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The Mentor with Mark Bouris
#435 Messina: The Secret Recipe behind Australia's Favourite Gelato
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Nick Palumbo founded Gelato Messina in 2002, setting up the original store in Darlinghurst, Sydney - right across the road from the Mentored Podcast Studio.
Nick is the creative force behind Messina's renowned gelato and gelato cakes who has dedicated his life to the food industry. His journey began at the age of eight when he travelled to Pasticceria Irrera in Messina, Sicily. The trip ignited his lifelong passion for food. Inspired by his experiences in Sicily, Nick aimed to one day bring authentic Italian gelato to Sydney.
Since founding Gelato Messina, Nick has been apart of every aspect of the brand, from product development to store design. With now 30 stores across Australia and one in Hong Kong, Messina has become a beloved destination for gelato enthusiasts nationwide.
We spoke about the origins of Messina, humans romance with ice cream, the struggles in the early days of the business, Messina's unconventional business model, the art & science behind the gelato, the role social media had in the company's growth, the balance between tradition & innovation when it comes to gelato, whats's next for Messina & much more.
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#469 Mia McLeod: Building a Bold Online Presence That Lasts
56:31|Mia McLeod is a seasoned digital leader, known for her strategic insight, creativity, and global marketing expertise. With 20 years in the industry, she has excelled in audience engagement, social media, content creation, and digital advertising, holding pivotal roles at top companies like Walt Disney, Sony Music, and Universal Music. Now, she leads Digital Collective Co, where she leads a team in crafting high-impact marketing campaigns that connect with clients and consumers.In this episode Mia dives into the early days of digital marketing, the crucial role of content and how Mia’s career trajectory shaped her expertise. Discover the significance of networking, personal branding, and building a digital agency that drives business growth. Check out Digital Collective Co's website here:https://www.digital-collective.co/Check out Mia's course here: https://beyondthegrid.teachable.com/p/make-money-with-social-courseYou can subscribe to the Mentored newsletter here: https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-sign-upJoin the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube.
#468 Success on Your Own Terms: Charlie Puchala’s Guide to Building a Business
49:09|Charlie Puchala is not your typical entrepreneur. Her journey, spanning from interior design and construction to property development, reflects a relentless commitment to sustainability, craftsmanship, and redefining industry standards. After immigrating from Poland, Charlie turned early challenges into opportunities, establishing herself as a powerhouse with ventures like Puch Constructions, Charlies Interiors, and Za Collective. Her debut book, Sex, Control, Money, set to release later this year, offers insights on success, personal growth, and the mindset shifts that fuelled her diverse career. Enjoy!You can subscribe to the Mentored newsletter here: https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-sign-upJoin the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube.
#467 Yannis Mallikourtis: Speaking with the Consul General of Greece in Sydney
01:08:14|If you know me, you know I'm a proud Greek Australian. My pride runs deep, shaped by my dad, who left Greece to build a better life here in Australia. The immigrant mentality he passed on has stayed with me and resonates with many Greeks and others whose families immigrated to Australia. And this is one of the things I value most about Australia, how we celebrate and embrace our multicultural roots, which is what this week's episode of The Mentor is all about.I had the pleasure of sitting down with Yannis Mallikourtis, the Consul General of Greece in Sydney. We shared our Greek backgrounds, discussed his role and life in public service, the challenges Greek Australians face, the importance of preserving the Greek culture and language, why so many first-generation arrivals find success here and much more.You can subscribe to the Mentored newsletter here: https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-sign-upJoin the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube.
#466: Why the World's Top Entrepreneurs Are Turning to Eight Sleep for Peak Performance
01:06:06|In this episode of the Mentor, Mark Bouris sits down with Matteo Franceschetti and Alex Zatarain, the co-founders of Eight Sleep, to discuss their journey in revolutionising sleep technology.They delve into their personal backgrounds, previous careers, and how they joined forces to launch Eight Sleep.From the early challenges of building their first prototype and navigating manufacturing in China, to creating a product that tracks sleep stages and regulates temperature, Alex and Matteo highlight the crucial role sleep plays in health and longevity. They also talk about the importance of customer feedback, their plans for continued innovation in the sleep fitness industry, and how they now work with some of the world’s top entrepreneurs, scientists and athletes.You can subscribe to the Mentored newsletter here: https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-sign-upJoin the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube.
#465 The Dedes's: How this Husband/Wife Duo Mastered the Art & Business of Hospitality
57:53|Con and Kerrie Dedes, a dynamic husband-and-wife team, have built their celebrated brands around core values of excellent food, outstanding service, and unforgettable experiences. The Dedes Waterfront Group, which operates seven iconic venues across Sydney’s waterfronts, is renowned for catering to everything from casual outings to high-end fine dining. With over 30 years of experience in hospitality, Con Dedes draws deep inspiration from his Greek heritage. In this episode, we dive into Con's upbringing, his passion for hospitality passed down from his father, how he met Kerrie, and the pivotal moments that shaped their journey. We also explore the challenges of the hospitality industry, how the couple successfully run their business together, what makes a venue truly great, and what’s next for them.You can subscribe to the Mentored newsletter here: https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-sign-upJoin the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube.
#464 Frida Deguise: Blending Humor & Hustle to Create LA Donuts
54:45|Frida Deguise is an Australian comedian, chef, and businesswoman, known for breaking barriers as a Muslim woman in stand-up comedy and creating the family-owned LA Donuts. With her bold comedic style, Frida tackles cultural identity and societal stereotypes, bringing a fresh and unique voice to Australia's comedy scene. Alongside her success in comedy, she continues to thrive as an entrepreneur and has gone viral on social media while doing it.We talked about her childhood, how she inherited her strong work ethic from her parents, her deep passion for food and cooking, her journey to becoming a chef, and the challenges of working in a tough industry. We also delved into her transition to comedy, the creation of LA Donuts, and the highs and lows of her entrepreneurial journey.You can subscribe to the Mentored newsletter here: https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-sign-upJoin the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube.
#463 Paul Nicolaou: Leading Sydney's future by supporting Small Businesses & addressing issues head-on
01:04:04|Paul Nicolaou serves as the Executive Director of Business Sydney, a key voice for Sydney's business community. Business Sydney works tirelessly to advocate for policies that drive economic growth and enhance Sydney's reputation as a global, competitive, and liveable city. With nearly two centuries of history, the organisation plays a vital role in shaping Sydney’s future.We explored his career journey leading up to his current position, his previous work in politics, and his unwavering dedication to public service. He shared insights on his executive responsibilities, his advocacy for small businesses, and the critical challenges of the housing crisis and homelessness. We also discussed the importance of appointing a dedicated minister for small business at both federal and state levels to promote business growth and economic stability, along with strategies to maintain Sydney's standing as one of the world’s leading cities.You can subscribe to the Mentored newsletter here: https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-sign-upJoin the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube.
# 462 Ariana Hendry: The Oprah Winfrey Shoutout That Took Beysis to New Heights
54:34|Ariana Hendry is the co-founder and Managing director of Beysis, a successful Australian beauty brand known for its customisable and eco-conscious products. Beysis offers a range of beauty essentials, from nail polish to reusable bottles and coffee cups, all designed to be personalised, stylish, and environmentally friendly.We discussed the challenges of getting a quality education today and how her entrepreneurial spirit led her out of the corporate world. We also explored the unique experiences women face in business, why she founded Beysis, how Oprah’s endorsement elevated the brand, what’s next for Beysis, her battle with breast cancer and so much more.Check out Beysis' range of brilliant products here: beysis.comYou can subscribe to the Mentored newsletter here: https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-sign-upJoin the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube.
#461 Mark Woodland’s Next Mission: Innovating Healthcare after a $100m success
51:50|Mark Woodland is a retired soldier and health tech entrepreneur that fixed the childcare booking system and recently sold the app Xplor for $100 million. After selling his company and making a fortune, Mark Woodland took just two weeks of retirement before diving headfirst into his next venture. He's now leveraging technology to transform Australia's healthcare landscape with his latest innovation, Kismet.In our conversation, we spoke about his military career, how a gap in the childcare booking system drew him into the tech world, the urgent need to reform Australia's online healthcare system, his vision for Kismet's future, and much more.Check out Kismet's website here: https://www.kismet.healthcare/You can subscribe to the Mentor newsletter here: https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-sign-upJoin the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube.