In this episode of Find Grow Keep, I sit down with Renee Francis, founder of The Bubble Co and Take3, two marketing agencies that have been fully remote since day one. Renee shares her journey of building flexible teams over the last decade, the leadership lessons she’s learned, and the structures that keep her businesses innovative and connected. We cover: ✅ Why remote work isn’t for everyone — and how to spot who will thrive in it ✅ How to hire successfully for flexible en...
As a founder, do you ever feel stuck firefighting staff issues instead of focusing on growth? You’re not alone. One of the most common challenges for business owners is balancing the day-to-day of managing people with the long-term goal of scaling sustainably. In this episode, Karen Kirton explores why so many founders get pulled into reactive people management — from hiring mistakes to underperformance and workplace conflicts — and what it really costs your time, energy, and bus...
Flexibility is one of the most talked-about workplace trends right now — from 4-day work weeks, to working from anywhere, to hybrid being the new normal. But for small and medium-sized businesses, these trends can feel out of reach or simply too complicated to implement. In this episode, Karen Kirton breaks down the myths versus realities of workplace flexibility, backed by research and real-world examples. Whether you’ve been thinking about trialling a 4-day work week, allowing team me...
In this episode, Karen Kirton is joined by Julian Fenwick, CEO of GRC Solutions, to explore how a business can grow across borders without losing its people-first values. Julian shares: How GRC Solutions scaled across Australia and into Asia while maintaining a strong internal culture The practical ways they’re using AI to improve productivity and job satisfaction Why compliance training doesn't have to be boring—and how good design and trust can make it impactful H...
Resilience isn’t just a nice-to-have in the workplace — it’s essential for keeping your team engaged, productive, and ready to adapt to change. In this episode, we break down what resilience really means (and what it isn’t), the critical difference between pressure and stress, and five leadership techniques you can use to build high-trust, high-performing teams. You’ll discover: Why resilience is a skill anyone can develop. How to recognise healthy pressure versus harmful str...
As business owners, we often talk about scaling — but how do you grow sustainably without burning out your team or losing sight of what matters most? In this episode, Karen Kirton is joined by Matthew Forzan, Managing Director of Yoghurt Digital, a Sydney-based agency specialising in SEO, CRO, and data-led UX. With over 20 years in the industry, Matthew shares how his team uses data not only to drive client results, but also to make smarter internal decisions that support growth, cultur...
We often think of employee retention as "keeping them forever." But what if success means helping someone grow—even if that growth takes them beyond your business? In this episode, Karen shares the story of a high performer who was supported with mentoring, development, and stretch opportunities—and stayed for seven years before moving on to a bigger role elsewhere. And the best part? It was a win for everyone involved. Tune in to discover: Why letting go of a great employee...
What does it take to build a business where every employee thinks and acts like an owner? In this episode I’m joined by Jarred Rubin, CEO and Partner at Blackwattle Investment Partners—a new-generation Australian investment firm doing things very differently. Jarred shares how they built their business from a blank sheet of paper, designing a structure where alignment, accountability, and equity are embedded in every decision. We explore: Why every Blackwattle team member is...
As a business owner, one of the hardest decisions you’ll ever face is knowing when someone just isn’t the right fit for your team — especially when you've already invested time, money, and energy into them. In this episode, Karen draws inspiration from an unexpected source: Gordon Ramsay. Yep, the fiery chef from Kitchen Nightmares offers a surprisingly perfect metaphor for what to do when a team member is holding your business back. You’ll learn: Why keeping someone in a ro...
HR isn’t just a line item or a compliance tick-box. It’s a strategic investment that can either help your business grow or quietly cost you through high turnover, poor onboarding, and disengaged teams. In this episode, Karen breaks down: What the data says about HR costs (and what benchmarks you should ignore)The hidden financial and cultural risks of underinvesting in peopleHow HR should look and function at different business stages—from 5 to 100+ employeesWhy smart, strategic HR pays...
In this episode of the Find Grow Keep podcast, Karen sits down with Michelle Miller, CEO of Robokids—an award-winning STEM education company that started as a side project and has now reached over 375,000 teachers and students across Australia. Michelle shares her journey from classroom teacher to purpose-driven CEO, revealing how she built a business that puts people first—every single time. Whether she’s supporting her team through health challenges or making brave hiring calls...
Your company might look like it has a great culture—polite people, snacks in the kitchen, values on the wall. But what if those surface signs are hiding something deeper? In this episode, Karen tackles the concept of shadow values—the unspoken, often unhealthy behaviours that silently shape workplace culture. These are the behaviours that don’t show up on your website, but do show up in meetings, team dynamics, and employee turnover. You'll learn: What shadow values are and ...
In this episode, Karen Kirton is joined by bestselling author and family enterprise advisor David Werdiger, to explore a topic rarely talked about in business circles: the emotional relationship founders have with their businesses—and why letting go is essential for sustainable growth. We unpack: Why stepping back is one of the hardest (yet most important) things a founder can do How to prepare for succession emotionally, not just strategically The power of advisory boar...
Have you ever had that sinking feeling a few weeks after hiring someone, wondering if you made the right decision? In this episode, Karen dives into what it really means when a new hire isn’t working out—and how this connects to your overall employee turnover. Whether you’re seeing early warning signs in a new employee or questioning why great people are leaving your business, this episode is packed with practical tips to help. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why not all turn...
In this episode, Karen Kirton is joined by Povel Torudd one of the most powerful (and underused) tools in internal communications: storytelling. Povel is the Managing Director of Berkeley Communications and Lead Storyteller for APAC, and we unpack how stories can be used not just in branding and marketing, but to create a thriving, emotionally connected workplace culture. In this conversation, we cover: Why storytelling is just as important for internal comms as it is for PR...
It’s easy to assume that offering employee benefits automatically means they’re effective—but are your benefits truly driving engagement and retention? In this episode, Karen explores the often-overlooked question: Are your employee benefits actually working for your people and your business? From underused EAPs to forgotten wellbeing perks, she unpacks why many programs fall short and how you can fix that—without necessarily spending more. You’ll learn: The disconnect betwe...
In this episode, Karen Kirton is joined by the ever-insightful and energetic Peita Diamantidis, co-founder of Caboodle Financial Services and co-host of the Schitt with Money podcast (it’s a rewatch of Schitt’s Creek from a fun financial perspective!). Together, they explore why financial wellbeing is no longer a “nice-to-have” in today’s workplace—it’s a necessity. Peita shares how financial stress is showing up at work in real ways: absenteeism, burnout, decision fatigue. But he...
Are you feeling the pressure of managing people, policies, and growth—but unsure what kind of HR support your business truly needs? In this episode, we dive into one of the most common questions from growing small to medium businesses: When do I need ongoing HR support? This episode is a must-listen if: You’re starting to outgrow your DIY HR processes You’re not sure when or how to invest in HR support You want to make a smart financial and strategic choice about ...
In this episode we explore the transformative potential of well-crafted policies and governance frameworks in small to medium-sized businesses. We are joined by Celeste Norman, founder of Rayne Legal, who brings a wealth of experience in the legal and compliance realms. Together, we debunk the myth of policies as mere formalities and reveal how they can be leveraged as strategic tools for sustainable business growth. In this episode, you will discover: The Strategic Importance of ...
Is people management getting in the way of growing your business? In this practical episode, we unpack the five clear signs that it's time to get HR support—before people problems turn into business blockers. Whether you're navigating team turnover, inconsistent onboarding, or scaling into new markets, this episode will help you spot the red flags and understand what HR support can do to reduce stress and unlock performance. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why spending ...