The Mentor with Mark Bouris

While many of us understand how sex works (maybe), the business of sex work is rarely spoken about.  Samantha X is Australia's most know high-class escort best selling author of ‘Hooked’, a book that thrust her into world fame.  There are two sides to the Samantha X business; Samantha X Afterdark – a successful e-commerce business selling lingerie and sex toys, and samanthax.com.au helping people...

At the moment, people across the country tune in to their state's press conference every day to hear the latest COVID-19 case numbers. Our physical and mental health is important, but what about our economic health? NSW Minister for Small Business Damien Tudehope spoke to Mark about the frustration felt by small businesses and calls upon the minister to be part of the NSW crisis cabinet.  Access N...

In nature there's no such thing as waste, so why isn't this the same for business?  Instead, society relies heavily on the 'linear economy' – take, make, use, waste.  The Circular Economy is rethinking the way we use products and is designed to benefit businesses, society, and the environment. Nicole Garofano is the Head of Circular Economy at Planet Ark who has teamed up with Gumtree to encourage...

Dr Suzy Green is the CEO and founder of The Positivity Institute which is dedicated to improving wellbeing in the workplace.  Early in her career, she worked for many years with people who were very psychiatrically unwell, before taking the science and psychology of wellbeing out to the public through The Positivity Institute. The Positivity Institute has helped many businesses and employers devel...

"There's an infinite upside to giving something a go."  Inefficiency drives Rich Joffe crazy, which is why he's set out to sweeten a bland industry – home insurance. Richard Joffe is the CEO and founder of the insurance tech company Honey . Rich and Mark discuss why so many of us are obsessed with the downside of risk and rarely consider the upside, being deliberate with who you receive advice fro...

The economic cost of a lockdown in a major Australian city is estimated to be nearly $1 billion a week. Lockdowns are crippling the economy, and the small business community is taking a disproportionate hit.  A report published by the Australian think tank, Grattan Institute Race to 80: our best shot at living with COVID ,  has explained how the country could exit lockdown.  Brendan Coates is the...

Tim Fung is CEO and co-founder of Airtasker – a marketplace enabling users to outsource everyday tasks.  Tim and his co-founder Jonathan Liu launched Airtasker back in 2012, and it has become synonymous with getting odd jobs and services done.  Fast forward to 2021, and it has become a listed company on the ASX.   Tim Fung and Mark Bouris discuss how to execute a convincing pitch to your audience,...

Mark Bouris is joined by world recognised hairstylist, Natalie Anne in an Instagram Live event discussing small businesses in lockdown.  Watch the Instagram live broadcast HERE  Join the Facebook Group. Follow Mark Bouris on  Instagram ,  LinkedIn   &  YouTube .   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"If you can come up with bigger questions you'll come up with bigger answers."  Self-belief is one of the few things that’ll get you through the shit…during those uncomfortable moments that make you wonder, ”why the hell am I here?”  After witnessing the tragedy of workplace incidents as a private investigator, Luke created SafetyCulture , a darling of Australia’s growing tech sector. Luke and Mar...

Mark shares his frustration caused by the NSW lockdowns and the growing disunity and disconnect. He also answers your questions about using this time to rebuild your business and why you should adjust your business to reflect your customers' needs who are also experiencing lockdown. Join the Facebook Group. Follow Mark Bouris on  Instagram ,  LinkedIn   &  YouTube .   See omnystudio.com/listen...

Natalie Anne has worked in the hair industry since she was 14 years old and has hustled her way to becoming one of Australia's most influential hair specialists.  But no small business is immune to the impact of lockdown.  The small business community has been severely impacted and many are hanging by a thread.  Natalie Anne also shares how small businesses can use this time to improve social medi...

This is a special lockdown episode outlining the Commonwealth government's Covid-19 Disaster Payment announced by Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Tuesday, 13th July.  For more information about the COVID-19 Disaster Payment visit:  Services Australia ServiceNSW     Join the Facebook Group. Follow Mark Bouris on  Instagram ,  LinkedIn   &  YouTube .     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

After being misdiagnosed with polycystic ovaries (PCOS) by her doctor, Nicole Liu found herself travelling down the confusing, fragmented path of women's reproductive health.  Nicole is the founder of Kin Fertility – a platform empowering women with the information, products and access to the health care they need to take control of their fertility. Backed by venture capital Eucalyptus, Kin Fertil...

It's time we hear from you; business owners, startups, sole traders or people who just love the podcast.  Mark shares his thoughts on the latest lockdown in Sydney and its effect on small owners, and what you can do to survive during this period. Join the Facebook Group. Follow Mark Bouris on  Instagram ,  LinkedIn   &  YouTube .   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnys...

They say that the only thing that’s certain in life is death and taxes.   Today on the show, we’re going six feet under and talking about the business of death.  There’s always a need for funeral services. It’s one of the few services that are never in short supply.  Matthew Kwoka is the owner of Southern Cross Funeral Directors and host of Death Defined , educating people about the process of wha...

When Nik Robinson’s kids asked their dad,’ what can we do about the global plastic problem?’  They were deadly serious. Together they launched Good Citizens – turning your plastic bottle into everyday sunglasses.  Nik Robinson and Mark discuss the value of transparency in maintaining trust around your business, simplifying your focus to one key problem and putting power back into your customer.  ...

Who is Jimmy Brings?  David Berger is the co-founder of the alcohol delivery service Jimmy Brings.  David and his business partner, Nathan Besser, first became small business partners through a B2B company, Suppertime. This eventually evolved into what we now know as Jimmy Brings.  Mark and David Berger discuss the beauty of letting an idea evolve on its own, making the most out of marketing oppor...

Anyone can make a coffee or a good meal.  What separates customer service from hospitality is the genuine desire to serve and provide. True hospitality runs through Ameer El-issa’s veins and his family businesses; Bar Biscotti , Shisha, Knafeh Bakery and The Bearded Bakers . You’ll hear how important it is to create a genuine experience around your business, attracting and connecting big companies...

Jason Daniel is the founder of sportswear gear LSKD – functional sportswear with a street aesthetic. It's a company that's experienced a few rebrands since Jason founded the company in his teens, then called Loose Kid, and has gone on to grow with the founder.  Jason Daniel is brutally honest with himself and shares how a mad motocross kid from Logan, Queensland managed to create cool lifestyle cl...

Customers are savvier than ever before, which means it's much harder to win their trust.  Gimmie is a start-up company based in Queensland that wants to disrupt the consumer goods rental industry by simply offering a fair product. Co-founders Scott Roworth and Nadine Tuckey are democratising life's bigger purchases for those who often feel financially excluded.  Mark and Gimmie talk about anticipa...

Erica Berchtold is the unsuspecting CEO for The Iconic.    The eldest of four children, the daughter to a German migrant father and a mother who was a nurse. After finishing up as the Managing Director at Rebel Sport, spending most of her career in the bricks and mortar world, Erica scored the CEO role at Australia’s number one online retailer – The Iconic . Erica moved into a disruptive online in...

When Mike Smith decided to take an eighteen-month sabbatical to the middle of nowhere, he didn't expect to find plastic ...and lots of it.  Smith is the founder of Zero Co , sustainable, reusable home-cleaning and personal-care products. Not only do you feel good buying one of Zero Co 's products, but it's managed to make laundry detergent look really sexy with its fun, cool design.   I want to kn...

Data is always talking. You just need to learn how to listen.  Dharpan Randhawa is the CEO of Talisman , a sports marketing agency, and a former SVP at McLaren Racing. To put it simply, he's a marketing matchmaker. Working alongside big names including Formula 1, Heineken and tennis player Andy Murray, Dharpan Randhawa delivers marketing results by utilising and applying data to his clients.  As b...

Miss Amara is an e-commerce rug business achieving online business cult status.  Co-founders Alex and Aaron Weller have built a strong customer-centric business strategy with a beautiful online presence and virtual reality styling services. Miss Amara  proves it doesn't matter what product you're selling online, as long as you keep the customer front of mind. What makes a rug business so successfu...

Persuading parents to do a course that will save a kids life is an easy sell.  But how does it work as a business?  Theo Mallos is an Intensive Care Paramedic and the co-founder of pediatric first-aid business Rescueblue .  After attending a heartbreaking job while working as a paramedic, Theo and his wife decided to apply his knowledge as a health care professional on a larger scale – first aid c...