Guest: Natasha Hawker, EO Sydney Member since 2025 and Founder & Managing Director of Employee Matters
Host: Linh Podetti, EO Sydney Member since 2022 and Owner of Outsourcing Angel

In this episode, Natasha Hawker shares over 30 years of HR expertise and the powerful lessons she learned building Employee Matters from scratch.

From taking on the wrong clients out of desperation to becoming one of Australia’s leading HR voices, Natasha dives deep into the rookie mistakes entrepreneurs make, especially when it comes to hiring, firing, and valuing their own work.

She shares
• Why “if they have a pulse and a cheque book” is the most dangerous mindset in business
• The true cost of avoiding difficult conversations
• How to hire slow and fire fast (without getting sued)
• Why education is the ultimate unfair advantage in business
• How she’s preparing her company for a strategic exit

If you’re a founder struggling with team issues, difficult employees, or client red flags, this episode will save you years of pain.

ABOUT NATASHA HAWKER
Natasha Hawker is the Founder & Managing Director of Employee Matters and a respected leader in the Australian HR space.

With over 30 years of experience, Natasha has helped hire, manage, and exit thousands of employees across businesses globally. She is a sought-after speaker, media commentator, and author of the Amazon best-selling book From Hire to Fire & Everything In Between.

Natasha is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a passionate educator for business owners, and is currently preparing her business for a strategic exit. Outside of work, she is a competitive Squash Masters player and mum to three.

CONNECT WITH NATASHA HAWKER
Website: https://www.employeematters.com.au/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natashahawker/

--------------------

ABOUT EO

Entrepreneur's Organization (EO) is a global business network of 18,000 + influential business owners in over 220 chapters across 76 countries. We offer world-class events that encompass engaging entrepreneur and business stories, skills-specific workshops, and exciting social gatherings.

Our mission is to drive both business and personal growth through peer-to-peer learning, providing support for the holistic entrepreneur experience covering business, family, community, and personal aspects. As a not-for-profit organization, all our funds directly contribute to member benefits.

If you're a business owner with revenues ranging from US$250k to US$1m, you can join our Accelerator Program. If your revenues exceed US$1m, you can join the main EO Program in your nearest local chapter. To join or find out more about your nearest chapter, visit https://www.eonetwork.org/why-join/apply-for-membership-form.

For further information, please contact:
Podcast Host Linh Podetti: linh@outsourcingangel.com.au
General Inquiries: support@eonetwork.org.au
EO Sydney: www.eosydney.com.au
EO Global: https://hub.eonetwork.org/

Guest: Wesley Naidoo, EO Durban Member, Entrepreneur, Investor & EO Global Manufacturing Chair

Host: Linh Podetti, EO Sydney Member & Founder of Outsourcing Angel

In this deeply insightful conversation, Wesley Naidoo shares why choosing the right business partner is the most important decision an entrepreneur will ever make. And why chasing money without purpose can cost you everything that truly matters.

From civil engineering and construction in South Africa to building and scaling manufacturing, media, and investment businesses across multiple continents, Wesley’s journey is grounded in trust, people, faith, and long-term thinking.

As a former EO Chapter President, EO Regional Council member, Chair of EO Global Manufacturing, and Strategic Alliance Partner Chair for EO Industry Groups and Deal Exchange, Wesley offers a rare behind-the-scenes look into how global entrepreneurs actually do deals — ethically, intentionally, and sustainably.

ABOUT WESLEY

Wesley Naidoo is a purpose-driven entrepreneur, investor, and global EO leader with a background in civil engineering, manufacturing, and media. He has built and scaled multiple ventures under the Oasis Group, including TubeTeq and Outdoor Holdings, spanning South Africa, the USA, and the Middle East. Wesley previously served as President of the EO Durban Chapter and currently sits on the EO Regional Council for the Middle East, Africa, and Pakistan. He chairs the EO Global Manufacturing Industry Group and serves as Strategic Alliance Partner Chair for EO Industry Groups and the EO Deal Exchange community, connecting entrepreneurs across 75+ countries. In 2025, Wesley hosted IGNITE: The Power Within, a landmark global EO event in Durban that showcased Africa’s entrepreneurial potential on the world stage. Grounded in humility, faith, and service, Wesley is deeply committed to ethical entrepreneurship, family, and creating businesses that endure and uplift communities.

CONNECT WITH WESLEY

Website: www.oasisgroup.co.za

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/wesley-naidoo-oasis-group

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/naidoowesley?igsh=NHhvcjQxMTQzdWV4

--------------------

ABOUT EO

Entrepreneur's Organization (EO) is a global business network of 18,000 + influential business owners in over 220 chapters across 76 countries. We offer world-class events that encompass engaging entrepreneur and business stories, skills-specific workshops, and exciting social gatherings.

Our mission is to drive both business and personal growth through peer-to-peer learning, providing support for the holistic entrepreneur experience covering business, family, community, and personal aspects. As a not-for-profit organization, all our funds directly contribute to member benefits.

If you're a business owner with revenues ranging from US$250k to US$1m, you can join our Accelerator Program. If your revenues exceed US$1m, you can join the main EO Program in your nearest local chapter. To join or find out more about your nearest chapter, visit https://www.eonetwork.org/why-join/apply-for-membership-form.

For further information, please contact:
Podcast Host Linh Podetti: linh@outsourcingangel.com.au
General Inquiries: support@eonetwork.org.au
EO Sydney: www.eosydney.com.au
EO Global: https://hub.eonetwork.org/

Guest: Igor Vainshtein, EO Dallas since 2022, Inventor of Entrepreneurpoly

Host: Linh Podetti, EO Sydney Member since 2022 and Owner of Outsourcing Angel

In this deeply honest and thought-provoking episode, Igor Vainshtein shares his extraordinary entrepreneurial journey, one shaped not by overnight success but by repeated failure, resilience, and reinvention.

Having started over 20 businesses and failed 18 of them, Igor opens up about losing everything multiple times, hitting rock bottom, and the mindset shifts that ultimately changed how he defines success, in business and in life.

From growing up as an immigrant with nothing, to building and exiting companies, to inventing Entrepreneurpoly, a board game that simulates the real emotional and financial rollercoaster of entrepreneurship, this conversation is packed with hard-earned wisdom.

This episode is a must-listen for founders, operators, and leaders who want a more grounded, sustainable, and meaningful definition of success.

ABOUT IGOR VAINSHTEIN

Igor Vainshtein is a serial entrepreneur, best-selling author, TEDx speaker, and the inventor of Entrepreneurpoly, a groundbreaking board game that captures the realities of entrepreneurship.

Starting his first business at 17, Igor has launched ventures across e-commerce, technology, manufacturing, and golf, including 24/7 Golf, which expanded into the US and was successfully acquired by GOLFTEC. He currently leads Golftrak.app, helping golfers improve their game using only an iPhone.

Igor is the author of Practical Manifestation and Agile Manifestation, where he blends project management principles with personal growth and goal achievement. Having lived in the USSR, Australia, and the USA, he brings a rare global perspective on resilience, failure, and building businesses that support a fulfilling life.

CONNECT WITH IGOR:

Website: www.igorvainshtein.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/igorvainshtein/

Instagram: http://instagram.com/igorv

--------------------

ABOUT EO

Entrepreneur's Organization (EO) is a global business network of 18,000 + influential business owners in over 220 chapters across 76 countries. We offer world-class events that encompass engaging entrepreneur and business stories, skills-specific workshops, and exciting social gatherings.

Our mission is to drive both business and personal growth through peer-to-peer learning, providing support for the holistic entrepreneur experience covering business, family, community, and personal aspects. As a not-for-profit organization, all our funds directly contribute to member benefits.

If you're a business owner with revenues ranging from US$250k to US$1m, you can join our Accelerator Program. If your revenues exceed US$1m, you can join the main EO Program in your nearest local chapter. To join or find out more about your nearest chapter, visit https://www.eonetwork.org/why-join/apply-for-membership-form.

For further information, please contact:
Podcast Host Linh Podetti: linh@outsourcingangel.com.au
General Inquiries: support@eonetwork.org.au
EO Sydney: www.eosydney.com.au
EO Global: https://hub.eonetwork.org/