Spill the biz

Ferguson Plarre Bakehouses is an iconic, heritage chain of bakeries that now boasts over 85 stores across Victoria with a strong focus on profitability.

Steve was appointed CEO of Plarre Foods Group in July 2012. He’s a fourth generation Aussie retailer and the leader of a business that has now navigated two World Wars, two pandemics, The Great Depression and his own multi-generational family challenges.

After overseeing the buyout of the Ferguson family in 2012 he has helped rebuild the family brand to become an award-winning, sustainable business.

Steve is also a bit of a muso, with a spoof version of a Mary Poppins song going viral and getting more than one million views during lockdown.

In this podcast Steve reveals what drives him in business, how he balances heritage with innovation, and why sustainability is part of the plan.

Stuart Cook is the former CEO of Zambrero - an international Mexican Quick Service Restaurant chain. He joined the business almost accidentally, and left six years later having built the business to a revenue upwards of $100 million.

Now he is collaborating with his wife Samantha on an exciting, plant-based fast food option, Flave, that has launched in Sydney and has mega global ambitions.

In this podcast we talk about what it’s like to step into CEO shoes at just 23 years of age, why he has such an interest in not-for-profit organisations, and lessons learned on the journey so far.

Rich Goodman shifted his focus from agriculture to retail very early on in his career, and the shift has paid off. Now heading up the cafe chains Jamaica Blue and Muffin Break he has honed his skills at retailers like David Jones and Heinemann.

In this conversation he shares his insights into retail, why he loves it, how to make the most of a career in retail, and what it’s like to take on leadership of Aussie household name brands.

Rich is big on the “cadence of change” and discusses some of the big topics of today -sustainability, profitability and collaboration. And he gives us a sneak preview of strategy plans for the café chains.

Some fear of failure is essential for success in business, suggests Jake Bromwich, who heads up mortgage broking firm RAMS. In this podcast he shares brilliant tips for entrepreneurs and business executives. He talks about innovation, adversity, crisis management and what makes for success.

Awesome, authentic fast food served up for flavour-hungry amigos is at the heart of the Mad Mex business, a homegrown Aussie chain that’s bringing in the crowds. Founder and head honcho Clovis Young talks about what it is like to develop your own concept and see it come to fruition, about leadership and handling adversity, shares tips for entrepreneurs and reveals what's next for the Mad Mex brand.