Ep 9: How To Network In Small Business Without Feeling Salesy Or Awkward

What happens when the person you’re building a business with is also the person you go home to? Sue Schiller has spent nearly 30 years building Bedrock Landscape Supplies with her husband, Jamie, while raising their family and figuring out how to work together when they don't always think, communicate or approach the business in the same way. In this episode, Sue shares what they’ve learnt about being business partners and partners in life, including how they handle disagreements, set boundaries, know when to hand something over and keep things from becoming personal. Sue’s approach is simple: get curious before you react, communicate clearly and focus on making things 1% better rather than trying to fix everything at once.

When you’re running a small business, how do you keep going when there is so much happening behind the scenes that most people never see? In this bonus episode of Minted, Lisa Morey wraps up Season One by reflecting on what the podcast has become, what she has learned from Wagga Wagga’s local business community, and why these conversations matter to small business owners everywhere. Lisa shares why Season One has been such a privilege to create, what these conversations have revealed about resilience and community, and what listeners can expect as Minted moves into Season Two. What you’ll take away:

When you’re trying to break into the US market, what does it really take to keep going when the timeline blows out, the market behaves differently and the wins come slower than expected? Lisa sits down with Fiona Hamilton (founder of Rowdy Crowd) to unpack what it has actually looked like to take a homegrown Australian designed product into the US. From product development and manufacturing to market fit, messaging, packaging, word of mouth and staying power, Fiona shares the real lessons behind launching beyond Australia and why belief, adaptability and patience matter more than quick wins. What you’ll take away:- Why launching into a new market starts with solving a real problem, not chasing hype.- How Fiona built Rowdy Crowd by listening to customers, improving the product and staying flexible as demand shifted.- Why word of mouth still beats a lot of paid marketing when your product genuinely solves something.- What Fiona learned about the US market, from packaging and messaging to speed, scale and buyer behaviour.- Why educating customers is part of the job when your product or material is still unfamiliar.- How small business owners can use adaptability as a real competitive advantage over bigger players. Links:- Guest website: Rowdy Crowd - https://rowdycrowd.com.au/ - Mint Agency newsletter sign up: Podcast Newsletter - https://www.mintagency.com.au/news-sign-up Credits:- Host: Lisa Morey, Founder of Mint Agency- Guest: Fiona Hamilton, Founder of Rowdy Crowd- Production: Podcast Expert Lab- Music: 'Country Western On' - moodmode (Pixabay)- Studio partner: The Streaming Guys - thanks to their team for partnering with us and providing the soundproof podcast pod and pro recording setup. STAY FRESH. STAY KIND.

When life shifts in a big way, how do you keep building a business that can still grow, adapt and hold strong? Lisa Morey sits down with Jacqui Stevenson of Ladysmith Park Perennials and her father Brett Stevenson of Market Check to talk about resilience, family, strategy and what it really takes to build a business that lasts. From Brett’s life changing accident and the evolution of his leadership style, to Jacqui turning a gap in the Riverina market into a growing nursery and design business, this is a conversation about backing yourself, building support around you and creating something sustainable for the long haul. What you’ll take away:- Why a strong business often depends on support, delegation and shared responsibility.- How hardship can change the way you lead, think and grow a business.- Why stepping back to think strategically can improve decisions, culture and growth.- Why mentors, outside perspective and regular strategy days can make a major difference.- How to stay connected to your purpose when business feels heavy or life gets real. Links:- Guest Website: Jacqui Stevenson, Ladysmith Park Perennials - https://www.ladysmithparkperennials.com.au/ - Guest Website: Brett Stevenson, Market Check - https://marketcheck.com.au/ - Mint Agency newsletter sign up: Podcast Newsletter - https://www.mintagency.com.au/news-sign-up Credits:- Host: Lisa Morey, Founder of Mint Agency- Guest: Jacqui Stevenson, Ladysmith Park Perennials- Guest: Brett Stevenson, Market Check- Production: Podcast Expert Lab- Music: 'Country Western On' - moodmode (Pixabay)- Studio partner: The Streaming Guys - thanks to their team for partnering with us and providing the soundproof podcast pod and pro recording setup. STAY FRESH. STAY KIND.

[Trigger Warning: This episode contains honest discussions regarding baby loss and mental health.] When you’re building a charity from the ground up, how do you put the right structure in place so it can grow, stay sustainable and keep helping the people who need it most? Lisa sits down with Katie Francis (Co-Founder and President of Bloss) to talk about what it really takes to run a charity with heart and structure. From governance and fundraising to volunteers, systems, sustainability and support services, Katie shares the realities of growing a purpose-led organisation while still protecting the mission at the centre of it all. What you’ll take away:- Why charities need structure, systems and clear roles if they want to stay sustainable long term.- How Bloss grew from informal support catchups into a registered charity with governance, strategy and community reach.- Why volunteer burnout is a real risk. - Why grants are rarely as simple as people think and why fundraising, sponsorship and strong systems still matter.- Why succession planning matters in a charity, especially when the goal is to build something that lasts beyond the founding committee. Links:- Guest organisation website: Bloss - https://blossriverina.com/ - Mint Agency newsletter sign up: Podcast Newsletter - https://www.mintagency.com.au/news-sign-up - Xero accounting program: Use our affiliate link to access an exclusive discount - https://tinyurl.com/4h99fs8s - Google Workspace: Use our referral link to receive a 10% discount - https://tinyurl.com/3kayavpn - George Maher & Hamish Howard Foundation:https://www.facebook.com/GMHHGOLFDAY Credits:- Host: Lisa Morey, Founder of Mint Agency- Guest: Katie Francis, Co-Founder and President of Bloss- Production: Podcast Expert Lab- Music: 'Country Western On' - moodmode (Pixabay)- Studio partner: The Streaming Guys - thanks to their team for partnering with us and providing the soundproof podcast pod and pro recording setup. If you or someone you know needs support, please reach out to these services:Bloss: 0488 021 475 or https://blossriverina.com/ Lifeline: 13 11 14Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 STAY FRESH. STAY KIND.