Small Business BIG Stories

Shaun 'Zoro' Radnedge, owner of Dunnes Meats and Mayor of Murweh Shire Council, shares his unique journey from apprentice butcher to small business owner and local government leader. This episode explores Zoro’s experience running a successful butcher shop in Charleville for over 25 years while also serving his community as Mayor. Zoro discusses the challenges of operating a small business in rural Queensland, including weathering ...

Ghis Gallo, manager of The Crystal Caves in Atherton, shares the remarkable story of how a passion for crystals evolved into a unique retail and tourism experience. This episode explores the journey of The Crystal Caves from its humble beginnings as a small shop in 1983 to becoming a must-visit destination in North Queensland. Ghis discusses the challenges of running a family business, the importance of customer exper...

Karagh-Mae ‘Kaz’ Kelly, founder of Doggy Day Care Brisbane, shares her journey from RSPCA inspector and border force handler to successful entrepreneur. This episode explores how Kaz built a holistic doggy daycare business that goes beyond basic pet sitting. Kaz candidly discusses the challenges of starting and scaling a business, the importance of community engagement, and navigating the complexities of being a value-driven female...

Scott Millar, the 23-year-old founder of BOP Industries, shares his remarkable journey from selling keyrings at local markets to running a successful education company. This episode explores how Scott built a business that has impacted over 100,000 young people. Scott candidly discusses the challenges of being a young entrepreneur, the importance of mentorship, and navigating generational dynamics in the workplace. From embracing p...

Holly Hunt, founder of Hunt & Co and Women in Digital, shares her journey from HR graduate to successful entrepreneur. This episode explores how Holly built a boutique digital recruitment agency and a national membership organization for women in tech. Holly candidly discusses the challenges of starting a business, the importance of mentorship, and navigating gender dynamics in male-dominated industries. From building professio...

Kay Tommerup, from Tommerup’s Dairy Farm in Queensland's Scenic Rim, shares the remarkable journey of her family's 150-year-old farm. This episode explores how their traditional dairy operation transformed into a thriving agritourism destination. Kay candidly discusses the challenges of diversification, the importance of authenticity in business, and how embracing change saved their farm from financial ruin. From weathering natural...

Arif Memis, founder of Cowch Dessert Cocktail Bar, is an entrepreneur who transformed a dessert concept into a popular Queensland restaurant chain before facing liquidation. In this candid episode, Arif shares his journey from ambitious start-up to business collapse. His story is a powerful lesson in risk management, the importance of seeking proper advice, and redefining success beyond business achievements. From navigating the em...

Yasmin Grigaliunas, founder of Circonomy, is an entrepreneur who turned a charity garage sale into a thriving circular economy business. In this candid episode, Yasmin shares her journey from corporate success to start-up struggles, including the challenges of running a business while navigating a divorce. Her story is a masterclass in resilience, innovative problem-solving, and redefining success on her own terms. From designing h...

Clarissa Rayward has two small businesses; Brisbane Family Law Centre and a membership model education platform called Happy Lawyer Happy Life. She is a legal business innovator, who has mastered the art of challenging conventional wisdom, building purposeful businesses and sensible scaling. In this episode we hear her business origin story, and her actionable advice for other small business owners, from rethinking timesheets, to p...