The Growth Equation

Tristan Wright
  • 1.0 (1)
  • Management
  • Updated Twice Weekly

The Growth Equation is a podcast dedicated to helping Australian marketing agencies thrive in the ever-evolving world of digital marketing. We go beyond the surface level and dive deep into the "messy middle" of scaling a business – the challenges, the triumphs, and the lessons learned along the way. Each episode features candid conversations with agency founders and leaders who share their experiences, strategies, and insights on topics such as: - Navigating the Messy Middle: Overcoming common challenges in scaling operations, managing teams, and acquiring clients. - Strategic Frameworks & Systems: Implementing effective processes for project management, client onboarding, and talent acquisition. - AI & the Australian Market: Leveraging artificial intelligence and adapting to the unique opportunities and challenges in Australia. - Growth Mindset & Well-being: Maintaining a healthy work-life balance and cultivating a resilient mindset for entrepreneurial success. Whether you're a seasoned agency owner or just starting out, The Growth Equation provides valuable takeaways and inspiration to help you unlock sustainable growth and build a thriving business.

  1. Don't Wait: Susan Thomas on Scaling Through Setbacks, Systems, and Smarter Leadership

    5 days ago

    Don't Wait: Susan Thomas on Scaling Through Setbacks, Systems, and Smarter Leadership

    What does it take to build a multi-million-dollar agency while navigating career pivots, raising four children, overcoming personal setbacks, and leading through constant change? In this episode of The Growth Equation, Tristan Wright sits down with Susan Thomas, Founder and CEO of 10fold, to discuss her incredible 30-year entrepreneurial journey. From earning her master's degree at just 20 years old to accidentally launching an agency that has grown into an industry leader, Susan shares the lessons that shaped her approach to leadership and business growth. The conversation explores the realities of scaling a service business, breaking through revenue plateaus, surrounding yourself with smarter people, implementing the right systems, and embracing AI without losing the human element. Susan also opens up about leading a business while navigating divorce, raising a family, caring for her mother, and battling breast cancer—proving that resilience and great leadership often go hand in hand. Whether you're building your first team or leading an established business, this episode is packed with practical insights on delegation, hiring, leadership, and making decisions before they become problems. What You'll Learn In This EpisodeWhy every growing business eventually hits a plateau—and how to break through it.How peer advisory groups, coaches, and mentors accelerated Susan's business growth.The importance of hiring subject matter experts instead of trying to do everything yourself.How AI is changing marketing teams without replacing great people.Why business owners need industry benchmarks and metrics to make better decisions.The biggest leadership mistakes Susan made and what she'd do differently today.How systems, delegation, and infrastructure create freedom for business owners.Susan's powerful philosophy: Don't wait. Chapter Notes00:00 – Meet Susan Thomas 02:20 – From Psychology to Technology Marketing 04:20 – The Agency That Started by Accident 07:20 – Scaling Through Life's Biggest Challenges 08:50 – Growing to Millions in Revenue 11:00 – Breaking Through Business Plateaus 14:30 – Finding Better Coaches and Smarter Rooms 15:10 – Building a $9 Millio n Agency 17:15 – The AI Opportunity (and the Internship Challenge) 19:45 – Learning to Delegate and Build Infrastructure 23:30 – Evolving the Business and Rebranding to Tenfold 26:00 – Metrics That Every Business Owner Should Know 28:15 – Leading Through Breast Cancer and Burnout 31:00 – Hiring Slow, Firing Faster, and Building Strong Teams 34:00 – From Doing the Work to Coaching Leaders 35:20 – One Piece of Advice: Don't Wait 36:00 – Connect with Susan Thomas and Tenfold Connect with Susan Thomas and TenfoldIf you're looking to elevate your B2B marketing strategy, strengthen your PR efforts, or learn how data-driven communications can accelerate business growth, Tenfold is a team worth exploring. Visit 10fold.com to learn more about Susan Thomas, her award-winning agency, and the innovative work they're doing for technology companies. Then, listen to the full episode of The Growth Equation for even more insights on scaling through setbacks, systems, and smarter leadership.

    38 min
  2. Photography, Pruning, and Growing a Statewide Network with Michael Preece

    17 June

    Photography, Pruning, and Growing a Statewide Network with Michael Preece

    In this episode of The Growth Equation, I sit down with Michael Preece, owner of BNAA Tasmania, to explore a different perspective on business networking, referrals, and long term business growth. Michael's journey spans more than four decades in business, beginning as a professional photographer before moving into sales and eventually building BNAA into one of Tasmania's leading relationship focused networking organisations. We discuss why many networking groups get referrals wrong, how genuine relationships create stronger business opportunities, and why forcing referrals often leads to wasted time and poor outcomes. Michael also shares how BNAA contracted during COVID before experiencing significant growth as business owners rediscovered the value of face to face connection. If you're a small business owner looking to generate better referrals, build stronger business relationships, and create sustainable growth, this episode is packed with practical insights. What You'll Learn In This Episode Why the best referrals come from strong relationships, not pressure or obligation.How Michael Preece built BNAA into a thriving networking community by focusing on trust, education, and genuine connection.The surprising lesson a wedding photography business taught Michael about sales, communication, and understanding people.How COVID became an unexpected catalyst for growth and created new opportunities for businesses willing to adapt.The difference between transactional networking and relationship based networking—and why one consistently delivers better results. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Networking in Tasmania 02:08 Michael Preece's Journey in Business 11:09 Growth and Development of BNAA 14:52 The Future of Networking in Tasmania 17:46 Building a Digital Platform for Networking 24:59 Challenges and Rewards of Networking 28:49 Advice for Business Owners

    31 min
  3. From Tradie to Tech: Jeremy Yang’s High-Stakes Career Pivot

    10 June

    From Tradie to Tech: Jeremy Yang’s High-Stakes Career Pivot

    I’ve seen many career pivots, but my chat with Jeremy Yang from Digital Goliath was a masterclass in "starting from zero." After thirteen years as a Jim’s Antennas franchisee, Jeremy walked away from a six-figure income at age 33 to become an unpaid intern in digital marketing. In this episode, we explore that humbling transition and how he turned those lessons into a high-growth agency, Digital Goliath. We dive into Jeremy’s unique "Engineer Edge"—his philosophy of hiring math masters over traditional marketers for his offshore team. Jeremy explains why analytical minds are the secret to scaling paid ads and how he manages the "Death Chasm" of growth, where overhead risks often collide with profitability. We also tackle the AI shift, discussing why staying competitive now requires a relentless focus on deep strategy rather than just pushing buttons. Whether you're looking to pivot your career or optimize your offshore operations, Jeremy’s "in-the-trenches" perspective is a must-listen. What you’ll learn in this episode: ✅ The 33-Year-Old Intern: Why Jeremy hit the "reset" button on a successful career. ✅ The Math Advantage: Why engineers make the best media buyers for paid ads. ✅ Scaling the "Death Chasm": Navigating the risky transition from a small team to a 10+ person agency. ✅ AI vs. Creative: How to maintain cut-through as AI-generated content floods the market. ✅ Relentless Value: Why "scope creep" can be a survival strategy in a competitive landscape. Connect with Jeremy: ● Website: digitalgoliath.com.au ● LinkedIn: Jeremy Yang Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 05:50 Transitioning from Franchise to Agency 11:53 The Journey of Building a Business 17:37 Navigating Team Dynamics and Growth 23:48 Leveraging AI in Business 29:44 Challenges and Lessons Learned 35:35 Future Directions and Advice for Business Owners

    36 min
  4. The Hidden Power of "Collaborators" - Why They Outperform Employees in the Gig Economy with Ren Capasso

    22 Apr

    The Hidden Power of "Collaborators" - Why They Outperform Employees in the Gig Economy with Ren Capasso

    In this episode of The Growth Equation, we sit down with Renato Capasso, founder of Online Monkeys, to deconstruct a business model designed for the modern gig economy. Over 13 years, Renato has evolved from a solo freelancer into a strategic leader managing a global network of elite collaborators across the U.S., Australia, and Europe. He shares his unconventional "35% Rule"—paying significantly above market rates to ensure subcontractors operate with a founder’s mindset—and explains how he manages diverse ventures in telehealth and property development without becoming the ultimate bottleneck. The conversation dives deep into the high-stakes world of performance marketing and the discipline required to maintain a high-performing culture. Renato pulls no punches on the importance of "firing fast" and the strategic necessity of saying "no" to toxic clients to protect team morale. From talent scouting in South America to the seamless implementation of AI and SEO, this episode is a masterclass for any founder looking to scale a lean, data-driven, and truly international business. 🚀

    33 min
  5. Why Marketing is a Marathon, Not a Sprint with Anna Kennedy

    15 Apr

    Why Marketing is a Marathon, Not a Sprint with Anna Kennedy

    Too many business owners treat marketing as a last-minute afterthought, but my guest today, Anna Kennedy, is here to change that. As the Founder and Creative Director of Kennedy Studio, Anna is obsessed with driving bold ideas into the world without the "smoke and mirrors" often found in the agency world. In this episode, we talk about the reality of scaling an external marketing team and the discipline required to maintain a lean, high-performing operation. Anna shares her 18+ years of insights into PR and creative strategy, explaining why she values being "in the trenches" with her clients. We explore the transition from founder to CEO, the importance of financial forecasting, and why Anna believes in being part of the client’s journey rather than just a vendor. You'll learn why "if you build it, they will come" is a dangerous myth and how to strategise for long-term success. It’s a conversation about focus, energy, and making marketing actually worth it. Meet Anna Kennedy Founder and Creative Director Anna Kennedy saw a massive gap in the market: too many agencies full of buzzwords and bloated promises... and not enough that actually cared. Anna started Kennedy Studio to change that. To be the kind of team she wished more businesses had access to: hands-on, ego-free, and obsessed with making brands thrive. With 18+ years in sales, marketing, PR and creative strategy, Anna brings both the experience and the energy to drive bold ideas into the world—with a team beside her that brings them to life. No smoke. No mirrors. Just a woman on a mission to make marketing feel easy, exciting and actually worth it. Connect with Anna: Kennedy Studio Website: kennedystudio.auConnect with Anna on LinkedIn: Anna KennedyFollow Kennedy Studio on Instagram: @kennedystudio

    30 min
  6. Staying Relevant in a Shifting Industry with Matt Remphrey

    8 Apr

    Staying Relevant in a Shifting Industry with Matt Remphrey

    I’ve been in the business game for a long time, but my chat with Matt Remphrey from Parallax was a masterclass in the "niche paradox." Matt has steered his creative agency through 24 years of evolution, but the real magic happened when he stopped trying to be everything to everyone. In this episode, we dive deep into how Parallax pivoted from a generalist branding studio to a specialist powerhouse in the wine and drinks industry. Matt shares how narrowing his focus actually allowed him to expand his services—moving beyond labels into brand strategy, e-commerce, and trade activations. We tackle the big fear most entrepreneurs have: that niching down closes doors. Matt proves the opposite is true, explaining how deep sector expertise unlocks higher-value clients and bigger budgets that generalists simply can’t access. We also discuss the practicalities of longevity, from navigating 25 years of economic cycles through geographic diversification to using AI as a "first draft" tool for research and tenders. Whether you're feeling the "fear of saying no" or looking to stay relevant in a shifting market, Matt’s journey offers a blueprint for building a resilient, expert-led business. What you’ll learn in this episode: ✅ How niching into the wine industry transformed Parallax from a generalist shop to a strategic partner. ✅ Why specialization simplifies client acquisition and reduces competition. ✅ Practical strategies for navigating economic downturns through geographic expansion. ✅ How to integrate AI to shortcut research and creative processes without losing quality. ✅Lessons in leadership: managing team motivations and staying relevant over two decades. Connect with Matt: Website: www.parallaxdesign.com.auInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/parallaxdesignLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/building-drinks-brands

    29 min
  7. Balancing Business and Well-being with Chanelle Le Roux

    1 Apr

    Balancing Business and Well-being with Chanelle Le Roux

    Chanelle Le Roux built Ninki from a freelance copywriting hustle on Fiverr into a multi-arm content marketing agency and coaching practice. In this candid conversation, she talks about burning out badly enough to try selling her business, why she's now leaner and more profitable than ever, the South African outsourcing opportunity most Aussie businesses are sleeping on, and why perfection is the enemy of momentum. Key Topics Covered:✅ Ninki’s origin and early pricing: Fiverr, Upwork, and whether to start cheap or charge your worth from day one ✅ Burning out and nearly selling the business: working US and Aussie hours simultaneously, unsavory habits, and what forced the reset ✅ Lean vs full agency model: employees vs contractors, and why going lean delivered more profit with less revenue ✅ Outsourcing to South Africa: work ethic, talent quality, time zone realities, and why big brands have been doing it since 2009 ✅ AI's real impact on the industry: losing copywriting work, where AI still falls short, and why coaching/consulting is the one thing she's not worried about Connect with Chanelle Agency: ninkicontentmarketing.comAcademy: ninkiacademy.comInstagram (agency): @ninkicontentmarketingInstagram (coaching): @chanelleleroux_marketingcoach

    30 min
  8. Sonja's SEO Empire: From Humble Beginnings to Industry Leader

    25 Mar

    Sonja's SEO Empire: From Humble Beginnings to Industry Leader

    Sonja Pototzki-Raymond has helped her clients generate over $700 million in sales — and she built her agency by accident. Known as "The Search Queen," Sonja is the CEO of The Search Republic, a 2025 40 Under 40 winner, and one of the most refreshingly honest voices in SEO. In this episode, we cut through the noise of the SEO world. Sonja has worked with Guinness, L'Oréal, and Nestlé, but she's here for the small business owner — talking real conversions, real ROI, and why the rules of search are changing faster than most people realise. We get into Answer Engine Optimisation (AEO) — why it's not enough to rank on Google anymore, and how to get picked by AI tools like ChatGPT when your customer is searching. Then we go somewhere most business conversations won't: Sonja's four-year fertility journey, the mindset that led to her Amazon #1 bestseller The Search for Resilience, and how she scaled a waitlisted agency while working three days a week. In this episode: ✅ Why traditional SEO is losing ground — and what to do instead ✅ What Answer Engine Optimisation actually means for your business ✅ How Sonja built a waitlisted agency starting from zero ✅ The mindset work she says founders skip at their peril ✅ How she uses AI and delegation to stay present with her family

    29 min
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About

The Growth Equation is a podcast dedicated to helping Australian marketing agencies thrive in the ever-evolving world of digital marketing. We go beyond the surface level and dive deep into the "messy middle" of scaling a business – the challenges, the triumphs, and the lessons learned along the way. Each episode features candid conversations with agency founders and leaders who share their experiences, strategies, and insights on topics such as: - Navigating the Messy Middle: Overcoming common challenges in scaling operations, managing teams, and acquiring clients. - Strategic Frameworks & Systems: Implementing effective processes for project management, client onboarding, and talent acquisition. - AI & the Australian Market: Leveraging artificial intelligence and adapting to the unique opportunities and challenges in Australia. - Growth Mindset & Well-being: Maintaining a healthy work-life balance and cultivating a resilient mindset for entrepreneurial success. Whether you're a seasoned agency owner or just starting out, The Growth Equation provides valuable takeaways and inspiration to help you unlock sustainable growth and build a thriving business.

Information

  • Creator
    Tristan Wright
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    71
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Tristan Wright
  • Show Website
    The Growth Equation