The Mentor with Mark Bouris

Mark Humphries is a journalist, author, and commentator known for his deep dives into some of Australia’s most fascinating corporate and cultural stories. In this episode, Mark sits down with him to discuss his new podcast series Skase: Fall of a Tycoon, exploring the rise and fall of Christopher Skase and the empire he built with ambition, charm, and a willingness to bend the rules. They talk about Skase’s journey from an 18-year-old graduate with $15,000 and big dreams to the head of Qintex, the role his wife Pixie played in his rise, the high-stakes business maneuvers that defined the 1980s, and the ultimate consequences of unchecked ambition. Mark also reflects on what Skase’s story reveals about the corporate world in the 80s, lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs, and why his tale continues to captivate decades later.  Listen to Skase: Fall of a Tycoon here: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/radionational/skase-collection/105911000    You can subscribe to the Mentored newsletter here: https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-sign-up Join the Facebook Group. Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luke Altschwager is the Managing Director at Palm Valley, and he’s partnered with Mick Fanning to build the Gold Coast’s first wave pool. In this episode, Mark sits down with Luke to unpack the massive transformation of Parkwood Village — a project that fuses sport, business, and entertainment into one of the most ambitious developments in Queensland. They talk about Luke’s business journey, the risks, financing hurdles, and the surf technology that’s set to change the way people experience the Gold Coast. Check out the Palm Valley Gold Coast website here: https://palmvalleygc.com/ You can subscribe to the Mentored newsletter here: https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-sign-up Join the Facebook Group. Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Holly Fowler, founder of Wable, joins us to share how she’s building the world’s first dating app designed specifically for the neurodivergent community. Inspired after watching Love on the Spectrum, Holly opens up about the personal experiences that led her to create Wable, co-founding it with Michael Theo, the stigma neurodivergent people often face in dating, and how her platform is creating safer, more inclusive spaces for genuine connection. We explore the challenges of launching a startup in an overlooked market, the growing investor interest in neurodiversity, and Holly’s vision for the future. You can subscribe to the Mentored newsletter here: https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-sign-up Join the Facebook Group. Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, The Block 2025 contestants Britt and Taz sit down to share their full story — the stuff you didn’t see on TV. They kick things off by talking about their background as police officers and how their unique bond helped them take on the high-pressure world of reality renovation. Then, they break down their Block journey: the day-to-day grind of renovating under pressure, the challenges they faced, and how they tackled key design decisions. You’ll also get an insider look at their auction prep, marketing strategy, and what really goes down in the lead-up to that nail-biting finale. Britt and Taz wrap up with personal reflections, what they’d do differently, and what’s next for them after The Block. Their real estate agent, Mark Nunn, also joins the conversation to discuss the property play and share his expert insights into the auction process. You can subscribe to the Mentored newsletter here: https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-sign-up Join the Facebook Group. Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paul Scully is a 51-year-old lifelong Wollongong local and the current NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, serving as the Member for Wollongong since 2016. In this episode, we dive into his family heritage and education, the political background and dynamics that shaped his career, and his perspective on raising the standard of living and government responsibility. We break down the challenges around housing supply and planning reforms, explore how political decisions play out in communities, and discuss innovative government policies designed to tackle today’s pressing issues. Paul also shares how he balances budget pressures with policy implementation, before looking ahead to his future plans and legislative reforms for NSW. You can subscribe to the Mentored newsletter here: https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-sign-up Join the Facebook Group. Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube.CSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dominique Gill is the Founder and Managing Director of Urban Core, a multi award-winning construction company generating $80 million in annual revenue, with offices in New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland. A pioneer in diversity and inclusion, Dominique leads one of Australia’s few female-led building firms, with women making up 50% of the Urban Core workforce. In this episode, Mark Bouris speaks with Dominique Gill about how she’s reshaping construction through purpose-driven leadership and a 50% female workforce. They discuss industry challenges, psychological safety, innovation on site, and why construction remains vital in the age of AI. You can subscribe to the Mentored newsletter here: https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-sign-up Join the Facebook Group. Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The housing crisis is hitting everyone, especially first home buyers. Empower Money is changing the game by helping Aussies buy a home with zero deposit. Founder Peter Khoury shares his journey from startup struggles to building an innovative funding model that’s making home ownership possible for more people than ever before. Disclaimer: YBR has a partnership with Empower Money.Check out Empower Money's website here: https://www.empowermoney.com.au/ You can subscribe to the Mentored newsletter here: https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-sign-up Join the Facebook Group. Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jenny O’Brien is the founder of Beyond Wellness, a bespoke retreat and concierge service in the Barossa. This episode was part of our podcast trip down in South Australia. Jenny shares her journey from community work to creating Beyond Wellness, the challenges she overcame, and how burnout led her to focus on health and healing. She also talks about the impact of her retreats, the role of nature in wellness, and her vision for helping people reconnect with themselves and find balance. Check out Beyond Wellness's Website here: https://www.beyondwellnessco.com.au/ South Australia. Celebrate the Simple Pleasures. Visit southaustralia.com.au to discover yours. You can subscribe to the Mentored newsletter here: https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-sign-up Join the Facebook Group. Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sammy Robinson is one of Australia’s most famous influencers, an entrepreneur, and the founder of fashion label One Mile. In this episode, she opens up about her journey from creating content as a teenager to building a successful fashion brand. We dive into her early days on YouTube, the evolution of social media, and the challenges of balancing personal and professional life under the spotlight. Sammy also shares the story behind launching One Mile, the realities of building and scaling a fashion business, and the role physical retail plays in today’s digital world. To wrap up, she reflects on what’s next for her career and the lessons she’s learned along the way. Check out One Mile's website here: https://onemilethelabel.com You can subscribe to the Mentored newsletter here: https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-sign-up Join the Facebook Group. Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week I sit down with Paul Grosmann, CEO of R.M.Williams, to talk about one of Australia’s most iconic and enduring brands. We go back to 1932 and the story of founder Reginald Murray Williams, and how a bloke with no formal training built a business that became a global name. Paul shares what makes the boots and jackets so special, why Aussies are so loyal to the brand, and how it has stayed true to its roots despite decades of changing ownership. He also opens up about his own journey from Nike and McKinsey to Harris Farm Markets, and the leadership lessons he is bringing to R.M.Williams as he drives the brand into its next chapter while keeping its heritage front and centre.  Check out R.M.Williams website here: https://drinkhyro.com/ You can subscribe to the Mentored newsletter here: https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-sign-up Join the Facebook Group. Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.