Present Projects
Mums in Biz Directory
Mums in Business International is a unique organization that was founded to support women who are juggling family respvonsibilities and running their own businesses. The group is led by Leona Burton, a mother of 6 and a well-known entrepreneur, and has attracted a dedicated audience of over 70,000 women from around the world who are seeking connection, support, and inspiration as they work to grow their businesses.
To further assist these women-led businesses to succeed, we are thrilled to announce a joint venture with Mums in Business International, and have developed the Mums in Business Directory. This new resource is a fully functional app directory that was purpose-built to help mums in business worldwide list their businesses and gain visibility. The directory will include a booking system for appointments, a full menu system, and a range of other features that will make it an essential tool for businesses and customers alike.
One of the key goals of this project is to make it as accessible and affordable as possible for mums in business to list their businesses in the directory. As such, we are offering the opportunity for businesses to list themselves for free and then, if they choose, to upgrade to a low-paid plan for additional access and visibility. This will allow businesses to take advantage of the directory's many features without having to break the bank.
We are excited to bring this new resource to the members of the Mums in Business networking group and believe that it will be an invaluable tool for helping them grow their businesses and achieve their goals. Keep an eye out for mentions of this project in various news outlets, as we expect it to generate a lot of buzz and attention. We are confident that the Mums in Business Directory will be an important resource for women-led businesses around the world and are excited to see it succeed.
Homestead Hippie
Homestead Hippie is a project that I am deeply passionate about and have been fortunate enough to play a key role in building. Our goal is to help a million families around the world create a better educational experience for their children and make learning more fun and stress-free. To achieve this mission, we have created a unique community that brings together parents and families who are interested in home education or unschooling, as well as those who are simply looking for ways to enrich their children's education.
Our community is open to everyone, regardless of whether they are school teachers, homeschooling parents, or simply seeking resources to support their child's education. Within the community, we offer a wide range of resources that are designed to help families create the best possible educational experience for their children. Some of these resources are free, while others are paid. Additionally, we have a parent portal that connects parents with experts and businesses that can provide things like swim coaching, piano lessons, and extra math tuition. The parent portal is also a valuable resource for businesses that work with parents and families, as it provides a platform for them to connect with potential customers.
Since we launched Homestead Hippie, we have already attracted several thousand families to our community and are well on our way to achieving our goal of helping over one million families by 2025. In addition to providing resources and support to families, we are also committed to giving back to the community through our partnerships with organisations like One Tree Planted and Hopeful Handbags. For every paid membership we sell, we plant trees and donate money to these charities to help make a positive impact on the world.
The system that we have built for Homestead Hippie is truly unique, blending the features of a social networking site like Facebook with those of a business community like LinkedIn, and adding in a full chat program, groups, breakout rooms, and live training. We have put a lot of time and effort into creating a high-quality platform that will be valuable to families around the globe and are excited to see it grow and thrive. We believe that Homestead Hippie has the potential to make a real difference in the lives of families and are committed to continuing to develop and improve the platform to meet their needs.
Boost Your Business Agency
Boost Your Business, also known as Boost, is a tech company I established in 2002 with the goal of supporting businesses of all sizes. I understand that in today's fast-paced and competitive business environment, it's not enough just to grow; businesses need to scale and be able to pivot in order to thrive.
Since starting out, we’ve had the privilege of working with an impressive range of clients. And, as a result, we’ve generated over a million leads, helped our clients to generate over a billion in sales, built over 8,000 websites, 1,000 ecommerce stores, and consulted with businesses in 500 industries across 38 countries. This has allowed us to gain a wealth of experience in helping businesses of all types and sizes to achieve their goals.
At BYB, we’re committed to providing clients with the tools, resources, and support they need, at whatever the stage of business they’re at. Our team is well-versed in the latest technologies and techniques, and dedicated to staying up-to-date on the latest trends and best practices in the industry.
We understand every business is unique, which is why we take a personalised approach when working with our clients. We’ll take the time to understand your business, your goals, and your challenges, and develop a customised plan that’s tailored to your specific needs.
Whether you're looking to generate more leads, increase sales, or build a stronger online presence, Boost Your Business has the experience and expertise to help you succeed.
The mission is simple: to help businesses like yours grow and scale in today's competitive marketplace.
The Human Behaviour Institute
I originally founded The Human Behaviour Institute in 2016 with a clear mission: to provide businesses with actionable insights and strategies that would help them experience fast growth using behavior measurement, analytics and actionable insights.
With a deep understanding of human behavior and a focus on data and analytics, the Institute has been working tirelessly behind the scenes to help businesses of all sizes navigate the ever-changing landscape of today’s economy.
Since its inception, the Institute has worked with a wide range of clients, from small businesses to large corporations. Its team of experts use cutting-edge research methods and advanced analytics to provide in-depth insights into consumer behavior and preferences, allowing businesses to make informed decisions and stay ahead of the competition.
Whether it’s identifying key trends and patterns in consumer behavior or developing effective marketing strategies, the Institute provides businesses with the tools and knowledge they need to thrive. And with a team of experts who are dedicated to staying up-to-date on the latest research and trends in the field, businesses can trust that the Institute’s insights and strategies are always based on the most current and accurate information.
With the help of The Human Behaviour Institute, business owners can gain a deeper understanding of their customers, make data-driven decisions, and experience the fast growth they need to succeed in today’s competitive marketplace.
The Kids Book Company: Joint Venture
As a passionate lover of books and children’s learning, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to join The Kids Book Company as an equal partner. When I first came on board, the company was still in its infancy, with only one book in softcover, called “My Way Home.” But I quickly saw the potential for this company to be something special. With my expertise in marketing and business, I knew that together we could take this company to new heights.
One of the things that I found most exciting about The Kids Book Company was the prospect of creating a truly unique and personalised reading experience for children around the world. We knew that in order to achieve this, we would have to expand our offerings beyond just one book. So, we set out to create four new, original book titles that children would love. And we made sure that these books were available in a variety of formats, including softcover, hardcover, and digital versions.
One of the most innovative things we’ve done is to offer a complete personalised digital version of our ebooks that can be emailed to customers and printed at home. We were one of the first book companies to do this, and it was a real game-changer in the industry. Not only did it offer a budget-friendly option for parents, but it was also more environmentally friendly as it cut down on the need for paper.
As a company, we are deeply committed to reducing waste and using recycled materials. This is why we came up with the idea for our unique cardboard shipping boxes, which can be repurposed as planters once the book has been shipped. It’s a small but meaningful way for us to do our part in preserving the planet.
In addition to our commitment to sustainability, we are also deeply involved in charitable work. We have been working closely with the Kids Cancer Foundation, Girl Guides and UNICEF to support children in need, and it is something that we are incredibly proud of. We have a robust print network that allows us to print and ship our books to every country in the world, and we are constantly working on new titles to add to our collection.
The results of our efforts have been truly phenomenal. We have thousands of satisfied parents worldwide, and our Etsy shop has been a huge success. It is incredibly gratifying to know that we have been able to create a product that is loved and valued by so many families. And as someone who cares deeply about children and their development, it is an honour to be a part of this company that is helping to shape the next generation of readers.
BYB Magazine
As the founder of BYB Magazine, I can confidently say that it has been one of the most fulfilling projects I’ve ever been a part of. When I first came up with the idea over a decade ago, I had been running workshops and giving guest talks for a number of years and I kept getting asked the same questions about how to structure Google Ads, how to do email marketing properly and so forth. As a marketer and a long-time user of Google Ads, I knew that I had valuable insights to share.
So, I decided to create a magazine that would answer these common questions and more, providing in-depth and actionable information to small businesses looking to improve their marketing strategies. Initially, BYB Magazine covered a wide range of topics, but over time, we narrowed our focus to four main themes.
We distributed the magazine to our consultancy-based clients for free, but also sold subscriptions to businesses that couldn’t afford our services, but still wanted to benefit from the magazine’s content. In the early days, BYB Magazine was a printed version, produced with our own publishing company, but as the years went on, we became more conscious about the environment and decided to move to a digital version and reduce the price, making it more accessible to a wider range of businesses.
When the world was going through a tough time, and many businesses were struggling, I made the decision to give the magazine away for free, so that anyone could access its valuable information and strategies. I received some pushback from some people who didn’t understand why I was giving it away for free. But my belief was that businesses needed help and I wanted to provide them with valuable information that they could use to improve their marketing solutions.
Today, BYB Magazine continues to provide valuable content to tens of thousands of readers worldwide. It is currently free to access, but my team and I are discussing the possibility of reintroducing a paid version, this time printed on recycled paper for those who prefer a physical copy. We focus on four strategies every month, providing businesses with an easy-to-follow guide to creating better marketing solutions for their business.
As the founder of BYB Magazine, I am incredibly proud of the impact that this project has had on businesses worldwide. I love that we are quietly helping businesses, small and large, in the background to create better marketing solutions, which is what it’s all about. It may not always be in the spotlight, but BYB Magazine has been and continues to be a vital resource for businesses looking to improve their marketing strategies.
The Toy Maker’s Key: Joint Venture
I was a founding JV partner in the development of The Toymaker’s Key, a captivating journey of loss, love, and learning that takes readers through four mesmerizing fantasy worlds. At the heart of the story is Tommy, a young boy on a mission to free his father from the magical and mysterious world he created and is now trapped in.
As part of the behind-the-scenes team, I was instrumental in bringing this dream to life, working alongside Andy Turner and Ant Middleton to power the engine of the project. My contributions were key to the success of The Toymaker’s Key, from its spectacular 210-page graphic novel illustrated by ATdL team to the cinematic motion comic version that allows readers to fully immerse themselves in the action and meet the characters.
The musical score of the project, a collaboration between lyricist Andy Turner, Harry Shotta, and Kele Le Roc, was nothing short of sensational, with powerful lyrics, a fusion of electro beats and haunting orchestral scores that will live on in listeners’ playlists for years to come.
Despite his pivotal role in the project, I’ve made the decision to take leave from the venture in 2023 to focus on other business interests. But I am confident The Toymaker’s Key will continue to captivate and enthrall readers for years to come.
Equine Leadership and Mentoring Programs
As an equine leadership and mentoring specialist with over 10 years of experience, I have been fortunate to have the opportunity to work with a wide range of clients, both in corporate settings and through my standalone clinics. My passion for horses and the lessons they can teach us about leadership, emotional intelligence, and team building has driven me to share this knowledge with others.
One of my most rewarding experiences has been running weekend clinics for children, teaching them how to be safe around horses while also developing their leadership skills through the use of emotional intelligence. I have always believed that working with horses can provide valuable insights and lessons for both business and life, and I strive to impart this wisdom to those who participate in my programs.
At any given time, I have had up to 50 horses on my properties and have worked with as many as 18 horses at a time. This extensive experience has given me a unique perspective on the nature of working with horses and how it can translate to success in both personal and professional endeavors.
If you are interested in learning more about equine leadership and mentoring and how it can benefit you or your organization, I encourage you to reach out and explore the opportunities available through my programs. I am confident that you will find the lessons and insights gained through working with horses to be truly transformative.
E-Commerce Businesses
As the founder of BYB Magazine, I can confidently say that it has been one of the most fulfilling projects I’ve ever been a part of. When I first came up with the idea over a decade ago, I had been running workshops and giving guest talks for a number of years and I kept getting asked the same questions about how to structure Google Ads, how to do email marketing properly and so forth. As a marketer and a long-time user of Google Ads, I knew that I had valuable insights to share.
So, I decided to create a magazine that would answer these common questions and more, providing in-depth and actionable information to small businesses looking to improve their marketing strategies. Initially, BYB Magazine covered a wide range of topics, but over time, we narrowed our focus to four main themes.
We distributed the magazine to our consultancy-based clients for free, but also sold subscriptions to businesses that couldn’t afford our services, but still wanted to benefit from the magazine’s content. In the early days, BYB Magazine was a printed version, produced with our own publishing company, but as the years went on, we became more conscious about the environment and decided to move to a digital version and reduce the price, making it more accessible to a wider range of businesses.
When the world was going through a tough time, and many businesses were struggling, I made the decision to give the magazine away for free, so that anyone could access its valuable information and strategies. I received some pushback from some people who didn’t understand why I was giving it away for free. But my belief was that businesses needed help and I wanted to provide them with valuable information that they could use to improve their marketing solutions.
Today, BYB Magazine continues to provide valuable content to tens of thousands of readers worldwide. It is currently free to access, but my team and I are discussing the possibility of reintroducing a paid version, this time printed on recycled paper for those who prefer a physical copy. We focus on four strategies every month, providing businesses with an easy-to-follow guide to creating better marketing solutions for their business.
As the founder of BYB Magazine, I am incredibly proud of the impact that this project has had on businesses worldwide. I love that we are quietly helping businesses, small and large, in the background to create better marketing solutions, which is what it’s all about. It may not always be in the spotlight, but BYB Magazine has been and continues to be a vital resource for businesses looking to improve their marketing strategies.
Past Projects
The Business Institute
The Business Institute was founded with a mission to empower small business owners and their teams with the skills and knowledge they need to grow and succeed. In partnership with BizCover, Australia and New Zealand’s leading small business insurance company, the Institute offers a range of certificate courses that cover a variety of topics, including Project Management, Emotional Intelligence, Creating Marketing Plans, and Business Development.
These courses are designed to provide business owners with the tools they need to navigate the complex and ever-changing landscape of today’s economy. By offering a diverse range of topics, the Institute ensures that there is something for everyone, regardless of the size or stage of their business.
One of the major benefits of being enrolled in these courses is that business owners and their teams can access discounted business insurance through BizCover. This added benefit of being able to save on business insurance while gaining valuable knowledge and skills is a win-win situation for any business owner.
The Business Institute is committed to providing ongoing support and resources to business owners, and in 2023, it is expanding its reach to the UK and USA. This will enable more small business owners to access its comprehensive training and education programs, and take advantage of the discounted business insurance offer.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your business to the next level, The Business Institute has the resources and support you need to succeed. With its comprehensive courses, expert instructors, and discounted business insurance, the Institute is an essential partner for any small business owner looking to grow and thrive.
TAPP Group: Joint Venture
The TAPP Group was established to empower accountants worldwide to provide additional support to their clients in areas that are vital for business growth. Why? Because as the business world evolves, so do the needs of business owners. TAPP offers a wide range of online training courses in topics such as Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Online Marketing, Social Media, Websites and many other key areas, and it’s a space where business owners and entrepreneurs can access the right information, at the right time, from the right people.
Our core belief is that by providing accountants with the tools and resources they need to support their clients, we can make a real impact on the success of small businesses. With industry-leading accounting software firms MYOB and XERO on board, TAPP is a trusted resource.
The platform is user-friendly so that accountants can easily share the training with their clients. The courses are led by industry experts, who have real-world experience and a deep understanding of the topics they teach. This ensures the information provided is accurate, up-to-date, and relevant to the needs of today’s business owners.
TAPP Group is more than just a training platform: it’s a community of like-minded professionals committed to helping small businesses succeed. By giving accountants the tools and resources they need to support their clients, we’re making a real difference in the world of small business.
The Trusted Advisor Partner Portal is a great value add for a practice’s clients with training courses that will help with their client’s business. There’s also a practical element for your practice, by using the reports delivered to you by TAPP on the courses being accessed by your clients, you can provide advisory services related to their interests that will increase your revenue. Jesse Logan – MYOB – Marketing ManagerTrusted Advisors Partner Portal (TAPP) provides valuable content for practices to offer clients. With limited time to create resources, it makes sense to utilise content from experts and TAPP bring together helpful articles and training on business foundations, marketing, leadership, business growth, increasing revenue and so much more. Sue Pak – Xero – Head of Accounting
Natura Training Institute: Joint Venture
At Notura Training Institute, we saw an opportunity to fill a gap in the market for proper, recognised training in holistic therapies. For too long, students studying mindfulness or meditation had difficulty obtaining insurance in certain countries. That’s why we partnered with associations and insurance companies worldwide to offer a more comprehensive course with feedback from teachers, assessments, and certification upon completion.
Since being founded around seven years ago, we’ve had thousands of students from over 50 countries take our courses. Our unique approach has made it possible for people in domestic abuse situations and financial difficulties to join our scholarship program and improve their circumstances through our course material. In fact, we’ve had numerous case studies of students who have used our courses to turn their lives around and even go on to pay for further study on their own or with a partial scholarship.
I personally wrote much of the course material and also hosted business masterminds for some of our students. Although I stepped down from Notura last year, the institute is still going strong and making a difference in the lives of people around the globe.
BYB Apps
BYB Apps was a pioneer in the early days of the mobile phone app industry, when it was still a new and innovative technology. We helped businesses all over the world embrace this technology and use it to drive their success. However, as the mobile app industry has matured, it has become much more accessible and affordable for small businesses to create their own apps, even without a lot of technical knowledge. This shift towards a DIY approach is something that we at BYB Apps welcomed, as it allows small businesses with limited budgets to have a digital presence and access to high-quality technology.
During our time in the industry, we developed our own platform for creating affordable mobile phone apps. This was because many developers were charging exorbitant amounts – upwards of $50,000 to $100,000 – which made it difficult for small businesses, particularly cafes and restaurants, to afford. We wanted to change this, so we created our own platform and partnered with an international one, which allowed us to offer mobile phone apps with loyalty and reward systems for under $2,000. This was groundbreaking at the time and disrupted the status quo in the industry.
Nowadays, there are many systems and companies that offer app creation services for as little as $99, which is fantastic. We believe that this trend towards DIY in the app market, as well as in the web development market, is a great thing because it gives small businesses around the world the opportunity to have a strong digital presence and use technology to grow their businesses. Overall, our experience with building BYB Apps was a rewarding one, and we are glad to have played a part in disrupting the industry and making it more accessible for small businesses.
Franchise Marketing
As a franchise marketing expert, I founded a company that specialised in helping businesses franchise and develop effective recruitment systems. My focus was on profiling potential franchisees and ensuring the right fit within a franchise network, recognising the high costs and negative consequences of a misalignment.
To address this challenge, we created a semi-automated franchisee recruitment system that utilised confidentiality agreements and online signatures to provide potential candidates with drip-fed content. This system was ahead of its time, as it was created in 2010 when such tools were not yet widely available. Our innovative system was successful in generating tens of thousands of franchise leads for clients such as The Coffee Club, Rams, and Mortgage Choice.
One of the key features of the system was its ability to offer candidates alternative options if they were not a good fit for a particular franchise. This community-based approach allowed for a more personalised and holistic approach to franchise recruitment and was made possible through my unique, human behaviour-based recruitment system.
Through my innovative thinking and expertise in both human behavior and technology, Colin was able to create a highly effective franchise system that benefited both businesses and franchisees. This experience is a testament to my thought leadership and how I can formulate strategies and solutions to drive success in a range of industries.
MindGenius
I’ve been using mind mapping and project mapping techniques for over 15 years, and it has proven to be a powerful tool for me in visually organizing complex situations and creating simple solutions to overcome them. Among the various software I’ve used, my preferred one is Mind Genius. I even went as far as entering into a joint venture partnership with the company to expand the brand’s presence in Australia, New Zealand and Australasia.
It was a challenging situation as there was already a popular mind mapping software in the market in Australia, but with the support of Mind Genius team, we were able to establish a strong presence and grow the brand in the region. I served as the CEO of Mind Genius for around 4 years. However, the company’s owners sold it to a larger company with a different focus such as health and safety for airports, which is when I stepped down as CEO.
Although the software and company has since been developed in a different direction, I still use Mind Genius software today. It’s a key part of my daily operations and consultancy work. My partnership with Mind Genius provided me with the opportunity to work with a wide range of companies, including big firms, government departments like the Defence Force, universities, and also many small businesses.
Present Projects
