The Mentor with Mark Bouris

Many people driving with Uber or delivering with Uber Eats have innovative business ideas they’re eager to launch or grow. In recognition of this entrepreneurial spirit, Uber partnered with Inspiring Rare Birds to develop the Business Booster Program, designed to help those earning with Uber or Uber Eats achieve their business goals.The 2024 program saw over 4,500 applicants, and I was lucky enough to sit down with three remarkable participants to discuss their experiences with Uber or Uber Eats and how the Business Booster Program has supported their journeys to date. Nicholas Brbot (Cat Harness), Simon Pemberton (Workr.co), and Suraya O’Brien (Flow Rider).Our conversations delved into their journeys, small business development, as well as the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship.For more information on Uber's Business Booster program with Rare Birds click here: https://www.uber.com/au/en/u/business-booster/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. 

What makes many of Australia’s most iconic brands stand out is their exceptional branding.The creative process of branding demands relentless effort, strategic vision, and brilliant minds.Hans Hulsbosch is a name synonymous with branding in this country. A renowned designer and branding expert, Hans has been at the helm of projects for some of Australia’s biggest names—Qantas, Woolworths, and Virgin Australia—turning their brand strategies into benchmarks for the industry. As the founder of Hulsbosch Design, he’s been instrumental in shaping the way Australians experience these household names.His son, Jaid Hulsbosch, with over 20 years of global experience, joined the family agency after working in businesses around Europe. Now as Director, Jaid oversees strategy, business development, and culture, driving Hulsbosch’s continued success and creative edge.Together, this father-son duo has propelled Hulsbosch into Australia’s gold standard of branding. Their portfolio includes standout work for organisations like Tennis Australia, Liquorland, Football Australia, Rebel, SBS World, Channel 7, Taronga Zoo, and QMS—just to name a few. Tune in as Hans shares how he crafted the messages of these iconic brands, dives into the creative process behind them, explores the unique father-son dynamic at Hulsbosch Designs, Jaid reveals what the best brands get right, 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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.