Building Doors with Lauren Karan Lauren Karan

Kim Kerton, aka Good Side of the Bed, is host, creator and producer of Unemployed & Afraid, a popular small business podcast for the brave self-employed with 100+ episodes, where she dives into the realities, practicalities and self-growth journey of starting a business from scratch - with the people doing it. 
 
She’s also a creative and commercially minded podcast strategist, helping brands and business owners build themselves big podcasts.
Before all that, Kim was a baby entrepreneur, creating and closing two businesses before the age of 21, who then spent over a decade in the commercial radio business.
 
She’s worked with brands like Squarespace, Queensland Tourism, Bendigo Bank, Vodafone and more, creating award winning and chart-topping brand environments, and was a recent Rising Star finalist in the Australian Podcast Awards for her own podcast Unemployed & Afraid. 
 
The unique combination of Kim’s experience as a podcast creator, celebrated interviewer, and small business owner, with her extensive commercial acumen in all things audio media, make her a strong strategic thinker and leading voice in small business growth and branded podcasting.  
In this episode we cover 
The challenge and risk involved in starting a business from scratchThe journey of self discovery as a business ownerWhy your ego hits the floor when you start out in businessNavigating uncertainty with a sprinkle of blind faithWhy it can be a lonely journey as an entrepreneur craving recognition How podcasting became her passionValuable tips and tricks on how to leverage podcasting as a branding tool for businessThe importance of a "keeping it real" voice for business owners on the journeyKim Kerton's journey from a young entrepreneur to founding a widely acclaimed podcast is a testament to her resilience and capability to learn through her journey.
Through Unemployed & Afraid, she continues to inspire and empower aspiring entrepreneurs with practical insights and heartfelt storytelling sharing stories from the people out there braving the world of founding a business. 
For more on Kim check out these links: For more on Kim check out these links: 
 
LinkedIn: Kim Kerton and Unemployed & Afraid 
Instagram: Kim Kerton and Unemployed & Afraid 
TikTok: Kim Kerton and Unemployed & Afraid  
Online: Kim Kerton and Unemployed & Afraid 
 
You can listen to Unemployed & Afraid on
Spotify
Apple
Or wherever else you get your podcasts. 
 
About your host:  
Lauren Karan, Director, and Founder of Karan & Co.
With over a decade of experience as a recruiter and development coach, Lauren Karan found that her priorities rapidly changed after the birth of her two children. In 2022 she founded Karan & Co flipping the out-dated recruitment model with a focus on retention through career coaching and development.
Lauren believes that If opportunity doesn’t knock, you have to build a door – and it’s this same philosophy that inspired her to create the Building Doors podcast.  
The Building Doors podcast is for anyone undergoing a transformation in their life. Regardless of whether you feel stuck in your current role, need some inspiration on what steps to take next, want to learn how to level up as a business owner or simply want to listen to the experiences of successful entrepreneurs and industry professionals, the Building Doors podcast is all about unlocking your potential.
 
Help someone else Build Doors in their career.
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Michael is the Chief Operating Officer for McKenzie Group Consulting, an industry leader in regulatory and compliance advisory services to the building industry, and part of the Bureau Veritas Group – a global leader in testing, inspection, and certification services. 
With a Bachelor of Applied Science in Construction Management from Queensland University of Technology and an Unrestricted Building Surveyor certification, Michael has been instrumental in delivering statutory and consulting services for some of the nation’s most significant construction projects since joining McKenzie Group in 2007.
 His tenure includes a pivotal role as the QLD State Manager from 2016 to 2022, followed by his promotion to Chief Operating Officer in 2023. 
In his current capacity, Michael spearheads a major restructure while overseeing the operations and 145 employees spread across the country.
In this episode, we delve into the journey of career progression with our guest Michael, who shares insightful perspectives on building a career through various stages within a business. 
From unexpected career paths to the pivotal role of practical experience, Michael highlights the importance of ambition, flexibility, and resilience in achieving professional success.

We cover his rise from regional through to national leadership and discuss:
Keeping an open mind in our career path How practical experience is the true indicator of career goals Why we should look beyond just a job Balancing ambition and family How we evolve as a leader through the growth and acquisition of a business How our childhood shapes our resilience in leadership The challenge of addressing industry shortages 

The podcast concludes with a discussion on self-compassion and learning from mistakes, emphasizing the importance of being kind to oneself and embracing growth opportunities in the construction industry. 
 
Michael's journey offers valuable insights into navigating the intricacies of career growth, emphasizing the importance of resilience, ambition, and adaptability in achieving professional success.
You can connect with Michael on Linked In here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-leighton
 
About your host:  
Lauren Karan, Director, and Founder of Karan & Co.
With over a decade of experience as a recruiter and development coach, Lauren Karan found that her priorities rapidly changed after the birth of her two children. In 2022 she founded Karan & Co flipping the out-dated recruitment model with a focus on retention through career coaching and development.
Lauren believes that If opportunity doesn’t knock, you have to build a door – and it’s this same philosophy that inspired her to create the Building Doors podcast.  
The Building Doors podcast is for anyone undergoing a transformation in their life. Regardless of whether you feel stuck in your current role, need some inspiration on what steps to take next, want to learn how to level up as a business owner or simply want to listen to the experiences of successful entrepreneurs and industry professionals, the Building Doors podcast is all about unlocking your potential.
 
Help someone else Build Doors in their career.
💕 Subscribe and leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts
🙏 Subscribe and leave a 5-star rating on Spotify
 
Get more help to Build Doors in your own life
🎬 Follow us on LinkedIn 
📝 Building Doors newsletter: subscribe to that
 
Want to support the show?
1. Hit ‘Follow’.     
2. Leave a 5-star rating.    
3. Share this episode with a friend (this will help the podcast get discovered by more people so they can Build Doors in their lives too).
 
Thank you for your support! It truly means a lot. 💕
 
Time to stop waiting and start building…     
In case you missed it:
You can listen to our previous episode #buildingdoorspodcast
 
👋 To say hello, provide feedback, or express interest in a guest appearance on The Building Doors Podcas

In this episode, we delve into the inspiring journey of Dominique Gill, a trailblazer in the construction industry and a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion. From her early days in construction to founding Urban Core, the first female-led construction company in Australia, Dominique shares insights into her career, challenges faced by women in the industry, and her commitment to paving the way for future generations.
Dominique Gill's career in construction spans over two decades, with nine years of experience in one of Australia's largest construction companies before she ventured to establish her own business, Urban Core, in 2016. Urban Core is breaking barriers as the first female-led construction company of its kind, reshaping the landscape of Australian construction with annual revenues exceeding $60 million and a track record of delivering hundreds of successful projects.
Dominique's dedication to diversity and inclusion in the industry is evident through her advocacy and initiatives. She is a vocal champion for women in construction, actively promoting the industry to younger generations. In 2022, she launched NexGen, a non-profit program aimed at addressing female representation in construction, which has now become a multi-state initiative empowering female leaders to inspire future generations.
With over 50 full-time staff, including a remarkable 50 percent female representation, Urban Core is expanding its footprint across three states under Dominique's leadership. She envisions further growth to challenge the prevailing notion that construction is exclusively a man's world.
Despite her demanding career, Dominique is also a devoted mother to three school-aged daughters, demonstrating that motherhood and career success are not mutually exclusive.
In this episode we talk through:
Choosing Construction as a Career: Dominique shares how she found her path in construction and challenges the stereotype of it being a male-dominated field.
Diversity and Inclusion: Addressing the image problem of construction and advocating for greater female representation in the industry.
NexGen Initiative: The inspiration behind launching NexGen and its impact on encouraging young women to pursue careers in construction.
Family and Work-life Balance: Insights from Dominique's personal experience balancing a demanding career with motherhood and the importance of switching off.
Tackling Workplace Issues: Celebrating the importance of addressing issues head-on in the workplace to foster a more inclusive and productive environment.
Dominique Gill's journey exemplifies resilience, leadership, and a commitment to driving positive change in the construction industry. As she continues to challenge stereotypes and champion diversity, her story serves as an inspiration for aspiring professionals and advocates alike.
Connect with Dominique:
Website: Urban Core http://www.urbancore.com.au
LinkedIn: Dominique Gill https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominique-gill/
NexGen Program https://www.linkedin.com/company/next-generation-construction-nexgen
About your host:  Lauren Karan, Director and Founder of Karan & Co.
With over a decade of experience as a recruiter and development coach, Lauren Karan found that her priorities rapidly changed after the birth of her two children. In 2022 she founded Karan & Co flipping the out-dated recruitment model with a focus on retention through career coaching and development.
Lauren believes that If opportunity doesn’t knock, you have to build a door – and it’s this same philosophy that inspired her to create the Building Doors podcast.  The Building Doors podcast is for anyone undergoing a transformation in their life. Regardless of whether you feel stuck in your current role, need some inspiration on what steps to take next, want to learn how to level up as a business owner or simply want to listen to the experiences of successful entrepreneurs and industry professionals, the Building Doors podcast is

Dean is a salesman that happens to also be an international best-selling author, Doctoral Candidate, holds an Executive MBA from the AGSM, has a Law Degree - and along the way became a qualified yoga teacher.  
 
He’s delivered sales performance projects in over 25 countries for companies including Coca-Cola, Oracle, NewsCorp, Commbank, Accor, Goldman Sachs, Nomura Bank, Toyota, Macquarie Bank, Canon, and he’s even consulted to the Boston Consulting Group.  
 
His primary focus is working with Sales Managers in his 8-week virtual Accelerator program, focused on the “how to” of coaching and motivating salespeople. 
 
He also works with SME clients, providing them with access to over 100 sales training programs through his online Better Sales Academy. 
 
In this episode Dean us through his journey to a love of sales and the lessons we can all take away to improve own sales performance and accelerate the performance of our team. 
 
In this episode we cover
 
·         How we can find the profit every day in business 
·         The questions we should be asking ourselves for success in sales.
·         How we can create a culture of sales in our business and focus on the right areas
·         Why we need to own our role as salespeople.
·         How we can develop a healthy expectation of failure 
·         Adopting a win learn versus win lose mentality.
·         The importance of the right physical wellness in our mental agility
 
Dean talks us through every aspect of sales in this insightful discussion and reminds us of the importance of focusing on win learn versus win lose. 
 
His laser tight focus on how we are all in the business of influence reminds us that it is within all of us to develop the right behaviours to positively impact our own sales results and that of our team. 
 
You can find more information about Dean and his program here and he’s also kindly provided some free downloadable resources below.
 
Better Sales Coach LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/bettersalescoach 
Dean Mannix LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/deanmannix
Better Sales Coach YouTube: www.youtube.com/@bettersalescoach4216
Better Sales Coach Website: www.bettersalescoach.com
 
Free Stuff…
Sales Growth Blueprint Download: www.bettersalescoach.com
Free Sales Training: www.bettersalescoach.com
 
About your host:    
Lauren Karan, Director and Founder of Karan & Co.  
With over a decade of experience as a recruiter and development coach, Lauren Karan found that her priorities rapidly changed after the birth of her two children. In 2022 she founded Karan & Co flipping the out-dated recruitment model with a focus on retention through career coaching and development.  
Lauren believes that If opportunity doesn’t knock, you have to build a door – and it’s this same philosophy that inspired her to create the Building Doors podcast.  The Building Doors podcast is for anyone undergoing a transformation in their life. Regardless of whether you feel stuck in your current role, need some inspiration on what steps to take next, want to learn how to level up as a business owner or simply want to listen to the experiences of successful entrepreneurs and industry professionals, the Building Doors podcast is all about unlocking your potential.  
Help someone else Build Doors in their career
 
💕 Subscribe and leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts  
🙏 Subscribe and leave a 5-star rating on Spotify  
 Get more help to Build Doors in your own life
 
  🎬 Follow us on LinkedIn  
📝 Building Doors newsletter: subscribe to that
 
Want to support the show?
 
1. Hit ‘Follow’.       
  2. Leave a 5-star rating.      
  3. Share this episode with a friend (this will help the podcast get discovered by more people so they can Build Doors in their lives too).   
Thank you for your support! It truly means a lot. 💕      
  Time

Sara Harrup is a visionary leader with a diverse career, from managing a homeless shelter to becoming a transformative CEO. 
Her journey showcases resilience and an unwavering commitment to helping others.
Sara works with people and organisations to gain deep insights about who they are and how to reach their potential. 
She has held multiple board and executive roles in for purpose, private and ASX companies. 
Sara’s lived the many complexities, nuances and challenges involved in leading organisations and has been supporting C Suite and Senior Executives as an Executive Coach since 2014. 
In this empowering episode, we sit down with Sara Harrup to explore a myriad of topics that delve deep into personal growth, professional development, and navigating life's challenges. 
In this episode you’ll learn more around how you can champion empathy and emotional intelligence in your own life. 
You’ll also walk away with a fresh approach on how you can redefine success and the power your own compassion can have in creating purposeful impact in the world. 
Leaving no stone unturned with Sara we cover:
Embracing the power of your own narrative and how it shapes your journey.Understanding your strengths and finding your niche Finding the silver lining in our challenging experiences and turning them into valuable lessons.How we are always either moving towards growth or away from it.How identifying personal values helps in finding the right professional fit.The importance of making decisions based on integrity rather than seeking popularity.Insights into building and sustaining a fulfilling and happy relationships.Releasing guilt and prioritising our personal fulfillment.Practical tips for preventing burnout and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
Sara's personal account of facing breast cancer and navigating single parenthood and how it fostered greater accountability gives us insight into navigating our own life challenges. 
Her candid discussions around gender norms in household work distribution as well as emotional maturity in relationships gives us food for thought about the standards we accept in our own lives. 
Sara's shares her perspective on justice and how it serves as her internal compass and takes us through the complexities of ADHD diagnosis and discovery.
Tune in for an inspiring and candid conversation with Sara Harrup as she shares her wisdom on living authentically, not being afraid to “call it out” and living with courage to embrace the challenges that come our way.
You can connect with Sara Harrup and learn more about her coaching programs and insights for executive leaders here.
About your host:  
Lauren Karan, Director and Founder of Karan & Co.
With over a decade of experience as a recruiter and development coach, Lauren Karan found that her priorities rapidly changed after the birth of her two children. In 2022 she founded Karan & Co flipping the out-dated recruitment model with a focus on retention through career coaching and development.
Lauren believes that If opportunity doesn’t knock, you have to build a door – and it’s this same philosophy that inspired her to create the Building Doors podcast.  The Building Doors podcast is for anyone undergoing a transformation in their life. Regardless of whether you feel stuck in your current role, need some inspiration on what steps to take next, want to learn how to level up as a business owner or simply want to listen to the experiences of successful entrepreneurs and industry professionals, the Building Doors podcast is all about unlocking your potential.
Help someone else Build Doors in their career

💕 Subscribe and leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts
🙏 Subscribe and leave a 5-star rating on Spotify
 Get more help to Build Doors in your own life

  🎬 Follow us on LinkedIn
📝 Building Doors newsletter: subscribe to that

Want to support the show?

1. Hit ‘Follow’.     
  2. Leave a 5-star rating.   

Phillip Di Bella is a Director at the Di Bella Group of Companies.
Phil’s secret sauce is that he has the unique ability to visualise and commercialise what others may never see. He doesn’t just build businesses- he builds communities. 
Though initially known for the establishment of Di Bella Coffee, which became Australia’s largest speciality coffee company, Phillip’s entrepreneurial spirit has brought success to other businesses such as International Coffee Traders, Abbotsford Road Specialty Coffee in New York, and more recently The Coffee Commune.
Not satisfied with simply focusing on building his own successful businesses, Phillip has dedicated much of his time to supporting the growth and development of other businesses.  Often referred to as an “Entrepreneur in Residence”, Phillip regularly lends his strategic thinking to businesses such as BDO Consulting, helping their clients overcome challenges, see new opportunities, and then supporting the commercialisation of these solutions. 
Phillip has further extended his commitment to the coaching and mentoring of other businesses through the establishment of The Coffee Commune - a business dedicated to the long term development, sustainability and success of the broader coffee industry for all participants. Through The Coffee Commune Phillip enthusiastically shares his experience and knowledge of the coffee industry and continues his passion for encouraging improvement and inspiration in others.
In this episode we delve into:
Choosing Your Brand in Business: The importance of emotional engagement in branding.Gratitude from humble beginnings: Reflecting on the journey from migrant to successful entrepreneur.Work-Life "Harmony": Why work-life balance is a myth and why harmony is a more realistic goal.Leadership Styles: Insights into different leadership styles in various business contexts.Strengths and Relationships: Understanding your strengths and shadow selves to improve relationships.Loyalty and Appreciation: Are people loyal to you or the need for you? The significance of showing appreciation in personal and professional relationships.Phil Di Bella reminds us the importance of leading with our values, the power of community and how we should all continue to express gratitude for the moments and memories  shared with those we love the most.
You can learn more about Phil Di Bella's community the Coffee Commune here.About your host:  
Lauren Karan, Director and Founder of Karan & Co.
With over a decade of experience as a recruiter and development coach, Lauren Karan found that her priorities rapidly changed after the birth of her two children. In 2022 she founded Karan & Co flipping the out-dated recruitment model with a focus on retention through career coaching and development.
Lauren believes that If opportunity doesn’t knock, you have to build a door – and it’s this same philosophy that inspired her to create the Building Doors podcast.  The Building Doors podcast is for anyone undergoing a transformation in their life. Regardless of whether you feel stuck in your current role, need some inspiration on what steps to take next, want to learn how to level up as a business owner or simply want to listen to the experiences of successful entrepreneurs and industry professionals, the Building Doors podcast is all about unlocking your potential.
Help someone else Build Doors in their career  
💕 Subscribe and leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts🙏 Subscribe and leave a 5-star rating on Spotify  
 Get more help to Build Doors in your own life   🎬 Follow us on LinkedIn📝 Building Doors newsletter: subscribe to that Want to support the show?    
1. Hit ‘Follow’.       2. Leave a 5-star rating.       3. Share this episode with a friend (this will help the podcast get discovered by more people so they can Build Doors in their lives too). Thank you for your support! It truly means a lot. 💕       Time to st