The Growth & Banter Podcast

In this episode of Growth & Banter, Blake Micola sits down with sales powerhouse Adam McCaughey to unpack one of the most unconventional journeys in business. From getting expelled at 15… to working in world-class kitchens like Rockpool… to living on a superyacht… and eventually closing $20M+ in sales. Adam's story is anything but typical. But this episode isn't just about the journey,  it's a deep dive into what actually drives growth in today's market. They break down: Why conviction beats skill in sales The biggest mistake founders make when trying to scale How to identify the real bottleneck in your business The shift from product-led to founder-led growth Why are most people consuming information… but failing at execution How AI is reshaping teams, roles, and the future of business Plus, they unpack the concept of the "growth engine" and why building systems before scaling could be the difference between stagnation and exponential growth. If you're a founder, marketer, or operator trying to scale smarter (not just harder), this episode will challenge how you think about sales, leadership, and building a business in 2026. Tune in to rethink everything you thought you knew about growth.   

In this episode, we are joined by Ben Seymour, a former professional rugby union player turned entrepreneur, to unpack the journey from elite sport to building Rise, a fast-growing performance supplement brand. This episode covers the mindset required to transition from professional athlete to business owner, the realities of launching a product-based brand, and why discipline, recovery, systems, and community matter if you want to perform at a high level. Ben shares lessons from his rugby career, what sport taught him about pressure and resilience, and how those principles now shape the way he approaches business, health, and life. The conversation also dives into endurance, hydration, creatine, sleep, recovery, personal branding, and what it really takes to build a brand that people trust and come back to. It is a sharp, honest conversation about performance, entrepreneurship, and creating something meaningful from the ground up. Follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear this conversation.

In this episode, I had a chance to sit down with Jeremy Cabral, co-founder of Finder.com, to unpack what it really takes to scale from scrappy experiments to a global machine. Jeremy shares the inside story of Finder's journey, from generating a few thousand dollars in revenue to building and supporting a 600-person team operating across multiple countries. He breaks down how Finder built a scalable content and acquisition engine, why most companies misunderstand how Google actually works, and how intent, user engagement, and disciplined execution matter far more than shortcuts or hacks. This is a candid look at growth as a system, not a trick. Our conversation goes deep into leadership at scale: hiring and retaining top operators, building a culture that actually sticks, and why systems consistently outperform "great talent" once a business grows past the early stages. Jeremy explains how Finder protected its internal playbooks, built execution pods, and maintained loyalty in a highly competitive market. We explore what it takes to move from $10m to $100m, including isolating the right growth levers, installing repeatable engines, and knowing when founders must step back or re-enter the weeds. Jeremy shares his current work helping brands scale past eight figures, drawing on pattern recognition from hundreds of companies. This episode closes with a practical take on AI and technology. Less hype, more infrastructure. Jeremy explains how to break work into steps, remove grunt work through automation, and use AI as an amplifier rather than a replacement. If you're building a business and want clarity on growth, systems, leadership, and the future of scale, this episode delivers real insight without the noise

Brother–sister founders. A category most people never question. And an industry dominated by global giants who can outspend you in their sleep. Annabelle and Tom from Femme Organic, the Melbourne duo who turned a lockdown frustration into a 100% organic, plastic-free period care brand and pushed it onto shelves in 400+ stores. They unpack the stuff founders actually deal with: Building a "David vs Goliath" brand when the aisle is owned by conglomerates Why getting into retail isn't the hard part… staying there is How B2B (their workplace bathroom boxes) became the smartest shortcut to B2C Cash flow reality, long lead times, and why subscriptions change the game Packaging mistakes, rookie errors, and the kind of chaos that either breaks you or upgrades you And the strategy behind content that cuts through, education, disruption, and calling out what others won't No hype. No highlight reel. Just the messy middle, said out loud. If you're building something real, this one's worth your time.

Miss Universe Australia 2022 turned entrepreneur. In this episode, we sit down with Monique Riley, founder of Mrs Matcha, to explore how she transformed a chance opportunity into a global platform and built a business that's redefining how Australians enjoy matcha. Monique takes us behind the scenes of her ten-month journey to winning Miss Universe Australia, her unexpected leap into entrepreneurship, and what it really takes to turn a personal brand into a thriving business. She opens up about the discipline, rejection, and self-belief that shaped her path, the challenges of launching Mrs Matcha, from supply shortages to price shocks, and the lessons learned building an authentic brand now stocked in over 50 cafés across Sydney and expanding internationally. Get her raw insights on the reality behind the glamour, and hear her vision for growing Mrs Matcha globally while staying true to health, quality, and integrity. 🎧 Tune in and share your biggest takeaway from this episode.

In this episode, we are joined by professional surfer and world record holder Blakey Johnston to unpack how the ocean became his anchor for mental health resilience. In this raw and empowering conversation, Blakey shares the mental frameworks that helped him conquer both the sea and himself. You'll learn how discipline, community, and presence build mental health resilience that outlasts any challenge, on land or in water. Expect stories that hit deep: the 40-hour world record surf at Cronulla, 4,097 waves at the wave pool, and how each became a metaphor for life's waves of emotion. Blakey breaks down how routine, breathwork, and curiosity fuel elite performance and mental well-being. This episode isn't about surfing—it's about surviving. It's a reminder that the most important record you'll ever break is the one inside your head. Tune in now!

From building an iPhone app that hit #1 in five countries at just 19, to scaling Jack Nimble into Australia's Production Company of the Year, this is the story of a founder who's made every second count. In this episode, we unpack the journey of creating and selling one of Australia's top content studios, producing viral campaigns for Netflix, Spotify and eBay, scaling a 35-person team, and navigating a three-year earn-out post-acquisition. We dive into the "secret sauce" of great partnerships, the future of production in a creator-led world, and the identity shift that comes after exiting the company you built. But the story doesn't stop there. We explore what it means to start again with SUB3, a performance fuel brand born from a love of running, all while embracing fatherhood and training for a sub-3 marathon in Sydney, raising $12,000 for dementia research in honour of his dad. With reflections on leadership, resilience, and spotting market gaps, this conversation blends business insights with personal lessons on growth, grit, and making time matter. 

How do two lads from Western Sydney flip the streetwear game on its head and build a cult brand without selling out? In this brutally honest convo, Jake and TK from Geedup Co. take us deep behind the curtains of Australia's biggest streetwear label. No hype, no fluff—just the raw truth of what it takes to build community-led fashion that actually moves culture. From bootstrapping with bootlegs to orchestrating six-figure drops that sell out in under an hour, this episode unpacks every high-risk decision, every silent loss, and the precise strategy that made them untouchable. Expect insights on brand loyalty, pre-sell psychology, ecom fundamentals, and how to grow a fashion label without chasing trends. If you've ever wondered how to market without ads, how to turn customers into believers, or how to make your brand stand for something, this is it. You'll also hear why Geedup refuses to restock, how they've created generational loyalty out of Western Sydney, and why most competitors will never catch up. Spoiler: It's not just the product, it's the presence, the people, and the positioning. This one's not just for fashion heads. It's for every founder, creative, and strategist who wants to build something real and make it last. 

In this episode, I sat down with Leo, Jayden, and Taki—co-founders of Pool Party, one of Australia's fastest-growing creative production agencies. What started as a humble passion project has grown into a multi-faceted brand spanning video, photo, events, and music. The boys share the wild ride, from grassroots beginnings running a local run club, to scaling a full-service creative agency trusted by global brands. We get into the highs and lows of building something from scratch: the lessons they've learned about branding and rebranding, navigating client briefs, managing team dynamics, and showing up consistently, even when things aren't going to plan. There's also plenty of candid conversation around personal growth, the power of storytelling, and how creativity—done right—builds trust that turns into long-term business. And yes, we even talk about how throwing a party can sometimes land your biggest client. It's raw, hilarious, and packed with insights for creatives, entrepreneurs, and anyone chasing something bigger than themselves. Tune in now—whether you're building a brand, leading a team, or just need a reminder that it can all start from a simple idea and the right crew around you.

Resilience in sports isn't just about what happens in the ring. It's about the moments outside of it, the personal battles, the doubts, and the decisions that shape an athlete's path. Welcome to The Growth and Banter Podcast. In this episode, I had a chance to sit down with Olympic medalist and professional boxer Harry Garside. Harry's story is as raw as it is inspiring. After winning gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and taking home bronze at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, his rise was fast. But after stepping back from professional boxing for three years, his return is about more than just training. It's about regaining self-respect, rediscovering purpose, and facing the distractions that pulled him off course. Harry shares what drew him to the sport at just nine years old, how he stayed focused through Olympic competition, and what it was like stepping into the world of media and television during his break from the ring. He talks openly about losing momentum, what snapped him back into gear, and why the next three years matter more than ever. This is a conversation about finding strength in vulnerability, learning from detours, and coming back to the core of who you are. If you're interested in the mindset behind high performance and what true resilience in sports really looks like, this one's for you.

Episode #23: Sam Gordon – How to Build a 130+ Property Portfolio In this episode, I sit down with Sam Gordon, founder of Australian Property Scout and one of Australia's most accomplished property investors and educators.  With over 130 properties under his belt before the age of 34 and a rapidly growing education platform, School of Property, Sam is reshaping what's possible in the property game. We dive deep into Sam's journey, from humble beginnings to becoming Buyer's Agent of the Year in 2024.  He opens up about the misconceptions around building large portfolios, navigating market shifts like rising interest rates, and the strategies that set his team apart in a competitive space. We also get personal, chatting about the importance of mindset, culture, and building a trusted team to fuel growth at both APS and SOP.  Sam shares how he leverages personal branding, social media, and strategic marketing (including our work together at GMS) to scale impact and trust online. You'll learn: - How Sam built a 130+ property portfolio starting in his early 20s - ⁠The pros and cons of renting vs. owning as an investor - ⁠Key investment hotspots Sam believes will outperform in the next 3–5 years - ⁠The biggest lessons and challenges he's faced in his career - ⁠Why having a strong network and mentor circle is essential to success Sam's story is a masterclass in mindset, strategy, and scale. Whether you're starting out or already in the game, there's something here for every investor.

In this episode, we're joined by Eddie Nelson from Bred, and she's going to teach us how to harness the power of breathwork and the connection between the mind, body, and soul through breath.  Eddie is a breathwork and Pilates practitioner committed to helping others reconnect with themselves in a fast-paced, often overwhelming world. Her own journey with breathwork began as a path to healing, and now she guides others toward that same sense of inner calm and clarity.  Through conscious breathing, Eddie shows us how we can ease stress, restore balance, and come back to a more grounded, present way of being. Whether you're new to breathwork or looking to deepen your practice, this conversation offers thoughtful insights and practical tools to support your well-being. I hope you enjoy!

In this third sit-down, I'm joined again by my good friend Daniel Hakim, founder and CEO of Club of United Business (CUB), Australia's largest network for business owners and entrepreneurs. I've personally been a member since 2016, and I can wholeheartedly say that I credit a lot of my own entrepreneurial journey and success with GMS Media Group (and other ventures in the works) due to the network I've built within CUB.  From gaining lifelong friends, clients, mentors, and partnerships, CUB has given me the toolkit to tap into the brightest minds across all facets of industries and skills in Australia.  Daniel is a true champion of founder-led growth, and he's built CUB on the core values of community, trust, and meaningful connection.  What started as a bold vision has now grown into Australia's largest and most influential business network, with 4 clubhouses in 🏠 Sydney 🏠 Parramatta 🏠 Melbourne 🏠 Brisbane  With further rapid national expansion on the horizon, and also the recent launch of the Boa app for early-stage business owners with high-profile stakeholders, including Mark Bouris.  We dive into his journey, the power of authentic business relationships, and how CUB is transforming the way entrepreneurs connect and grow. As the old saying goes, "your network is your networth". 🎧 Tune in now to hear how Daniel is redefining networking in Australia.

In this episode, I'm joined by Dain Walker, founder and brand strategist behind Rivyl, one of Australia's fastest-growing branding agencies. From working out of his bedroom to leading a team creating brand identities for global clients, Dain has built a reputation as a bold thinker with a unique eye for strategy, storytelling, and social influence. Dain's journey started with a deep curiosity about psychology, persuasion, and the mechanics of branding. Armed with nothing but a laptop and a vision, he began posting educational content on Instagram, growing his personal brand to over 600,000+ followers.  That online presence became the engine behind Rivyl's rapid rise, attracting clients from startups to ASX-listed companies. Some recent highlights for Dain and Rivyl include: Over 1 million impressions per month across social media Winner of the 2024 Australian Business Award for Brand Excellence Global client roster spanning the US, UK, UAE, and beyond Tune in for an unfiltered look at what it takes to build a brand that turns heads, earns trust, and drives results, plus the mindset shifts that helped Dain go from solo creative to branding powerhouse.

In this episode, I'm joined by Theo Chambers, co-founder and CEO of Shore Financial, Australia's No.1 independent brokerage.  Under his leadership, Shore has grown from writing $5 million to over $300 million in home loans each month, picking up major awards along the way, including Champion Brokerage of the Year seven years in a row. Theo's story started at just 19, door-knocking to sell Foxtel. A chance run-in with a CBA manager led him into banking. But after using a broker to buy his first property, he realised he was on the wrong side of the game and made the leap into broking. Fast forward to today, and Shore Financial is a powerhouse in the industry. Some of the accolades achieved by Shore Financial include: 6 brokers named in AFG's Top 50 Brokers of 2024 Finalist for Customer Service of the Year (Office) – Australian Broking Awards 2023 MPA Rising Star 2025 In this episode, Theo dives into:  How soaring interest rates have shaken up borrowing power The tech and team structure fueling Shore's explosive growth Why media hype and buyer sentiment can swing the market What it takes to build a winning team and keep clients coming back Tune in for an inside look at what it really takes to scale a top-performing brokerage in today's fast-paced market and why a strong personal brand and streamlined systems make all the difference.

From 0 to over 3 million followers in over 2 years. Discover the story behind Tor Minell and her famous food recipe brand Recipes by Victoria. What started out as a hobby, turned into a viral sensation amassing over 1.4M on Instagram, 1.6M on TikTok and 100,000 Substack subscribers with 1 video alone generating over 175M views! All in under 2 years. Want to find out how she turned this passion into a thriving business and left her full-time job?  Tune in to the full episode.

In this episode, we are joined by Richard Bell, a prominent Australian entrepreneur known for his leadership in the early childhood education sector and his ventures in business investment. He currently serves as the CEO of Little Zak's Academy, a leading early childhood education and care provider in Australia. Under his leadership, the academy has expanded to employ over 1,800 staff members and operates multiple centers across the country. His leadership has driven the academy's commitment to a play-based curriculum, high-quality child care, exceptional extracurricular programs, and a strong operational framework—all aligned with the National Quality Framework. Beyond his role in education, Richard is also the founder of Business Leaderz Group, a boutique investment and advisory firm dedicated to helping businesses scale, strategize, and succeed. His entrepreneurial excellence was recognized in 2020 when he was honored with Sydney's Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in the Finance category. Through his ventures and thought leadership, Richard Bell continues to shape Australia's business landscape, particularly in education and investment. Tune in to gain insights from his journey and learn how strategic leadership can drive success!  

From a Spare Room to an International Activewear Empire!  In this episode, we're joined by Don & Matilda Robertson, the power couple behind STAX - Australia's No.1 all-inclusive activewear brand  What started in a spare room in Perth has now grown into a global empire - proving that passion, persistence, and hard work pay off. Now with over 160 staff and 10+ retail locations. STAX has even been worn by global icons like Jennifer Lopez, Lizzo, and Megan Fox. Tune in as they share: How STAX was built from the ground up to a team of 160+ The transition from e-commerce to retail with 10+ locations What it takes to scale a business internationally and worn by celebrities This episode is packed with insights for entrepreneurs, dreamers, and anyone chasing their passion. Don't miss it! 

Episode 15 with Jane Lu aka "The Lazy CEO" Founder & Owner of ShowPo and Shark on Shark Tank Australia What started with a laptop and two shelves of clothing in her parent's garage in Sydney in 2010 is now a $100M+ global fashion empire, offering thousands of trend-driven styles to 120+ countries. In March 2023, Jane's expertise and entrepreneurial spirit earned her a spot on Shark Tank on Network 10 as one of the esteemed "sharks." Jane's incredible journey has been recognised with numerous accolades such as: 🏆 2015: Named Cosmopolitan Entrepreneur of the Year. 🏆 2016: Included in the Forbes Asia "30 Under 30" list. 🏆 2016 & 2017: Featured in Smart Company's "Hot 30 Under 30" list. 🏆 2017: Ranked among the most-viewed fashion professionals on LinkedIn. 🏆 2017: Debuted on The Australian Financial Review "Young Rich List." 🏆 2018: Online retailer of the year, Excellence in International fulfillment, and top social retailer 🏆 And the list goes on! Jane shares her inspiring journey of transforming an idea into a global success and what it takes to continue to innovate with fast paced market demands. She also reveals the challenges she overcame during startup and most recently during the COVID lockdowns, the lessons she learned, and her secrets to building a global business empire. She also talks about juggling family life, now being a mother of 2 whilst still living life to the fullest. Don't miss this chance to learn valuable insights and tips from one of Australia's top female entrepreneurs.

Allan Dib, a serial entrepreneur, innovative marketer, technology expert, author of The Lean Marketing Plan and The 1-Page Marketing Plan, and #1 Best Seller on Amazon, has a proven track record of building, scaling, and exiting successful businesses across diverse industries. Notably, his last venture in the highly competitive telecommunications sector grew from a startup to being named one of Australia's fastest-growing companies, earning a spot on the prestigious BRW Fast 100 list within just four years. As a sought-after business coach, consultant, and public speaker, Allan regularly shares his cutting-edge strategies and actionable insights with audiences worldwide. Now, he's ready to share his proven techniques for becoming a top seller on Amazon. Get ready to learn from the best!