Catching Up With CUB

Daniel catches up with Marco Formaggio, Owner of Sweat2Scale and a master of scaling professional services businesses. After growing and selling his own 100-person tech consultancy to a global giant, Marco now helps founders structure their teams and systems for sustainable growth. Daniel and Marco break down the difference between growth and true scale, how to reverse-engineer your business from...

Daniel catches up with Jono Castano, Co-Founder of ACERO and one of Australia's most recognised names in health and wellness. From training clients off Gumtree to working with some of the country's biggest names, Jono has built a personal brand and community reshaping the fitness industry. Daniel and Jono dive into building a brand with purpose, how to create a community that amplifies your messag...

Daniel catches up with George Hanna, Managing Director of HDIT, the award-winning technology solutions provider supporting over 1,600 users across Australia and beyond. With over 15 years in business, a growing global team, and multiple industry awards under their belt, HDIT helps businesses scale through smarter systems, strategy, and tech. Daniel and George explore how AI is transforming the way...

Daniel catches up with Dr Lillian Nejad, clinical psychologist, author, and Co-Founder of Contain Your Brain - a digital health company making proven mental health strategies more accessible. With over 25 years' experience, Lillian has helped thousands manage anxiety, build resilience, and improve wellbeing through her programs, books, and tools. In this episode, they explore how core beliefs shap...

Daniel catches up with Tristan Fahey, Founder of Longjump and former brand strategist to global icons like Cadbury and Mercedes-Benz. Now focused on health and wellness, Tristan helps people and businesses unlock growth through better living. They discuss the most effective diet strategies for optimal health, the toxins and foods to cut for better wellbeing, and how businesses can create healthier...

Daniel catches up with Patricia Droguett, Co-Founder and COO of Software at Scale - the award-winning consultancy helping major corporations scale through technology. With a team of 100+ top-tier engineers and recent recognition as Deloitte's fastest-growing young tech company, Patricia previously led the team that built NetBank, Australia's first online banking system. Daniel and Patricia unpack...

Daniel catches up with Matt Joy, Founder Evolution Architect and CEO of Invigour. A long-standing CUB member and expert in deal readiness, Matt has helped over 30 CUB members unlock millions in strategic value by preparing their businesses for capital raises, scale-up, and successful exits. Daniel and Matt unpack what it really means to become "deal ready" - from aligning your leadership team and...

We are celebrating 250 episodes of Catching up with CUB! To mark this huge milestone and five incredible years of the podcast, Daniel catches up with two very   special guests - Matilda and Don Robertson, Founders of STAX., the Australian activewear brand that's gone from a spare room in Perth to an active wear empire worn by stars like Jennifer Lopez and Lizzo. Matilda and Don   share how success...

Daniel catches up with Paul Miller, Founding Partner   of Deutsch Miller, a premium boutique law firm specialising in corporate and M& A law. With over 25 years of experience - including as a partner at a leading London law firm - Paul has built a reputation as one of Australia's top legal minds in business transactions. Daniel and Paul dive into the art of networking, what's really happening in t...

Daniel catches up with Will Kepreotes, Co-Founder of Buttr, the creative agency fuelling the growth of some of Australia's most exciting consumer brands. With a unique model that blends strategy, culture, and content, Buttr is rethinking how modern brands scale. Daniel and Will dive into the new age of creative-led marketing, how to generate leads without feeling 'salesy', and what it really takes...

Daniel catches up with Anthony Mullane, Co-Founder and Country Head of CUB. With almost a decade of experience building CUB into Australia's fastest growing members club for business owners alongside Daniel, Anthony is an expert in sales, leadership, and driving growth. Daniel and Anthony discuss why sales must remain a core focus for any business, how to use sales data to convert more clients, an...

Daniel catches up with Karunn Shahani, Managing Director at Thornton + King, an award-winning law firm specialising in property law, wills and estates, and family law. With a career spanning corporate, criminal, and private law, Karunn co-founded Thornton + King to deliver practical, jargon-free legal advice with a human touch. Daniel and Karunn dive into the often-overlooked world of wills and es...

Daniel catches up with Sophia Lafkas, Managing Director of The Perfect Recruit, a business specialising in recruitment for transport, logistics, landscaping, and construction roles across Australia. Starting in her family's transport company at just 14, Sophia worked her way from the ground up, before launching her own successful recruitment agency 4 years ago. Daniel and Sophia discuss the lesson...

Daniel catches up with Julian Khursigara, CEO of Search Party Property, a leading investment advisory firm helping individuals build wealth through strategic property investments. With over 20 years of experience, Julian has guided investors in navigating the property market to achieve their financial goals. Daniel and Julian discuss how to apply strategy to property purchases, the key to building...

Daniel catches up with Simone Bartley, CEO and Founder of THE BR&ND CO., a consultancy dedicated to integrating business and brand strategies to unlock their full potential. With over 30 years of experience leading global agencies like SAATCHI & SAATCHI, building companies, and advising top brands, Simone helps businesses amplify their impact through strategic brand positioning. Daniel and Simone...

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...

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 c...

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 an...

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...

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 an...

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...

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 expl...

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 industr...

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...

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.