Influence Unlocked

My guest for this episode is a household name for Australian foodies. A school dropout at 15, Luke Mangan discovered a love of cooking through an apprenticeship with Herman Schneider at Melbourne restaurant Two Faces. In the three decades since then, Luke has made his culinary influence felt through dozens of restaurants as well as on P&O cruise ships, Virgin Australia Business Class and on the Eastern Oriental Express. He has also released several bestselling cookbooks and his own line of products, and in 2019 was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia. While he has experienced the heights of success including cooking for the likes of Richard Branson, Tom Cruise and the Queen, Luke has also weathered storms in his career. The pandemic has been a moment of reckoning for everyone in hospitality, and Luke has some words of wisdom to offer on how to get through to the other side. Luke’s Five in Five shout-out: Restaurant Leo, and everyone else in hospitality who is just trying to hang on and make it through this time. Follow the Influence Unlocked podcast on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/influenceunlockedpodcast/ Follow Samatha Dybac on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthadybac/Check out the Influence Unlocked podcast videos on YouTube here: https://bit.ly/3fq8dJ5 Producer: Andrew Menczel http://www.piccolopodcasts.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to season two of the Influence Unlocked podcast! To kick things off I’m chatting with a rising star of Australian sport. Amy Parmenter rose to prominence in the professional netball world in 2019 after joining the Giants and rounding out a stellar debut season by winning the Rising Star Award along with the Giants’ Player of the Year. Amy is also dedicated to using her profile to support a good cause and started the Tie Dye Project a few years ago in honour of her Mum, who lost her battle with cancer in 2013. Last year during a visit to Westmead Children’s hospital she befriended fellow ‘netty nerd’ and cancer survivor, 14 year old Molly Croft and was inspired to tie dye more than 1,000 t-shirts in her backyard, selling every one and raising nearly $25,000 for the Sydney Children’s Hospital. Listen in to find out how Amy has been occupying her time while the coronavirus pandemic has been wreaking havoc with professional sports, how she manages performance anxiety, and how setting goals like actually untying her shoelaces when she comes home have helped her reach her ultimate dreams. Amy’s Five in Five shout-out: the Smiling Mind app Amy’s insta: https://www.instagram.com/amyparmenterr/ The Tie Dye Project on insta: https://www.instagram.com/thetiedyeproject_/ Follow the Influence Unlocked podcast on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/influenceunlockedpodcast/ Follow Samatha Dybac on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthadybac/Check out the Influence Unlocked podcast videos on YouTube here: https://bit.ly/3fq8dJ5 Producer: Andrew Menczel http://www.piccolopodcasts.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest for the final episode of season one of the podcast has been a huge influence on my life and career, and I’m thrilled to have her on the show. Kerry Chikarovski, or Chika as she’s widely known, rose to prominence as one of the first women to hold a leadership role in Australian politics and the first woman to lead a major political party in New South Wales. Despite a lack of female role models, Kerry was determined to become a politician from a young age. She began her career as a solicitor and won pre-selection against the odds for a safe Liberal seat in Sydney in 1991. In 1998 she became the leader of the New South Wales Liberal party, a position she held until her resignation in 2002. Since then Chika has built a highly successful career as a government relations consultant through her company, Chikarovski & Associates, as well a sought-after board director with current board position with the NSW Waratahs, Our Watch, Adopt Change and the Humpty Dumpty Foundation. You might have seen Chika on the small screen as a commentator for programs like Ch 7 Sunrise, ABC Weekend Breakfast, Sky News The Bolt Report and ABC The Drum, and she certainly knows how to tell a good story. Tune in to hear how a chance encounter with US Senator Robert Kennedy sparked Chika’s career ambitions at the age of 13, how breaking down over the ironing board finally pushed her to pursue her dreams, why she is a rugby tragic and her secret passion for trash TV. Kerry’s Five in Five shout-out: I’m very humbled that she dedicated her shout-out to The PR Hub! Follow the Influence Unlocked podcast on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/influenceunlockedpodcast/ Follow Samatha Dybac on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthadybac/Check out the Influence Unlocked podcast videos on YouTube here: https://bit.ly/3fq8dJ5 Producer: Andrew Menczel http://www.piccolopodcasts.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As a teenage girl in the ‘90s, reading Dolly magazine every month was a special thrill – one that my guest for this episode knows well. As a teenager Marino Go set her sights on becoming the editor of Dolly magazine, a goal she achieved at the age of 23. Of course, achieving your ultimate goal so early in your career prompts the question, what’s next? Marina went on launch Australian Good Taste magazine for Woolworths before moving into the business strategy side of the media industry, with roles including CEO of Private Media, Publisher of Magazines at Fairfax, and Group Publisher at Pacific Publications. For the past decade Marina has focused her career at the board level, including five years under the spotlight as chairwoman of the NRL’s Wests Tigers. She is currently a non-executive director for Energy Australia, 7-Eleven, Pro-PAC, Autosports Group and the Walkley Foundation, as well as chair for Ovarian Cancer Australia and the Super Netball Commission. In 2016 Marina published her book Break Through: 20 Success Strategies for Female Leaders, and she is a role model and mentor to countless women in business and the media. Having looked up to Marina since those early Dolly days, in 2012 armed with a ‘I have nothing to lose, and everything to gain’ attitude, I contacted Marina and asked to meet her for coffee. That led to a work opportunity that helped form the early days of The PR Hub. I continue to be inspired by her career trajectory and her focus on supporting and empowering women. I’m sure you’ll enjoy this episode as much as I did! Marina’s Five in Five shout-out: Marina loves purpose-driven businesses like Who Gives a Crap and Thank You. With a bonus shout-out to her son’s band, The Tints! Leave feedback or get in touch here: Samantha Dybac Managing Director and founder The PR Hub www.theprhub.com.au/podcast https://www.instagram.com/influenceunlockedpodcast/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthadybac/ Producer: Andrew Menczel http://www.piccolopodcasts.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest for this episode is the dictionary definition of determination, defying the odds and believing you can achieve anything if you just put your mind to it. Nathan Charles was three months old when he was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis (CF) and his parents were told that he might not even make it to his 10th birthday. A rugby fan from the time he could speak, Nathan’s dream was to become a Wallaby and represent Australia. He achieved that goal at the age of 25, when he played for Australia in a test match against France. Early in his career Nathan was reluctant to reveal his battle with cystic fibrosis, but after opening up to his teammates he realised the power of sharing and importantly that his profile could help raise awareness of the illness. He has been a national ambassador for Cystic Fibrosis Australia for the past decade, and as the only person in the world with CF to have played an elite contact sport he is a huge inspiration to others with the condition. After a series of injuries ended his rugby career, Nathan started a business as well as taking on a sports management role with Pathways, Western Australia. But he has a soft side too, confessing to a love of rom coms and hanging out with the girls and listening in to the gossip. I was delighted to have Nathan join me during May, which is national cystic fibrosis awareness month,and just a few days out from Friday 22 May, which is 65 Roses Day. Tune in for more! Nathan’s rom com recommendations: Fool’s Gold and The Notebook. Leave feedback or get in touch here: Samantha Dybac Managing Director and founder The PR Hub www.theprhub.com.au/podcast https://www.instagram.com/influenceunlockedpodcast/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthadybac/ Producer: Andrew Menczel http://www.piccolopodcasts.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At the age of 12, Justin Dry saw his entrepreneur father lose everything. Now, Justin is the co-founder and CEO of one of Australia’s fastest growing companies, Vinomofo. He joins us for our second COVID-19 ‘lockdown’ episode, chatting to us from his home office at the dining room table, with handy access to the wine fridge and his 4-month-old daughter Matisse in the next room. Justin and his brother-in-law Andre Eikmeier launched Vinomofo from their Adelaide garage in 2011, and since then it has grown to over $50 million in annual revenue, 500,000 members and operations across Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. Earlier generations of Justin’s family planted the first vines in the Barossa, so wine practically flows through his veins, but it took a couple of turns on the small business merry-go-round before he and Andre hit on a winning idea. Justin opens up about those earlier business experiences and how they helped build Vinomofo – as well as the business decision that saw him repeating his father’s mistakes. We also chat about Justin’s love for self-motivation and forward planning, how he thinks COVID-19 will reshape the wine industry, and his passion for island holidays. Justin’s Five in Five shout-out: Ash Davies of Tablo Publishing. Leave feedback or get in touch here: Samantha Dybac Managing Director and founder The PR Hub www.theprhub.com.au/podcast https://www.instagram.com/influenceunlockedpodcast/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthadybac/ Producer: Andrew Menczel http://www.piccolopodcasts.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to episode 10 of the Influence Unlocked podcast – the first episode to be produced under social distancing restrictions! Our guest is a former child model who enjoys go karting and bouldering, but most of you would know Tim Fung as the CEO and cofounder of Airtasker, an online gig economy platform that helps users outsource their chores, errands and odd jobs. And Airtasker itself has raised plenty of cash in its eight years of operation, raising $90 million in capital and attracting investors like Seven West Media, Black Sheep Capital, and Vocus Communications founder and Airtasker chairman James Spenceley. (It’s also a blessing for those of us who can’t stand the sight of the dreaded Ikea allen key!) A former corporate advisor and investment banker, Tim also spent some time in the talent management space before turning to entrepreneurship and joining the Young Rich List. He has been the founder or co-founder of several companies over the years including Sydney coworking space Tank Stream Labs. Listen in to find out why Tim thinks some of the best opportunities are unpaid, and what he’s learned about leadership during the coronavirus crisis. Tim’s top reads: Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman; Radical Candor: Be a Kickass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity by Kim Malone Scott; Thinking in Bets: Making Smarter Decisions When You Don't Have All the Facts by Annie Duke; and Superforecasting: The Art and Science of Prediction by Philip E. Tetlock & Dan Gardner. You can follow Tim on Goodreads for more reading inspo! Tim’s Five in Five shout-out: Mike Rosenbaum of Spacer. Leave feedback or get in touch here: Samantha Dybac Managing Director and founder The PR Hub www.theprhub.com.au/podcast https://www.instagram.com/influenceunlockedpodcast/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthadybac/ Producer: Andrew Menczel http://www.piccolopodcasts.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever wanted to jump on a plane and completely reinvent your life somewhere else? That’s exactly what our guest for episode 9 of Influence Unlocked did. Kyla Kirkpatrick was on a fast track to a big career in finance when she quit her job and bought a one-way ticket to Paris to study her passion, champagne. Since then she has built a huge following as ‘The Champagne Dame’ and is recognised as one of the world’s leading champagne educators, and to add even more sparkle to an already glittering career, she will make her debut on the next series of The Real Housewives of Melbourne. After over a decade of hosting tastings, masterclasses and tours of the Champagne region of France, in 2017 Kyla launched Emperor Champagne, Australia’s online home of champagne. Emperor raised $1million in its first round of funding, and took nearly $200,000 in its first eight weeks of trade. Kyla is a shining example of what can happen when you follow your curiosity and desire and see where it leads. Tune in to hear about small business ‘near-death experiences’, why Kyla hates The 4-Hour Work Week, being most profitable while pregnant, and the unlikely industry she plans to shake up next. Leave feedback or get in touch here:   Samantha Dybac Managing Director and founder The PR Hub www.theprhub.com.au/podcast https://www.instagram.com/influenceunlockedpodcast/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthadybac/   Producer: Andrew Menczel http://www.piccolopodcasts.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our guest for this episode says he’d probably be a full time ‘ski bum’ if he wasn’t doing what he’s doing today. Aaron Smith was the typical 20 something traveller – holidaying and working -  in London when he came across the idea he would eventually turn into a multi-million dollar franchise. Dynamic Pilates was a growing trend in London, and when Aaron returned to Australia he knew that was what he wanted to do. However, he also returned home $20k in debt. He convinced his father to act as guarantor on a business loan, and the first KX Pilates studio opened in 2010. That first year of business was the very definition of hustle and grind, but KX is now Australia’s biggest Pilates franchise, boasting 67 studios across the country and one in Jakarta, Indonesia. Since those humble beginnings, Aaron has become one of Australia's most popular fitness entrepreneurs and won a host of awards including the 2019 Young Fitness Entrepreneur of the Year and coming in at number three on the top 30 Australian Franchise Executives in 2020. With KX Pilates recently celebrating its 10th birthday, Aaron and I sat down for a chat about his transition from personal trainer to business success story, what’s it like to let someone else take the reins, and why he would make a terrible employee. Leave feedback or get in touch here:   Samantha Dybac Managing Director and founder The PR Hub www.theprhub.com.au/podcast https://www.instagram.com/influenceunlockedpodcast/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthadybac/   Producer: Andrew Menczel http://www.piccolopodcasts.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My guest for this episode of Influence Unlocked learned to bake from YouTube videos and is now a media personality in her own right and the owner of a custom design cake shop with a long list of clients including cruise companies, sporting organisations, celebrity chefs and major corporate companies. Daniella Boutros left school at 16 after struggling with severe dyslexia. She presented her parents with a savvy proposition to open a business, but despite its success she closed it at 20 to become a housewife. Being the perfect Stepford Wife didn’t suit her, though, and after her marriage ended a few years later Daniella worked four jobs, seven days and seven nights, saving enough money to buy a house, but instead chose to invest in herself ‘one more time’ and start a business. Her first impromptu baking job went viral and Buttercréme Lane was born. She’s since become a celebrity baker, appearing regularly on breakfast television and radio and becoming a media ambassador for not-for-profit organisation Adopt Change. After knowing Daniella for a few years, I can tell you she has a heart of gold – just ask the neighbourhood kids who used to swarm her apartment every afternoon for baked treats – but on this episode she talks about building her personal brand and a bit of her cheeky side. Listen in to find out how she built up her resilience despite her learning difficulties, and the three things she keeps on her bedside table to remind her of three important lessons every morning. Leave feedback or get in touch here:   Samantha Dybac Managing Director and founder The PR Hub www.theprhub.com.au/podcast https://www.instagram.com/influenceunlockedpodcast/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthadybac/   Producer: Andrew Menczel http://www.piccolopodcasts.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.