The Growth Equation

Tristan Wright
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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. From Freelance Hustle to Top 20 Agency: Brendan Ellich’s BluFire Journey

    12/18/2025

    From Freelance Hustle to Top 20 Agency: Brendan Ellich’s BluFire Journey

    In this episode of The Growth Equation, Brendan Ellich joins me to unpack how a “why not?” freelance experiment during COVID evolved into BluFire, a Melbourne-based paid media agency now partnering with 7–8 figure service businesses. We walk through the whole journey: starting with almost no capital, juggling random client work, making the call to stop freelancing and build a real business, and then growing a tight local team that works together in-office four days a week. Brendan is refreshingly candid about the parts most founders gloss over—the times cash flow was tight, the pressure of payroll, the clients that left unexpectedly, and the days where it felt easier to walk away than to keep fronting up.​ We go deep into how BluFire makes paid media actually pay. Brendan explains how he links marketing, sales, and finance so every dollar of ad spend is judged on revenue and margin, not “cheap clicks” or noisy dashboards. He breaks down their retainer model and ad spend tiers, how they think about lead targets, and why his team talks to clients weekly to stay ahead of lead quality and volume issues instead of waiting for a nasty surprise at the end of the month. We also dig into why breakfast networking nearly became a full-time job, what changed when he pivoted to building a proper acquisition system for his own agency, and how he’s thinking about AI, smaller-budget campaigns, and the future of agencies that don’t perform. If you’re in that messy middle of running an agency or service business—hiring, dealing with client churn, and trying to keep profit intact—this episode gives you a grounded look at what it takes to build something durable. Connect with Brendan Ellich LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendan-ellich/ Company Website: https://www.blumedia.com/ Brendan Ellich’s Company Socials https://www.instagram.com/blufire.digital/ Connect with us. 👇 Evolve To Grow: https://m.mtrbio.com/evolve-to-grow

    28 min
  2. Beating Burnout and Information Overload: How Maxim Rebuilt His Agency Around Clarity and Habits

    12/10/2025

    Beating Burnout and Information Overload: How Maxim Rebuilt His Agency Around Clarity and Habits

    In this episode of The Growth Equation, Tristan Wright sits down with agency owner Maxim Claes to unpack what really happens when you hit burnout, get stuck in information overload, and decide to rebuild your business with more intention. As the founder of boutique marketing agency Media Waffle, Maxim now helps beauty and aesthetic clinics generate consistent enquiries and booked appointments using simple, reliable lead generation systems.​ Maxim shares how he went from managing “a bit of everything” in digital marketing to niching down exclusively into beauty and aesthetics, and why that decision gave him back his focus, energy, and confidence. He breaks down how cycles of momentum, complacency and rebuilding showed him the importance of habits, structure, and clarity—not just more hustle or more information.​ Across the conversation, Tristan and Maxim dig into the real value of mentors, the danger of chasing too many programs and gurus, and the simple way to decide what you actually want from your business and life. They also explore how AI is reshaping marketing for clinics, why brand and personality matter more than ever, and how owners can use automation without losing the human element that clients trust.​ If you run a service business or agency—especially in the beauty or aesthetic space—and you feel like you’re juggling too much, this episode will give you practical ideas to niche down, tighten your systems, and rebuild around habits that actually support long-term growth. Links and tools mentioned include Media Waffle’s lead generation system for clinics and emerging AI tools for compliance and content support in regulated industries. Connect with Maxim Claes Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mediawaffle LinkedIn:  Company Website: www.mediawaffle.com IG: https://www.instagram.com/media_waffle/ Connect with us. 👇 Evolve To Grow: https://m.mtrbio.com/evolve-to-grow

    28 min
  3. Mentorship, Mindset & Second Chances: How Simon John Phillips Found Business Clarity

    12/08/2025

    Mentorship, Mindset & Second Chances: How Simon John Phillips Found Business Clarity

    This episode of The Growth Equation features Simon John Phillips, a true veteran who has been building Shopify brands since 2011. Working across the full e-commerce spectrum as a brand owner, agency operator, coach, 3PL founder, and fractional exec, Simon has spent 14 years inside the evolution of social-driven e-com. That experience now powers The Ecommerce Accelerator 5.0, a real-time operating system for brands serious about scaling. Despite his deep expertise, Simon shares a powerful and honest story about the realities of entrepreneurship. His experience moves from early success in e-commerce to the hard reality of hitting rock bottom, then finding renewed focus and direction through the support of true mentorship and a clearer mindset. Simon openly describes the challenges he faced, including the emotional impact of failure and how important it is to learn how to recover. He explores how second chances come from a genuine willingness to reflect, learn, and rebuild. The conversation highlights why having the right mentors—people who understand both business struggles and personal challenges—is crucial in staying grounded during difficult times. The conversation goes beyond business mechanics to explore themes of personal growth, resilience, and honesty when facing setbacks. Simon also discusses his business approach with The E-Commerce Accelerator and how that reflects his commitment to transparency and meaningful work. Simon’s story isn't just about hope. It’s about resilience. It provides the realistic insight and clarity you need to stop spinning your wheels and start moving forward. Connect with Simon John Phillips Facebook: facebook.com/simonjohnphillips LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjpnz/ Company Website: https://www.theecommerceaccelerator.com IG: @simonjohnphillips TikTok – @simonjohnphillips Website: https://www.theecommerceaccelerator.com/ Connect with us. 👇 Evolve To Grow: https://m.mtrbio.com/evolve-to-grow

    42 min
  4. Resilience in Motion: Chris Hogan Adapted, Grew, and Leveled Up in Business

    12/03/2025

    Resilience in Motion: Chris Hogan Adapted, Grew, and Leveled Up in Business

    This episode of The Growth Equation features Chris Hogan, founder of MeMedia Marketing Agency, reflecting on over two decades of experience in the marketing industry. Chris shares a candid account of the realities that come with building and growing a business—ranging from the excitement of successful projects to the tough challenges of mental health struggles and burnout. He stresses the significance of focus in business, famously saying, “you can’t ride two horses with one ass,” highlighting the importance of clarity and prioritising what truly matters to avoid spreading yourself too thin. Chris opens up about the difficult periods marked by overwork and feelings of being stuck in “infinite loops,” and how he found small but meaningful sparks of progress that helped him regain momentum and stay committed. The conversation explores the vital role that culture and purpose play as the true foundation for effective business strategy, rather than just being buzzwords. He also shares practical insights on technology choices, particularly his preference for Shopify over WordPress when it comes to serious e-commerce growth. Furthermore, Chris discusses the origins of Wecom, a venture born from decades of hands-on experience in e-commerce and conversion optimisation. This episode offers authentic and grounded reflections for entrepreneurs and small business owners. It provides valuable perspectives on resilience, the power of focus, and how aligning culture and values with business goals can lead to sustainable growth over time. It’s a refreshing and insightful listen for anyone navigating the complexities of business ownership. Connect with Chris Hogan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrishoges/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrishoges Company Website: https://www.memedia.com.au/our-agency  Chris Hogan’s Company Socials https://www.instagram.com/wecomm.au/ https://www.facebook.com/wecomm.au https://www.youtube.com/c/MeMediaAu Connect with us. 👇 Evolve To Grow: https://m.mtrbio.com/evolve-to-grow

    41 min
  5. Navigating the Challenges of Entrepreneurship with Lex Stanley

    12/01/2025

    Navigating the Challenges of Entrepreneurship with Lex Stanley

    In this episode of The Growth Equation, I sat down with Lex Stanley, the founder of Vastly Digital, to explore the real challenges and triumphs of entrepreneurship in today’s digital marketing world. Lex’s journey is refreshingly honest—from launching her business during the uncertainty of COVID-19 to realising the limits off freelancing and pivoting to building a scalable agency. What stood out was Lex’s blend of “corporate punk” values: honouring old school customer service with a rebellious, modern approach to business.We dive deep into the hard lessons Lex learned early on about client selection, pricing, and the importance of saying no to projects that don’t fit the vision. Her talks openly about the personal cost of entrepreneurship—the constant anxiety over delivering results and paying wages, balanced by the fulfilment of seeing clients succeed and a culture where everyone owns the outcome. Lex’s story highlights how thoughtful outsourcing, building a trustworthy team, and embracing an evolving set of systems and processes are vital to scaling without compromising quality.For entrepreneurs and small business owners facing the pressure of growth and quality delivery, Lex shares practical advice mixed with inspiring reflections on purpose, passion, and the power of quick decision-making. If you want to hear candid stories about navigating business pivots, building culture, and using innovation like AI wisely, this conversation is packed with actionable insights. Check out the resources Lex mentions and connect with Vastly Digital at the links below. This episode reminds us that entrepreneurship is not just about what you do—but how you care about the people and businesses you serve.Connect with Lex Stanley: Website: https://vastly.com.au  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vastlydigital Instagram: https://instagram.com/vastlydigital Connect with us. 👇 Evolve To Grow: https://m.mtrbio.com/evolve-to-grow

    34 min
  6. Freedom, Finances and Funnels: Adrian Stewart on Designing a Business (and Life) You Actually Want

    11/24/2025

    Freedom, Finances and Funnels: Adrian Stewart on Designing a Business (and Life) You Actually Want

    In this insightful episode, Tristan engages with Adrian Stewart, co-founder of Scale Messaging, to explore his entrepreneurial journey—from freelancing in Berlin to building a company that significantly enhances e-commerce conversion rates. Adrian shares the challenges and triumphs of growing a business from the ground up, emphasising the importance of strategic planning, adaptability, and understanding human behaviour in an ever-evolving digital landscape. As co-founder of Scale Messaging, a CRO agency specialising in elevating conversions through precise, customer-centric messaging, Adrian helps companies cut through noise, clarify their value, and create experiences that convert. Outside of work, he writes and makes music, fuelled by a deep interest in storytelling and the psychological forces behind why people do what they do. Adrian discusses the complexities of managing a remote team spread across various time zones, emphasizing the need for effective communication and robust processes. He shares his experiences in leveraging AI to drive business growth, offering a glimpse into the future of e-commerce and the potential of technology to transform industries. The dialogue underscores the critical role of financial planning in sustaining business operations and achieving long-term success. Beyond business, the episode touches on personal growth through travel and the pursuit of freedom and flexibility in life. Adrian reflects on how his global experiences have shaped his perspective and contributed to his professional development. The conversation is a testament to the power of embracing change and the value of aligning business goals with personal aspirations, offering listeners valuable insights into balancing work and life in a meaningful way. Connect with Adrian Stewart: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianjstewart/  Website: www.scalemessaging.com  Connect with us. 👇 Evolve To Grow: https://m.mtrbio.com/evolve-to-grow

    26 min
  7. Why Building Better Beats Building Bigger with Andrew Hatfield

    11/19/2025

    Why Building Better Beats Building Bigger with Andrew Hatfield

    Andrew Hatfield built Deepstar Strategic after 30 years across Dell, Red Hat, NetApp, and Portworx—moving from infrastructure engineering to product marketing. He's helped clients achieve 289% ARR growth and Fortune 500 exits by connecting Market-Product-Model-Channel fit. In this episode, we cut through the GTM noise. Andrew breaks down why most B2B tech companies are stuck in feature-factory mode and how to shift to strategic maturity. We explore value-based outcomes over vanity ARR metrics, how lean remote teams can move fast without losing discipline, and why aligning product, marketing, and sales isn't optional—it's the difference between sustainable growth and quarterly chaos. We cover practical diagnostics for bottlenecks, running experiments that actually test new GTM moves, and why leadership conviction matters when everyone else is chasing trends. For Australian SaaS and tech services businesses, this is about building defensible advantages and smart resource allocation—not trying to outspend Silicon Valley. Connect with Andrew Hatfield Company Website: https://www.deepstarstrategic.com/ LinkedIn @andrewhatfield and @deepstarstrategic X @andrewhatfield and @deepstarstrat Instagram @andrewhatfield Facebook @hatfielda Connect with us. 👇 Evolve To Grow: https://m.mtrbio.com/evolve-to-grow

    39 min
  8. Niche Down, Level Up: The Evolution of Hedgehog Marketing with Josh Berg

    11/17/2025

    Niche Down, Level Up: The Evolution of Hedgehog Marketing with Josh Berg

    This week on The Growth Equation, I caught up with Josh Berg from Hedgehog Marketing for a really down-to-earth conversation about what it’s actually like to run a marketing business these days. Josh shares the ups and downs of starting out with his sister, juggling a growing team when they were barely out of their twenties, and what happened when the fast growth train started to hit some bumps. What’s refreshing about this chat is hearing how Josh moved away from the typical agency model to something more hands-on, where they work alongside businesses to help them get their own marketing sorted. It wasn’t an easy switch, and he talks openly about the fears and doubts around narrowing their focus, but it’s what’s helped them find solid ground. We also talk about how clever use of AI and automation helps a small team get a lot done without the stress and scramble of making everything manual. And if you stick around, you’ll hear Josh’s hilarious story of how a $1.24 website idea turned into thousands of dollars worth of Uber Eats credit — pretty clever and a bit cheeky. If you’re running a small business and want to get smarter at marketing without turning your life upside down, you’ll get plenty from this episode. Connect with Josh Berg (Director at Hedgehog) Company Website: https://www.hedgehogmarketing.com.au/team-members/josh-berg  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshberg1?originalSubdomain=au Connect with us. 👇 Evolve To Grow: https://m.mtrbio.com/evolve-to-grow

    33 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 - 2025
  • Episodes
    59
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 Tristan Wright
  • Show Website
    The Growth Equation