How I Made It

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  Anthony Woods was a uni dropout. Now his tech company is worth $13b 15.09.2026 37хв

  When Anthony Woods was growing up in Perth, he and his dad had a deal: “He [dad] would break the home computer, and I would fix it.”  The seeds of his career would grow from this family pastime.  The software engineer is now the co-founder of Grafana Labs, a tech company valued at $13 billion with 25 million users around the world who rely on its simple-to-use data visualisation services. In the final episode of season six of How I Made It, host Lauren Sams finds out how this founder turned a little-known start-up into a software giant. This podcast was sponsored by Sinch Engage. Further reading: This ex-dealmaker defied the sceptics to build cult brand Frank Green Ben Young spent the first part of his career in waste management. It gave him the greatest idea for his second half. Nicole Eckels’ multimillion-dollar idea was right under her nose The Glasshouse Fragrances CEO has grown her company into a $100 million global powerhouse, with products stocked in more than 10 countries.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  This ex-dealmaker defied the sceptics to build cult brand Frank Green 08.09.2026 29хв

  When Ben Young first pitched his idea for reusable coffee cups, his business strategy colleagues dismissed it.“The smartest guys in the room said it was silly; I was being an idiot because why would you have a reusable cup when [you] can just put the old one in the bin, not think about it anymore, and get on with [your] day,” recalls Young.But after seeing first hand the effects single-use plastics have on the environment while working at Cleanaway Waste Management, he knew he was on to something – and he kick-started Frank Green. On this week’s episode of How I Made It, host Lauren Sams sits down with the founder to find out how he harnessed an environmental movement to build one of the country’s most well-known brands. This podcast was sponsored by Sinch Engage. Further reading: Nicole Eckels’ multimillion-dollar idea was right under her nose The Glasshouse Fragrances CEO has grown her company into a $100 million global powerhouse, with products stocked in more than 10 countries. Bill Beament led a 1¢ company. Now it’s Australia’s biggest gold miner The West Australian who transformed Northern Star took home $60 million last year. Now, the Develop Global CEO is zeroing in on critical minerals.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Nicole Eckels’ multimillion-dollar idea was sitting right under her nose 01.09.2026 33хв

  When Nicole Eckels moved to Sydney in 2005, one of the first things she did was go to David Jones to shop for her new apartment.On the lookout for a fragrant candle to scent her home, what she found was a gap in the market.Now the founder and CEO of Glasshouse Fragrances, Nicole has grown her company into a global powerhouse, with products stocked in more than 10 countries including the US.On this week’s episode of How I Made It, host Lauren Sams finds out how this New York-born entrepreneur turned a little-known start-up into a multimillion-dollar business. This podcast was sponsored by Sinch Engage. Further reading: Bill Beament led a 1¢ company. Now it’s Australia’s biggest gold miner The West Australian who transformed Northern Star took home $60 million last year. Now, the Develop Global CEO is zeroing in on critical minerals. I had $200’: Inside Aussie Bruna Papandrea’s meteoric Hollywood rise When the aspiring film producer moved to New York she was in her early 20s and had hardly anything to her name.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Bill Beament led a 1¢ company. Now it’s Australia’s biggest gold miner 25.08.2026 32хв

  Bill Beament put himself on the map by transforming a fledgling explorer, Northern Star, into one of the world's biggest gold miners.After turning the 1¢ company into a multibillion-dollar giant, the West Australian decided to take a punt on a new solo venture.Now the founder and chief executive of mining exploration company Develop Global, the king of Kalgoorlie is turning his attention to critical minerals.On this week’s episode of How I Made It, host Lauren Sams delves into the mining titan's playbook as he takes on copper, zinc and lithium. This podcast was sponsored by Sinch Engage. Further reading: ‘I had $200’: Inside Aussie Bruna Papandrea’s meteoric Hollywood rise When the aspiring film producer moved to New York she was in her early 20s and had hardly anything to her name. ‘I owe you nothing’: Two unlikely partners and a $20b housing empire Craig Carracher knew student accommodation could be vastly improved – and a serious moneymaker. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  'I had $200′: Inside Aussie Bruna Papandrea’s meteoric Hollywood rise 18.08.2026 39хв

  When Bruna Papandrea arrived in New York, she had $200. An avid storyteller, the South Australian began reading scripts for her friend, actor Anthony LaPaglia. But it was when she was offered a job working for legendary filmmakers Sydney Pollack and Anthony Minghella that her career transformed. “I was 29, and I get chills telling the story because that is just a moment that you can't fathom how much it's going to change your life,” the film producer says. In this week’s episode, host Lauren Sams finds out how Papandrea became one of Hollywood’s most powerful storytellers, producing huge hits from Big Little Lies and Gone Girl to The Undoing. This podcast was sponsored by Sinch Engage. Further reading: ‘I owe you nothing’: Two unlikely partners and a $20b housing empire Craig Carracher knew student accommodation could be vastly improved – and a serious moneymaker.  How this 26-year-old built a $100m robotics company Andromeda founder Grace Brown reveals how her hi-tech companion, Abi, has disrupted an industry.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  ‘I owe you nothing’: Two unlikely partners and a $20b housing empire 11.08.2026 36хв

  When Craig Carracher first met his business partner, Stephen Gaitanos, he was somewhat reluctant to team up.“He was only a young fellow. He's 15 years younger than me, and he put his hand up and said, ‘I'd like to come across as your junior,'" Carracher recalls. “And I said, ‘Look, I'm not going to pay you for five years. I'm not sure I like you... I owe you nothing.'"  But Gaitanos was all in.  Twelve years since starting their joint venture, Scape – now part of the broader housing enterprise, The Living Company – the duo has dominated the student accommodation sector. On this week’s episode of How I Made It, host Lauren Sams finds out how this co-founder spotted a gap in the housing market to build a $20 billion empire. This podcast was sponsored by Sinch Engage. Further reading: Alex Vynokur bet the house on ETFs. He won The aspiring entrepreneur knew the odds were stacked against his start-up, Betashares.  How this 26-year-old built a $100m robotics company Andromeda founder Grace Brown reveals how her hi-tech companion, Abi, has disrupted an industry.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  How this 26-year-old built a $100m robotics company 02.08.2026 35хв

  Grace Brown had always enjoyed maths, science and music. Teamed with a “wild imagination”, her interest in patterns meant she was obsessed with all things magic.When she took on an engineering design subject in high school, everything became clear.“I wanted to spend the rest of my life working as an engineer because you could just imagine something and create it that didn't previously exist,” says the now- 26-year-old.Brown has since turned her fascination into a thriving robot helper start-up, Andromeda.On this week’s episode of How I Made It, host Lauren Sams finds out how this engineer-turned-entrepreneur built a $100 million company.This podcast was sponsored by Sinch Engage. Further reading: AI leads Australian start-up $5b funding boom Funding for tech start-ups surged by $1 billion last year, with more than 60 per cent going to AI companies, but VCs say the market is not in bubble territory. A 25-year-old Melburnian now has a $100m robot helper start-up Female founders are still struggling to receive funding, but Grace Brown’s robotics start-up just banked a $23 million series A funding round. Alex Vynokur bet the house on ETFs. He won The aspiring entrepreneur knew the odds were stacked against his start-up. But Betashares is now Australia’s second-largest exchange-traded fund provider at $75 billion.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Alex Vynokur bet the house to start Betashares. It now manages $75b 28.07.2026 34хв

  The former lawyer walked away from a top-tier legal career to risk his house on an ETF venture. It’s now the country’s second-largest exchange-traded funds provider. "I was just totally convinced that you know I should just do it," says the Betashares founder. On the first episode of the new season of How I Made It, host Lauren Sams sits down with the chief executive to found out how he turned his start-up into an industry giant. This podcast was sponsored by Sinch Engage. Further reading: Luck, timing or hard work: What it takes to become a top entrepreneur What makes a business venture successful? Australia’s top business leaders reveal how they built their fortunes and what they learnt along the way. Four leaders who came to Australia with nothing, and made it to the top Australia may be imperfect, but for these bosses it was the land of opportunity. Record wave of ETFs flood the ASX, with more to come Firms are rushing to launch new funds on the ASX as retail investors demand access to the country’s top fund managers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Trailer: How I Made It returns July 29 22.07.2026

  How I Made It is back with host Lauren Sams.  Don’t miss season six as we uncover how Australia’s top entrepreneurs built their fortunes and what they learnt along the way.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  What working on David Bowie’s yacht taught Boost founder Janine Allis 23.11.2025 29хв

  Growing up, Janine Allis never thought about starting her own business. “I didn’t even know what an entrepreneur was,” she says. But after spotting a gap in the market, there was no stopping the founder of a now-global smoothie company that’s worth hundreds of millions of dollars. On the final episode of season five of How I Made It, Rich List editor Yolanda Redrup finds out how the Boost Juice owner became one of Australia’s top business leaders. This episode was sponsored by Telstra.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  ‘It's the Mount Everest of careers’: How Fleet’s CEO built an $800m company 16.11.2025 33хв

  Since she was a little girl, Flavia Tata Nardini was obsessed with space. The Italian-born rocket scientist began her career at the European Space Agency but moved to Adelaide in her 20s, where she found herself confronted with a lack of industry. Left with no other choice, she started her own business. On this week's episode of How I Made It, Rich List editor Yolanda Redrup finds out how the CEO of Fleet Space Technologies reignited Australia’s space industry – and built an $800 million company. This podcast was sponsored by Telstra.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  A scam set WA’s fertiliser king on a path to a $5b fortune 09.11.2025 29хв

  Vikas Rambal came to Australia from India on a prospective business trip in 2000. But the project he was looking into was not what it seemed. It was a moment on his five-day trip that would prove to be pivotal. On this week’s episode of How I Made It, Rich List editor Yolanda Redrup finds out how a scam and a chance encounter set about the Perdaman Group founder’s dream to build the country’s largest fertiliser plant. This podcast was sponsored by Telstra.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  How a former IBM executive redefined Australia’s restaurant scene 02.11.2025 22хв

  Chris Lucas grew up in the world of hospitality, often spending time in his dad’s pub in Geelong. But it wasn’t until his mid-30s that one of the country’s top restaurateurs entered the industry himself. On this week’s episode of How I Made It, host Lauren Sams finds out how working at IBM as a sales and marketing executive inspired Lucas to become one of the biggest figures in the hospitality industry. This podcast was sponsored by Telstra.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  He could’ve been Qantas CEO. Instead Bruce Buchanan started a $7.2b company 26.10.2025 35хв

  Leading Australia’s largest airline is by all accounts a dream job.  But in 2012, Bruce Buchanan – who was on track to become chief executive of Qantas – walked away from the national carrier. He now runs one of the world’s hottest tech companies: $7.2 billion e-commerce marketing tech firm Rokt. This week on How I Made It, Rich List editor Yolanda Redrup pulls back the curtain to find out how this former aviation executive built a company that became a giant of the tech world. This podcast was sponsored by Telstra.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Trinny Woodall, What Not To Wear and a multimillion-dollar company 19.10.2025 28хв

  Trinny Woodall first became a household name as one half of the dynamic duo, Trinny and Susannah. Together the pair built a career issuing fashion advice to women on their long-running BBC series, What Not to Wear. But at the age of 53 Woodall decided it was time to step out on her own, launching eponymous beauty brand Trinny London. On this week’s episode of How I Made It, fashion editor Lauren Sams finds out how the former television host became a beauty disruptor standing at the helm of a multimillion-dollar company. This podcast was sponsored by Telstra.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  How the (banker) founder of MJ Bale took over menswear 12.10.2025 28хв

  Growing up on a sheep farm, Matt Jensen has long had an appreciation for natural fibres. But it was during a stint in London working as a banker that the budding entrepreneur spotted a gap in the menswear market. On this week’s episode of How I Made It, fashion editor Lauren Sams finds out how the failure of one business led to the success of another – menswear giant MJ Bale. This podcast was sponsored by Telstra.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  How Bruce Keebaugh turned $500 into a global events company 05.10.2025 21хв

  When the co-founder and former chief executive of The Big Group was 21, he had just $500 in his pocket. Not afraid of risk, Bruce Keebaugh and his wife, Chyka Keebaugh, used it to champion the competitive world of catering and events. This week on How I Made it, The Australian Financial Review’s Lauren Sams finds out how this hospitality guru came to dominate an industry. This podcast was sponsored by Telstra.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  ‘The napkin came across the table’: How software giant Xero was born 28.09.2025 25хв

  From the start of high school, Rod Drury was captivated by computing.  It was a fascination that would go on to create one of the largest ASX-listed tech companies, accounting software giant Xero. In this week’s episode of How I Made It, The Australian Financial Review Rich List editor Yolanda Redrup finds out how a passion in high school became a $28 billion company. This podcast was sponsored by Telstra.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  The founder of O&M had one big idea. It became a global haircare empire 21.09.2025 32хв

  Jose Bryce Smith came to Australia on holiday. Seven years later, she founded what would become one of the country’s biggest haircare brands. With products stocked in more than 30,000 salons across 21 countries, Original & Mineral (O&M) is a dominant force in the hair industry. In this week’s episode of the new season of How I Made It, The Australian Financial Review fashion editor Lauren Sams pulls back the curtain to find out how Bryce Smith built O&M from the ground up. This podcast was sponsored by Aussie Broadband.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Trailer: 'How I Made It' Returns September 22 18.09.2025 1хв

  How I Made It is back with new hosts Lauren Sams & Yolanda Redrup. Join us to learn how Australia’s top entrepreneurs built their fortunes and what they learnt along the way.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.