
Show overview
The Growth Equation has been publishing since 2024, and across the 2 years since has built a catalogue of 68 episodes. That works out to roughly 40 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a weekly cadence.
Episodes typically run twenty to thirty-five minutes — most land between 30 min and 37 min — and the run-time is fairly consistent across the catalogue. The publisher flags most episodes as explicit, so expect adult themes or strong language throughout. It is catalogued as a EN-language Business show.
The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed 3 weeks ago, with 9 episodes already out so far this year. The busiest year was 2025, with 58 episodes published. Published by Tristan Wright.
From the publisher
The Growth Equation is a podcast dedicated to helping Australian marketing agencies thrive in the ever-evolving world of digital marketing. We go beyond the surface level and dive deep into the "messy middle" of scaling a business – the challenges, the triumphs, and the lessons learned along the way. Each episode features candid conversations with agency founders and leaders who share their experiences, strategies, and insights on topics such as: - Navigating the Messy Middle: Overcoming common challenges in scaling operations, managing teams, and acquiring clients. - Strategic Frameworks & Systems: Implementing effective processes for project management, client onboarding, and talent acquisition. - AI & the Australian Market: Leveraging artificial intelligence and adapting to the unique opportunities and challenges in Australia. - Growth Mindset & Well-being: Maintaining a healthy work-life balance and cultivating a resilient mindset for entrepreneurial success. Whether you're a seasoned agency owner or just starting out, The Growth Equation provides valuable takeaways and inspiration to help you unlock sustainable growth and build a thriving business.
Latest Episodes
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Why Marketing is a Marathon, Not a Sprint with Anna Kennedy

Ep 66Staying Relevant in a Shifting Industry with Matt Remphrey
I’ve been in the business game for a long time, but my chat with Matt Remphrey from Parallax was a masterclass in the "niche paradox." Matt has steered his creative agency through 24 years of evolution, but the real magic happened when he stopped trying to be everything to everyone. In this episode, we dive deep into how Parallax pivoted from a generalist branding studio to a specialist powerhouse in the wine and drinks industry. Matt shares how narrowing his focus actually allowed him to expand his services—moving beyond labels into brand strategy, e-commerce, and trade activations.We tackle the big fear most entrepreneurs have: that niching down closes doors. Matt proves the opposite is true, explaining how deep sector expertise unlocks higher-value clients and bigger budgets that generalists simply can’t access. We also discuss the practicalities of longevity, from navigating 25 years of economic cycles through geographic diversification to using AI as a "first draft" tool for research and tenders. Whether you're feeling the "fear of saying no" or looking to stay relevant in a shifting market, Matt’s journey offers a blueprint for building a resilient, expert-led business.What you’ll learn in this episode:✅ How niching into the wine industry transformed Parallax from a generalist shop to a strategic partner.✅ Why specialization simplifies client acquisition and reduces competition.✅ Practical strategies for navigating economic downturns through geographic expansion.✅ How to integrate AI to shortcut research and creative processes without losing quality.✅Lessons in leadership: managing team motivations and staying relevant over two decades.Connect with Matt:Website: https://www.paradoxdesign.com.au/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parallaxdesign/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/building-drinks-brands/

Ep 65Balancing Business and Well-being with Chanelle Le Roux
EChanelle Le Roux built Ninki from a freelance copywriting hustle on Fiverr into a multi-arm content marketing agency and coaching practice. In this candid conversation, she talks about burning out badly enough to try selling her business, why she's now leaner and more profitable than ever, the South African outsourcing opportunity most Aussie businesses are sleeping on, and why perfection is the enemy of momentum.Key Topics Covered:✅ Ninki’s origin and early pricing: Fiverr, Upwork, and whether to start cheap or charge your worth from day one✅ Burning out and nearly selling the business: working US and Aussie hours simultaneously, unsavory habits, and what forced the reset✅ Lean vs full agency model: employees vs contractors, and why going lean delivered more profit with less revenue✅ Outsourcing to South Africa: work ethic, talent quality, time zone realities, and why big brands have been doing it since 2009✅ AI's real impact on the industry: losing copywriting work, where AI still falls short, and why coaching/consulting is the one thing she's not worried aboutConnect with ChanelleAgency: ninkicontentmarketing.comAcademy: ninkiacademy.comInstagram (agency): @ninkicontentmarketingInstagram (coaching): @chanelleleroux_marketingcoach

Ep 64Sonja's SEO Empire: From Humble Beginnings to Industry Leader
ESonja Pototzki-Raymond has helped her clients generate over $700 million in sales — and she built her agency by accident. Known as "The Search Queen," Sonja is the CEO of The Search Republic, a 2025 40 Under 40 winner, and one of the most refreshingly honest voices in SEO.In this episode, we cut through the noise of the SEO world. Sonja has worked with Guinness, L'Oréal, and Nestlé, but she's here for the small business owner — talking real conversions, real ROI, and why the rules of search are changing faster than most people realise.We get into Answer Engine Optimisation (AEO) — why it's not enough to rank on Google anymore, and how to get picked by AI tools like ChatGPT when your customer is searching. Then we go somewhere most business conversations won't: Sonja's four-year fertility journey, the mindset that led to her Amazon #1 bestseller The Search for Resilience, and how she scaled a waitlisted agency while working three days a week.In this episode:✅ Why traditional SEO is losing ground — and what to do instead✅ What Answer Engine Optimisation actually means for your business✅ How Sonja built a waitlisted agency starting from zero✅ The mindset work she says founders skip at their peril✅ How she uses AI and delegation to stay present with her family

Ep 63Entrepreneurial Beginnings: How a Childhood Dream Became Reality with Aaron Witnish
EAaron Witnish runs Content Only, a content creation system built around one simple idea: one monthly interview, weeks of content, zero social media stress. It's a long way from where he started, and the path to get there was anything but straight.In this episode we get into the real story. Business exits, team cuts, a partner's cancer diagnosis, and the accidental Zoom call with a bricklayer that changed everything about how Aaron thinks about content.Key topics:From digital products to agency work to a content system that actually scalesWhat selling a business taught Aaron about terms over priceHow personal crisis forced better business decisionsThe Zoom call that cracked open a whole new modelBuilding a life on your own goal plan, not someone else'sResources & Links:Aaron Witnish – Connect with Aaron and access free resourcesContent Only – Innovative content system for business ownersConnect with Aaron Witnish:LinkedInTwitter

Ep 62The Art of Balancing Business and Creativity with Cameron Watt
EI’m joined this week by Cameron Watt for a refreshingly honest conversation about what happens when you decide to "burn the boats" and go all-in on a dream. Cameron is an Australian–English film producer and director whose debut film, Project Impossible, hit cinemas globally in 2024. As the founder of Skie Video, he has built a reputation for producing premium, story-driven content for everyone from hungry startups to major enterprises. But the road to turning passion into profit wasn't a straight line; Cam literally sold his house and car to start a production company without even knowing how to turn on a professional camera.Throughout the episode, Cam and I dive into the reality of scaling a team to eight staff and the humbling experience of pivoting back to a leaner model when the economy and business partnerships shifted. We explore the "Creator Economy" and why so many entrepreneurs struggle to bridge the gap between being a "creative" and a "business owner." We also discuss the "two-week holiday test"—a brutal but necessary metric to determine if you actually own a scalable business or just a high-pressure job. Whether you are a creative or a service-based founder, Cam’s insights on hiring for grit, finding the right "tribe," and seeking mentorship to uncover your blind spots are invaluable. We also touch on a powerful personal moment where a health scare refocused Cam’s perspective on what truly matters: people and presence.To see Cam’s work or collaborate on your next project, you can connect with him here:Website: Skievideo.comLinkedIn: Cameron WattEmail: [email protected]: @camcamwattInstagram (Business): @skievideoYouTube: @camcamwatt

Ep 61Digital Nomad to Marketing Maven: How Katherine Built Catalyst Across Time Zones
EThis episode features Katherine Tuominen, founder of Catalyst Brand Strategy — a boutique PR and communications agency working with impact-driven founders in wellness, health, and purpose-led industries. With over a decade in the game, Katherine helps brands turn complex ideas into clear positioning, credible media visibility, and long-term authority, blending data-driven strategy with human-centred storytelling.Her path to Catalyst is anything but linear: born in Finland, raised in Australia, now living as a digital nomad (currently Brazil), running an Australian-registered business with a remote team spread across the US, the Philippines, and Europe.We get into the real mechanics behind making that model work — async workflows, “zone of genius” roles, tight approvals, and why she treats project delivery like baking a cake (no ripping ingredients back out halfway through). Katherine also shares hard-earned founder lessons on contracts, runway, client loss, cashflow delays across borders, and using AI to save serious time without trashing brand voice.If you’re building a service business and want growth without burnout, this one’s a practical listen.Connect with Katherine on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherine-tuominen/Connect with us. 👇Evolve To Grow: https://m.mtrbio.com/evolve-to-grow

Ep 60From Political Studies to Marketing Maven: Maria's Entrepreneurial Journey
EIn this episode, I sit down with Maria Kathopoulis, Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer of UNTMD Media.Maria didn’t start in marketing. She studied political and international studies in the US before moving to Australia and co-founding a football training app with her husband, a former professional footballer. After burning between $50,000 and $150,000 on agencies that couldn’t produce clarity or results, she jumped into Meta Ads herself.What changed? She understood the numbers.By focusing on cost per acquisition and commercial viability, she outperformed the agencies and helped scale the app to 180,000 subscribers in its first year. That shift became the foundation of what is now UNTMD Media.Today, Maria is a performance marketer and growth strategist who has scaled brands like EAORON and EZZ to eight-figure revenues. She leads strategy and execution across paid media, SEO, web and performance campaigns, engineering marketing ecosystems built around commercial outcomes — not vanity metrics.We unpack the pressure of running a performance-based agency, hard client conversations, fractional marketing models, boundaries, six-figure campaign days, and why clarity and communication drive long-term growth.If you’re an agency owner, SaaS founder or eCommerce operator, this episode is a practical look at what scaling actually demands.Connect with Maria and her company:Website: https://untmd.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/untmdmarketing/Instagram: @untmdmarketingLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-kath-7016b020b/Connect with us. 👇Evolve To Grow: https://m.mtrbio.com/evolve-to-grow
Ep 59From Freelance Hustle to Top 20 Agency: Brendan Ellich’s BluFire Journey
EIn this episode of The Growth Equation, Brendan Ellich joins me to unpack how a “why not?” freelance experiment during COVID evolved into BluFire, a Melbourne-based paid media agency now partnering with 7–8 figure service businesses. We walk through the whole journey: starting with almost no capital, juggling random client work, making the call to stop freelancing and build a real business, and then growing a tight local team that works together in-office four days a week. Brendan is refreshingly candid about the parts most founders gloss over—the times cash flow was tight, the pressure of payroll, the clients that left unexpectedly, and the days where it felt easier to walk away than to keep fronting up.We go deep into how BluFire makes paid media actually pay. Brendan explains how he links marketing, sales, and finance so every dollar of ad spend is judged on revenue and margin, not “cheap clicks” or noisy dashboards. He breaks down their retainer model and ad spend tiers, how they think about lead targets, and why his team talks to clients weekly to stay ahead of lead quality and volume issues instead of waiting for a nasty surprise at the end of the month. We also dig into why breakfast networking nearly became a full-time job, what changed when he pivoted to building a proper acquisition system for his own agency, and how he’s thinking about AI, smaller-budget campaigns, and the future of agencies that don’t perform. If you’re in that messy middle of running an agency or service business—hiring, dealing with client churn, and trying to keep profit intact—this episode gives you a grounded look at what it takes to build something durable. Connect with Brendan Ellich LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendan-ellich/Company Website: https://www.blumedia.com/Brendan Ellich’s Company Socialshttps://www.instagram.com/blufire.digital/Connect with us. 👇Evolve To Grow: https://m.mtrbio.com/evolve-to-grow

Ep 58Beating Burnout and Information Overload: How Maxim Rebuilt His Agency Around Clarity and Habits
EIn this episode of The Growth Equation, Tristan Wright sits down with agency owner Maxim Claes to unpack what really happens when you hit burnout, get stuck in information overload, and decide to rebuild your business with more intention. As the founder of boutique marketing agency Media Waffle, Maxim now helps beauty and aesthetic clinics generate consistent enquiries and booked appointments using simple, reliable lead generation systems.Maxim shares how he went from managing “a bit of everything” in digital marketing to niching down exclusively into beauty and aesthetics, and why that decision gave him back his focus, energy, and confidence. He breaks down how cycles of momentum, complacency and rebuilding showed him the importance of habits, structure, and clarity—not just more hustle or more information.Across the conversation, Tristan and Maxim dig into the real value of mentors, the danger of chasing too many programs and gurus, and the simple way to decide what you actually want from your business and life. They also explore how AI is reshaping marketing for clinics, why brand and personality matter more than ever, and how owners can use automation without losing the human element that clients trust.If you run a service business or agency—especially in the beauty or aesthetic space—and you feel like you’re juggling too much, this episode will give you practical ideas to niche down, tighten your systems, and rebuild around habits that actually support long-term growth. Links and tools mentioned include Media Waffle’s lead generation system for clinics and emerging AI tools for compliance and content support in regulated industries.Connect with Maxim ClaesFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/mediawaffleLinkedIn: Company Website: www.mediawaffle.comIG: https://www.instagram.com/media_waffle/Connect with us. 👇Evolve To Grow: https://m.mtrbio.com/evolve-to-grow

Ep 57Mentorship, Mindset & Second Chances: How Simon John Phillips Found Business Clarity
EThis episode of The Growth Equation features Simon John Phillips, a true veteran who has been building Shopify brands since 2011. Working across the full e-commerce spectrum as a brand owner, agency operator, coach, 3PL founder, and fractional exec, Simon has spent 14 years inside the evolution of social-driven e-com. That experience now powers The Ecommerce Accelerator 5.0, a real-time operating system for brands serious about scaling.Despite his deep expertise, Simon shares a powerful and honest story about the realities of entrepreneurship. His experience moves from early success in e-commerce to the hard reality of hitting rock bottom, then finding renewed focus and direction through the support of true mentorship and a clearer mindset.Simon openly describes the challenges he faced, including the emotional impact of failure and how important it is to learn how to recover. He explores how second chances come from a genuine willingness to reflect, learn, and rebuild. The conversation highlights why having the right mentors—people who understand both business struggles and personal challenges—is crucial in staying grounded during difficult times.The conversation goes beyond business mechanics to explore themes of personal growth, resilience, and honesty when facing setbacks. Simon also discusses his business approach with The E-Commerce Accelerator and how that reflects his commitment to transparency and meaningful work.Simon’s story isn't just about hope. It’s about resilience. It provides the realistic insight and clarity you need to stop spinning your wheels and start moving forward.Connect with Simon John PhillipsFacebook: facebook.com/simonjohnphillipsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjpnz/Company Website: https://www.theecommerceaccelerator.comIG: @simonjohnphillipsTikTok – @simonjohnphillipsWebsite: https://www.theecommerceaccelerator.com/Connect with us. 👇Evolve To Grow: https://m.mtrbio.com/evolve-to-grow

Ep 56Resilience in Motion: Chris Hogan Adapted, Grew, and Leveled Up in Business
EThis episode of The Growth Equation features Chris Hogan, founder of MeMedia Marketing Agency, reflecting on over two decades of experience in the marketing industry. Chris shares a candid account of the realities that come with building and growing a business—ranging from the excitement of successful projects to the tough challenges of mental health struggles and burnout. He stresses the significance of focus in business, famously saying, “you can’t ride two horses with one ass,” highlighting the importance of clarity and prioritising what truly matters to avoid spreading yourself too thin.Chris opens up about the difficult periods marked by overwork and feelings of being stuck in “infinite loops,” and how he found small but meaningful sparks of progress that helped him regain momentum and stay committed. The conversation explores the vital role that culture and purpose play as the true foundation for effective business strategy, rather than just being buzzwords.He also shares practical insights on technology choices, particularly his preference for Shopify over WordPress when it comes to serious e-commerce growth. Furthermore, Chris discusses the origins of Wecom, a venture born from decades of hands-on experience in e-commerce and conversion optimisation.This episode offers authentic and grounded reflections for entrepreneurs and small business owners. It provides valuable perspectives on resilience, the power of focus, and how aligning culture and values with business goals can lead to sustainable growth over time. It’s a refreshing and insightful listen for anyone navigating the complexities of business ownership.Connect with Chris HoganLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrishoges/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrishogesCompany Website: https://www.memedia.com.au/our-agency Chris Hogan’s Company Socialshttps://www.instagram.com/wecomm.au/https://www.facebook.com/wecomm.auhttps://www.youtube.com/c/MeMediaAuConnect with us. 👇Evolve To Grow: https://m.mtrbio.com/evolve-to-grow

Ep 55Navigating the Challenges of Entrepreneurship with Lex Stanley
EIn this episode of The Growth Equation, I sat down with Lex Stanley, the founder of Vastly Digital, to explore the real challenges and triumphs of entrepreneurship in today’s digital marketing world. Lex’s journey is refreshingly honest—from launching her business during the uncertainty of COVID-19 to realising the limits off freelancing and pivoting to building a scalable agency. What stood out was Lex’s blend of “corporate punk” values: honouring old school customer service with a rebellious, modern approach to business.We dive deep into the hard lessons Lex learned early on about client selection, pricing, and the importance of saying no to projects that don’t fit the vision. Her talks openly about the personal cost of entrepreneurship—the constant anxiety over delivering results and paying wages, balanced by the fulfilment of seeing clients succeed and a culture where everyone owns the outcome. Lex’s story highlights how thoughtful outsourcing, building a trustworthy team, and embracing an evolving set of systems and processes are vital to scaling without compromising quality.For entrepreneurs and small business owners facing the pressure of growth and quality delivery, Lex shares practical advice mixed with inspiring reflections on purpose, passion, and the power of quick decision-making. If you want to hear candid stories about navigating business pivots, building culture, and using innovation like AI wisely, this conversation is packed with actionable insights. Check out the resources Lex mentions and connect with Vastly Digital at the links below. This episode reminds us that entrepreneurship is not just about what you do—but how you care about the people and businesses you serve.Connect with Lex Stanley:Website: https://vastly.com.au Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vastlydigitalInstagram: https://instagram.com/vastlydigitalConnect with us. 👇Evolve To Grow: https://m.mtrbio.com/evolve-to-grow

Ep 54Freedom, Finances and Funnels: Adrian Stewart on Designing a Business (and Life) You Actually Want
EIn this insightful episode, Tristan engages with Adrian Stewart, co-founder of Scale Messaging, to explore his entrepreneurial journey—from freelancing in Berlin to building a company that significantly enhances e-commerce conversion rates. Adrian shares the challenges and triumphs of growing a business from the ground up, emphasising the importance of strategic planning, adaptability, and understanding human behaviour in an ever-evolving digital landscape. As co-founder of Scale Messaging, a CRO agency specialising in elevating conversions through precise, customer-centric messaging, Adrian helps companies cut through noise, clarify their value, and create experiences that convert. Outside of work, he writes and makes music, fuelled by a deep interest in storytelling and the psychological forces behind why people do what they do.Adrian discusses the complexities of managing a remote team spread across various time zones, emphasizing the need for effective communication and robust processes. He shares his experiences in leveraging AI to drive business growth, offering a glimpse into the future of e-commerce and the potential of technology to transform industries. The dialogue underscores the critical role of financial planning in sustaining business operations and achieving long-term success.Beyond business, the episode touches on personal growth through travel and the pursuit of freedom and flexibility in life. Adrian reflects on how his global experiences have shaped his perspective and contributed to his professional development. The conversation is a testament to the power of embracing change and the value of aligning business goals with personal aspirations, offering listeners valuable insights into balancing work and life in a meaningful way.Connect with Adrian Stewart:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianjstewart/ Website: www.scalemessaging.com Connect with us. 👇Evolve To Grow: https://m.mtrbio.com/evolve-to-grow

Ep 53Why Building Better Beats Building Bigger with Andrew Hatfield
EAndrew Hatfield built Deepstar Strategic after 30 years across Dell, Red Hat, NetApp, and Portworx—moving from infrastructure engineering to product marketing. He's helped clients achieve 289% ARR growth and Fortune 500 exits by connecting Market-Product-Model-Channel fit.In this episode, we cut through the GTM noise. Andrew breaks down why most B2B tech companies are stuck in feature-factory mode and how to shift to strategic maturity. We explore value-based outcomes over vanity ARR metrics, how lean remote teams can move fast without losing discipline, and why aligning product, marketing, and sales isn't optional—it's the difference between sustainable growth and quarterly chaos.We cover practical diagnostics for bottlenecks, running experiments that actually test new GTM moves, and why leadership conviction matters when everyone else is chasing trends. For Australian SaaS and tech services businesses, this is about building defensible advantages and smart resource allocation—not trying to outspend Silicon Valley.Connect with Andrew HatfieldCompany Website: https://www.deepstarstrategic.com/LinkedIn @andrewhatfield and @deepstarstrategicX @andrewhatfield and @deepstarstratInstagram @andrewhatfieldFacebook @hatfieldaConnect with us. 👇Evolve To Grow: https://m.mtrbio.com/evolve-to-grow

Ep 52Niche Down, Level Up: The Evolution of Hedgehog Marketing with Josh Berg
EThis week on The Growth Equation, I caught up with Josh Berg from Hedgehog Marketing for a really down-to-earth conversation about what it’s actually like to run a marketing business these days. Josh shares the ups and downs of starting out with his sister, juggling a growing team when they were barely out of their twenties, and what happened when the fast growth train started to hit some bumps.What’s refreshing about this chat is hearing how Josh moved away from the typical agency model to something more hands-on, where they work alongside businesses to help them get their own marketing sorted. It wasn’t an easy switch, and he talks openly about the fears and doubts around narrowing their focus, but it’s what’s helped them find solid ground.We also talk about how clever use of AI and automation helps a small team get a lot done without the stress and scramble of making everything manual. And if you stick around, you’ll hear Josh’s hilarious story of how a $1.24 website idea turned into thousands of dollars worth of Uber Eats credit — pretty clever and a bit cheeky.If you’re running a small business and want to get smarter at marketing without turning your life upside down, you’ll get plenty from this episode.Connect with Josh Berg (Director at Hedgehog)Company Website: https://www.hedgehogmarketing.com.au/team-members/josh-berg LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshberg1?originalSubdomain=auConnect with us. 👇Evolve To Grow: https://m.mtrbio.com/evolve-to-grow

Ep 51The Tailored SEO Story with Richard Chalmers
ERichard Chalmers from Tailored SEO brings a candid perspective on growing a digital agency far from the big-city marketing hubs. The journey started in music, swapped guitars for business books, and continued through agency roles and a pivotal move to Tasmania. With few marketing jobs available locally, Richard carved a niche—first as a side project, then as a full-time commitment when old options faded. Building Tailored SEO was never a straight line; setbacks like the COVID lockdown turned uncertainty into unexpected opportunity, showing that small teams can thrive with the right attitude and a willingness to experiment.The episode explores time in established agencies, the importance of learning on the job, and how real specialisation emerged by necessity—responding to a market lacking digital talent and industry jobs. Staff training at Tailored SEO focuses on character and ambition over technical skills, creating a workplace where growth means developing people before processes. Listeners get practical stories about onboarding in high-speed bursts, shifting the agency brand to match new services, and using hands-on experiments to work out what SEO tactics really deliver. Brand awareness, AI, and automation all feature in the chat, along with lessons from risky digital experiments involving AI-generated content and keyword domains. The ups and downs—legal headaches, accounting costs, founder nerves, and the challenge of letting go—show up throughout, proving that learning, adapting, and embracing failure are essential for progress.Richard recommends a multi-channel marketing approach and urges business owners to connect with peers, invest in practical education, and avoid the temptation to do everything alone. Supporting staff, trusting the process, and embracing experimentation set the stage for real, sustainable results. Free strategy sessions and more practical resources are available at tailoredseo.com.au, plus plenty of fresh updates across Tailored SEO’s social channels. For anyone chasing long-term growth, the episode is a window into the evolving landscape of Australian digital marketing and the mindset needed to make it work.Connect with Richard ChalmersCompany Website: https://tailoredseo.com.au/our-team/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-chalmers/?originalSubdomain=auConnect with us. 👇Evolve To Grow: https://m.mtrbio.com/evolve-to-grow

Ep 50Breaking the Glass Ceiling: How Mills Motion Revolutionised Dental Marketing
EIn this episode, I have a fascinating conversation with Steve Mills, founder of Mills Motion and High Production Practice. Steve shares his entrepreneurial journey from freelancing and broad marketing services to carving out a highly specialised niche in the dental and cosmetic industries. What really stood out to me was how Steve and his team pivoted to a webinar-based model during the challenges of COVID—an innovative approach that not only kept their business afloat but also delivered exceptional value by educating prospective patients effectively.We dive deep into the complexities of marketing in the medical space, the critical importance of compliance, and why performance marketing is so intense when a client’s time value tops $600 an hour. Steve also opens up about the limits they've hit with scaling geographically and how they’re exploring new verticals like hair transplants to break that ceiling.Beyond business, the episode offers insights into how Steve balances entrepreneurship with homeschooling four kids, revealing the personal side of running a growing enterprise.If you're looking for strategies that combine focus, compliance, and creative marketing systems—with a few real-world hurdles and wins—this episode is packed with valuable takeaways. You’ll find Steve’s unique blend of optimism and realism refreshing and inspiring.For more from Steve, check out Mills Motion on YouTube or High Production Practice for their specialised dental marketing approach.Connect with Stephen MillsCompany Website: https://millsmotion.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-j-mills/?originalSubdomain=auConnect with us. 👇Evolve To Grow: https://m.mtrbio.com/evolve-to-grow

Ep 49Beyond the Rebrand: How Sonya McIntyre-Reid Built a Flexible, Profitable Agency
EIn this episode of The Growth Equation, I had the pleasure of chatting with Sonya McIntyre-Reid, the driving force behind Linchpin Digital. Sonya’s journey is one of transformation and resilience — starting as a solo freelancer with a simple marketing concept called Kiss Marketing, then evolving her business through multiple rebrands into a dynamic, flexible agency that operates remotely across cities and even continents. Her story is a powerful example of how embracing change and refining your business identity can unlock new opportunities for growth.We unpack everything from the practicalities of running a remote team scattered from Brisbane to Canada, to the so-called ‘behind-the-scenes’ stuff that many founders struggle with—cashflow management, pricing, and the sometimes painful but essential financial lessons that come with running your own agency. Sonya opens up about her early mistakes, like undercharging clients and the surprise tax bills that caught her off guard, and how she turned those challenges into systems that support not only sustainability but also profitability.One of the highlights of our conversation was her approach to team management and communication. Sonya swears by daily huddles, clear task management through tools like ClickUp, and regular one-on-ones that keep her whole team aligned and accountable. For any entrepreneur who’s juggling clients, team dynamics, and growing pains while trying to maintain some semblance of work-life balance, Sonya’s insights hit home.If you’re keen to learn how to move beyond simply surviving as an agency to thriving with a lean, efficient team and the right pricing strategy, this episode provides those lessons straight from someone who’s been in the trenches. Connect with Sonya on Instagram @sonya.mcintyrereid and check out Linchpin Digital’s work on LinkedIn for more inspiration.Thanks for listening, and I hope you find this episode as insightful and motivating as I did.Connect with Sonya McIntyre-ReidCompany Website: https://mediawords.com.au/LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonya-mcintyre-reid-8a28206a/?originalSubdomain=auConnect with us. 👇Evolve To Grow: https://m.mtrbio.com/evolve-to-grow