Halfway Checkpoint: Sam Kelly, Deb Sams, Tracy Sheen & Ben Crowley
We’ve hit the halfway checkpoint.Let’s take a look back at some of the best moments from The Mentor this year — packed with powerful insights and lessons. Who do you want to see next on The Mentor? Drop your suggestions below. Here are some of the highlights so far… Listen to the full podcasts via the links below. #478 Sam Kelly #483 Deb Sams #482 Tracy Sheen #481 Ben Crowley You can subscribe to the Mentored newsletter here: https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-sign-up Join the Facebook Group. Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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#487 Standing Out by Slowing Down: The Rise of The Bird Whiskey with Paul Giles
I’m proud to be a co-owner of The Bird Whiskey, alongside Andrew Nugent — but the person running the show every day is Paul Giles. In this episode, we sit down with the man who’s been flying the flag for The Bird since day one.Paul shares how this whiskey came to life, the story behind the name, and why we’ve taken a different path—focused on authenticity, First Nations culture, and creating something that connects with people, especially women, in a space traditionally dominated by men.This is the real story behind The Bird, from the guy who’s made it soar.Check out The Bird Whiskey's Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/thebirdwhiskey/You can subscribe to the Mentored newsletter here: https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-sign-upJoin the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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#486 — Built It, Scaled It & Sold It. David Short’s Liquor Success & What’s Next
David Short went from running major operations in the liquor industry to backing himself and launching Shorty's Liquor—a boutique business that built a reputation serving some of Australia’s biggest corporates. In this episode, he takes us through the highs and lows of building Shorty's from scratch, the grind of sales and team building, and the bold expansion decisions that set him apart.We dig into how COVID-19 forced a business rethink, what came next after a major acquisition, and why David’s now investing in the next wave of growth—including his take on AI’s role in business. It’s a candid, insightful chat with a straight-talker who’s lived the transition from corporate to entrepreneur and come out with hard-won lessons and a renewed vision.Find David's website here: https://shortinc.com.au/You can subscribe to the Mentored newsletter here: https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-sign-upJoin the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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#485: Burnt Crusts & Second Chances: Pizza Bros’ Recipe for Reinvention with Joey Pepperoni & Marty McFly
When Joey Pepperoni and Marty McFly launched Pizza Bros in 2019, they saw a pizza scene obsessed with tradition—and asked: Where’s the rebel energy? Their answer? A mobile pizza truck that crashed festivals until COVID left them bankrupt, in debt, and delivering pizzas to survive.I sat down with Joey and Marty (between oven rotations at The Imperial Hotel) to break down their phoenix-from-the-ashes comeback. We talk about their story, how getting expelled at 16 led Joey to a decade-long pizza apprenticeship, how Marty went from the fitness industry to joining his brother’s dream and why legally renaming themselves was the ultimate branding power move.The bottom line? The Pizza Bros story isn’t just a pizza story—it’s a masterclass in grit. Listen. Order a pizza. Repeat.You can subscribe to the Mentored newsletter here: https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-sign-upJoin the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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#484: The Future of Finance: How Swyftx is Redefining Crypto Trust in Australia with Jason Titman
When Jason Titman took the helm of Swyftx in 2019, he saw a crypto industry riddled with complexity—and a glaring gap: Where was the customer-first mindset? His answer? An exchange that treats Web3 like any trusted service, not a Wild West gamble.Jason and I sit down for a conversation as he breaks down the Swyftx difference, and why culture—not just code—is their competitive edge. We also discussed how they’re rewriting crypto’s risky reputation, with security as a selling point, the societal shift ahead… and why Australia shouldn’t just watch, but lead.The bottom line? Swyftx isn’t just trading digital assets—it’s building the infrastructure for financial freedom. And for Jason, that starts with one radical idea: Trust shouldn’t be revolutionary.You can subscribe to the Mentored newsletter here: https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-sign-upJoin the Facebook Group.Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark Bouris speaks to business owners and entrepreneurs, finding out what makes them tick and their plans for growth. Some business owners are on the way up and enjoying new success, others are at a turning point. Mark digs into their stories and finds out why they set out to create their own path, their challenges and where they go from here. Based on his own personal experiences and learnings, he also passes on his own guidance on how to take their business to the next level.
Australia