The Family in Business Podcast

Metropole Mastermind
  • 5.0 (14)
  • MANAGEMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

"For families who build businesses, and businesses that strengthen families” Running a business with family is one of the most rewarding things you can do. It's also one of the hardest. The Family in Business podcast is for Australian family business owners who want to grow a thriving, profitable business together - without letting it strain the relationships that matter most. Each week, hosts Mark and Caroline Creedon share honest conversations, practical strategies, and real-world insights drawn from over three decades of experience helping family businesses across Australia grow, scale, and plan for the future. Whether you're just starting to bring family into the business, trying to scale without burning out, navigating the tricky dynamics of working with a spouse or a sibling, or thinking seriously about succession and passing things on to the next generation - this show is built for you. Mark and Caroline cover the full family business journey: building systems that give you back your time, having the conversations most families avoid, creating a business that can run without you, and building wealth that carries across generations. This isn't a podcast about business in theory. It's about what actually works when the people around the boardroom table are also the people around the dinner table. Subscribe now and join a tribe of Australian family business owners keen to build something that lasts.

  1. How to Stop Business Arguments From Damaging Your Relationship

    3 DAYS AGO

    How to Stop Business Arguments From Damaging Your Relationship

    Most family business owners don’t struggle with strategy. They struggle with what happens when strategy turns into tension. Because when you’re in business with someone you love. a simple disagreement doesn’t stay in the boardroom. It follows you home. In this episode, Mark and Caroline unpack what’s really going on when business conversations become personal, and why it’s not actually a communication issue at all. It’s a structure problem. If you’ve ever walked away from a conversation feeling frustrated, misunderstood, or like things got more personal than they should have, this episode will show you how to shift from reactive conflict to structured conversations that protect both your business and your relationship. In today's podcast you’ll discover: 00:02 – What most family business disputes are really about02:31 – “Same person, different hat” and how it stops conversations turning personal04:29 – The 3-step framework to keep business conflict out of your relationship08:07 – How to turn disagreements into progress instead of tension11:45 – The groundwork you must set before conflict happens

    11 min
  2. Why Your Family Business Keeps Relying On You For Everything

    28 APR

    Why Your Family Business Keeps Relying On You For Everything

    Here’s something a lot of family business owners probably don’t want to hear. If your team keeps coming to you with every little problem, there’s a fair chance you’ve played a part in creating that. Not because you’re doing a bad job. But because somewhere along the way, you may have trained them to need you. In this episode, Mark and Caroline talk about problem ownership, over-instructing, and what happens when business owners are so involved in everything that their team stops thinking for themselves. There’s even a name for it. It’s called learned helplessness. And once you see it, you start noticing it everywhere. The decisions that keep landing on your desk. The questions your team should be able to answer. The jobs that don’t move forward unless you push them along. The good news is, fixing it doesn’t mean blowing up the way you run your business. It starts with a few simple shifts in how you lead, how you respond, and how clearly you communicate what success actually looks like. Because the goal was never to build a business that needs you for every decision. It was to build one that can keep moving, even when you’re not standing in the middle of it. In today's podcast you’ll discover: 01:29 – How over-instructing quietly trains your team to stop thinking05:19 – What learned helplessness actually looks like in a family business07:17 – How to create ownership without micromanaging09:03 – Why your reaction to mistakes is shaping your entire culture12:20 – The hidden cost of unclear expectations in your business14:53 – How to build a true culture of ownership (not just talk about it)17:55 – The fastest way to know if you’re the bottleneck ---------- About the Families in Business Podcast The Families in Business podcast is for family business owners who want to grow a thriving business together, without sacrificing the relationships that matter most. Each week, Mark and Caroline Creedon bring you honest conversations about the real challenges and opportunities that come with running a business as a family - from scaling and systems, to succession planning, to making sure the business serves your life and not the other way around. Whether you're in the early growth phase or thinking about passing the business on to the next generation, this podcast will give you practical strategies and a fresh perspective on the family business journey. ---------- About Your Hosts Mark and Caroline Creedon are business coaches with over three decades of hands-on experience helping Australian business owners build companies that give them more time, money and freedom. They understand the unique dynamics of running a business with family - because they live it themselves. ---------- Subscribe for More New episodes drop every week. Subscribe so you never miss practical advice on growing your family business, planning for the future, and building something that lasts. ---------- Enjoyed this episode? If this episode resonated with you, please leave a comment or review. It helps other family business owners find the show and join the conversation.

    18 min
  3. In a Family Business, Referrals Are Your Reputation, Here’s How To Get More of Them

    21 APR

    In a Family Business, Referrals Are Your Reputation, Here’s How To Get More of Them

    Most family businesses are built on trust, relationships, and reputation. That’s why referrals play such a big role in how they grow. But even though referrals are heavily relied on, they’re rarely managed intentionally. Too many business owners assume that doing great work will naturally lead to more referrals. And while that might happen occasionally, it’s not consistent, predictable, or scalable. In this episode, Mark and Caroline unpack why referrals don’t just “happen”, especially in family businesses where relationships matter more, and what to do instead. They walk through a simple five-step referral process designed to remove the awkwardness, improve timing, and make it easy for clients to refer to the right people at the right time. From setting expectations early in the relationship, to recognising the right moment to ask, to making the process effortless to follow through, this framework turns referrals into something you can rely on, not just hope for. If your business depends on word-of-mouth but lacks a clear system behind it, this episode gives you a practical way to take control, while strengthening the reputation your business is built on. In today's podcast you’ll discover: 00:54 – Why referrals should be treated as a privilege, especially in relationship-driven businesses04:18 – How to set expectations early so referrals feel natural later07:27 – The importance of timing and how to recognise the right moment to ask10:00 – How to acknowledge client wins in a way that opens the door to referrals12:21 – How to ask for referrals so it feels simple, specific, and easy to say yes to14:27 – Making the referral process effortless so clients actually follow through15:49 – The key factor that determines whether a referral actually happens Resources Get more referrals with our 5-step system plus a powerful hidden 6th step. Join us live on Friday 8 May at 10am Brisbane time at mastermindzoom.com.au (limited spots available).

    17 min
  4. The Family Business Leadership Framework That Separates Focused Leaders From Frantic Ones

    14 APR

    The Family Business Leadership Framework That Separates Focused Leaders From Frantic Ones

    There are hundreds of things you could be doing in your business. More marketing. A new offer. A different lead source. Another platform to try. And so you pick the easiest thing, the quick win, and wonder why nothing seems to change. The problem isn't effort. It's direction. In this episode, Mark Creedon shares the simple framework he uses with business owners who are stuck, scattered, and frustrated by inconsistent results. It won't overwhelm you. It won't add more to your plate. But it will show you exactly where to point your energy — so that what you do next actually moves the needle. If you've ever felt like you're working hard but not getting anywhere, this one's for you. In today's podcast you’ll discover: 01:22 – The real reason quick wins keep you busy but never build momentum03:15 – How to identify the one thing in your business that deserves your full attention right now06:40 – The clarity exercise that makes your target market obvious, and your marketing sharper09:05 – How to stop spreading yourself thin and finally get traction in one place10:45 – The conversion mistake most business owners don't realise they're making11:30 – Why the timeframe you commit to matters just as much as the actions you take12:55 – A simple prioritisation tool that helps you and your team always know what to tackle next ---------- About the Families in Business Podcast The Families in Business podcast is for family business owners who want to grow a thriving business together, without sacrificing the relationships that matter most. Each week, Mark and Caroline Creedon bring you honest conversations about the real challenges and opportunities that come with running a business as a family - from scaling and systems, to succession planning, to making sure the business serves your life and not the other way around. Whether you're in the early growth phase or thinking about passing the business on to the next generation, this podcast will give you practical strategies and a fresh perspective on the family business journey. ---------- About Your Hosts Mark and Caroline Creedon are business coaches with over three decades of hands-on experience helping Australian business owners build companies that give them more time, money and freedom. They understand the unique dynamics of running a business with family - because they live it themselves. ---------- Subscribe for More New episodes drop every week. Subscribe so you never miss practical advice on growing your family business, planning for the future, and building something that lasts. ---------- Enjoyed this episode? If this episode resonated with you, please leave a comment or review. It helps other family business owners find the show and join the conversation.

    15 min
  5. The Leadership Framework That Actually Moves Your Business Forward

    7 APR

    The Leadership Framework That Actually Moves Your Business Forward

    If your business is doing well, why does it still feel like a grind? You’ve got the team. The clients. The product. On paper, everything looks solid. But behind the scenes, things feel heavier than they should, and no matter how hard you push, it’s not quite clicking. So what do most business owners do? They work harder. Do more. Take things back off the team. And that’s exactly what keeps them stuck. In this episode, Mark Creedon breaks down his five-part project leadership framework that creates clarity, alignment, and real momentum. It starts with one question most owners avoid, what does success actually look like? From there, you’ll learn how to create real ownership across your team, set milestones that actually drive progress, build a communication rhythm that keeps everyone aligned, and identify the risks before they become real problems. If your business feels harder than it should, this is the framework that fixes it. In today's podcast you’ll discover: 00:36 – The “two-hand syndrome” that turns you into the ceiling of your business04:04 – The one question Mark asks every client before anything else (and why most avoid it)07:00 – The hiring mistake that feels right, but keeps your business stuck08:53 – The missing piece that quietly keeps business owners off track10:27 – The silent problem that’s breaking alignment across your team13:20 – How to spot what’s about to derail your progress, before it actually does ---------- About the Families in Business Podcast The Families in Business podcast is for family business owners who want to grow a thriving business together, without sacrificing the relationships that matter most. Each week, Mark and Caroline Creedon bring you honest conversations about the real challenges and opportunities that come with running a business as a family - from scaling and systems, to succession planning, to making sure the business serves your life and not the other way around. Whether you're in the early growth phase or thinking about passing the business on to the next generation, this podcast will give you practical strategies and a fresh perspective on the family business journey. ---------- About Your Hosts Mark and Caroline Creedon are business coaches with over three decades of hands-on experience helping Australian business owners build companies that give them more time, money and freedom. They understand the unique dynamics of running a business with family - because they live it themselves. ---------- Subscribe for More New episodes drop every week. Subscribe so you never miss practical advice on growing your family business, planning for the future, and building something that lasts. ---------- Enjoyed this episode? If this episode resonated with you, please leave a comment or review. It helps other family business owners find the show and join the conversation.

    17 min
  6. When Your Business Feels Like Stress, Here’s What Needs to Change

    31 MAR

    When Your Business Feels Like Stress, Here’s What Needs to Change

    Remember when your business felt simple? You can scale without losing that. Scaling a business should give you freedom, not chain you to endless responsibilities. But too many business owners find themselves buried under decision fatigue, team dependency, and lifestyle pressures. In this episode, Mark and Caroline break down why success often creates stress. You’ll learn how to stop being the bottleneck, build systems that grow with your business, and reclaim the freedom you envisioned when you first started. This isn’t about working harder. It’s about working smarter with decision frameworks, accountability structures, and leadership layers that let your business thrive without you carrying all the weight. Freedom in business isn’t about shrinking back to the “good old days.” It’s about building systems that let you scale without stress. This conversation gives you the tools to stop being the bottleneck, empower your team, and finally enjoy the lifestyle you set out to create. Listen in, and take the first step toward having a business, not just a job. In today's podcast you’ll discover: 00:36 – Why growing businesses outgrow their systems (and how founders become the bottleneck)05:00 – What happens when you scale without upgrading your systems07:42 – Why going “back to simple” is the wrong move10:27 – How decision frameworks and accountability create real freedom13:20 – How to build processes that run without you15:16 – What it actually takes to step out of the day-to-day without losing control ---------- About the Families in Business Podcast The Families in Business podcast is for family business owners who want to grow a thriving business together, without sacrificing the relationships that matter most. Each week, Mark and Caroline Creedon bring you honest conversations about the real challenges and opportunities that come with running a business as a family - from scaling and systems, to succession planning, to making sure the business serves your life and not the other way around. Whether you're in the early growth phase or thinking about passing the business on to the next generation, this podcast will give you practical strategies and a fresh perspective on the family business journey. ---------- About Your Hosts Mark and Caroline Creedon are business coaches with over three decades of hands-on experience helping Australian business owners build companies that give them more time, money and freedom. They understand the unique dynamics of running a business with family - because they live it themselves. ---------- Subscribe for More New episodes drop every week. Subscribe so you never miss practical advice on growing your family business, planning for the future, and building something that lasts. ---------- Enjoyed this episode? If this episode resonated with you, please leave a comment or review. It helps other family business owners find the show and join the conversation.

    17 min
  7. The Leadership Mistake Costing You Growth

    23 MAR

    The Leadership Mistake Costing You Growth

    Your team isn’t the problem. But it’s easy to think they are. They’re not stepping up or taking ownership and not doing things the way you would. So you start questioning the team, their capability, their attitude, their commitment. But what if the real issue isn’t them? What if it’s how you’re leading them? In this episode of Mastermind for Business, Mark and Caroline break down the shift most business owners avoid, moving from blaming the team to taking responsibility for the environment you’ve created. Because your team can only perform at the level of clarity you give them. If they don’t understand the direction they can’t take ownership. If they don’t see the bigger picture they’ll stay stuck in the day-to-day. And that’s where frustration starts. This episode unpacks how perspective shapes leadership, why context matters more than perks, and how aligning your team with the bigger picture changes everything. If you’ve ever thought, “Why aren’t they stepping up?” This episode will flip that question and change how you lead. In today's podcast you’ll discover: 00:29 – Why leadership challenges often stem from misaligned perspectives, not weak team members02:22 – Sharing direction and context to transform accountability and engagement03:40 – How the overlap between strategy and day-to-day tasks creates the “magic middle” where growth happens06:55 – Why leaders must share not just goals, but the bigger “why” behind them09:11 – Investing in your team the right way11:24 – How team members can shift identity and mindset to rise to new challenges13:23 – How offering internal opportunities can reveal hidden talent and drive engagement ---------- About the Families in Business Podcast The Families in Business podcast is for family business owners who want to grow a thriving business together, without sacrificing the relationships that matter most. Each week, Mark and Caroline Creedon bring you honest conversations about the real challenges and opportunities that come with running a business as a family - from scaling and systems, to succession planning, to making sure the business serves your life and not the other way around. Whether you're in the early growth phase or thinking about passing the business on to the next generation, this podcast will give you practical strategies and a fresh perspective on the family business journey. ---------- About Your Hosts Mark and Caroline Creedon are business coaches with over three decades of hands-on experience helping Australian business owners build companies that give them more time, money and freedom. They understand the unique dynamics of running a business with family - because they live it themselves. ---------- Subscribe for More New episodes drop every week. Subscribe so you never miss practical advice on growing your family business, planning for the future, and building something that lasts. ---------- Enjoyed this episode? If this episode resonated with you, please leave a comment or review. It helps other family business owners find the show and join the conversation.

    16 min
  8. Why Scaling Your Business Gets Harder When You Won’t Let Go

    16 MAR

    Why Scaling Your Business Gets Harder When You Won’t Let Go

    Running a business can quietly become a trap. What starts as freedom slowly turns into longer days, constant pressure, and the feeling that everything still depends on you. Most business owners know they should delegate… but the fear of losing control keeps them doing work they shouldn’t be touching anymore. And that’s exactly where growth stalls. In this episode, Mark and Caroline unpack one of the most common scaling problems they see with business owners, the moment when the founder becomes the bottleneck. They walk through a practical six-step approach that helps you outsource the right work, protect quality, and build systems that allow others to deliver results without everything running through you. You’ll discover how to decide what should stay on your plate, what must come off it, and how small changes in systems, communication, and expectations can unlock serious leverage in your business. If you’ve ever said, “It’s just easier if I do it myself…” This conversation might be the shift your business needs. Because scaling isn’t about working harder. It’s about removing yourself from the work that’s holding the business back. In today's podcast you’ll discover: 00:14 – Why business owners resist outsourcing02:34 – The real foundation of successful delegation04:17 – What should be outsourced vs what must stay with you06:27 – The hidden cost of doing everything yourself09:41 – Why systems must come before delegation10:55 – How starting small builds trust and momentum11:50 – The mindset shift from hours to ROI13:58 – Tools that stop small issues becoming big problems14:57 – How simple video libraries create scalable systems ---------- About the Families in Business Podcast The Families in Business podcast is for family business owners who want to grow a thriving business together, without sacrificing the relationships that matter most. Each week, Mark and Caroline Creedon bring you honest conversations about the real challenges and opportunities that come with running a business as a family - from scaling and systems, to succession planning, to making sure the business serves your life and not the other way around. Whether you're in the early growth phase or thinking about passing the business on to the next generation, this podcast will give you practical strategies and a fresh perspective on the family business journey. ---------- About Your Hosts Mark and Caroline Creedon are business coaches with over three decades of hands-on experience helping Australian business owners build companies that give them more time, money and freedom. They understand the unique dynamics of running a business with family - because they live it themselves. ---------- Subscribe for More New episodes drop every week. Subscribe so you never miss practical advice on growing your family business, planning for the future, and building something that lasts. ---------- Enjoyed this episode? If this episode resonated with you, please leave a comment or review. It helps other family business owners find the show and join the conversation.

    19 min
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5
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

"For families who build businesses, and businesses that strengthen families” Running a business with family is one of the most rewarding things you can do. It's also one of the hardest. The Family in Business podcast is for Australian family business owners who want to grow a thriving, profitable business together - without letting it strain the relationships that matter most. Each week, hosts Mark and Caroline Creedon share honest conversations, practical strategies, and real-world insights drawn from over three decades of experience helping family businesses across Australia grow, scale, and plan for the future. Whether you're just starting to bring family into the business, trying to scale without burning out, navigating the tricky dynamics of working with a spouse or a sibling, or thinking seriously about succession and passing things on to the next generation - this show is built for you. Mark and Caroline cover the full family business journey: building systems that give you back your time, having the conversations most families avoid, creating a business that can run without you, and building wealth that carries across generations. This isn't a podcast about business in theory. It's about what actually works when the people around the boardroom table are also the people around the dinner table. Subscribe now and join a tribe of Australian family business owners keen to build something that lasts.

Information

  • Creator
    Metropole Mastermind
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    133
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Metropole Mastermind 2025
  • Show Website
    The Family in Business Podcast

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