The Business Game

The Business Game
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The Business Game The Business Game is not another highlight reel of overnight success. It is a structured, honest breakdown of what it really takes to build, scale, and sustain a business at every level. We built The Business Game around a simple truth: business changes as revenue changes. The problems at $500K are not the problems at $5M. The mindset at $5M is not the mindset at $50M. That is why every conversation is grounded in our 10-Level framework, from Level 1 Startup and Survival through to Level 10 Legacy and Exit. If you are: • Trying to get your first consistent revenue • Building your first real team • Breaking through the messy middle • Scaling toward eight or nine figures • Or preparing for exit There is an episode that meets you where you are. Hosted by Steve Plummer and Kalena Stano, who speak to founders operating at every stage of the game. No gatekeeping. No hype. No recycled advice. Just real numbers, real mistakes, real strategy, and real decisions that moved the needle. Each week, we publish two episodes every Monday and Thursday at 6pm AEST, featuring global founders, operators, and investors who break down what actually works at their level and what does not. The Business Game exists to give you clarity. To help you identify your current level. To show you the moves required to reach the next one. Because scaling is not random. It is a game. And every level has different rules. Find your level. Play it properly. Then level up. Watch video episodes on YouTube and explore more at thebusinessgamegroup.com

  1. 1d ago

    From Property to $1M: The Decisions That Changed Everything | Cat Vulich

    Send us Fan Mail On this episode of The Business Game, Cat Vulich, founder of The Street Buyers Agency on the Sunshine Coast, opens up about the health scare, career pivots and hard-won lessons that shaped her journey from interior design and development into building a boutique property buying business. Cat's story is a powerful reminder that alignment often comes from adversity. Sometimes, it takes being forced to stop before you can find the work you're truly meant to do. Let's dive in, With Cat Vulich: • How a 12-month critical illness became the turning point that led her to launch Street Buyers Agency • Why 21 years of local knowledge gives her an edge over fly-in, fly-out buyer's agents • The "lazy pitch" many buyer's agents use and why off-market isn't the flex people think it is • How she actually sources quality off-market properties using AI-powered outreach to agents • Why buying property yourself is like using a hammer and calling yourself a carpenter • The costly mistake a client made buying a flashy renovation in Alexandra Headland • What a truly "holistic" property purchase looks like beyond just finding a house • Why she caps her business at three clients at a time to protect service quality • Her plans to expand into commercial property and self-managed super fund purchasing • How she's building "The Property Table", a community connecting buyers with trusted advisors • The AI tools, including an assistant named Fiona, she's testing to reduce admin load • Why she believes competence breeds confidence and fear is often a compass, not a stop sign • How she balances being a mother, running a boutique agency, and setting real boundaries • The mentor who helped shape her approach after she decided to become a buyer's agent • Why she calls transactional buyer's agents "property traders" instead of the real thing • What winning the business game really means to her after facing a major health setback If you're a founder, business owner, or service provider building trust-based relationships, scaling a boutique model, or navigating major life setbacks while growing a business, this episode is packed with practical lessons on resilience, positioning, and building the right foundations before you scale. Connect with Cat Vulich: Website: thestreetbuyersagency.com.au Support the show Thank you for listening to The Business Game, where real founders break down the real levels of business. Whether you're building at Level 1 ($0–$1M) or scaling through Level 6 and beyond, this show is designed to help you understand exactly where you are, and what it takes to level up. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, follow and leave a review. It helps more founders find the roadmap. For full episodes, level breakdowns and behind-the-scenes content, follow us on YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. Want to identify your level or learn more about The Business Game framework? Visit www.thebusinessgamegroup.com It's time to Level Up! We’ll see you at the next level.

  2. 4d ago

    Scammed, Fired, Broke: Now Running a 7-Figure Company | Gary Capps

    Send us Fan Mail On this episode of The Business Game, Gary Capps, founder of MyCRMSIM, opens up about the setbacks, lessons and decisions that shaped his journey from financial uncertainty to building a growing SaaS company. Gary’s story is a powerful reminder that success isn’t always about avoiding failure. Sometimes, it’s about learning how to take the hits, step back, and keep moving forward. Let’s dive in,  With Gary Capps:  • How an expensive SMS messaging problem inside his agency became the foundation for MyCRMSIM • Why traditional CRM SMS pricing can become a major problem for agencies • How he went from losing a business partnership to starting again • The story behind losing their savings in a sophisticated investment scam • How he and his wife managed to recover their superannuation • The mindset shift that helped him stop stressing about things outside his control • Why resilience and patience became two of his biggest business lessons • How he is using 90-day plans to create more accountability and autonomy within his team • Why hiring the right cultural fit can matter more than hiring the smartest person • The importance of putting agreements in writing — even when you're working with friends • Why focusing on one CRM for two years helped MyCRMSIM build a stronger foundation • When to stop being reactive and start planning proactively • How Gary approaches business growth, family and limited working hours • Why he believes financial pressure can sometimes become a powerful driver • His plans to expand MyCRMSIM beyond HighLevel and into other CRM platforms • What success really means after experiencing some of life’s biggest setbacks If you're a founder, business owner, or SaaS operator navigating financial setbacks, business partnerships, or scaling a team, this episode is packed with practical lessons on resilience, trust, hiring, and rebuilding a company from rock bottom. Connect with Gary Capps: Website: https://mycrmsim.com/ Podcast: SaaS Dads | https://www.youtube.com/@myCRMSIM Support the show Thank you for listening to The Business Game, where real founders break down the real levels of business. Whether you're building at Level 1 ($0–$1M) or scaling through Level 6 and beyond, this show is designed to help you understand exactly where you are, and what it takes to level up. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, follow and leave a review. It helps more founders find the roadmap. For full episodes, level breakdowns and behind-the-scenes content, follow us on YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. Want to identify your level or learn more about The Business Game framework? Visit www.thebusinessgamegroup.com It's time to Level Up! We’ll see you at the next level.

  3. Sep 3

    Insurance With No Gotchas: How GradGuard Earned Trust at Scale | John Fees

    Send us Fan Mail On today’s episode of The Business Game, we’re sitting down with John Fees, Co-Founder and CEO of GradGuard. After more than two decades as a serial entrepreneur, John has built and successfully exited multiple companies, including businesses acquired by Viacom and JPMorgan Chase, before founding GradGuard, a fintech company providing financial protection products for students and families navigating higher education. Let’s dive in,  With John Fees:  Why John identified the financial risks facing students and families as a problem worth solvingHow GradGuard was born from John's previous experience in university software and student lendingWhy his earlier exits to Viacom and JPMorgan Chase changed the way he approached building GradGuardWhy John chose strategic partners over traditional venture capital for GradGuardHow GradGuard grew from its first university partnerships to more than 750Why it took five years to reach the first 150 universitiesHow GradGuard built insurance products designed specifically around the realities of student lifeHow GradGuard redesigned tuition and renters insurance around students and familiesHow he designed his life around being a founder, husband and father of fiveWhy sleep, exercise and time in nature are essential to his performanceThe biggest challenges facing higher education, including declining enrolment and AIWhy John believes AI could actually make education more affordableThe future of human skills, credentials and university educationWhy John believes business leaders have a responsibility to think beyond shareholdersThe role of values, ethics and stakeholder responsibility in modern businessWhy long-term thinking matters in both business and lifeThe importance of mentors, fellowship and asking for helpThe business systems John recommends for founders moving from Level 3 to Level 5What John believes founders need to measure as they scaleIf you're a founder, business owner, or leader navigating the high-stakes world of insurance, fintech, or higher education, or you're simply trying to build a values-driven company for the long haul, this episode is packed with practical lessons on partnerships, mission-driven growth, ethical business, and building trust one relationship at a time. Connect with John Fees: Website: https://gradguard.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johntfees Support the show Thank you for listening to The Business Game, where real founders break down the real levels of business. Whether you're building at Level 1 ($0–$1M) or scaling through Level 6 and beyond, this show is designed to help you understand exactly where you are, and what it takes to level up. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, follow and leave a review. It helps more founders find the roadmap. For full episodes, level breakdowns and behind-the-scenes content, follow us on YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. Want to identify your level or learn more about The Business Game framework? Visit www.thebusinessgamegroup.com It's time to Level Up! We’ll see you at the next level.

  4. Aug 31

    From CFO to Founder: The Story Behind Tala Offshore | Natalie Roberts

    Send us Fan Mail On today’s episode of The Business Game, we’re sitting down with Natalie Roberts, Founder of Tala Offshore. After 17 years building a career in public practice and corporate finance, including serving as CFO of a multi-million-dollar international technology company, Natalie walked away from it all to build the kind of offshore staffing company she wished existed.  Let’s dive in, With Natalie Roberts:  Why she walked away from a 17-year career in finance to start again from zeroThe problems she saw inside the offshore staffing industryWhy her own experience with offshore providers convinced her to build TalaHow Tala pays above-market rates while building a sustainable businessWhy employee wellbeing is at the centre of Tala’s business modelThe unexpected things Tala provides to improve employees' livesHow to convince clients to care about people, not just priceBuilding and managing a business across Australia and the PhilippinesThe software and infrastructure challenges holding Tala back from scalingHow to build a consistent company culture across two countriesWhat life actually looks like as a Level 1 founderHow Natalie balances entrepreneurship, family and competitive bodybuildingThe moment with a team member that reminded her exactly why she started TalaWhat Natalie would do differently if she were starting againHer ultimate vision for Tala OffshoreIf you're a founder, business owner or leader considering offshore staffing, or you're already using an offshore team, this episode is packed with practical lessons on people, culture, leadership, ethical business, and building a company from the ground up. Connect with Natalie Roberts: Website: https://www.talaoffshore.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-roberts-7a6561151/  The Business Game is proud to partner with HighLevel, the all-in-one CRM and marketing platform built for growing businesses High Level’s software will drive your customer retention and your profits through the stratosphere - so click here for your 14-day free trial: https://www.gohighlevel.com/?fp_ref=ribu88  This episode contains affiliate advertising. The Business Game Group is a GoHighLevel affiliate. If you sign up through the link in the show notes, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.  Support the show Thank you for listening to The Business Game, where real founders break down the real levels of business. Whether you're building at Level 1 ($0–$1M) or scaling through Level 6 and beyond, this show is designed to help you understand exactly where you are, and what it takes to level up. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, follow and leave a review. It helps more founders find the roadmap. For full episodes, level breakdowns and behind-the-scenes content, follow us on YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. Want to identify your level or learn more about The Business Game framework? Visit www.thebusinessgamegroup.com It's time to Level Up! We’ll see you at the next level.  Support the show Thank you for listening to The Business Game, where real founders break down the real levels of business. Whether you're building at Level 1 ($0–$1M) or scaling through Level 6 and beyond, this show is designed to help you understand exactly where you are, and what it takes to level up. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, follow and leave a review. It helps more founders find the roadmap. For full episodes, level breakdowns and behind-the-scenes content, follow us on YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. Want to identify your level or learn more about The Business Game framework? Visit www.thebusinessgamegroup.com It's time to Level Up! We’ll see you at the next level.

  5. Aug 28

    £20K to Global Brand: How Black Sheep Coffee Built an Empire | Eirik Holth

    Send us Fan Mail On today’s episode of The Business Game, we’re sitting down with Eirik Holth, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Black Sheep Coffee. The brand that grew from a trestle table and a rented coffee machine into an international business with more than 100 stores across the UK, Europe, the Middle East and the United States. LEVEL 6: $100M-$500M. Governance, Data & Serious Infrastructure.   After quitting his corporate job with no business name, no retail experience, and just £20,000 to get started, Eirik built Black Sheep Coffee by challenging industry convention at every turn. Eirik bet the business on specialty-grade Robusta coffee when the industry insisted Arabica was the only premium option. His journey is packed with unconventional decisions that paid off.  We asked him about building a global brand, leading international expansion, creating a culture of continuous improvement, why founders shouldn't blindly follow industry playbooks, and how to scale without losing what made your business successful in the first place.  Let’s dive in,  with Eirik Holth:  Why he quit his job before he even had a business name The contrarian bet on Robusta coffee that built Black Sheep Coffee Why he shut down the only profitable part of the business overnight How to make faster decisions with a co-founder Why copying your competitors guarantees you'll always be behind Building teams organically instead of hiring from an org chart What continuous improvement actually looks like inside a global business The systems, data and KPIs driving international expansion How franchising forced Black Sheep Coffee to become a better operator Why being slightly better at everything beats having one big competitive advantage   If you're a founder, business owner or leader trying to scale beyond startup mode, this episode is packed with practical lessons on decision making, international growth, leadership, systems and building a brand that can compete globally.  Connect with Eirik Holth: Website: https://blacksheepcoffee.co.uk/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/eholth    The Business Game is proud to partner with GoHighLevel, the all-in-one CRM and marketing platform built for growing businesses GoHighLevel’s software will drive your customer retention and your profits through the stratosphere - so click here for your 14-day free trial: https://www.gohighlevel.com/?fp_ref=ribu88  This episode contains affiliate advertising. The Business Game Group is a GoHighLevel affiliate. If you sign up through the link in the show notes, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.    Support the show Thank you for listening to The Business Game, where real founders break down the real levels of business. Whether you're building at Level 1 ($0–$1M) or scaling through Level 6 and beyond, this show is designed to help you understand exactly where you are, and what it takes to level up. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, follow and leave a review. It helps more founders find the roadmap. For full episodes, level breakdowns and behind-the-scenes content, follow us on YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. Want to identify your level or learn more about The Business Game framework? Visit www.thebusinessgamegroup.com It's time to Level Up! We’ll see you at the next level.

  6. Aug 24

    Top Performers Have One Thing In Common

    Send us Fan Mail On today’s episode of The Business Game, we’re sitting down with Boaz Gilad, Founder of Zenith Clubhouse, author of The Zenith Code, and host of the Unmask Podcast. After spending more than 20 years building and leading a New York real estate company—including taking it public—Boaz shifted his focus to helping entrepreneurs, executives, and high performers unlock their full potential through disciplined execution and practical 90-day performance systems.  Rather than relying on motivation or inspiration, Boaz believes success comes from clarity, accountability, and building systems that help you consistently execute. His work challenges many of the myths surrounding performance, leadership, and personal growth, helping people create meaningful results across business and life.  We asked him about why inspiration is overrated, how top performers think differently, the power of 90-day goals, overcoming fear, making career pivots, and why learning to let go might be the most important skill any founder can develop.    Let’s dive in, with Boaz Gilad:  Why inspiration isn't what creates top performers The misconceptions that hold ambitious people back How the 90-day performance system creates lasting results Why every founder needs accountability—not motivation The biggest mistake successful people make outside of business Why fear of letting go keeps entrepreneurs trapped The surprising mindset shift that changes how you approach success How to make major career pivots with confidence Why practicing "being insignificant" can transform your life and leadership What winning in business—and life—really looks like  If you're a founder, business owner, executive, or entrepreneur looking to improve your mindset, build stronger habits, and perform at a higher level, this episode is packed with practical lessons on discipline, accountability, leadership, personal growth, and creating systems that help you consistently win.   Connect with Boaz Gilad: Website: https://www.zenithclubhouse.com/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/boaz-gilad-2237954  The Business Game is proud to partner with HighLevel, the all-in-one CRM and marketing platform built for growing businesses High Level’s software will drive your customer retention and your profits through the stratosphere - so click here for your 14-day free trial: https://www.gohighlevel.com/?fp_ref=ribu88  This episode contains affiliate advertising. The Business Game Group is a GoHighLevel affiliate. If you sign up through the link in the show notes, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.  Support the show Thank you for listening to The Business Game, where real founders break down the real levels of business. Whether you're building at Level 1 ($0–$1M) or scaling through Level 6 and beyond, this show is designed to help you understand exactly where you are, and what it takes to level up. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, follow and leave a review. It helps more founders find the roadmap. For full episodes, level breakdowns and behind-the-scenes content, follow us on YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. Want to identify your level or learn more about The Business Game framework? Visit www.thebusinessgamegroup.com It's time to Level Up! We’ll see you at the next level.

  7. Aug 20

    We Started A Business Out Of Our Infertility Journey | Maddi Barnett & Michael Dunn

    Send us Fan Mail On today’s episode of The Business Game, we’re sitting down with Maddi Barnett and Michael Dunn, the husband-and-wife founders of InKindle, an Australian preconception health brand born from their own IVF and fertility journey.  After experiencing years of IVF, pregnancy loss, and the uncertainty that comes with trying to conceive, Maddi and Michael discovered a gap in the market: there were plenty of products supporting pregnancy and babies, but far fewer focused specifically on preconception health and supporting the mum before pregnancy.  With no background in health supplements or e-commerce, they decided to build the product they wished they had during their own journey... turning a deeply personal experience into a purpose-driven business.  We asked them about building a business around a problem they personally experienced, how they knew when to take the leap, why being the customer themselves gave them confidence, and what it really takes to build a business from scratch while balancing full-time careers and family.  Let’s dive in, With Maddi & Michael:  How their IVF journey became the inspiration for InKindle Why they decided to build the product they wished they had What it means to be the customer of your own business Why you don't actually know if your business will work How to turn a personal problem into a business opportunity The importance of solving a problem that you have personally experienced Why “done is better than perfect” How they built a business with no background in supplements or e-commerce The challenges of building a business around a problem people may not know they have How customer feedback became one of their biggest measures of success What their first customers taught them about the market Why they believe “different is different” How they balance business, careers, family and building InKindle The lessons their IVF journey taught them about resilience and business What failure means to them as entrepreneurs What it takes to keep going when you don't know if it's going to work If you're a founder, aspiring entrepreneur, or someone interested in turning a personal experience into a business, this episode is packed with honest lessons about starting from scratch, solving real problems, and having the courage to give an idea a crack, this episode is for you.  Connect with Maddi Barnett and Michael Dunn: Website: https://inkindle.com.au  Instagram: @InKindle    The Business Game is proud to partner with HighLevel, the all-in-one CRM and marketing platform built for growing businesses High Level’s software will drive your customer retention and your profits through the stratosphere - so click here for your 14-day free trial: https://www.gohighlevel.com/?fp_ref=ribu88  This episode contains affiliate advertising. The Business Game Group is a GoHighLevel affiliate. If you sign up through the link in the show notes, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.  Support the show Thank you for listening to The Business Game, where real founders break down the real levels of business. Whether you're building at Level 1 ($0–$1M) or scaling through Level 6 and beyond, this show is designed to help you understand exactly where you are, and what it takes to level up. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, follow and leave a review. It helps more founders find the roadmap. For full episodes, level breakdowns and behind-the-scenes content, follow us on YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. Want to identify your level or learn more about The Business Game framework? Visit www.thebusinessgamegroup.com It's time to Level Up! We’ll see you at the next level.

  8. Aug 17

    YOU'RE THE BOTTLENECK OF YOUR OWN BUSINESS

    Send us Fan Mail On today’s episode of The Business Game, we’re sitting down with Andrew Sparks, Founder of exyt® and creator of Exit OS — a practical operating system designed to help founder-led businesses remove owner dependence, build stronger leadership teams, and scale without the founder becoming the bottleneck.  After leaving school at just 15 to become a plumber, Andrew built multiple successful businesses before studying psychology and performance, combining decades of real-world business experience with human behaviour to create a framework that helps founders reclaim their time and build businesses that can run without them.  We asked him about the "Second Stage Squeeze" that traps so many business owners, why working harder eventually stops working, how to build accountability into a growing company, hiring great leaders, creating systems that scale, and what it really takes to build a business that gives you both time and financial freedom.  Let’s dive in,  with Andrew Sparks:  Why leaving school at 15 became the foundation for his entrepreneurial journey The "Second Stage Squeeze" that traps founders as their businesses grow Why working harder eventually becomes your biggest bottleneck How to stop being the person every decision depends on Building leadership teams that actually take ownership Why most businesses accidentally create a prison for the founder The psychology behind scaling a business without losing control How Exit OS helps founders reclaim 10-20 hours every week Why hiring exceptional people is the closest thing to a business cheat code What true success looks like beyond revenue and growth If you're a founder, business owner, or entrepreneur who feels like your business can't function without you, this episode is packed with practical lessons on leadership, delegation, systems, accountability, hiring, and building a business that creates freedom instead of burnout.  Connect with Andrew Sparks: Website: myexyt.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/theandrewsparks  The Business Game is proud to partner with HighLevel, the all-in-one CRM and marketing platform built for growing businesses High Level’s software will drive your customer retention and your profits through the stratosphere - so click here for your 14-day free trial: https://www.gohighlevel.com/?fp_ref=ribu88  This episode contains affiliate advertising. The Business Game Group is a GoHighLevel affiliate. If you sign up through the link in the show notes, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.  Support the show Thank you for listening to The Business Game, where real founders break down the real levels of business. Whether you're building at Level 1 ($0–$1M) or scaling through Level 6 and beyond, this show is designed to help you understand exactly where you are, and what it takes to level up. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, follow and leave a review. It helps more founders find the roadmap. For full episodes, level breakdowns and behind-the-scenes content, follow us on YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. Want to identify your level or learn more about The Business Game framework? Visit www.thebusinessgamegroup.com It's time to Level Up! We’ll see you at the next level.

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About

The Business Game The Business Game is not another highlight reel of overnight success. It is a structured, honest breakdown of what it really takes to build, scale, and sustain a business at every level. We built The Business Game around a simple truth: business changes as revenue changes. The problems at $500K are not the problems at $5M. The mindset at $5M is not the mindset at $50M. That is why every conversation is grounded in our 10-Level framework, from Level 1 Startup and Survival through to Level 10 Legacy and Exit. If you are: • Trying to get your first consistent revenue • Building your first real team • Breaking through the messy middle • Scaling toward eight or nine figures • Or preparing for exit There is an episode that meets you where you are. Hosted by Steve Plummer and Kalena Stano, who speak to founders operating at every stage of the game. No gatekeeping. No hype. No recycled advice. Just real numbers, real mistakes, real strategy, and real decisions that moved the needle. Each week, we publish two episodes every Monday and Thursday at 6pm AEST, featuring global founders, operators, and investors who break down what actually works at their level and what does not. The Business Game exists to give you clarity. To help you identify your current level. To show you the moves required to reach the next one. Because scaling is not random. It is a game. And every level has different rules. Find your level. Play it properly. Then level up. Watch video episodes on YouTube and explore more at thebusinessgamegroup.com

Information

  • Creator
    The Business Game
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    165
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Business Game
  • Show Website
    The Business Game