From the start of high school, Rod Drury was captivated by computing. 

It was a fascination that would go on to create one of the largest ASX-listed tech companies, accounting software giant Xero.

In this week’s episode of How I Made It, The Australian Financial Review Rich List editor Yolanda Redrup finds out how a passion in high school became a $28 billion company.

This podcast was sponsored by Telstra.

From the start of high school, Rod Drury was captivated by computing.&nbsp;
It was a fascination that would go on to create one of the largest ASX-listed tech companies, accounting software giant Xero.
In this week&rsquo;s episode of How I Made It, The Australian Financial Review Rich List editor Yolanda Redrup finds out how a passion in high school became a $28 billion company.
This podcast was sponsored by <a href="https://www.telstra.com.au/">Telstra</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 

‘The napkin came across the table’: How software giant Xero was born

When Nicole Eckels moved to Sydney in 2005, one of the first things she did was go to David Jones to shop for her new apartment.

On the lookout for a fragrant candle to scent her home, what she found was a gap in the market.

Now the founder and CEO of Glasshouse Fragrances, Nicole has grown her company into a global powerhouse, with products stocked in more than 10 countries including the US.

On this week’s episode of How I Made It, host Lauren Sams finds out how this New York-born entrepreneur turned a little-known start-up into a multimillion-dollar business.

This podcast was sponsored by Sinch Engage.

Further reading:

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

The West Australian who transformed Northern Star took home $60 million last year. Now, the Develop Global CEO is zeroing in on critical minerals.

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.

When Nicole Eckels moved to Sydney in 2005, one of the first things she did was go to David Jones to shop for her new apartment. On the lookout for a fragrant candle to scent her home, what she found was a gap in the market. Now the founder and CEO of Glasshouse Fragrances, Nicole has grown her company into a global powerhouse, with products stocked in more than 10 countries including the US. On this week&rsquo;s episode of How I Made It, host Lauren Sams finds out how this New York-born entrepreneur turned a little-known start-up into a multimillion-dollar business.
This podcast was sponsored by&nbsp;<a href="http://sinchengage.com/">Sinch Engage</a>.
Further reading:
<a href="https://www.afr.com/companies/mining/this-miner-took-home-60m-last-year-here-s-where-he-s-targeting-next-20260824-p60qwe?utm_source=omny&amp;utm_medium=podcast_notes&amp;utm_campaign=how_i_made_it&amp;utm_content=&amp;utm_term=newsroom" data-testid="headlineLink">Bill Beament led a 1&cent; company. Now it&rsquo;s Australia&rsquo;s biggest gold miner</a>
The West Australian who transformed Northern Star took home $60 million last year. Now, the Develop Global CEO is zeroing in on critical minerals.
<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">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.

Nicole Eckels’ multimillion-dollar idea was sitting right under her nose

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.

‘The napkin came across the table’: How software giant Xero was born

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