First Act

Nov 21 2024 62 ep. 39 mins 52

First Act Podcast artwork

First Act shares the origin tales and inspirational stories of Australia’s most innovative business owners and personalities. Hosted by Kochie’s Business Builders’ editors Cec Busby and Adam Bub, these frank conversations deliver a deep dive into the genesis of success. Cec, Adam and their guests unpack the motivations that fired up their journeys and explore the road travelled to reach their goals.

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Bouncing back: How clean beauty entrepreneur Irene Falcone rose from the ashes of two businesses

Nov 21 2024 42 mins

You’d be hard pressed to find a more determined entrepreneur than Irene Falcone. From the comfort of her garage, Irene created low-tox eCommerce brand Nourished Life and eventually sold it for $20 million. But the experience was anything but nourishing, she tells us with raw honesty on this episode of First Act. From those dark days, Irene went on to create non-alcoholic beverag

Jason T Smith built a $100 million physio business from his garage – then sold it

Nov 07 2024 43 mins

Jason T Smith is someone who has redefined resilience in business. Jason’s entrepreneurial journey started with an entirely different goal – to become a medical missionary. But life took him on a detour, and at just 24, he founded what would become Australia’s largest physiotherapy network, the Back In Motion Health Group, which he later sold for over $100 million. Despite h

Beyond profit: Aviv Palti's journey from business to global impact

Oct 24 2024 49 mins

Aviv Palti is a lifelong entrepreneur with a knack for building businesses — and a heart set on making a difference. As the CEO of Lifestyle Brands and founder of the Cambodia Rural Students Trust (CRST), Aviv’s journey weaves together commercial success and social impact. Starting his first business at just 19, Aviv grew a small family venture into a thriving wholesale brand

Women Rising’s Megan Dalla-Camina is reshaping how women lead and succeed

Oct 10 2024 40 mins

Megan Dalla-Camina’s career is a masterclass in reinvention. From climbing the corporate ladder in male-dominated industries to becoming a best-selling author, speaker, and advocate for women's empowerment, Megan has continually pushed boundaries and shattered glass ceilings. But what happens when a high-flying executive decides to step away from the boardroom and embrace a life

Storytelling for success: What everyone can learn from CEO-turned-keynote speaker Lucy Bloom

Sep 26 2024 52 mins

Lucy Bloom's journey is anything but ordinary. From launching a boutique ad agency at just 19, to leading life-changing initiatives in Ethiopia and Cambodia, Lucy has carved a unique path fueled by creativity, resilience, and a knack for doing business differently. But what happens when the CEO who built a charity from the ground up gets fired by her own board? In this episode, L

Charlie Puchala: The Polish migrant who built an Aussie construction empire from scratch

Sep 12 2024 46 mins

Growing up in a tiny village in Poland, Charlie Puchala could have never imagined she’d one day be running a multi-million-dollar construction empire in Sydney. But with grit, determination, and a touch of flair, she’s made it happen. Now, as the powerhouse behind Puch Constructions and Charlie’s Interiors, she’s building more than just structures—she’s building a leg

Recipe for change: How Shaun Christie-David is serving refugees hope

Aug 29 2024 48 mins

Shaun Christie-David is a passionate entrepreneur who’s turning the tables on the food industry with a purpose-driven mission. Founder of Plate it Forward, Shaun’s journey from the corporate world of finance to creating a socially conscious food business is nothing short of inspiring. Initially set on a different path, Shaun discovered a deeper calling – one that blends his l

New brew: How Heaps Normal’s Andy Miller made non-alcoholic beer heaps cool

Aug 15 2024 37 mins

Is Heaps Normal heaps normal yet? That’s a question we posed to Andy Miller, the beer-branding wunderkind who co-founded the fast-growing, Sydney-based non-alcoholic beer brand. While it’s a staple in pubs, bottle-Os and supermarkets now, it’s easy to forget that Heaps Normal only brewed into existence during the first COVID lockdown in 2020. As the CEO and co-founder, Andy

From grapes to glory: Corrina Wright's winemaking odyssey

Aug 01 2024 38 mins

Meet Corrina Wright, a winemaking trailblazer who has transformed her family's vineyard into a celebrated brand. Born into six generations of grape growers, Corrina initially dreamed of becoming a lawyer. However, a trip overseas sparked a new appreciation for her winemaking heritage and led her back to a life among the vines. In this episode of First Act, Corrina shares her story

On the scent: Aerre and Floraly founder Alec Ramsey knows how to build cult brands

Jul 18 2024 40 mins

Alec Ramsey is a chronic overachiever. The Sydney-based serial entrepreneur builds globally successful brands like it’s a sport – the latest being cult budget-friendly fragrance brand Àerre, which creates convincing dupes of luxe perfumes so you don’t have to fork out for an exxy Tom Ford or Maison Margiela. Disruption is his game. Flower delivery service Floraly uses tech