Epic Execution Podcast

Summary Today, we explore a groundbreaking revelation in networking that challenges everything you've been taught. The conventional wisdom suggests that success lies in meeting as many people as possible, accumulating contacts like trophies. But what if I told you that this approach is fundamentally flawed? Join me as I discuss with Christopher Fong, a seasoned expert with over 20 years of exp...

Summary Holly’s story starts at the Startup World Cup in Melbourne, where she participated in a competition that limited pitches to just two minutes. Despite the brevity, Holly’s passion and innovative thinking shone through, catching the attention of many, including our host, David Kenney. Holly recalls, "When you only have two minutes, it’s essential to convey how you think, not just what y...

Summary In the world of entrepreneurship, crafting a convincing pitch deck can often feel like an uphill battle. Founders frequently find themselves staring at a blank screen, unsure of how to convey their vision and secure the funding they need. In this post, we’ll break down insights from SJ Kurtini, an expert in pitch creation, who emphasizes the importance of storytelling and clarity in develo...

Summary In this engaging interview, Dre Baldwin shares his journey from professional basketball to a thought leader in business execution. Discover insights on discipline, accountability, team alignment, and leveraging AI for better business outcomes. Key Topics The importance of execution in business and sports Building discipline and mental toughness Creating clarity and accountability in teams...

This episode features a lively debate on whether Australian startups should venture to the US for growth or thrive within their own borders. With contrasting expert opinions, listeners gain insights into strategic choices for scaling and success. Main Topics The advantages of building a profitable business in Australia versus scaling in the US Capital availability and market size in Australia vs....

Summary In this conversation, David Kenney interviews Geoff McQueen, a seasoned entrepreneur with extensive experience in the tech industry. They discuss Geoff's journey from Australia to the US and back, his insights on the evolution of startups, and the challenges founders face today. Jeff shares his experiences with his latest venture, WorkSites AI, and emphasizes the importance of communit...

Summary In this engaging interview, Steve Grace shares insights on recruitment, AI's impact on jobs, leadership, and personal growth. Discover practical advice, industry trends, and inspiring stories that can transform your approach to work and life. Key Topics AI and jobs creation vs. displacement The role of recruiters in modern hiring Leadership qualities of successful entrepreneurs The imp...

Summary In this episode, David Catalovski, a bootstrap tech founder from Green Bay, challenges the conventional wisdom, revealing how resourcefulness, trust, and tenacity are the true superpowers behind building a successful business from nothing. David shares his extraordinary journey from a Macedonian immigrant with no English to leading a transformative utility tech company that grew without ve...

Summary The episode explores the importance of planning for life after a professional sports career, emphasizing the need for athletes to identify their passions and leverage their brand to create opportunities. Takeaways Always ask athletes about their post-career aspirations. Many young athletes may not know their passions yet. It's crucial to help athletes find their path. Professional spor...

Summary In this episode of Epic Execution, David Kenney and Jeremy Cabral discuss the transformative journey of businesses as they scale beyond $100 million in revenue. They explore the importance of early traction, building sustainable growth mechanisms, and the role of innovation in maintaining a competitive edge. Jeremy shares insights on coaching, mentorship, and the impact of technology, part...

Summary In this episode of Epic Execution, David Kenney interviews Rob Castaneda, a CEO with extensive experience in tech-enabled services. They discuss the importance of understanding customer needs, the role of technology in service delivery, and foundational lessons for founders. Rob shares insights on building partnerships, pricing strategies, and the significance of cost management. He emphas...

Summary In this conversation, David Kenney and Murray Hurps delve into the current state of the Australian startup ecosystem, discussing the insights from the Startup Master report, the impact of AI on startups, and the importance of fostering entrepreneurship. They explore the challenges faced by startups, the role of government in supporting innovation, and the need for a cultural shift towards...

In this insightful episode of Epic Execution, David Kenney interviews Michael Batko, a legendary figure in the Australian startup ecosystem and former CEO of StartMate. They delve into the evolution of startups, the importance of mentorship, and how Australia can become a global leader in AI and innovation. Key Takeaways: How StartMate has grown to back over 300 companies valued at more than $4.5...

Summary In this episode of Epic Execution, David Kenney and Nicholas Samios discuss the challenges faced by startups and SMEs in the current economic climate. They explore the importance of financial awareness, effective cash flow management, and the role of advisors in achieving business success. The conversation emphasizes the need for entrepreneurs to understand their market, differentiate thei...

In this episode of Epic Execution, David Kenney interviews Mariam Nasrat, founder and CEO of Bresna.io, a no-code game maker platform. They discuss the importance of building trust in fundraising, the myths surrounding it, and the need for optimism among founders. Mariam shares her journey from a service-based gaming studio to creating a platform that democratizes game development. The conversatio...

In this episode of Epic Execution , David Kenney sits down with Nick Bradley (author of Exit for Millions and a long-time private equity operator) to unpack what founders routinely miss about building a business that’s actually sellable . Nick explains the two metrics PE cares about (MOIC and IRR), why profitability is still the north star in PE thinking, and how the “cost of capital” era changes...

In this high-energy episode, host David Kenney sits down with elite parkour athlete and content creator Dom Di Tomasso. From mastering gravity-defying stunts to mastering the business of influence, Dom shares the pivotal moments that shaped his evolution from athlete to entrepreneur. Key Takeaways: Passion fuels discipline, and discipline drives success. Risk assessment is as critical in business...

Meet Carolyn Breeze, The Women Revolutionising Venture Capital In this episode of Epic Execution , we sat down with Carolyn Breeze, CEO of Scalare Partners, to explore how she is reshaping the venture capital landscape. We dive into Scalare’s flexible investment model, designed to support early-stage tech founders without the traditional VC pressures. Carolyn shares her perspective on the power of...

In this week's episode of Epic Execution , David and Mike break down what it really takes to win over both customers and investors. Drawing on years of experience with pitch decks and startup presentations, they share actionable insights to help founders sharpen their messaging and stand out in a crowded market. From crafting precise, compelling pitches to understanding that traction is more t...

In this week’s episode, we cut through the noise on start-up funding, no fluff, just the core strategies founders need to raise capital from a position of strength. We unpack why preparation is everything, how to define traction beyond revenue, and the power of customer validation in proving market demand. From avoiding common fundraising pitfalls to mastering the art of storytelling in your pitch...

The One Lesson Catherine Lacavera Learned at Google, and Why Founders Need to Hear It: If you can’t protect it, don’t bother building it. Catherine spent 16 years inside Google, fighting legal battles that shaped the future of tech from billion-dollar copyright fights to AI’s legal grey zones. She saw brilliant ideas lose value because no one thought about IP until it was too late. Founders need t...

What does it take to go from the Australian tech scene to making waves in Silicon Valley?  In this week’s episode, we sit down with Michael Harries, an Aussie kicking ass in the world of robotics and deep tech. With a track record of shaping frontier technologies in AI and quantum computing, Michael shares his journey, insights, and hard-won lessons from the global innovation frontlines. We explor...

In today’s episode, we dive deep into Chapter 5 of Epic Execution and its powerful companion course, The Million Dollar Business Map. Designed for founders, this course is the essential toolkit for building a business that not only launches but also works. Whether you're building a five-million-dollar SME or dreaming of the next unicorn, this episode shows why the first million in revenue is t...

This week’s episode is about really knowing the who's who of your startup. It's based on the fourth course at StartWithEpic and the fourth chapter of David’s book, Epic Execution.  Founders often rush past the foundational work of deeply understanding their target audience. We break down the three critical worksheets from the Know Who’s Who course that every founder must complete before building o...

In today's episode, focusing on the course "Obsess over the Customer Problem , "   David and Mike explore one of the most mission-critical aspects of building a successful business: understanding your customer’s problem both superficially and deeply. Listeners will gain powerful insights into defining effective problem statements that build trust, why market sizing using TAM, SAM, and SOM is more...