In this candid conversation, Cameron Johnston shares the raw reality of building a business up from four people to a diversified group that includes more than 100 staff across five businesses and the challenges he's faced along the way.

From failing his first attempt at payroll to driving trucks with critical payloads across Australia during a crisis, Cameron has learned the hard way what it means to carry the weight of leadership and the necessity of delegation. We talk about the moments that defined his journey, from facing near-collapse, letting go of control, hiring a CEO, and the power of surrounding yourself with good people.

Whether you're scaling a business, managing a team, or simply feeling stuck — Cameron’s story will inspire you to keep moving, even when standing still feels like the easy option.

What You'll Learn:

• Why leaders can’t afford to wait for the perfect moment to act
• How Cameron transitioned from corporate life to business ownership
• What to do when you’re at rock bottom — and still have to lead
• The tough truth about employing people (the good and the bad)
• How delegation, trust, and a bit of strategic ignorance can set you free
• Why comparison is toxic, and your business journey must be your own
• The surprising power of peer groups and speaking honestly
• The personal side of leadership: burnout, balance, and bringing your family along

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  About Cameron Johnston:

  Cameron is a seasoned entrepreneur and founder of the Rowlands Group, a collective of businesses with a focus on design, manufacturing, urban infrastructure and asset management. With over 25 years of experience, Cameron brings honesty, humility, and humour to the often-over-glamorised world of business leadership.

  He’s also a host of Business Builders and a firm believer in giving back by sharing the lessons he learned the hard way.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by networking—or not sure where to start—this episode breaks it down into two simple but powerful steps: nurture your network and fill your network. That’s it.

Brenton Gowland and Ron Tomlian walk through how to structure your networking activities using a framework inspired by Dunbar’s Number. From your tight-knit inner circle to your wider connections, you’ll learn how to identify who’s in your network, who’s missing, and how to maintain meaningful contact with the people who matter most.

👥 What You’ll Learn:

• The two core activities that drive meaningful networking
• How to apply Dunbar’s Number to structure your network
• The difference between your core, close, active, and engaged networks
• Why nurturing your existing connections is more valuable than constantly seeking new ones
• The importance of cadence — and how to schedule relationship-building into your calendar
• Practical ways to stay top-of-mind with your network (without it feeling transactional)
• How to spot new opportunities to connect, far beyond traditional networking events

🔑 Key Idea:

• Networking is not a random act — it’s a discipline. Nurture your relationships. Fill the gaps. Repeat.

I wish someone had taught me this Mini-Networking Masterclass when I started out....

Networking is the most powerful tool for career growth, business success, and new opportunities, yet most people do it wrong. If you’ve ever left a networking event feeling like a used car salesman or wondering if all this effort is actually getting you anywhere, you’re not alone.

In this 25-minute masterclass, we’ll break down:

✅ The #1 mistake most people make in networking (and how to avoid it)

✅ The Networking Framework that actually works (Dunbar’s Number)

✅ How to build relationships that bring real value (without being salesy)

✅ Why most professionals network without a clear purpose—and how to fix it

✅ The “Give, Give, Give, Ask” principle that will transform your approach

🚀 Key Takeaways:

• If you don’t have a networking plan, you’re wasting your efforts.
• It’s not just about meeting people—it’s about building long-term relationships.
• Your existing network is the most valuable tool you have.
• Stop thinking transactional—start thinking strategic!

👉 If you found this episode valuable, hit subscribe and drop a comment with your biggest networking challenge!

#Networking #BusinessGrowth #Masterclass #CareerSuccess

In this episode of Business Builders, we sit down with Australian film director Matthew Holmes to uncover the remarkable similarities between filmmaking and building a successful business. From overcoming setbacks like floods on set to navigating an evolving film industry, Matthew shares his incredible journey of risk-taking, resilience, and never giving up on his dreams.Discover how this director made four successful films, including The Legend of Ben Hall and the upcoming Fear Below, by thinking outside the box and creating opportunities where none seemed possible. His advice isn’t just for filmmakers—it’s for anyone chasing success in business, startups, or creative industries.💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: 1️⃣ Why resilience and risk-taking are crucial for success in both business and filmmaking 2️⃣ How Matthew Holmes built a successful career in a highly competitive film industry 3️⃣ The secrets to motivating and managing large teams through collaboration 4️⃣ The importance of thinking outside the box to overcome resource constraints 5️⃣ How to pitch your ideas effectively and attract investors to support your vision 6️⃣ The seismic shifts in the film industry and what they mean for creators and businesses today.Stay tuned for our next episode, where we’ll dive into planning your networking strategy based on your network map.✨ Key Takeaways and Practical Advice: • Resilience and Risk-Taking Are Essential for Success• Think Outside the Box to Create Opportunities• Success Requires Persistence and Vision• Collaboration Is Key to Building Great Projects• You Don’t Need Everything to Be Perfect to Start• Master the Art of Pitching• Industry Is Changing—Adapt or Get Left Behind• Creative Leadership Requires Motivation and Vision• Attracting Investors Requires More Than a Good Idea📙 Here's what's in this video - enjoy!00:00 - Introduction Introduction and episode overview00:25 - Matthew Holmes’ story: From passion projects to feature films01:23 - Shocking film industry statistics and the odds of success03:51 - The entrepreneurial mindset: What keeps Matthew motivated07:53 - Navigating changes in the film industry business model13:46 - How to lead and motivate teams in high-pressure environments14:52 - Taking big financial risks and finding innovative ways to finish projects18:13 - Balancing passion and financial reality in business21:52 - Mastering the art of the elevator pitch23:02 - The impact of AI on the film industry and creative work27:55 - Final advice: Never give up, and attract opportunities by taking action🎙️ Follow us for more Business Builders goodness• YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@BusinessBuildersNetwork• Podcast - https://businessbuilders.buzzsprout.com• LinkedIn Group - https://www.linkedin.com/groups/10370740👥 Connect with our hosts on LinkedIn• Brenton Gowland - https://www.linkedin.com/in/brentongowland• Ron Tomlian - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rontomlianbusinessmentor🌟 Partner Highlights:Adapt_CO: Helping companies transform through marketing. https://adaptco.com.au/📢 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe!Thank you for tuning in—remember to KEEP ON BUILDING! 💪

Welcome to 2025! In this episode we discuss the essential process of mapping your network. Learn why mapping your network is like building a treasure map to uncover meaningful connections and opportunities. Whether you’re aiming to strengthen existing relationships or strategically grow your network, this episode provides actionable insights to get started.

We’ll cover:

Stay tuned for our next episode, where we’ll dive into planning your networking strategy based on your network map.

Key Takeaways:

Action Item: Start mapping your network today! Set up your categories and circles, and begin placing your connections in the appropriate spots. Take your time and reflect on each connection's relevance to your goals.

In this episode, we discuss why New Year’s resolutions often fail and propose an alternative approach for setting and achieving goals: vision boards. Backed by neuroscience, vision boards provide a visual, engaging, and effective way to focus on your goals and manifest your dreams. Tune in as Brenton and Ron explore the benefits of visualisation, the science behind it, and practical steps to create your own vision board for 2025.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why New Year’s resolutions fail and how vision boards can help.

• The neuroscience behind visualisation and the reticular activating system.

• How vision boards support goal setting and manifestation.

• Step-by-step guide to creating a vision board that works for you.

• Tools and methods for creating both physical and digital vision boards.

• Tips for involving family or teams to align goals and foster collaboration.

• The importance of reviewing and updating your vision board regularly.

Key Highlights:

• Neuroscience Benefits: Discover how vision boards engage the reticular activating system to filter information and keep your goals in focus.

• Practical Steps: Learn how to define timeframes, categories, and goals before curating images and ideas for your board.

• Digital vs. Physical: Explore tools like Canva, Miro, and PowerPoint for digital boards or enjoy the tactile experience of crafting physical boards with magazines.

• Family & Team Involvement: Get tips on using vision boards as a collaborative tool to align personal, family, or team goals.

• Daily Habit Formation: Understand how consistent exposure to your vision board reinforces your goals.

Tools Mentioned:

• Canva (it has a free tool for creating vision boards)

• Miro (storyboarding software with collaborative features)

• Pinterest and Microsoft PowerPoint

Challenge for Listeners:

Join Brenton and Ron in replacing New Year’s resolutions with a vision board this year. Dedicate just 2-3 hours during the holiday break to create a board that inspires you daily. Share your vision board journey with us, and let’s make 2025 your best year yet!

Join the Conversation:

Subscribe to the Business Builders Podcast and follow us for more actionable insights to help you network with purpose and grow your career.

Follow us for more Business Builders Goodness:

YouTube - ⁠⁠⁠youtube.com/@BusinessBuildersNetwork⁠⁠

LinkedIn Group - ⁠⁠⁠Business Builders Network⁠⁠

Website - ⁠⁠⁠businessbuilders.au⁠⁠

Connect with our hosts on LinkedIn:

⁠⁠⁠Brenton Gowland⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠Ron Tomlian⁠⁠⁠

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of the Business Builders Podcast. Until next time, KEEP ON BUILDING!

Are you tired of feeling awkward or unmotivated when it comes to networking? In this episode, we tackle common excuses that hold people back from building meaningful professional relationships. From understanding why networking is essential to uncovering your unique purpose and the value you can offer, we lay out a roadmap to help you turn networking into a powerful career tool.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why networking is crucial for personal and professional growth.

• How to define your unique purpose for networking.

• The importance of mutual benefit in building lasting relationships.

• Practical tips to overcome excuses like “I’m too busy” or “I’m an introvert.”

• How to craft a purpose statement to guide your networking efforts.

Key Takeaways:

• Networking isn’t about self-promotion—it’s about building relationships.

• Your network evolves as your career and life goals change.

• Discover the power of giving first in your professional relationships.

• How to align your networking purpose with short-, medium-, and long-term goals.

Action Steps for Listeners:

1. Write down your purpose for networking.

2. Identify 3–5 people who could help you achieve your goals.

3. Find one way to provide value to each of those people.

Next Episode Teaser:

In our next episode, we’ll dive into how to map your network and create an actionable plan to grow it strategically.

Join the Conversation:

Subscribe to the Business Builders Podcast and follow us for more actionable insights to help you network with purpose and grow your career.

Follow us for more Business Builders Goodness:

YouTube - ⁠⁠youtube.com/@BusinessBuildersNetwork⁠

LinkedIn Group - ⁠⁠Business Builders Network⁠

Website - ⁠⁠businessbuilders.au⁠

Connect with our hosts on LinkedIn:

⁠⁠Brenton Gowland⁠⁠

⁠⁠Ron Tomlian⁠⁠

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of the Business Builders Podcast. Until next time, KEEP ON BUILDING!

Tired of outdated advice holding you back from networking success? In this episode, we BUST the 13 biggest myths about Business Networking and uncover the truth about what it really takes to build meaningful business relationships. Networking isn’t about handing out business cards or self-promotion—it’s about creating authentic, mutually beneficial connections.

Join us as we bust misconceptions, share proven strategies, and provide a clear, actionable approach to building an effective network. From understanding the true purpose of networking to leveraging concepts like Dunbar’s Number, we’ll help you organise your network and strengthen your relationships. Whether you’re an introvert or extrovert, a seasoned professional or just starting out, this episode will equip you with the mindset and tools to build a network that truly works.

Ready to rethink networking and take your skills to the next level? Hit play now and start building a network that truly works for you!

Follow us for more Business Builders Goodness:

YouTube - ⁠youtube.com/@BusinessBuildersNetwork

LinkedIn Group - ⁠Business Builders Network

Website - ⁠businessbuilders.au

Connect with our hosts on LinkedIn:

⁠Brenton Gowland⁠

⁠Ron Tomlian⁠

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of the Business Builders Podcast. Until next time, KEEP ON BUILDING!