The Mentor with Mark Bouris

Picture this: a waste management company that doesn’t just haul away your junk—it builds up its community. That’s 'Mildura Waste & Recycling', a 100% locally owned Mildura business with a passion for reliability, fairness, and sustainability run by Mark Forbes-Wilson. From sourcing Aussie-made bins to supporting local fundraisers, they’re all about keeping business—and waste—where it belongs:...

Lloyds Building and Constructions Pty Ltd is owned by Anthony Lloyd, a qualified carpenter with an ACT builder's license and over a decade of experience in both commercial and domestic construction. Since completing his apprenticeship in 2009, Anthony has built a strong reputation in Canberra's building industry. But with Australia's economy tightening, he's feeling the strain-like so many small b...

Step into  The Real Florist, owner Renee Williams's dreamy  florist café, a place where fresh blooms and great coffee collide. Located within the heart of Albury's CBD, their talented team has a passion for floristry education, offering workshops to teach you the skills to craft stunning personalised arrangements, all done in a relaxing atmosphere, making it the perfect spot for flower l...

For over 37 years, Sam Beau Patrick has dedicated her career to holistic health—first as a nurse and pharmaceutical rep, then as a naturopath and health performance coach. Today, she’s a published author, art therapist, and life coach who blends science, nature, and creativity to help clients worldwide. But with Australia's economy tightening, she's feeling the strain-like so many small busin...

Ben Crowley isn’t your typical health entrepreneur. He started out teaching English in Japan, got hooked on boxing, and ended up building one of Australia’s leading supplement businesses. Today, he runs Bulk Nutrients, the flagship sponsor of our Project 100 series. In this episode, I sit down with Ben to unpack how he built a high-growth, direct-to-consumer business that cuts out the middlemen an...

My team and I have been paying attention, and one thing is clear - you want to hear from businesses beyond Sydney, not just the success stories, but especially those facing real challenges. That’s why we’re launching The Small Business Callout under The Mentor channel-giving business owners across the country a voice. In between The Mentor episodes, we’ll hear what’s working, what’s not, and what...

Sam Gordon is an entrepreneur, property investor, and host of the Top 1% Podcast, where he shares insights from his journey as a high school dropout to building multiple multi-eight-figure businesses, offering listeners strategies to maximise their potential and impact. In our conversation, we covered how he built his property portfolio, his inspiration from Harry Triguboff, how to identify growth...

Brandon Dodoro and Katherine Tippett, founders of STEPZ, have been innovating the marine industry since 2017, driven by a passion for safety and accessibility on the water, and an emphasis on adventure. Their specialised boat trailer ladders make launching and retrieving vessels easier and safer for boating enthusiasts across Australia. However, as Australia's economy tightens, they're feeling the...

Nathan Grant, founder of SlantBoardGuy , has been pioneering posture and mobility solutions through his innovative slant boards since 2010, driven by a passion for helping people improve their wellbeing and physical health through proper alignment. But with Australia's economy tightening, he's feeling the strain-like so many small business owners fighting to stay afloat. It’s not always a success...

Kate Inglish, founder of Kate Inglish Designs , has been crafting personalised baby hampers and keepsakes since 2010, driven by a passion for sparking joy and preserving precious memories for new mums. But with Australia’s economy tightening, she’s feeling the strain-like so many small business owners fighting to stay afloat. It’s not always a success story. Running a small business can be lonely,...

Small businesses are the backbone of this country, yet too often, owners feel like their voices aren’t being heard. And I know many of you tuning in on The Mentor can relate. My team and I have been paying attention, and one thing is clear - you want to hear from businesses beyond Sydney, not just the success stories, but especially those facing real challenges. That’s why we’re launching the Smal...

Michael Ramsey is the co-founder of STRONG Pilates alongside Mark Armstrong in 2019, has built a global fitness brand that blends traditional Pilates principles with high-intensity, low-impact cardio training. With a Master of Commerce in Marketing from RMIT University and experience owning F45 franchises, Michael has extensive expertise in brand strategy, business development, and digital marketi...

Sam Kelly is the Managing Partner and owner of Hello Social - one of Sydney’s top integrated marketing agencies. Recognised as Campaign Magazine’s Social Media and Influencer Marketing Agency of the Year in both 2022 and 2023, Hello Social has set the standard in the industry. In this episode, we explore Sam’s journey and what makes his agency stand out. I’ll share key lessons from my own experien...

Stella Petrou Concha is the Founder and CEO of Reo Group, a leading national talent and executive recruitment agency. Stella is a powerhouse in the recruitment agency world and she's also the author of Stone Heart Light Heart: The Intelligence of Self Mastery . Her self-mastery frameworks are embraced by global giants like Google, TikTok, and Meta. She also shares her expertise as a guest lecturer...

Diogo Ferreira is at the helm of Tuga Pastries, a family-run business that has brought the rich culinary traditions of Portugal to life right here in Australia. With an impressive 14,000 pastries rolling out each week, Tuga Pastries has become an icon in Sydney mainly due to their legendary Portuguese tart—widely regarded as the best in the city. In this episode, we explore Portugal’s rich cultura...

Dan Bova, co-founder of The Yard Gym, leads a franchise network of over 50 locations in Australia, with ambitious plans to expand to 200 sites worldwide by 2025. In our conversation, we explored Dan’s journey and early life, his move into gym franchising, the founding of The Yard, and what sets it apart. We also delved into its innovative business model and curriculum, the intricacies of franchisi...

It was a massive year on The Mentor . We had some brilliant guests sharing incredible business insight. Who stood out to you, and who should we bring on next? Here are some highlights of the standout episodes of 2024. 00:00-12:59 (Radek Sali) 13:01- 25:15 (Eight Sleep) 25:16 - 30:44 (Lia Georgantis) 30:46- 40:37 (Nick Palumbo) 40:40- 50:01 (Jenny Child) Listen to the full podcast via the links bel...

It’s been a massive year on The Mentor . We’ve had some brilliant guests sharing incredible business insight. Who stood out to you, and who should we bring on next? Here are some highlights of the standout episodes of the year.   00:00-10:57 (Lewi Brown) 10:59-16:24 (Jess Sepel) 16:27 - 24:26(Tim Duggan) 24:29- 33:50 (Deanne Stewart) 33:53- 44:57 (Amanda Price)   Listen to th...

Helen Baker is the visionary founder of Xolvit, a groundbreaking crowdsourcing app designed to foster student innovation by helping companies tackle pressing social issues. Xolvit's mission is to bridge the gap between socially responsible organisations and the next generation of the workforce. In our conversation, we delved into Helen's inspiring journey, from her upbringing with her adoptive par...

Matt Jones is a creative strategist and entrepreneur who co-founded Four Pillars Gin in 2013, transforming it into a multi-award-winning global brand. We had a fascinating conversation about his early career in politics and brand strategy before venturing into the gin business, how he made Four Pillars stand out in a fiercely competitive market, the essence of building a great brand, how they got...

Liquid & Larder is the brainchild of two lifelong mates who’ve turned their passion for hospitality into one of Sydney’s most celebrated groups. With four standout venues—Bistecca, The Gidley, The Rover, and Alfie’s—Warren and Jimmy have created something special. Warren leads the charge on quality and culture, while Jimmy drives growth as CFO, and together, they’ve built a reputation for exec...

Many people driving with Uber or delivering with Uber Eats have innovative business ideas they’re eager to launch or grow. In recognition of this entrepreneurial spirit, Uber partnered with Inspiring Rare Birds to develop the Business Booster Program, designed to help those earning with Uber or Uber Eats achieve their business goals. The 2024 program saw over 4,500 applicants, and I was...

What makes many of Australia’s most iconic brands stand out is their exceptional branding. The creative process of branding demands relentless effort, strategic vision, and brilliant minds. Hans Hulsbosch is a name synonymous with branding in this country. A renowned designer and branding expert, Hans has been at the helm of projects for some of Australia’s biggest names—Qantas, Woolworths, and Vi...

Mia McLeod is a seasoned digital leader, known for her strategic insight, creativity, and global marketing expertise. With 20 years in the industry, she has excelled in audience engagement, social media, content creation, and digital advertising, holding pivotal roles at top companies like Walt Disney, Sony Music, and Universal Music. Now, she leads Digital Collective Co, where she leads a team in...

Charlie Puchala is not your typical entrepreneur. Her journey, spanning from interior design and construction to property development, reflects a relentless commitment to sustainability, craftsmanship, and redefining industry standards. After immigrating from Poland, Charlie turned early challenges into opportunities, establishing herself as a powerhouse with ventures like Puch Constructions, Char...