Ash Ivory, founder of Ivory Common and self-described “fractional CPO,” shares their unique journey from scaling and maximising product offerings to founding a business that helps others do the same. In this episode, Ash and Queensland Small Business Commissioner, Dominique Lamb, dive into the art of product strategy, the psychology of business decisions, and the hard realities of running your own consultancy. Ash’s passion for neurodiversity, real-talk about cash flow pressures, and her approach to business coaching through radical honesty shine through. With deep insights into startup culture, customer discovery, and the emotional toll of entrepreneurship, Ash offers listeners a fresh perspective on building meaningful and resilient businesses—plus a surprising crossover with Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour. Covered in this episode:· Ash’s journey from startup product lead to founder of Ivory Common.· What it means to be a "fractional CPO" and how Ash supports founders.· How to define success in unexpected moments.· The emotional cost of entrepreneurship, including impacts on personal life.· Using outcomes over features when designing products or services.· Why customer feedback is essential—and how to gather it.· The importance of coachability and knowing when to “sack your clients.”· Getting started with AI tools like ChatGPT for business efficiency.· Ash’s business mantra: “Words Matter”—the interplay between language and action.· A shared love for Taylor Swift (and a debate about best tracks). Check out Ivory Common. We'd love to hear from you! Send your comments and business questions to mailbag@qsbc.qld.gov.au Small Business Big Stories is produced by Queensland Small Business Commissioner and The Podcast Boss.   #SmallBusinessBigStories, #IvoryCommon, #ProductStrategy, #FractionalCPO, #NeurodiversityInBusiness, #TaylorSwiftBusiness, #AIForSmallBusiness