Stories Unlocked

From Greece to Sydney, from restaurateur to social media star. YiaYia Helen Dedes shares her incredible journey With Stories Unlocked.

Born into a tight-knit Greek family, YiaYia Helen witnessed history firsthand when an invasion changed the course of her life at just nine years old. At 21 years old, she set sail for Australia on a 40-day boat journey, leaving behind her homeland to build a new future.

Married in 1967 in Gree...

From humble beginnings to building a café empire, Charlie El-Hachem shares his incredible journey in Stories Unlocked.

Born to Lebanese parents who met in Sydney, Charlie grew up in housing commissions, learning the values of family, hard work, and resilience.

As the oldest of three brothers, he navigated culture shock, school, and the challenges of mixed communities, all while working alongside his father and brother in hos...

From stacking pizza boxes at 13 to running a high-performing digital marketing agency, Matthew Mazzotta has built his success from the ground up.

Born into a hardworking family, his father a Telstra technician and DJ, his mother a skilled dressmaker. Matthew learned early that discipline and persistence were the keys to success. Growing up with three younger brothers, he developed a strong sense of responsibility and ambition.

By 16,...

Join Haris Strangas as he dives into his journey from his Greek-Australian upbringing to his role as a Sutherland Shire Councillor for the Liberals.

Haris is dedicated to giving back to the community, supporting small businesses by cutting red tape, and championing local sustainability, sports, and safety initiatives.

Beyond politics, he is the visionary behind Olympus, Australia’s biggest Greek nightlife event, bringing Gre...

In this episode, we dive into the inspiring journey of a creative force who grew up in an Italian household, where a self-employed father instilled values of hard work and determination. His childhood was spent breakdancing under the Fairfield Bridge, competing in street dance battles inspired by A Set Up DVD, and dreaming of a life that broke boundaries.

At 18, he took his first job as a baker, but by 19-20, he had hit the big st...

Meet Gassan "Gus" Shamon, a driven entrepreneur with deep roots in family and resilience. The oldest of four siblings, Gus grew up in Mt Druitt with an Assyrian heritage and a father he affectionately calls "octopus hands" for his relentless work ethic and ability to juggle everything. Boxing for eight years in his youth taught Gus discipline and determination, traits he carries into his life and business today. As the founder of...

Meet Nathan Durkin, better known as "The Rugby League Guru," a passionate voice in the world of rugby league. Growing up as a stock-standard kid with a tennis-playing dad, Nathan overcame a stuttering problem during his public school years and later discovered his calling far from the halls of university, which he openly dislikes.

In 2018, Nathan founded The Rugby League Guru, a platform that has since become a go-to for everyth...

Meet Joshua Khoury, a passionate entrepreneur and family man with deep roots in Bankstown and Lebanese heritage, from playing backyard footy with his brother James to co-founding The Rusty Rabbit, a thriving café chain with locations in Sydney and London. Joshua’s journey is a story of grit, determination, and resilience.

The Rusty Rabbit, known for its all-day breakfast, specialty coffee, and modern Australian cuisine, has beco...

Meet Dully Sayed, a trailblazing entrepreneur and founder of BareWolf Clinic, the world’s first men’s aesthetics clinic and winner of the 2024 ‘Champion Entrepreneur’ title at the Australian Small Business Champion Awards. Dully also pioneered BareousWolfsten, a concept refining human form while taming the inner beast.

Born into a Lebanese family as the eldest of 9 siblings, Dully’s story is one of grit and ambition. From attendin...

In this episode, we dive into the extraordinary journey of Hussein Sheeth, the driving force behind SHEETH, a construction, fit-out, and refurbishment company that has become a trailblazer in the industry. Established in 2017 with his brother Mohammed, SHEETH showcases Hussein’s 15+ years of experience in construction and property, combined with his vision and leadership. With operations spanning ACT, VIC, QLD, and SA, the company ...

Join us as we dive into the inspiring journey of George Nittis, the heart and soul behind Sydney’s legendary Ocean Foods. For over 40 years, George has dedicated his life to sourcing and cooking the freshest seafood, making Ocean Foods a staple for locals craving quality and flavor.

In 2024, his hard work was recognized when he, his family, and the Ocean Foods team took home the Most Outstanding Fast Food/Takeaway award at the Inn...

Meet Matthew Georges, a multi-talented entrepreneur who launched his first business at just 13 years old! Now 25, Matthew is the creative force behind thriving ventures like Encore Collective, Matina Inceptive, Zezura Weddings, and more.

Known for his quirky humor and boundless energy, Matthew shares his inspiring journey, invaluable business tips, and insights into balancing his growing empire with his personal life—including his ...

In today's episode, we've got the amazing Rosie Elias on the podcast – the force behind All Occasion Cruises. She's not just rocking the business scene; she's also a supermum who knows how to balance the sea and family life. Join us for a chat about Rosie's journey from navigating the maritime world's twists to building a yacht empire that's not just high-class but celebrity-approved!

Rosie Elias, t...

On today's episode, we've got the one and only Carlos Coratella in the studio, the genius behind Food4Fitness Meals. Picture this: from whipping up meals for gym buddies to ruling the healthy eating game, Carlos is the real deal. Get ready to ride the waves of his entrepreneurial journey, where he spills the beans on how he turned a simple idea into a full-blown food empire. It's not just about the meals; it's about...

On today's episode, we have a truly inspiring individual joining the podcast. He's not just a successful entrepreneur, but someone who has overcome significant challenges to build a multi-million dollar business. We can't wait to share the story of our guest, the founder of SBS Fencing, the incredible Alex Goncalves!

We're going to delve into Alex's journey, exploring the hardships he faced along the way, a...