Episodes

  • Dickie Currer: The Hype Man of Aussie Tech & Innovation

    Dickie Currer: The Hype Man of Aussie Tech & Innovation
    Jul 30 2024
    In this very exciting episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve sits down with Dickie, known as "the hype man" for the Australian tech and innovation ecosystem.

    Dickie talks about his unique career path, starting from law school and the Territorial Army, moving on to become a Moroccan country specialist in the travel industry, and finally diving into the Australian startup world. He shares his colourful experiences and the impactful roles he's had, highlighting his passion for promoting Australian innovation.

    Steve and Dickie discuss his move from Melbourne to Sydney and his impact on the startup community through roles at Startup Victoria and his current project, Tech Australia Advocates. This initiative aims to connect the Australian tech ecosystem with global partners and create a more inclusive community.

    Dickie also talks about his dedication to creating meaningful content and fostering innovation. He reveals his long-term dream of becoming a travel writer, telling global innovation stories and linking them to Australia.

    Timestamps:
    00:18 - Introduction to Dickie, the hype man
    01:08 - Dickie's unique career journey
    06:19 - Startup experiences in Australia
    10:02 - Role at Startup Victoria and Tech Australia Advocates
    18:43 - Moving from Melbourne to Sydney
    22:00 - Dickie's dedication to content creation and innovation
    26:45 - Balancing work-life and avoiding burnout
    32:15 - Dickie's long-term dream of becoming a travel writer
    36:30 - Importance of diversity and inclusion in tech
    40:50 - Final thoughts and future outlook

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    44 mins
  • Transforming End-of-Life Care: Melissa Reader on Building Violet

    Transforming End-of-Life Care: Melissa Reader on Building Violet
    Jul 23 2024
    In this episode of Give It a Nudge, Steve chats with Melissa Reader, the founder and CEO of Violet (https://www.violet.org.au/), a pioneering virtual care platform dedicated to supporting individuals and their families during the last stage of life.

    Steve and Melissa talk about her shift from consulting to starting Violet, the unique challenges she faced as a non-tech founder in a tech world, and how she successfully bootstrapped the business while keeping control. They also cover Violet’s innovative approach to blending humanity and technology to offer scalable, impactful solutions.

    Timestamps:
    00:00 - Introduction and setting the scene
    00:18 - Meet Melissa Reader of Violet
    01:17 - Quick pitch on Violet and its mission
    03:12 - Transition from consulting to founding Violet
    04:52 - Melissa’s personal story and inspiration behind Violet
    06:29 - Building Violet: Combining humanity and technology
    09:59 - Overcoming challenges in a non-tech founder journey
    13:10 - Distribution challenges and initial marketing strategies
    15:59 - Winning support and recognition for Violet’s mission
    21:04 - Expansion into international markets and future plans
    25:35 - Bootstrapping Violet and maintaining equity
    30:26 - Future plans and new product launch

    This episode is perfect for anyone interested in how technology can be used to support people during one of the most challenging times in life, and how personal experiences can drive impactful innovation.

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    31 mins
  • Bardia Khalilifar's Transition from Corporate Leader to Startup Innovator

    Bardia Khalilifar's Transition from Corporate Leader to Startup Innovator
    Jul 16 2024
    In this episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve talks with Bardia Khalilifar, the Founder of Conicio Advisory.
    Bardia shares his journey from the corporate tech world to founding his own consulting firm. Initially working as a programmer and network engineer, he transitioned into sales and partnerships, holding executive roles over a 20-year career. His move from corporate life to entrepreneurship was driven by his desire to apply his skills in a more dynamic environment.

    Steve and Bardia discuss the challenges of leaving a stable corporate job for the uncertainty of entrepreneurship. Bardia highlights the importance of building networks and continuous learning to keep up with rapidly evolving technology. He also talks about mentoring interns and the value of understanding market needs to provide tailored consulting services.

    Timestamps:
    00:00 - Introduction and setting the scene
    00:18 - Meet Bardia Khalilifar of Conicio Advisory
    02:05 - Founding Conicio Advisory and its mission
    06:05 - Bardia’s first client and early successes
    12:14 - Building a future vision for Conicio Advisory
    14:00 - Challenges of starting a business from scratch
    18:25 - Balancing growth and innovation in a consulting firm

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    30 mins
  • Redefining Riches: Neelan Sornalingam on Charting Financial Independence

    Redefining Riches: Neelan Sornalingam on Charting Financial Independence
    Jul 9 2024
    In this episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve is joined by Neelan Sornalingam, a financial advisor passionate about transforming how clients manage and think about their finances.

    During their talk, Neelan explains the importance of having clear, defined life and financial goals before getting into the nuts and bolts of financial planning. He believes that aligning financial strategies with personal dreams, whether those are as straightforward as saving for retirement or as unique as buying an island or starting a bee farm, is crucial.

    The conversation also touches on Neelan's insights into personal growth, the benefits of building a strong team around him, and his commitment to continuously improving the services his firm offers. They discuss the broader effects of financial planning, like how it influences lifestyle choices, helps ease financial stress, and the deep satisfaction Neelan gets from making a real difference in his clients' lives. Neelan wraps up by sharing his excitement about the future and his ongoing efforts to make his firm even better.

    For more inspiring stories about entrepreneurship, startups, and high-growth businesses, don't forget to subscribe to Give It A Nudge for weekly episodes.
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    33 mins
  • Dispelling Auction Myths with Cooley Auctions' Damien Cooley

    Dispelling Auction Myths with Cooley Auctions' Damien Cooley
    Jul 2 2024
    In this episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve chats with Damien Cooley of Cooley Auctions. Damien shares his journey from starting out in real estate to becoming a well-known auctioneer, recognised by his signature orange tie.

    He discusses his unique approach to auctioneering, emphasising the role of energy, strategy, and marketing in his success.

    Damien also talks about the challenges and breakthroughs he has faced, including how he adapted his business to incorporate online auctions before the pandemic made it a necessity. He gives insights into the psychological tactics used in auctions and the importance of staying detached as an auctioneer to ensure fairness and transparency.

    The discussion covers practical advice for new real estate professionals and Damien’s thoughts on the future of auctioneering. He also shares personal stories about the highs and lows of his career, offering a glimpse into the day-to-day realities of the auction world.

    For more stories on entrepreneurship and tips from industry leaders, make sure to subscribe to Give It A Nudge and tune in next week for another episode.
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    42 mins
  • Inside Google Cloud's Startup Ecosystem with Mike Langford

    Inside Google Cloud's Startup Ecosystem with Mike Langford
    Jun 25 2024
    In this long-awaited episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve finally has the chance to sit down with Mike Langford, Head of VC & Startup Ecosystem JAPAC at Google Cloud.

    Mike discusses his role at Google, overseeing the VC and startup ecosystem across Asia-Pacific. He shares his 12-year journey with the company, his passion for technology, and the strategic moves that led to his current position.

    Mike covers Google’s Digital Futures initiative, a $1 billion commitment to advancing Australia’s digital landscape, highlighting projects like AI research centres and environmental efforts in the Great Barrier Reef and kelp forests.

    The conversation includes how Google supports startups through tools, credits, and mentorship, helping them start, build, grow, and scale. Mike emphasises the importance of balancing passion with practical business strategies and staying aligned with evolving revenue models.

    The discussion also touches on the impact of AI, its rapid advancements, and its applications across various industries. Mike stresses the need for an innovative mindset and embracing AI as a tool for growth and efficiency.

    Mike explains why startups should choose Google Cloud, citing its user-friendly interface, cost-effectiveness, and comprehensive support. He highlights Google’s commitment to open-source models and fostering innovation within the startup community.

    Timestamps:
    00:44 - Mike's journey to Google
    01:20 - Role at Google Cloud and focus areas
    02:35 - Mike’s tech background and early career
    03:40 - Transition to non-tech roles at Google
    05:11 - Building a role in the startup space
    06:11 - Digital Futures initiative and key projects
    09:50 - Environmental and medical partnerships
    11:35 - Supporting startups through various stages
    14:00 - Importance of balancing passion and practicality
    16:18 - Impact of AI and its future applications
    19:45 - Why choose Google Cloud for startups?
    23:10 - Final thoughts and future outlook

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    41 mins
  • How A.I. is Changing the Luxury Fashion Game With Azura Fashion Group's Sam Wood

    How A.I. is Changing the Luxury Fashion Game With Azura Fashion Group's Sam Wood
    Jun 18 2024
    In this episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve sits down with Sam Wood, the CEO & Co-Founder of Azura Fashion Group, to discuss the innovative journey of his company.

    Sam shares the origin story of Azura Fashion Group, which started in 2019 with a mission to provide a better solution for luxury fashion brands to manage their off-season and postseason stock. The company helps brands like Dolce & Gabbana by moving their excess inventory into new markets rather than traditional outlet stores, thereby maintaining brand value.

    Throughout the interview, Sam discusses how Azura Fashion Group has grown to operate in 28 countries, partnering with over 900 brands, and how their AI-driven platform has revolutionised their operations by handling data enrichment and order management efficiently. He also talks about the company’s upcoming launch into the Korean market and plans for further expansion.

    Sam emphasises the importance of leveraging technology to scale without increasing operational costs and highlights the success of their recent $3 million investment raise. The conversation also touches on the company's commitment to supporting Australian designers and retailers by helping them reach international markets.

    For those interested in investing, Sam discusses their crowdfunding campaign and the unique benefits for investors, including potential luxury fashion perks.

    Timestamps:

    00:00 - Introduction
    00:41 - What is Azura Fashion Group?
    01:26 - The initial concept and market disruption
    02:53 - Landing the first big client: Dolce & Gabbana
    04:03 - Sam’s background in sales and marketing
    06:08 - The leap from employment to entrepreneurship
    07:26 - The importance of stress and adrenaline in business
    08:15 - The company’s growth journey and technological advancements
    08:44 - Expanding globally and leveraging AI for data management
    11:00 - Innovative AI platform using Google, Microsoft, and Amazon technologies
    13:16 - Zero-inventory model and digital consignment
    14:05 - Current scale and brand partnerships
    14:50 - The challenge and opportunity of circular fashion
    17:10 - Future plans and market expansion
    20:52 - Scaling with AI and crowdfunding plans
    22:10 - Final thoughts and call to action

    Subscribe for more insights into the world of startups, scale-ups, and high-growth businesses, and don’t miss out on this exciting episode with Sam Wood!

    Links:
    Azura Fashion Group website - https://www.azurafashiongroup.com/
    Crowdfunding campaign - https://www.onmarket.com.au/offers/azura-consulting-eoi/
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    28 mins
  • Richard Joffe on Disrupting Home Insurance with Honey Insurance

    Richard Joffe on Disrupting Home Insurance with Honey Insurance
    Jun 11 2024
    In this episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve visits the Honey Insurance offices to talk with Richard Joffe, the Founder & CEO.

    Richard shares the story behind Honey Insurance, a digital home insurance company aiming to simplify and improve the insurance experience in Australia. He explains how his move from San Francisco to Australia highlighted the need for a more modern and customer-friendly insurance service.

    Richard discusses his background, from growing up in South Africa and Canada to his experiences building businesses in London, New York, and San Francisco. He talks about the challenges of starting Honey Insurance, navigating Australia's competitive market, and overcoming regulatory hurdles.

    You'll hear about the inspiration for the name "Honey Insurance," the company's new partnership with Aldi, and their plans to offer better deals to customers.

    Richard also talks about the importance of company values, maintaining a close-knit team, and the effort required to secure funding and grow a startup.

    Timestamps:
    00:00 - Introduction and setting the scene
    00:24 - What is Honey Insurance?
    01:06 - The inspiration behind Honey Insurance
    02:15 - Challenges in traditional insurance models
    03:18 - The Australian market and its unique challenges
    06:11 - Richard's background and journey to entrepreneurship
    09:32 - Identifying the opportunity in the insurance industry
    12:09 - Regulatory hurdles and market entry challenges
    14:03 - Why "Honey Insurance"?
    15:13 - Honey Insurance’s launch and early successes
    18:00 - High technical talent in Australia
    20:18 - Fundraising challenges and strategies
    22:44 - New partnership with Aldi
    25:01 - Growth plans and maintaining company culture
    27:14 - Importance of company values and hiring standards
    30:48 - Closing thoughts and future plans

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    32 mins