Tell Us Your F'ing Story

Hosted by BDC Partners

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Episodes

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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EN-AU

About the show

Tell Us Your F’ing Story is a frank conversation with the CEOs, Founders and franchise industry specialists behind some of the best-loved franchises in Australia. Host Bruce McFarlane uncovers the people behind the brands, their backgrounds, what drives them to succeed, and the gritty truth behind leading a successful franchise business. No veneer, no BS – just franchising pros, telling us how it really is.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 27, 202647 min

Why PRP Chose Franchising to Scale the Business: Greg Sugars OAM

In this episode of the BDC Partners podcast, Bruce McFarlane and Dave Lindsay sit down with Greg Sugars OAM, CEO of Preston Rowe Paterson (PRP), to explore his journey from growing up in a small-business family to building successful property valuation businesses and leading one of Australia’s largest property valuation networks.Greg shares his experiences in business, leadership and franchising, including PRP’s transition to a franchise model, the importance of strong systems and data protection, and how technology and AI are transforming the property valuation industry.He also shares valuable advice for emerging franchisors on building a strong brand, developing robust systems, and finding the right franchise partners.More BDC Services;Retail Property - https://bdcpartners.com.au/retail-pro... Franchise strategy - https://bdcpartners.com.au/franchise-... Franchise Law - https://bdcpartners.com.au/lawyers/ Performance and Talent Acquisition - https://bdcpartners.com.au/human-reso... Franchise Recruitment - https://bdcpartners.com.au/franchise-... Franchise Satisfaction surveys - https://bdcpartners.com.au/franchisee... Franchise lead generation - https://bdcpartners.com.au/franchise-... Follow our Social Channels;LinkedIn - / bdc-partners Facebook - / bdcpartners

July 21, 202624 min

Luke Woods: The Real Benefits of Offshore Bookkeeping & Accounting

Luke Woods, founder of Books 365, explains how offshoring accounting and bookkeeping to the Philippines has improved efficiency, reduced costs, and provided access to qualified accountants. He emphasises that success depends on strong communication, clear processes, and treating offshore staff as part of the business, rather than simply outsourcing work. Businesses that provide timely information receive faster, more accurate financial reports and better operational insights. In franchising, consistent financial reporting enables benchmarking and helps franchisors support franchisees more effectively. While AI and automation improve reporting and routine tasks, Luke believes human expertise remains essential for handling complex transactions and analysing business performance. More BDC Services;Retail Property - https://bdcpartners.com.au/retail-property-specialists/Franchise strategy - https://bdcpartners.com.au/franchise-strategy/Franchise Law - https://bdcpartners.com.au/lawyers/Performance and Talent Acquisition - https://bdcpartners.com.au/human-resources-management/Franchise Recruitment - https://bdcpartners.com.au/franchise-recruitment/Franchise Satisfaction surveys - https://bdcpartners.com.au/franchisee-satisfaction-survey/Franchise lead generation - https://bdcpartners.com.au/franchise-lead-generation/Follow our Social Channels;LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/bdc-partnersFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/bdcpartners

June 22, 202655 min

Leading AMC Commercial Cleaning: Kristie Coade Success Story

In this episode of the BDC Partners Podcast, Kristie Coade, CEO of AMC Commercial Cleaning, shares her inspiring journey from a young performer and telemarketer to leading one of Australia’s largest commercial cleaning franchise networks. She discusses her early career, the challenges of growing a family business, and her transition into executive leadership. Christie also provides valuable insights into franchising, business development, and managing large-scale operations across Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. The conversation explores leadership, resilience, company culture, and the importance of supporting franchisees while navigating industry challenges in an evolving business landscape.More BDC Services;Retail Property - https://bdcpartners.com.au/retail-property-specialists/Franchise strategy - https://bdcpartners.com.au/franchise-strategy/Franchise Law - https://bdcpartners.com.au/lawyers/Performance and Talent Acquisition - https://bdcpartners.com.au/human-resources-management/Franchise Recruitment - https://bdcpartners.com.au/franchise-recruitment/Franchise Satisfaction surveys - https://bdcpartners.com.au/franchisee-satisfaction-survey/Franchise lead generation - https://bdcpartners.com.au/franchise-lead-generation/Follow our Social Channels;LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/bdc-partnersFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/bdcpartners

May 26, 2026Episode 6626 min

66. What Happens to Your Business If You Die?

In this episode of Tell Us Your F’ing Story, Bruce McFarlane interviews Alexia White about estate planning for business owners and franchisors. They discuss how wills alone are often not enough because business assets are commonly held through companies, trusts, and shareholder structures. Alexia explains the importance of shareholders agreements, buy-sell agreements, insurance policies, and powers of attorney in protecting both the business and the owner’s family if death or incapacity occurs. The conversation also highlights the need for lawyers, accountants, and insurance brokers to work together to avoid legal conflicts, financial gaps, and future complications for surviving family members and business partners. More BDC Services;Retail Property - https://bdcpartners.com.au/retail-pro... Franchise strategy - https://bdcpartners.com.au/franchise-... Franchise Law - https://bdcpartners.com.au/lawyers/ Performance and Talent Acquisition - https://bdcpartners.com.au/human-reso... Franchise Recruitment - https://bdcpartners.com.au/franchise-... Franchise Satisfaction surveys - https://bdcpartners.com.au/franchisee... Franchise lead generation - https://bdcpartners.com.au/franchise-... Follow our Social Channels;LinkedIn - / bdc-partners Facebook - / bdcpartners

April 28, 202656 min

65. From Tech to HR: Damien Gooden Journey to Building HR Central

In this episode of Tell Us Your F’ing Story, Damian Gooden, CEO of HR Central, shares his journey from country Victoria to leading a growing HR business. He discusses how basketball shaped his leadership style, why leaving university became a turning point, and how an unexpected business sale led him to launch HR Central. Damian also explores building a subscription-based HR model, scaling through acquisitions, managing investors, navigating franchising workforce challenges, and why Australian businesses can’t afford to ignore AI and workplace transformation.More BDC Services;Retail Property - https://bdcpartners.com.au/retail-property-specialists/Franchise strategy - https://bdcpartners.com.au/franchise-strategy/Franchise Law - https://bdcpartners.com.au/lawyers/Performance and Talent Acquisition - https://bdcpartners.com.au/human-resources-management/Franchise Recruitment - https://bdcpartners.com.au/franchise-recruitment/Franchise Satisfaction surveys - https://bdcpartners.com.au/franchisee-satisfaction-survey/Franchise lead generation - https://bdcpartners.com.au/franchise-lead-generation/Follow our Social Channels;LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/bdc-partnersFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/bdcpartners

March 18, 2026Episode 6423 min

64. The Real Cost of Franchise Growth: David Lindsay

In Episode 64 of Tell Us Your F’ing Story, David Lindsay speaks with Bruce McFarland about how investment is reshaping franchise growth. Originally an advisory firm, BDC expanded into investing to help emerging franchise brands move beyond early-stage limitations by providing both capital and strategic expertise. The conversation highlights major U.S. trends, including private equity involvement, multi-brand “platform” models, and the rise of large franchisees operating across multiple brands. These trends are driving rapid growth and consolidation. In contrast, Australia is progressing more slowly due to smaller market scale and structural limitations. However, bringing in investors is not without trade-offs. While it unlocks funding, accelerates expansion, and introduces new capabilities, it also means dilution of ownership, reduced control, higher operational costs, and potential strain on franchisee relationships. More BDC Services;Retail Property - https://bdcpartners.com.au/retail-pro... Franchise strategy - https://bdcpartners.com.au/franchise-... Franchise Law - https://bdcpartners.com.au/lawyers/ Performance and Talent Acquisition - https://bdcpartners.com.au/human-reso... Franchise Recruitment - https://bdcpartners.com.au/franchise-... Franchise Satisfaction surveys - https://bdcpartners.com.au/franchisee... Franchise lead generation - https://bdcpartners.com.au/franchise-... Follow our Social Channels;LinkedIn - / bdc-partners Facebook - / bdcpartners

February 17, 2026Episode 6358 min

The Hidden Billion-Dollar Industry You’ve Never Thought About: Sarah Allen’s Story

n Episode 63 of Tell Us Your F’ing Story, Bruce McFarlane and John Sully speak with Sarah Allen, co-founder of Appliance Tagging Services (ATS), about her journey from a sailing-focused childhood in Adelaide to building a national electrical safety franchise. Sarah shares her early career path, moving from university into marketing and spending 13 years at Colgate before joining the family business after having children. ATS began in 2002 when an electrical client asked for help with testing and tagging requirements, revealing a major gap in the market. The business quickly grew nationally and chose franchising in 2004 despite having little prior knowledge of the model, resulting in lessons learned through trial and error. Sarah explains the scale of the industry by showing how even one office desk can contain multiple items requiring testing, multiplied across every workplace in Australia. She also discusses the realities of franchising, emphasising that success comes down to relationships, strong systems, and having experienced franchise expertise within the business.More BDC Services;Retail Property - https://bdcpartners.com.au/retail-pro... Franchise strategy - https://bdcpartners.com.au/franchise-... Franchise Law - https://bdcpartners.com.au/lawyers/ Performance and Talent Acquisition - https://bdcpartners.com.au/human-reso... Franchise Recruitment - https://bdcpartners.com.au/franchise-... Franchise Satisfaction surveys - https://bdcpartners.com.au/franchisee... Franchise lead generation - https://bdcpartners.com.au/franchise-... Follow our Social Channels;LinkedIn - / bdc-partners Facebook - / bdcpartners

January 26, 2026Episode 6256 min

The Hard Way to Success: Marty Wilson & Fresh Front

In Episode 62 of the Tell Us Your F’ing Story podcast by BDC Partners, Marty Wilson, Founder of Fresh Front, shares his journey from being a Scottish-born kid who grew up in Adelaide to a tech-minded teenager building websites to earn money. After more than 12 years working in IT and the defence industry, Marty wanted a simpler, more practical business. In 2016, he started Fresh Front, an exterior cleaning service.He learned everything by doing how to price jobs, build systems, and fix mistakes along the way. During COVID-19, demand for his services increased and helped the business grow faster. Marty later chose franchising so the business could grow in a consistent and reliable way. Today, Fresh Front continues to expand by focusing on strong systems and choosing the right people to join the business.More BDC Services;Retail Property - https://bdcpartners.com.au/retail-pro... Franchise strategy - https://bdcpartners.com.au/franchise-... Franchise Law - https://bdcpartners.com.au/lawyers/ Performance and Talent Acquisition - https://bdcpartners.com.au/human-reso... Franchise Recruitment - https://bdcpartners.com.au/franchise-... Franchise Satisfaction surveys - https://bdcpartners.com.au/franchisee... Franchise lead generation - https://bdcpartners.com.au/franchise-... Follow our Social Channels;LinkedIn - / bdc-partners Facebook - / bdcpartners

December 9, 20254 min

A look back at Emerging Giants Day 2025

A night full of energy, big ideas, and bold entrepreneurs. Each team presented exciting ideas to the judges and audience, creating an atmosphere of collaboration, mutual support, and inspiration from founders across diverse industries.Congratulations to Fresh Front, this year’s winner, and Spin Zone, the runner-up. Both teams demonstrated remarkable potential and vision for driving the next level of growth.A heartfelt thank you to our sponsors, team, and judges who made this event possible, as well as everyone who came to support emerging entrepreneurs. This event reflected a strong commitment to helping businesses grow and strengthening the franchise and retail community.Huge thanks to our judging panel Kate Save, Jon Sully, Michael Sutherland, Amie Larter, Marcel Lal CFE, and our incredible sponsors: BDC Law, Fordham Group, Associated Projects, BDC Property, Benjamin & Benjamin Insurance Group, FranConnect, GapMaps, Little Giant Finance, Octomedia, Be Fit Food, Books365, and Judo Bank.Thank you to everyone who made the evening so special we’re excited for what’s next.More BDC Services;Retail Property - https://bdcpartners.com.au/retail-pro... Franchise strategy - https://bdcpartners.com.au/franchise-... Franchise Law - https://bdcpartners.com.au/lawyers/ Performance and Talent Acquisition - https://bdcpartners.com.au/human-reso... Franchise Recruitment - https://bdcpartners.com.au/franchise-... Franchise Satisfaction surveys - https://bdcpartners.com.au/franchisee... Franchise lead generation - https://bdcpartners.com.au/franchise-... Follow our Social Channels;LinkedIn - / bdc-partners Facebook - / bdcpartners

November 10, 20251 hr 6 min

61. Brooke Rodger on Brand Trust, Franchise Marketing and the Yo Chi Journey

In Episode 61 Brooke Rodger joins Bruce MacFarlane and John Sully to unpack a career built across retail, media and international expansion — from early PR and TV roles through to high-growth retail brands. Brooke shares practical lessons on building trust with franchisees, measuring marketing ROI, localising global brands, and what it takes to turn a marketing function into a revenue driver.Sponsor / AdvertThis episode is part of the Emerging Giants initiative by BDC Partners — an investment & mentorship program for Australia’s next retail and franchise success stories. Apply to pitch for up to $250,000 and mentoring:Apply / find out more: https://bdcpartners.com.au/emerging-giants-workshop/More BDC Services;Retail Property - https://bdcpartners.com.au/retail-property-specialists/Franchise strategy - https://bdcpartners.com.au/franchise-strategy/Franchise Law - https://bdcpartners.com.au/lawyers/Performance and Talent Acquisition - https://bdcpartners.com.au/human-resources-management/Franchise Recruitment - https://bdcpartners.com.au/franchise-recruitment/Franchise Satisfaction surveys - https://bdcpartners.com.au/franchisee-satisfaction-survey/Franchise lead generation - https://bdcpartners.com.au/franchise-lead-generation/Follow our Social Channels;LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/bdc-partnersFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/bdcpartners