The Mentor With Mark Bouris

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 Virgin Australia—turning their brand strategies into benchmarks for the industry. As the founder of Hulsbosch Design, he’s been instrumental in shaping the way Australians experience these household names.His son, Jaid Hulsbosch, with over 20 years of global experience, joined the family agency after working in businesses around Europe. Now as Director, Jaid oversees strategy, business development, and culture, driving Hulsbosch’s continued success and creative edge.Together, this father-son duo has propelled Hulsbosch into Australia’s gold standard of branding. Their portfolio includes standout work for organisations li

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 crafting high-impact marketing campaigns that connect with clients and consumers.In this episode Mia dives into the early days of digital marketing, the crucial role of content and how Mia’s career trajectory shaped her expertise. Discover the significance of networking, personal branding, and building a digital agency that drives business growth. Check out Digital Collective Co's website here:https://www.digital-collective.co/Check out Mia's course here: https://beyondthegrid.teachable.com/p/make-money-with-social-courseYou can subscribe to the Mentored newsletter here: https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-

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, Charlies Interiors, and Za Collective. Her debut book, Sex, Control, Money, set to release later this year, offers insights on success, personal growth, and the mindset shifts that fuelled her diverse career. Enjoy!You can subscribe to the Mentored newsletter here: https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-sign-upJoin the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 roots, which is what this week's episode of The Mentor is all about.I had the pleasure of sitting down with Yannis Mallikourtis, the Consul General of Greece in Sydney. We shared our Greek backgrounds, discussed his role and life in public service, the challenges Greek Australians face, the importance of preserving the Greek culture and language, why so many first-generation arrivals find success here and much more.You can subscribe to the Mentored newsletter here: https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-sign-upJoin the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube. 

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 China, to creating a product that tracks sleep stages and regulates temperature, Alex and Matteo highlight the crucial role sleep plays in health and longevity. They also talk about the importance of customer feedback, their plans for continued innovation in the sleep fitness industry, and how they now work with some of the world’s top entrepreneurs, scientists and athletes.You can subscribe to the Mentored newsletter here: https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-sign-upJoin the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informati

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 hospitality, Con Dedes draws deep inspiration from his Greek heritage. In this episode, we dive into Con's upbringing, his passion for hospitality passed down from his father, how he met Kerrie, and the pivotal moments that shaped their journey. We also explore the challenges of the hospitality industry, how the couple successfully run their business together, what makes a venue truly great, and what’s next for them.You can subscribe to the Mentored newsletter here: https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-sign-upJoin the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube. See omny

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 and has gone viral on social media while doing it.We talked about her childhood, how she inherited her strong work ethic from her parents, her deep passion for food and cooking, her journey to becoming a chef, and the challenges of working in a tough industry. We also delved into her transition to comedy, the creation of LA Donuts, and the highs and lows of her entrepreneurial journey.You can subscribe to the Mentored newsletter here: https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-sign-upJoin the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube. See omnystudio.com/listener for pr

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 journey leading up to his current position, his previous work in politics, and his unwavering dedication to public service. He shared insights on his executive responsibilities, his advocacy for small businesses, and the critical challenges of the housing crisis and homelessness. We also discussed the importance of appointing a dedicated minister for small business at both federal and state levels to promote business growth and economic stability, along with strategies to maintain Sydney's standing as one of the world’s leading cities.You can subscribe to the Mentored newsletter here: https://mentored.com.au/newsl

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 her entrepreneurial spirit led her out of the corporate world. We also explored the unique experiences women face in business, why she founded Beysis, how Oprah’s endorsement elevated the brand, what’s next for Beysis, her battle with breast cancer and so much more.Check out Beysis' range of brilliant products here: beysis.comYou can subscribe to the Mentored newsletter here: https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-sign-upJoin the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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, Kismet.In our conversation, we spoke about his military career, how a gap in the childcare booking system drew him into the tech world, the urgent need to reform Australia's online healthcare system, his vision for Kismet's future, and much more.Check out Kismet's website here: https://www.kismet.healthcare/You can subscribe to the Mentor newsletter here: https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-sign-upJoin the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 discussion, we dove in the fashion world, the TikTok trend that's causing companies to go bankrupt, how The Volte is tackling this issue, and much more.Check out The Volte's website here: https://thevolte.com/You can subscribe to the Mentor newsletter here: https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-sign-upJoin the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 superfans through exclusive, limited-edition vinyl releases.We delved into his deep passion for music, his journey through the music industry, ways to improve how artists are treated, the unique experience of vinyl listening, the intricacies of the vinyl manufacturing process, Impressed Recordings' innovative approach, and much more.Check out Impressed Recordings website here: https://impressedrecordings.com/You can subscribe to the Mentor newsletter here: https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-sign-upJoin the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube. See omnystudi

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 responsibilities.We explored the profound impact superannuation funds have had on our parent's lives and how Australia's model is regarded as the best. Our conversation went beyond the mechanics of her role; we delved into her journey in the finance world, strategies for navigating and preventing burnout in high-stress environments, the art of making a real difference in the financial services sector, and the critical importance of networking and relationships. We also tackled the immense responsibility that comes with managing billions of dollars and how she maximises her productivity. And if that wasn’t enough, Deanne gave

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 Entertainment, which is dedicated to highlighting the extraordinary in everyday life.In our conversation, we delved into the challenges of today's media landscape, Max's journey from the UK as a teenager, his passion for journalism, his experiences at Fox Sports and Lad Bible, the need to be agile in a cutthroat industry, the negative aspects of social media, and how Common Entertainment aims to stand out in the social media game, plus much more. Enjoy!Check out Common Entertainment's Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/common.entertainment/You can subscribe to the Mentor newsletter here: https://mentored.com.

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, from running a successful bikini brand, where she managed to get the iconic Emily Ratajkowski to wear her designs, and making a daring leap into the tech industry. We explore the philosophy and business model behind the dating app, the dynamic between her and her co-founder, the innovative marketing strategies propelling their success, and much more.You can subscribe to the Mentor newsletter here: https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-sign-upJoin the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 offers invaluable insights on performing under pressure and recounts some gripping stories from his career. This podcast will help you learn to conquer high-pressure situations. Get your notepads ready!Purchase Leigh's new book, or learn more about the Paramedic Mindset here: https://www.panmacmillan.com.au/9781761265815/You can subscribe to the Mentor newsletter here: https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-sign-upJoin the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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-generation butcher, the immigrant mentality that drives him, and his belief that the most crucial ingredient for an entrepreneur is hard work. Anthony shared lessons learned from mistakes in his business journey and reflected on how it felt to have the late chef Anthony Bourdain call a Vics store "the most beautiful butcher shop in the world." We covered these topics and much more, offering a comprehensive look into the life and mindset of this remarkable entrepreneur.You can subscribe to the Mentor newsletter here: https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-sign-upJoin the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram,&nb

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 revolutionising cancer treatment with cutting-edge immunotherapies. Join us as we explore how CEO Leslie Chong has helped transform Imugene from a single-technology startup to a biotech leader with five active clinical trials targeting various cancers. Discover the strategic moves that propelled the company's market cap from $10 million to $500 million and secured its place in the ASX Top 300. We'll also hear from Executive Chairman Paul Hopper, the mastermind behind the IMU listing and successful IPOs for Radiopharm (RAD) and Chimeric (CHM). This episode offers invaluable insights into the world of biotech, innovation, and the pa

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, shedding light on the realities of maintaining a thriving agricultural business. Richard opens up about the intricacies of doing business with various companies and how he has skilfully evolved the business over the years to stay ahead in a competitive industry. Richard also discusses Ashgrove's latest innovative product, seaweed milk in collaboration with Sea Forest, which showcases his commitment to sustainability and forward-thinking in dairy production.Tune in for an insightful discussion on how Ashgrove Cheese blends tradition with modern farming.You can subscribe to the Mentor newsletter here: https://mentored.com

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’ Corporation of her Darlinghurst apartment building to overturn a bylaw enforcing a blanket ban on pets. After a gruelling five-and-a-half-year fight, Jo's persistence paid off when the NSW Courts of Appeals ruled in her favour. On August 24, 2021, ten months after the court judgment, and thanks to Jo's relentless lobbying, the NSW Government implemented this outcome into legislation.This landmark case has been named one of the top 10 most influential court cases of the 21st Century in Australia by the College of Law. Through this podcast, discover Jo Cooper's incredible journey, her advocacy for civil rights, and ho