Handpicked with Naomi Simson

Handpicked with Naomi Simson

Handpicked with Naomi Simson is a short podcast delivered each Monday which is just like having a mentoring session with one of Australia's most successful entrepreneurs. In this podcast Naomi takes questions from business owners that might need help growing starting or saving their business. Each guest is handpicked by Naomi as she shares stories, ideas and advice that might help them and anyone that has ever wanted to start a business. Naomi Simson is an entrepreneur who founded RedBalloon in 2001. She has been blogging for a decade at NaomiSimson.com, is a professional speaker, author of Live What You Love & Ready To Soar, and a “Shark” on business reality show Shark Tank Australia.

Episodes

August 17, 2025 16 mins

When tourism gets tough, do you pivot or persist? Mark Garey from Orange Trikes faces three critical decisions about SEO, pricing strategy and premium product marketing.

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Mark as Played

Jay Yip's 40-year tourism journey leads to one big question: as AI transforms travel booking, is it better to go everywhere or focus on fewer, better partners?

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Mark as Played
August 3, 2025 16 mins

From tea towels to TV dreams: Live painter Sarah Rowan asks how sole traders can scale without losing their magic. Her energy is infectious and her questions apply to every creative entrepreneur.

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Mark as Played

From Crohn's diagnosis to gut health empire: Rudi van der Vlies asks how to build authority, tackle taboo topics, and grow D2C brands in the AI era. Game-changing insights inside.

If this is for you - https://www.brand-hub.au/pages/tumme also use the code NAOMI10 to get a discount

 

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Mark as Played
July 20, 2025 20 mins

When 91% of companies have recognition programmes but only 31% rate them as effective, something's clearly broken. In this episode, co-CEOs Belinda and Amie from Cos share how they're revitalising their "tired" recognition programme without falling into the favouritism trap.

Why Strategy Execution Unravels and What to do About It

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Mark as Played
July 13, 2025 16 mins

OnDeck's Justin Brady asks the tough questions about sales incentives and customer relationships. Discover why memorable beats monetary and the three pillars that drive results.

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Mark as Played
July 9, 2025 1 min

Hello, I'm Naomi Simson — and we’re back with a brand new season of Handpicked, my podcast where real business owners bring me their real questions.

Season five is here (can you believe it?), and wow — the entrepreneurs have really brought the big ones this time. We’re talking about everything from how t...

Mark as Played
August 22, 2023 2 mins

What is your brand promise? 

 

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Mark as Played
August 15, 2023 3 mins

In this short extra I look stratergy made simple 

 

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August 13, 2023 18 mins

Venkatesh has been in business for almost a decade and he is really wanting to scale. I ask him to consider the constraints of the business and what is holding him back. He wants to know if being boutique is good and how to appeal to larger customers - as a twist at the end I ask him to dream about what his business will look like in five years time. Do you dream about what is possible?

Don't forget to rate, review and refer Handpi...

Mark as Played
August 8, 2023 2 mins

In this short extra I explore the importance of owning a space. 

 

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Mark as Played

If you have a busines idea then this is the episode for you. Chris has a design patent and now he wants to take his project further. I challenge him on some of his thinking, ask him about success and lead him towards next steps.

Don't forget to rate, review and refer Handpicked. 

Thanks to our season sponsor - BIZCOVER , see the link https://www.bizcover.com.au/

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Mark as Played
August 1, 2023 3 mins

Have you explored what your Gross Margin is per employee?  

 

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Mark as Played
July 30, 2023 20 mins

In this episode a give a reality check to this pre-revenue founder. I think it is important to ask challenging questions, to hold up the mirror but also to offer some alternatives. There are althernative sources of money, as I always say debt is cheaper than equity. I talk about customer funded business models, joint marketing and proof of concept. 

Don't forget to rate, review and refer Handpicked. 

Thanks to our season sponsor - ...

Mark as Played
July 25, 2023 2 mins

In this short extra, I give you one of my favourite rules of buisness 

 

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Mark as Played
July 23, 2023 19 mins

Great conversation on where and how tocreate authority How to look at your business model to create more consistent revenue and also how to align your social contribution to your purpose statement. I even create a purpose statement on the fly. Bill has big aspirations and with these simple inexpensive activities he and his partners are well on their way to achieve their business aspirations.

Don't forget to rate, review and refer H...

Mark as Played
July 18, 2023 2 mins

In this short extra I explore the rythem of your buisness week. 

 

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Mark as Played
July 16, 2023 14 mins

Growing a team as a startup can be difficult - where do you find talent I offer some suggestions on how to attract like minded people. We discuss how to find funds for captial infrustructure. Andrew shares some of his successes and I asking him about his super power and where he needs to spend his most valuable resource - his time.. Would partnerships work? His vertical farming is such a great concept this is a gerat episode on a s...

Mark as Played
July 16, 2023 17 mins

This is much more than a life style business, Bethany has a clear sense of purpose, is getting great traction and now she is set to fly, however she needs to make it work for her. We talk about her playing to her strengths, how she finds team members and also whether franchising is an option.

Don't forget to rate, review and refer Handpicked. 

Thanks to our season sponsor - BIZCOVER , see the link https://www.bizcover.com.au/

See om...

Mark as Played
July 11, 2023 2 mins

In this short extra, Naomi wants to know what your buisness intel is telling you? 

 

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Mark as Played

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