Sam Kennard always had ambition to work and grow the family company. But he never expected his dad to give him total control when he was just 24 years of age. 

This podcast is sponsored by Superloop.

Sam Kennard always had ambition to work and grow the family company. But he never expected his dad to give him total control when he was just 24 years of age. 
This podcast is sponsored by <a href="https://www.superloop.com/business/internet">Superloop.</a>

How I Made It is back with new hosts Lauren Sams & Yolanda Redrup. Join us to learn how Australia’s top entrepreneurs built their fortunes and what they learnt along the way.

How I Made It is back with new hosts Lauren Sams &amp; Yolanda Redrup. Join us to learn how Australia&rsquo;s top entrepreneurs built their fortunes and what they learnt along the way.

How I Made It

All the latest episodes from all of the AFR's podcasts. 

All the latest episodes from all of the AFR's podcasts.&nbsp;

Latest episodes 

How Sam Kennard built a $2.6b empire storing other people's stuff

Bill Beament put himself on the map by transforming a fledgling explorer, Northern Star, into one of the world's biggest gold miners.

After turning the 1¢ company into a multibillion-dollar giant, the West Australian decided to take a punt on a new solo venture.

Now the founder and chief executive of mining exploration company Develop Global, the king of Kalgoorlie is turning his attention to critical minerals.

On this week’s episode of How I Made It, host Lauren Sams delves into the mining titan's playbook as he takes on copper, zinc and lithium.

This podcast was sponsored by Sinch Engage.

Further reading:

‘I had $200’: Inside Aussie Bruna Papandrea’s meteoric Hollywood rise

When the aspiring film producer moved to New York she was in her early 20s and had hardly anything to her name.

‘I owe you nothing’: Two unlikely partners and a $20b housing empire

Craig Carracher knew student accommodation could be vastly improved – and a serious moneymaker. 

Bill Beament put himself on the map by transforming a fledgling explorer, Northern Star, into one of the world's biggest gold miners. After turning the 1&cent; company into a multibillion-dollar giant, the West Australian decided to take a punt on a new solo venture. Now the founder and chief executive of mining exploration company Develop Global, the king of Kalgoorlie is turning his attention to critical minerals. On this week&rsquo;s episode of How I Made It, host Lauren Sams delves into the mining titan's playbook as he takes on copper, zinc and lithium.
This podcast was sponsored by&nbsp;<a href="http://sinchengage.com/">Sinch Engage</a>.
Further reading:
<a href="https://web-editing-afr.platform.ink/life-and-luxury/arts-and-culture/bruna-papandrea-is-the-aussie-behind-some-of-hollywood-s-biggest-hits-20260813-p60o5i?utm_source=omny&amp;utm_medium=podcast_notes&amp;utm_campaign=how_i_made_it&amp;utm_content=&amp;utm_term=newsroom">&lsquo;I had $200&rsquo;: Inside Aussie Bruna Papandrea&rsquo;s meteoric Hollywood rise</a>
When the aspiring film producer moved to New York she was in her early 20s and had hardly anything to her name.
<a href="https://www.afr.com/property/residential/how-this-ex-packer-lawyer-secured-australia-s-biggest-real-estate-deal-20260806-p60m1m?utm_source=omny&amp;utm_medium=podcast_notes&amp;utm_campaign=how_i_made_it&amp;utm_content=&amp;utm_term=newsroom">&lsquo;I owe you nothing&rsquo;: Two unlikely partners and a $20b housing empire</a>
Craig Carracher knew student accommodation could be vastly improved &ndash; and a serious moneymaker.&nbsp;

Bill Beament led a 1¢ company. Now it’s Australia’s biggest gold miner

When Bruna Papandrea arrived in New York, she had $200.

An avid storyteller, the South Australian began reading scripts for her friend, actor Anthony LaPaglia. But it was when she was offered a job working for legendary filmmakers Sydney Pollack and Anthony Minghella that her career transformed.

“I was 29, and I get chills telling the story because that is just a moment that you can't fathom how much it's going to change your life,” the film producer says.

In this week’s episode, host Lauren Sams finds out how Papandrea became one of Hollywood’s most powerful storytellers, producing huge hits from Big Little Lies and Gone Girl to The Undoing.

This podcast was sponsored by Sinch Engage.

Further reading:

‘I owe you nothing’: Two unlikely partners and a $20b housing empire

Craig Carracher knew student accommodation could be vastly improved – and a serious moneymaker. 

How this 26-year-old built a $100m robotics company

Andromeda founder Grace Brown reveals how her hi-tech companion, Abi, has disrupted an industry.

When Bruna Papandrea arrived in New York, she had $200.
An avid storyteller, the South Australian began reading scripts for her friend, actor Anthony LaPaglia. But it was when she was offered a job working for legendary filmmakers Sydney Pollack and Anthony Minghella that her career transformed.
&ldquo;I was 29, and I get chills telling the story because that is just a moment that you can't fathom how much it's going to change your life,&rdquo; the film producer says.
In this week&rsquo;s episode, host Lauren Sams finds out how Papandrea became one of Hollywood&rsquo;s most powerful storytellers, producing huge hits from Big Little Lies and Gone Girl to The Undoing.
This podcast was sponsored by <a href="http://sinchengage.com/">Sinch Engage</a>.
Further reading:
<a href="https://www.afr.com/property/residential/how-this-ex-packer-lawyer-secured-australia-s-biggest-real-estate-deal-20260806-p60m1m?utm_source=omny&amp;utm_medium=podcast_notes&amp;utm_campaign=how_i_made_it&amp;utm_content=&amp;utm_term=newsroom">&lsquo;I owe you nothing&rsquo;: Two unlikely partners and a $20b housing empire</a>
Craig Carracher knew student accommodation could be vastly improved &ndash; and a serious moneymaker.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.afr.com/technology/grace-built-a-robot-buddy-during-covid-her-company-is-now-worth-100m-20260802-p60kpm?utm_source=omny&amp;utm_medium=podcast_notes&amp;utm_campaign=how_i_made_it&amp;utm_content=&amp;utm_term=newsroom">How this 26-year-old built a $100m robotics company</a>
Andromeda founder Grace Brown reveals how her hi-tech companion, Abi, has disrupted an industry.

'I had $200′: Inside Aussie Bruna Papandrea’s meteoric Hollywood rise

When Craig Carracher first met his business partner, Stephen Gaitanos, he was somewhat reluctant to team up.

“He was only a young fellow. He's 15 years younger than me, and he put his hand up and said, ‘I'd like to come across as your junior,'" Carracher recalls. “And I said, ‘Look, I'm not going to pay you for five years. I'm not sure I like you... I owe you nothing.'" 

But Gaitanos was all in. 

Twelve years since starting their joint venture, Scape – now part of the broader housing enterprise, The Living Company – the duo has dominated the student accommodation sector.

On this week’s episode of How I Made It, host Lauren Sams finds out how this co-founder spotted a gap in the housing market to build a $20 billion empire.

This podcast was sponsored by Sinch Engage.

Further reading:

Alex Vynokur bet the house on ETFs. He won

The aspiring entrepreneur knew the odds were stacked against his start-up, Betashares. 

How this 26-year-old built a $100m robotics company

Andromeda founder Grace Brown reveals how her hi-tech companion, Abi, has disrupted an industry.

When Craig Carracher first met his business partner, Stephen Gaitanos, he was somewhat reluctant to team up. &ldquo;He was only a young fellow. He's 15 years younger than me, and he put his hand up and said, &lsquo;I'd like to come across as your junior,'" Carracher recalls.&nbsp;&ldquo;And I said, &lsquo;Look, I'm not going to pay you for five years. I'm not sure I like you... I owe you nothing.'"&nbsp;
But Gaitanos was all in.&nbsp;
Twelve years since starting their joint venture, Scape &ndash; now part of the broader housing enterprise, The Living Company &ndash; the duo has dominated the student accommodation sector.
On this week&rsquo;s episode of How I Made It, host Lauren Sams finds out how this co-founder spotted a gap in the housing market to build a $20 billion empire.
This podcast was sponsored by<a href="http://sinchengage.com/"> Sinch Engage</a>.
Further reading:
<a href="https://www.afr.com/companies/financial-services/alex-vynokur-bet-the-house-to-start-betashares-it-now-manages-75b-20260728-p60j5x?utm_source=omny&amp;utm_medium=podcast_notes&amp;utm_campaign=how_i_made_it&amp;utm_content=&amp;utm_term=newsroom">Alex Vynokur bet the house on ETFs. He won</a>
The aspiring entrepreneur knew the odds were stacked against his start-up, Betashares.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.afr.com/technology/grace-built-a-robot-buddy-during-covid-her-company-is-now-worth-100m-20260802-p60kpm?utm_source=omny&amp;utm_medium=podcast_notes&amp;utm_campaign=how_i_made_it&amp;utm_content=&amp;utm_term=newsroom">How this 26-year-old built a $100m robotics company</a>
Andromeda founder Grace Brown reveals how her hi-tech companion, Abi, has disrupted an industry.

How Sam Kennard built a $2.6b empire storing other people's stuff

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