Process The Podcast

In episode three of Backbone, we get into the numbers that actually keep your business alive: cash.
Profit might look good on paper, but cash is what pays your bills, your team, and you. And yet, cash flow is one of the most misunderstood (and least confidently managed) parts of running a business.
So this week, we cover:
• Why profit ≠ cash, and how profitable businesses still run out of money
• Why cash flow is the most important metric to understand as a founder
• How to think about managing cash flow day-to-day (not just at tax time)
• Practical measures to safeguard your cash flow as your business grows
• A simple walk-through of the key line items in a cash flow statement — and what they actually tell you.
If you have any questions, about cash slide into our DMs.
We want to keep this conversation going!
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See you next Thursday for our last episode of Backbone!
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In this special petit episode of Process, Arielle Thomas shares what’s next for the podcast and why it’s evolving into something much bigger than conversations behind a microphone.
From building a recognisable visual identity to creating a physical creative space in Sydney, Arielle reflects on the realities of podcasting, the importance of consistency, and her long-term vision for cultivating a thriving creative community.
She opens up about the challenges and rewards of running a creative podcast, how collaboration has shaped the journey so far, and why hosting events and bringing listeners together in real life is the natural next step for Process.
This episode is an invitation into the future of Process: a place where ideas are exchanged, careers are sparked, and creativity is treated as a shared practice, not a solo pursuit.

✨ What You’ll Hear in This Episode🎧 About Process
• Why podcasting is both an art and a long game• The vision for Process as a leading creative podcast• Plans to build a physical creative hub in Sydney• How community and collaboration drive growth• The role of visual identity in building a recognisable brand• Creating spaces that feel welcoming and creatively charged• Why consistency matters more than perfection• How listener engagement shapes the future of the show• Hosting events and real-world creative gatherings• Where Process is heading next

🎧 About Process
Process explores the journeys behind creative careers — from fashion and media to design, publishing, film and entrepreneurship. Each episode unpacks how ideas are built, how brands evolve, and what it really takes to create meaningful work in today’s cultural landscape.

To learn more about the clubhouse, head to cinemathom.com/clubhouse

Find Process the Podcast on Instagram here.
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Find your host, Arielle Thomas, on Instagram here.
See you next Tuesday!

🎙️ Sophie Hood on Building Seoul Tonic: From Australia to New York, Amazon, Retail Strategy & Scaling a Wellness Brand
What does it really take to build a modern wellness brand and have the ambition to take it global?
In this episode of Process, Arielle Thomas sits down with Sophie Hood, founder of cult-favourite tonic brand Seoul Tonic, to unpack the creative and commercial decisions behind moving to New York, scaling through retail, navigating Amazon, and positioning a product for international success.
Sophie is one of Australia’s most exciting women-led founders to watch, and in this conversation, she shares the unfiltered reality of entrepreneurship: from winning Food Stars and landing major retail opportunities, to managing inventory pressure, pitching airlines like Qantas, and building a brand that resonates in the hyper-competitive U.S. market.
This episode is a masterclass in creativity meeting commerce. Perfect for founders, brand builders, marketers and anyone curious about what it actually takes to turn an idea into a global consumer brand.
✨ In this episode, Sophie and Arielle cover:
Moving from Australia to New York and why global ambition changes everything

The early creative vision behind Seoul Tonic and finding product-market fit

What winning Food Stars taught Sophie about pressure and opportunity

How to position a wellness product for premium retail

Scaling from independent stores to national distribution

Inventory, supply chains and the realities of cash flow

Why community and in-store experience matter more than ever

The brutal truth about launching in the U.S. market

How Amazon really works. Seller Central, fulfilment and margin games

Differences between U.S. and Australian e-commerce

Pitching to major partners like Qantas

Launching new product lines and beauty brands

Why financial modelling is a non-negotiable skill for founders

Her up-and-coming 2nd business, this time in the beauty space!

Find Sophie on Instagram here.
Find Seoul Tonic on Instagram here.
Find Process the Podcast on Instagram here.
Find your host Arielle Thomas on Instagram here.

See you next Tuesday!

Welcome to episode two of Backbone! The four-part mini series where we discuss the financial side of building a business.
Today, we get into the structures that sit underneath your business and the tax impacts of each!
Whether you’re just starting out, running a side hustle, or transitioning into something more complex, the way your business is set up has real implications for tax, cash flow, and risk. And yet, this is one of the least openly discussed parts of being a founder.
So, this week, we have the candid tax conversation that no one seems to be having.
In this episode, we cover:
• The common business structures available to new and growing business owners
• How and when structures tend to change as your business becomes more complex
• The tax realities founders often avoid (and why that’s risky)
• Our perspective on when to bring in an accountant, bookkeeper, or advisor and what to look for.

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Legendary fashion and celebrity photographer Ben Watts joins Process for a conversation about longevity, instinct, and building a career in one of the most competitive creative industries in the world.
From photographing icons like Heath Ledger to navigating the shift from film to digital, Ben opens up about the mindset that has sustained his decades-long career. Why being a great photographer starts with being a good people person, how to develop a recognisable style, and what it really takes to earn trust with world-famous talent.
Host Arielle Thomas and Ben dive into the realities of hustling early on, the impact of social media on modern creatives, and why dignity, curiosity, and enjoyment remain at the core of meaningful work.
It’s an honest, insightful look at how to stay creatively fulfilled while operating at the highest level.
Why being a people person is as important as technical skill

How Ben built trust with A-list talent

The difference between chasing trends and developing a signature style

What the transition from film to digital changed forever

How social media reshaped the photography industry

The role of hustle and adaptability in long creative careers

Why dignity and professionalism still set people apart

Staying authentic in a competitive field

Finding joy in the process—not just the outcomes

Becoming the person people want to hire again and again

Find Ben on Instagram here.
Find Ben's extensive portfolio of work on Art Dept.
Find Process the Podcast for the visuals of Ben's work and this episode here.
Find your host, Arielle Thomas on Instagram here.