Podcast
The Bottom Line
Hosted by Alexander Spencer · EN
The Bottom Line is a show designed to help Australian businesses succeed. On the show, you'll hear from leading Aussie business owners as they share the lessons they've learned building their companies. You'll learn from their successes, as well as some of the challenges they've faced along the way. We also talk to experts from a range of fields who share specialised techniques you can use to improve your business. Produced by accounting and business advisory firm Alexander Spencer.
11episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
How Pay.com.au is Rethinking Business Payments and Rewards
2w ago01:00:52Tap to summarizeIn this episode ofThe Bottom Line, Sevan sits down with Edward Alder, Managing Director of pay.com.au. Edward shares how his background in accounting, banking, corporate advisory and digital businesses helped shape pay.com.au, a platform that allows SMEs to pay business expenses by credit card, earn rewards and improve cash flow. Across the conversation, he explains how the team identified an underserved market, built a scalable business model and secured partnerships with major airlines and hotels. He also discusses the importance of strong branding, simple systems, employee ownership and a culture built around transparency and accountability. Edward also reflects on pay.com.au’s expansion into the United States, its approach to sustainable growth and the possible future pathways for the business. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →How Jim Penman built Jim's Mowing into a franchise empire
4w ago00:48:37Tap to summarizeIn this episode of The Bottom Line, Sevan sits down with Jim Penman, founder of Jim’s Group and one of Australia’s most well-known voices in small business. Known by many as the name behind Jim’s Mowing and the wider Jim’s Group, Jim has built one of the country’s most recognised franchise brands. His business journey started early, from earning his first money as an eight-year-old doing odd jobs to turning a part-time lawn mowing business into a full-time venture in 1982. Today, Jim’s Group has grown into a franchise network with thousands of franchisees across Australia and beyond, but the lessons behind that growth remain deeply practical for small business owners. Across the conversation, Jim shares what it really takes to build, scale, and sustain a service business. He talks about the early days of franchising, reaching 100 franchisees in just 18 months, why customer service matters more than most businesses realise, and why looking after franchisees has always been at the centre of the Jim’s Group model. He also shares honest lessons from the mistakes he has made along the way, including the risks of moving too quickly into ventures you do not fully understand, the importance of humility in business, and why strong systems, feedback, pricing, and leadership can make all the difference. Resources and links: Jim Penman Website Jim Penman Tiktok Jim Penman Instagram Jim Penman Facebook Connect: Alexander Spencer Website Alexander Spencer Linktree See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →What Formula 1 can teach business owners about performing under pressure, with Kim Keedle
Jun 2200:24:13Tap to summarizeKim Keedle is a former Formula One performance coach, physiotherapist, and founder working at the intersection of elite sport, personal development, and technology. Across his career in motorsport, he supported world-class drivers including Romain Grosjean and Oscar Piastri, helping them manage the physical, mental, and lifestyle demands required to compete at the highest level. In this episode, Kim shares an inside look at the world of Formula One and what goes into preparing drivers before they step into the car. From training and recovery to mindset, focus, pressure, and discipline, he explains why consistent performance relies on far more than natural ability. He also discusses the behaviours and habits that allow top drivers to stay calm, resilient, and ready when every second matters. Kim also reflects on his move from the F1 paddock into the startup world with Pocket Mentor AI, a personalised mentoring tool built around high-performance coaching frameworks. He discusses the realities of building a new business, where AI can support personal growth, and how self-awareness, structure, and reflection can help people perform better in sport, business, and everyday life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →What your airway says about your overall health, with Donny Mandrawa
Jun 800:44:06Tap to summarizeDr. Donny Mandrawa is a myofunctional dentist, educator, and author specialising in airway health, breathing, sleep, and childhood development. He is the founder of one of Australia's leading myofunctional dentistry practices, helping children and adults address airway, breathing, sleep, and developmental concerns. In this episode, Dr. Donny Mandrawa discusses the connection between airway health, breathing, sleep quality, and overall wellbeing. He explains why symptoms such as snoring, teeth grinding, mouth breathing, and poor sleep are often signs of underlying airway dysfunction, and why early intervention can have a significant impact on childhood development and long-term health outcomes. Dr. Donny also shares his journey from traditional dentistry to myofunctional dentistry and the inspiration behind his book, Behind the Smile, which aims to raise awareness of the critical role breathing and sleep play in overall health.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →How high performers build a health strategy, with Dr. Harrison Weisinger
Feb 200:55:02Tap to summarizeDr. Harrison Weisinger is the Founder of My Performance Doctor. My Performance Doctor is a preventative medicine practice that uses a membership model to deliver longevity and high-performance health strategies for busy executives and professionals. In this episode, Dr. Harrison Weisinger reflects on his unconventional career path from optometrist to researcher, doctor, and corporate executive at Specsavers, where he worked to future-proof the business against disruption. He shares his philosophy on staying ahead of competitors by aiming for market perfection and discusses his current venture, My Performance Doctor, including the three-level framework for health and risk management that he uses with high-performing clients. Resources and links: My Performance Doctor Website My Performance Doctor on LinkedIn Dr. Harrison Weisinger on LinkedIn Connect: Alexander Spencer website Alexander Spencer on X Alexander Spencer on Facebook Alexander Spencer on LinkedIn See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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How Tom Boyd redefined success after the AFL
Jan 1901:03:43Tap to summarizeTom Boyd is a former AFL premiership player and Head of Performance at Everperform. His career took him from a suburban upbringing in Melbourne to the very top of professional football at a remarkably young age. In this episode, Tom reflects on his AFL career and the mental health and injury challenges that caused him to retire early. You’ll hear Tom talks through his time at the GWS Giants and the highly scrutinised move to the Western Bulldogs. The conversation also explores Tom’s mental health journey, including the challenges that followed premiership success, his decision to retire at just 23, and how that choice reshaped his sense of purpose. Resources and links: Everperform Website Tom Boyd on Instagram Everperform on LinkedIn Tom Boyd on LinkedIn Connect: Alexander Spencer website Alexander Spencer on X Alexander Spencer on Facebook Alexander Spencer on LinkedIn This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Mastering generative AI, with Dawid Naude
Jan 500:47:40Tap to summarizeDawid Naude is the founder of Pathfindr. Pathfindr that helps other businesses achieve real results with AI, assisting them in overcoming the fast-moving AI landscape and with the adoption and implementation of new technology. In this episode, Dawid discusses his journey from being a curious tech tinkerer to a first-time entrepreneur who launched Pathfindr. He gives real-world examples of how businesses, from large corporations to independent real estate agencies, are leveraging AI with off-the-shelf tools, including voice agents. He provides tips for business owners on how to best leverage tools like ChatGPT and Copilot, while also unpacking the power of AI voice technology, generative AI, and the evolution of AI agents. Finally, Dawid shares his perspective on the future of work, the importance of fostering an AI mindset in youth, and how Pathfindr stays ahead in the constantly evolving AI space. Resources and links: Pathfindr Website Pathfindr on Instagram Pathfindr on LinkedIn Dawid Naude on LinkedIn Connect: Alexander Spencer website Alexander Spencer on X Alexander Spencer on Facebook Alexander Spencer on LinkedIn This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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How 'The Right to Win' builds high-performing sales teams
Dec 2200:48:50Tap to summarizeAndrew Phillips is the Co-founder and Director of ImpactWon. Offering business and sales consultancy, ImpactWon has aided many businesses by improving their sales infrastructure right down to their philosophy. In this episode, Andrew recounts his journey as a salesman from his experience as a persuasive police officer, in scuba diving, and tech. He discusses the similarities and differences of sales and marketing, why sales gets such a bad name, and how to open and close deals. Finally, Andrew shares what makes a good salesman and ImpactWon’s ‘Credibility, Capability, Commitment, Control’ framework for the best sales practice. Resources and links: ImpactWon Website ImpactWon on Instagram ImpactWon on LinkedIn Andrew Phillips on LinkedIn Connect: Alexander Spencer website Alexander Spencer on X Alexander Spencer on Facebook Alexander Spencer on LinkedIn This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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How PILLAR created a new product category, with Damien Fitzpatrick
Dec 800:54:27Tap to summarizeDamien FitzPatrick is the CEO and Founder of PILLAR performance. With an incredible rise to prominence in just 5 years, PILLAR fills the gap in performance supplements, with products for joint health, recovery, energy and immunity. In this episode, Damien discusses the intersection between pharmaceuticals and sports nutrition. He talks about PILLAR’s unique positioning in the industry and insights about the science-backed products that they offer. Finally, Damien shares his future aspirations to have PILLAR become a leader in performance health globally. Resources and links: PILLAR Performance website PILLAR Performance on Youtube PILLAR Performance on Instagram PILLAR Performance on LinkedIn Damien Fitzpatrick on LinkedIn Connect: Alexander Spencer website Alexander Spencer on X Alexander Spencer on Facebook Alexander Spencer on LinkedIn This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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The journey of Foundr, with Nathan Chan
Nov 2400:45:58Tap to summarizeNathan Chan is the CEO of Foundr, a global media and educational company that connects millions of people to entrepreneurial advice straight from the experts. In this episode, Nathan shares with us the building of Foundr, from its core motivations all the way to where it is now. He emphasises the importance of genuine connections with audiences and how they can pull a business towards success. Touching on the matter, he also defines what success means for him and the evolution it has undergone over the years. Lastly, he gives young entrepreneurs some brutal advice on making it big. Resources and links: Foundr Website Foundr on Facebook Foundr on Snapchat Foundr on X Foundr on Pinterest Foundr of Instagram Foundr on Youtube Foundr on Tiktok Foundr on LinkedIn Nathan Chan on LinkedIn Connect: Alexander Spencer website Alexander Spencer on X Alexander Spencer on Facebook Alexander Spencer on LinkedIn This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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