The Mentor with Mark Bouris

In this engaging discussion, Dean Boyd, founder of Living Timber Co. and furniture maker, shares his journey from crafting unique pieces in his parents' garage to navigating the challenges of rapid growth and eventual liquidation. He opens up about the pressures of scaling a business too quickly, the burnout he faced, and the crucial lessons learned. Dean emphasizes the importance of mental health, accountability, and treating failures as stepping stones. With newfound clarity, he reflects on future ambitions and plans to embrace a slower, more sustainable path.

Paul Grosmann, CEO of R.M.Williams, shares his journey from Nike and McKinsey to leading Australia’s iconic boot brand. He delves into the captivating founding story of Reginald Murray Williams and discusses the brand's deep-rooted heritage, including its use of durable kangaroo leather. Paul reveals the emotional connection Australians have with R.M.Williams, touching on manufacturing innovations and recent ownership changes aimed at restoring its Australian stewardship. He emphasizes resilience in leadership and the importance of staying true to the brand’s roots.

It’s been another big year on The Mentor. We’ve had some brilliant guests sharing incredible business insight. Who stood out to you, and who should we bring on next? Here are some highlights of the standout episodes of the year. 00:00-8:52 (Hyro co-founders Steve & Taylor Chapman) 8:52-23:13 (R.M. Williams CEO Paul Grosmann) 23:14 - 33:36 (Dominique Gill) 33:37- 39:46 (Britt & Taz) 39:47- 48:08 (Mike Christidis) Listen to the full podcast via the links below. #493 Hyro co-founders Steve & Taylor Chapman #495 R.M. Williams CEO Paul Grosmann #499 Dominique Gill  #501 Britt & Taz #489 Mike Christidis See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s been another big year on The Mentor. We’ve had some brilliant guests sharing incredible business insight. Who stood out to you, and who should we bring on next? Here are some highlights of the standout episodes of the year. 00:00-9:49 (Sam Kelly) 9:50-20:02 (Tracy Sheen) 20:03 - 27:33 (Jason Titman) 27:34- 32:03 (Little Rickshaw) 32:04- 39:13 (Zafferano) Listen to the full podcast via the links below. #478 Sam Kelly #482 Tracy Sheen #484 Jason Titman #488 Little Rickshaw #489 Zafferano See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

​​Nick Cogger is the CEO and co-founder of Better Beer, one of Australia’s fastest-growing beer brands. With a background spanning venues, alcohol, and drinks innovation, Nick’s journey has been anything but overnight. In this episode, Nick breaks down how a chance Instagram scroll led him to The Inspired Unemployed, why influencer marketing only works when ambition matches audience, and how a “reverse pitch” sparked the idea of Better Beer. He shares why he focused on creating a product everyone in Australia can enjoy, and how timing, discipline, and strategy are what it takes to take on the big brewers. Follow Better Beer here: https://www.instagram.com/betterbeer 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 Claim $500 Bitcoin with OKX SMSF. SMSF trustees: Successfully sign-up your SMSF and getverified for an OKX SMSF trading account. Deposit $5 and receive $500 worth of Bitcoin. Eligibilityrequirements and T&Cs apply. Book a 1-1 call with the OKX SMSF team today for guidance. Offer ends 31 March 2026.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At 28, Ari Kaklamanis has already reshaped how Australians consume real estate. He founded Million Dollar Listing Sydney (MDLS) at 17, building the country’s first social-media-driven real estate platform. What began as a small Instagram page is now Sydney’s most-viewed property portal, pulling in more than 21 million views a month. In this episode, Ari breaks down how he spotted the gap, built a global audience, and turned MDLS into a powerhouse that changed the way people buy, sell, and talk about property online. A sharp look at the mindset and strategy behind a founder who rewrote the rules of real estate marketing. Follow Million Dollar Listings Sydney here: https://www.instagram.com/milliondollarlistingsydney/ 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 Claim $500 Bitcoin with OKX SMSF. SMSF trustees: Successfully sign-up your SMSF and getverified for an OKX SMSF trading account. Deposit $5 and receive $500 worth of Bitcoin. Eligibilityrequirements and T&Cs apply. Book a 1-1 call with the OKX SMSF team today for guidance. Offer ends 31 March 2026.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Candy Berger, CEO of Lox in a Box, talks through the journey from the early vision to the challenges that shaped the business. She explains how she navigated setbacks, built resilience and scaled what started as a small takeaway bagel shop in Bondi into three thriving locations in Coogee, Bondi and Marrickville, along with a retail line, baked goods and a fast-growing brand. A sharp and honest look at building a modern hospitality business and what it takes to keep growing. Check out the Lox in a Box website here: https://www.loxinabox.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. Claim $500 Bitcoin with OKX SMSF. SMSF trustees: Successfully sign-up your SMSF and getverified for an OKX SMSF trading account. Deposit $5 and receive $500 worth of Bitcoin. Eligibilityrequirements and T&Cs apply. Book a 1-1 call with the OKX SMSF team today for guidance. Offer ends 31 March 2026.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michael Christidis is a 31 year old Melbourne entrepreneur and the Co Founder and Managing Director of Untitled Group, one of Australia’s leading independent live music and events companies. He started young, running uni events and selling tickets before co founding Untitled Group in 2014, now home to festivals like Beyond the Valley, Pitch Music and Arts, Wildlands and Ability Fest. We cover his early entrepreneurial DNA, how he built a nightclub that took off, and how that momentum evolved into major festivals and a wider ecosystem that includes artist management, touring, events and strategic partnerships like The Daily Aus. Mike also opens up about the importance of mentors, the impact of COVID 19, dealing with chaos, staying bulletproof under pressure, diversification and why thinking bigger is the only way forward. 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.

David Kenney, a seasoned chartered accountant and founder of Epic Execution, shares his insights on turning ideas into actionable plans. He discusses the common pitfalls that stall businesses, emphasizing customer focus and effective processes. Kenney also introduces the RAIDER model to tackle problem discovery and explains the importance of co-founders in entrepreneurship. With a nod to modern challenges and the changing landscape of business, he outlines how to validate ideas through customer research and maintain relevance in a fast-paced market.

Chris Lucas is one of Australia’s most successful and influential restaurateurs — the visionary behind some of the country’s most culturally defining venues, including Chin Chin, Grill Americano (Melbourne & Sydney), Society, Maison Bâtard, Yakimono, Kisumé and Baby Pizza. In this conversation, we discuss his newest venture, Grill Americano Sydney, and explore the mindset behind building restaurants that don’t just serve food — they shape culture. We cover his Greek heritage and family influences, his journey from corporate life into hospitality, and the lessons learned from decades at the top of Australia’s restaurant scene. 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.