Dan Bova, co-founder of The Yard Gym, leads a franchise network of over 50 locations in Australia, with ambitious plans to expand to 200 sites worldwide by 2025.


In our conversation, we explored Dan’s journey and early life, his move into gym franchising, the founding of The Yard, and what sets it apart. We also delved into its innovative business model and curriculum, the intricacies of franchising, his strategies for growth, and his bold vision for the future of The Yard.


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. 

Dan Bova, co-founder of The Yard Gym, leads a franchise network of over 50 locations in Australia, with ambitious plans to expand to 200 sites worldwide by 2025. In our conversation, we explored Dan’s journey and early life, his move into gym franchising, the founding of The Yard, and what sets it apart. We also delved into its innovative business model and curriculum, the intricacies of franchising, his strategies for growth, and his bold vision for the future of The Yard. You can subscribe to the Mentored newsletter here:&nbsp;<a href="https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-sign-up" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://mentored.com.au/newsletter-sign-up</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/mentormarkbouris/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Join the Facebook Group.</a> Follow Mark Bouris on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/mark_bouris/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://au.linkedin.com/in/markbouris" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a>&nbsp;&amp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPX01K1JgNS5pyzUtwtCtsQ" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">YouTube.</a>&nbsp;<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

#475 The Yard Gym Story: Dan Bova on building a Fitness Franchise powerhouse

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/d65cce88-b894-4aa2-b7d0-b30500506928/transcript

​​Nick Cogger is the CEO and co-founder of Better Beer, one of Australia’s fastest-growing beer brands. With a background spanning venues, alcohol, and drinks innovation, Nick’s journey has been anything but overnight.

In this episode, Nick breaks down how a chance Instagram scroll led him to The Inspired Unemployed, why influencer marketing only works when ambition matches audience, and how a “reverse pitch” sparked the idea of Better Beer.

He shares why he focused on creating a product everyone in Australia can enjoy, and how timing, discipline, and strategy are what it takes to take on the big brewers.

Follow Better Beer here: https://www.instagram.com/betterbeer

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.

​​Nick Cogger is the CEO and co-founder of Better Beer, one of Australia&rsquo;s fastest-growing beer brands. With a background spanning venues, alcohol, and drinks innovation, Nick&rsquo;s journey has been anything but overnight.
In this episode, Nick breaks down how a chance Instagram scroll led him to The Inspired Unemployed, why influencer marketing only works when ambition matches audience, and how a &ldquo;reverse pitch&rdquo; sparked the idea of Better Beer.
He shares why he focused on creating a product everyone in Australia can enjoy, and how timing, discipline, and strategy are what it takes to take on the big brewers.
Follow Better Beer here: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/betterbeer/?hl=en">https://www.instagram.com/betterbeer</a>
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.

#511 Better Beer: How Nick Cogger & Inspired Unemployed Built One Of Australia’s Fastest Growing Beer Brands

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/0bafd41e-f724-4e6e-a045-b3b40056bf83/transcript

At 28, Ari Kaklamanis has already reshaped how Australians consume real estate. He founded Million Dollar Listing Sydney (MDLS) at 17, building the country’s first social-media-driven real estate platform. What began as a small Instagram page is now Sydney’s most-viewed property portal, pulling in more than 21 million views a month.

In this episode, Ari breaks down how he spotted the gap, built a global audience, and turned MDLS into a powerhouse that changed the way people buy, sell, and talk about property online. A sharp look at the mindset and strategy behind a founder who rewrote the rules of real estate marketing.

Follow Million Dollar Listings Sydney here: https://www.instagram.com/milliondollarlistingsydney/

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.

At 28, Ari Kaklamanis has already reshaped how Australians consume real estate. He founded Million Dollar Listing Sydney (MDLS) at 17, building the country&rsquo;s first social-media-driven real estate platform. What began as a small Instagram page is now Sydney&rsquo;s most-viewed property portal, pulling in more than 21 million views a month.
In this episode, Ari breaks down how he spotted the gap, built a global audience, and turned MDLS into a powerhouse that changed the way people buy, sell, and talk about property online. A sharp look at the mindset and strategy behind a founder who rewrote the rules of real estate marketing.
Follow Million Dollar Listings Sydney here:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/milliondollarlistingsydney/">https://www.instagram.com/milliondollarlistingsydney/</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>
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.

#510 Million Dollar Listing: How Ari Kaklamanis Rewrote Property Marketing in Australia

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/0b52eb51-15fc-4323-8303-b3ad00a88581/transcript

In this episode, Candy Berger, CEO of Lox in a Box, talks through the journey from the early vision to the challenges that shaped the business. She explains how she navigated setbacks, built resilience and scaled what started as a small takeaway bagel shop in Bondi into three thriving locations in Coogee, Bondi and Marrickville, along with a retail line, baked goods and a fast-growing brand.

A sharp and honest look at building a modern hospitality business and what it takes to keep growing.

Check out the Lox in a Box website here: https://www.loxinabox.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.

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.

In this episode, Candy Berger, CEO of Lox in a Box, talks through the journey from the early vision to the challenges that shaped the business. She explains how she navigated setbacks, built resilience and scaled what started as a small takeaway bagel shop in Bondi into three thriving locations in Coogee, Bondi and Marrickville, along with a retail line, baked goods and a fast-growing brand.
A sharp and honest look at building a modern hospitality business and what it takes to keep growing.
Check out the Lox in a Box website here: <a href="https://www.loxinabox.com.au/">https://www.loxinabox.com.au/</a>
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.

#509 Lox in a Box Unpacked: From Home Kitchen to a Sydney Success Story with Candy Berger

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/a188875e-61ca-4fd6-b271-b3a600786ffa/transcript

#475 The Yard Gym Story: Dan Bova on building a Fitness Franchise powerhouse

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