The Business Game

The Business Game
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Biweekly

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. 7h ago

    Darragh de Stonndún X AI AND ROBOTICS ARE CHANGING THE FUTURE!

    Send us Fan Mail On today’s episode of The Business Game, we’re sitting down with Darragh de Stonndún, CEO of Automated Industrial Robotics (AIR), a global automation company with more than 550 people across the US, UK, and Ireland.  Darragh is doing business at Level 7: $500M-$1B - The Global Expansion Stage  Over the past 25 years, Darragh has helped transform AIR from a collection of regional engineering businesses into a global automation platform. Today, he’s leading the company through its next phase of integrating acquisitions across multiple countries, embracing physical AI, and preparing for a future where the data generated by industrial robots could become more valuable than the robots themselves.  We asked him about scaling a company across borders, why AI doesn’t scare him, the biggest mistakes businesses make when adopting new technology, and how leaders can build organisations that thrive without them.  Let’s dive in,   With Darragh de Stonndún:  Why staying a regional business would have cost AIR everything The leadership shift required to manage teams across three countries Why physical AI and humanoid robotics will transform manufacturing The real reason AI should excite, not scare, business leaders Why taking shortcuts with AI could become incredibly dangerous How Darragh built an iPhone app in four hours without writing a single line of code Why industrial data may soon become more valuable than the machines themselves The advantage smaller companies have over billion-dollar competitors How AIR maintains agility while scaling globally What winning in business looks like when you're no longer the person making every decision Connect with Darragh de Stonndún: Website: https://industrialrobotics.com/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/darraghdestonndun    If you're a founder, business owner, leader, or simply curious about where AI, robotics, and manufacturing are heading, this episode is packed with practical lessons on leadership, innovation, and scaling a business on a global stage.  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.

  2. Jul 27

    LEVEL FIVE: SaaS Founder on Why Distribution Beats Product Every Time

    Send us Fan Mail On today's episode of The Business Game, we're sitting down with Yega Kumarappan, Founder and CEO of Paperflite, an AI-powered sales enablement platform helping enterprise sales teams close deals faster through intelligent content, conversation and deal insights. Over the past eight years, Yega has built a global SaaS company by staying ahead of rapid technological change... and he's convinced that in the AI era, your product is no longer your competitive advantage. As artificial intelligence makes it possible for almost anyone to build software in days instead of months, Yega believes the real winners won't be the companies with the best technology – they'll be the ones who can distribute it the fastest. He shares why founders need to stop obsessing over features, embrace the "boring work" of execution, and build organisations that can move as quickly as technology itself.  We asked him about scaling a SaaS company in the AI era, why distribution has become more valuable than product, how leadership changes as companies grow, and why the future belongs to founders who can execute faster than everyone else. Let's dive in, with Yega Kumarappan:  Why AI has made technology the easiest part of building a business  The reason most SaaS products can now be copied in minutes  Why distribution has become the biggest competitive advantage  How AI is compressing 50 years of innovation into just five  Why founders need to stop chasing shiny objects  The "boring work" that actually creates billion-dollar businesses  Why great governance should feel like freedom—not control  The leadership mistake that cost his company valuable time  Why hungry teams outperform large teams  His definition of winning in business and life Connect with Yega Kumarappan: Website: https://www.paperflite.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yegakumarappan/ 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.

  3. Jul 23

    LEVEL TWO: Visual Thinking Expert on Working with Dan Martell, the Future of IP, and Owning Your Genius

    Send us Fan Mail On today’s episode of The Business Game, we’re sitting down with Simon Bowen, founder of The Models Method and creator of the Genius Model, a visual thinking framework used in more than 30 countries to help founders, leaders and organisations make complex ideas simple, scalable and impossible to ignore.  After growing up in small country towns in Western Australia and spending decades consulting on billion-dollar infrastructure projects, military operations, government initiatives and corporate strategy, Simon discovered that the fastest way to align people, influence decisions and scale ideas isn't through more words... it's through better models.  We asked him about visual thinking, why most businesses struggle to communicate what makes them valuable, how founders can make their thinking scalable, and why the future belongs to leaders who can simplify complexity in a world increasingly dominated by AI.  Let’s dive in, With Simon Bowen:  Why every great business idea starts as a drawing  The visual thinking framework that's influenced hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue  How he secured a $20 million funding commitment with an eight-minute presentation  Why PowerPoint is failing founders and business leaders  The psychology behind models that change minds and drive decisions  How to communicate complex ideas in a way people can never unsee  Why founders are often the biggest bottleneck in scaling their businesses  The role AI will play in making businesses either irrelevant or irreplaceable  How visual models create alignment across teams, customers and stakeholders  The communication skill Simon believes will define the next generation of leaders  If you're a founder, business owner or leader trying to communicate more effectively, scale your thinking, or build a business that isn't dependent on you being in every conversation, this episode is packed with practical lessons on influence, leadership, communication and making your genius visible.  Connect with Simon Bowen: Website: modelsmethod.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/simonbowen-mm  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.

  4. Jul 16

    LEVEL 4: Video Editing CEO: From A $200 Startup... to 90 Employees

    Send us Fan Mail Starting a business with $200 is impressive. Rebuilding it three separate times after devastating setbacks is something else entirely. In this Throwback Thursday episode of The Business Game, Dave Feinman shares the lessons behind scaling his video editing business Viral Ideas into a global creative venture with more than 90 employees. From losing 80% of his revenue overnight to building systems that allow creativity to scale, Dave explains why operational complexity – not finding customers – is the real challenge of growth. If you're building a team, creating systems, or learning how to lead through increasing complexity, this conversation is full of practical advice you can apply immediately. Let's dive in with Dave Feinman: How to scale a creative business without sacrificing qualityWhy every business is only as strong as its biggest bottleneck Building systems that allow creativity to flourish Leading a global remote team Why founders must stop working with people and start working through people The leadership lesson Dave lives by: be the person you needed in your darkest momentConnect with Dave Feinman Website - https://www.viralideamarketing.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-feinman-7a069255/ 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.

  5. Jul 13

    LEVEL SIX: Serial Entrepreneur on Why Everything in Business Is Ones and Zeros

    Send us Fan Mail Level 5: $30M-$100M  Executive Layer and Division Growth  On today’s episode of The Business Game, we’re sitting down with Robert Indries, Managing Partner of Elkridge Advisors. Robert is an engineer turned powerhouse entrepreneur who has generated more than $500 million in business value, built a diverse parallel portfolio of companies, and successfully executed an eight-figure exit from an AI venture.   Robert’s path wasn't built on the typical "Instagram entrepreneur" fantasy. From growing up on a small Transylvanian farm to hitting absolute rock bottom, eating one Subway sandwich a day with only $100 left to his name. Robert learned the hard way that business operates on cold, hard math, not wishful thinking. Today, he looks at the world like a motherboard, designing systems with absolute redundancy so businesses can thrive entirely without him.   In this episode, Robert cracks open the playbook on Level 6 business growth, sharing why he views life and operations through a binary lens: it's either a one or a zero, there is no gray area.   Lets dive in, With Robert Indries:  Why 96% of businesses never hit seven figures, and why true statistical wealth is actually built through careers.  How treating business like a motherboard eliminates key-person dependencies and systemic collapse.  How losing all his savings in a disastrous early venture completely revolutionized his rule on getting paid upfront.  The precise criteria Robert uses before doing business with anyone, including why it must make money, make the world better, and feature people he actually likes.  Why high-level founders focus exclusively on the upside of an investment rather than the price tag.  Why Robert prefers stepping back as a "support character" or "tank" rather than chasing fame, finding his joy in watching his team win.  A candid look at the emotional toll of high-stakes business, navigating internal turmoil, and taking action anyway.  Whether you’re looking to untangle your operations, transition from operator to true owner, or figure out how to scale dozens of cross-border acquisitions a year, Robert’s unfiltered, mathematical approach to business excellence will fundamentally change how you view your company.   Connect with Robert Indries Website - https://elkridgeadvisors.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertindries/  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.  #TheBusinessGame #BusinessPodcast #Entrepreneurship #SystemsEngineering  #BusinessGrowth #Leadership #ScalingBusiness #FounderMindset #AssetManagement 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. Jul 9

    LEVEL ONE: Property Founder on Why He Walked Away From a $250K Career to Start From Zero

    Send us Fan Mail LEVEL 1: $0M-$1M START UP AND SURVIVAL STAGE  In this episode of The Business Game, we sit down with Matthew Nowell, founder of MPAC Property Group, RentFinder Australia, and a new building company focused on cashflow positive investments.   Matthew shares how he had a $250,000 leadership role in the mining industry before making the life-changing decision to leave it all behind at 39. He opens up about the mindset that helped him embrace uncertainty, why he believes failure is one of the greatest teachers in business, and how networking, integrity and a long-term approach have fueled the rapid growth of his business.  We also dive into the changing property investment landscape, why Matthew believes cashflow-positive investing is the future, and the lessons he's determined to pass on to his children about backing yourself and creating your own path.  Whether you're thinking about changing careers, building a business from the ground up, or looking for a fresh perspective on property investing, you don't want to miss this episode. Let’s dive in, With Matthew Nowell:  Walking away from a high-paying career to start a business Why failure is essential for long-term success Building a business through networking and relationships The importance of staying true to your values Creating cashflow-positive property investments Balancing entrepreneurship with family life The mindset required to reinvent yourself at any stage of life   If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to The Business Game and leave us a review. New episodes every week featuring founders and business leaders sharing the lessons they've learned at every level of the game.  Connect with Matthew Nowell: Website: https://www.mpacpropertygroup.com.au/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/matthew-nowell-93a05491    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. Jul 6

    LEVEL THREE: Marketing Veteran on Why Most Founders Burn Out and How to Avoid It

    Send us Fan Mail Level 3: $3-$8M DELEGATION AND EARLY LEADERSHIP  On today’s episode of The Business Game, we’re sitting down with Phil Ohren, Founder and CEO of Intender, a growth marketing agency on a mission to make advertising useful, not annoying.  Like many founders, Phil spent years chasing growth, building teams, serving clients, and pushing for the next milestone. But behind the scenes, he found himself facing something he never expected: burnout so severe it left him with writer's block, strategy block, and a growing realisation that his identity had become tied to external validation.  In this episode, Phil shares the lessons that came from that experience, including why he believes many entrepreneurs are unknowingly people-pleasers, how learning to let go transformed his leadership, and the advice from a mentor who told him he was operating like "a genius with a thousand helpers". A mindset that simply doesn't scale.  Let’s dive in, With Phil Ohren:  • Why founder burnout often starts with seeking validation from others   • The leadership shift required to stop being the bottleneck   • Why Phil would build a CRM before writing vision and values   • The power of accountability frameworks inside growing businesses   • How being "neuro-spicy" became one of his biggest strengths as a founder   • Why curiosity is a competitive advantage in business   • The future of AI and why Phil believes robots will transform advertising   • How small, consistent wins compound into massive growth over time  Whether you're trying to scale a business, build a stronger leadership team, or avoid the mistakes that lead many founders to burnout, this conversation is packed with practical insights and honest reflections from someone who's lived through it.  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. Jul 2

    LEVEL FOUR: Global Entrepreneur on What the World's Most Successful Founders Have in Common

    Send us Fan Mail LEVEL 4: $8M - $20M GROWING PAINS AND OPERATIONAL COMPLEXITY  On today’s episode of The Business Game, we’re sitting down with Skye Blanks, Chief Operations Officer at the International Council for Small Business (ICSB) and founder of Herman Todd Consulting Group, to unpack what it really takes to grow a business beyond founder hustle and into something that can scale sustainably.  At this stage of the game, the challenge isn’t just getting customers or staying busy, it’s about building systems, delegating effectively, creating strategic partnerships, and turning a founder-dependent business into one that can operate without you in the room.  In this conversation, Skye shares how he built credibility as a young executive operating on the global stage, what small business owners consistently get wrong when they hit a growth plateau, and why the businesses that scale fastest are the ones willing to think beyond their industry, their local market, and their own four walls.  Lets dive in, with Skye Blanks:  Why most growth plateaus are strategy problems, not market problems The role SOPs play in scaling without chaos How strategic partnerships can unlock growth faster than more marketing Why founders need to stop building businesses that collapse without them What Skye has learned from advising businesses across industries and countries The mindset shift from doing everything yourself to leading through trust and delegation If you’re a founder trying to move from being the person who does everything to the person who leads a business that can grow, this episode will give you a clear look at what needs to change next.  Connect with Skye Blanks: Website: https://icsb.org/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/skyeblanks  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.

See All (154)

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
    154
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Business Game
  • Show Website
    The Business Game