ABOUT OWNER TO OWNER
Owner To Owner is the boldest business podcast for the owners of Australia’s small & medium-sized businesses.
Forget the slick stories of tech titans and unicorns, and out-of-reach strategies and advice from people who've never put their livelihood and hopes on the line.
Host Michael Kerr gets raw and real, talking to business owners like you. Exploring the everyday struggles they face and the different pathways they tread to success.
Owner To Owner dives into the wins and losses, pitfalls, luck and moments that made a difference.
You'll find grit, laughter, maybe a few tears and hard-won lessons only available from others who have been where you are - whatever your stage of ownership.
Every business owner has a compelling story to share.
YOUR HOST michael kerr
Michael Kerr is the host of Owner To Owner podcast.
Michael has worked with thousands of business owners since starting Kerr Capital in 2001. He provides advice that helps owners focus on making their businesses more valuable and easier to run, as they choose to keep and grow, or sell what they've built.
He's worked in Accounting, Commercial Banking, had time leading business development for a venture capital backed start up and key mentoring and advisory roles in the Social Enterprise sector.
His first taste of owning a small business was as a co-founder of the Melbourne Food Truck hall of famers, hot dog vending specialist Doctor Dog.
He's has a B.Comm (University of Melbourne), and MBA (Melbourne Business School) and is a licenced business broker and registered business valuer.
some of our 150+ Episodes
James Meldrum co-founder of Whole Kids on a tumultuous 18 years. Rich insights for all founders and owners.
James and Monica Meldrum built a business that lasted 18 years. The business is now in Voluntary Administration. It's compelling listening as James candidly reflects on the many high's and low's, and how he's now looking to helping founders create more impact, personally and professionally.
Natasha Hawker from Employee Matters on how owners can better manage employees for greater small business success.
Natasha Hawker, founder of Employee Matters, on how exceptional HR practices directly impact small business growth, the current employment relations landscape and the red flags to be aware of when outsourcing.
Ken Matthews from Matthews Steer, leading adviser to family businesses, on his own exit after successfully growing a highly regarded financial services business.
Ken Matthews, founder of Matthew Steer, successfully grew and sold a mid-tier financial services firm. He talks about the importance of scaling & the three distinct stages of growth, the challenges of transitioning from a sales-driven mode to an operational mode and the huge upside of finding the ri...
Darren Clark talks about helping his clients convert ideas into businesses, and why they benefit from his own, very rich business building and exiting experience.
Darren Clark is the founder of Dazlab, which helps owners convert ideas into businesses. He has founded multiple businesses and has 'in the trenches' experience with exits. Listen in to his personal take on what went well and what he'll do differently next time.
Martin Cattach from Finance For Business on where and how owners can access alternative finance to help support their small business
Martin Cattach is a Working Capital strategist, and who small business owners when their bank says No!. In this episode we discuss the stranglehold of the big four banks on small business lending and explore alternative options for financing.
Mark Rubbo from Readings Books on what it takes to create and sustain an iconic business, and why handing over was harder than expected.
Mark Rubbo (and partners) acquired Readings (founded in 1969) in 1976. What a trip it's been! Almost 50 years on and having stepped down from his day to day role as CEO in mid 2023 Mark shares a very personal take, with cover to cover reflections, on the Readings Story.
Earl Eddings business founder, chair, mentor and adviser shares his experiences from both sides of a business sale
Earl Eddings is an entrepreneur who has had deep experience starting, selling, and buying businesses. He's as busy as ever in ongoing roles as owner, chair, mentor and adviser and in this episode shares what's learned when it comes to selling a business.
Pete Seligman Search Investor on finding and inspiring the next generation of business owners.
Pete Seligman is leading from the front in championing the next generation of business ownership. Peter explains what EtA and Business Search are, how it works and it's growing impact on the exit planning aspirations for small business owners.
Sandy Chong CEO Australian Hairdressing Council and 2023 COSBOA Small Business Champion on pathways from a trade to business ownership.
Sandy Chong has 39 years experience as a business owner, is CEO of The Australian Hairdressing Council and current COSBOA small business champion. In this episode she shares her thoughts on how industry bodies and Government can best help underpin hairdressing and other trades as successful and sust...
Jonathan Roberts on how he and 2 business partners achieved their unconventional exit from One Rabbit after 27 years of working together.
Jonathan Roberts has built and exited multiple businesses. Here he talks about how with his 2 partners they got to a natural exit point and successfully closed out One Rabbit, their 27 years old 'No BS' marketing consultancy.
Shane Cheek owns Continua Software and shares his deep experience from starting, selling, buying and operating multiple software businesses.
Shane Cheek is the CEO of Continua Software, a private company that focuses on acquiring and growing B2B software companies. Prior to this Shane built and sold his own businesses, and this episode shares his advice on how other business owners can better prepare for a sale of their business.
Ben Tuszynski on how Judo Bank is fuelling greater success for small business owners by getting back to relationship banking.
Ben Tuszynski Managing Director Victoria & Tasmania talks why Judo Bank was started and it's core focus on helping SME businesses. In it's short but very successful history Judo Bank has reinstituted relationship banking, partnering with owners to enable them to focus, improve and grow their small b...
