The Mentor with Mark Bouris

If you know me, you know I'm a proud Greek Australian. My pride runs deep, shaped by my dad, who left Greece to build a better life here in Australia. The immigrant mentality he passed on has stayed with me and resonates with many Greeks and others whose families immigrated to Australia. And this is one of the things I value most about Australia, how we celebrate and embrace our multicultural...

In this episode of the Mentor, Mark Bouris sits down with Matteo Franceschetti and Alex Zatarain, the co-founders of Eight Sleep, to discuss their journey in revolutionising sleep technology. They delve into their personal backgrounds, previous careers, and how they joined forces to launch Eight Sleep. From the early challenges of building their first prototype and navigating manufacturing in Chin...

Con and Kerrie Dedes, a dynamic husband-and-wife team, have built their celebrated brands around core values of excellent food, outstanding service, and unforgettable experiences. The Dedes Waterfront Group, which operates seven iconic venues across Sydney’s waterfronts, is renowned for catering to everything from casual outings to high-end fine dining. With over 30 years of experience in hospital...

Frida Deguise is an Australian comedian, chef, and businesswoman, known for breaking barriers as a Muslim woman in stand-up comedy and creating the family-owned LA Donuts. With her bold comedic style, Frida tackles cultural identity and societal stereotypes, bringing a fresh and unique voice to Australia's comedy scene. Alongside her success in comedy, she continues to thrive as an entrepreneur an...

Paul Nicolaou serves as the Executive Director of Business Sydney, a key voice for Sydney's business community. Business Sydney works tirelessly to advocate for policies that drive economic growth and enhance Sydney's reputation as a global, competitive, and liveable city. With nearly two centuries of history, the organisation plays a vital role in shaping Sydney’s future. We explored his career j...

Ariana Hendry is the co-founder and Managing director of Beysis, a successful Australian beauty brand known for its customisable and eco-conscious products. Beysis offers a range of beauty essentials, from nail polish to reusable bottles and coffee cups, all designed to be personalised, stylish, and environmentally friendly. We discussed the challenges of getting a quality education today and how...

Mark Woodland is a retired soldier and health tech entrepreneur that fixed the childcare booking system and recently sold the app Xplor for $100 million. After selling his company and making a fortune, Mark Woodland took just two weeks of retirement before diving headfirst into his next venture. He's now leveraging technology to transform Australia's healthcare landscape with his latest innovation...

Kellie Hush is a prominent figure in the Australian fashion industry, with over 20 years of expertise. Best known for her six-year leadership as editor-in-chief of Harper’s BAZAAR Australia, she now leads brand and global strategy at The Volte, an Australian fashion rental platform that connects borrowers and lenders, making designer pieces accessible at a fraction of their retail cost. In our dis...

Luke Bevans is the Managing Director and Founder of Impressed Recordings, a pioneering Australian music label that has made a significant impact on the vinyl revival movement. With a rich background in the music industry, including senior roles at Universal Music Australia and Apple Music, Bevans has leveraged his experience to create a unique platform that connects artists directly with their sup...

Deanne Stewart is a prominent figure in the Australian financial services industry, currently serving as the Chief Executive Officer of Aware Super. Aware Super is Australia’s third-largest superannuation fund, managing $180 billion and serving 1.2 million Australians. As the CEO of one of Australia’s largest superannuation funds, Deanne brought invaluable insights into managing time and responsib...

It's been an eventful couple of years for journalist and content creator Max Sherry. Despite leading the charge in Australian sports media engagement last year for Sports Bible, he ultimately would face redundancy as the company went into a new direction. But instead of feeling sorry for himself, Max joined forces with two former colleagues to launch their own media publishing company, Common Ente...

With over 300 million people using dating apps globally, it's a massive market, yet many of my single friends aren’t satisfied with what’s out there.  Could a new contender be set to change the game? Enter Bridgette Gale, entrepreneur and co-founder of Hello Darling, a dating app with a twist—it lets your best friend swipe for you. In this episode, Bridgette takes us through her journey,...

Leigh Anderson is a seasoned paramedic with 15 years of hands-on experience, who's had to learn how to thrive in high-stress and unpredictable situations. In this episode, Leigh shares his journey into the paramedics after a personal injury, shedding light on the highs and horrors paramedics face, their gruelling work schedules, and the mental training required to handle intense pressure. He also...

Anthony Puharich is a distinguished Australian butcher and entrepreneur, celebrated as the co-owner of Vic's Meat. Established in 1996 as a small butcher shop on Oxford Street in Sydney, Anthony and his father Victor have grown Vic's Meat to become the premium supplier behind 75 percent of the country’s top 100 restaurants. In our conversation, we delved into Anthony's heritage as a fifth-generati...

With Stake , Australia's leading investing platform, I'm excited to share the 12th episode of 'Going Public' - a monthly series giving you unique access to the entrepreneurs, founders and executives who've taken their business public. In this episode of the Going Public series, Mark learns about the remarkable journey of Imugene Ltd (ASX: IMU), a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company revolutionis...

In this episode, we dive deep into the rich history and modern innovations of one of Tasmania's renowned farmers, Ashgrove Cheese. Our guest, Richard Bennett, shares the captivating story of his family's journey to Tasmania over a century ago and how this legacy paved the way for his passion for farming and ultimately cheese-making. We explore the daily challenges and rewards of farm life, sheddin...

Join us in a compelling conversation with Jo Cooper, an Australian singer/songwriter, storyteller, and advocate whose vivacious spirit and unwavering passion drive her to stand up for what she believes in. Jo's resilience and determination shine through her story as a survivor of abuse and a long-time advocate against violence and bullying. In 2015, Jo embarked on a legal battle against the Owners...

My guest today is Lia Georgantis, the dynamic force behind Girls with Gems and Sneaky Link. Girls with Gems is a high-end fashion boutique offering a curated selection of Australian and international designers, along with their own in-house brand, Sneaky Link. Initially started by Lia's mother as a jewellery store, it has since transformed into a full-fledged boutique and online shop. In this epis...

I often wonder where I'd be if I hadn't made certain decisions. It might've been a different story, and not a pretty one. My guest today on The Mentor, Jake Paco, knows this all too well. Jake Paco is the founder of Geedup Co, a streetwear brand in 2010 out of Western Sydney. Over the years, Geedup has grown into a global brand with a cult-like following, generating millions in annual sales and in...

In this episode, I sit down with Geoff Jones, the CEO of TEG, to dive into the fascinating world of live entertainment. Geoff is a highly qualified leader with a ton of experience, shares the strategies and innovations that have put TEG at the cutting edge of live entertainment, ticketing, and technology. From expanding markets and pioneering new tech to creating unforgettable live experiences, Ge...

With Stake , Australia's leading investing platform, I'm excited to share the 11th episode of 'Going Public' - a new monthly series giving you unique access to the entrepreneurs, founders and executives who've taken their business public. Join us in this insightful episode as we sit down with CEO of United H2 Limited (UHL) Will Davidson, a seasoned executive with 25 years of experience in scaling...

Join us for a cracking chat with Charli Walters, the dynamic CEO of Koh, a company making waves in the cleaning industry with its eco-friendly, refillable, reusable, and recyclable multipurpose products. Charli's strategic brilliance and a decade of experience in leading transformational company growth have made her a standout in the business world, leading to her appointment as CEO of Koh in 2022...

In this episode, I sit down with Lewis ‘Lewi’ Brown, a retired professional rugby league player and now the creative force behind Earls Collection. Born in Christchurch, New Zealand, Lewi moved to Sydney in the early 2000s, where he played for the Cronulla Sharks, Sydney Roosters, and West Tigers feeder sides before making his NRL debut with the New Zealand Warriors. Throughout his career, he play...

Join us as we dive into the world of mining with the hosts of Money of Mine, Matt Michael, Travis Ricciardo, and Jonas Dorling. Since launching their Daily Mining News YouTube channel in April 2023, Money of Mine has quickly become one of Australia's top sources for mining news. These guys bring a ton of knowledge and unique perspectives. Matt's an ex-underground miner, while Travis and Jonas come...

Steve Kamper is a seasoned politician and community leader, currently serving New South Wales as the Minister for Small Business, Lands and Property, Multiculturalism, and Sport. In this episode, we explore Steve's childhood and the influence his parents had on his life. We dive into his career in accountancy, his passion for community service, his relationship with NSW Premier Christopher Minns,...