In this episode of Founders and Funders Australia, host Ray Yee sits down with Mitch, the driving force behind The Essential, a supplement brand dedicated to transparency and quality. Mitch shares his journey from aspiring athlete to successful entrepreneur, discussing the challenges of navigating the supplement industry and the importance of integrity in product development. Tune in to learn about the evolution of The Essential, the role of education in consumer choices, and Mitch's insights on balancing business growth with personal values. Don't miss this inspiring conversation about passion, perseverance, and the pursuit of excellence.

Find Mitch:

1. Melbourne Fitness and Performance: Follow them on Instagram for updates and more information about their gym activities.

2. The Essential AU: You can find their supplement brand on Instagram or visit their website to explore their products, including whey protein in chocolate and vanilla flavors, and creatine. They also offer sample packs for those interested in trying their products.

This episode is brought to you by Riverside, the platform for studio-quality remote recordings. Use code Ray15 for 15% off your first subscription.

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In this episode, we explore the inspiring story of Justin Rooney, who left a successful career in investment banking to co-found Flame Security. Learn about the challenges and triumphs of developing cutting-edge fire safety solutions and the impact of their products on global markets.

Show Notes:

Introduction to Justin Rooney and Flame Security The transition from banking to fire safety innovation Key challenges in developing fire retardant products Strategic partnerships and market expansion Insights into the future of fire safety technology Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs

Hashtags: #FireSafety #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #FlameSecurity

Contact Justin Rooney: Visit flamesecurity.com.au or firecoat.au for more information. Follow Flame Security on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

This episode is brought to you by Riverside, the platform for studio-quality remote recordings. Use code Ray15 for 15% off your first subscription.

https://riverside.sjv.io/xLR1Wx

In this episode of Founders and Funders, I sit down with Ray Wang, co-founder and CEO of Luca Plus, to explore his journey from accountant at Nike to fintech founder reshaping B2B payments.

We talk about how Luca Plus is giving small businesses access to flexible supplier credit, the inspiration behind its name, and Ray's commitment to integrity, transparency, and building a capital-efficient future.

• Why short-term cashflow gaps are crushing small businesses—and how Luca Plus is solving it
• Ray’s journey from Beijing to Melbourne, and from Nike to fintech
• How his accounting background shaped the company’s credit decisioning framework
• The importance of trust and product validation over perfection
• How Stone & Chalk, government grants, and partner networks enabled Luca’s early growth

Ray Wang is the co-founder and CEO of Luca Plus. With deep roots in accounting and real experience supporting small business owners, he brings a uniquely grounded perspective to solving financial pain points through technology.

• Luca Plus Website
• Ray Wang on LinkedIn
• Principles by Ray Dal_