Handpicked with Naomi Simson

What's slowing your business down could become your biggest competitive advantage. James Yang, founder of Kaizen Solutions (a productivity suite for remote teams), asks Naomi Simson the hard questions every Australian startup founder faces: why do our businesses fizzle while American companies scale globally? How do you shift from selling to individuals to landing corporate clients? When do you stop competing and start acquiring? Naomi delivers game-changing insights drawn from 20+ years scaling RedBalloon: stop buying customers one by one and build distribution partnerships instead, transition from throwing people at problems to building platforms that scale, and most powerfully—identify your biggest constraint and weaponize it. She shares how 1-800-GOT-JUNK cornered the market by pre-buying their truck supplier's entire production, preventing competitors from copying them, and how RedBalloon locked up Australia's best experiences before a billion-euro competitor could enter the market. If you're struggling to scale, burning cash on customer acquisition, or wondering whether to compete or consolidate your market, this conversation offers brutally practical frameworks for turning limitations into competitive moats. Thank you to Deel.com for supporting Australian business owners through it's sponsorship of Handpicked Season 6 for more information about Anytime Pay click hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every successful business starts with a problem worth solving. In this episode of Handpicked, Naomi Simson sits down with Mark Woodland, founder of Kismet, who's tackling one of Australia's biggest challenges: the administrative burden crushing families caring for aging parents. After successfully building and selling Explore, Mark is now automating healthcare admin for the "sandwich generation"—those caught between caring for aging parents and dependent children. Discover why the biggest business opportunities lie in solving nation-building challenges in healthcare, education, and housing. Learn how to build thought leadership and authority in your industry, why celebrating customer wins matters more than self-promotion, and Mark's surprising next venture into solving housing affordability. Thank you to Deel.com for supporting Australian business owners through it's sponsorship of Handpicked Season 6 for more information about Anytime Pay click here  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every founder says yes too often—and it's killing their business growth. Naomi Simson sits down with serial entrepreneur Sheree Andersen (founder of Elephant and Trove corporate gifting platforms) to reveal the pivotal moment in RedBalloon maturing and learning what to say no to.  Discover why business success comes from what you refuse, not what you accept. Learn business focus strategies, the cost-to-serve analysis every startup needs, how female founders can stop self-limiting, and the personal planning framework that prevents founder burnout. If you're struggling with business focus, work-life balance, or knowing which customers to turn away, this entrepreneur advice will transform how you think about scaling your Australian business. Thank you to Deel.com for supporting Australian business owners through it's sponsorship of Handpicked Season 6 for more information about Anytime Pay click here    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Liam Forde ran a big business in London. His confession? "I turned into an asshole." So he spent the next 26 years teaching people not to be like him—creating transformation experiences for leaders across 40 countries. Now he's relocated to Australia for his grandkids—and he's starting completely fresh. No networks. No contacts. No idea where to begin in the Australian market. His questions are brutally honest: Where do I even start? What networks matter? How do I build trust when nobody knows who I am? And then the big one: What's keeping Australian leaders up at night right now? Naomi doesn't hold back. She shares the phone call that changed everything for RedBalloon ("How do I know you're real?"), why she wears red every single day, and the networking mistake most people make when building a business. Plus: the truth about burnout that went viral on LinkedIn, why leaders are struggling with a completely new set of pressures (AI, cybersecurity, remote teams), and the "tiger team" approach that's replacing traditional org structures. And when Liam asks how to get partners to work harder for you than anyone else? Naomi reveals what she has seen work successfully. This episode is for anyone who's ever felt like they're starting over—whether you're new to a market, rebuilding after a setback, or just trying to figure out where your people are.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What do you do when you've built a successful business in a niche that most people don't even know exists? Oliver Lonergan went from selling lollies in primary school to running Professional Picture Hanging—a 12-person operation spanning Australia's east coast and London, with major contracts including Crown Sydney and luxury hotels. At just years out of school, he's facing the classic scale-up challenge: how do you grow from 1 million to 5 million without losing what makes you special? In this episode, Naomi tackles Oliver's tough questions: building a memorable brand in an "invisible" industry, navigating the leadership shifts required for multi-location growth, and whether to plan for acquisition now or later. From AI-powered scheduling to strategic partnerships and the power of a well-branded van, this conversation is packed with actionable advice for any service-based business looking to scale. Plus, discover why being someone's first customer sometimes comes back to you in the best way possible. NaomiSimson.comwww.professionalpicturehanging.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join Naomi Simson in conversation with Adriana Brusi, Managing Director of CrowdsNow, as they dive deep into the real challenges of startup life. From the three critical mistakes that derail new businesses to why authentic relationships trump expensive marketing campaigns, this episode reveals the uncomfortable truths about building a business that lasts. Discover why your customers should be your best ambassadors and how to create genuine connections in an increasingly digital world.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When tourism gets tough, do you pivot or persist? Mark Garey from Orange Trikes faces three critical decisions about SEO, pricing strategy and premium product marketing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From tea towels to TV dreams: Live painter Sarah Rowan asks how sole traders can scale without losing their magic. Her energy is infectious and her questions apply to every creative entrepreneur.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When 91% of companies have recognition programmes but only 31% rate them as effective, something's clearly broken. In this episode, co-CEOs Belinda and Amie from Cos share how they're revitalising their "tired" recognition programme without falling into the favouritism trap. Why Strategy Execution Unravels and What to do About ItSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hello, I'm Naomi Simson — and we’re back with a brand new season of Handpicked, my podcast where real business owners bring me their real questions. Season five is here (can you believe it?), and wow — the entrepreneurs have really brought the big ones this time. We’re talking about everything from how to motivate today’s sales teams  to how to build a culture of recognition that lifts everyone — not just the loudest voices. These are the kinds of questions that cut through the noise. No fluff — just real, actionable insights for anyone growing a business, leading a team, or simply trying to get the best out of their day. Each episode is short, sharp, and packed with ideas you can use immediately. Because sometimes, all it takes is a new perspective — and a little courage to ask. Join me every Monday for Handpicked. Naomi xSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this short extra I look stratergy made simple See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this short extra I explore the importance of owning a space. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.