Thriving Business

Written by: Dr Kate De Jong & Sam Morris
  • Summary

  • THRIVING BUSINESS

    Business Insights to Help You Grow Your Business with Ease

    We’re two seasoned business owners — Sam Morris and Kate De Jong — sharing our nearly thirty-year combined experience of starting and growing service-based businesses from the ground up. We so many small businesses struggling or falling prey to expensive promises of quick fixes or silver bullets. Both of us know what it REALLY takes to start and grow a business, we've done it many times over and we've got the blisters to prove it! We’ve joined forces to share our knowledge and experience so you can find the easiest path to success, doing it your way, and most importantly — staying true to yourself.

    © 2025 Thriving Business
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Episodes
  • How to Successfully Scale a Tech Business: Lessons Learned from 25 Years in Sales, Marketing and Entrepreneurship — with Matthew Wyatt
    Jan 8 2025

    In this episode, hosts Sam and Kate were honoured to interview Matthew Wyatt, founder of Tech Torque and an expert in helping software and technology companies scale through strategy, sales, and marketing. With over 25 years of entrepreneurial experience, including starting 10 successful businesses, running 4 national companies and two international organisations, Matt shares his incredible journey from selling vacuum cleaners door-to-door at age 17 to creating and scaling several multi-million-dollar companies.

    Matt discusses the power of resilience and training in sales, how modern businesses need to evolve their strategies to meet the demands of today’s buyers, and the mindset shift he experienced from chasing financial success to focusing on lifestyle and family. He also emphasises the importance of learning from failures and treating marketing campaigns as "hypotheses" — testing, learning, and iterating for better results.

    Key Takeaways:

    • The critical role of training and resilience in sales success.
    • The importance of adapting sales strategies to modern buying behaviors.
    • Why hands-on experience often trumps formal education in the business world.
    • The mindset shift from chasing financial goals to prioritising lifestyle and family.
    • And lots more!

    Listen to this inspiring episode packed with practical advice and insights from a seasoned entrepreneur who’s learned to evolve, grow, and thrive in the ever-changing world of business.

    To learn more about Matt’s work, go here: https://techtorque.com.au/


    Connect with the Hosts:

    Kate De Jong, PhD | Inspired Business

    Website: https://katedejong.com/

    Instagram: katedejong.inspiredbusiness

    Email: kate@katedejong.com


    Sam Morris | The Business Implementor

    Website: https://thebusinessimplementor.com/

    Instagram: sammorris.businesscoach

    Email: sam@thebusinessimplementor.com



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    1 hr and 1 min
  • From Just an Idea to a Thriving Coaching Business, with Elle Hack
    Dec 20 2024

    In this latest episode, Kate was honoured to sit down with Elizabeth (Elle) Hack, founder of The Canine Care Hub and author of the bestselling book “Fetch More Clients: Effectively Market and Grow Your Canine Business in 6 Weeks”.

    Elle was a client of Kate’s back in 2020, just before the COVID lockdown, when Elle was first starting her business. Elle has since gone on to grow a thriving business dedicated to helping dog grooming and dog care businesses to establish a loyal customer base. Her mission is “to help canine specialists thrive by taking the pain and stress out of running a profitable, successful and fulfilling dog business.” Elle’s story highlights the power of focusing on a specific niche, especially one you’re personally passionate about.

    The two discussed Elizabeth's journey from just a business idea to a successful coaching platform for dog professionals. The conversation covers key growth strategies including the importance of local marketing and the value of community engagement. Elizabeth shares insights on pricing, client acquisition, and her experience in publishing her book, emphasising the need for authenticity and connection in business.


    Takeaways

    • Canine Care Hub's origin
      Canine Care Hub was conceived during the lockdown as a brainstorming session, allowing Elizabeth to turn a challenging time into an opportunity to help others in the dog care industry.
    • Local marketing and niche focus
      Local marketing is often more effective than broad online strategies, and narrowing your niche helps forge stronger connections with clients, ensuring a more tailored and impactful approach to business growth.
    • Importance of pricing with value
      Elizabeth stresses knowing your worth when setting prices, ensuring that services reflect the true value provided while maintaining financial sustainability for dog care professionals.
    • Managing overwhelm with time boxing
      Time boxing is a powerful tool that helps manage overwhelm by allotting specific periods to focus on key tasks, improving productivity and preventing burnout in a busy business environment.
    • Building a community in dog care
      Creating a supportive community for dog care professionals is essential for sharing knowledge, fostering collaboration, and providing mutual support in a competitive and challenging industry.


    To learn more about Elle’s work, go to: https://caninecarehub.com/

    To get her book, go to: https://www.amazon.com/Fetch-More-Clients-Effectively-Business/dp/1068737905


    Connect with the Hosts:

    Kate De Jong, PhD | Inspired Business

    Website: https://katedejong.com/

    Instagram: katedejong.inspiredbusiness

    Email: kate@katedejong.com


    Sam Morris | The Business Implementor

    Website: https://thebusinessimplementor.com/

    Instagram: sammorris.businesscoach

    Email: sam@thebusinessimplementor.com



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    57 mins
  • Good vs Bad Marketing: Breaking Down the US Election Results through a Marketing Lens
    Nov 30 2024

    In this episode of the Thriving Business Podcast, Sam and Kate dive into the world of marketing through the lens of the recent US election. While politics is at the forefront of many conversations, this episode discusses how successful political campaigns mirror successful marketing campaigns.

    What You'll Learn:

    • The power of consistency: Kate and Sam break down the impact of consistent messaging in both politics and business. They explore how Trump’s repetitive messages, despite being controversial or factually inaccurate much of the time, became a powerful marketing tool. Consistency in business messaging — across social media, branding, and communications — is key to building authority.
    • Marketing vs. policy: The hosts discuss how in politics, as in business, the marketing often outweighs the policy. No matter how good the policies are, if a candidate’s message doesn’t resonate with the audience, they won’t win. This holds true for entrepreneurs looking to grow their businesses: Having a strong, resonant message that meets their genuine needs is more impactful than simply having a great product or service. Knowing your audience's true pain points is essential.
    • The importance of listening: The hosts explain why adapting your message to your audience is vital. Just as Harris' unchanging message failed to land with voters, businesses need to adapt their messaging based on audience needs and reactions.
    • Understanding "Why" in Marketing: Kate and Sam draw upon Simon Sinek's concept of "Start With Why" to explain how Trump was able to connect with working-class Americans by positioning himself as an outsider who would dismantle the corrupt system.
    • Perception vs. Reality: The hosts discuss how perception — shaped by effective marketing — often wins over reality. While many Americans felt their lives were better under Trump, the factual economic impacts under both his administration and Biden’s have been more complex. Understanding and managing perception is critical for businesses looking to communicate their value effectively.

    Key Takeaways:

    Repetition breeds recognition: The more you communicate your message, the more likely it will resonate with your audience.

    Consistency works: Like political campaigns, businesses need to have a consistent message across all platforms to build their brand.

    Adaptability is crucial. While consistency is important, businesses should also be flexible in how they present their message depending on their audience.

    Strong messaging is essential for standing out—whether in politics or business. Don’t assume that just because you said something once, your audience has heard it.

    Resources Mentioned:

    • Simon Sinek's Start with Why (book)
    • The Golden Circle framework

    Join the Conversation: What marketing lessons have you learned from the political world? Do you agree with Kate and Sam’s takeaways? Reach out to us on social media and share your thoughts!


    Connect with the Hosts:

    Kate De Jong, PhD | Inspired Business

    Website: https://katedejong.com/

    Instagram: katedejong.inspiredbusiness

    Email: kate@katedejong.com


    Sam Morris | The Business Implementor

    Website: https://thebusinessimplementor.com/

    Instagram: sammorris.businesscoach

    Email: sam@thebusinessimplementor.com

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    51 mins

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