In this heartfelt and insightful episode, Peter Salerno welcomes a very special guest — his brother, Tony Salerno — for a wide-ranging conversation that blends business wisdom with life experience. With more than five decades in the building and construction industry, Tony reflects on a career shaped by curiosity, resilience, and a refusal to stay still.

Tony shares his journey through engineering, construction, renovations, steel framing, training, inspections, and specialist services, highlighting how diversification within an industry can create opportunity and longevity.

Rather than remaining in one role or trade, Tony explains how learning from others, seeking mentors, and stepping into unfamiliar territory allowed him to grow both professionally and personally.

The conversation explores the realities of failure, the value of practical experience over theory, and why “having a go” is often the difference between regret and fulfilment. Peter and Tony discuss mindset, motivation, partnerships, support networks, and why asking for help is a strength — not a weakness.

This episode is not just about business or building — it’s about life. It encourages listeners to stay curious, keep learning, surround themselves with the right people, and remember that happiness, purpose, and contribution matter just as much as financial success.

Host: Peter Salerno

Mobile: ‭0408 811 567‬

Email: petersalerno.austalk@gmail.com

Guest: Tony Salerno

Master Builder | Construction Specialist | Mentor

Tony Salerno is a highly experienced master builder with over 50 years in the building and construction industry.

Across his career, Tony has worked in multiple facets of construction, including engineering, general building, renovations, steel framing, project management, inspections, training, and specialist services.

Known for his practical wisdom, curiosity, and hands-on approach, Tony’s journey reflects a lifelong commitment to learning, adaptability, and having the courage to “have a go".

Producer: Ron Fiedler, Podcast City

Success in business today requires more than tools and tactics — it requires clarity, adaptability, and the confidence to challenge outdated thinking. In this episode, Peter Salerno welcomes Ralph Ayoub, Founder and Director of DSRPT, to explore what it truly means to disrupt the status quo in business and digital strategy.

Ralph shares his journey working with business owners across Australia, explaining how DSRPT helps organisations gain traction by focusing on strategy before execution. Rather than chasing trends or quick wins, Ralph emphasises the importance of understanding purpose, audience, and long-term goals when building a digital presence.

The conversation demystifies digital strategy, including Google optimisation and online visibility, in plain English. Ralph explains how a strong digital footprint must support real-world relationships — not replace them — and why trust and consistency remain the foundation of business growth.

This episode is a reminder that disruption doesn’t mean chaos. It means intentional change, smarter decisions, and the courage to evolve. Ralph’s insights offer business owners a grounded, people-first approach to navigating digital growth with confidence.

Host: Peter Salerno

Mobile: ‭0408 811 567‬

Email: petersalerno.austalk@gmail.com

Guest: Ralph Ayoub

Website: https://www.dsrpt.com.au/home

Ralph Ayoub is the Founder and Director of DSRPT, a digital strategy and marketing agency helping Australian businesses stand out, scale sustainably, and adapt in an ever-changing digital environment.

With a strong focus on strategy-led, people-first digital solutions, Ralph works closely with business owners to build clarity around their goals, improve online visibility, and create meaningful engagement with their audiences. His approach prioritises long-term outcomes over short-term hype, ensuring digital efforts align with real business objectives.

Ralph is an active member of professional business networks, including BNI, and is known for his collaborative mindset and commitment to helping businesses grow through trust, consistency, and smart execution. His work reflects a belief that true disruption comes from intentional change, not noise.

Wedsite: https://jancocks-salvemini.au

Producer: Ron Fiedler, Podcast City

In this episode, Peter Salerno welcomes Jan Cocks-Salvemini and Philip Charlton for an honest and thought-provoking discussion on the impact of mindset and language. Jan shares her advocacy for reframing disability conversations, encouraging people to move away from deficit-based thinking and instead recognise capability, potential, and individuality.

Phil complements this perspective by diving into the psychology of mindset and wellbeing, explaining how unchallenged beliefs can limit success across business, health, and relationships. He discusses the importance of understanding personal motivation, values, and purpose as the foundation for meaningful change.

Together, the conversation highlights how leaders, business owners, and individuals can create more inclusive, resilient, and empowered environments — starting with awareness and intention. This episode offers both inspiration and practical reflection for anyone committed to personal and professional growth.

Host: Peter Salerno

Mobile: ‭0408 811 567‬

Email: petersalerno.austalk@gmail.com

Guest: Jan Cocks‑Salvemini

Website: https://jancocks-salvemini.au

Jan Cocks-Salvemini is an inspirational speaker, family disability coach, and powerful advocate for inclusive and empowering language. Through her work, Jan challenges traditional perceptions of disability and encourages a shift from limitation-focused language to ability-based thinking, often using the concept of “parability”. Drawing from lived experience, Jan helps individuals, families, and organisations reframe mindset, build confidence, and recognise human potential beyond labels.

Wedsite: https://jancocks-salvemini.au

Guest: Philip Charlton

Philip Charlton is a transformational mindset, wellbeing, and purpose coach with decades of experience across healthcare, leadership, and personal development. With a background in nursing and coaching, Phil supports people to uncover their “why”, break through limiting beliefs, and create clarity across health, relationships, career, and business. His work centres on sustainable mindset change that leads to long-term wellbeing and fulfilment.

Website: https://www.healthwellbeingmindset.com.au

Producer: Ron Fiedler, Podcast City

In this episode, Peter Salerno welcomes Sam Weavers, founder of Sam’s Popcorn, whose business journey began long before most people even consider entrepreneurship.

Starting with birthday money and homemade recipes, Sam built his brand organically — funding growth himself and learning through trial, error, and persistence.

Sam discusses the realities of scaling production, investing in machinery, navigating legal and food safety requirements, and securing major supply agreements — including placement at Adelaide Airport. His story highlights the importance of timing, courage, and backing yourself even when others have doubts.

Beyond business growth, Sam also shares his commitment to community impact through fundraising for the Childhood Cancer Association, raising over $30,000 through his “Kids for Kids” initiative.

This episode is an inspiring reminder that success and generosity can — and should — go hand in hand.

Host: Peter Salerno

Mobile: ‭0408 811 567‬

Email: petersalerno.austalk@gmail.com

Guests: Sam Weavers

Sam Weavers is the founder of Sam’s Popcorn, an Australian-owned popcorn brand supplying retailers across South Australia. Starting his business at just nine years old, Sam has grown his company through reinvestment, innovation, and a strong commitment to quality. Alongside business success, Sam is a passionate public speaker and fundraiser, supporting the Childhood Cancer Association through his “Kids for Kids” initiative.

Email: admin@samspopcorn.com

Wedsite: https://www.samspopcorn.com/

Producer: Ron Fiedler, Podcast City

Happy Business Radio welcomes architect, designer and international creative thinker Norman Sheun, whose professional journey highlights the power of taking opportunities with both hands.

Norman shares how he transitioned from a young student in England to a registered architect in Australia, eventually working on landmark projects such as the Brighton Jetty, the Telstra communication tower, and major government developments. His story illustrates how unexpected shifts — including economic downturn and business restructuring — can pave the way for new beginnings.

Throughout the conversation, Norman and Peter explore the importance of resilience and self-belief, particularly when it comes to setting fees, recognising your worth and saying yes to opportunities before you feel “ready.” Norman’s early experience of being trusted with a major contract only three months after graduating became a turning point — one that shaped his confidence and accelerated his career.

The episode dives into the business realities facing entrepreneurs: the need for mentors, the courage to accept new challenges, and the ability to learn from mistakes. Norman shares powerful insights into working remotely, building strong client relationships, and expanding internationally through reputation and integrity — not advertising.

The discussion ends with a reminder that business growth mirrors nature. Just as new life emerges after a bushfire, every setback presents an opportunity for reinvention. Norman’s journey from Hong Kong to England, to Adelaide, China and Romania demonstrates the remarkable outcomes that arise when passion meets persistence.

Host: Peter Salerno

Mobile: ‭0408 811 567‬

Email: petersalerno.austalk@gmail.com

Guest: Norman Sheun

Norman Sheun is a registered architect based in South Australia with a professional career spanning more than three decades. Born in Hong Kong and educated in England, Norman completed his architectural studies at the University of Adelaide before launching his own practice in 1991. He has since designed landmark structures, including the Brighton Jetty Telstra Tower, major government facilities, commercial developments and unique residential homes across South Australia.

His work extends internationally with urban planning and hotel projects in China, and an upcoming renewable energy infrastructure project in Romania. Known for his creativity, integrity and calm professionalism, Norman embodies the spirit of a “quiet achiever” whose reputation speaks louder than advertising.

Producer: Ron Fiedler, Podcast City

In this episode of Happy Business Radio, Peter Salerno welcomes Riku and Mervi Salmela, two thoughtful and experienced entrepreneurs whose journey highlights the importance of resilience, adaptability, and teamwork in business.

The conversation dives into their personal stories, shaped by both business challenges and family life, offering a real-world look at what it takes to grow a business that lasts.

Peter brings out the human side of entrepreneurship, drawing insights from the Salmelas on how to navigate uncertainty, adjust to new environments, and keep evolving through changing seasons of life.

Their shared experiences emphasise the power of staying flexible, trusting your instincts, and supporting each other through challenges — whether in business or family life.

The episode is filled with down-to-earth advice for business owners, start-ups, and corporate professionals who want to build sustainable ventures.

From recognising opportunities to adjusting strategies when conditions shift, the Salmelas demonstrate that success is not about avoiding obstacles, but about learning and adapting along the way.

With warmth and sincerity, the conversation encourages listeners to stay curious, stay committed, and keep moving forward — one step at a time.

Host: Peter Salerno

Mobile: ‭0408 811 567‬

Email: petersalerno.austalk@gmail.com

Guests: Riku Salmela and Mervi Salmela

Riku Salmela

Riku Salmela is an experienced entrepreneur known for his practical approach to business, resilience, and strong commitment to growth. He brings a grounded perspective shaped by years of navigating both personal and professional challenges, offering invaluable insights for business owners and leaders.

Mervi Salmela

Warm, insightful, and thoughtful, Mervi Salmela is a dedicated entrepreneur who blends her business experience with natural empathy and clarity. She offers balanced, real-world advice for anyone balancing family life, personal growth, and professional development.

Producer: Ron Fiedler, Podcast City

In this episode of Happy Business Radio, Peter talks with Jo Quigley, a South Australian entrepreneur who has run Send a Gourmet Basket for 23 years and The Infant Boutique.

Her hamper business specialises in South Australian produce, offering same-day delivery in Adelaide (with a 10:00 am cut-off) and express post Australia-wide. The Infant Boutique focuses on essentials for newborns to roughly two years, with an emphasis on babywearing—Jo’s daughter Amber is a qualified baby carrier fitter.

Jo explains why staying manageable beats growing at any cost. She reads the market before expanding, curates by customer needs (dietary preferences, budget, occasion), and adapts operations—like click-and-collect and fast despatch—to meet the moment.

She’s candid about mistakes (slow-moving lines, personal tastes) and how she corrected course by watching numbers closely and buying what actually sells.

Family business myths get debunked. Jo and Amber make data-led purchasing decisions, split responsibilities clearly, and use their own family—grandchildren included—as hands-on product testers for durability, safety and practicality.

Throughout, Peter threads in coaching advice on monthly (even weekly) financial visibility and the value of mentors and specialists, spotlighting the “ready, fire, aim” mentality as a key driver of momentum.

The conversation also highlights corporate gifting use cases, the value of local SA produce, and the impact of asking for reviews to expand reach—along with heartfelt stories like a hospital thank-you hamper that underline why thoughtful gifts matter.

Host: Peter Salerno

Mobile: ‭0408 811 567‬

Email: petersalerno.austalk@gmail.com

Guest: Jo Quigley

Jo Quigley is the owner of Send a Gourmet Basket and co-owner of The Infant Boutique in Norwood, South Australia. For 23 years she’s curated SA-made gourmet hampers with same-day metro delivery and national express shipping. Her second venture, The Infant Boutique, focuses on practical, high-quality essentials for newborn to around two years, with a specialty in babywearing—led by her daughter Amber, a qualified carrier fitter. Jo is known for numbers-first retailing, customer-led curation and a service-driven culture.

https://www.thehamperemporium.com.au/

Producer: Ron Fiedler, Podcast City

In this milestone episode, Peter thanks listeners across Australia and 50+ countries for helping the show climb to #11among independent business podcasts.

He shares a fun listener story from a taxi in which Happy Business Radio turned a random fare into a new follower—proof that word-of-mouth and consistency compound over time.

Peter then welcomes Ron Fiedler (Podcast City Radio Business & Lifestyle Network) to introduce PR Growth Connections: “Led by two, backed by many, focused on you.” The idea is simple: no single coach can cover sales, marketing, finance, legal, tech, events, media, or wellness at a professional level. So PRGC curates signature and associate collaborators—verified specialists who join your plan only when needed.

They outline how a discovery session maps gaps and goals, followed by a practical plan: pick up to four collaborators per month, add Podcast City media assets (short branded podcast segment, pro video interview, social amplification), and get ongoing promotion through the network. Real talk follows on why businesses fail (hint: rarely “the economy”), how to avoid burnout, and why reinvention beats excuses.

The episode closes with an invitation to coaches, mentors, specialists and lifestyle pros (fitness, mindset, hypnosis, etc.) to apply as collaborators—because healthy founders build healthier businesses. Wherever you are in the world, if you can add value, PR Growth Connections wants to hear from you.

Host: Peter Salerno

Mobile: ‭0408 811 567‬

Email: petersalerno.austalk@gmail.com

Guest: Ron Fiedler

Ron Fiedler is co-founder of Podcast City and host/producer across the Podcast City Radio Business & Lifestyle Network. Ron builds media systems for creators and businesses—spanning studio production, editing workflows, and distribution—while co-leading PR Growth Connections with Peter to match founders with the right specialists at the right time.

Web: https://avonlegal.com.au/

Producer: Ron Fiedler, Podcast City