I Started a Business

Alexium redefines sales training, empowering professionals with the tools to communicate, connect, and close with confidence.  In this episode, Alex shares how his experience as a car salesman at leading dealerships ignited his passion for helping others grow. Taking the leap in 2019, he launched Alexium - just before the world was turned upside down by COVID. With mentorship, resilience, and a belief in the power of relationships, he navigated the challenges, built 10 courses in 10 months, and embraces AI to transform business operations. He opens up about the highs, the setbacks, and the lessons that shaped his success, plus, how one simple decision to join CLIK Collective made all the difference.@alexium.com.aualexium.com.au

Toybox Tales reimagines the purpose of toys, curating a collection that inspires learning, development, and a sense of nostalgia for all ages.In this episode, Sarah and Chris Haines share how becoming parents reshaped their understanding of toys, leading them to focus on education and meaningful play. They open up about the challenges of transforming an analogue retail store into a thriving online business while maintaining the personal, face-to-face interactions they value so deeply. With their daughter Elsie as the ultimate product tester, they share the importance of seeing toys through a child’s eyes, along with some funny stories along the way. @toyboxtalesautoyboxtales.com.au

Redefining meaningful gifting, MiniGem Comfort crafts purpose-driven packs designed to bring calm and connection during life’s most challenging times.In this episode, Minaret shares how MiniGem Comfort began with small, thoughtful items for her brother during his stays in psychiatric hospitals, sparking the idea to craft products that soothe the senses and evoke a feeling of home. She opens up about the challenges of rebranding to better connect with her audience and trusting her instincts while navigating the complexities of business growth. With a focus on creating gifts that truly last, she reveals her plans to refresh MiniGem Comfort’s look, launch exciting new products, and reach more people in need of comfort and care.@minigemcomfortminigemcomfort.com.au

In just 11 months, Endorfix has sold over a million transdermal patches, with 40,000 return customers driving its rapid growth.In this episode, Endorfix founder Aloni Benau shares his journey in creating a coffee alternative designed to combat sugar crashes, promote steady energy, and balance mood and cravings. Initially expecting a younger audience, he found broader appeal among health-conscious users. Reflecting on past challenges, Aloni highlights the value of "failing fast and learning from it," and his shift to scalable transdermal patches, using himself as the first tester. With plans to double revenue and expand globally, he discusses his vision, the power of purpose, and his strategies for standing out in a crowded market. @endorfixofficialendorfix.com.au

Frustrated by the lack of accessible auction results and market transparency while searching for his own property, Pooven realized how valuable this data could be for potential buyers. What began as a personal project, attending auctions and sharing insights on social media, evolved into Auction Reporters, a business aimed at making auctions more transparent.In this episode, we chat with Pooven Bala, founder of Auction Reporters. Learn how Pooven honed his skills, predicting auction outcomes within a narrow range, and how he transformed his hobby into a business - thanks, in part, to a little pressure from his wife! He takes us through his bold leap from a decade in ecommerce to real estate, including selling his house and quitting his job. Plus, he drops plenty of useful tips for potential buyers along the way. @auctionreportersauctionreporters.com.au

Just before the world turned upside down with COVID, Sarah identified a gap in the market and launched her fashion brand, Kireina. As trends shifted during the pandemic, so did her focus — leading to the creation of her signature wide-leg “Freya Jean”, now a best-seller. In this episode, Sarah shares how her love for denim and commitment to quality led to Kireina’s growth, particularly through their unique capsule drops that keep customers eagerly anticipating what’s next. From mood boards to manufacturing, she takes us behind the scenes of her design process, and highlights the importance of maintaining in-house customer service and feedback. Sarah also reveals how her background as a fashion importer guided her through the wholesale landscape, positioning Kireina as a boutique favourite known for offering both in-store and online experiences.@kireina_australiakireina.com.au

While seven months pregnant with her second child, Joni listed her handmade Christmas ornaments on Facebook and local groups under "Joni’s Pop-Up Shop." The positive response led her to design her first pair of earrings, marking the beginning of her business, Wood With Words.In this episode, we explore Joni’s dedication to crafting unique accessories inspired by her surroundings. From Australian native animals to everyone’s favourite foods, Joni’s creativity knows no bounds! As a self-taught artist, Joni emphasises her appreciation for heartfelt customer emails that help drive her business forward, and how she continually refines her skills to enhance her craft without compromising quality. She reveals how her hard work has led to preparing a major order for a second store at Melbourne Airport, and adding the Sydney Botanic Gardens to her growing list of stockists. @woodwithwords.auwoodwithwords.com.au

Growing up, Sarah always dreamed of becoming a dancer. However, after university and a few life twists, she decided to channel her creative flair into starting a business influenced by her desire to help people. Inspired by her "dumpling queen" mother and her family's love of food, Sarah introduced her conversation-starter seasonings to the world. In this episode, we chat with Sarah Leung from Alg Seaweed as she shares her inspiring journey into the world of nutrition and the hurdles she overcame transitioning from managing a wellness centre to launching a product-based business. Sarah discusses the incredible support she receives from her family and friends while balancing motherhood, the thrill of launching new products to keep things exciting, and how she uses Instagram reels to showcase her favourite recipes. She also explores the agility of small businesses, emphasises the importance of learning from mistakes to move forward, and reflects on the pivotal moment when Alg Seaweed was relaunched in 2021, paving the way for a partnership with Woolworths.@alg_seaweed@capturingyumminessWebsite: algseaweed.com

Beth's journey began during her makeup sessions with clients, where she made a simple yet profound observation: cleaning makeup brushes shouldn't be a hassle. Dissatisfied with the available options, she created a quick-drying solution to simplify the task. In this episode, we chat with Beth Wilson, the visionary behind Saint Jack Cosmetics. Beth shares how her love for makeup and valuing people’s time, served as the catalyst for her quick and effective brush cleaning method. We explore her strategies for captivating audiences through content creation, overcoming camera shyness to promote her brand, and how her background at a marketing agency played a pivotal role in shaping Saint Jack Cosmetics. Beth also highlights the importance of pursuing a venture you're passionate about to stay motivated, and surrounding yourself with supportive people. @bysaintjackWebsite: saintjack.com.au

Darren's journey began with managing GPS tracking for golf carts, but a chance encounter with a farmer sparked a revolutionary idea: why not apply the same technology to cattle? Realising the potential in this market, Smart Paddock was born. In this episode, we catch up with Darren Wolchyn, the brains behind Smart Paddock. Darren discusses how he stumbled upon a niche market that launched his global journey, helping farmers keep tabs on their cattle. We dive into a variety of topics, like juggling time zones, the game-changing impact of Starlink services in rural areas, and why having a kickass team and network can make or break your success. He also shares tips on applying for funds from Breakthrough Victoria and why it's crucial to get advice from mentors and people outside your business bubble.@smartpaddockWebsite: smartpaddock.com