Self Starter

Here we are folks! We're at the end season 2. While this series has been shorter that the first season, we've been able to get some great guests sharing their stories when it comes to all things self employment.In this final episode I throw out a few quick comments looking back over the past few months and thoughts on the future, including season 3 of Self Starter.While we wait for the future of Self Starter, please continue to share the previous episodes around to anyone who might need some guidance, assurance or even a gentle kick up the you-know-what. I've been incredibly proud of the impact that Self Starter has had on myself personally, as well as the many of you who have messaged me along the way to share your feedback.I hope that this continues to be a valuable resource in the years to come.Please keep in touch with me via the contact page or on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Between our band LORD, The Andy Social Podcast as well as other various projects that come and go, I will certainly continue t

Monica Strut could be seen as a first aid specialist when it comes to musician social medial and digital marketing. Responding to the call of bands who are in crisis and needing consulting and support, Monica is providing her expertise to help musicians succeed in the often murky waters of the music industry and online marketing.Starting out on your own is tough, especially when you’re branding yourself as the product/service. Monica made the decision to put her name and personal reputation on the line rather than utilising a business name. No doubt a daunting decision but it has brought Monica many advantages including a relatable, trust worthy resource for people who are on the hunt for help and it also building her own profile as a subject matter expert within the industry.As a musician herself, Monica has seen the mistakes made first hand and has watched as peers have given up on their music pursuits. Monica is using these real life experiences to create tangible resources and tools for others. She’s also

Mishka Bobrov of Bondi Heat is new to the world of self employment and small business. Having bounced around from job to job, he found himself in an unexpected moment where his father tried some home made olive oil made by Mishka and saw an opportunity. He encouraged Mishka to pursue and create a business around something that he saw was marketable.Luckily for Mishka, this was the moment to escape from the past several years of working in security and lead him on a path to start something that would truly spark a passion for him.We spoke only a few weeks into launch of the company and of course things were looking bright and optimistic. Like any business however there will be ups and downs, but Mishka has a close and solid network of friends and family who believe in him and are as hands on with support and the running of the business.In a market these days saturated in hot sauces, Mishka is looking to use the momentum of the market to create a point of difference with Bondi Heat where chilli infused olive oi

Frustrated working for others, Paul was looking for a change. It didn't come without trial and error though, working a wide range of jobs, trying to work out what he wanted to do. No matter what he did, his mind kept gravitating back to starting his own business. When it came to investing his efforts in a possible trade, working for someone else, Paul made the decision rather to invest in himself and what he is passionate about. Drumming and metal.Leaning on his years of experience as a metal drummer playing in a number of bands, Paul has used his knowledge of drumming as well as his existing networks to create a grass roots business that caters directly for the demographic he comes from. This gives him a genuine and organic approach where people can instantly trust his business, understanding that this is something that is important to Paul and he has the knowledge and experience to back it up.It's only been a few months in but Paul has hit the ground running. Creating an overarching brand of Ibbotson Drums

Ben Kornouchovs has been a part of the local Adelaide music scene for years. As a musician himself, Korno has seen both the needs of the performer and the punter when it comes to live music. His time working in music lead him to launching his own business, "Korno's concert service" which has been up and running since 2014.Specialising in artist support for touring and local bands, Korno and his team offer transport, chaperoning, stage and road management as well as merchandise services. Korno's jack of all trades approach ensures that artists are appropriately taken care of, ensuring that the 1 percenters are considered and performers are left to focus solely on their job which is to perform.Korno's involvement in the local scene often sees him as the go to guy for local metal festivals such as Heavy SA and The New Dead where he has an opportunity to not only work with Adelaide musicians but also interstate and international touring acts. A great opportunity to provide his services, network and carve out new

Aaron Edwards is the owner of Bitter Phew. A Craft Beer Bar located in Darlinghust Sydney. Beer enthusiasts from far and wide have congregated to the 1920's New York-warehouse inspired venue, where 12 taps constantly rotate and showcase some of the finest local and international boutique beers.It could be argued that craft beer and bars are a dime a dozen these days. It's definitely not a bad thing, but when looking at potential business ideas, many people often get trapped in the 'originality' of a business, rather than how you can make an existing service/experience better than the rest. Bitter Phew shows that you don't have to reinvent the wheel, but instead just make it unique and exciting for the potential customer.Aaron is no stranger to event management and establishing venues. The man behind Doris & Beryl's Cocktail Bar in Newtown and Creek & Cella in Leichhardt, he's cut his teeth in the hospitality world, learning the ins and outs of what makes a great venue and ensures that people continue

Buying a home, especially your first one, can be a real daunting task. In fact, most advice you receive often comes from friends and family who only have their own experiences which are laced with anxiety and negativity. This can create a real daunting prospect for those who want to take the step toward owning a property and result in many never getting started.Enter Mathew Heywood. Mathew has been cutting his teeth in the real estate game for the past several years, starting off as a junk mail dropper and gradually working his way up to helping an increasing number of people purchase their own home. Mat has a real drive for helping others and a focus on self improvement. This has lead him to make the decision to create a side hustle, where he could use his growing skill set and expertise to serve and help those who are looking for accessible and easily digestible information when it comes to buying property in Victoria.The result of this is the launch of Buying Property Victoria. Mat is taking a concentrated

Jennifer Marshall of Social Hair Co is someone who knows what it takes to build loyalty and success in an often competitive industry. Relocating from Sydney down to the gong with her husband, Jennifer started working out of her home to initially service family and friends. It wasn't long before an opportunity opened up to buy into a space in the heart of Wollongong, where Jennifer could take her business to the next level.It hasn't been smooth sailing along the way. After her husband's employment status changed, Jennifer needed to up the ante and create more income than ever before to sustain not only the business but also their livelihoods. Luckily though Jennifer was already an active person within the hair dressing community and after receiving advice and doing her own research online, Jennifer was able to find a Business Coach/Mentor who could maximise the businesses opportunities and find the success which Jen and Social Hair Co deserved.Now, business coaches are often viewed with a sense of scepticism.

George Fisher of George's Tech Repairs in Darwin began his business at home by fixing his family and friends mobile devices. With practice, George found that his skills could extend further than his inner circle where he could start servicing his wider community.Having a steady and reliable full time job for the past several years, George gradually made adjustments and negotiated with his employer to move to a part time capacity, as he began to invest more and more into his own business. With his family having many years of experience running their own businesses, George had the support and guidance to ensure that he took a gradual steps before diving in becoming completely self employed.In the early days of the business, George found himself making house calls and setting up stalls at markets to help the local area address any issues with their mobile phones and tablets. As things built, George set up his own location where customer's can now come to him, in addition to also continuing to have presence at ma

It didn't go to plan! Tenelle Bond from The Establishment Bar in Dubbo (for those international listeners, approximately 400km north west of Sydney) certainly has an interesting story to tell. Starting a bar was always the plan and having a background in hospitality and retail, it appeared to be a goal that Tenelle was about to proceed toward and conquer....then along came Joan.Inspired by her late Grandmother, Joan is a vintage van that won the heart of Tenelle and launched a successful business called AuRevoir. A traveling hospitality events van that has complimented a countless number of weddings, engagements, community gatherings and much more, forming a fond memory to all of those who have utilised Joan's services.As the business grew and Joan's reputation continued to travel around the area, Tenelle started to reflect and look back on her initial idea of starting her own bar. A concept that was always meant to come first but had to be placed on hold when Joan had come along and brought unexpected busine

Some of your may know Chris as the guitarist in Melbourne band Vanishing Point, however Chris has a unique story to tell which finds him running his own business, Speed Metal Scrap, collecting and selling scrap metal around the suburbs of Melbourne.Working for an Automobile manufacturer for a couple of decades, Chris found himself in a rapidly changing industry and saw the writing on the world when it came to his own career in that field. Accepting an exit package from his employer and with two newborn twins, Chris took the plunge to start a new chapter and launch his own business.Diving into that first year out of the comforts of traditional employment, Chris had appropriately prepared himself and his family to ensure that expectations were reasonable while he built a reputation and group of clientelle. While money was not a steady stream like it had been in the past, the new world of self employment and the flexibility that has come with it has helped Chris find a work/life balance that meets the needs and

Here's a very quick wrap up episode for Season 1. A quick reflection over the past 12 months since launch and plans moving into 2019.This is also a good opportunity to show some gratitude and thank those who have had a significant positive influence on the podcast. Without these people, Self Starter wouldn't have achieved what is has to date.My wife, Jessica - Check out her own business (Pre-loved Designer clothes, jewellery, and stationary goods) - Jessicapizzin.comAdrian Griffin - Web Development - AbepeTim Yatras - Editing/Production - Equinoxe StudiosAll of the guests to date - Kelly Goltz, Stevino Vinetti, Johny Vynes, Paul Traynor, Karin Neate, K-m, Michelle Milward, Amy, Carley and Tess, Pia Winberg, Craig Bloxsome, Ellen Thornthwaite, Syd Green, Sandra Pires, Jariss Shead, Arron Kidston, James and Jonno, Ronnie Lowe, Trevor Williams, Peter Langstaff, Andrew Coldwell, Rebecca Want de Rowe, Albert Skipper, Trina Collins, Russell Crosdale, Brad Wesson and Megan Sproats.Dave Gertler and Anna Riddel - Aust

Megan Sproats launched Cocoon Floatation 5 years ago, renting a local house out for business, purchasing some second hand tanks and slowly building connections with the small number of clients who were curious enough to try out this what at the time was an usual form of therapy.A float tank, also known as a sensory deprivation tank, holds 10 inches of water and up to 350 kilograms of Epsom salts. Due to the high concentrate of salt, you instantly float which gives the feeling of weightlessness. There are a large number of physical and mental benefits of using a float tank, plus it is a really awesome experience.Over the years, Megan has gradually built her business and shared her personality and passion with as many people as possible. In the last two years, the business has now been running out of a central site in the heart of Wollongong which has added increased visibility and allowed the business to hit that next level of professionalism.Megan shared that first moment where she decided to pursue a life a

Bump In Burger is located in Woodvale in the northern suburbs of Perth in Western Australia. Owner Brad Wesson who many know as one of the names behind Soundworks Direct Touring, teamed up with professional chef wiz Christopher Swayne to launch their own burger suburban haven.For those who don't know, Brad's own journey in the self employment world has seen him running the music touring company Soundworks Touring for over a decade. More recently merging with David Haley of Direct Touring to form Soundworks Direct Touring, Brad has built a global network of contacts, talent and insights that have continued to build his own knowledge and skill sets. These years slogging it out all over the world has now positioned him to be able to 'take that plunge' and launch his own burger joint, even though Brad has had no experience himself in hospitality since being a kitchen hand in his teens.Since the launch of Bump in Burger in February 2018, the team has seen dramatic success in their local area and through Brad's wid

Crosdales BBQ is the ultimate side hustle. When people have plans to start their own business, some of us look to the future and envision a day when we will be able to do it full time and nothing else. Owner Russell Crosdale however has a different approach on it all.Having been swooned by the flavours and culture of BBQ cooking while living and working as a cook in North America, Russell wanted to bring his experiences back home and continue to enjoy cooking this food which he had developed a real love of.With a traditional job that was already providing what he needed, Russell launched Crosdales BBQ as a weekend passion business that has grown in demand through the reputation carved out of quality American Authentic BBQ food. So much so that at the time of having our chat, Crosdales BBQ was booked out every weekend for the next 4 months.When asked whether there would be plans to extend to a full time gig, Russell was quick to acknowledge that his main focus is to nurture the passion and not compromise it. T

Anchors Aweigh Art Studio is a full functioning artist studio located in the heart of Wollongong. Run by owner Trina Collins, the business not only caters as a space for artists to experiment and learn but also facilitates a number of workshops and provides art services such as screen printing, digital design, murals and more. Anchors Aweigh also has it's own art supplies shop set up to ensure that the artists in the area are fully equipped to create their work.Trina has a long history as a critically acclaimed artist working under the name Poncho Army and was working at one point as an artist in residence for the Wollongong City Council before deciding to branch out and create her own business. Working in a number of traditional jobs in the past, Trina wanted to ensure that she could continue to earn a living as an artist and not have to go back to a job that may have been unfulfilling.Several years on, the art studio has grown at it's own pace and has captured a loyal following through word of mouth and fro

Coffee, donuts and a mini ramp.Skips Skateboard Shop caters for people all ages and is giving back to the community in a multitude of ways. While the name may attract the obvious crowd who are keen to fuel their passion for skateboarding, the shop also serves as a cafe. You will often find the older generation sitting back drinking a coffee watching younger people working on their boards across the room, which has helped bridge the generational gap and build respect across all ages.Albert Skipper aka 'Skip' sums it up beautifully with "The community is my family". Having a long history in the Eaglehawk and Bendigo areas, Skip has been giving back for years with a heavy background in music teaching. In more recent years however he was reintroduced to an old love of skateboarding.Skip saw an opportunity to blend his reacquainted love with his passion to contribute to his wider family.Since opening in January 2018, Skips Skateboard Shop has become a central hub for people of all ages. Not only covering coffee an

As Rebecca Want de Rowe says, this was an accidental business. In fact starting a business was the last thing that Rebecca felt comfortable in doing. Having felt the first hand experiences of family business failures as a child, there was a real reluctance to lean toward a world which had previously brought a lot of pain and stress.Nonetheless life threw a number of surprises at Rebecca which found her long standing reputation as a respected property manager, unexpectedly turning into a magnet for clients wanting to work with her and her only. Now it was just a matter of turning this attraction into a long term relationship.Enter Want de Rowe Real Estate. A boutique property management agency that looks after small property portfolios focusing on customer service and care. With now being 4 and a half years in, business is going great. In fact, all of Rebecca's clients are 100% word of mouth originating from her reputation of years working in the community.I sat down with Rebecca to hear more of her story. Her

Kluwell Publications develops a range of reading products to encourage positive reading attitudes and help parents and teachers track the progress of students with milestones along the way.Created by former school teachers and principals, Stan Kluzek and Andrew Coldwell in 1998, the name Kluwell Publications is combination of both Stan and Andrew's surnames which unified them to a concept that was many years in the making.Since launch of the business, Kluwell Publications has seen consistent success with not only impressive national sales but launching fulfilment operations in New Zealand and the UK. Despite the growth, the business continues to operate from their location in Bendigo where it had originally started. Stan has since retired and Andrew has a new business partner who is helping to ensure that the business continues to grow and prosper.I caught up with Andrew Coldwell to talk about how they first created these reading aids for students and how the idea sat with them for quite a number of years bef

The Illawarra has been a hub for musicians and creatives of all kinds. In more recent years however a number of closures of live music spaces have stiffened those wishing to perform and express themselves creatively.This gap opened up a need for a new venue that could not only provide another spot for musicians but for artists of all types.With the recent gentrification shift of Port Kembla, previously neglected pieces of property have been snapped up to create new opportunities and take advantage of the property boost in the area. One of these was a long closed and neglected service station.With the downsizing of venues and the boost of new property opportunities you could say that the planets had aligned.Servo Food Truck Bar is the collaboration of 12 dedicated individuals in the Illawarra’s creative space. Together they were able to bring their unique skills to the table and make a safe social and performance space for people of all ages and all identities.I caught up with part owner Peter Langstaff, a lon