Claim OwnershipThe Dion Guagliardo Podcast
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© 2026 The Dion Guagliardo Podcast
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The Dion Guagliardo Podcast is a show that brings on Australian business people, leaders and innovators from a variety of industries to discuss entrepreneurship, work ethic and how they achieved success
125 Episodes
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In this episode, I interview Andrea Christie-David - Founder of Leor. Founded in 2018, Leor grew into a nationally early learning service, ultimately leading to its acquisition by ASX-listed G8 Education in 2021. Throughout the conversation, Andrea shares how she built the business as a solution to her own personal challenge. She also opens up about navigating issues such as the COVID-19 pandemic and how leading with vulnerability helped her support and stay connected with her team as the bus...
In this episode, I interview Sven Almenning - Founder of The Speakeasy Group. With a background bartending around the world, Sven founded Australia's largest industry consultancy firm, Behind Bars, for nine years. He then founded Speakeasy Group, a high-end boutique hospitality company with 8 venues across Melbourne and Sydney. Throughout the episode, Sven highlights the value of creating meaningful experiences through human interactions, especially in an era where people are increasingly rel...
In this episode, I interview Chris Poulter - Founder and CEO of OSINT Combine. After more than a decade of experience in the Australian Defence Force, Chris founded the company in 2019. Since then, the veteran-operated business has grown into a global provider of open-source intelligence software, serving clients in more than 20 countries. Throughout the episode, Chris discusses his military career, highlighting how it profoundly shaped his character and his perspective on the world. He...
In this episode, I interview Diana Williams - Founder of Fernwood Fitness. Driven by her love of strength training, Diana opened Australia's first women-only gym in 1989. Today, Fernwood has grown to more than 70 clubs nationwide, supporting over 90,000 Australian women. Throughout the episode, Diana reflects on her decision to franchise and the rapid growth and publicity that came with launching a women-only gym. She discusses her leadership style, how the fitness industry has evolved ...
In this episode, I interview Kristina Karlsson - Founder of kikki.K and Dream Life. Opening her first stationery store in 2001, kikki.K became a global brand with over 100 stores and customers in over 150 countries. Today, she channels her creativity and passion into Dream Life, a print-on-demand stationery brand and digital coaching program designed to help people create and live their dream lives. Throughout the episode, Kristina talks about the rapid growth of kikki.K and its challenges, i...
In this episode, I interview Troy Sawdy - Founder and CEO of Titan Ind. Starting the company in 2019, Titan provides maintenance solutions for the mining industry across the country. In just six years, Troy has scaled Titan to almost $100m in revenue and a team of 350 employees nationwide. Throughout the episode, Troy shares the key lessons he learned to become a better leader and the importance of workplace culture, both of which align with Titan's core values of communication, integri...
In this episode, I interview Stuart Clout - Founder of thedocyard. Starting his career as a lawyer, Stuart bootstrapped his company before going through a merger, IPO and ultimately securing a $250 million private-equity exit. Today, he channels his expertise as the founder of GTM Garage and co-founder of Mulga Defense Corporation. Throughout the episode, Stuart discusses the important decisions behind leaving his job in law and starting a company. He talks about his achievements, including o...
In this episode, I interview Sarah-Jane Kurtini - Co-Founder of Tinybeans and Founder of PitchSlap. Creating Tinybeans in 2011, S-J bootstrapped the family photo-sharing app and by the time of its IPO, Tinybeans had grown to over 1.5 million users worldwide reaching a market cap of $80m. Exiting in 2020, Sarah-Jane went on to launch PitchSlap, where she now advises founders and CEOs on growth and strategy. Throughout the episode, S-J discusses her experience of launching Tinybeans from fundra...
In this episode, I interview Rich Coombes - a four-time founder including companies such as Will & Co Coffee and Batlow Cider Co. Having co-founded and exited several businesses across consumer goods and tech sectors, Rich has established himself as a leader in the entrepreneurial scene. Now, as a Partner at Nexus Advisory, he works directly with businesses to help them find funding solutions. Throughout the episode, Rich shares insights into scaling businesses, raising capital, and manag...
In this episode, I interview Quirin Schwaighofer - Co-Founder of MadeComfy. MadeComfy was founded in 2015 and has become Australia's largest professional short-term rental network. With over 1,300 properties under management, the company reached a major milestone this year when it was acquired for more than $50 million. Throughout the episode, Quirin discusses setting the goal of starting a company with the intention of exiting in ten years. He shares the challenges of growing MadeComfy inclu...
In this episode, I interview Jim Penman - Founder of Jim's Group. Since launching Jim's Mowing in 1982, Jim's Group has become Australia's largest franchise network, spanning more than 50 service divisions and over 5,500 franchisees. As of 2025, Jim’s Group generates over $1 billion in annual turnover. Throughout the discussion, Jim shares his early experience of completing his PhD before facing the challenge of finding a career in academia and choosing to grow his mowing business instead. He...
In this episode, I interview David Hyman - Co-Founder and CEO of Lendi Group. Since founding the company in 2013, Lendi has become Australia's leading digital mortgage broker and online home loan platform. After acquiring Aussie Home Loans in 2021, Lendi Group now has over $100 billion dollars in loans and 5 million customers on their platforms. Throughout the episode, David discusses the process of combining the digital and human experience for their customers. He talks about the commi...
In this episode, I interview Steve Chapman - Founder of Hyro and Co-Founder of Shine. Steve scaled Shine to become a major name in the beverage industry in over 7,000 stores and $60m in retail sales. Now, Steve is building Hyro, a wellness brand creating hydrating electrolyte drinks, with a mission to become a $100m company. Throughout the episode, Steve shares his journey growing Shine, including the challenge of navigating sales and supply chains with major retailers like Coles and Woolwort...
In this episode, I interview Benjamin Zeccola - CEO of Palace Cinemas. Founded by his father, Antonio, in 1965, Palace Cinemas has grown into Australia's leading independent cinema group with over 200 screens across 24 locations nationally. Throughout the episode, Benjamin discusses being involved in the family business from a young age, and the process of stepping into the CEO role. He reflects on the complex process of succession planning and balancing family dynamics with business ne...
In this episode, I interview Jaid Hulsbosch - Director at Hulsbosch. Founded by his father in 1982, the independently owned brand and design agency has grown into a powerhouse behind some of Australia's most iconic brands including Woolworths, Virgin Australia, and Qantas. Throughout the episode, Jaid shares his journey growing up in the business. His decision to gain experience in London before joining his family-run company. He also talks about the importance of passion and why it matters i...
In this episode, I interview Andrew Banks - Co-Founder of Morgan & Banks and Talent2 International. Founded in 1985, Andrew scaled Morgan & Banks to become Australia's largest recruitment company with revenue of almost $1 billion. Andrew also co-founded Talent2 International, an ASX-listed company providing human resource advisory and payroll services. Throughout the conversation, Andrew talks about the rapid growth of Morgan & Banks, dealing with each stage of the company a...
In this episode, I interview Erin Deering - Co-Founder of Triangl Swimwear and Founder of Deering. Launching Triangl Swimwear in 2013, the brand saw rapid growth with revenue hitting $70 million pa in the space of a few short years and a valuation of $200 million at its peak. Throughout the conversation, Erin talks about the challenges that come with such rapid growth, recognising that she needed to make changes, and how she emerged stronger for the experience. She talks about exiting her bus...
In this episode, I interview Wayne Gerard — Founder of Prtnr and Co-Founder of RedEye. Over the past two decades, Wayne has built and exited multiple businesses, including scaling RedEye, which supports clients in managing over $450 billion in large, complex assets and critical infrastructure. Now, through his current venture Prtnr, Wayne invests in and builds companies that focus on sustainable innovation. Throughout the conversation, Wayne discusses how his entrepreneurial mindset shaped hi...
In this episode, I interview Adam Ferrier - Founder of Thinkerbell. Founded in 2017, Adam has helped scale Thinkerbell into one of Australia's most recognisable advertising agencies, working with iconic brands such as Vegemite, Menulog, and Jetstar. With his sharp insights and unique point of view, Adam is also a regular panellist on shows like The Project, Gruen, Sunrise, and ABC Radio. Throughout the episode, Adam shares his early fascination with commerce and psychology, and how his experi...
In this episode, I interview Colleen Callander - former CEO of Sportsgirl and Sussan and Founder of Mentor Me Women. Over a 30-year career in Australian retail, Colleen led major fashion brands through periods of significant growth and transformation, including a decade-long turnaround at the labels where she served as CEO. Colleen discusses how she got her start in fashion at just 16, the leadership lessons she’s learned over time, and the role of self-awareness and empathy in effective mana...
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