The Dion Guagliardo Podcast

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The Dion Guagliardo Podcast

Dion Guagliardo

116 episodes

1 week ago

In this episode, I interview Quirin Schwaighofer - Co-Founder of MadeComfy. MadeComfy was founded in 2015 and has become Australia's largest professional short-term rental network. With over 1,300 properties under management, the company reached a major milestone this year when it was acquired for more than $50 million. Throughout the episode, Quirin discusses setting the goal of starting a company with the intention of exiting in ten years. He shares the challenges of growing MadeComfy inclu...

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Entrepreneurship

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In this episode, I interview Quirin Schwaighofer - Co-Founder of MadeComfy. MadeComfy was founded in 2015 and has become Australia's largest professional short-term rental network. With over 1,300 properties under management, the company reached a major milestone this year when it was acquired for more than $50 million. Throughout the episode, Quirin discusses setting the goal of starting a company with the intention of exiting in ten years. He shares the challenges of growing MadeComfy inclu...

Show more...

Entrepreneurship

Episodes (20/116)

The Dion Guagliardo Podcast

#116 Quirin Schwaighofer - Co-Founder of MadeComfy

In this episode, I interview Quirin Schwaighofer - Co-Founder of MadeComfy. MadeComfy was founded in 2015 and has become Australia's largest professional short-term rental network. With over 1,300 properties under management, the company reached a major milestone this year when it was acquired for more than $50 million. Throughout the episode, Quirin discusses setting the goal of starting a company with the intention of exiting in ten years. He shares the challenges of growing MadeComfy inclu...

1 week ago

50 minutes

The Dion Guagliardo Podcast

#115 Jim Penman - Founder of Jim's Group

In this episode, I interview Jim Penman - Founder of Jim's Group. Since launching Jim's Mowing in 1982, Jim's Group has become Australia's largest franchise network, spanning more than 50 service divisions and over 5,500 franchisees. As of 2025, Jim’s Group generates over $1 billion in annual turnover. Throughout the discussion, Jim shares his early experience of completing his PhD before facing the challenge of finding a career in academia and choosing to grow his mowing business instead. He...

2 weeks ago

51 minutes

The Dion Guagliardo Podcast

#114 David Hyman - Co-Founder and CEO of Lendi Group

In this episode, I interview David Hyman - Co-Founder and CEO of Lendi Group. Since founding the company in 2013, Lendi has become Australia's leading digital mortgage broker and online home loan platform. After acquiring Aussie Home Loans in 2021, Lendi Group now has over $100 billion dollars in loans and 5 million customers on their platforms. Throughout the episode, David discusses the process of combining the digital and human experience for their customers. He talks about the commi...

1 month ago

44 minutes

The Dion Guagliardo Podcast

#113 Steve Chapman - Founder of Hyro and Co-Founder of Shine

In this episode, I interview Steve Chapman - Founder of Hyro and Co-Founder of Shine. Steve scaled Shine to become a major name in the beverage industry in over 7,000 stores and $60m in retail sales. Now, Steve is building Hyro, a wellness brand creating hydrating electrolyte drinks, with a mission to become a $100m company. Throughout the episode, Steve shares his journey growing Shine, including the challenge of navigating sales and supply chains with major retailers like Coles and Woolwort...

1 month ago

37 minutes

The Dion Guagliardo Podcast

#112 Benjamin Zeccola - CEO of Palace Cinemas

In this episode, I interview Benjamin Zeccola - CEO of Palace Cinemas. Founded by his father, Antonio, in 1965, Palace Cinemas has grown into Australia's leading independent cinema group with over 200 screens across 24 locations nationally. Throughout the episode, Benjamin discusses being involved in the family business from a young age, and the process of stepping into the CEO role. He reflects on the complex process of succession planning and balancing family dynamics with business ne...

1 month ago

35 minutes

The Dion Guagliardo Podcast

#111 Jaid Hulsbosch - Director at Hulsbosch

In this episode, I interview Jaid Hulsbosch - Director at Hulsbosch. Founded by his father in 1982, the independently owned brand and design agency has grown into a powerhouse behind some of Australia's most iconic brands including Woolworths, Virgin Australia, and Qantas. Throughout the episode, Jaid shares his journey growing up in the business. His decision to gain experience in London before joining his family-run company. He also talks about the importance of passion and why it matters i...

1 month ago

38 minutes

The Dion Guagliardo Podcast

#110 Andrew Banks - Co-Founder of Morgan & Banks and Talent2 International

In this episode, I interview Andrew Banks - Co-Founder of Morgan & Banks and Talent2 International. Founded in 1985, Andrew scaled Morgan & Banks to become Australia's largest recruitment company with revenue of almost $1 billion. Andrew also co-founded Talent2 International, an ASX-listed company providing human resource advisory and payroll services. Throughout the conversation, Andrew talks about the rapid growth of Morgan & Banks, dealing with each stage of the company a...

2 months ago

43 minutes

The Dion Guagliardo Podcast

#109 Erin Deering - Co-Founder of Triangl Swimwear and Founder of Deering

In this episode, I interview Erin Deering - Co-Founder of Triangl Swimwear and Founder of Deering. Launching Triangl Swimwear in 2013, the brand saw rapid growth with revenue hitting $70 million pa in the space of a few short years and a valuation of $200 million at its peak. Throughout the conversation, Erin talks about the challenges that come with such rapid growth, recognising that she needed to make changes, and how she emerged stronger for the experience. She talks about exiting her bus...

2 months ago

55 minutes

The Dion Guagliardo Podcast

#108 Wayne Gerard - Founder of Prtnr and Co-Founder of RedEye

In this episode, I interview Wayne Gerard — Founder of Prtnr and Co-Founder of RedEye. Over the past two decades, Wayne has built and exited multiple businesses, including scaling RedEye, which supports clients in managing over $450 billion in large, complex assets and critical infrastructure. Now, through his current venture Prtnr, Wayne invests in and builds companies that focus on sustainable innovation. Throughout the conversation, Wayne discusses how his entrepreneurial mindset shaped hi...

3 months ago

48 minutes

The Dion Guagliardo Podcast

#107 Adam Ferrier - Founder of Thinkerbell

In this episode, I interview Adam Ferrier - Founder of Thinkerbell. Founded in 2017, Adam has helped scale Thinkerbell into one of Australia's most recognisable advertising agencies, working with iconic brands such as Vegemite, Menulog, and Jetstar. With his sharp insights and unique point of view, Adam is also a regular panellist on shows like The Project, Gruen, Sunrise, and ABC Radio. Throughout the episode, Adam shares his early fascination with commerce and psychology, and how his experi...

3 months ago

39 minutes

The Dion Guagliardo Podcast

#106 Colleen Callander - Former CEO of Sportsgirl & Sussan and Founder of Mentor Me Women

In this episode, I interview Colleen Callander - former CEO of Sportsgirl and Sussan and Founder of Mentor Me Women. Over a 30-year career in Australian retail, Colleen led major fashion brands through periods of significant growth and transformation, including a decade-long turnaround at the labels where she served as CEO. Colleen discusses how she got her start in fashion at just 16, the leadership lessons she’s learned over time, and the role of self-awareness and empathy in effective mana...

3 months ago

41 minutes

The Dion Guagliardo Podcast

#105 Steve Baxter - Co-Founder of TEN13 and Founder of Beaten Zone Venture Partners

In this episode, I interview Steve Baxter - Co-Founder of TEN13 and Founder of Beaten Zone Venture Partners. Steve launched his first tech startup in 1994 and went on to sell his second, PIPE Networks for $373 million in 2009. He has become one of Australia’s leading investors in start-ups and tech. Throughout the conversation, Steve talks about the process of scaling his first start-ups within a competitive telecommunications market. He also shares his early experience as a soldier an...

4 months ago

46 minutes

The Dion Guagliardo Podcast

#104 Ben Thompson - Co-Founder and CEO of Employment Hero

In this episode, I interview Ben Thompson - Co-founder and CEO of Employment Hero. With a valuation of almost $2 billion, Ben has scaled the company to be one of the world’s leading HR, payroll, and recruitment software businesses. Employment Hero is used by over 400,000 businesses and 3 million employees globally. Throughout the episode, Ben highlights the ambition of Employment Hero to assist people who are disadvantaged around the world and connect them to remote work opportunities. He als...

4 months ago

53 minutes

The Dion Guagliardo Podcast

#103 Amanda Rettig - Founder of Mimco and A-ESQUE

In this episode, I interview Amanda Rettig - Founder of Mimco and A-ESQUE. As a design leader in the fashion industry, Amanda grew Mimco into a fashion powerhouse and sold the accessories brand for $45 million in 2007. Now, she continues her creative success into luxury handbags and goods at A-ESQUE. Amanda shares her approach to building a retail brand, and scaling her business and exit with Mimco. She also talked about how her definition of success in business and life has changed ove...

4 months ago

45 minutes

The Dion Guagliardo Podcast

#102 Angela Ferguson - Creative and Managing Director of Futurespace

In this episode, I interview Angela Ferguson - Creative and Managing Director of Futurespace. As a business leader in workplace strategy and design for over 25 years, she has worked with global clients to transform their workplace environment through her innovative projects. Throughout the conversation, Angela highlights her ability to navigate the changing business landscape and implement her future-focused vision to strengthen workplace culture. She also provides great insight into her cur...

5 months ago

38 minutes

The Dion Guagliardo Podcast

#101 David McGrath - CEO of myPlates and TasPlates

In this episode, I interview David McGrath – Chief Executive Officer of myPlates and TasPlates. With a distinguished career as a technology and media executive, David has driven business success through his expertise in product innovation and strategic leadership. Throughout the episode, David shares his experiences navigating the evolving business landscape across different media and technology sectors. He also discusses the influence of technology and AI integration on his business endeavou...

5 months ago

1 hour 4 minutes

The Dion Guagliardo Podcast

#100 Alan Jones - Managing Partner of M8 Ventures

In this episode, I interview Alan Jones – Managing Partner of M8 Ventures. With a career that evolved through roles at Microsoft and Yahoo during the height of the dot-com boom, Alan has become one of the country’s most experienced and respected angel investors. Throughout the conversation, Alan shares how his early curiosity and self-taught tech skills shaped his journey from journalism to venture capital. He also reflects on the unpredictable nature of wealth, the ethics of venture capital,...

6 months ago

1 hour 1 minute

The Dion Guagliardo Podcast

#99 Cassandra Kelly - Co-Founder of Pottinger

In this episode, I interview Cassandra Kelly - Co-Founder of Pottinger — a multi-award-winning financial and strategic global advisory firm. In 2019, Cassandra was awarded an Order of Australia in recognition of her transformative contributions to business through executive roles and as an advocate for equity and inclusion. Throughout the episode, Cassandra, based in New York, shares insights on how her destination-led strategies have led clients to embrace disruption, uncertainty, and comple...

6 months ago

51 minutes

The Dion Guagliardo Podcast

#98 David Fastuca - Co-Founder of Locomote and CEO & Co-Founder Growth Forum

In this episode, I interview David Fastuca - Co-Founder of Locomote and CEO & Co-Founder Growth Forum. Founded in 2012, David grew Locomote into $150 million sales pipeline in less than 18 months, culminating in over $30 million in exits. He now focuses his time scaling Growth Forum, a sales learning platform providing solutions for high-growth companies. Throughout the episode, David talks about his early days as an entrepreneur, and his journey as a business owner, investor and mentor. ...

7 months ago

42 minutes

The Dion Guagliardo Podcast

#97 Tom Cawley - Executive Chair of MaxMine

In this episode, I interview Tom Cawley - Executive Chair of MaxMine — an innovative technology company revolutionizing open-pit mining operations since its founding in 2015. Under Tom’s leadership, MaxMine has grown from a bootstrapped startup into an industry leader backed by private equity, all while maintaining a strong focus on values and reputation to successfully break into a competitive market. Tom shares insights into scaling a tech-driven business, and how MaxMine is harnessing AI a...

7 months ago

50 minutes