneur. Together, they dive deep into the science of gut health, discussing the impact of allergies, diet, and the critical role the gut plays in overall well-being.

Daniel Catches up with George Hadjia, the founder & CIO at Bristlemoon Capital. At only 33 years old George has already managed to rise up the corporate ladder before venturing off to start his own hedge fund, managing the investment capital of high net worth individuals in Australia. Daniel and George dive into the psychology of investing, discussing the key do's and don'ts of making critical investment decisions. They also touch on the importance of holding cash as a business owner, debate the merits of stocks versus other assets, and share insights on what it's like to live as an Australian in New York City.

Daniel Catches up with Sue Blatchford, the Founder of PayPerClick Digital Marketing Agency. Sue has run her agency for over 22 years, making her one of the nations leading experts in PPC advertising, winning multiple awards in the process. Daniel and Sue explore the evolution of digital marketing over the past two decades and discuss strategies business owners can use to gain a competitive edge. Sue also shares her insights on defining success and how to build a business that works for you, rather than the other way around.

Daniel catches up with Volodymyr Katanskyi, the Founder of Worklair and StartupCraft. Worklair is a tool for managing remote work, and StartupCraft is a leading agency specialising in custom software solutions with a focus on blockchain. Volodymyr's journey is incredibly inspiring; after being forced to flee his home country of Ukraine due to the war, he demonstrates the remarkable resilience and power of entrepreneurship. Daniel and Volodymyr speak about his incredible journey to Australia from Ukraine and his experience of the war. They discuss the attributes that make great entrepreneurs, the future of offices and remote work, as well the importance of making mistakes and failing forward as an entrepreneur.

Daniel catches up with Corbin Barry, Founder of Sage Space & Principal Dentist at Annandale Dental. Corbin is a remarkable entrepreneur who since identifying holes in the dental industry has been determined to improve it, turning a typically uncomfortable and tedious routine into a more positive and premium experience. Daniel and Corbin discuss how they each set out to revolutionise their respective industries. They delve into the importance of cultivating positive and genuine relationships with clients, tailoring services to ensure long-term loyalty, and Corbin's efforts to improve dental hygiene culture and education across Australia.

Daniel catches up with Hitesh Dhawan, Founder & CEO of digital solutions company, Neuronimbus. Founded by Hitesh over 20 years ago, Neuronimbus has grown into a team of over 200 technology experts who develop products for major global businesses such as Revlon & Bose. On this episode, Daniel and Hitesh delve into the problem-solving challenges of being a business owner. They explore topics like AI, building an MVP, and strategies for successfully stepping away from daily operations to scale the business effectively.

Daniel catches up with Lisa Jones, Founder and CEO of SHE-com. Lisa, an extremely passionate ecommerce expert, has created three multi-million-dollar brands and established a supportive community for female e-com founders through SHE-com. She is also a Smart 50 Community Hero Award winner, a published author, and a respected keynote speaker. In this episode, Daniel and Lisa discuss all things ecommerce, including some of the secrets to her remarkable success. They also explore the importance of community and the role of business owners within it.

Daniel catches up with Natasha Etschmann, Founder of Tash Invests and author of 'How To Not Work Forever'. Growing her @tashinvests social media community to over 120k, Tash is dedicated to educating young people on how to invest and make the most out of their money. Daniel and Natasha talk all things investing, debunking myths and clarifying why it's more approachable than many believe. They explore the topic of housing prices in Australia, with a more positive spin on the whole concept than we're all used to hearing, and discuss how anyone can achieve success with the opportunities available in this country.

Daniel catches up for the second time with Tim Cullen, CEO of Tradie Spec, Australia's largest trade vehicle supplier and rent-to-own service ensuring all tradies have access to reliable, affordable and well-fitted vehicles to suit all their business needs. Daniel and Tim delve into the significance of specialisation and finding your niche. They also explore effective team management strategies, the current state of the economy, and the importance of maintaining humility as success grows, emphasising the value of staying true to the core principles that initially led to your success.

Daniel catches up with Tony Kofkin, Director of Kofkin Bond & Co. With over 50 years of industry experience, they are one of Australia's leading financial planning organisations for individuals, families, businesses, not-for-profits and charitable foundations, and highly regarded in private wealth management and corporate advisory. Daniel and Tony discuss ways business owners can save money on their taxes, they explore the current state of the Australian economy and what to expect in the months to come. Tony further shares valuable insights on personal wealth preservation, trust funds & inheritance.

Daniel catches up with Dain Walker, Founder of Rivyl & author of 'The 90 Day Brand Plan'. Dain is a globally recognised expert in branding, who has worked with some of the world's largest brands and has amassed over 700k followers on social channels through educating others in the space. Daniel and Dain discuss the significance of effective branding for both you AND your business, unpacking Dain's unique philosophy on social media and strategies for creating influential content. They also touch on Dain's challenging upbringing and how it has shaped the person he is today.

Daniel catches up with Sasha Shevelev, the Co-Founder and CEO of Webcoda, a website development agency established over 20 years ago, now boasting an impressive client list, including Sony, UNSW, and the Federal Government. Daniel and Sasha dive into the surprising journeys that lead people to entrepreneurship. They uncover the challenges of career advancement within teams, from pay raise requests to demands for extra perks. Sasha, drawing on two decades of experience, further shares essential insights on the power of transparency about a company's performance.

Daniel catches up with Carolina Montanez, Co-Founder of Plane 2 Sea International, a freight forwarding company established by her and three former coworkers after their previous employer closed down. Operating for 13 succcessful years, Plane 2 Sea was recently awarded the 2022 Australian Women's Small Business Award for Transport & Logistics. Daniel and Carolina explore the keys to maintaining a successful business partnership with your friends. They delve into the importance of adopting a company-first mindset to foster honesty and teamwork, and discuss why being transparent and maintaining robust client communication are superpowers in the business world.

Daniel catches up with Alexandra (Lexie) Murray, Founder of Be Seen Socials. Be Seen is a one-stop social media agency with a Gen Z approach, focusing on the management of social presence, influencer communications, and content creation. Lexie started her now booming business during Covid at the age of only 21, off the back of her international influencer career. Daniel and Lexie discuss the importance of TikTok and keeping up with the constantly evolving world of social media. They also explore what makes being a business owner so difficult and the toll it can take, as well as Lexie's recent inclusion in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list and how she manifested it into reality.

Daniel catches up with Robert Krastich, Founder of Sharper Facility Services - A cleaning company that services over 180 premises across the Eastern Seaboard. Born to hard working immigrant parents from Croatia, Robert's self-made entrepreneurial journey is one of hard work, self-belief and determination. In this episode Daniel and Robert discuss how to find your personal strategic advantage in business, the cruciality of credibility and how to land that significant first client. They also explore how to maintain a work-life balance as well as the importance of being there for your family whilst following your dreams.

Daniel catches up with Quan Payne, Founder & Creative Director of Studio Payne. Starting the creative agency in 2019, Quan has worked with celebrities such as LeBron James & Kendall Jenner and created campaigns for some of the world's biggest brands including Google, Nike & Clavin Klein. On this episode, Daniel and Quan delve into his impressive resume and explore the lessons we can learn from industry greats about branding and marketing. They also discuss strategies for creating an appealing brand and ensuring that your brand image aligns with your company's future vision.

Daniel catches up with Dan Copsey, CEO of Agency Stack, a whitelabel digital marketing agency that he and his best friend have scaled to over 100 staff globally. Together they also run multiple NGO's that work to provide aid to all corners of the globe including a free healthcare centre in Pakistan as well as a pub in Victoria as a passion project. Daniel & Dan discuss managing failure and how to know when it's time to move. They also explore the keys to being a successful manager and how the greatest gift of running a successful business, is having the ability to give back and make a positive difference in the world.

Daniel catches up with Serene Lim, Founder of Cup 49, a TikTok viral brand offering DIY Bubble Tea Kits that Serene started in a bid to reduce single use waste in the industry. Serene is a master of short form content marketing and has since gone on to create another multi-million dollar retail company Gellae, all in less than 4 years. On this episode, Daniel and Serene speak about the keys to success on TikTok and short form marketing and how to create an effective content marketing system. They also discuss how Serene turned her customers into superfans, building a strong community by including them in product research and more.

Daniel catches up with Mark Van Rijmenam, CEO of The Digital Speaker & Futurwise. Mark is an accomplished author and speaker in the emerging technologies space and has worked as an advisor to multiple Fortune 500 companies around the world. Daniel and Mark talk all things AI, how corporations are adopting the technology and ways for SMEs to leverage these changes. They also predict what the world is going to look like in 10 years, and how misinformation and a lack of trust in journalism is impacting our world today.

Daniel catches up with Richard Theodorakis, CEO of Pride Security Group. Starting as a one man band less than 4 years ago, Rick has since grown the security firm to over 100 staff across the country, generating more than $10 Million in revenue annually. On this episode, Daniel and Richard discuss the recent attacks at Bondi Junction, exploring appropriate responses for security firms and their personnel in such crises. They dive into Richard's entrepreneurial path and discuss the commitment, work ethic, and mindset essential for business success.

Daniel catches up with Dr Josh Wall, Co-Founder & Medical Director of Contour Clinics. Starting as a one-man band just 5 years ago, Josh's team has now grown to over 100 employees who collectively treat 6000 patients every month, turning over $40Million+ annually. Daniel and Josh discuss the concepts of beauty, vanity and confidence as well as the lessons Josh has learned over the past 5 years of rapid growth. They explore different methods and strategies to manage a team of over 100 staff and why it is important to own your destiny, regardless of whether you're winning or losing.

For the 200th Episode of Catching Up With CUB, Daniel catches up with his friend, mentor and Australian business icon, Mark Bouris. Mark is one of the most renowned businessmen in Australia, most remembered for founding Wizard Home Loans in 1996 before exiting the business and selling it for $500 Million in 2004. Today he is the chairman of Yellow Brick Road and host of The Mentor podcast. On this episode, Daniel & Mark discuss Mark's daily habits and tactics for managing stress and time as the founder and CEO/Chairman of multiple businesses. They explore the common traits shared amongst successful entrepreneurs and talk about their podcasts and how they have both evolved over 600 episodes between them. After 4 years, it is with great pride to share our 200th episode with all of you. Thank you for listening and supporting us over the last few years!

Daniel catches up with Kent Joseph, CEO of Equity Transport Group. Entering limousine company Hughes (now part of ETG) at just 24, the outstanding impact he made on the 120 year old business quickly propelled him to the CEO position. Since then. Kent has diversified the company group's offerings, expanding its scope beyond transportation services. On this episode Daniel and Kent discuss sales strategies, the importance of simplifying your business and creating a culture centred around saying 'yes'. They also explored how to identify a poor culture fit within your business and what to do when this problem arises.

Daniel catches up with Taryn Williams, Founder of WINK models, The Right Fit & #Gifted. Taryn is an award winning founder & CEO, and over the course of 20+ years has earned a reputation as one of Australia's most prolific entrepreneurs at the intersection of talent, media and technology. On this episode Daniel and Taryn discuss the struggles of being a non-technical founder, being a true innovator of your industry, and how to identify the big problem that you are trying to solve when starting your business.

Daniel Catches up with Sean Cortis, Founding Partner of HACH Private Capital. Following his 30-year corporate career, which concluded with his retirement as CEO, Sean ventured into entrepreneurship by establishing the Australian division of a US family office. This move positioned him as an influential figure in the private equity sector, delivering keynotes globally. Daniel and Sean delve into the critical aspects of securing funding and the strategies founders should employ to effectively manage their investors. They also discuss the importance of assembling and utilising an advisory board and how focusing on key development milestones can help lead you to your final destination as a business owner.

Daniel catches up with former The Apprentice contestant Sabrina Maddock, Founder of Avanti Search. In just two years at the helm of her recruitment agency, the Miss World runner-up turned entrepreneur has claimed the title of Top Recruitment CEO, secured a spot among the Top 20 Australian Women Making Moves in 2022, and more. Daniel and Sabrina discuss her journey from employee to entrepreneur and the ups and downs of making that transition. They dive deep into what companies can be doing to attract the best talent and discuss how business can be a tool to building your dream lifestyle.

Daniel catches up with Stephen Pastor, Founder and CEO of Kings of Neon. Listed the #2 Smart Company Fastest Growing SME in 2023, Stephen's business is shaking up the old and established industry of signage on a global scale, working with companies such as McDonalds, Netflix & Mercedes. On this episode Daniel and Stephen discuss Kings of Neon's meteoric rise to the top of the industry and how to stand out in a saturated market. They also explore the concept of business being a tool for self fulfilment and belonging and the importance of understanding the dream experience of your customer.

Daniel catches up with Nolan Keenan, Founder of Aveline Investments. Working in leadership positions at some of the world's largest corporations such as Salesforce & NAB for 25 years, Nolan decided to turn his side hustle & passion of property development into a full time gig at age 50. With multiple national projects already under his belt, Aveline Property Development now focuses on the coastal regions of NSW. Daniel and Nolan discuss how to overcome fear when starting a business, the secrets every business owner should know to make their company scalable as well as other tips and tricks for entrepreneurs to reduce stress and improve efficiency.

Daniel catches up with Bruce Morrison, Founder & CEO of Motor Active. Serving the automotive aftermarket for over 33 years and turning over $40 Million + annually, Bruce shares the journey of starting the B2B2C business with no capital to transforming it into the national powerhouse it is today. Daniel and Bruce discuss how to leverage grass roots marketing and the importance of building relationships with key figures of influence within your target market. They also explored key recruitment tactics and ways to build a strong, resilient team & the mindset required to ensure your business can withstand tough times when they come your way.

Daniel catches up with Lawrence Micalizzi, Founder of SolBox. Being recognised for his outstanding sales skills in his early 20s, Lawrence took the decision to put his expertise towards his own business. Now, his SaaS company SolBox is growing 80-100% a year, helping businesses with last-mile delivery automation, GPS fleet management and driver apps, ultimately saving them tens of thousands a year. Daniel and Lawrence speak about the importance of listening to the market when starting your business and the joy of solving problems for others through business (in particular, software). They discuss the qualities that help business owners make it through challenging times and the importance of having a strong & like-minded team by your side.