Owner To Owner Podcast

Are you grinding away year after year just pulling income out of your business, or are you actively building a valuable asset that can be sold for maximum capital gain? In this episode of Owner to Owner , host Michael sits down with Jaimee Hart —former Chartered Accountant, M&A advisor for KPMG and Grant Thornton, experienced CFO for private equity-backed companies, and founder of a global adv...

In this episode of Owner to Owner , Michael sits down with Warwick Levy , founder of the legendary 15-year-old independent and ethical streetwear label, Lonely Kids Club . Warwick shares his incredible journey from dropping out of a university construction degree and printing shirts in his bedroom to building a thriving Sydney-based creative studio that prints thousands of unique, custom-designed...

Master M&A, Earnouts, and Small Business Growth with Tony Simmons | Owner to Owner Podcast Ep #184 In Episode 184 of the Owner to Owner podcast, host Michael Kerr sits down with entrepreneur, builder, and former M&A lawyer Tony Simmons to explore the hidden realities of business exits, negotiation traps, and structural deal risks. Episode Overview & Key Takeaways From Corporate Law to...

People First, Technology Second: Building Uptake Digital with Brenton Johnson Episode Description: What is the secret to scaling a tech company while ensuring it stays human-centric, unique, and intentional? In this episode, we sit down with Brenton Johnson , founder of Uptake Digital , to explore how he built a thriving Managed Service Provider (MSP) by putting people and purpose before "gazillio...

Overcoming Small Business Burnout: Why You Need Simpler Systems, Not More Tech Welcome to another episode of the Owner to Owner Podcast . If you’ve ever wondered how to reduce small business burnout, the answer often starts with simplifying your small business tech stack. Are you feeling overwhelmed by the endless apps, subscriptions, and communication channels required to run your business today?...

In this episode of the Owner to Owner Podcast, Michael sits down with Bill Lang —Chair of Small Business Australia , Co-chair of Harvard Alumni Entrepreneurs for Oceania, and a seasoned business founder and advisor. They dive deep into the rising trend of "entrepreneurship through acquisition," exploring why buying an established business is becoming an increasingly popular and less risky alternat...

Why every business owner needs to build authority. Michael sits down with Trevor Young —PR and communications advisor, coach, mentor, writer, author, and podcast host—to unpack why building authority is a strategic business asset for SME owners. They discuss how founders can build credibility, visibility, and trust without falling into noisy self-promotion. The conversation also gets practical abo...

What does it take to build a thriving independent brewery in the shadow of multinational giants?  In this episode, Peta Fielding , co-founder of Burleigh Brewing , takes us behind the scenes of her nearly 20-year journey crafting one of Australia's most beloved indie beer brands. From buying a brewery out of Chapter 11 bankruptcy to mastering long-term strategy and fostering deep brand loyalty, Pe...

As thousands of Australian small business owners approach retirement in the coming decade, the question of succession looms large.  Selling to a competitor or on the open market are familiar paths, but what about selling to the people who know the business best—the employees? @ Andrew Clements from @ employeeownershipaustralia talks about; The critical differences between traditional share schemes...

Important Note for Listeners: This episode contains a discussion regarding mental health and the professional challenges—including suicidal ideation—faced by dental practitioners. We believe these conversations are vital for industry transparency and support. If you or someone you know is experiencing distress, please reach out to one of the following confidential, professional services: Dental Pr...

Building a Purpose-Driven Business as a Mumpreneur with Marie Carillon In this episode, Marie Carillon , founder and podcast host of the Business Mum Compass, shares her insights into how mothers can create impactful, flexible businesses that align with their lifestyle and values. She emphasizes the importance of authenticity, personal branding, and clear definitions of success, especially in the...

Most rural communities are facing a critical crossroads: how to preserve essential local businesses when traditional ownership models are failing. What if communities could take ownership themselves—reclaiming their future one business at a time? Matt Pfahlert founder of Community Owned Australia , explains how regional communities can take a step towards buying and operating the assets they can't...

Most business owners dramatically underestimate what it takes to sell successfully—until it's finally too late.  @ Tony Brown founder of @ DMA is a seasoned expert in Australia's mid-market transactions. We talk about hidden pitfalls that lead to owners leaving money on the table, and the critical steps in preparing your business two years before selling.  We break down how owner dependence, cultu...

Jacinta and Jesse from JC and the Tree have built their version of freedom, in music and in life. They have 3 years of touring Australia to prove it. From the road, gig by gig, they've had a a red hot crack at running a fully DIY music business while travelling Australia. This is a grounded look at what that actually takes: long drives, small crowds, constant admin, and making the numbers work thr...

@Michael Kerr and @Andy Farquharson dive into #employeeownership Andy founded @abettermonday  and hosts the @alternativeexit podcast.  They discuss; Why Employee Ownership is such a viable exit strategy for small business owners  The benefits of EO for; How EO has the potential to bridge wealth disparities and enhance productivity The conversation also covers what's needed to increase the number o...

@Rebecca Barnett serendipitously acquired the @Maldon Bakery  The Bakery is 154 years old and also the oldest continuously running bakery in Australia. It's a hell of a legacy to take on! Find out how serendipity led her to this historic gem, her challenges in reviving its legacy, and the continuous improvement model that drives her success. From leveraging family history in baking to navigating t...

@Michael Kerr talks with @Nigel Purchase founder of Chase Basketball. Nigel and his team have just celebrated a 25 year business birthday. A mighty fine effort for this #familybusiness .  Nigel is all in on his business. It's his passion, it's his superannuation and he still loves going to work! In the discussion Nigel reflects on the 25-year journey, talks about his still strong passion for coach...

Host @Michael Kerr and guest @Elise Heslop talk through how and why Elise transitioned from a 'safe and secure' corporate role to life as an entrepreneur. After taking a family sabbatical in Italy, she founded Ply Room, a values-based furniture business. After she successfully sold Ply Room she's headed back to a new role in Corporate as Head of Marketing for @earlypay . A full circle with lots of...

In this compelling episode of "Owner to Owner," host Michael Kerr dives deep with Dr. Craig West, the visionary founder of Succession Plus. Together, they unpick the transformative power of employee ownership programs and their profound impact on business value and succession planning. Discover how and why these strategies not only enhance business resilience but also foster community well-being....

@Gabe Villarreal founder, business buyer and business growth adviser on scaling a liquor business to a million dollars in monthly revenue. We discuss strategies for over coming the practical challenges of scaling and exiting businesses, as well as the merits of 'holding' businesses rather than selling.  He stresses the importance of imperfect action, learning from failures, and having options in b...

@Jacquie Riddell is an experienced #NFP leader and current chair of the @CBAA . The NFP or #ThirdSector is presenting huge challenges to leadership, employees and the many volunteers. Jacquie and host @Michael Kerr talk about; Financial sustainability Mergers & Acquisitions in the NFP sector The impact of overcrowding in the charity sector The need for adopting new and better business models and #...

@Michael Kerr welcomes @David Brudenell Executive Director from @decidr.ai discuss the challenges and opportunities for Australian SMEs in adopting AI strategies.  They explore the National AI Readiness Index launched by Decidr,  the importance of system design, and how AI can transform small businesses. The conversation delves into the potential of AI to provide #SMEs with the equivalent of thous...

@Michael Kerr speaks with @Vicki Likoudis from True North Buyers Advocates about the opportunities for tenants and buyers in favorable commercial property market cycle. Vicki sees the opportunity being available for another 6-9 months. They discuss how small business owners can take advantage of this cycle to negotiate a better lease or acquire a commercial property. It's a tenant's market right n...

@Michael Kerr welcomes @Stephen Greenwood , Global CEO of @Valloop , and @Hunter Page , Australian Director of Valloop, to discuss the transformative power of employee ownership.  Valloop via its @platform is reshaping the landscape for SMEs, offering innovative solutions for business transitions, and empowering employees to become legitimate buyers. We talk about; The rise of employee ownership a...

@Phil Gregory from @EWaterSystems joins host @Michael Kerr. They discuss Phil's  journey from various jobs to creating a sustainable cleaning technology company tackling a global problem from Australia. This is valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and covers; the importance of purpose and profit raising capital and funding growth technology licencing navigating big competitors the importance...