Épisodes

  • Bouncing back: How clean beauty entrepreneur Irene Falcone rose from the ashes of two businesses

    Bouncing back: How clean beauty entrepreneur Irene Falcone rose from the ashes of two businesses
    Nov 21 2024
    You’d be hard pressed to find a more determined entrepreneur than Irene Falcone. From the comfort of her garage, Irene created low-tox eCommerce brand Nourished Life and eventually sold it for $20 million. But the experience was anything but nourishing, she tells us with raw honesty on this episode of First Act. From those dark days, Irene went on to create non-alcoholic beverage brand Sans Drinks. Despite initial success riding the wave of zero-alcohol drinking trends, the business went into administration in 2023 after a period of fiery competition from bigger beasts in the industry. Not one to be battle worn, Irene rose again with a new venture, Clean Nectarine, ready to disrupt the clean beauty industry she pioneered all those years ago. You can check out Clean Nectarine - https://cleannectarine.com.au/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    43 min
  • Jason T Smith built a $100 million physio business from his garage – then sold it

    Jason T Smith built a $100 million physio business from his garage – then sold it
    Nov 7 2024
    Jason T Smith is someone who has redefined resilience in business. Jason’s entrepreneurial journey started with an entirely different goal – to become a medical missionary. But life took him on a detour, and at just 24, he founded what would become Australia’s largest physiotherapy network, the Back In Motion Health Group, which he later sold for over $100 million. Despite his success, Jason sees himself as an unlikely entrepreneur. He’s even written a book about it (called Unlikely, in fact). On First Act, Jason takes us through the highs and lows of his story, from dashed hopes of becoming a doctor to even – wait for it – being a victim of corporate espionage. What a story. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    43 min
  • Beyond profit: Aviv Palti's journey from business to global impact

    Beyond profit: Aviv Palti's journey from business to global impact
    Oct 25 2024
    Aviv Palti is a lifelong entrepreneur with a knack for building businesses — and a heart set on making a difference. As the CEO of Lifestyle Brands and founder of the Cambodia Rural Students Trust (CRST), Aviv’s journey weaves together commercial success and social impact. Starting his first business at just 19, Aviv grew a small family venture into a thriving wholesale brand with global partnerships. But it was a family trip to Cambodia that unlocked a new purpose—breaking the poverty cycle through education. In this episode of First Act, Aviv reflects on the highs and lows of his entrepreneurial journey, the power of mentorship, and how dreaming big can transform lives. He also shares the incredible success stories of CRST students, who’ve gone from rural poverty to leadership roles across Cambodia. Get ready to be inspired by Aviv’s belief that business, just like life, is about giving back—and that “it’s not about me, it’s about we”. You can find out more about Cambodia Rural Students Trust and Aviv Palti's book Empowered: A New Generation of Leaders here: https://www.cambodiaruralstudentstrust.org/empowered Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    50 min
  • Women Rising’s Megan Dalla-Camina is reshaping how women lead and succeed

    Women Rising’s Megan Dalla-Camina is reshaping how women lead and succeed
    Oct 10 2024
    Megan Dalla-Camina’s career is a masterclass in reinvention. From climbing the corporate ladder in male-dominated industries to becoming a best-selling author, speaker, and advocate for women's empowerment, Megan has continually pushed boundaries and shattered glass ceilings. But what happens when a high-flying executive decides to step away from the boardroom and embrace a life of purpose-driven work? In this episode, Megan shares how leaving corporate life led her to redefine success, the pivotal moments that sparked her passion for empowering women, and the lessons she’s learned about balancing ambition with authenticity. Tune in to uncover how Megan’s journey is inspiring a new generation of women leaders and why she believes true power comes from within. Find out more about Megan Dalla-Camina and Women Rising Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    41 min
  • Storytelling for success: What everyone can learn from CEO-turned-keynote speaker Lucy Bloom

    Storytelling for success: What everyone can learn from CEO-turned-keynote speaker Lucy Bloom
    Sep 26 2024
    Lucy Bloom's journey is anything but ordinary. From launching a boutique ad agency at just 19, to leading life-changing initiatives in Ethiopia and Cambodia, Lucy has carved a unique path fueled by creativity, resilience, and a knack for doing business differently. But what happens when the CEO who built a charity from the ground up gets fired by her own board? In this episode, Lucy reveals how breaking her leg sparked her entrepreneurial spirit, why storytelling is the secret sauce for any successful business, and the unconventional career moves that led her to become one of Australia’s most in-demand keynote speakers. Tune in to discover how Lucy turns challenges into opportunities, and why she believes you should always "chase the squirrels" in life. You can find out more about Lucy Bloom here: https://thelucybloom.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    52 min
  • Charlie Puchala: The Polish migrant who built an Aussie construction empire from scratch

    Charlie Puchala: The Polish migrant who built an Aussie construction empire from scratch
    Sep 12 2024
    Growing up in a tiny village in Poland, Charlie Puchala could have never imagined she’d one day be running a multi-million-dollar construction empire in Sydney. But with grit, determination, and a touch of flair, she’s made it happen. Now, as the powerhouse behind Puch Constructions and Charlie’s Interiors, she’s building more than just structures—she’s building a legacy. From navigating the challenges of starting over in a new country at the age of eight to launching her own ethical fashion label, Charlie’s story is one of passion, perseverance, and pure hustle. We sit down with Charlie to hear how a young girl from rural Poland transformed into one of Australia’s most dynamic entrepreneurs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    47 min
  • Recipe for change: How Shaun Christie-David is serving refugees hope

    Recipe for change: How Shaun Christie-David is serving refugees hope
    Aug 29 2024
    Shaun Christie-David is a passionate entrepreneur who’s turning the tables on the food industry with a purpose-driven mission. Founder of Plate it Forward, Shaun’s journey from the corporate world of finance to creating a socially conscious food business is nothing short of inspiring. Initially set on a different path, Shaun discovered a deeper calling – one that blends his love for food with a commitment to giving back to the community. In this episode of First Act, Shaun shares how he pivoted his career, the challenges he faced along the way, and why he believes that business can be a force for good. Learn how he’s using his culinary ventures, Colombo Social, Kabul Social and Kyiv Social to make a real difference every day. Sit back as we unpack the power of purpose and the impact one person can make when they follow their passion. Get ready to be inspired by the heart and soul behind Plate it Forward! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    49 min
  • New brew: How Heaps Normal’s Andy Miller made non-alcoholic beer heaps cool

    New brew: How Heaps Normal’s Andy Miller made non-alcoholic beer heaps cool
    Aug 15 2024
    Is Heaps Normal heaps normal yet? That’s a question we posed to Andy Miller, the beer-branding wunderkind who co-founded the fast-growing, Sydney-based non-alcoholic beer brand. While it’s a staple in pubs, bottle-Os and supermarkets now, it’s easy to forget that Heaps Normal only brewed into existence during the first COVID lockdown in 2020. As the CEO and co-founder, Andy brought the marketing nous needed to successfully launch a challenger brand, previously managing marketing at craft beer company Young Henrys. Together with a brewer and pro surfer, Andy created a booze-free brand that even full-strength beer drinkers don’t hate. It turns out there's a few secrets to that success - and challenges as well. Andy Miller cracks opens a can and gives us a heaps awesome insight on First Act. You can find out more about Heaps Normal here: https://heapsnormal.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    38 min