The Mentor with Mark Bouris

After graduating from uni and entering the corporate world, high school mates Robin McGowan and James Wakefield struggled to find suits and shirts that not only fit well but didn't break the bank. So in 2011, they launched InStitchu, selling made-to-measure menswear at an affordable price. I talk to Robin and James about how they made their idea a reality without any experience in the fashion industry and how automated technology has become the backbone of their business, allowing them to cut down on production times and keep their overheads down.Join the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube.Want to grow your business and stay ahead of the pack? Access Mark Bouris' Masterclasses.Got a question or comment for Mark? Send an email. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From a swimming lesson with an Olympian, to hitting the court with a Grand Slam Champion, FAN+ gives everyday people access to “money can buy” experiences with their favourite sporting heroes. I ask co-founders Rod Harys and Aaron Warburton about how their business started as an idea over a few beers but became a reality when they were accepted into the Qantas AVRO Accelerator Program and how building networks in their previous careers helped them to sign some of Australia's biggest sporting stars up to their innovative platform.Join the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube.Want to grow your business and stay ahead of the pack? Access Mark Bouris' Masterclasses.Got a question or comment for Mark? Send an email. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Best friends Lauren Emerson and Genevieve Hewson are the co-founders of Sydney-based textile house, Walter G. Together, they work with artisans in India to produce hand printed fabrics and home décor products like cushions, napkins and quilts. In this interview, we talk about how they moved to India to live with a family of traditional hand printers to learn the traditional techniques that are now unique to the Walter G brand and how operating their business as if it was a success from day one, meant that when they did take off overnight, they didn't burst at the seams.Join the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube.Want to grow your business and stay ahead of the pack? Access Mark Bouris' Masterclasses.Got a question or comment for Mark? Send an email. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, I'm chatting with Simon Maree and Tim McGann from Hustle Boxing, a new premium boxing studio in Sydney's Potts Point. A while ago, these guys sat across from me to pitch their business idea and they did it so well, I ended up investing in it. I want to talk to Simon and Tim about the best way to pitch when raising capital for a new venture, why they decided Sydney needed another fitness studio and how they're telling their “premium” brand story without making it too exclusive or inaccessible to potential clients.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Failure is not an option." Roxy Jacenko started her business empire at just 24 with Sydney-based PR agency, Sweaty Betty. Since then, she's added four more successful businesses to her name, along with a stack of books, an online e-learning course and now a reality TV show, “I am… Roxy!" In this long overdue catch up, I talk to Roxy about the secret behind building not one but five successful brands, her polarising leadership style and how she's overcome the haters.Join the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube.Want to grow your business and stay ahead of the pack? Access Mark Bouris' Masterclasses.Got a question or comment for Mark? Send an email. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Each year in Australia, we lose more than 30,000 lives to cardiac arrest. But one of the most successful ironmen of all time, Guy Leech, is working to change all that. After tragically losing a friend in 2016, Guy launched a business, called HEART180, supplying defibrillators to workplaces, gyms, childcare centres and other organisations right across the country. Guy and I talk about how that one life-changing event motivated him to start his own company and how the years of training to be at the top of his game in sport, have prepared him in business. Join the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube.Want to grow your business and stay ahead of the pack? Access Mark Bouris' Masterclasses.Got a question or comment for Mark? Send an email. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we speak to the brother and sister duo running Aussie skincare company, DU'IT. Monique and Jared's mum and dad started the business from their garage in Sydney's Bella Vista more than two decades ago and the business is now making it big not just at home but overseas, too. We talk about the skills Monique and Jared's parents brought to the business, why the siblings initially resisted coming on board, how to develop the right product and pricing for your market and what the secret is behind their expansion into China.Join the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube.Want to grow your business and stay ahead of the pack? Access Mark Bouris' Masterclasses.Got a question or comment for Mark? Send an email. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"I didn't realise that my whole acting career was leading to this." Gemma "Peanut" Pranita first burst onto our screens playing the character Jade Mitchell on Neighbours. But in 2016, after becoming frustrated with the unpredictability of the entertainment industry, she launched Photography 101, an online course teaching beginner photography. I want to ask Gemma how she made the transition from actress to entrepreneur with no experience - and how she transferred the storytelling skills she developed in front of the camera, to behind the camera and ultimately, to running her own business. Join the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube.Want to grow your business and stay ahead of the pack? Access Mark Bouris' Masterclasses.Got a question or comment for Mark? Send an email. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2017, Jem Jacinto opened the first poké store to hit Byron Bay, called Finn Poké. Since then he's opened three more stores along the east coast, with another two on the way. With the traditional Hawaiian dish gaining popularity across Australia, I want to ask Jem what his point of difference is in this growing market, how he manages to keep his product both sustainable and affordable, plus we'll find out how a near death experience lead him down the food industry path.Join the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube.Want to grow your business and stay ahead of the pack? Access Mark Bouris' Masterclasses.Got a question or comment for Mark? Send an email. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With no experience in the industry whatsoever, Bonnie Hindmarsh, Erin Cayless and Lana Taylor when took a huge risk when they started their boutique renovation company, Three Birds Renovations, in 2014. In just five years, the three best friends have renovated 9 homes, amassed more than 421k Instagram followers and launched an online educational course, called Reno School. I want to ask Erin, Bonnie and Lana how they built a successful business with no experience whatsoever, how they grew their impressive social following and how they've overcome the challenges that arise when you're starting a business with your best mates.  Join the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube.Want to grow your business and stay ahead of the pack? Access Mark Bouris' Masterclasses.Got a question or comment for Mark? Send an email. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.