It’s refreshing to hear the raw and honest truth about what it really takes to build a successful business. In this episode of The Thriving Business Podcast, host Kate De Jong sits down with serial entrepreneur and systems wizard Eddie Zhang, founder of Zhamatix, to unpack his rollercoaster journey from a disillusioned corporate worker to a five-times business founder.

From selling viral charcoal masks to launching a lean consultancy that “supercharges productivity” for small businesses and SMEs, Eddie shares real stories, raw lessons, and honest truths that every business owner can benefit from. What we loved was his honesty around the business failures he’s made, and how he’s learned from those to create a thriving consulting enterprise here in Subiaco, WA — Zhamatix.

Eddie observed that scaling businesses is tough, especially when technology, people, and processes don’t play nicely together. Many SMEs don’t have in-house expertise to navigate a digital transformation, “leaving them stuck in a cycle of manual tasks, wasted time, and dissatisfied employees and annoyed customers as a result”. And this is where Zhamatix steps in to help businesses implement systems that are “smart, seamless and slick”. They’re practical, innovative and future-proof – “the kind that make a real impact.”

If you’ve ever hit a wall in your entrepreneurial journey, or wondered how to bounce back from failure with more fire and wisdom, this episode can give you some key insights from someone who’s built a successful business from the ground up. We hope you benefit from Eddie’s wisdom and the key lessons he’s learned along the way.

Highlights

Eddie shares his stories of:

• A bold first leap into creative services straight out of school in Singapore.
• Building custom fishing rods for niche Aussie markets.
• Riding the e-commerce wave with viral beauty products.
• The rise (and fall) of Fidgety Australia.
• The birth of Zhamatix, a consultancy that’s breaking the rules in the best way.

Hard Lessons That Hit Home
From failed partnerships and knockoff competitors to ego clashes and emotional decision-making, Eddie doesn’t hold back on the mistakes he made—and the growth that came from them.

What Makes Matics Different
Eddie explains how his consultancy strips out the red tape to deliver fast, functional, and fun process improvements for organisations craving real change.

What’s Next
Eddie teases not one—but three—new projects in the pipeline, including a product-based business, a subscription model, and a secret fashion venture. Did we mention he’s a “serial entrepreneur”?!

To learn more about Zhamatix, go to https://www.zhamatix.com/

Listen now. Learn more. Grow faster!

Connect with the Hosts:

Kate De Jong, PhD | Inspired Business

Website: https://katedejong.com/

Instagram: katedejong.inspiredbusiness

Email: kate@katedejong.com

Sam Morris | The Business Implementor

Website: https://thebusinessimplementor.com/

Instagram: sammorris.businesscoach

Email: sam@thebusinessimplementor.com

• Global credibility expert and executive coach
• Two-time TEDx speaker
• Author of 65+ books
• Publisher of 750+ books through four different publishing companies
• Has started 20+ companies
• Former board member of a NASDAQ firm
• 38 years in Silicon Valley, 36 years married, father to a 26-year-old son

• Mitchell views books as valuable assets that open doors for speaking, consulting, and coaching
• Books serve three purposes:
  1. A thought leadership piece (even if people don't read it)
  2. A way for clients to understand your step-by-step process
  3. Forces you to think about the world differently

• After seeing book publishing becoming democratised, Mitchell explored what authors really wanted: Credibility
• Conducted interviews with 500 thought leaders between 2019-2020 on credibility
• Created a new definition: "Credibility is the quality in which you're trusted, known, and liked"
• Identified 10 values of credibility, with integrity being the only value that appears twice
  • External integrity: what you say to the world
  • Internal integrity: how you actually act

• Having clarity about who you serve and how you help them is crucial for effective marketing
• A well-articulated CPOP helps you stand out and attract the right clients
• Consistency in showing up with credibility builds trust and reputation
• Focus on building authentic connections rather than chasing numbers
• Accountability partners help ensure you stay focused on your purpose

• Mitchell's website: mitchelllevy.com
• Social Compliment: socialcompliment.com
• Mitchell's TEDx talk: "We're Losing Our Humanity, I'm Tired of Watching It Happen"

In our latest episode of the Thriving Business Podcast, Kate was honoured to sit down with James Bryden, Emotional Intelligence (EQ) expert and creator of the ‘Wisdumb’ Model. In our humble opinion, ‘Wisdumb’ is the greatest gift you can give yourself, your business and the people in your life — and in this episode we discuss how you can cultivate it.

After a career as a footballer, eventually becoming Head Coach of an Indonesian soccer team and reaching ‘celebrity status’ in South East Asia, James then went on to become a business owner. After experiencing a devastating bankruptcy, James had to dig deep to learn more about himself and how to develop and manage others. He embarked on a mission to understand the role of self-awareness and emotional intelligence in developing people, both individually and in team environments, to create thriving workplace cultures, develop and retain good employees, and boost overall productivity and business profitability.

James shares some great nuggest of wisdom that we know you’ll enjoy! If you want to achieve higher levels of fulfilment and success in business and life, don’t miss this episode.

Highlights:

• A dive into James' background and his lifelong learning journey—from his struggles in school to becoming a leader in Emotional Intelligence (EQ).
• James shares the power of the Harrison Assessment and how it’s helped countless businesses to better understand their teams and unlock staff potential.
• Understanding how individuals display different behaviours in the workplace that impact team dynamics and productivity.
• Why a positive workplace culture is crucial for employee retention and overall business success, and the key elements to creating psychological safety so all can thrive.
• James reveals his new "WisDumb Model" and its incredible potential in reshaping business culture.
• The key to fostering loyalty and reducing turnover in today’s competitive work environment.
  
  
  

To get a copy of James’ eBook THE WISDUMB WAY, go to this link: https://productivitycoach.com.au/ebook/the-wisdumb-way/

If you found today’s episode insightful, don’t forget to subscribe to the Thriving Business Podcast so you never miss an episode!

Want to hear more from James? Drop us a comment or leave a review with your thoughts. Tune in now!

Did you know that almost half of all small businesses in Australia have experienced a cyber attack of some kind in the last year, and the average cost of those attacks is $40,000 AUD?

In this episode of the Thriving Business Podcast, hosts Kate De Jong and Sam Morris welcome Peter Treneman from GroupSupport IT to discuss the critical role of IT and cybersecurity in small business. Together they explore the necessity of consistent data backups, the value of building a relationship with IT professionals and the ongoing rise of cyber attacks that are crippling small businesses across Australia. Through real-life case studies, Peter shares some of the critical ways you can protect your business from expensive disruptions to ultimately safeguard your operations and reputation.

Takeaways:

• Good IT service providers can liberate business owners from the burden of IT at an affordable cost.
• Backing up data is crucial for protecting your intellectual property and operations.
• Google and Microsoft have limitations in data recovery.
• Investing in IT support can save significant time and money in the long run.
• Small businesses are often targets for cyber attacks.
• Cybersecurity is not just a nice-to-have these days; it’s essential.
• The Essential Eight framework provides a baseline for cybersecurity in your business.
• Many businesses underestimate the cost of data breaches.
• Building a relationship with IT professionals is vital.
• Budgeting for IT security is a necessary investment.

For more information, please go to these links:

Essential 8 Framework for Cybersecurity

https://www.cyber.gov.au/resources-business-and-government/essential-cybersecurity/essential-eight/essential-eight-explained

Practical tips to protect your business

https://www.cyber.gov.au/learn-basics

Connect with the Hosts:

Kate De Jong, PhD | Inspired Business

Website: https://katedejong.com/

Instagram: katedejong.inspiredbusiness

Email: kate@katedejong.com

Sam Morris | The Business Implementor

Website: https://thebusinessimplementor.com/

Instagram: sammorris.businesscoach

Email: sam@thebusinessimplementor.com

This week, Kate sat down with Louise Matson, founder of the iconic shoe brand ‘Louise M Shoes’ to discuss her journey from a seasoned flight attendant to creating a successful and exquisite line of shoes tailored specifically for airline crew and corporate women, combining both comfort and style. Louise shares her experiences in the shoe industry, the art and science behind authentic shoe making and the challenges of an online retail business. The conversation delved into the impact of COVID-19 on retail, the importance of carefully choosing business partnerships, and her recent decision to change tack in business altogether.

Kate and Louise explore the signs that tell you it’s time to change direction, touching on the transition from direct sales to B2B opportunities, the importance of authenticity in marketing, and the power of acknowledging your progress and achievements. Louise shares the relief of letting go of certain business pressures, the excitement of new opportunities, and the lessons learned throughout her extensive entrepreneurial journey; including the fact that changing direction is not a failure but a part of the entrepreneurial journey.

Highlights:

• Louise's journey began as a flight attendant struggling to find suitable shoes that were both comfortable and stylish.
• Navigating the challenges of the shoe industry requires innovation and resilience.
• Shoe making is both an art and a science, requiring attention to detail.
• Business partnerships must be aligned in vision and goals.
• Finding joy in business is essential for long-term success.
• Transitioning from B2C to B2B can open new opportunities.
• Letting go of certain business pressures can lead to personal relief and positive change across the board.
• New opportunities lead to exciting ventures.
• And lots more!

To learn more about Louise M shoes go to: https://www.louisemshoes.com

Connect with the Hosts:

Kate De Jong, PhD | Inspired Business

Website: https://katedejong.com/

Instagram: katedejong.inspiredbusiness

Email: kate@katedejong.com

Sam Morris | The Business Implementor

Website: https://thebusinessimplementor.com/

Instagram: sammorris.businesscoach

Email: sam@thebusinessimplementor.com

In episode 47 of the Thriving Business podcast, Sam and I discuss the unique business planning processes we’ve implemented for 2025. After nearly a decade of experimenting with different business planning methods and approaches, we’ve both come up with our own approaches: both a little different, but powerful. Our hope is that our insights inspires you to think differently this year also, with the intention to grow and expand more than ever before.

Highlights:

• Navigating Major Life Changes: Kate opens up about her emotional life journey of divorce in 2024 and the challenges of transitioning to a new way of life with her children.
• A Unique Approach to Business Planning: After a decade of experimenting with different business planning techniques, both Kate and Sam discuss the unique approaches they’ve developed to create solid business plans for 2025.
• Quiet Confidence: Both Kate and Sam reflect on the deep, internal confidence they have finally cultivated, allowing them to embrace their true strengths and grow in their businesses.
• And lots more!

Tune in for an inspiring conversation about resilience, clarity, and embracing change in both business and life.

Connect with the Hosts:

Kate De Jong, PhD | Inspired Business

Website: https://katedejong.com/

Instagram: katedejong.inspiredbusiness

Email: kate@katedejong.com

Sam Morris | The Business Implementor

Website: https://thebusinessimplementor.com/

Instagram: sammorris.businesscoach

Email: sam@thebusinessimplementor.com

In this episode, hosts Sam and Kate were honoured to interview Matthew Wyatt, founder of Tech Torque and an expert in helping software and technology companies scale through strategy, sales, and marketing. With over 25 years of entrepreneurial experience, including starting 10 successful businesses, running 4 national companies and two international organisations, Matt shares his incredible journey from selling vacuum cleaners door-to-door at age 17 to creating and scaling several multi-million-dollar companies.

Matt discusses the power of resilience and training in sales, how modern businesses need to evolve their strategies to meet the demands of today’s buyers, and the mindset shift he experienced from chasing financial success to focusing on lifestyle and family. He also emphasises the importance of learning from failures and treating marketing campaigns as "hypotheses" — testing, learning, and iterating for better results.

Key Takeaways:

• The critical role of training and resilience in sales success.
• The importance of adapting sales strategies to modern buying behaviors.
• Why hands-on experience often trumps formal education in the business world.
• The mindset shift from chasing financial goals to prioritising lifestyle and family.
• And lots more!

Listen to this inspiring episode packed with practical advice and insights from a seasoned entrepreneur who’s learned to evolve, grow, and thrive in the ever-changing world of business.

To learn more about Matt’s work, go here: https://techtorque.com.au/

Connect with the Hosts:

Kate De Jong, PhD | Inspired Business

Website: https://katedejong.com/

Instagram: katedejong.inspiredbusiness

Email: kate@katedejong.com

Sam Morris | The Business Implementor

Website: https://thebusinessimplementor.com/

Instagram: sammorris.businesscoach

Email: sam@thebusinessimplementor.com

In this latest episode, Kate was honoured to sit down with Elizabeth (Elle) Hack, founder of The Canine Care Hub and author of the bestselling book “Fetch More Clients: Effectively Market and Grow Your Canine Business in 6 Weeks”.

Elle was a client of Kate’s back in 2020, just before the COVID lockdown, when Elle was first starting her business. Elle has since gone on to grow a thriving business dedicated to helping dog grooming and dog care businesses to establish a loyal customer base. Her mission is “to help canine specialists thrive by taking the pain and stress out of running a profitable, successful and fulfilling dog business.” Elle’s story highlights the power of focusing on a specific niche, especially one you’re personally passionate about.

The two discussed Elizabeth's journey from just a business idea to a successful coaching platform for dog professionals. The conversation covers key growth strategies including the importance of local marketing and the value of community engagement. Elizabeth shares insights on pricing, client acquisition, and her experience in publishing her book, emphasising the need for authenticity and connection in business.

Takeaways

• Canine Care Hub's origin
  Canine Care Hub was conceived during the lockdown as a brainstorming session, allowing Elizabeth to turn a challenging time into an opportunity to help others in the dog care industry.
• Local marketing and niche focus
  Local marketing is often more effective than broad online strategies, and narrowing your niche helps forge stronger connections with clients, ensuring a more tailored and impactful approach to business growth.
• Importance of pricing with value
  Elizabeth stresses knowing your worth when setting prices, ensuring that services reflect the true value provided while maintaining financial sustainability for dog care professionals.
• Managing overwhelm with time boxing
  Time boxing is a powerful tool that helps manage overwhelm by allotting specific periods to focus on key tasks, improving productivity and preventing burnout in a busy business environment.
• Building a community in dog care
  Creating a supportive community for dog care professionals is essential for sharing knowledge, fostering collaboration, and providing mutual support in a competitive and challenging industry.

To learn more about Elle’s work, go to: https://caninecarehub.com/

To get her book, go to: https://www.amazon.com/Fetch-More-Clients-Effectively-Business/dp/1068737905

Connect with the Hosts:

Kate De Jong, PhD | Inspired Business

Website: https://katedejong.com/

Instagram: katedejong.inspiredbusiness

Email: kate@katedejong.com

Sam Morris | The Business Implementor

Website: https://thebusinessimplementor.com/

Instagram: sammorris.businesscoach

Email: sam@thebusinessimplementor.com