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Start-up Founders, Venture Captial, Private Equity, Accelerators - hear them all talk about their stories where they went wrong, what went right and what they learned!
Give It A Nudge
Give It A Nudge
Transcribed
20 AUG 2024 · In this episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve chats with Gabriela Scharf, Founder of Get Cool Brands. Gabriela's fascinating career journey takes centre stage as she shares her experiences moving from Brazil to Australia, working with major brands like Red Bull and WeWork, and eventually finding her passion in purpose-driven initiatives.
Gabriela recounts the challenges of starting anew in Australia, initially working in hospitality before landing marketing roles. Her time at WeWork during COVID shaped her views on the importance of flexibility and community, leading her to focus on building communities and promoting sustainable brands through Get Cool Brands.
Gabriela also discusses her role as an ambassador for the Community Collective, a global network for community managers, and emphasises the value of human interaction and community in a post-COVID world.
Timestamps:
00:18 - Introduction to Gabriela Scharf
01:22 - Moving from Brazil to Australia
03:00 - Early career struggles and transition
06:19 - Working at WeWork during COVID
08:14 - Importance of community and human interaction
11:46 - Founding Get Cool Brands
15:20 - Supporting sustainable brands
18:24 - Ambassador role at Community Collective
21:50 - Future plans and goals
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Transcribed
13 AUG 2024 · In this episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve Grace chats with Jessie Hughes, Senior Creative Technologist at Leonardo.Ai, just days after their acquisition by Canva.
Steve and Jessie discuss the groundbreaking features of Leonardo.Ai, a generative AI-powered content creation suite designed to democratize creativity by making high-quality content creation accessible to everyone.Â
Jessie shares insights into the company’s rapid growth, innovative tools like real-time canvas doodling and high-resolution upscaling, and the strategic benefits of the Canva acquisition while maintaining Leonardo.Ai's independence.
They also explore Jessie’s unique career path, from her background in interaction design and VR filmmaking to her role in the AI industry, highlighting the importance of adaptability and the transformative potential of AI in various sectors.Â
The conversation touches on the future of AI, the balance between technological advancement and human creativity, and the collaborative efforts to ensure AI's positive impact on society.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction
00:18 - Meet Jessie Hughes of Leonardo.Ai
00:36 - Canva's acquisition of Leonardo.Ai
03:30 - Overview of Leonardo.Ai's tools and features
08:23 - Democratizing creativity with AI
12:29 - Jessie's career journey and impact of AI
15:36 - Synergy between Leonardo.Ai and Canva
23:10 - Future of AI and creative industries
27:09 - Navigating rapid technological advancements
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Transcribed
6 AUG 2024 · In this episode of Give It A Nudge, Steve chats with Stephen Zilioli, the Founder & CEO of PostLock (https://www.postlock.com.au/), a revolutionary new savings product designed to help aspiring homeowners keep up with runaway property prices.
Steve and Stephen discuss the journey from a stable banking career to founding PostLock, the difficulties of navigating government regulations, and the unique approach PostLock takes in partnering with governments to provide secure, inflation-adjusted returns for home savers. They also explore the significant progress made in the UK, the strategy behind choosing the UK market, and the future plans for expansion and capital raising.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction
00:18 - Meet Stephen Zilioli of PostLock
00:33 - Quick pitch on PostLock and its mission
03:30 - Challenges of saving for home deposits
08:23 - How PostLock works
12:29 - Flexibility and potential exceptions
15:36 - Government partnerships and UK progress
23:10 - Raising capital and ideal investors
27:09 - Surprises and easiest aspects of the journey
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Transcribed
30 JUL 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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Transcribed
23 JUL 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.Â
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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Transcribed
16 JUL 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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Transcribed
9 JUL 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.Â
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.
Transcribed
2 JUL 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.Â
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.
25 JUN 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
Subscribe to Give It A Nudge for the latest insights from top startups, scale-ups, and high-growth companies!
18 JUN 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:Â
Azura Fashion Group website - https://www.azurafashiongroup.com/
Crowdfunding campaign - https://www.onmarket.com.au/offers/azura-consulting-eoi/
Start-up Founders, Venture Captial, Private Equity, Accelerators - hear them all talk about their stories where they went wrong, what went right and what they learned!
Information
| Author | Steve Grace |
| Organization | Steve Grace |
| Categories | Business , Entrepreneurship , Careers |
| Website | www.spreaker.com |
| steve@thenudgegroup.com |
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