Interviewing Founders and CEOs of Australia’s most remarkable regionally based businesses. You’ll hear about their company and what makes it so remarkable. You’ll also get an insight into their growth journey, the mistakes they made, and how they overcame some of their hardest challenges.
Hosted by Caleb Maxwell, Director of Bendigo-based video marketing company Hebron Films, this podcast uncovers regional businesses that are rocking their industries and proves that great companies really can come from smaller places.
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Interviewing Founders and CEOs of Australia’s most remarkable regionally based businesses. You’ll hear about their company and what makes it so remarkable. You’ll also get an insight into their growth journey, the mistakes they made, and how they overcame some of their hardest challenges.
Hosted by Caleb Maxwell, Director of Bendigo-based video marketing company Hebron Films, this podcast uncovers regional businesses that are rocking their industries and proves that great companies really can come from smaller places.
Remarkable Regional Businesses – Episode 25
Guest: Tom IsaacsBusiness Name: PRD BendigoWebsite: https://www.prd.com.au/bendigo/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tom-isaacs-45b69397/
Topics Covered
/ Building PRD Bendigo from the Ground UpTom shares the journey of growing PRD Bendigo from zero market presence to one of the leading real estate agencies in the region. He reflects on the early days, unexpected opportunities, and how initial “dumb luck” evolved into strategic business decisions.
/ Reimagining Real Estate Business ModelsThis episode unpacks how Tom departed from the traditional real estate model to build a fully resourced, department-led structure. From media to sales to admin, each arm of the business supports growth and enables team specialisation.
/ Creating Career Pathways and a Scalable TeamTom explains how PRD fosters long-term careers by developing internal pathways - from support roles to independent agents or management tracks. The team culture is built on clarity, mentorship and flexibility.
/ The Power of Culture CaptainsA standout initiative, “culture captains,” empowers team members to uphold values and call out misalignment, creating peer-led accountability. Tom discusses how this simple framework transformed team dynamics and strengthened internal cohesion.
/ Investing in People and Personal GoalsRather than traditional KPIs, PRD’s leadership begins with personal aspirations. Whether it’s buying a home or starting a family, team reviews are structured around what matters most to each employee.
/ Embedding Community into the Business ModelTom shares the origin and structure of the PRD Community First Fund - a quarterly initiative where staff contributions are matched by the business to support underfunded community organisations. Past recipients include Sunshine Bendigo and Southern Cross Kids Camp.
/ Changing Public Perceptions of Real EstateTom and host Caleb discuss the negative stereotypes around real estate agents and how PRD is helping shift that narrative through service-first mindsets, trust-building and long-term community commitment.
/ Leadership Lessons and Evolving RolesFrom hands-on sales to full-time leadership, Tom reflects on stepping out of the frontline, especially during COVID, and how that transition demanded new approaches to empathy, vision and business planning.
References
PRD Bendigo – https://www.prd.com.au/bendigo/ Sunshine Bendigo – https://www.sunshinebendigo.org.auSouthern Cross Kids’ Camp – https://www.sckc.org.auSimon Sinek – https://simonsinek.com
Remarkable Regional Business
Interviewing Founders and CEOs of Australia’s most remarkable regionally based businesses. You’ll hear about their company and what makes it so remarkable. You’ll also get an insight into their growth journey, the mistakes they made, and how they overcame some of their hardest challenges.
Hosted by Caleb Maxwell, Director of Bendigo-based video marketing company Hebron Films, this podcast uncovers regional businesses that are rocking their industries and proves that great companies really can come from smaller places.
