In our most recent episode of the Thriving Business Podcast, we were honoured to sit down with innovation and commercialisation expert Daniel O'Connor. Daniel is on the UN Task Force for Innovation and Competitiveness and has been helping inventors and R&D teams to commercialise their ideas for more than 40 years, so he knows a thing or two about funding start-up ventures! Together we broke down some of the myths and misconceptions that set many start-up founders on the wrong track. We explored the key elements of what it really takes to successfully commercialise innovative ideas and attract funding for start-up ventures.

From his early days of first commercialising a novel telephone accounting system through to the creation of his esteemed Inventors Academy, Daniel reveals the truth behind funding and debunks the myth of the "wealthy investor" who is sitting around, waiting to write a big cheque. He unpacks the top six things that investors are really looking for in a start-up venture. And hint, it’s not the ROI!

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How Daniel first commercialised his own tech product in the 1980s, overcoming early challenges.
• The role of the UN Task Force in fostering innovation in developing economies.
• Why the myth of the “wealthy investor” can derail your start-up’s growth and how to shift your focus.
• The top six things investors really care about (and why ROI is not number one on the list).
• Key lessons from Daniel’s Inventors Academy on how to approach funding and minimise risk for investors.

Key Takeaways:

• Funding doesn’t always come from wealthy individuals—it’s about finding the right partner who shares the same market needs.
• Investors care more about risk mitigation than return on investment. Learn to talk about how you can reduce risk, not just promise high rewards.
• Successful commercialisation is about strategy, timing, and understanding the landscape—what works for big companies might not work for startups.

If you’re a startup founder or inventor looking to scale, subscribe to the Thriving Business Podcast for more actionable insights from industry experts.

Links & Resources:

Get a FREE copy of Daniel’s book FUNDING EARLY STAGE INNOVATION here:

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/k9dx4ofwmlnrtyxgcsr4d/FUNDING-EBOOK.pdf?rlkey=bve7ir0llq59oeyaxoo6q30x7&e=1&dl=0

Connect with the Hosts:

Kate De Jong, PhD | Inspired Business

Website: https://katedejong.com/

Instagram: katedejong.inspiredbusiness

Email: kate@katedejong.com

Sam Morris | The Business Implementor

Website: https://thebusinessimplementor.com/

Instagram: sammorris.businesscoach

Email: sam@thebusinessimplementor.com

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Episode Overview:

In this episode, Kate and Sam dive into a discussion of how they’re using AI in business as a tool for organisation, strategy, and even as a coaching assistant. They discuss some of the most recent AI developments that are impacting businesses in previously unimaginable ways. They discuss the continuing implications of AI-generated content, how it can be embraced positively, and the importance of discernment in the digital age.

Key Takeaways:

1. Using AI to Help with Overwhelm and Task Management: Sam discusses her feelings of overwhelm due to numerous unfinished tasks and the need for better prioritisation. Kate and Sam discuss how they’re using AI to help organise tasks and set priorities, and using AI as a personal assistant.

2. The Future of Coaching with AI: Kate and Sam discuss new coaching bots that are being embraced by some coaches. They discuss how, like in all other industries, coaches should not feel threatened by AI, but rather embrace it as a value-add.

3. The Evolution of Podcasting with AI: Kate discusses a new AI-tool she came across that creates engaging podcasts based on existing content, highlighting the rapid advancements in AI.

4. Challenges of Trust and Authenticity in a Digital World: The hosts discuss their concerns about the potential for AI to create content that blurs the lines between reality and fabrication. It highlights the importance of critical thinking and discernment, especially for younger generations consuming content online.

5. The Role of Human Experience: Kate and Sam reflect on how AI, while powerful, cannot fully replicate human understanding and emotional intelligence. Both share insights from their children about the challenges of navigating truth in an age of misinformation.

Subscribe to our podcast for more discussions on business, motherhood, and the impact of technology!

Connect with the Hosts:

Kate De Jong, PhD | Inspired Business

Website: https://katedejong.com/

Instagram: katedejong.inspiredbusiness

Email: kate@katedejong.com

Sam Morris | The Business Implementor

Website: https://thebusinessimplementor.com/

Instagram: sammorris.businesscoach

Email: sam@thebusinessimplementor.com

In this episode, Kate and Sam discuss the enduring challenge of finding time to juggle all the balls as a business owner and specifically, how to make time to work ON your business, not IN it. It's not an easy task to balance client-focused work with the things that help your business grow long-term, like marketing activities — but it's essential. Join them as they talk through each other's experiences with finding the time to stay growth-focused while delivering top-notch service to clients, and more.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Identifying Time Sinks: Understanding where your time is currently being spent and how to evaluate its effectiveness.
• Setting Priorities: The importance of prioritising tasks that align with your business growth goals and vision.
• Delegation Strategies: Tips for identifying tasks to delegate and finding the right team members to support your business.
• Time Management Techniques: Exploring tools and methods to enhance productivity, including time blocking and the Pomodoro Technique
• Creating a Business Routine: How establishing a consistent daily routine can help streamline operations.
• Work-Life Balance: Strategies for maintaining a healthy balance between personal life and business responsibilities.

Connect with the Hosts:

Kate De Jong, PhD | Inspired Business

Website: https://katedejong.com/

Instagram: katedejong.inspiredbusiness

Email: kate@katedejong.com

Sam Morris | The Business Implementor

Website: https://thebusinessimplementor.com/

Instagram: sammorris.businesscoach

Email: sam@thebusinessimplementor.com

This week we were privileged to be joined by the fabulous entrepreneur-extraordinaire Jessica Gough, a.k.a The Sugar Duchess, founder and owner of Tease Industries Pty Ltd., a company dedicated to providing empowerment platforms for creative artists in the realm of Cabaret and Burlesque. Trained at the WA Academy for Performing Arts (WAAPA) and previously a video journalist for the ABC, Jess took a leap of faith in 2018 to pursue her passion for Burlesque and the performing arts.

Kate and Jess met back in 2019, one year after Jess had purchased the Perth International Burlesque Festival. Six years later, Jess shares what it’s been like running a Burlesque and Cabaret performance company, while juggling a full time career. We love hearing real stories from business owners who have relentlessly pursued their passion and never given up. Kate and Jess discuss the original origins and definition of Burlesque as a celebration of bodies, identities, and diversity.

Jess talks through the challenges faced by her community during the COVID-19 pandemic and the resilience of the Burlesque community, and emerging to continue building a highly successful business. She also shares her experience of balancing her passion for the Burlesque art form with a full-time job and the importance of diversifying her business.

Key Takeaways

• Like many business owners, Jess has the ability to be highly creative, but she balances it with a focused and disciplined business mind, which she says has been the key to her success.
• "Growth isn't linear"; Jess discusses the ups and downs of growing a business.
• The Burlesque art form is a celebration of bodies, identities, and differences, with origins in Europe in parody and storytelling.
• Tease Industries creates platforms for artists to explore and showcase their craft and fosters inclusivity in the Burlesque community and beyond.
• The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the Burlesque industry, but the community supported each other and found ways to adapt.
• Jessica successfully balances her passion for Burlesque with a full-time job, emphasising the importance of stable income while building a business.
• Diversification is crucial for business sustainability and growth, allowing for multiple revenue streams and opportunities.
• Failure is a learning opportunity and should be embraced.
• Surrounding yourself with a supportive community is essential for success.
• The merging of science and spirituality can lead to personal growth and abundance.
• And lots more!

Connect with the Hosts:

Kate De Jong, PhD | Inspired Business

Website: https://katedejong.com/

Instagram: katedejong.inspiredbusiness

Email: kate@katedejong.com

Sam Morris | The Business Implementor

Website: https://thebusinessimplementor.com/

Instagram: sammorris.businesscoach

Email: sam@thebusinessimplementor.com

In this episode, Kate and Sam get into detail about the specific characteristics of an 'Irresistible Offer'. A single irresistible offer can significantly increase your sales and revenue by increasing the conversion of your prospects into paying customers. An irresistible offer is a strategic structuring of your products and/or services where the value-to-cost ratio is value-heavy, making it an easy “yes” for those who need it. It feels like a ‘no-brainer’ and your prospect feels compelled to buy now.
However, there is an art to creating an irresistible offer and at least eight specific characteristics that Kate and Sam talk through in this episode, using Kate's upcoming offer called The Profit Accelerator as a case study.

Key Highlights:

• What exactly is an irresistible offer?
• The 8 specific characteristics of a compelling offer.
• How offers are different to service descriptions.
• How irresistible offers fit into your overall marketing strategy.
• How you can use offers to boost your revenue and sales quickly.

And so much more!


Connect with the Hosts:

Kate De Jong, PhD | Inspired Business

Website: https://katedejong.com/

Instagram: katedejong.inspiredbusiness

Email: kate@katedejong.com

Sam Morris | The Business Implementor

Website: https://thebusinessimplementor.com/

Instagram: sammorris.businesscoach

Email: sam@thebusinessimplementor.com

In this conversation, Kate and Sam discuss the importance of strong branding and graphic design, sharing some of the good, the bad and the ugly they’ve seen in nearly a decade of coaching business owners to grow their businesses. They emphasise the need for professional input and guidance in creating a strong visual identity. They highlight the significance of colour theory, font selection, white space and ‘kerning’ in graphic design. They also stress the importance of consistency and clarity in branding, as well as the use of templates and brand style guides when getting started. The conversation concludes with tips on readability and the effective use of brand colours.

Takeaways:

• Graphic design plays a crucial role in branding and marketing.
• Professional input and guidance are essential in creating a strong visual identity.
• Colour theory and font selection are important considerations in graphic design.
• White space is critical for readability and visual impact.
• Consistency and clarity are key in establishing a strong brand.
• Using templates and brand style guides can help maintain consistency.
• Readability should be prioritised, especially in digital formats.
• Effective use of brand colours can enhance brand recognition.

Connect with the Hosts:

Kate De Jong, PhD | Inspired Business

Website: https://katedejong.com/

Instagram: katedejong.inspiredbusiness

Email: kate@katedejong.com

Sam Morris | The Business Implementor

Website: https://thebusinessimplementor.com/

Instagram: sammorris.businesscoach

Email: sam@thebusinessimplementor.com

In this episode, we discuss the importance of SEO (search engine optimisation) as an essential building block of your overall business growth strategy. SEO encompasses all the things you do on and off your website to drive visitors to your website (your online shop front). We emphasise the need to get the foundational building blocks and messaging right before diving into SEO, so that your visitors have a better chance at converting once they arrive on your website. We talk about the role of keywords, backlinks, and site loading speed (among others) as essential pieces of an overall SEO strategy. While we advise that you outsource the technical aspects of SEO to specialists, as always it’s important to educate yourself first so you can make sound decisions.

We highly recommend the free SEO training provided by Anthony Raspa and his team at Dezign Digital to learn more: Everything you need to know about SEO - Dezign Digital


Takeaways:

• Get the foundational parts of your business right before diving into SEO.
• Focus on all three pillars of SEO: local SEO, organic SEO, and technical SEO.
• Outsource the technical aspects of SEO and use AI tools to assist with meta descriptions and alt tags.
• Prioritise providing valuable content for readers over prioritising SEO.
• Use a multi-pronged approach to marketing that includes SEO, social media marketing, branding, and messaging.

More info here:

https://dezigndigital.com.au/everything-you-need-to-know-about-seo/

Connect with the hosts:

Kate De Jong, PhD | Inspired Business

Website: https://katedejong.com/

Instagram: katedejong.inspiredbusiness

Email: kate@katedejong.com

Sam Morris | The Business Implementor

Website: https://thebusinessimplementor.com/

Instagram: sammorris.businesscoach

Email: sam@thebusinessimplementor.com

This episode comes to you live from the Inspired Business Retreat in Bali! Kate and Sam unite with Angie Giltner, powerhouse Master Coach and motivational speaker for another episode with Angie (our first episode with Angie is still our most downloaded show to this day - have a listen if you haven’t heard it yet!). Together they reflect on Angie's journey over the past year, coming back from a bad business decision that rocked her to her core. They discuss the importance of forgiveness of oneself and others, getting back to what works to get yourself back on track, and the value of doing deep personal work to find new alignment and re-energised focus. The conversation touches on the power of mindset, the importance of simplicity in business, and the need to align one's thoughts and emotions with their desired outcomes. In this conversation, Kate, Angie, and Sam discuss Angie's journey of overcoming challenges and finding her true identity as an entrepreneur. They explore the importance of mindset, finding a good coach, and aligning with one's “core desired feelings” (a concept developed by Danielle LaPorte). They also touch on the significance of gratitude, the inspiring qualities of Balinese culture, and the power of knowing your numbers. The conversation concludes with a reminder to seek help when needed and to stay true to yourself, always.

Takeaways:

• Forgiving yourself for a bad business decision is crucial for moving forward and reclaiming your power.
• Getting back to what works and investing in yourself are key to overcoming challenges and getting back to achieving success.
• Mindset plays a significant role in business success, and it's important to align thoughts and emotions with desired outcomes.
• Simplicity is essential and overcomplicating things can hinder growth and progress. Having a coach or mentor is essential for all entrepreneurs, regardless of the type of business they have.
• Aligning with your core desired feelings and true identity is crucial for success and fulfillment.
• Expressing gratitude and practicing cultural traditions can bring joy and happiness.
• Numbers can hold personal significance and serve as signs or confirmations.
• Seek help and stay true to yourself to overcome challenges and achieve the success you deserve.

Tune in now to learn more.


Connect with the hosts:

Kate De Jong, PhD | Inspired Business

Website: https://katedejong.com/

Instagram: katedejong.inspiredbusiness

Email: kate@katedejong.com

Sam Morris | The Business Implementor

Website: https://thebusinessimplementor.com/

Instagram: sammorris.businesscoach

Email: sam@thebusinessimplementor.com