Remarkable Regional Business

Hebron Films

Interviewing Founders and CEOs of Australia’s most remarkable regionally based businesses. You’ll hear about their company and what makes it so remarkable. You’ll also get an insight into their growth journey, the mistakes they made, and how they overcame some of their hardest challenges. Hosted by Caleb Maxwell, Director of Bendigo-based video marketing company Hebron Films, this podcast uncovers regional businesses that are rocking their industries and proves that great companies really can come from smaller places.

  1. 1D AGO

    Kate and Todd Newman, Todd Newman Builders (Part Two)

    Remarkable Regional Business – Episode 42 (Part Two)  Guests: Kate & Todd Newman Business Name: Todd Newman Builders Website: https://www.toddnewmanbuilders.com.au/ The building industry has changed dramatically in the last few years. Construction costs have increased, regulations have become more complex, and homeowners are navigating a far more challenging environment than they were a decade ago. In Part Two of this conversation on Remarkable Regional Business, Caleb Maxwell continues the discussion with Kate and Todd Newman from Todd Newman Builders in Bendigo. With more than two decades of experience building homes across regional Victoria, they break down the realities behind residential construction and the challenges facing both builders and homeowners today. The discussion moves into the technical and practical side of building, including the impact of modern energy efficiency standards, the complexity of renovations, and the importance of planning early in the building journey. Kate and Todd also explain how strong relationships with subcontractors and suppliers help maintain quality across every project. Topics Covered / The rising cost of building homes How materials, labour and market conditions have reshaped the economics of construction. / The growing complexity of building regulations What new standards like seven-star energy ratings mean for home design and construction. / Renovations vs building new Why renovating an existing home can often be more complicated than starting from scratch. / The importance of early planning Why builders encourage clients to discuss budgets, land and design before committing to a project. / The role of subcontractors and trade relationships How long-term partnerships with local trades help maintain consistency and quality. Watch Part One to hear how Todd Newman Builders started, the lessons they learned from rapid growth, and why they ultimately chose to scale the business back to a sustainable size. // Links https://www.toddnewmanbuilders.com.au/

    31 min
  2. 1D AGO

    Kate and Todd Newman, Todd Newman Builders (Part One)

    Remarkable Regional Business – Episode 42 (Part One)  Guests: Kate & Todd Newman Business Name: Todd Newman Builders Website: https://www.toddnewmanbuilders.com.au/ Most people assume a successful business should always keep growing. Kate and Todd Newman learned that growth can sometimes create more problems than it solves. In Part One of this conversation on Remarkable Regional Business, Caleb Maxwell sits down with the founders of Todd Newman Builders, a Bendigo-based residential building company that has been operating for more than twenty years. The discussion begins with the early years of the business, when Todd and Kate started from a home office while raising young children and slowly built a reputation in the Bendigo building industry. Along the way, an unexpected opportunity maintaining fuel stations across Australia created a commercial arm of the business that helped stabilise income while the residential side continued to grow locally. The conversation also explores a major turning point for the company. After winning Bendigo Business of the Year 2016, demand for their services surged. The business expanded rapidly, but the growth quickly stretched systems, staff and management capacity. Kate and Todd share the lessons that came from that period and the decision that ultimately reshaped the business. Topics Covered / How Todd Newman Builders started and grew in Bendigo The early years of building a reputation while running the business from home. / The unexpected commercial opportunity How maintaining fuel stations across Australia helped stabilise the company financially. / Winning Bendigo Business of the Year 2016 How the recognition triggered a sudden surge in demand. / When rapid growth becomes a problem Why the business expanded faster than its systems could support. / The decision to scale the business back How reducing the size of the operation ultimately created a stronger and more sustainable company. This is Part One of the conversation with Kate and Todd Newman from Todd Newman Builders. Continue to Part Two to hear their insights on the modern building industry, rising construction costs, and the realities homeowners should understand before starting a build or renovation. // Links https://www.toddnewmanbuilders.com.au/

    35 min
  3. MAR 5

    Bonnie Phillips & Stefan Manche, Coulter Legal (Part Two)

    Remarkable Regional Business – Episode 41 (Part Two)  Guests: Bonnie Phillips & Stefan Manche Business Name: Coulter Legal Website: https://www.coulterlegal.com.au/ They rebuilt their whole office and the interesting part was not the design. It was why they refused to follow the open plan trend. In Part Two of this episode of Remarkable Regional Business, Caleb Maxwell continues the conversation with Bonnie Phillips and Stefan Manche from Coulter Legal. The discussion shifts inside the business to explore how leadership works, how the firm approaches workplace design, and how modern law firms are rethinking the client experience. Bonnie and Stefan explain how the director group shares responsibility while still maintaining client work, why their new office design prioritises focus and confidentiality, and how changes to pricing and intake processes are helping reduce stress for clients. Topics Covered / Leadership structure and shared responsibility How the four directors divide portfolios, manage governance, and make strategic decisions without becoming overwhelmed by operational detail. / Balancing leadership and client work Why maintaining client involvement helps leaders stay connected to the realities of the business. / Designing a workplace that supports better work Why Coulter Legal chose private offices over full open plan, and how their new Geelong headquarters was shaped through staff input. / Modern client experience How relationship first intake and value based pricing reduce client stress and provide greater certainty. / What makes a great lawyer Why rapport, empathy, and the ability to ask better questions often matter more than technical expertise. / Personal brand and community connection How lawyers are encouraged to develop their own professional brand while staying deeply connected to the regional communities they serve. This is Part Two of the conversation with Bonnie Phillips and Stefan Manche from Coulter Legal. If you have not listened to Part One yet, start there to hear the full story of how the firm grew to where it is today. // Links https://www.coulterlegal.com.au/

    46 min
  4. MAR 5

    Bonnie Phillips & Stefan Manche, Coulter Legal (Part One)

    Remarkable Regional Business – Episode 41 (Part One)  Guests: Bonnie Phillips & Stefan Manche Business Name: Coulter Legal Website: https://www.coulterlegal.com.au/ So we were talking about why some firms grow and others fall apart… and honestly it usually comes down to one thing. Not strategy. Not marketing. Just whether they actually have the right people in the room. In this episode of Remarkable Regional Business, host Caleb Maxwell sits down with Bonnie Phillips and Stefan Manche from Coulter Legal in Geelong. With offices across Geelong, Torquay, Barwon Heads, and Melbourne, Coulter Legal has grown into a mid sized firm of more than eighty people while staying deeply connected to the communities it serves. Bonnie and Stefan share how the firm has grown through major workforce change, including rapid expansion during COVID and the shift to hybrid work. They unpack what it takes to scale a professional services team without stretching people to the point where quality slips, and why hiring for culture is often more important than hiring for technical ability. Topics Covered / Growing from Geelong to a multi office firm across Victoria How Coulter Legal expanded beyond its regional roots while maintaining strong community connections. / Hiring for cultural fit and capability Why recruitment is treated as high stakes, and how cultural alignment protects both team wellbeing and client outcomes. / Scaling a legal practice sustainably How the family and relationship law team grew from four lawyers to around thirty while maintaining service quality. / Building systems that support people and clients How resourcing, support staff, and pairing senior and junior lawyers helps manage workload and maintain standards. / Leading culture in a hybrid workplace How communication rhythms, team meetings, and intentional connection help maintain culture across multiple offices. This is Part One of the conversation with Bonnie Phillips and Stefan Manche. Go to Part Two next to hear how the firm approaches leadership, workplace design, and modern client experience. // Links https://www.coulterlegal.com.au/

    33 min

About

Interviewing Founders and CEOs of Australia’s most remarkable regionally based businesses. You’ll hear about their company and what makes it so remarkable. You’ll also get an insight into their growth journey, the mistakes they made, and how they overcame some of their hardest challenges. Hosted by Caleb Maxwell, Director of Bendigo-based video marketing company Hebron Films, this podcast uncovers regional businesses that are rocking their industries and proves that great companies really can come from smaller places.