Thriving Business

Hosted by Dr Kate De Jong & Sam Morris

Business Entrepreneurship

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Aug 2026

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About the show

THRIVING BUSINESS Business Insights to Help You Grow Your Business with Ease We’re two seasoned business owners — Sam Morris and Kate De Jong — sharing our nearly thirty-year combined experience of starting and growing service-based businesses from the ground up. We so many small businesses struggling or falling prey to expensive promises of quick fixes or silver bullets. Both of us know what it REALLY takes to start and grow a business, we've done it many times over and we've got the blisters to prove it! We’ve joined forces to share our knowledge and experience so you can find the easiest path to success, doing it your way, and most importantly — staying true to yourself.

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August 19, 2026Episode 153 min

The Advertising "Black Box" Myth: Why Your Ads Aren't Working (with Skip Wilson)

Send a question or message to Kate & Sam Kate and Sam sit down with Skip Wilson, founder and CEO of DraftMedia Partners, and former VP of Digital Media at Clear Channel/iHeartRadio, for a deep dive into paid advertising: what it actually costs, when a business is genuinely ready for it, and why most people treat it like an unpredictable black box instead of a diagnosable system. Skip pulls back the curtain on demand-side platforms (DSPs), the most underused ad channel right now (OTT/CTV), how AI is already reshaping search and influencer marketing, and a customer lifetime value case study that completely reframes what "ROI negative" actually means. About our guest: Skip Wilson is the founder and CEO of DraftMedia Partners, a full-service paid advertising agency that started life as a SaaS forecasting tool (Direct Response Advertising Forecast Technology) before pivoting into hands-on execution — much of it white-label work behind other creative and digital marketing agencies. Before DraftMedia, Skip was VP of Digital Media at Clear Channel, which became iHeartRadio. Website: draftadvertising.com 0:00 Podcast intro 0:17 Episode opens, Kate and Sam welcome guest Skip Wilson (DraftMedia Partners) 2:25 Today's topic: paid advertising, the channel people "either love or hate" 6:26 The two schools of thought on when to start advertising — and why Skip says wait until you have capacity and know your customer's entry point 10:36 How DraftMedia started as a SaaS forecasting tool before pivoting to full execution (and why two-thirds of its business is white-label) 16:02 What a DSP (demand-side platform) actually is, in plain English 21:31 The minimum ad budget rule of thumb: ~$1,000/month per tactic 22:59 The Bojangles case study: why a "$6 ticket" that looked ROI-negative was actually a huge win once customer lifetime value entered the picture 25:46 Is paid advertising coming to ChatGPT and other AI chat tools? (It's already here, and influencer marketing may get disrupted first) 30:09 Skip's favorite advertising platform: why OTT/CTV (streaming TV) is the most underutilized channel for small business right now 37:56 Apple Search and Apple Intelligence: why you'll soon need an "Apple Business Profile," not just a Google one 40:28 Are Meta ads about to get more expensive? Skip's take on pricing plateaus and Meta's wearables (smart glasses) as a future ad channel 46:54 Skip's closing insight: advertising isn't a black box, it's a series of steps, and why that reframe makes broken campaigns easy to diagnose 54:15 Outro What you'll learn in this episode Why you shouldn't spend a dollar on ads until you can answer two questions: do you have the capacity to handle more business, and do you actually know who your customer is and how they first reach you (6:26) The "customer journey" framing Kate and Sam use with new businesses, and why advertising without it just scales the wrong thing faster (6:26) What a DSP (demand-side platform) actually is, and why DraftMedia calls itself a "DSP aggregator" that gives small businesses access to inventory (Hulu, Amazon's DSP, etc.) they'd normally be locked out of by high minimum spends (16:02) The rule-of-thumb minimum ad budget: roughly $1,000/month per tactic, and why running on two or three platforms means budgeting accordingly (21:31) The Bojangles case study: a $6 average ticket that looked disastrously ROI-negative — until customer lifetime value (a $300+/year loyalty customer) told the real story (22:59) Why Skip thinks OTT and connected TV (streaming) advertising is the most underutilized channel available to small businesses right now, and how it's been democratized away from being "network-television-budget only" (30:09) The real difference between YouTube pre-roll ads and YouTube TV (which counts as true CTV) (30:09–37:56) How AI is already showing up in advertising (ads inside ChatGPT and Gemini), why Google's move away from exact-match keywords is a response to longer, conversational searches, and why Skip thinks influencer marketing is the segment most likely to be disrupted first (25:46) Why small businesses will soon need to think about an "Apple Business Profile" the same way they think about Google Business Profile, as Apple rolls out its own search and Apple Intelligence (37:56) Skip's take on Meta ad costs plateauing, and the wildcard of Meta's wearables (smart glasses) becoming an ad channel (40:28) Skip's closing reframe: advertising isn't a mysterious black box — it's a series of steps, each with one job, and knowing that makes it easy to diagnose which piece is actually broken (46:54) DraftMedia Partners: https://draftadvertising.com Thriving Business Podcast 🌐Website: https://www.thrivingbusinesspodcast.com/ Connect with Your Hosts: Kate De Jong, PhD | Inspired Business 🌐 Website: https://katedejong.com/ 📱 Instagram: @katedejong.inspiredbusiness ✉️ Email: kate@katedejong.com Sam Morris | The O8 🌐 Website: https://www.theo8.com/ 📱 Instagram: @the_o8crew ✉️ Email: sam@theo8.com GET THE AI SETUP WORKBOOK 🌐 https://www.thrivingbusinesspodcast.com/ai-setup-workbook GET YOUR FREE PASS TO THE ENGINE ROOM 🌐 https://www.thrivingbusinesspodcast.com/the-engine-room NOTE - OUR WORKSHOPS AND RETREAT WILL BE BACK IN 2027!

July 29, 2026Episode 1749 min

Ep #17 | How Your Values Show Up Whether You Name Them or Not

Send a question or message to Kate & Sam This is the final episode in our Leadership quadrant, and the last stop on the 16-episode Road Map to Business Success. Sam and Kate unpack why most values statements fail: they're written as nouns, printed on a wall, and disconnected from how the business actually runs day to day. They break down organisational health expert Patrick Lencioni's four types of values, core, aspirational, permission-to-play, and accidental, and why only one of these should actually be driving your business. You'll hear how a real value statement works as a decision filter: what the value is, what it looks like in practice, and what you'd walk away from because of it. Sam and Kate also get honest about the tension between values-led leadership and commercial pressure — what happens when your marketing drifts out of step with your own voice, and why alignment shows up in every decision whether you name it or not. Mentioned in this episode: the free AI Employee Setup Workbook, and the upcoming Bali Business Retreat — four days of hands-on implementation with Sam and Kate. Early bird pricing ends July 15, limited spots. Have you got your copy of the AI Employee Setup Workbook yet? It's been getting rave reviews! Go here to get it now: https://www.thrivingbusinesspodcast.com/ai-setup-workbook Thriving Business Podcast 🌐Website: https://www.thrivingbusinesspodcast.com/ Connect with Your Hosts: Kate De Jong, PhD | Inspired Business 🌐 Website: https://katedejong.com/ 📱 Instagram: @katedejong.inspiredbusiness ✉️ Email: kate@katedejong.com Sam Morris | The O8 🌐 Website: https://www.theo8.com/ 📱 Instagram: @the_o8crew ✉️ Email: sam@theo8.com GET THE AI SETUP WORKBOOK 🌐 https://www.thrivingbusinesspodcast.com/ai-setup-workbook GET YOUR FREE PASS TO THE ENGINE ROOM 🌐 https://www.thrivingbusinesspodcast.com/the-engine-room NOTE - OUR WORKSHOPS AND RETREAT WILL BE BACK IN 2027!

July 8, 2026Episode 1654 min

EP #16 | EQ Over IQ: Why Emotional Intelligence Makes or Breaks Leaders

Send a question or message to Kate & Sam Leading with Impact | The Power of Emotional Intelligence This episode delves into the critical aspect of Emotional Intelligence (EQ) as part of Quadrant Four of the Thriving Business Wheel, focusing on leadership and leading with impact. Building on the previous discussion about self-awareness, this episode explores how understanding and managing emotions – both our own and others' – is fundamental to business success. Key Discussion Points & Takeaways: Self-Awareness vs. Emotional Intelligence While self-awareness is the bedrock, emotional intelligence encompasses self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management. A significant disconnect often exists between how individuals perceive themselves and how others perceive them, highlighting the need for external feedback. Daniel Goleman's EQ Framework The discussion outlines Goleman's four core components of emotional intelligence. 1. Self-Awareness: Understanding your own emotions, strengths, weaknesses, and impact. 2. Self-Management: The ability to manage your emotions and behaviors effectively, especially under pressure. This involves creating space between a trigger and a response, allowing for rational decision-making. 3. Social Awareness: The capacity to understand the emotions, needs, and concerns of other people, demonstrating empathy and sensing group dynamics. 4. Relationship Management: Using your awareness of your own and others' emotions to positively influence, coach, manage conflict, and lead collaboratively. The Importance of EQ in Leadership Research consistently shows that leaders with high EQ are more effective, foster stronger workplace cultures, build higher levels of trust, and are often promoted faster. They create environments of psychological safety, which is now a crucial, legally recognized aspect of a healthy workplace. Developing EQ is a Journey EQ is not a fixed trait but a skill that can be developed through effort, focus, and a willingness to become uncomfortable and vulnerable. Challenges and Nuances Fixed Mindset vs. Growth Mindset: An unwillingness to develop EQ is often linked to a fixed mindset, hindering personal and professional growth. Employer Responsibility: The evolving legal landscape places a greater onus on employers to ensure psychological safety, presenting challenges for business owners who may not be trained psychologists. The consensus is that while employers have a duty of care, employees also share responsibility for their own mental well-being and development. The "Mate" Mentality: Confusing being a "mate" with providing genuine leadership and psychological safety can be detrimental, blurring boundaries and hindering necessary feedback. True leadership requires balancing empathy with assertiveness and clear boundaries. "Cutting the Noise" vs. Tact: While directness can be valuable, delivering it without consideration for the recipient's feelings or context (low EQ) can be damaging, as illustrated by anecdotal examples. Key Qualities for Developing EQ The discussion emphasises embracing curiosity, vulnerability, and comfort with uncertainty as crucial drivers for improving EQ, and discusses the upcoming launch of her new book collaboration: The WisDumb Way | A Practical Guide to Developing EQ Through the Power of Paradox Thriving Business Podcast 🌐Website: https://www.thrivingbusinesspodcast.com/ Connect with Your Hosts: Kate De Jong, PhD | Inspired Business 🌐 Website: https://katedejong.com/ 📱 Instagram: @katedejong.inspiredbusiness ✉️ Email: kate@katedejong.com Sam Morris | The O8 🌐 Website: https://www.theo8.com/ 📱 Instagram: @the_o8crew ✉️ Email: sam@theo8.com GET THE AI SETUP WORKBOOK 🌐 https://www.thrivingbusinesspodcast.com/ai-setup-workbook GET YOUR FREE PASS TO THE ENGINE ROOM 🌐 https://www.thrivingbusinesspodcast.com/the-engine-room NOTE - OUR WORKSHOPS AND RETREAT WILL BE BACK IN 2027!

June 19, 2026Episode 1540 min

Ep #15 | 95% Of Us Think We Are Self Aware - WRONG!

Send a question or message to Kate & Sam Most leaders believe they're self-aware. The research disagrees — dramatically. In this episode, Kate and Sam dive deep into one of the most underused leadership skills in small business: genuine self-awareness. Not the "I know myself pretty well" kind — but the kind that closes the gap between how you think you show up and how others actually experience you. They cover: The Tasha Eurich research that stops most people cold (the 95% vs 15% stat) The difference between internal and external self-awareness — and why you need both What a 360-degree LSI assessment revealed about Kate's leadership (and why she cried) Why fixed mindset blocks self-awareness before you even get started The Enneagram — what it is, why it's confronting, and why that's exactly the point Curiosity, vulnerability, and comfort with uncertainty as the three-part path forward Psychological safety at work — and why it starts with the leader knowing themselves first Whether you've never taken a personality assessment or you've done them all, this episode will give you a fresh lens on why self-awareness isn't a one-time exercise — it's a lifelong practice. Resources mentioned in this episode: Tasha Eurich — researcher and author on self-awareness; her TED Talk is a great starting point LSI (Life Styles Inventory) — 360-degree behavioural assessment tool The Enneagram — nine-type personality framework; free test available online (Kate recommends getting some support interpreting your result) Myers-Briggs — useful particularly for career direction BankCode — four-colour personality profile (Blueprint, Action, Nurture, Knowledge); fun in a team setting Ted Lasso (Apple TV+) — Sam's recommendation as an unlikely masterclass in curiosity and self-awareness Kate's Happiness Key eBook — includes links to the personality tests discussed; reach out to Kate directly for access Next episode: Emotional Intelligence — Daniel Goleman's four-layer model, starting with self-awareness as the foundation. Coming up: Leading from your values, a wrap-up episode, and the Bali Business Retreat . Workshop — 24th June: Details at thrivingbusinesspodcast.com Thriving Business Podcast 🌐Website: https://www.thrivingbusinesspodcast.com/ Connect with Your Hosts: Kate De Jong, PhD | Inspired Business 🌐 Website: https://katedejong.com/ 📱 Instagram: @katedejong.inspiredbusiness ✉️ Email: kate@katedejong.com Sam Morris | The O8 🌐 Website: https://www.theo8.com/ 📱 Instagram: @the_o8crew ✉️ Email: sam@theo8.com GET THE AI SETUP WORKBOOK 🌐 https://www.thrivingbusinesspodcast.com/ai-setup-workbook GET YOUR FREE PASS TO THE ENGINE ROOM 🌐 https://www.thrivingbusinesspodcast.com/the-engine-room NOTE - OUR WORKSHOPS AND RETREAT WILL BE BACK IN 2027!

June 18, 2026Episode 1447 min

Ep #14 | Getting Up When You're Knocked Down: Growth Mindset in Action

Send a question or message to Kate & Sam Welcome to Episode 14 of the Roadmap to Business Success series — and the first episode of Quadrant 4: Lead with Impact! Most people think business failure comes down to bad strategy, poor marketing or the wrong product. The research tells a different story. The biggest predictor of small business failure — especially in the early years — is not what you're selling or how you're selling it. It's the mindset of the person running the show. In this episode Kate and Sam get honest about the emotional reality of building a business, the moments they both wanted to quit, and what Carol Dweck's growth mindset framework actually looks like when you're in the thick of it. "Courage is not the absence of fear. It's deciding that what you're building matters more than what you're afraid of." In this episode, you will learn: Fixed versus growth mindset — what they actually mean in practice: Why a fixed mindset says "I either have what it takes or I don't" — and why a growth mindset reframes every setback as information rather than evidence of failure The real statistics on small business survival: Why 92% of micro businesses are not at high risk of failure — and what the survival stats actually mean when you look at them honestly The emotional toll nobody warns you about: Why the hardest part of building a business in the early years is not the strategy or the systems — it's the unpredictability of revenue, the sleepless nights and the terror of not knowing whether you can pay your bills The Valley of Death — and how to get through it: Why the mobilisation phase of a business (years one to five) is where most people give up, why staying in the game is itself a form of success, and why the light at the end of the tunnel is real even when you cannot see it The garden analogy: Why growth is almost never visible while it is happening — and why the biggest mistake business owners make is pulling the seed out of the ground just before it was about to bloom The tortoise always wins: Why the obsession with moving fast is one of the most damaging things in business culture right now — and why slowing down, building properly and being patient is the actual path to longevity Payday super and what it means for small business: A candid conversation about the current financial pressures on small business owners, the gap in super legislation for sole traders, and why Profit First is the best defence against cash flow pressure Why your why matters more than your strategy: How Sam used the AI workbook to go deeper on her why than she ever had before — and why anchoring yourself in purpose is what keeps you going when everything else feels hard Growth mindset applied to leadership: How fixed mindset founders avoid feedback because it feels like an attack — and why growth mindset founders actively seek it out because they know that is where the gold is Zone of genius as a leadership practice: Why the best thing you can do for your team is help them discover and work in their zone of genius — and why a workforce working in their strengths is more loyal, more productive and more human than one just showing up for the dollar Kate and Sam also share the moments they both jumped on Seek and looked at getting a job — and what happened to their anxiety levels the moment they did. They discuss what Sam learned from the Navy about encouraging growth in others. And they make a very important promise: everyone who makes it through the Valley of Death deserves a badge — and they are going to make that badge. Coming Up Next: Episode 15 — Self-Awareness: the most underrated business skill. The foundation of emotional intelligence, and why everything in leadership flows from knowing yourself. And save the date — Bali Business Retreat: 27 August – 1 September 2026. Open to men and women this year. If you want to tip your world upside down in all the right ways — this is the place to do it. 👉 Find out more Thriving Business Podcast 🌐Website: https://www.thrivingbusinesspodcast.com/ Connect with Your Hosts: Kate De Jong, PhD | Inspired Business 🌐 Website: https://katedejong.com/ 📱 Instagram: @katedejong.inspiredbusiness ✉️ Email: kate@katedejong.com Sam Morris | The O8 🌐 Website: https://www.theo8.com/ 📱 Instagram: @the_o8crew ✉️ Email: sam@theo8.com GET THE AI SETUP WORKBOOK 🌐 https://www.thrivingbusinesspodcast.com/ai-setup-workbook GET YOUR FREE PASS TO THE ENGINE ROOM 🌐 https://www.thrivingbusinesspodcast.com/the-engine-room NOTE - OUR WORKSHOPS AND RETREAT WILL BE BACK IN 2027!

June 18, 202655 min

Ep #13 | The Long Game: The Anti-Hustle Guide to Building a Business That Thrives

Send a question or message to Kate & Sam Welcome to Episode 13 of the Roadmap to Business Success series, and the final episode of Quadrant 3: Grow Smart | Scale with Ease! 54% of founders are experiencing burnout. 75% report anxiety episodes. And two thirds have considered walking away from their business altogether, not because the business failed, but because they did. In this episode Kate and Sam get honest about hustle culture, what it actually costs you, and how to build a business that goes the distance without breaking the person running it. "Your energy protects your business. Your systems protect your team. Your team protects your customers. Break any link in that chain and you cannot grow — because you cannot deliver." In this episode, you will learn: The burnout statistics that should stop every business owner in their tracks: 54% founder burnout rate, 75% reporting anxiety, and 70% citing working more than 60 hours a week as the primary cause — and why burnout, not bad strategy, is the biggest predictor of small business failure What growth actually looks like for you: Why the first and most important question is not how to scale, but what success actually means to you — and why the answer has to fit your personality, your zone of genius and the life you actually want The scaling myths that are keeping business owners stuck: Why "if you're not growing you're dying" is false, why fast scaling without solid foundations creates the exact businesses that break founders, and why revenue is vanity and profit is sanity The identity shift from technician to business owner: Why the hardest part of scaling is not strategy or systems — it's letting go of the identity of being the person who does everything, and why that shift does not have to be all or nothing Process debt: The business equivalent of never cleaning out your filing system — and why every new hire just inherits a mess that compounds over time if you do not fix it first Why systems protect your team: The difference between a good SOP and a great one — and why documenting the thinking behind the task, not just the steps, is what actually allows someone else to do it well The control paradox: Why perfectionism and the need for control are among the biggest obstacles to growth — and why the business owner is almost always the one who needs to change, not the team Zone of genius as a scaling strategy: Why you should never hire people to push you out of the work that energises you — and how to think about building a team that fills the rungs of the ladder you do not want to occupy The wave principle: Why exertion requires equal rest and recovery — and why the spaciousness most business owners resist is actually where the magic happens Uncoupling your time from your revenue: Real examples of how to scale a business so that your output is no longer dependent entirely on your hours — from off-the-shelf product lines to group coaching to AI systems Kate and Sam also share the story of a landscaping couple who spent three years resisting letting go — and what happened the moment they finally did. They discuss the bank code personality types and how your dominant type determines the kind of business you will enjoy running. And they tackle the question every business owner needs to ask: if you would tell your partner to quit a job that demanded this much of them, why are you accepting it from yourself? This episode wraps up Quadrant 3: Grow Smart | Scale with Ease. Next up — Quadrant 4: Lead with Impact. Self-awareness, emotional intelligence, values-based leadership and the inner game of building a business you are proud of. Join the Workshop: Kate and Sam are hosting the Grow Smart Workshop on Wednesday 24 June, 9–10:30am AWST | 11am–12:30pm AEST — bring your questions on scaling, business models, hiring and growth and get coached live. 🎟️ Attend LIVE: $89 | 🎧 Replay: $49 👉 Register here And save the date — Bali Business Retreat: 27 August – 1 September 2026. Open to men and women this year. Secure your spot with a $200 deposit. 👉 Find out more Thriving Business Podcast 🌐Website: https://www.thrivingbusinesspodcast.com/ Connect with Your Hosts: Kate De Jong, PhD | Inspired Business 🌐 Website: https://katedejong.com/ 📱 Instagram: @katedejong.inspiredbusiness ✉️ Email: kate@katedejong.com Sam Morris | The O8 🌐 Website: https://www.theo8.com/ 📱 Instagram: @the_o8crew ✉️ Email: sam@theo8.com GET THE AI SETUP WORKBOOK 🌐 https://www.thrivingbusinesspodcast.com/ai-setup-workbook GET YOUR FREE PASS TO THE ENGINE ROOM 🌐 https://www.thrivingbusinesspodcast.com/the-engine-room NOTE - OUR WORKSHOPS AND RETREAT WILL BE BACK IN 2027!

June 9, 202645 min

Ep #12 | Beyond the Sale: Designing a Remarkable Client Experience that Keeps Happy Customers Coming Back

Send a question or message to Kate & Sam Welcome to Episode 12 of the Roadmap to Business Success series, and our third episode in Quadrant 3: Grow Smart | Capacity! Most businesses pour their energy into acquiring new clients. The most successful businesses pay enough attention to what happens after the sale. Did you know that it costs five to seven times more to acquire a new client than to retain an existing one? And your best marketing is a client who won't stop talking about you and refers you to all their friends. In this episode, Kate and Sam get practical about how to design a client experience so consistently good that it turns happy customers into raving fans who refer others , and keep coming back themselves. "Your best marketing is a client who won't stop talking about you. Design your experience to create those people." We cover: Why remarkable experiences don't happen by accident: Every great client experience is the result of intentional design and consistent systems, not luck or personality The client journey map: How to identify every touchpoint from first enquiry to final delivery, and why systemising each one is the foundation of consistent quality Onboarding done right: Why what happens immediately after someone pays you sets the tone for the entire relationship, and the simple automations that eliminate no-shows and buyer's remorse Human versus automated: Why you need to understand your client journey manually before you automate any part of it, and where technology enhances the experience versus where it undermines it Feedback as a growth tool: Why positive feedback tells you nothing useful, and how to ask questions that actually reveal where your client experience is falling short The Google review system: Why asking once rarely works, and why timing your request immediately after a win dramatically increases your conversion rate Post-engagement follow up: Why the relationship shouldn't end when the contract does, and how a simple check-in system keeps clients warm and generates referrals Living up to the hype: Why it's always better to shrink your marketing promises and over-deliver on the experience The consistency formula: Systems create consistency. Consistency creates trust. Trust creates referrals. Referrals create growth. Kate and Sam also share real stories from the experience side, good and bad. They also discuss the exciting frontier of AI avatars that can deliver personalised video messages to new clients, and why the businesses that combine smart automation with genuine human warmth are the ones that will win long-term. Coming Up Next: Episode 13 Designing a business that doesn't break you. How to protect your energy, design for sustainability, and make sure that as your business grows, your life gets better, not worse. Join the Workshop: Kate and Sam are hosting their Grow Smart Workshop on Wednesday 24th June — bring your questions on business models, capacity, hiring, client experience and scaling and get coached live. 👉 Register here And save the date — Bali Business Retreat 27 August – 1 September 2026. Secure your spot with a $200 deposit: https://katedejong.com/inspired-business-bali-retreat/ Kate’s Blog: "10 Questions to Get Valuable Feedback" https://katedejong.com/how-to-get-great-testimonials-and-market-research-data/ Don't let your clients fall into the "hole" of silence after they sign up. Tune in to learn how to build the systems that create trust, consistency, and ultimately, a thriving business. Thriving Business Podcast 🌐Website: https://www.thrivingbusinesspodcast.com/ Connect with Your Hosts: Kate De Jong, PhD | Inspired Business 🌐 Website: https://katedejong.com/ 📱 Instagram: @katedejong.inspiredbusiness ✉️ Email: kate@katedejong.com Sam Morris | The O8 🌐 Website: https://www.theo8.com/ 📱 Instagram: @the_o8crew ✉️ Email: sam@theo8.com GET THE AI SETUP WORKBOOK 🌐 https://www.thrivingbusinesspodcast.com/ai-setup-workbook GET YOUR FREE PASS TO THE ENGINE ROOM 🌐 https://www.thrivingbusinesspodcast.com/the-engine-room NOTE - OUR WORKSHOPS AND RETREAT WILL BE BACK IN 2027!

May 26, 202658 min

Ep #11 | To Hire or Not To Hire? When and How to Build a Team That Fuels Your Freedom

Send a question or message to Kate & Sam Welcome to Episode 11 of the Roadmap to Business Success series, and our second episode in Quadrant 3: Grow Smart | Scale with Ease. Hiring is one of the scariest decisions a business owner can ever make. The compliance is complex, the stakes are high, and the fear of getting it wrong stops many people from doing it at all. But there's a compelling reason to build a team: the burnout rates of solopreneurs are significantly higher than business owners who build a team. In this episode, Kate and Sam get honest about both sides of the hiring equation, and give you a practical framework for doing it well. "If you can't take four weeks off and leave your business running, you're a slave to your own business." In this episode, you will learn: Should you even hire? Why the answer depends entirely on the type of business you're running, what you want from it, and whether you actually enjoy managing people, because if you don't, there are other options The maths of leverage: How hiring one person who takes 20 hours of work off your plate every week gives you 80 hours a month back, and why those hours should generate far more revenue than the salary you're paying Signs you're ready to hire: You're constantly turning away work, working unsustainable hours, tasks are falling through the cracks, or you're doing work someone else could do for less than your hourly rate Signs you're not ready: You don't have documented systems, you can't clearly articulate what the role involves, your revenue isn't consistent enough to support a salary, or you haven't identified what you're actually hiring for Hire for your weaknesses, not your familiarity: Why hiring a mini-me is one of the most common and costly hiring mistakes, and how personality profiling tools like B.A.N.K, Harrison Assessment and Myers Briggs help you identify who will actually complement your team Use AI in the hiring process: How Kate used Claude to analyse Harrison Assessment reports for multiple candidates simultaneously, and how it ranked them in order with reasons, picking up things that an hour of human analysis had missed Hire slow, fire fast: Why desperation hiring almost always goes wrong — and why the cost of keeping the wrong person is almost always higher than the cost of starting the search again The compliance minefield: Why navigating awards, Fair Work, workers' compensation and workplace health and safety is one of the biggest barriers to hiring in small business — and why even Fair Work won't tell you if you're interpreting an award correctly It's not just about the money: Why the research consistently shows that fulfilment, autonomy, flexibility and purpose drive performance far more than salary — and how to build those things into your hiring process and culture from day one The goal: A team that runs the ship when you're not there — so you can take a holiday, recharge, and come back better Kate and Sam also share real stories from the trenches — including a workers' comp situation that left them frustrated by the system, the bookkeeping firm with eight remote women who've built an extraordinary culture over 15 years, and why Sam has started including collaborative goals and personal development pathways in every staff contract. Coming Up Next: Episode 12 — how to deliver a remarkable client experience every time. Onboarding, communication, feedback loops, and turning clients into raving fans who refer others. Save the Date — Grow Smart Workshop: Kate and Sam are hosting their third live workshop on Wednesday 25 June — bring your hiring, team building, capacity and business model questions and get coached live. Details coming soon — keep an eye on thrivingbusinesspodcast.com/workshops And save the date — Bali Business Retreat: 27 August – 1 September 2026. Secure your spot with a $200 deposit. Reach out directly to lock in your place. Thriving Business Podcast 🌐Website: https://www.thrivingbusinesspodcast.com/ Connect with Your Hosts: Kate De Jong, PhD | Inspired Business 🌐 Website: https://katedejong.com/ 📱 Instagram: @katedejong.inspiredbusiness ✉️ Email: kate@katedejong.com Sam Morris | The O8 🌐 Website: https://www.theo8.com/ 📱 Instagram: @the_o8crew ✉️ Email: sam@theo8.com GET THE AI SETUP WORKBOOK 🌐 https://www.thrivingbusinesspodcast.com/ai-setup-workbook GET YOUR FREE PASS TO THE ENGINE ROOM 🌐 https://www.thrivingbusinesspodcast.com/the-engine-room NOTE - OUR WORKSHOPS AND RETREAT WILL BE BACK IN 2027!

May 20, 2026Episode 1049 min

Ep #10 | Stop Winging It: How to Design a Business Model That Gives You Revenue, Freedom and a Life

Send a question or message to Kate & Sam Welcome to Episode 10 of the Roadmap to Business Success series, and the first episode of Quadrant 3: Grow Smart | Capacity! Most business owners start with a skill or a product, not a model. They figure it out as they go. And if you don't design your model intentionally, your business will design itself, and it usually designs itself into something that consumes your life. In this episode, Kate and Sam get honest about the difference between accidental growth and intentional design, and why getting clear on your business model is the single most important thing you can do to create sustainable revenue, freedom and a business you actually love running. "If you don't design your model, the business will design itself, and it usually designs itself into something that consumes your life." In this episode, you will learn: Business model vs business plan vs business structure: Why these three terms are not interchangeable, and what each one actually means for your business The fragmented model trap: Why having multiple revenue streams that don't talk to each other creates chaos, exhaustion and a business that's almost impossible to scale, and how to fix it Intentional vs accidental growth: Why accidental businesses are usually chaotic and exhausting and the simple questions to ask yourself to design something that actually works Scale is a choice, not an obligation: Why 10x growth isn't the right goal for everyone, and how to design a business model around the lifestyle, freedom and revenue that actually lights you up Reverse engineer your profit goal: How to start with the number you want in your pocket and work backwards to figure out exactly what your business model needs to look like to get you there The product spiral, not the product ladder: Why Sam has banned the term "product ladder" and why a spiral or loop model that keeps clients circling through your offerings is far more powerful than a linear funnel with a dead end Recurring revenue as a non-negotiable: Why the businesses that are valued the highest, and feel the most stable to run, are the ones with subscription, membership or retainer income baked into their model The Matt Church cluster methodology: How launching one cluster every three to six months, one market, one problem, one method of delivery, and assuming 50% will fail gives you the freedom to experiment without betting everything on one idea Zone of genius as a design parameter: Why your business model should be built around the work that puts you in your zone of genius, not just the work you can do or the work that pays well Business should be boring: Why repeatability and predictability are the foundations of freedom, and why the excitement should come from your life, not your business Kate and Sam also share personal stories about the moments they realised they were operating outside their zone of genius, why the Revenue Breakthrough Workshop felt so energising compared to a day of back-to-back one-on-one sessions, and why the question "what is your end game?" is one of the most important questions every business owner needs to answer. Coming Up Next: Episode 11 To hire or not to hire? How to build a strong team, make smart hiring decisions, and create a business that doesn't depend entirely on you. Join the Workshop: Kate and Sam are hosting Grow Smart: Scale with Ease on Wednesday 24th June, 9–10:30am AWST | 11am–12:30pm AEST, What is it? 90 minutes of live profitability coaching. Every participant walks away with a personalised report. Bring your business model questions, this workshop is the perfect place to get Kate and Sam's eyes on your model live. 🐦 Early bird: $49 (until 10 June) | 🎟️ LIVE: $89 | 🎧 Replay: $49 👉 Register here And save the date! Bali Business Retreat: 27 August – 1 September 2026. Secure your spot with a $200 deposit. Reach out directly to lock in your place. 00:00 Podcast Welcome 01:57 Quadrant Three Begins 02:36 Model Plan Structure 04:55 Scattered Offers Trap 10:34 Designing Intentional Growth 14:04 Reverse Engineering Profit 17:26 Evolving Zone Genius 20:24 Joyful Work Choices 23:13 Group Work Momentum 24:12 Scaling Group Coaching 25:23 Small Rooms Big Results 26:12 Who Your Room Is For 26:56 From Courses To Coaching 27:57 Business Model Takeaways 31:14 Boring Business Wins 32:38 Predictability Beats Panic 35:40 Growing Teams With Purpose 40:15 Recurring Revenue Flywheel 42:52 Clusters Not One Niche 45:45 Workshop Invite And Topics 47:02 Product Loop Not Ladder 48:50 Wrap Up And Next Steps Thriving Business Podcast 🌐Website: https://www.thrivingbusinesspodcast.com/ Connect with Your Hosts: Kate De Jong, PhD | Inspired Business 🌐 Website: https://katedejong.com/ 📱 Instagram: @katedejong.inspiredbusiness ✉️ Email: kate@katedejong.com Sam Morris | The O8 🌐 Website: https://www.theo8.com/ 📱 Instagram: @the_o8crew ✉️ Email: sam@theo8.com GET THE AI SETUP WORKBOOK 🌐 https://www.thrivingbusinesspodcast.com/ai-setup-workbook GET YOUR FREE PASS TO THE ENGINE ROOM 🌐 https://www.thrivingbusinesspodcast.com/the-engine-room NOTE - OUR WORKSHOPS AND RETREAT WILL BE BACK IN 2027!

May 8, 2026Episode 949 min

Ep #9 | Systems Before Staff: The Smart Way to Outsource, Delegate and Hire

Send a question or message to Kate & Sam Welcome to Episode 9 of the Roadmap to Business Success series, and the final episode of Quadrant 2: Keep More | Profitable Operations! You can't outsource chaos. Before you bring anyone into your business, you need systems, clarity, and a clear understanding of what you're actually handing off. In this episode, Kate and Sam get practical about the smartest way to automate, delegate, outsource, and hire — in that order. "Systems before staff. You cannot delegate chaos." In this episode, you will learn: The automate → delegate → hire framework: Why this is the right order , and what goes wrong when business owners skip straight to hiring before foundations are in place Zone of genius vs everything else: How to identify the tasks only you should be doing, the tasks AI can handle, and the tasks that need a human How AI is replacing the need for a VA: How Sam used the Claude Chrome extension to build detailed standard operating procedures while she played games on her phone Hire slow, fire fast: Why hiring should be a financial decision before a workload decision, and why desperation hiring almost always goes wrong Write your job ad for culture, not just skills: How to attract the right candidates from the first line, including Sam's hidden keyword trick that instantly filters out applicants who lack attention to detail Layla Hormozi's five C's: Compliance, clarity, culture, connection, and checkback, the framework Sam incorporated into her most recent hiring process Give people responsibility, not just tasks: Why the best hires want ownership and autonomy, and how a long-term vision keeps them loyal This episode wraps up Quadrant 2. Next up — Quadrant 3: Grow Smart | Capacity. Join the Workshop: Kate and Sam are hosting Profit Unlocked on Wednesday 20 May, 9–10:30am AWST | 11am–12:30pm AEST What is it? 90 minutes of live profitability coaching. Every participant walks away with a personalised report. 🐦 Early bird: $49 (until 10 May) | 🎟️ LIVE: $89 | 🎧 Replay: $49 👉 Register here And save the date — Bali Business Retreat: 27 August - 1 September 2026. Secure your spot with a $200 deposit. Reach out directly to lock in your place. 00:00 Show Welcome 00:30 Roadmap Recap 01:49 Claude Extension Wins 06:09 SOPs Before Delegation 11:05 AI Reports Workflow 15:07 Back to Delegation 18:35 What to Outsource 23:28 Hiring Lessons 25:55 Hiring Framework Reel 26:52 Five Hiring Elements 29:33 Hire Slow Fire Fast 30:36 Values Over Skills 32:57 Write Better Job Ads 35:07 Easter Egg Screening 36:01 Job Market Reality Check 39:11 Ownership And Incentives 44:09 People Management Fit 46:04 Key Takeaways And Next Steps Thriving Business Podcast 🌐Website: https://www.thrivingbusinesspodcast.com/ Connect with Your Hosts: Kate De Jong, PhD | Inspired Business 🌐 Website: https://katedejong.com/ 📱 Instagram: @katedejong.inspiredbusiness ✉️ Email: kate@katedejong.com Sam Morris | The O8 🌐 Website: https://www.theo8.com/ 📱 Instagram: @the_o8crew ✉️ Email: sam@theo8.com GET THE AI SETUP WORKBOOK 🌐 https://www.thrivingbusinesspodcast.com/ai-setup-workbook GET YOUR FREE PASS TO THE ENGINE ROOM 🌐 https://www.thrivingbusinesspodcast.com/the-engine-room NOTE - OUR WORKSHOPS AND RETREAT WILL BE BACK IN 2027!