What happens when a former child protection worker becomes an NDIS business owner with no business background and grows faster than expected?

In this honest and practical conversation, Stevie Lee shares how she:

• Grew from one SIL home to five in just 13 months
• Built her service around participant outcomes instead of profits
• Faced burnout and tough family sacrifices in the early days
• Put KPIs in place to track real participant progress
• Made space for staff to grow, learn and lead
• Stepped back without losing quality or control

This is not a highlight reel. It is the real story of building something meaningful and sustainable in a high-pressure sector. If you are an NDIS provider trying to grow without burning out or compromising your values, this is for you.

#NDIS #SIL #NDISBusiness #DisabilitySupport #ParticipantGoals #NDISProvider #WomenInBusiness #Leadership

Tired of cold calls and boring marketing?
Steve Dart shares how he helped a small sports brand go from unknown to Commonwealth Games legend—by launching a podcast before podcasts were cool.

In this episode, Steve reveals:

• Why building real relationships beats selling
• How LinkedIn can be your most powerful tool
• The “HOPE” strategy he uses to grow his network daily
• Why helping others first leads to unexpected success
• How to become unforgettable in your industry

Whether you're in the NDIS world or any business that relies on trust, this episode is packed with clever ideas and game-changing mindsets.

🎙️ Guest: Steve Dart
🎧 Host: Michael from Athletic Koala

🔗 Connect with Steve on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-dart

#LinkedInMarketing #NDISBusiness #SteveDart #PodcastInterview #RelationshipMarketing #BusinessGrowth #CreativeMarketing

Want to grow your NDIS business using LinkedIn? In this episode, LinkedIn strategist and NDIS consultant Con Sotidis shares proven tips to help NDIS providers get more referrals, build strong networks, and grow their business online.

You’ll learn:

• How to use LinkedIn to grow your NDIS business
• The four pillars of social selling for support providers
• How to write LinkedIn posts that attract referrals
• Why personal branding matters for NDIS providers
• How to connect with other NDIS businesses for growth
• Real examples from Con’s experience in the NDIS and disability sector

If you're an NDIS provider, support coordinator, BDM, or business owner, this podcast will show you how to use LinkedIn the right way. Discover what actually works to grow your reach, build trust, and get real results in the NDIS space.

Watch now and learn how LinkedIn can help your NDIS business grow.

In this episode, Michael speaks with James Loveday, one of the most experienced voices in the NDIS sector, about the real challenges behind disability support work.

They explore what it’s like to work in the NDIS while living with neurodiversity and mental health struggles. James shares his personal journey through burnout, addiction, and masking—along with practical ways support workers, BDMs and leaders can create safer, more supportive workplaces.

Topics covered include:

How neurodivergent support workers are affected by workplace isolation

The hidden impact of masking in the NDIS sector

Why most KPIs no longer make sense for NDIS providers

What types of events are actually worth attending

How lived experience can shape better NDIS service delivery

Why we need to focus on staff wellbeing, not just compliance

If you're an NDIS provider, business owner, BDM, or support coordinator, this is a must-watch conversation about the reality of working in disability support today.

Visit https://athletickoala.com.au
Connect with James Loveday: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-loveday-0a60b119b/

#NDIS #DisabilitySupport #SupportWorkers #Neurodiversity #MentalHealth #NDISProviders #NDISBusiness #DisabilitySector #NDISLeadership

Is growing your NDIS business always the right move?

In this honest and practical conversation, Michael speaks with Vanessa Norman, a former NDIS provider who built a successful business, then chose to walk away. They unpack the realities of scaling in the NDIS sector, from burnout and financial strain to identity loss and the pressure to look successful.

Vanessa shares the turning points that led her to leave her business, the impact on her health and family, and why helping others build sustainable, profitable NDIS businesses has become her new mission.

If you're running an NDIS business, feeling the weight of responsibility, or wondering whether it's time to shift your strategy, this episode offers real insight and grounded advice.

What You'll Learn:

Why bigger doesn’t always mean better in NDIS

How burnout can creep in without warning

The truth about referrals, results, and profitability

Letting go of shame when stepping back

What matters most when the business is gone

Vanessa now helps NDIS business owners simplify, stabilise, and refocus. Learn more at vanessanorman.com.au

#NDIS #NDISProvider #VanessaNorman #NDISCoaching #BusinessBurnout #NDISReferrals #ScalingNDIS #NDISLeadership #NDISSupport #NDISBusinessChat #MichaelFromLinkedIn

Kezia didn’t just grow fast—she did it differently. In just 15 months, she went from a solo OT to leading a thriving NDIS business with 17 staff, 80 clients, a leafy green expo garden… and zero interest in playing by boring provider rules.

In this energising and refreshingly honest episode, Kezia shares how she:

– Grew Staying Independent into a standout NDIS business
– Built an integrated outcomes model that connects support workers and allied health
– Balances business, parenting, and flipping houses
– Avoids beige branding and brings bold energy to every event
– Leads with curiosity, gratitude, and no time for whingeing

Whether you’re an NDIS provider, team leader, or just trying to figure out how to grow without losing yourself, this conversation is full of real talk, practical tips, and big laughs.

Perfect for providers who want to work smarter, lead braver, and still get home in time for Uber Eats.

Learn more about Kezia and Staying Independent: https://www.stayingindependent.com.au
Follow Kezia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keziakingston/
Tag a provider who needs to hear this!

#NDIS #NDISProvider #AlliedHealth #OccupationalTherapy #SupportWorkers #BusinessLeadership #WomenInBusiness #DisabilitySupport #Kezia #StayingIndependent #NDISAustralia #NDISBusinessTips

What really makes a family work? In this honest and funny conversation, a dad and daughter sit down to talk about what matters most—connection, tech-free time, and why weekends off might just be the dream.

From running a business and feeling burned out, to sending a simple text to your brother, this episode is packed with little reminders that relationships aren't built in a day, but they are worth building.

You'll hear about:
- Why tech-free days became something they actually love
- What work-life balance really means to a teenager
- The power of doing just one small thing today to show someone they matter

Plus, some unexpected laughs about Tic Tacs, learning Spanish, and why the bulldog might miss you most.

Stick around to the end—because the best line in the whole episode might just be:
"Throw in the towel and go camping with your daughter."

In this episode, Michael sits down with Paul Bryan—NDIS business coach and the man behind Provider X. They talk about how to grow your business without losing your sanity, and why the secret to success might be other providers.

🎯 What You’ll Hear:

✅ Why generosity (not ego) drives real business success
✅ What Paul learned from being the outsider at school
✅ How to create an NDIS culture that actually works
✅ The truth about event planning, real collaboration, and standing lunch breaks
✅ Why coaching basketball helps him lead NDIS teams better

Paul shares behind-the-scenes stories of his events, how he designs community-first spaces, and why asking “stupid” questions might be the smartest move in business.

If you’ve been looking for your people—or wondering if events are worth the travel—this episode might change your mind.

🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3sruYKcihnI94xnKmL7Rv0
📩 Follow Athletic Koala on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/athletic-koala
📩 Want to be part of the podcast or leave a voice message? Head here: https://athletickoala.com.au/add-to-the-podcast/

#NDISBusiness #PaulBryan #ProviderX #NDISCommunity #NDISLeadership #NDISGrowth #AthleticKoala #NDISProviderLife #NDISCollaboration #SmallBusinessLeadership #DisabilitySupport #NDISDirectors #NDISCulture