The Dion Guagliardo Podcast

In this episode, I interview Jeremy Cabral, co-founder of Finder. Finder, a comparison website, was founded in 2006 growing to annual revenue of over $100m and a valuation of $680m. Throughout the episode, Jeremy talks about his early interest in technology, his journey with finder, his work ethic, as well as his thoughts on the future of AI and the impact it will have on companies in the future....

In this episode, I interview Pan Koutlakis, co-founder and CEO of EatClub. Founded in 2017, EatClub is a dynamic pricing platform for restaurants and has grown to over 200 people following a raise of $27 million at a $200 million valuation. Throughout the episode, Pan talks about the challenge of running a business in a two sided marketplace, the impact of COVID on the company, the process of expa...

In this episode, I interview Kelly Drewett, managing director of Synechron and co-founder of Exposé. Exposé, an IT consulting company, was founded in 2016 growing to 70 people before being acquired by Synechron in March along with its sister company Chamonix. Throughout the episode, Kelly discusses the acquisition and what it means for her role, as well as how her background in performing arts hel...

In this episode, I interview Max Marchione, founder of Superpower. Max started the healthcare business in two thousand twenty-three, so far raising fifty million dollars at a three hundred million US dollar valuation, and plans to revolutionize the healthcare industry in the decades ahead. Throughout the episode, Max shares how he built the business after moving to the US, his vision for Superpowe...

In this episode, I interview Ian Runge, founder of RPM Global Holdings Limited Ian started the mining technology business in 1977, listed it on the ASX in 2008, before it was acquired by Caterpillar in February 2026 for over one billion dollars. Throughout the episode, Ian shares how he built the business and innovated computer programming for the mining industry when it was still a fresh concept....

In this episode I interview Renece Brewster, co-founder of Visual Domain. Renece started the video production company in 2008 and scaled it into a national business before being acquired by News Corp in 2024. Throughout the episode, Renece shares how she built the business from scratch during the GFC, growing it into a team of over 100 staff while navigating the pressures of rapidly scaling the co...

In this episode I interview Stefon Bertram, founder and managing partner of Pello Property. Throughout the conversation, Stefon shares his journey into real estate, starting at just 17 years old, growing and selling his first agency through to building Pello into what it is today.  Now approaching its fifth year, the business is on track to achieve $1.2 billion in turnover this year. Stefon also r...

In this episode, I interview Andrea Christie-David - Founder of Leor. Founded in 2018, Leor grew into a nationally early learning service, ultimately leading to its acquisition by ASX-listed G8 Education in 2021. Throughout the conversation, Andrea shares how she built the business as a solution to her own personal challenge. She also opens up about navigating issues such as the COVID-19 pandemic...

In this episode, I interview Sven Almenning - Founder of The Speakeasy Group. With a background bartending around the world, Sven founded Australia's largest industry consultancy firm, Behind Bars, for nine years. He then founded Speakeasy Group, a high-end boutique hospitality company with 8 venues across Melbourne and Sydney. Throughout the episode, Sven highlights the value of creating mea...

In this episode, I interview Chris Poulter - Founder and CEO of OSINT Combine. After more than a decade of experience in the Australian Defence Force, Chris founded the company in 2019. Since then, the veteran-operated business has grown into a global provider of open-source intelligence software, serving clients in more than 20 countries.  Throughout the episode, Chris discusses his military care...

In this episode, I interview Diana Williams - Founder of Fernwood Fitness. Driven by her love of strength training, Diana opened Australia's first women-only gym in 1989. Today, Fernwood has grown to more than 70 clubs nationwide, supporting over 90,000 Australian women.  Throughout the episode, Diana reflects on her decision to franchise and the rapid growth and publicity that came with laun...

In this episode, I interview Kristina Karlsson - Founder of kikki. K and Dream Life. Opening her first stationery store in 2001, kikki. K became a global brand with over 100 stores and customers in over 150 countries. Today, she channels her creativity and passion into Dream Life, a print-on-demand stationery brand and digital coaching program designed to help people create and live their dream li...

In this episode, I interview Troy Sawdy - Founder and CEO of Titan Ind. Starting the company in 2019, Titan provides maintenance solutions for the mining industry across the country. In just six years, Troy has scaled Titan to almost $100m in revenue and a team of 350 employees nationwide.  Throughout the episode, Troy shares the key lessons he learned to become a better leader and the importance...

In this episode, I interview Stuart Clout - Founder of thedocyard. Starting his career as a lawyer, Stuart bootstrapped his company before going through a merger, IPO and ultimately securing a $250 million private-equity exit. Today, he channels his expertise as the founder of GTM Garage and co-founder of Mulga Defense Corporation. Throughout the episode, Stuart discusses the important decisions b...

In this episode, I interview Sarah-Jane Kurtini - Co-Founder of Tinybeans and Founder of PitchSlap. Creating Tinybeans in 2011, S-J bootstrapped the family photo-sharing app and by the time of its IPO, Tinybeans had grown to over 1.5 million users worldwide reaching a market cap of $80m. Exiting in 2020, Sarah-Jane went on to launch PitchSlap, where she now advises founders and CEOs on growth and...

In this episode, I interview Rich Coombes - a four-time founder including companies such as Will & Co Coffee and Batlow Cider Co. Having co-founded and exited several businesses across consumer goods and tech sectors, Rich has established himself as a leader in the entrepreneurial scene. Now, as a Partner at Nexus Advisory, he works directly with businesses to help them find funding solutions....

In this episode, I interview Quirin Schwaighofer - Co-Founder of MadeComfy. MadeComfy was founded in 2015 and has become Australia's largest professional short-term rental network. With over 1,300 properties under management, the company reached a major milestone this year when it was acquired for more than $50 million. Throughout the episode, Quirin discusses setting the goal of starting a c...

In this episode, I interview Jim Penman - Founder of Jim's Group. Since launching Jim's Mowing in 1982, Jim's Group has become Australia's largest franchise network, spanning more than 50 service divisions and over 5,500 franchisees. As of 2025, Jim’s Group generates over $1 billion in annual turnover. Throughout the discussion, Jim shares his early experience of completing his...

In this episode, I interview David Hyman - Co-Founder and CEO of Lendi Group. Since founding the company in 2013, Lendi has become Australia's leading digital mortgage broker and online home loan platform. After acquiring Aussie Home Loans in 2021, Lendi Group now has over $100 billion dollars in loans and 5 million customers on their platforms.  Throughout the episode, David discusses the pr...

In this episode, I interview Steve Chapman - Founder of Hyro and Co-Founder of Shine. Steve scaled Shine to become a major name in the beverage industry in over 7,000 stores and $60m in retail sales. Now, Steve is building Hyro, a wellness brand creating hydrating electrolyte drinks, with a mission to become a $100m company. Throughout the episode, Steve shares his journey growing Shine, including...

In this episode, I interview Benjamin Zeccola - CEO of Palace Cinemas. Founded by his father, Antonio, in 1965, Palace Cinemas has grown into Australia's leading independent cinema group with over 200 screens across 24 locations nationally.  Throughout the episode, Benjamin discusses being involved in the family business from a young age, and the process of stepping into the CEO role. He refl...

In this episode, I interview Jaid Hulsbosch - Director at Hulsbosch. Founded by his father in 1982, the independently owned brand and design agency has grown into a powerhouse behind some of Australia's most iconic brands including Woolworths, Virgin Australia, and Qantas. Throughout the episode, Jaid shares his journey growing up in the business. His decision to gain experience in London bef...

In this episode, I interview Andrew Banks - Co-Founder of Morgan & Banks and Talent2 International. Founded in 1985, Andrew scaled Morgan & Banks to become Australia's largest recruitment company with revenue of almost $1 billion. Andrew also co-founded Talent2 International, an ASX-listed company providing human resource advisory and payroll services.  Throughout the conversation, An...

In this episode, I interview Erin Deering - Co-Founder of Triangl Swimwear and Founder of Deering. Launching Triangl Swimwear in 2013, the brand saw rapid growth with revenue hitting $70 million pa in the space of a few short years and a valuation of $200 million at its peak. Throughout the conversation, Erin talks about the challenges that come with such rapid growth, recognising that she needed...

In this episode, I interview Wayne Gerard — Founder of Prtnr and Co-Founder of RedEye. Over the past two decades, Wayne has built and exited multiple businesses, including scaling RedEye, which supports clients in managing over $450 billion in large, complex assets and critical infrastructure. Now, through his current venture Prtnr, Wayne invests in and builds companies that focus on sustainable i...