Thats Audacious

EP 46 | More Than a Trophy: The Australian Small Business Champion Awards and the Heart of Community

Matthew Manahan, a talented actor and performer, found himself on an unexpected journey that led him from the stage to the inner workings of Precedent Productions, the company behind the prestigious Australian Small Business Champion Awards. He was introduced to Steve Loe, the founder of Precedent Productions, who was also a keen supporter of the arts, after a theatrical show wrapped up and with no immediate acting gigs on the horizon. Matthew joined Precedent Productions, starting in an administrative role, and his initial tasks included the meticulous and arduous process of hand-scanning over 50,000 archival images. This behind-the-scenes work, coupled with his background in the performing arts and his keen eye for storytelling, set the stage for a new and audacious project that would showcase the profound impact of the awards - the Champions book. His challenge was to find a creative way to encapsulate the rich history and human stories that defined the Australian Small Business Champion Awards.

Matthew and the team at Precedent Productions have been part of a monumental project - the creation of Champions: The Legacy That Shaped Small Business for a Nation, a premium, pictorial and inspirational coffee table book that celebrates the history of the awards. The book was born from an accidental moment - Matthew, in a clumsy error, sent an email with the wrong documents, including his boss Steve Loe's personal banking details. Though he feared being fired, Steve instead noticed Matthew's creative and persuasive writing in the email and tasked him with creating a sponsorship proposal book. What was initially a six-month project evolved into a three-year endeavour, resulting in an opulent publication that showcases the triumphs, struggles, and real-world impact of small business owners.

The book, which has been described as a laudable addition to any collection of Australian works, aims to inspire readers and provide an honest look at the lives of business owners. It captures the personal stories of those who have won the coveted Champion statuette, exploring their journeys and the financial, communal, and economic effects the award has had on their lives. This project has allowed Matthew to leverage his storytelling skills to honour the legacy of the awards, while also providing a valuable resource for small business owners and a testament to the life-changing power of recognition.

Message from Matthew

"Don't sweat the small stuff," Matthew advises, a lesson he learned from his own accidental career pivot. He believes there is always a solution, even when faced with a heart-sinking moment like sending your boss's banking details to a group of people. This experience taught him to trust the process and embrace the unpredictable journey of life and career.

Matthew also encourages businesses entering the Small Business Champion Awards to share their true story, not just their financial success. "We're also looking for the heart of your community," he explains, urging people to focus on their involvement, their staff, and their value system. He cautions against using AI to write award submissions, noting that the judges "can smell it a mile away". Instead, he suggests using it as a tool for structure and then "put it in your own words" to ensure the genuine, human element shines through.

"We get you guys," Matthew states, highlighting the awards' focus on the Australian small business community. He notes that the free resources and marketing materials provided to finalists and winners are a direct reflection of the team's understanding of small business needs. "We would want the same in return," he says, reinforcing the program's commitment to championing and rewarding hard-working entrepreneurs.

For more information and to enter the Small Business Champion Awards, go to: https://www.championawards.com.au/

For more information about the book or to become a sponsor of the awards, go to: Precedent Productions: https://www.precedent.net/

EP 45 | From Event Manager to Speaker Catalyst

Michael Arnot, co-founder of Encore Speakers and Mainstage, is a prominent figure in the Australian speaking industry. His journey began not as a speaker, but as an event manager, where he co-founded an event management company. While organising events, he and his team frequently needed to book speakers and quickly realised there was a significant gap in the market. This experience, coupled with the difficulty they faced in finding the right talent for their clients, led them to pivot into a new venture: a speaker agency.

Michael's goal was to create a different kind of agency - one that focused on understanding the client's needs on a deep level. He recognised that event organisers were not just looking for a person to stand on a stage; they were looking for someone who could create an electrifying impact and deliver practical, transformative value for their attendees. This understanding became the foundation of Encore Speakers' value proposition: to have in-depth conversations with clients about their event's purpose, attendees, and desired outcomes. This focus on the attendee experience, from invitation to follow-up, was what set them apart from competitors and became a crucial lesson that Michael believes is essential for any speaker to understand.

Through Encore Speakers and Mainstage, Michael has achieved significant results by focusing on the business of speaking and helping others do the same. He proudly shares two key achievements that highlight the impact of his work.

For Encore Speakers, a major win was helping an education industry association curate an entire three-day conference. By carefully placing speakers, they were able to create an experience where attendees felt not just professionally developed, but personally transformed.

With Mainstage, Michael's focus shifted to helping speakers grow their businesses. A proud moment was witnessing a speaker completely transform their enterprise after implementing the program. This individual, who was considering returning to corporate life, instead built a globally impactful business, proving the value of being coachable and following a proven process.

Recognising the need for credibility and differentiation in a crowded market, Michael also made a strategic decision to enter Mainstage into business awards. This move was not just about winning; it was about seeking independent validation from industry experts. The awards provided an external stamp of approval and helped build a credible profile, justifying the value and expertise they offer. Michael believes this independent validation is crucial for speakers and businesses alike to justify their value to potential clients and stand out from the competition.

Michael also expressed immense pride in winning three Stevie Awards, and was especially proud of winning the category of for "best business process". To him, this is world-class validation from independent judges that the Mainstage Speaker Academy process is world-leading. Michael also pointed out that they won in a category that also featured IBM, well known for its innovative systems, which took out the gold award. To be ‘rubbing shoulders’ with such well-known brands and being recognised for the innovative approach they are implementing with such impressive results for speakers is a massive achievement.

Message from the client

Michael’s insights are direct and practical, stemming from years of experience on both sides of the speaking industry. He emphasises that speakers are "not selling to the audience, but rather to the person who signs the check". His core message to those in the industry is that success is about more than just being brilliant on stage; it requires "understanding the business of speaking". He advises speakers to make themselves easy to book by having a "laser focus" on their specific value proposition, and to ensure their messaging "does exactly what it says on the tin".

Michael’s key business advice is to "partner quicker". He believes that entrepreneurs should avoid trying to hold everything precious and instead collaborate with others to scale their businesses.

Contact

For more information about Michael Arnot, The Mainstage Speaker Academy and Encore Speakers, please visit:

• Encore Speakers: http://encorespeakers.com.au
• Mainstage: http://mainstage.com.au

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelarnot

EP 44 | From Aerospace to Authors: Dr. Hassan Younes on Business, Passion, and the Power of a Book

The Leap of Faith: From Engineering to Entrepreneurship

Dr. Younes began his career as an aerospace engineer with the Australian Department of Defence and Boeing. However, a life change prompted an audacious decision. When he and his wife, Sarifa, an education professional, couldn't find a suitable childcare centre for their young son, he suggested they build one themselves. This was the start of a new career path.

For the first five years, he worked behind the scenes while still at his engineering job, but his passion for business grew. Despite a handsome salary at Boeing, he decided to take a leap of faith. He took a few months of unpaid leave to test out full-time business management. This period allowed him to be fully present with his family, taking his kids to school and being part of their daily lives. The experience was so rewarding that he decided to resign from his engineering career and become a full-time entrepreneur.

This pattern of identifying a gap in the market and filling it became the blueprint for his future ventures. When he and his wife needed a travel agency in their suburb and couldn't find one, they started their own. This travel business quickly expanded to three locations. The same philosophy led to the founding of a successful training organisation. As Lauren notes, this "fabulous grassroots approach to entrepreneurship" is a common and inspiring story in Australia.

The ABLE Book Awards and Expo: A Platform for Authors

The idea for the ABLE Book Awards and Expo was born from another personal experience. In 2019, after Dr Younes and his wife published their books, they realised their books were "just in a box on the shelf." They hadn't properly launched them to a wider audience. They saw a need for a professional platform where authors could launch their books on a real stage, with media coverage, photography, and video.

Dr Younes explains that many authors put immense effort into writing their book but then stop, failing to promote it properly. He believes this is due to a lack of understanding about the marketing process and the belief that they need a huge online following to succeed. The ABLE Book Awards and Expo fills this gap by providing a professional, ready-made platform that gives authors the marketing support, exposure, and community they need.

For an author to participate, they simply register, provide professional assets like their book's images and a bio, and the ABLE team handles the rest—marketing, promotion, event organisation, and stage management. Authors get to enjoy the "spotlight and the exposure." This includes a physical expo where authors can speak, get professional videos, and sell their books, as well as an opportunity to connect with other authors and industry leaders.

The Able Book Awards is a key component of the event. It's open to authors from around the world and from any genre, whether fiction, non-fiction, children's, business book or autobiography. Authors who launch their books at the expo are automatically entered into the awards. Authors who aren't launching can also nominate their books, regardless of when they were published. Dr Younes and his team use a thorough, collaborative judging process that includes a panel of judges and author interviews to ensure every book is given a fair and comprehensive review.

Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

When asked what advice he would give his younger self, Dr Younes's answer is simple and powerful: "Start everything sooner." Reflecting on his journey, acknowledging the mistakes and failures along the way but seeing them as essential learning experiences, he emphasises that life is short and that it's important to put your heart and soul into what you're passionate about, learning and growing from every experience. His journey is a testament to the idea that success is not a straight line, but a series of ups and downs from which you learn and grow.

If you have a book sitting in a box in your garage, the ABLE Book Awards and Expo offers an incredible opportunity to share your message with the world. Your book deserves to be well-known, well-paid, and wanted.

Links:

• EXPO: https://www.authorexpo.com.au

ABLE Book Awards: https://www.authorexpo.com.au/gba-nominate

EP 43 | The Audacious Truth About Learning: Melissa Williams on Busting Beliefs and Driving Cultural Change

In this episode of the That's Audacious podcast, host Lauren Clemett speaks with the brilliant Melissa Williams, CEO of Learning Dimensions Network. An award-winning corporate training organisation, LDN specialises in leadership, safety, and cultural change. With over 20 years of experience, Melissa shares her personal journey and professional insights on how to create truly impactful learning solutions.

 

Melissa Williams is the CEO of Learning Dimensions Network (LDN), an award-winning corporate training organisation specialising in leadership, safety and cultural change learning solutions. With over 20 years of experience in adult learning and instructional design, Melissa is passionate about creating engaging and impactful training programs that drive workplace transformation.

To learn more about Melissa Williams and LDN’s award-winning solutions, find her contact information below:

https://ldn.com.au/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissawilliamsldn/

EP 42 | From Book to Business: How to Turn Your Thought Leadership into a Marketing Powerhouse with Katrina Sawa

Welcome to a powerful episode of the That's Audacious Podcast! Host Lauren Clemett sits down with the fabulous Katrina Sawa, a sought-after business coach, international speaker, and book publisher who's all about making your book a core part of your business strategy. With over 25 years of experience, Katrina has helped thousands of entrepreneurs simplify their marketing and automate their business, and she's guided over 150 authors to success.

The Mindset Shift: Your Book is a Business, Not Just a Product

Katrina’s journey into publishing is surprising: she never wanted to be an author and doesn't even like to read. Her interest in books came from observing others. Initially skeptical of selling a low-cost item like a book, she had a breakthrough when she realised a book is a powerful marketing tool for opening doors to speaking engagements, media appearances, and high-value clients.

A critical point she and Lauren discuss is that writing the book is only half the job; the other, and arguably more important, half is marketing it. Katrina emphasises that you must view your book as a business or a funnel into your existing business. If you don't, you risk spending thousands of dollars on a book that just sits on a shelf.

For those considering writing a book, Katrina's first piece of advice is to write the back cover copy first. This exercise forces you to think about the book's marketing, purpose, and audience before you've written a single word. It’s all about having a clear goal, whether that’s to launch a speaking career, gain new clients, or just share your story with family and friends.

From Information to Income

A book should be more than just a collection of information. Katrina suggests that authors use their books to create a sales funnel. This can be done by including:

• Exercises or journal prompts at the end of chapters.
• QR codes or links to a landing page where readers can download a free workbook or resource.
• Bundles that include the book and a separate, more detailed workbook or course for purchase.

This strategy turns a $20 book into a lead generator for high-ticket coaching, consulting, or speaking. She shares a story of a client who initially wrote a massive 500-page book and workbook combined, only to realise that nobody would want to read something so long. By separating them, they created a powerful bundle and a clearer path for their audience.

Katrina also advises authors to consider a book's physical size. A massive, expensive-to-ship book isn't ideal for a media kit. Giving away a smaller, concise book can be far more valuable, as the cost of printing is minimal compared to the revenue gained from a new client who reads it and hires you.

Why Your Publisher Should Be a Marketer

Katrina explains that many traditional publishers fail to offer marketing support because they aren't marketers themselves; they are simply book production specialists. She warns against paying for a book and receiving no help with promotion, as this is a recipe for a business-building failure. Her business coaching background gives her a unique perspective, allowing her to assess not just the book, but your entire brand presence—from your social media to your website—to ensure everything aligns to support your book's success.

Lauren and Katrina agree that a well-marketed book, especially one that has won awards, positions you as a "go-to expert". This makes you more attractive to event organizers and media outlets, leading to more speaking gigs, more visibility, and higher pay.

Actionable Steps to Promote Your Book

For anyone with a book gathering dust in a garage, Katrina has a clear call to action: perform an audit of your online presence.

• Audit your visibility: Can people easily find you and your book?
• Check your contact information: Is your phone number, email, or a contact form easily accessible on your website and social media profiles?
• Optimise your profiles: Ensure your LinkedIn and other social media profiles accurately reflect your brand and expertise.

Katrina's final advice to her younger self is to stop settling. She believes that settling in personal or professional relationships closes the door on great opportunities. She encourages listeners to stop putting up with things that are not serving them and to reach out for support if needed.

Katrina Sawa is a sought-after business coach, international speaker, and book publisher. Known for her direct, humorous and inspiring style, Katrina delivers actionable insights that leave audiences equipped and motivated to take their businesses to the next level. With 25 years of experience, she has helped thousands of business owners level up their confidence and pricing, simplify their marketing, automate operations, and build sustainable revenue streams. As the founder of Jumpstart Publishing, Katrina has also guided over 150 entrepreneurs through the process of becoming a published author, using books as powerful tools to boost their visibility, credibility, and their business

To learn more about Katrina Sawa's business coaching and publishing services, and how she can help you turn your book into a business, find her contact information below. If you're a published author, consider entering your book in awards to further boost your credibility and visibility. You deserve to be well-known, well-paid, and wanted!

 

Contact Info

Business Coaching website: https://www.JumpstartYourBizNow.com   

Book Publishing website: https://JumpstartPublishing.net    

Events Webpage: http://www.JumpstartEvents.net