WA Leaders

In this high-stakes episode of the WA Leaders podcast, hosts Charlie Gunningham and Dr Paula Smith sit down with Oliver Wood, founder of PWD, to uncover the raw reality of scaling a digital agency.

Oliver began with a backpacker’s "means to an end" in North Beach and grew it into a powerhouse generating $800,000 in monthly revenue.

This is more than just a success story. Oliver shares a cautionary masterclass on the "Million-Dollar Mistake" a moment when rapid growth clashed with a toxic "boiler room" partnership, resulting in physical threats and nearly costing him his reputation.

The discussion covers the "wild west" days of SEO, the dangers of "Solo Founder Syndrome," and why business owners should avoid shortcuts that seem "too good to be true" on the path to seven figures.

Oliver’s transparency shows why protecting your brand and mental health is just as important as your bottom line.

Check out the episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0WJevza17IGpkAgPhqlg08

Australia’s “missing middle” is becoming harder to ignore.

Caught between small business and large enterprise, many mid-sized companies have the potential to drive significant economic growth, yet often face the biggest barriers when it comes to scaling, investment, workforce capability, and access to support.

Our latest article explores why mobilising this sector matters, what’s currently holding it back, and where the opportunities lie moving forward.

An interesting read for anyone thinking about the future of Australian business and growth:
https://www.waleaders.com.au/media-and-pr/mobilising-australias-missing-middle/

Get to know our WA Leaders Industry Experts - Emma Burdett, Director, Huddle Up Creative.

☕️ What is your favourite Perth local spot or weekend ritual?

Emma - "I've lived in Perth for over 15 years now, and I still catch myself appreciating clear blue skies and sunny days. It's something you never really get sick of. Weekends are usually about making the most of that. You'll find me at the wakeboarding park, testing my abilities, down at the beach for a swim, or out scuba diving. There's so much to explore when it comes to ocean sports here, and I'm definitely someone who likes to stay active and out in it."

📖 What book, podcast, or TED Talk has had a significant impact on your thinking?

Emma - "This is always a hard one because I'm constantly reading and listening to different things. One that stands out is Tools of Titans by Tim Ferriss. It's a collection of habits, routines, and insights from some of the world's top performers, so there's a lot you can take from it. What made it particularly impactful for me was the timing. A close friend gave it to me when I was making the move out of corporate and into starting my on business, so it became a great inspiration during that transition."

🤩 Share a surprising hobby or skill most people don't know you have, or a fun fact.

Emma - "I've been very lucky to scuba dive all over the world, including some pretty incredible wreck dives. One of the most memorable was Truk Lagoon in Micronesia. It's home to more than 70 sunken Japanese WWII ships, planes, and submarines from the 1944 Operation Hailstone attack. It's surreal diving through that kind of history and also slightly unexpected how many empty beer and sake bottles are still sitting there on the wrecks".

💻 Share a quick tip or tool you recommend to business owners.

Emma - "Show up, be visible, and claim your space in your market. Then keep showing up. Consistently. Your business and your personal brand are flags you should be flying proudly and with intention. The more consistently you do that, the more familiar, trusted, and remembered you become. And that's what drives real momentum."

https://www.waleaders.com.au/media-and-pr/get-to-know-our-experts-emma-burdett-from-huddle-up-creative/

What makes an impactful conversation?

In this month's Alumni session, Kate Irving shared some incredible shifts to make which have huge impacts.

She shared the 4 pillars that make up the model for relationships, the recipe for cooperation (and how to be better at provoking), and management by agreement.

We then had a fantastic mastermind session facilitated by Dan greco, providing members with some great tangible takeaways and ideas to put into practice.

Advanced Business Abilities, The Manager Academy

What a fab event!

Thanks so much to all of our members for joining us last week at our May event!

The Models Method, The Manager Academy, Logical Developments, Podwave Studios, Huddle Up Creative, Access Analytic, Tall Poppies Leadership, Johnson Property Group, Advanced Business Abilities, Strive Healthcare

We look forward to seeing all of our members join us this afternoon for our May event!

To find out more about our memberships and attending any future events, visit: https://www.waleaders.com.au/express-interest/

Perth Wellness Centre is an integrated health clinic bringing together chiropractic, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, psychology, and corporate wellness services under one roof.

Their approach focuses on helping people:

💪 Restore movement
💪 Reduce pain
💪 Improve long-term wellbeing
💪 Build healthier habits in everyday life

From sports rehabilitation and dry needling through to ergonomic assessments, migraine management, and mental health support, their services are designed to support both physical and emotional wellbeing.

What stands out is their holistic, evidence-based approach, recognising that sustainable performance, whether at work or in life, starts with better health.

Find out more here: https://perthwellness.com.au/

Welcome to Series 2 of the WA Leaders Podcast!

In the first episode, we've got the "speaking lady" of Perth, Dr. Paula Smith, on the show to discuss her 40-year career in business and the nuances of influential communication in the booming 2026 Western Australian economy.

Dr. Smith, founder of the Global Institute of Training and Presenting, shares why many senior executives struggle with public speaking and offers strategic tips such as the rule of primacy and recency and the importance of using frameworks over "death by PowerPoint".

The conversation explores her journey from starting a personal development school at age 19 to completing a PhD in leadership, while also touching on her personal philosophy of "quiet leadership" and her recent 1,000-kilometer trek across the Camino Francis in Spain.

This episode, recorded at Podwave Studios in Leederville, serves as a masterclass for leaders looking to enhance their visibility and reliability through the power of speaking.

Check out the episode here: https://open.spotify.com/show/23ORKDHvS5vCq6BRhnqALn