Agency

In 2018, I was broke, 200k in debt, and working an unfulfilling job. I started a content creation agency and scaled it from 1 freelancer to a team of 30+ in just 4 short years. Now I run Australia’s fastest-growing agency: rivyl. As a guy who runs an agency working with global brands and celebrities, I decided to start interviewing people who take Agency over their lives. To unpack what entrepreneurs do to get ahead in business and life. My goal is to unearth the tactics, mindset, and motives that make high performers tick so you can get a leg up and take Agency with whatever you’re doing.

Latest episodes

Apr 17, 2025 • 1h 24min

#68 - Leadership in the Age of Constant Disruption | Mark Bilton

Mark Bilton is a transformative business leader and former CEO of Gloria Jean’s, with a career spanning six companies across 40 countries. In this episode, he unpacks the true essence of leadership—balancing military-inspired discipline with modern emotional intelligence. Mark reveals how transparency, humility, and empowering teams can reignite broken cultures and unlock rapid growth. Discover his journey through high-pressure leadership, the power of collaboration over command, and the practical strategies behind leading with vision in fast-moving environments.Book Rivyl in for a free 30-minute call, here: http://l.rivyl.com/JUPbkj (00:00) Introduction(06:59) From Military Command to Emotional Intelligence(13:58) Diagnosing Broken Culture in Big Business(20:57) Fixing the Problem Child with Radical Listening(27:56) Unlocking Group Wisdom Through Collaboration(34:55) Leading by Walking the Warehouse(41:54) Company Turnaround Through Transparency and Hope(48:53) Strategic Planning That People Actually Believe In(55:52) Letting Go of Control Without Losing Direction(01:02:51) Surviving the Next 5 Years of Disruption(01:09:50) Founder Burnout and the Leadership Ceiling(01:16:49) Mastering Time, Inbox, and Mental Bandwidth

Apr 10, 2025 • 1h 34min

#67 - Decoding the Algorithm: Social Media in the AI Era | Jay Wright

Jay Wright, founder of eCommerce Equation, is a leading voice in eCommerce performance marketing. Known for his direct approach, he empowers brands to thrive in the evolving digital landscape. This episode offers actionable insights for eCommerce businesses, covering performance-driven creative, Meta's AI ad tools, and the importance of understanding customer avatars. Jay provides practical advice for building brands that resonate in a creator-led environment.Book Rivyl in for a free 30-minute call, here: http://l.rivyl.com/JUPbkj (00:00) Introduction(07:50) Market Timing & Strategy(15:40) From Aesthetic to Authentic(23:30) Winning with Native Content(31:20) Rise of Performance Creative(39:10) Meta’s AI Ad Shift(47:00) Mastering Customer Avatars(54:50) Preparing for AI Creative(01:02:40) Predictive Ad Targeting(01:10:30) Human vs. AI Content(01:18:20) Smarter AI Adoption(01:26:10) Best Time to Build a Brand

Apr 3, 2025 • 1h 45min

#66 - From Analysis to Actionable Intelligence: Leveraging AI for Business | Marissa Kos

Marissa Kos is a visionary futurist and a leading voice in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI). As the founder of M-Squared, she is dedicated to empowering and educating brands to harness the power of AI, enabling them to dominate their respective industries. Described as a relentless innovator, Marissa is actively redefining AI's potential, both for herself and for her clients. In this episode, Marissa delves into the transformative power of AI, exploring its role in sparking creativity, reshaping workplace culture, and democratizing access to powerful tools.Book Rivyl in for a free 30-minute call, here: http://l.rivyl.com/JUPbkj (00:00) Introduction: AI vs. Creativity — Setting the Stage(00:08:40) AI and Workplace Culture Reset(00:17:21) AI as a Catalyst for Creative Renaissance(00:26:02) AI Leveling the Business Playing Field(00:34:43) AI, Web3, and Augmented Reality Explained(00:43:23) AI Support for Human Overload(00:52:04) Ethics, Empathy, and AI's Dual Potential(01:00:45) Creative Duality: Soul vs. Speed(01:09:26) Reclaiming Creative Process with AI(01:18:06) Teaching AI Thinking, Not Tools(01:26:47) AI's Impact on Business and Creativity(01:35:28) The Future of Co-Creation with AI

Mar 27, 2025 • 1h 26min

#65 - Effort Beats Talent: Tattooing, Creativity, and Mastery | Alex Rusty

Alex Rusty is a leading figure in Australian tattooing, renowned for combining traditional Japanese techniques with modern artistry. As co-founder of Sydney's Lighthouse Tattoo and president of the Australian Tattooist Guild, he shapes industry standards and innovation. This episode explores Alex’s journey from tattooing’s underground roots to being an industry-leading artist, the personal sacrifices, relentless ambition, and pursuit of mastery required to succeed, and the realities of professional pressure.Book Rivyl in for a free 30-minute call, here: http://l.rivyl.com/JUPbkj (00:00) Introduction(07:02) The Evolution of Tattooing Standards(14:05) The Relentless Pursuit of Improvement(21:07) The Role of Constructive Criticism(28:29) Balancing Efficiency and Quality(35:31) The Importance of Continuous Learning(42:34) Building a Strong Foundation(49:36) The Artist-Client Relationship(56:39) The Influence of Inspiration(01:03:41) Overcoming Challenges(01:10:44) The Evolution of Tattoo Styles(01:17:46) The Lasting Impact of Tattoos

Mar 20, 2025 • 1h 22min

#64 - Founder's Formula: Ideas Don't Matter, Execution Is Everything | Frank Greeff

Frank Greeff, co-founder of Realbase who achieved an impressive $180 million exit, and founder of The Founders Table, provides valuable insights into the emotional and mental landscape of entrepreneurship. He delves into the necessity of emotional regulation, the realities of scaling a business, and the critical importance of aligning one’s mindset with the specific stage of growth. Book Rivyl in for a free 30-minute call, here: http://l.rivyl.com/JUPbkj (00:00) Introduction(07:00) The Early Stages of Entrepreneurship: Ideas vs Execution(14:00) Scaling Your Business: The 1-10 Million Growth Stage(21:00) Beyond 10 Million: Leadership & High-Level Strategy(28:00) Emotional Regulation & The Mental Game of Business(35:00) Energy Management: The Key to Long-Term Success(42:00) The Hustle Culture Debate: Myth vs Reality(49:00) Knowing When to Pivot or Persevere in Business(56:00) Signals of a Successful Business: Market Feedback & Demand(01:03:00) Social Media & Entrepreneurship: Perception vs Reality(01:10:00) The Power of Personal Branding & Industry Influence(01:17:00) Final Takeaways: Long-Term Thinking & The Journey Ahead

Mar 13, 2025 • 1h 27min

#63 - No B.S. Events: The Art of Disrupting The Event Industry | Jason Soultan

Jason Soultan is a visionary transforming the event and design industry. He reveals the secrets behind his successful NO/BS Events. Discover how he creates authentic, impactful gatherings that foster genuine connections and prioritise attendee well-being. Learn about his journey from industry frustration to crafting meaningful experiences that truly deliver value. Book Rivyl in for a free 30-minute call, here: http://l.rivyl.com/JUPbkj

Mar 6, 2025 • 1h 46min

#62 - Billion-Dollar Brand Strategies: The Power of Consistency and Strategic Clarity | Josh Sparks

Josh is a world-class brand strategist who has helped scale premium brands from startups to billion-dollar valuations. With decades of experience working with global icons like Tom Browne and MJ Bale, Josh reveals why most businesses misunderstand branding—and how to leverage it as your most valuable asset.Book Rivyl in for a free 30-minute call, here: http://l.rivyl.com/JUPbkj (00:00) Introduction(00:03:47) Understanding Branding and Emotional Connection(00:17:33) The Shift from Monologue to Dialogue Branding(00:38:03) The Power of Consistency and Strategic Clarity(00:48:04) Scaling a Business—The Hockey Stick Growth Model(01:07:01) The Leadership Challenge—Balancing Growth and Stability(01:22:11) The Rise of Co-Creation—Empowering Customers(01:30:56) The Attention Economy—How Brands Must Adapt(01:42:01) The Future of Branding—AI and Predictive Insights(01:45:01) Key Takeaways—Building a Sustainable Brand(01:45:55) Closing Remarks and Next Steps(01:46:08) Final Thoughts

Feb 27, 2025 • 1h 25min

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