Influence Unlocked

This episode’s guest chose ‘sharing’ as his word of the day and he really delivers on that front. Fred Schebesta is perhaps best known as the co-founder of one of the world’s leading comparison websites, Finder.com. He’s a serial entrepreneur, author and media commentator who sold his first business for $1.36 million and made his debut on the AFR Young Rich List in 2019 at number 22. Fred is also the co-founder of Finder Ventures, Finder’s venture capital arm, and cryptocurrency exchange HiveEx. But interwoven with Fred’s entrepreneurial journey is one of self-discovery and reinvention. Fred stands out in the crowd for his total commitment to being himself. A samurai sword hangs above the entrance at Finder HQ as a reminder of the company’s deepest low when Google penalised them for some ‘grey hat’ SEO tactics and the site lost most of its traffic overnight. At the EY Young Entrepreneur Awards, he wore an outrageous Versace jacket in a sea of tuxedos. He calls himself an ‘internet rockstar’ on LinkedIn and that’s how he shows up, whether to a speaking engagement or a meeting with a potential business partner. Listen in to find out how hiring an emotional coach to get through his divorce highlighted issues for his role in the business, why he chooses to be a slow driver, and the business insights he has gleaned from his favourite burger joint, Five Guys Burgers and Fries. https://www.linkedin.com/in/fredschebesta/ https://twitter.com/schebesta https://www.instagram.com/fredschebesta https://www.fredschebesta.com/ 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.

On this episode is one of the most creative, outgoing people I know, so it’s hard to believe she spent seven years in the world of tax law before going after her passion. Lisa Teh is the cofounder of CODI Agency, a content and digital marketing agency focused on lifestyle brands with offices in both Melbourne and New York. Lisa and her business partner, Thom Whilton, took their first steps into creative entrepreneurship in 2011 with Couturing, an online fashion, beauty and lifestyle platform. In addition to launching CODI, Lisa and Tom co-authored two best-selling books, Australian Style and Australian Beauty, published by Thames & Hudson. Lisa’s love of skincare also led her to cofound 101 Lifestyle, a natural brand stocked by Mecca in Australia and New Zealand and soon to launch in China. She lives by the motto ‘do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life’ – a quote from Mark Twain, not Confucious as you’ll hear on the show! She’s also a big fan of collaborating with and supporting fellow female entrepreneurs, and gives a shoutout to two of her faves – Ann Mitsios from Edible Beauty and Mia Klitsas from Moxie. I sat down with Lisa in person for this interview and her energy is simply contagious. I hope you enjoy our conversation about escaping the grind and doing what makes you want to leap out of bed 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.

This episode’s guest has taught me a lot about putting in the work and showing up with confidence. For over twenty five years Shelly Horton has had an exciting and diverse career as a journalist and presenter across television, print, digital and radio. As someone who grew up in a small country town called Kingaroy in Queensland, Shelly’s story is not only a great example of how to get your dream job but also how to keep fighting for what you want when others might be trying to bring you down. From fibbing her way onto the camera to read the sports news during a major bulletin in London to reporting and presenting for several major networks in Australia, Shelly has never been afraid to forge her own path. She is currently a regular commentator on Channel’s 9’s Today and Today Extra, hosts 9Honey’s Talking Honey, He Said/She Said, and Talking Married, and is also a sought after speaker and MC. In 2016, Shelly and her husband Darren took the leap and launched their own business, ShellShocked Media – a full service video production agency drawing on Shelly’s media prowess and Darren’s experience behind the camera. Shelly is also an expert at helping people find their ‘inner Beyoncé’ through her media and presentation training and she is my go-to clients who need to hone their presentation skills. We caught up at her home slash office slash training studio to talk about how the media’s attitude to looks has evolved since she was told she was ‘too fat for TV’, to what to do when you just can’t help but read the comments. Shelly Horton in instagram https://www.instagram.com/shellyhorton1/ 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.

This is Episode 3 and our first episode for the year 2020. And I don’t think there is a better way to kick it off than with Taryn Williams, one of Australia’s most popular female entrepreneurs and digital influencers. Taryn is the epitome of ‘influence and personal branding done right’. She is a long standing client and supporter of The PR Hub, and someone I consider myself very fortunate to call a friend. At the age of fifteen, Taryn was scouted by a modelling agency, and began working on international assignments for the likes of Qantas, Virgin and other global brands. While modelling, she developed an interest in entrepreneurship, which inspired her to start her first business, Wink Models, in 2007, at the age of 21, with $30,000 of her own savings. In 2016 Taryn launched her second business, theright.fit, a two-sided marketplace connecting brands with creative talent and influencers. Not long after she successfully negotiated a significant investment round led by Airtree Ventures. Taryn is an in demand keynote speaker and as an ambassador and influencer she has worked with global brands including Max Factor, La Prairie, Lamborghini, Nancy Ganz, Franck Provost and the Art Series Hotel Group. She has received numerous awards including the 2018 Mumbrella Award for Innovation and B&T Women in Media - leader in tech. It has been a pleasure and an inspiration to watch Taryn build these two businesses from the ground up, and in this episode she reveals how they each required a completely different approach, from the DIY ethos of WINK to raising upfront capital for a high-growth tech startup. We also talk about how Taryn manages her own personal brand in relation to her businesses own identities, and why you should behave like you’re in ‘permanent beta’ 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 episode two of the Influence Unlocked podcast lists ‘university drop out’ on his LinkedIn profile. He’s also made the AFR Young Rich List for four years running. Nick Bell is a serial entrepreneur who launched his digital marketing agency WME Australia from his bedroom in 2008 and went on to sell it for a cool $39 million in 2017. In the past decade he has built ten digital agencies including his latest venture, Removify, and a personal fortune of $217 million, with close to 1,000 staff working under him at multiple offices across the globe.   In spite of his astonishing rise to the rich list, he remains a deeply humble, open and down-to-earth guy who was more than happy to share his insights on life and business for this episode.   Listen in to find out what Nick does when colleagues turn into copycats, his advice for hiring and building a great team culture, and what he has to say to startups wanting to raise capital from investors like him. Also, listen in to find out how a cow called Bonox inspired Nick to use some of his wealth to make the world a kinder place with his latest venture! Influence Unlocked is hosted by Samantha Dybac, founder of The PR Hub, and produced by Piccolo Podcasts. 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.

In the first episode of Influence Unlocked I speak to one of Australia’s top young serial entrepreneurs, Gretta van Riel – influencer marketing queen, self-made millionaire and member of the Forbes 30 Under 30 list. At the age of 22 and with only $24 in her bank account, Gretta launched her first startup, SkinnyMe Tea. After selling over 11 million cups of tea worldwide in 5 years and winning the Shopify Build-A-Business competition in 2013, Gretta went on to create four more multi-million dollar businesses including watch company The Fifth and her latest venture, Hey Influencers. But it hasn’t all been smooth sailing, and Gretta is very upfront about some of the struggles that threatened to upend things. Gretta speaks about mental resilience, dealing with financial ebbs and flows, and harnessing the power of nervous energy. Gretta also shares some fantastic actionable tips you can apply now to your social media strategy. And, if that isn’t enough, she reveals something about herself for the first time and provides a sneak preview of her next exciting project.   Influence Unlocked is hosted by Samantha Dybac, founder of The PR Hub, and produced by Piccolo Podcasts. 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.