Handpicked with Naomi Simson

What is your brand promise?   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this short extra I look stratergy made simple   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Venkatesh has been in business for almost a decade and he is really wanting to scale. I ask him to consider the constraints of the business and what is holding him back. He wants to know if being boutique is good and how to appeal to larger customers - as a twist at the end I ask him to dream about what his business will look like in five years time. Do you dream about what is possible? Don't forget to rate, review and refer Handpicked.  Thanks to our season sponsor - BIZCOVER , see the link https://www.bizcover.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this short extra I explore the importance of owning a space.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you have a busines idea then this is the episode for you. Chris has a design patent and now he wants to take his project further. I challenge him on some of his thinking, ask him about success and lead him towards next steps. Don't forget to rate, review and refer Handpicked.  Thanks to our season sponsor - BIZCOVER , see the link https://www.bizcover.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you explored what your Gross Margin is per employee?    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode a give a reality check to this pre-revenue founder. I think it is important to ask challenging questions, to hold up the mirror but also to offer some alternatives. There are althernative sources of money, as I always say debt is cheaper than equity. I talk about customer funded business models, joint marketing and proof of concept.  Don't forget to rate, review and refer Handpicked.  Thanks to our season sponsor - BIZCOVER , see the link https://www.bizcover.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this short extra, I give you one of my favourite rules of buisness   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Great conversation on where and how tocreate authority How to look at your business model to create more consistent revenue and also how to align your social contribution to your purpose statement. I even create a purpose statement on the fly. Bill has big aspirations and with these simple inexpensive activities he and his partners are well on their way to achieve their business aspirations. Don't forget to rate, review and refer Handpicked.  Thanks to our season sponsor - BIZCOVER , see the link https://www.bizcover.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this short extra I explore the rythem of your buisness week.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is much more than a life style business, Bethany has a clear sense of purpose, is getting great traction and now she is set to fly, however she needs to make it work for her. We talk about her playing to her strengths, how she finds team members and also whether franchising is an option. Don't forget to rate, review and refer Handpicked.  Thanks to our season sponsor - BIZCOVER , see the link https://www.bizcover.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Growing a team as a startup can be difficult - where do you find talent I offer some suggestions on how to attract like minded people. We discuss how to find funds for captial infrustructure. Andrew shares some of his successes and I asking him about his super power and where he needs to spend his most valuable resource - his time.. Would partnerships work? His vertical farming is such a great concept this is a gerat episode on a sustainable innovative aussie invention. Don't forget to rate, review and refer Handpicked.  Thanks to our season sponsor - BIZCOVER , see the link https://www.bizcover.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this short extra, Naomi wants to know what your buisness intel is telling you?   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Building brands in service businesses can be a challenge - but when you get it right then you will be speaking with the right people at the right time - and it can become very cost effective. Maria's questions are great and will help any business owner looking to build sales as well as inspire the team around you. Don't forget to rate, review and refer Handpicked.  Thanks to our season sponsor - BIZCOVER , see the link https://www.bizcover.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this short extra, we explore the bottlenecks in your buisness and what to do about them.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Matt has one of the most compelling customer promises that I have heard. We have a great conversation about growth, finding more customers, competing against faceless online portals and building an entry level product. This is an inspiring episode that will help any business owner think through growth opportunities. Don't forget to rate, review and refer Handpicked.  Thanks to our season sponsor - BIZCOVER , see the link https://www.bizcover.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this short extra, beware of the scam   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anthony has a great looking coffee brand primarily pitched to millenials, he wants to know how to stand out in the competitive digital landscape. And I provide some different ideas that would be very cost effective. I talk through alternatives to paid media and I make suggestions on how to build a tribe around the brand. I help Anthony work through the idea of what a partnership might look like and where he could find on. It is an upbeat conversation full of marketing ideas. Don't forget to rate, review and refer Handpicked.  Thanks to our season sponsor - BIZCOVER , see the link https://www.bizcover.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A short extra on the importance of having a checklist in your business  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode our energetic founder is on to a great idea, but Joanne needs the insight to understand what are the most effective marketing channels for her. I give lot's of 'silver bullets' of great ideas for her to to try. I talk about building owned media channels, and building real relationships with customers. Don't forget to rate, review and refer Handpicked.  Thanks to our season sponsor - BIZCOVER , see the link https://www.bizcover.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Season 4 of Handpicked is out this Monday 19th of June Right now more than ever business needs all the help they can get and in this series, Naomi gets to speak to business owners and founders about not only growing their business but surviving this pandemic.  Don't forget to rate, review and refer Handpicked.  Thanks to our season sponsor - BIZCOVER , see the link https://www.bizcover.com.au/    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So I have finally been 'stumped' for words. Twice Marty has reinvented the concept of the photo booth for events. He asks me a number of questions about the economic environment, the start up eco system and also marketing. But then come two questions that are not easy to answer. 1. Would I start RedBalloon now? 2. What is one thing that is an absolute must have for a start up? Hear what I have to say.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tamsin sees that Entrepreneurs can play a big role in leadership throughout our economy, she wants to know about success and whether it is dependent of 'personal development'. Sitting still is never an option for business owners but how do you know where to spend your energy?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Moving to Melbourne Australia, from Romania to start a property development business in January 2020 might not have been the ideal time for Dan to kick of his business. However with a little traction he is keen to understand about the approach to market, market dynamics, and getting the most from the team around him.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gaby has seen a business opportunity to create an app which helps millenials earning an income from savings. She has launched Blossomapp and she asks me questions about where to get more customers, who she should hire first, and how she should position the business. This start up is ready to blossom.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why go it alone? Naomi believes in the power of partnerships. In this short extra she tells us why. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As a successful entrepreneur who sold her thriving enterprise Leigh wants to give school aged students the opportunity to learn about entrepreneurship. She has seen significant growth in rural areas and has students throughout Australia. She is asking questions about creating team, recognising great work and how to create a winning culture. When the team is anywhere and everywhere. More notes from the show below. https://www.thebigredgroup.com.au/adapting-to-the-new-experience-of-work/ https://www.spillthebeans.events/aspire-2/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s a tricky business pitching our business to investors. In this short Handpicked Extra , Naomi reflects on her time on Shark Tank AU and also around a new way to find investors. To find out more about Clearco our sponsor https://clear.co/partner/naomi-simson/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tim is a relatively new entrepreneur with a passion for tennis and fitness. He is looking to diversify and grow beyond his current business model. Having built his website he wonders about formal education versus the 'school of hard knocks'. His passion is infectious. To find out more about Clearco our sponsor https://clear.co/partner/naomi-simson/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this short extra Naomi offers advice on the 3 metrics to watch for business growth. Find out more about Clearco here https://clear.co/partner/naomi-simson/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I've known Christine for many years, and this is not her first business. Driven by purpose and wanting to shift leadership capabilities for her clients. She asks me questions on funding, equity and investment - how do you know what is right for you? She is thinking through the 'ideal' strengths of an entrepreneur, who is pushing you to greatness and also what stops people growing their businesses. To learn more about Clearco's funding for your business click here https://clear.co/partner/naomi-simson/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Naomi loved her time on Shark Tank Australia and this episode she teams up with Michele Romanow a Dragon on the Canadian version of Shark Tank which was called Dragons Den. Michele is a Serial Entrepreneur, Co-Founder of Clearco and a Dragon on Dragons' Den. They sit down and chat about their mutual love of Entrepreneurship and Clearco's entry into Australia. Find out more about Clearco here https://clear.co/partner/naomi-simson/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ahmed has been in business for a decade and it turns over $20m, in that time he has raised close to $30m in venture capital but knew there must be a better way to access growth capital. He tells me that one of his inspirations to starting Zookai was meeting me when he was at university. We cover a breadth of subjects about priorities, networks, bootstrapping and growth funding Find out more about Clearco here https://clear.co/partner/naomi-simson/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this short extra episode of handpicked Naomi answers the question “is life as an entrepreneur all that’s its cracked up to be?” Thanks to our season sponsor Clearco https://clear.co/partner/naomi-simson/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cat is driven by a deep sense of purpose to help businesses trace their carbon footprint. She has significant early traction and a team of seven. She asks me about having a co-founder and she wants to understand how to keep a wonderful friendship as well as having a brilliant partnership. Thanks to our season sponsor Clearco https://clear.co/partner/naomi-simson/ Find out more about Cat's buisness here www.our-trace.com Find more info here https://home.kpmg/au/en/home/services/enterprise/high-growth-ventures/startups/grants-government-incentives.html See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this short Handpicked extra Naomi explores the ‘F word’.How do you deal with fear in business? Handpicked is brought to you by Clearco, the world's largest e-commerce investor. https://clear.co/partner/naomi-simson/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Craig and Sarah have worked in oncology for many years and saw how hard it often is for patients to find accommodation near their medical practitioners. With 1600% growth, Medistays sees a big opportunity. Sarah talks about Remarkable accelerator program and asks me questions about ESG frameworks, growth, and creating a great workplace. An inspiring story of Australian determination. Handpicked is brought to you by Clearco, the world's largest e-commerce investor. https://clear.co/partner/naomi-simson/ Find out more about Medistays here https://www.medistays.com.au/ Learn more about Remarkable here https://remarkable.org.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shark Tank season 4 the last investment of the series and co-founder Moe joins me with questions about design, technology and customer experience. QPay is going from strength to strength and just completing a successful crowd funding initiative Moe asks me the question ‘do you need a tech founder?’ I share my views on building out technology expertise whether that is your background or not. How to create a technology advisory board, and how to get customers involved with product development. I reflect on what I would have done differently and what get’s in the way of mega growth. I talk about the growth mindset and challenge Moe to look out 5 years and work backwards to what it is he needs to be working on now. It was great to catch up with the QPay story. https://www.amazon.com.au/Introduction-Business-Growth-Mindset-businesses-ebook/dp/B081D7KQB1 Developing a growth mindset -linkedin-learning.pxf.io/Yg1edR See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With a successful and growing business on the Gold Coast Melissa is challenged by increasing costs and how she can look at changing her prices. She asks me about value pricing, loyalty bonuses, and value adding for clients. We talk about price sensitivity and understanding the role that her business plays in her clients lives. She has a great team culture but knows that this is something that must be focussed on. She asks me what sort of things I have done that don’t necessarily cost a lot but build team connection. With two small children at home, she often finds that she is forever racing. She asks how I managed and what I did to be a founder with family responsibilities. This is a thoughtful and insightful conversation with lessons for any businessperson. Pricing Strategy Explained linkedin-learning.pxf.io/mgzMnX Value based pricing linkedin-learning.pxf.io/DVQoLn See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This second-generation family manufacturer based in Brisbane produces 40,000 watches a year. Grant has worked for 26 years in the business and is seeking to understand growth opportunities. He knows that he must attract Australians to a career in watch making Customer buying habits are changing and whilst he has an online store, 350 retailers and corporate clients that Adina Watches supplies he knows that this is changing. Whilst successful in Queensland government he asks how to open sales opportunities the other states and levels of government as clients. With the conversation about the Olympics top of mind he wants to know how he and other busines owners can maximise the trade opportunities of big events…This is a wonderful 50-year-old success story with a big vision for growth. Resources https://www.tenders.gov.au/ How to get celebrities to promote your brand https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/341018 https://www.adinawatches.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I’d met Melody as part of a formal mentoring program a few years back and it is so delightful to see the growth she has achieved. She has some great questions about building her two-sided marketplace between local stores and customers. People and businesses do want to buy from local and regional businesses, but they do not want a shoddy customer experience. I talk about the new role that ‘bricks and mortar’ retail plays. We touch on vivid stories and how to get people talking about you as well as Australia as a nation of innovators and inventors. www.shopmynation.com Starting a business onlinehttps://linkedin-learning.pxf.io/o64eE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

That's the question Bill wants to ask Naomi? Thanks to our season sponsor - Bendigo Bank EFTPOS and Ecommerce powered by TYRO, see the link below https://www.bendigobank.com.au/business/payments-and-merchant-services/tyro/ Naomi is now taking your questions in this series of Handpicked to help you navigate Covid. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSea9BiKAQD4QNjp1V75wbP8uXGMAO7A3flsB-4W9t0XbugAxg/viewformSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.