Build your own Business - Andrew Ford

In this episode of the BYOB Podcast, I sat down with a relatively new client and someone I’ve really enjoyed getting to know, Schalk Kock. Schalk is the founder of Innovatec, a management and technology consulting firm, and his story is a great reminder that building a business doesn’t always follow a straight line – sometimes it takes you halfway around the world.

Originally from South Africa, Schalk’s career has seen him work acro...

In this episode of the BYOB podcast, I sat down with long-time friend, marketing specialist and our Queensland Social Star City Leader, Dyon Swanborough. We talked through his 20-plus years in marketing, his deep love of tech and sound, and his practical, no-fluff approach to helping clients move people through the messy middle of the marketing funnel.

Dyon has a gift for translating complexity into simple, actionable systems. Wheth...

In this episode of the Build Your Own Business podcast, I had the pleasure of chatting with the effervescent and insightful Michelle Letho - someone who first stood out to me at a networking event for her warmth, curiosity and a knack for making meaningful connections.

Michelle isn’t your typical corporate escapee. She’s had a fascinating career across major companies like Mars and Simplot, but what really piqued my interest was her...

In this episode of the BYOB Podcast, I sit down with the incredible Carol Cooke AM - a Paralympic gold medallist, author, keynote speaker, and all-around powerhouse - for a truly inspiring conversation about resilience, reinvention, and what it means to turn adversity into opportunity.

Carol shares her remarkable journey from being a competitive swimmer in Canada to becoming a decorated Australian Paralympian in cycling. But her sto...

In this episode of the BYOB Podcast, I sit down with my good mate, business coach, and author Darren Bourke for an insightful and lively chat about what it really takes to build a successful business. Darren has spent years helping SME owners find their footing, and today, he’s spilling the secrets on how to run a business without it running you. From his early days crunching numbers at Deloitte to carving out his own path in busin...

In this episode ofBuild Your Own Business (BYOB), I reconnect with my longtime friend and former colleague James McCracken, an expert mortgage broker coach. James shares his journey from corporate roles at Sensis and Hewlett-Packard to becoming a dedicated business coach helping mortgage brokers grow and scale their businesses.

James and I talk about his transition into entrepreneurship, the challenges of starting his own business, ...

In this episode of Build Your Own Business (BYOB), Andrew Ford sits down with Iyari Cevallos, the Co-Founder of Nucleo Group, to explore her remarkable journey from receptionist to entrepreneur. Iyari’s story is one of adaptability, determination, and innovation, as she navigated a dynamic career path while raising six children and building a consultancy that transforms organisations through leadership development and cultural alig...

In this episode of Build Your Own Business (BYOB), I sit down with Chris Ashmore, podcasting expert and founder of Chris Ashmore Media, to uncover his inspiring journey from journalism to entrepreneurship. Chris has a rich and varied background, which includes time in Japan as a legal recruiter, a long-standing role in audio production, and now running his own business dedicated to helping others tell their stories through podcasti...

In this episode of Build Your Own Business (BYOB), I sit down with Dr. Jon Ford, Managing Director of Advanced Health Care, to explore his remarkable journey from being a hands-on physiotherapist to founding and leading a thriving healthcare group focused on chronic pain management. As Jon opens up about his path, we uncover how his early experiences, combined with his dedication to evidence-based practice, shaped him into the succ...

In this episode of Build Your Own Business (BYOB), I have a fantastic conversation with Dr. Maja Green, CEO and Director of Medical Affairs at Solaris Research Institute. Maja is a pioneer in the fields of pain and spine research, and today, she shares her journey from the medical world to becoming a successful entrepreneur.

We dive into Maja's background, exploring her early experiences in the healthcare industry and how those exp...

In this episode, I sit down with John Perry, a seasoned entrepreneur and the driving force behind multiple successful ventures. John shares his wealth of experience, diving deep into the challenges and rewards of building businesses from the ground up. With over 40 years in various industries, John offers invaluable insights into the nuances of entrepreneurship, capital raising, and the importance of resilience.

John begins by disc...

In this episode, I have the pleasure of chatting with Andrew Baxter, a highly experienced marketing expert and business leader. We dive into his extensive career, from his early days in marketing to leading some of Australia's most prominent agencies, and his transition into advisory roles where he now guides and mentors the next generation of business leaders. Andrew shares the story of his career, beginning with his formativ...

BYOB Episode 6 with Sevan Tuna

In this episode, I sit down with Sevan Tuna, the managing partner at Alexander Spencer, to discuss his journey in building a successful accounting practice and diversifying into various business ventures. Sevan brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table, offering valuable insights into the world of entrepreneurship and business management.

Sevan shares his background, detailing his j...

Welcome to episode 5 of the Build Your Own Business podcast! In this episode, I reconnect with Gareth Benson, a commercial IP lawyer by trade and a highly creative entrepreneur. Gareth applies his creativity to a myriad of projects and ventures, showcasing his passion for empowering others with innovative ideas.

Gareth has recently released the second edition of his book, Ideaology, which guides readers on how to create profitable ...

Welcome to episode 4 of the Build Your Own Business podcast! In this episode, I have a chat with Michael Kenihan, an experienced physiotherapist and businessman who has been a leader in the healthcare industry for three decades. I’ve known Michael since the start of Social Star and we’ve worked together on a variety of interesting projects. Most recently we worked with him to write and publish a book ‘The Health Practitioner’s Jour...

I'm excited to welcome Samuel Power on the podcast today. I met Samuel through his father in law - Michael Kenihan who is a long term client and friend of mine. Samuel is a mortgage broker with extensive experience and knowledge in the industry of financial services. When I did a workshop with him earlier this year I found his knowledge and understanding far exceeds the ordinary for mortgage brokers. 

We’ll take a walk down mem...

I'm delighted to have Sarah Hobday-North with me on the podcast. Sarah, an architect and entrepreneur, is the founder of Architect GP, a venture aimed at making architecture advice widely accessible.

We'll dive deep into Sarah's journey from being raised by architect parents to forging her own path in the industry. Despite growing up in an architectural environment, Sarah initially veered away from following her parents...

In today's conversation, I sat down with Mitchell Bacha, a friend and client I’ve worked with to build his personal brand. Mitchell started his business, SUMParts Consulting after returning to Australia from spending over a decade in Asia as the CEO of luxury fashion brands, Valentino and Celine. 

Mitchell's career trajectory is nothing short of inspiring. Starting as a humble Christmas casual at HUGO BOSS in Sydney, he emb...

Welcome back to the Build Your Own Business podcast! I'm Andrew Ford, and I'm thrilled to restart this journey with you. When I started the BYOB podcast, my goal was simple: to create a space where small business owners could connect with the stories of others who've transitioned from corporate careers to entrepreneurship.

It's a tough transition from employee to business owner, filled with challenges both in t...