Kezia didn’t just grow fast—she did it differently. In just 15 months, she went from a solo OT to leading a thriving NDIS business with 17 staff, 80 clients, a leafy green expo garden… and zero interest in playing by boring provider rules.

In this energising and refreshingly honest episode, Kezia shares how she:

– Grew Staying Independent into a standout NDIS business
– Built an integrated outcomes model that connects support workers and allied health
– Balances business, parenting, and flipping houses
– Avoids beige branding and brings bold energy to every event
– Leads with curiosity, gratitude, and no time for whingeing

Whether you’re an NDIS provider, team leader, or just trying to figure out how to grow without losing yourself, this conversation is full of real talk, practical tips, and big laughs.

Perfect for providers who want to work smarter, lead braver, and still get home in time for Uber Eats.

Learn more about Kezia and Staying Independent: https://www.stayingindependent.com.au
Follow Kezia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keziakingston/
Tag a provider who needs to hear this!

#NDIS #NDISProvider #AlliedHealth #OccupationalTherapy #SupportWorkers #BusinessLeadership #WomenInBusiness #DisabilitySupport #Kezia #StayingIndependent #NDISAustralia #NDISBusinessTips

What really makes a family work? In this honest and funny conversation, a dad and daughter sit down to talk about what matters most—connection, tech-free time, and why weekends off might just be the dream.

From running a business and feeling burned out, to sending a simple text to your brother, this episode is packed with little reminders that relationships aren't built in a day, but they are worth building.

You'll hear about:
- Why tech-free days became something they actually love
- What work-life balance really means to a teenager
- The power of doing just one small thing today to show someone they matter

Plus, some unexpected laughs about Tic Tacs, learning Spanish, and why the bulldog might miss you most.

Stick around to the end—because the best line in the whole episode might just be:
"Throw in the towel and go camping with your daughter."

NDIS networking doesn’t have to be awkward—and Stu Paull proves it. In this episode, Stu (aka the most networked man in the NDIS) joins Michael from Athletic Koala to unpack how real connections are built in today's sector.

From speed dating events to wizard-themed meetups, Stu shares how to turn bland networking into something that actually builds trust, referrals, and long-term business.

Whether you’re a provider, BDM, or support coordinator, you’ll learn:

Why relational networking beats transactional thinking

How to make events fun, memorable, and worth showing up for

Why your next great referral might come from a laugh, not a pitch

How Stu uses LinkedIn to build real connections—dad jokes included

Yes, they even talk about dressing up like the Swedish Chef and hosting Hogwarts-style networking events.

Want to connect with Stu? Look for the Rabbitohs jersey photo on LinkedIn.

#NDIS #NetworkingTips #BDMlife #NDISBusiness #AthleticKoala #StuPaull

Ever felt like the business world is full of ego and noise? This episode is a breath of fresh air.

Michael sits down with Paul Bryan to talk about creating events, running businesses, and building a culture where people feel seen, not just sold to. From ProviderX to team dinners, they unpack what it takes to run something that actually brings people together—and why the stuff between the sessions matters just as much as the content on stage.

You’ll hear:
– Why Paul kicked someone out of his group for shaming a “dumb” question
– How standing lunches and awkward couches created real connection
– The honest truth about business travel and family priorities
– What it means to build generous, ego-free business spaces

And yes, there's talk of ribs, youth groups, and the underrated power of a hazy IPA.

If you’re building something—and don’t want to lose yourself (or your weekends) in the process—this one’s for you.

What happens when your business grows faster than your peace of mind? Nikole Cassin shares the real, raw truth of building a fast-growing NDIS provider business — without losing herself along the way.

In this heartfelt and practical chat, we cover:

The cost of values-led leadership.
Why NDIS margins feel tighter than ever.
How Nikole stays calm while juggling pressure.
What she did when Xero showed red.
Why supporting your competitors might save you.

This episode is for every NDIS director who’s ever felt alone, overwhelmed, or unsure if growth is worth the cost. Nikole brings honesty, lived experience, and the reminder that you can lead with values and survive financially.

And yes, she really will have coffee with you — Zoom or in Melbourne. You’re not alone.

This episode is a raw, behind-the-scenes conversation about the reality of growing into leadership—without a playbook. Michael and Justin reflect on the emotional weight of being the go-to person, the cost of "being too nice," and what it means to let go of perfection. They cover everything from hiring mistakes and culture clashes to learning when to stop fixing everything yourself. You'll hear honest stories about crying in car parks, over-apologising, and finding your spine when the team needs more than just empathy.

If you’ve ever struggled with handing over control, building a team that actually solves problems, or shifting from being a doer to a leader—this episode will feel uncomfortably familiar. It’s not a leadership seminar. It’s real talk for the managers in the middle, trying to do the next right thing.

What if your biggest business lesson came from doing it all wrong?

In this refreshingly honest episode, Michael sits down with Tom—also known as Mr Purple—to unpack the real talk NDIS providers aren’t having enough.

They dive into:

• Why mistakes aren’t just okay—they’re your best teacher
• What NDIS directors should know about profitability and pressure
• Why scale is easy, but profit is hard
• When it’s time to walk away from your business
• And how coaching (the right kind) can actually change your life

If you're an NDIS provider, director, or someone holding it all together—you’ll feel seen in this one.

Connect with Mr Purple on LinkedIn
Or message Michael if you want an intro!

This one’s a masterclass. In this episode, I sit down with Daniel Sharman, the Jedi Knight of growth in Allied Health, to talk about what it really takes to grow a business from the ground up—without burning out your team, your family, or yourself.

Daniel shares:

• How he went from solo to 40+ staff across two states.
• The systems he had to rebuild at 50, 500, and 1,000 clients.
• What keeps him grounded (hint: horse riding lessons and AFL tackles).
• The honest truth about leadership, pressure, and what most founders get wrong.
• Why taking on every client might be hurting, not helping.

If you work in NDIS, allied health, or you’re just trying to scale something meaningful—you’ll want to listen to this.

Subscribe for more real convos with people growing things the hard way.

#NDIS #AlliedHealth #Leadership #DanielSharman #Growth #Podcast #NDISBusiness #SupportCoordinators #FoundersTruths #ScalingNDIS #BehindTheScenes #PurposeDrivenBusiness