Grow Your Wealth

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Join Grow Your Wealth host Travis Miller as he delves into the fascinating journeys of individuals who identified early investment opportunities and transformed them into incredible success stories.

  1. 4D AGO

    From Truck Driver to Board Director: Lessons in Risk and Opportunity

    In this episode of the Grow Your Wealth podcast, host Travis Miller sits down with David Wiadrowski, an experienced board director with a career spanning public, private and not-for-profit organisations. David reflects on a journey shaped by people, relationships and pivotal decisions — from starting out driving trucks to senior leadership roles at PwC, international experience in San Francisco and Jakarta, and building a diverse board portfolio across media, technology and professional services. He shares candid lessons on taking calculated risks, missed investment opportunities, CEO succession, and why gut feel still matters in business. David also explores the practical impact of AI in boardrooms today, the importance of staying mentally and physically sharp, and what long-term success really looks like beyond money. This is a grounded, honest conversation on leadership, investing time in your own wealth, and building a meaningful career over decades. Grow Your Wealth [00:00:00] - Introduction: David Wiadrowski - Boards and Leadership Journey [00:03:00] - Board Portfolios, CEO Transitions and Staying Active Beyond Executive Life [00:07:30] - The Importance of Relationships and Culture in Business, Especially in Asia [00:12:00] - Education, Early Career Choices and Why People Skills Matter More Than Marks [00:17:00] - Pivotal Overseas Experiences: San Francisco, Work Ethic and Career Risk [00:22:45] - Mentorship, Gut Feel and What Really Drives Success in Business [00:27:15] - Hard Conversations, Leadership Bumps and Lessons from Crisis Moments [00:30:00] - Missed Opportunities: Property, Apple Shares and Risk in Investing [00:33:00] - Defining Success: Family, Health and Meaningful Contribution [00:36:00] - AI in the Boardroom: Practical Use Cases, Limits and Future Potential [00:39:30] - Building a Board Career: Networks, Timing and Taking Opportunities [00:43:30] - Advice to Younger Investors: Risk, Time and Long-Term Wealth [00:47:00] - Final Reflections: People, Growth and What Matters Most iPartners Website: https://www.ipartners.com.au Register Here: https://ipartners.iplatforms.com.au/register/register-as-wholesale/ iPartners LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ipartners-pty-ltd

    49 min

  2. JAN 13

    Grow Your Wealth: Best of 2025

    In this special episode, we look back at the standout moments from the past year. We’ve gathered the most valuable insights, expert tips, and top highlights from our 2025 conversations to help you stay inspired on your financial journey in 2026. Whether you’re catching up or revisiting your favourite segments, join us for a quick recap of the best conversations from the year. iPartners Website: https:/www.ipartners.com.au Register Here: https://ipartners.iplatforms.com.au/register/register-as-wholesale/ iPartners LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ipartners-pty-ltd

    30 min

  3. 12/09/2025

    Gary Sly – Four Decades in Capital Markets: Securitisation, Career Lessons, and Navigating Market Cycles

    In this episode of the Grow Your Wealth podcast, host Travis Miller sits down with Gary Sly, a banking and capital markets veteran with more than 40 years of experience across Australia, the US, the UK, and New Zealand. Gary shares his unconventional path into finance- from aspiring Navy pilot to landing his first role with the local bank manager - and how that evolved into a distinguished career in securitisation. He reflects on market cycles from the late 90s through the GFC to today’s highly liquid environment, explaining how structures, investor behaviour, and regulation have changed across decades. Gary also opens up about the mentors who shaped him, the importance of trust in client relationships, pivotal career moments, long-term investing lessons, and life outside the markets. This episode is packed with insights for anyone interested in banking, structured finance, or building a resilient career in financial markets. [00:00:00] – Introduction: Meet Gary Sly and His Four-Decade Career in Banking and Capital Markets [00:05:06] – From Gunnedah to Global Markets: Early Career, Part-Time Study, and Discovering Securitisation [00:12:30] – Market Evolution: Pre-GFC Structures, the Crisis, and the Rebuild of Australia’s ABS Market [00:18:00] – Tranching, Regulation, and the Rise of New Investor Segments Across the Capital Stack [00:23:13] – Private Credit, Warehouses, and How Securitisation Logic Now Powers the Broader Market [00:28:18] – Mentors, Leadership, and Lessons from Working with Top Treasury and Banking Executives [00:33:01] – Career Advice: Education, Patience, Asking Better Questions, and Navigating Opportunity [00:37:15] – Life Beyond Banking: Photography, Surfing, Family, and Finding Balance [00:38:23] – Final Thoughts and Connecting with Gary Sly on LinkedIn iPartners Website: https://www.ipartners.com.au Register Here: https://ipartners.iplatforms.com.au/register/register-as-wholesale/ iPartners LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ipartners-pty-ltd

    40 min

  4. 11/11/2025

    Alison Crealy - Fail Forward: Career Pivots, People & Culture, and Building Long-Term Wealth

    In this episode of the Grow Your Wealth podcast, host Travis Miller sits down with Alison Crealy, a financial services leader with 25+ years across audit, M&A, and corporate leadership. Alison shares her journey from a KPMG cadetship to a decade in Belgium working on pan-European deals pre-GFC, and later returning to Australia to lead as CFO and GM of Capital Markets at iPartners. She unpacks personal lessons on embracing failure, navigating pregnancy bias, and building resilient teams through culture, training, and continuous improvement. Alison also discusses philanthropy and community service and offers clear, practical advice on risk, consistency, and avoiding greed when building wealth. [00:00:00] - Cold Open: “Don’t be afraid to fail” - why risk and resilience matter [00:01:29] - Introduction & Bio: Alison’s role at iPartners and career overview [00:02:26] - Early Years: Sydney upbringing, selective school, and the KPMG cadetship [00:03:53] - Europe Chapter: Belgium, languages, and moving from audit to M&A pre-GFC [00:05:19] - Tennis Foundations: Family coaching, Australian Schoolgirls tour, and competition [00:07:20] - Working Trilingual: Navigating Flemish/Dutch, French, and English in business [00:17:33] - GFC & Pregnancy: Job loss, overcoming bias, and landing a pivotal project role [00:20:45] - What Drives Her: Team first, continuous improvement, and better processes [00:21:41] - Play to Strengths: Passion, mentors, and handling toxic workplaces [00:32:20] - Defining Success: High-performing teams, family, wealth tips on consistency and risk iPartners Website: https://www.ipartners.com.au Register Here: https://ipartners.iplatforms.com.au/register/register-as-wholesale/ iPartners LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ipartners-pty-ltd

    37 min

  5. 10/14/2025

    Sam Kennard - Building a Self-Storage Empire: Culture, Prime Locations, and Patient Growth

    In this episode of the Grow Your Wealth podcast, host Travis Miller sits down with Sam Kennard, who joined the Kennards Self Storage family business in 1991 and became CEO in 1994, guiding the company from 14 storage centres to 126 locations across Australia and New Zealand. Sam shares lessons from large-scale developments and acquisitions, his early career culture reset, and why disciplined site selection and brand consistency matter. Sam talks financing growth, risk management, and the systems mindset needed to scale, while offering practical career advice on ambition, learning, and initiative. He also touches on planning hurdles, the role of AI in operations, and timeless guidance for building long-term wealth through patience and diligence [00:00:00] - Introduction: Meet Sam Kennard and the Growth of the Family Storage Business [00:03:40] - From Hire Business Roots to Storage Focus: Holiday Jobs to University Pivot [00:05:34] - Taking the Helm: Becoming CEO in Late 1994 and Leading with a Strong Team [00:08:11] - Culture Wake-Up Call: 1998 Turnover Spike, Measuring Culture, Authentic Leadership [00:10:04] - Game-Changing Acquisition: Buying Millers Self Storage in 2004 and Integration [00:10:56] - Funding Growth: Debt Mindset, Refinancing, and the 13-Site Auckland Expansion [00:14:53] - What Drives Sam: Customer-Facing Operations [00:16:26] - Planning & Permits: Why NSW Is Toughest and Navigating Bureaucracy [00:17:50] - Scaling Playbook: Systems Thinking, The E-Myth, and Eliminating Assumptions [00:21:15] - Lessons from Bumps: Missed Buys, Overpaying, and Upgrading the Team [00:24:38] - Career Advice for 21-Year-Olds: State Ambition, Learn Relentlessly, Take Initiative [00:29:43] - First Job: The Birchgrove Paper Route [00:30:24] - Note to Younger Self: Buy More Buildings [00:30:43] - What Motivates: Making a Difference and Being Heard [00:31:10] - Long-Term Wealth: Patience Over Unicorn Chasing [00:31:48] - Biggest Mistakes in Wealth: Misreading Your Niche and Risks [00:32:19] - Hobbies & Wrap-Up: Weekend Farm Work and Where to Connect iPartners Website: www.ipartners.com.au Register Here: https://ipartners.iplatforms.com.au/register/register-as-wholesale/ iPartners LinkedIn Sam on LinkedIn

    35 min

  6. 09/09/2025

    Simon Moore - From Carlyle to Collinton: Private Equity, Duopolies, and Winning in Tough Markets

    In this episode of the Grow Your Wealth podcast, host Travis Miller sits down with Simon Moore, Senior Partner and founder of Collinton Capital Partners. From his Queensland roots to JPMorgan in New York, Investcorp in the Middle East, and launching The Carlyle Group’s Australian office, Simon unpacks global lessons in private equity. He explains why Australia is the “land of the duopoly,” the traps Aussie companies face expanding to the U.S., and how rigorous diligence, co-investor scrutiny, and pattern recognition drive outsized results. Simon also shares the story behind a cleaning-services deal that delivered a 5x return, insights from recent transactions, and practical advice on resilience, networking, and long-term wealth building. This episode is a must-listen for investors and operators navigating competitive markets and non-linear career paths. [00:00:00] - Cold Open: Australia’s “land of the duopoly” and U.S. expansion realities [00:01:40] - Introduction: Meet Simon Moore and Collinton Capital Partners (est. 2017) [00:05:08] - Breaking In Overseas: Global training programs and building an international network [00:09:06] - Why Start Collinton: Leaving Carlyle to focus on $50–$150m EV opportunities [00:14:03] - Mentors & Influences: Family, UQ’s Frank Finn, JPMorgan sponsorship, and Bill Conway [00:21:20] - Entrepreneurial Leap: Plan A will change—resilience over rigidity [00:22:50] - Market Cycles: Adapting strategy as fundraising and relative value shift [00:30:17] - Big Win: Jemmie cleaning services—tripled earnings and a 5x exit, then reinvested [00:32:30] - Recent Work: Why Doors Plus made sense despite housing headwinds [00:33:13] - Advice to a Younger Self: Back yourself, embrace non-linear paths [00:35:26] - Beyond the Models: Soft skills, people leadership, and real-world judgment [00:37:02] - Definition of Success: Team growth, family priorities, and giving back iPartners Website: https://www.ipartners.com.au Register Here: https://ipartners.iplatforms.com.au/register/register-as-wholesale/ iPartners LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ipartners-pty-ltd

    41 min

  7. 08/12/2025

    Jaki Virtue - Leadership, Risk-Taking, and Building a Legacy in Business

    In this episode of the Grow Your Wealth podcast, host Travis Miller sits down with Jaki Virtue, an accomplished leader with over 25 years in the financial services sector, including senior roles in Sydney, London, and Hong Kong. From her unconventional start in an alternative school to becoming Co-Chief Operating Officer, Jaki shares her career journey, lessons in leadership, and passion for tackling big challenges. She discusses pivotal career moments, the value of backing yourself, and the importance of work-life balance. Jaki also offers candid advice for entrepreneurs, tips for long-term wealth creation, and insights on building resilient teams. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to lead with purpose, embrace calculated risks, and leave a lasting impact. [00:00:00] - Introduction: Meet Jaki Virtue and Her Career in Financial Services [00:02:32] - Early Life: From Kiama to a Hippie School and Transition to Mainstream Education [00:05:10] - University Choices: Lessons Learned from PE Teaching to Finance [00:08:21] - Landing in Investment Banking: Schroders Corporate Finance and Learning on the Job [00:09:03] - Career Growth: COO Roles and Discovering Sol Patts’ Unique Culture [00:11:13] - The Critical Role of a COO in Scaling Businesses [00:12:11] - Influential Leaders: Lessons from Deutsche Bank Mentors [00:15:51] - Driving Forces: Thriving on Challenges and Personal Risk [00:18:51] - Advice for Entrepreneurs: Back Yourself and Build the Right Support Network [00:23:42] - Career Philosophy: Taking Risks and Embracing Non-Linear Paths [00:24:59] - Top Business Tips: Say Yes to Opportunities and Learn from Setbacks [00:27:22] - Legacy: Building Resilience and Curiosity in the Next Generation [00:29:38] - Long-Term Wealth: Invest in What You Understand and Know the People Behind It [00:30:44] - Biggest Investment Mistake: Chasing Quick Wins Instead of Compounding Wealth [00:32:14] - Closing Thoughts and Connecting with Jaki Virtue iPartners Website: www.ipartners.com.au Register Here: https://ipartners.iplatforms.com.au/register/register-as-wholesale/ iPartners LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ipartners-pty-ltd

    32 min

  8. 07/15/2025

    Grant Lovett – From Wall Street to Philanthropy: Lessons in Leadership, Risk, and Giving Back

    In this episode of the Grow Your Wealth podcast, host Travis Miller speaks with Grant Lovett, a seasoned financial markets expert whose career has spanned top-tier roles in New York, London, and Sydney. From his beginnings in public schooling in the Sutherland Shire to executive positions at UBS and the ASX, Grant shares his unconventional journey through accounting, trading, and public service—including a pivotal role as Chief of Staff to Hon. Joe Hockey. Grant opens up about managing mental health, the importance of mentorship, and his dedication to causes like the Black Dog Institute and the Story Factory. This insightful conversation covers everything from managing risk in volatile markets to advice for young professionals and entrepreneurs looking to break into finance. A must-listen for anyone interested in long-term wealth building, resilience, and living a meaningful life. [00:01:50] – Career Snapshot: From UBS to ASX and Government Strategy [00:03:04] – From Sutherland Shire to New York: An Unlikely Leap into Global Banking [00:05:08] – Philanthropy and Advisory: Grant’s Current Focus [00:06:37] – Key Mentors and the Value of Discipline in Finance [00:08:14] – Personality Traits That Drive Success in Finance [00:09:05] – Pivotal Career Moments and the Importance of Taking Chances [00:11:30] – The Power of Fixed Income: Lessons from the GFC [00:12:36] – What Drives Grant in Business and Life [00:14:01] – Mental Health Journey: Giving Back to Black Dog Institute [00:15:51] – Moving from Corporate to Entrepreneurship: Advice for Taking the Leap [00:18:37] – Lessons from Failure: Document Everything and Plan Ahead [00:22:11] – Making Decisions in Uncertain Markets [00:23:16] – Tips for Graduates and Young Bankers [00:25:38] – Lifelong Learning and Setting the Next Generation Up for Success [00:27:24] – Career Advice Beyond University: Trades and Policy Shifts [00:28:42] – Quickfire Questions: First Jobs, Advice, and Long-Term Wealth Tips [00:32:05] – Final Thoughts and Connecting with Grant Lovett on LinkedIn iPartners Website: www.ipartners.com.au Register Here: https://ipartners.iplatforms.com.au/register/register-as-wholesale/ iPartners LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ipartners-pty-ltd

    32 min
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About

Join Grow Your Wealth host Travis Miller as he delves into the fascinating journeys of individuals who identified early investment opportunities and transformed them into incredible success stories.

Information

  • Creator
    Pivotal Conversations
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    48
  • Show Website
    Grow Your Wealth

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