S2 Episode 14. BYOB with Andrew Ford - Darren Bourke

13 Mar

In this episode of the BYOB Podcast, I sit down with my good mate, business coach, and author Darren Bourke for an insightful and lively chat about what it really takes to build a successful business. Darren has spent years helping SME owners find their footing, and today, he’s spilling the secrets on how to run a business without it running you. From his early days crunching numbers at Deloitte to carving out his own path in business coaching, Darren shares how he made the leap from corporate stability to entrepreneurial freedom—and why he’d never go back.

Darren and I swap stories about the rollercoaster of business ownership, touching on the highs, the lows, and the absolute necessity of having a coach or mentor in your corner. We dive into the psychology of leadership, revealing why so many business owners find themselves stressed out, time-poor, and on the verge of burnout. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t have to be that way. Darren breaks down his three-pronged approach—consultant, coach, and mentor—and how this tailored strategy helps business owners regain control, reduce stress, and actually enjoy the businesses they’ve built.

The conversation turns to one of the biggest challenges entrepreneurs face: time versus money. Everyone wants more of both, but Darren explains why it’s about striking the right balance rather than chasing one at the expense of the other. I reflect on my own business journey, agreeing that finding a structure that works for you is the key to longevity and success. We also tackle one of the most overlooked aspects of business—the human element. Numbers might drive decisions, but people drive businesses, and knowing how to manage and lead effectively can make all the difference.

Darren shares his journey writing his book—a process he likens to running a business itself. It’s full of unexpected twists, requires discipline, and in the end, is all about delivering value. We also touch on Darren’s love for learning, from screenwriting courses to new business ventures, proving that curiosity and adaptability are two of the greatest assets any entrepreneur can have.

Darren also imparts some gold for anyone thinking of making the leap into business. He stresses the importance of learning your craft, embracing structure, and being brutally honest about what you’re good at (and what you’re not).

If you’re an entrepreneur—or thinking about becoming one—this episode is packed with actionable insights, a few laughs, and plenty of motivation to get out there and build something great.

Website

Andrew Ford

Marketing expert Andrew Ford, the founder of Social Star, has discovered the secret of ‘Powerful Branding’. With a fire for unleashing people’s inner brand and developing business models to generate profit from an individual’s passions, Andrew leverages ground-breaking digital and social media marketing techniques to create digital strategies for clients to attract maximum opportunities. Having established a strong name for himself in the field, Andrew blends traditional business techniques with now-necessary tools for entrepreneurs to achieve scale, quality, and influence in their niche. Andrew’s comprehensive business background and qualifications consist of a Bachelor of Business (Marketing) (RMIT 2003), a Graduate Certificate in Management (MBA Executive Program, University of Sydney 2005), and a Masters of Entrepreneurship and Innovation (Swinburne University 2011). Continually on the cutting edge of his own education, Andrew has tested his marketing theories in forums such as the BCG Business Strategy Competition, which he won in 2005 against all Victorian MBA schools, and the Venture Cup Business Plan Competition (Swinburne University 2003), which he won in the Masters category. With experience working at Hewlett-Packard, Sensis (Telstra) and IBM, Andrew also has mentored dozens of junior staffs to help them achieve their professional goals. Meeting and influencing high-profile public figures helped Andrew to realise just how many professionals require more understanding and control of their public brands or appearance, and need help with the skills to use the many amazing free tools at their disposal to generate success. At Social Star, Andrew consults with clients to uncover their personal brand – both where it is today and where it can be tomorrow – and refine and define how that should be displayed in social media in order to attract their perfect target audience. Andrew mentors his clients to rapidly grow their business’ audiences, resulting in larger potential client bases and higher revenue. Applying formulas that integrate over twenty years of Andrew’s business experience and fifteen years of formal business education, Social Star specialises in building clarity and velocity for clients’ brands using the ‘Understand, Build and Leverage’ methodology. ‘Having a Personal Business enables people to have an authentic, congruent connection with their valued clients and partners, using their brand as the bridge,’ says Andrew. ‘I’m highly driven to work with the new breed of entrepreneurs and small business owners – people who have a passion for making the world a better place. Traditional business models are stepping aside as people follow their innermost dreams and my role is to see them operate within their values while creating wealth. Some people think you have to sacrifice what you love to be successful in your business, yet it is actually the opposite. Follow your passion and success will come.’ Lecturing at Swinburne University from 2009 to 2011 on brand dynamics and digital marketing, presenting at numerous conferences, and consulting to hundreds of clients, Andrew has seen his philosophy work that if you follow your unique path, based on your skills, experience, values and goals, you will automatically attract the opportunities you desire and achieve the success you deserve. Living his mantra, Andrew has created a successful business and attracts high-profile clients including musicians, athletes, authors, models, entrepreneurs, professionals and small business owners, helping them find their ‘why’ in their business and fulfilment in their lives. Business for Andrew is more than work, it’s personal. Running a personal business means that he is able to fulfil all of his values rather than separating his life from work. It supports his two boys while providing social opportunities, educational development, fitness opportunities, spiritual fulfilment and many valuable friendships. Social Star has now become the vehicle for Andrew to crystallise his mission in the world, to help people love what they do, supporting his ‘why’, that if more people loved what they did, the world would be a better place.

http://www.andrewford.com.au/

S2 Episode 14. BYOB with Andrew Ford - Darren Bourke

S2 Episode 13. BYOB with Andrew Ford - James McCracken