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How I Made It

How I Made It

The Australian Financial Review 63 Episodes Sep 15, 2026

How I Made It is a podcast hosted by Lauren Sams and Yolanda Redrup that explores the journeys of Australia's top entrepreneurs. Each episode delves into how these business leaders built their fortunes and the lessons they learned along the way. The show offers insights into the challenges and successes of building a business in Australia.

Episodes

Anthony Woods was a uni dropout. Now his tech company is worth $13b
Anthony Woods was a uni dropout. Now his tech company is worth $13b Sep 15, 2026 2227 When Anthony Woods was growing up in Perth, he and his dad had a deal: “He [dad] would break the home computer, and I would fix it.”  The seeds of his career would grow from this family pastime.  The software engineer is now the co-founder of Grafana Labs, a tech company valued at $13 billion with 25 million users around the world who rely on its simple-to-use data visualisat
This ex-dealmaker defied the sceptics to build cult brand Frank Green
This ex-dealmaker defied the sceptics to build cult brand Frank Green Sep 8, 2026 1783 When Ben Young first pitched his idea for reusable coffee cups, his business strategy colleagues dismissed it.“The smartest guys in the room said it was silly; I was being an idiot because why would you have a reusable cup when [you] can just put the old one in the bin, not think about it anymore, and get on with [your] day,” recalls Young.But after seeing first hand the effects single
Nicole Eckels’ multimillion-dollar idea was sitting right under her nose
Nicole Eckels’ multimillion-dollar idea was sitting right under her nose Sep 1, 2026 1998 When Nicole Eckels moved to Sydney in 2005, one of the first things she did was go to David Jones to shop for her new apartment.On the lookout for a fragrant candle to scent her home, what she found was a gap in the market.Now the founder and CEO of Glasshouse Fragrances, Nicole has grown her company into a global powerhouse, with products stocked in more than 10 countries including the US.On this
Bill Beament led a 1¢ company. Now it’s Australia’s biggest gold miner
Bill Beament led a 1¢ company. Now it’s Australia’s biggest gold miner Aug 25, 2026 1953 Bill Beament put himself on the map by transforming a fledgling explorer, Northern Star, into one of the world's biggest gold miners.After turning the 1¢ company into a multibillion-dollar giant, the West Australian decided to take a punt on a new solo venture.Now the founder and chief executive of mining exploration company Develop Global, the king of Kalgoorlie is turning his attention to c
'I had $200′: Inside Aussie Bruna Papandrea’s meteoric Hollywood rise
'I had $200′: Inside Aussie Bruna Papandrea’s meteoric Hollywood rise Aug 18, 2026 2365 When Bruna Papandrea arrived in New York, she had $200. An avid storyteller, the South Australian began reading scripts for her friend, actor Anthony LaPaglia. But it was when she was offered a job working for legendary filmmakers Sydney Pollack and Anthony Minghella that her career transformed. “I was 29, and I get chills telling the story because that is just a moment that you can't fathom
‘I owe you nothing’: Two unlikely partners and a $20b housing empire
‘I owe you nothing’: Two unlikely partners and a $20b housing empire Aug 11, 2026 2179 When Craig Carracher first met his business partner, Stephen Gaitanos, he was somewhat reluctant to team up.“He was only a young fellow. He's 15 years younger than me, and he put his hand up and said, ‘I'd like to come across as your junior,'" Carracher recalls. “And I said, ‘Look, I'm not going to pay you for five years. I'm not sure I like you... I owe you nothing.'"
How this 26-year-old built a $100m robotics company
How this 26-year-old built a $100m robotics company Aug 2, 2026 2115 Grace Brown had always enjoyed maths, science and music. Teamed with a “wild imagination”, her interest in patterns meant she was obsessed with all things magic.When she took on an engineering design subject in high school, everything became clear.“I wanted to spend the rest of my life working as an engineer because you could just imagine something and create it that didn't previ
Alex Vynokur bet the house to start Betashares. It now manages $75b
Alex Vynokur bet the house to start Betashares. It now manages $75b Jul 28, 2026 2059 The former lawyer walked away from a top-tier legal career to risk his house on an ETF venture. It’s now the country’s second-largest exchange-traded funds provider. "I was just totally convinced that you know I should just do it," says the Betashares founder. On the first episode of the new season of How I Made It, host Lauren Sams sits down with the chief executive to found out how h
Trailer: How I Made It returns July 29
Trailer: How I Made It returns July 29 Jul 22, 2026 57 How I Made It is back with host Lauren Sams.  Don’t miss season six as we uncover how Australia’s top entrepreneurs built their fortunes and what they learnt along the way.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What working on David Bowie’s yacht taught Boost founder Janine Allis
What working on David Bowie’s yacht taught Boost founder Janine Allis Nov 23, 2025 1758 Growing up, Janine Allis never thought about starting her own business. “I didn’t even know what an entrepreneur was,” she says. But after spotting a gap in the market, there was no stopping the founder of a now-global smoothie company that’s worth hundreds of millions of dollars. On the final episode of season five of How I Made It, Rich List editor Yolanda Redrup finds ou
‘It's the Mount Everest of careers’: How Fleet’s CEO built an $800m company
‘It's the Mount Everest of careers’: How Fleet’s CEO built an $800m company Nov 16, 2025 1997 Since she was a little girl, Flavia Tata Nardini was obsessed with space. The Italian-born rocket scientist began her career at the European Space Agency but moved to Adelaide in her 20s, where she found herself confronted with a lack of industry. Left with no other choice, she started her own business. On this week's episode of How I Made It, Rich List editor Yolanda Redrup finds out how the CEO
A scam set WA’s fertiliser king on a path to a $5b fortune
A scam set WA’s fertiliser king on a path to a $5b fortune Nov 9, 2025 1754 Vikas Rambal came to Australia from India on a prospective business trip in 2000. But the project he was looking into was not what it seemed. It was a moment on his five-day trip that would prove to be pivotal. On this week’s episode of How I Made It, Rich List editor Yolanda Redrup finds out how a scam and a chance encounter set about the Perdaman Group founder’s dream to build the co

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