Business Unlocked with Marcus Kroek

I just got back from giving a talk to business owners in Narrandera. It struck me that businesses of all sizes (from micro-businesses to 20-million-dollar companies) often struggle with the same core issues. In this episode, I cover the three biggest problems I see. First, not truly knowing your numbers (and why your accounting software might be misleading you). Second, failing to get paid properl...

Many business owners think a 'vision' is just a fluffy, airy-fairy statement. In the episode, Marcus Kroek explains why it’s actually the most practical tool for building a real competitive advantage. He covers why most vision statements fail, and how you can fix it immediately. Marcus uses the simple, practical example of ' the best pie shop in town ' to demonstrate how a clear vi...

Ever felt like you're just not on the same page as a client or a team member? The problem might not be what you're saying, but how you're saying it. Marcus Kroek explains a powerful communication tool used millions of times worldwide (the DISC profile). He uses a simple story about four people going to dinner to illustrate the four main behavioral types (Dominant, Influence, Steady, an...

Many business owners believe they aren't planners, but the plan is always there (usually just stuck in their head). The key is to get that strategy out, onto paper, and into action. In this episode, Marcus explains his proven framework for strategic planning. He covers how to get clear on your personal and business vision, align with your partners, and use that foundation to set meaningful goa...

Marcus is joined by entrepreneur Lee Krupa (Byron Leather, Verify Faces, Richly Told podcast) to discuss a surprisingly common issue that silently damages small business cash flow: the failure to send invoices on time. Lee shares her personal experience and the unintended negative impact it has on the client's own finances when you hold off on billing. They cover the emotional barriers to aski...

Is it possible to increase your revenue by 46% and your profit by 61% without massive, stressful changes? It sure is! And it comes down to making small 10% improvements in five key areas of your business. Marcus simplifies his proven profit formula, breaking down the five essential drivers that control your profitability. He not only explains what they are (from leads and conversion to profit marg...

In this episode, Marcus speaks with Iesha Delune, a coach with over 20 years of experience who helps business owners find alignment and avoid burnout. Iesha introduces her concept of "congruence" (getting your body, heart, mind, and soul on the same page). She explains why simply copying someone else's successful strategy can lead to stress if it is not a natural fit for you and your personality....

Marcus Kroek and special guest Nadia Venditti discuss what it truly means to be a CEO in a small or medium-sized business. They explore the critical differences between the roles of an employee, a manager, and a chief executive officer. The conversation covers the essential mindset shifts required to transition from a "doer" to a strategic leader. Marcus and Nadia talk about the importance of visi...

Marcus turns the tables and interviews his podcast producer, Rabbit (Rabs), about the transition from a 34-year career as an employee in radio to becoming a business owner. Rabs shares the significant mindset shifts required, including the challenge of changing his identity from 'radio guy' to 'business owner'. He discusses the practical lessons learned from Marcus, such as defining his own versio...

Marcus is joined by Katie Crismale-Marshall (owner of Profit First for Tradies and CEO of Profit First Australia and New Zealand) to discuss her biggest lessons learned from her time in business. Katie explains why it's a mistake to believe you're on your own when struggling and how to stop comparing yourself to others. She also talks about the importance of being able to help a prospect say no an...

Marcus is joined by bookkeeper and BAS agent Felicity Matthews to discuss how to create a more efficient and profitable business. Felicity shares a powerful strategy that helped a client pay off a $50,000 loan in just 18 months (instead of the original seven years). They also explore how streamlining your quoting process can uncover hidden profits and why so many businesses leave money on the tabl...

Marcus has a big announcement! He is joined by money mentor Nadia Venditti and registered BAS agent Felicity Matthews to introduce their new partnership, Business Unlocked. This is now more than just a podcast; it is a new entity designed to provide comprehensive business and money mentoring. In this launch episode, each partner shares a critical piece of advice for business owners. Nadia addresse...

Ever looked at your profit and loss statement, seen a healthy profit, but found no cash in the bank? You're not alone. This common frustration is exactly what Marcus and his guest, money mentor Nadia Vendetti, tackle. Nadia introduces the Profit First system, a revolutionary way to manage your business finances. She explains how to move from confusing accrual accounting to a simple cash-based meth...

Marcus Kroek moves beyond the typical strategy-focused episodes to look at the powerful, often invisible, forces that dictate your success. He's joined by business owner and NLP Master Ignatius Mendonca to discuss the "Be, Do, Have" principle. They explain why your results (the "have") are not just a product of your actions (the "do"), but are fundamentally shaped by who you are (the "be"). This i...

Deciding when to hire is one of the biggest challenges for a growing business. Do you hire ahead of the demand and carry the cost, or wait until your team is at capacity and risk burnout? In his latest podcast, Marcus sits down with HR expert Martha Travis of People Innovators to discuss this exact problem. Martha shares her own recent experience with scaling her team and provides a framework for...

Many business owners think marketing is just about running ads, but that's a costly misconception. In this episode, Marcus Kroek is joined by marketing expert Andres Lopez to discuss the foundational principles that drive real growth. Andres explains the crucial difference between brand marketing (building long term value) and performance marketing (driving immediate sales). He introduces the conc...

Many business owners struggle to explain what they do, which holds them back from attracting the right clients. In this episode, Marcus speaks with Bec Sands, a coach and consultant who helps people become confidently visible. Bec explains how to craft a clear and authentic message by drawing on your unique experiences and personality. She shares her own journey from being a nervous speaker to a c...

Understanding the true cost of wages is critical for accurate pricing and business profitability. This episode breaks down the often-overlooked factors that impact your actual wage expenses, far beyond just the hourly rate. Learn about the mandatory on-costs like superannuation and workers' compensation, various allowances, and the crucial impact of non-billable time due to holidays, personal leav...

If you want to put more cash in the bank today, this episode is for you. Marcus walks through five key actions to increase your profit and improve your cashflow immediately. From collecting overdue invoices to getting deposits upfront and reviewing your pricing, these are practical, proven strategies that can change your business! Email success@businessunlocked.com.au with subject "Pricing" to get...

Most business owners think more sales will fix everything. But what I’ve seen over and over is that chasing new customers too soon can actually make things worse. In this episode, I break down my proven profit formula — five simple drivers that grow your business sustainably and profitably. I’ll share real stories from clients who turned things around by working on the right driver first, and I’ll...

Mick Goodwin from Loyal IT Solutions has spent more than two decades proving you can build a respected business without losing sight of what really matters. In this chat, he shares how he and his wife Julie turned a long commute into a local company built on trust, honesty, and family time. Mick explains how clear values guide who joins the team, how giving back became part of Loyal IT’s identity,...

I’m joined by Kyla Daniels, a cake artist and local councillor who knows how to put people first. From her start making fancy birthday cakes to now being a voice in the council chambers, Kyla shares how focusing on the little things and listening to customers has shaped every part of her journey. We talk about slowing down when things go wrong, building a strong social media presence, and why you...

Julie Goodwin - the first ever MasterChef Australia winner, a proud business owner, and a passionate mental health advocate, is back for another chat with Marcus. Julie opens up about what it’s really like to build a business with her husband Mick – 30 years married, 22 years running Loyal IT Solutions – and how their success has never been about ruling the world, but about crafting a life that’s...

You don’t need a fancy funnel to win in business. You need to show up, follow through and treat people well! Mark Izzard has run multimillion dollar security companies, been a franchising partner in several businesses and now operates a garage door company on the Central Coast. He’s semi retired but still winning work and still doing things with more care and integrity than most. In this conversat...

What if the best marketing strategy is just… consistency? Mitch Beattie has spent more than a decade in marketing — first running his own agency, and now co-owning Funky Monkey Cookies with his sister Renee. From Facebook ads to gift boxes with custom socks and handwritten notes, Mitch has always been about standing out without overcomplicating things. In this episode, we look at: Why you should o...