Emma Isaacs is the owner and CEO of Australia's largest professional network for women, Business Chicks. She joins Mark Bouris to talk about how she grew Business Chicks to more than 45,000 members around Australia, running conferences and networking events. Emma moved to the USA in 2016 to try and grow the business there, but describes it as her biggest failure. She's since pivoted to take a different tack which is launching very soon - and we go deep in looking at how that failure shaped her and helped her grow. 

Join the Facebook Group.

Follow Mark Bouris on Instagram, LinkedIn & YouTube.

Want to grow your business and stay ahead of the pack? Access Mark Bouris' Masterclasses.

Got a question or comment for Mark? Send an email. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Emma Isaacs is the owner and CEO of Australia's largest professional network for women, Business Chicks. She joins Mark Bouris to talk about how she grew Business Chicks to more than 45,000 members around Australia, running conferences and networking events. Emma moved to the USA in 2016 to try and grow the business there, but describes it as her biggest failure. She's since pivoted to take a different tack which is launching very soon - and we go deep in looking at how that failure shaped her and helped her grow.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/mentormarkbouris/">Join the Facebook Group.</a>Follow Mark Bouris on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/mark_bouris/">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://au.linkedin.com/in/markbouris">LinkedIn</a>&nbsp;&amp; <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPX01K1JgNS5pyzUtwtCtsQ">YouTube.</a>Want to grow your business and stay ahead of the pack? <a href="https://mentored.com.au/homepage/learn/masterclasses/">Access Mark Bouris' Masterclasses</a>.Got a question or comment for Mark? <a href="mailto:support@mentored.com.au">Send an email</a>.&nbsp;See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.<hr>

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.

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.

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...

The Mentor with Mark Bouris

#129 – Business Chicks: Failure, Success & Persistence

An alarming 6,200 NSW businesses went insolvent in 2025.

My latest guest on The Mentor was one of the business owners who had to shut down his business in 2025.

In this episode, Dean reflects on the journey of building Living Timber Co from $26 and a garage into a business delivering national projects, before the difficult decision to place the company into liquidation.

We explore what happens when passion meets rapid growth, rising interest rates and the quiet pressure many founders carry to do everything themselves. Dean speaks candidly about burnout, the warning signs he overlooked, and why he now views the experience as a failure without regrets, not something to be ashamed of, but something to learn from and move on from.

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

Claim $500 Bitcoin with OKX SMSF. SMSF trustees: Successfully sign-up your SMSF and get
verified for an OKX SMSF trading account. Deposit $5 and receive $500 worth of Bitcoin. Eligibility
requirements and T&amp;Cs apply. Book a 1-1 call with the OKX SMSF team today for guidance. Offer ends 31 March 2026.

An alarming 6,200 NSW businesses went insolvent in 2025. My latest guest on The Mentor was one of the business owners who had to shut down his business in 2025.
In this episode, Dean reflects on the journey of building Living Timber Co from $26 and a garage into a business delivering national projects, before the difficult decision to place the company into liquidation.
We explore what happens when passion meets rapid growth, rising interest rates and the quiet pressure many founders carry to do everything themselves. Dean speaks candidly about burnout, the warning signs he overlooked, and why he now views the experience as a failure without regrets, not something to be ashamed of, but something to learn from and move on from.
You can subscribe to the Mentored newsletter here: <a href="https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-sign-up">https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-sign-up</a>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/mentormarkbouris/">Join the Facebook Group.</a>
Follow Mark Bouris on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/mark_bouris/">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://au.linkedin.com/in/markbouris">LinkedIn</a>&nbsp;&amp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPX01K1JgNS5pyzUtwtCtsQ">YouTube</a>
Claim $500 Bitcoin with OKX SMSF. SMSF trustees: Successfully sign-up your SMSF and get verified for an OKX SMSF trading account. Deposit $5 and receive $500 worth of Bitcoin. Eligibility requirements and T&amp;amp;Cs apply. Book a 1-1 call with the OKX SMSF team today for guidance. Offer&nbsp;ends 31 March 2026.

6,200 NSW Businesses Went Insolvent in 2025: Lessons From When It Doesn’t Work Out with Dean Boyd (Episode #512)

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/71213f2b-99f0-4282-82d9-b3d0005d5dee/transcript

Disclaimer: This episode was first released on 25th August 2025. 

This week I sit down with Paul Grosmann, CEO of R.M.Williams, to talk about one of Australia’s most iconic and enduring brands. We go back to 1932 and the story of founder Reginald Murray Williams, and how a bloke with no formal training built a business that became a global name. Paul shares what makes the boots and jackets so special, why Aussies are so loyal to the brand, and how it has stayed true to its roots despite decades of changing ownership. He also opens up about his own journey from Nike and McKinsey to Harris Farm Markets, and the leadership lessons he is bringing to R.M.Williams as he drives the brand into its next chapter while keeping its heritage front and centre. 

Check out R.M.Williams website here: https://www.rmwilliams.com.au/

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.

Disclaimer: This episode was first released on 25th August 2025.&nbsp;
This week I sit down with Paul Grosmann, CEO of R.M.Williams, to talk about one of Australia&rsquo;s most iconic and enduring brands. We go back to 1932 and the story of founder Reginald Murray Williams, and how a bloke with no formal training built a business that became a global name. Paul shares what makes the boots and jackets so special, why Aussies are so loyal to the brand, and how it has stayed true to its roots despite decades of changing ownership. He also opens up about his own journey from Nike and McKinsey to Harris Farm Markets, and the leadership lessons he is bringing to R.M.Williams as he drives the brand into its next chapter while keeping its heritage front and centre.&nbsp;
Check out R.M.Williams website here: <a href="https://www.rmwilliams.com.au/">https://www.rmwilliams.com.au/</a>
You can subscribe to the Mentored newsletter here:&nbsp;<a href="https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-sign-up">https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-sign-up</a>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/mentormarkbouris/">Join the Facebook Group.</a>
Follow Mark Bouris on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/mark_bouris/">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://au.linkedin.com/in/markbouris">LinkedIn</a>&nbsp;&amp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPX01K1JgNS5pyzUtwtCtsQ">YouTube.</a>

REVISIT: R.M.Williams CEO Paul Grosmann on leading Australia’s Iconic Brand

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/8355ba43-d4b6-466e-a1b5-b3c9006a7abc/transcript

It’s been another big year on The Mentor. We’ve had some brilliant guests sharing incredible business insight. Who stood out to you, and who should we bring on next?

Here are some highlights of the standout episodes of the year.

00:00-8:52 (Hyro co-founders Steve & Taylor Chapman)

8:52-23:13 (R.M. Williams CEO Paul Grosmann)

23:14 - 33:36 (Dominique Gill)

33:37- 39:46 (Britt & Taz)

39:47- 48:08 (Mike Christidis)

Listen to the full podcast via the links below.
#493 Hyro co-founders Steve & Taylor Chapman
#495 R.M. Williams CEO Paul Grosmann
#499 Dominique Gill 
#501 Britt & Taz
#489 Mike Christidis

It&rsquo;s been another big year on The Mentor. We&rsquo;ve had some brilliant guests sharing incredible business insight. Who stood out to you, and who should we bring on next?
Here are some highlights of the standout episodes of the year.
00:00-8:52 (Hyro co-founders Steve &amp; Taylor Chapman)
8:52-23:13 (R.M. Williams CEO Paul Grosmann)
23:14 - 33:36 (Dominique Gill)
33:37- 39:46 (Britt &amp; Taz)
39:47- 48:08 (Mike Christidis)
Listen to the full podcast via the links below.
<ol>
<li>#493 <a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/5qUubPc55N43TpUWjob12d?si=l2bpLS4RSFuwMb0buRrXmg">Hyro co-founders Steve &amp; Taylor Chapman</a></li>
<li>#495 <a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/3qX5RyMnYToOgeZ6PArdIi?si=XYcIQnZpToOm5LfsI2faXQ">R.M. Williams CEO Paul Grosmann</a></li>
<li>#499 <a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/3pX8X8E8dvDMLSQAvVEiFF?si=6LVuCv-aT5eoVLDil-0nNA">Dominique Gill&nbsp;</a></li>
<li>#501 <a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/0kWIgdQ9M3CRxCpSBxcV28?si=8Lb0Eg5GTlO2juAiuZqafg">Britt &amp; Taz</a></li>
<li>#489 <a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/5tVe8EtpPa3oShYqChev8P?si=m44tby86QbqRJu_Su-S_cw">Mike Christidis</a></li>
</ol>

Best of 2025 Part 2: The Hyro duo, R.M. Williams CEO Paul Grosmann, Dominique Gill, Britt & Taz & Michael Christidis 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/c0049371-b8c2-4047-9218-b3b5017d7fd9/transcript

#129 – Business Chicks: Failure, Success & Persistence

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