What if the most valuable business advice you could receive wasn't a list of things to do, but a clear guide on what to avoid? This is the powerful philosophy of Colin Wilson, a founder whose journey was forged over 22 years of cold-calling the streets of Melbourne.

In this episode, Sean Dunne sits down with Colin for an incredible deep-dive into the grit, resilience, and strategic thinking required to build a business that lasts. Colin shares the ingenious "paper box" system he used to collect a lifetime of business lessons before he even started his own company, and the story of making the "stupidest decision of all time" — launching his business with two young kids and a huge mortgage.

He also reveals how the COVID-19 crisis, which wiped out half a million dollars of revenue overnight, became the unlikely catalyst for his company’s greatest growth phase. This conversation is a masterclass for any entrepreneur who wants to move from "good to great" and build a business designed for the future.

Episode Highlights:

1. The Question That Changes Everything... and why asking your advisor "What should I do?" is the biggest mistake you can make. What is the one counter-intuitive question that unlocks a level of advice most entrepreneurs never get?

2. The $500,000 Disaster That Built a Lead Machine... When COVID wiped out half a million dollars of his business overnight, Colin launched a simple strategy that generated over 800 new leads. What was the free pivot he made that turned his biggest crisis into his greatest opportunity?

3. The Five Empty Paper Boxes... that became a 17-year business playbook. What was the simple, analogue system Colin used for years to collect priceless business wisdom before he even launched his company?

4. The Moment Your Business Owns You... and the mindset shift required to take back control. Every founder hits a point where their dream becomes a prison. What is the fundamental change in thinking you must make to go from working in your business to owning it?

5. The Secret That Turns Passion into an Enterprise... Are entrepreneurs born or made? Colin’s surprising answer will give hope to anyone who has a deep passion but a fear of the risk. What is the one ingredient you can learn that makes entrepreneurship possible for anyone?

SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE

Connect with Sean Dunne: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn |

Connect with Colin Wilson: Website |LinkedIn

Dominium Capital

What happens when the thing you do for fun becomes the only thing you want to do? For Philip Lai, founder of the Australian Combat Sports Academy, it was a signal he couldn't ignore.

In this powerful episode of Origin to Ambition, Sean sits down with Philip to uncover a journey that began with a single, brutal Muay Thai session and led to quitting a stable advertising career with absolutely no plan. Philip shares the raw, unfiltered story of trading corporate life for a three-month trip to Thailand, returning home to build a gym from scratch, and learning one of the hardest lessons in business: trying to be all things to all people is a recipe for unhappiness.

This is a must-listen for anyone feeling the "Sunday Night Dread"—a conversation about trusting your gut, the immense power of niching down, and building a business not just for profit, but for a life.

Key Takeaways & Memorable Quotes:

1. Listen to the "Sunday Night Dread": That feeling of dreading Monday morning is a powerful signal that you're on the wrong path. Don't ignore it.

2. Being the Best Technician Isn't Enough: "I sort of had that mindset, 'If I open a gym, everyone's just going to come in'... but it's not the case." Being great at your craft is different from being great at business.

3. Niching Down is a Superpower: Trying to serve everyone leads to burnout and a diluted product. Focusing on one core offering made Philip happier, clarified his marketing, and improved his business.

4. Build Systems to Buy Freedom: The goal of a business owner should be to build systems that allow the business to thrive without them. Philip's gym grew when he was away because he had a good team and good systems.

5. The Ultimate Currency is Time: When asked about his five-year plan, Philip didn't talk about revenue goals. He talked about reclaiming his time and building a life, not just a business.

Connect with our guest, Philip Lai:

Website: https://philliplaimuaythai.com
Instagram: @philliplaimuaythai

Connect with Sean Dunne: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn |

Dominium Capital

What does a former AFL star and the President of the Hawthorn Football Club know about entrepreneurship? As it turns out, everything that matters.

In this episode, Sean is joined by Andy Gowers for a masterclass in high-performance thinking. Andy shares the game-changing advice he received from Michael Gerber: if you can't sell your business, you don't own a business—you own a job. This single idea reshaped his entire approach to building and exiting his successful wealth management firm.

Andy reveals his powerful "Who's in Your Box?" framework, using Roger Federer’s elite support team as a blueprint for any founder wanting to go from 'good to great.' He breaks down the practical systems of accountability that bridge the gap between intention and achievement, and shares the hilarious but profound lesson of "The Chicken and the Pig" to define true commitment.

This episode is a playbook for accountability, building a winning support system, and adopting the measurable, high-performance mindset of an elite athlete to conquer the world of business. Whether you’re a startup founder or a seasoned CEO, this conversation will force you to rethink who is on your team and what you’re truly committed to achieving.

What we discussed:

1. The Only Reason to Own a Business… and it's not for freedom or to be your own boss. What is the one litmus test that separates a real business from just a job you created for yourself?

2. Roger Federer's Secret Weapon for Success… and how any entrepreneur can build their own. What is the "support box," and why is the lack of one the biggest reason most people never reach an elite level?

3. The Mindset Gap Between Comfort and Success… and the simple accountability partnership that closes it. Why are humans naturally built for comfort, and what system can you implement by next Tuesday to overcome it?

4. The Difference Between a Chicken and a Pig… and what a plate of bacon and eggs reveals about your true level of commitment to your goals. Are you involved, or are you committed?

5. The Hidden Risk of a "Safe" 9-to-5 Job… and why Andy believes entrepreneurship might actually be the more secure path for those willing to embrace it.

SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE

Connect with Sean Dunne: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn |

Connect with Andy Gowers: Website |LinkedIn

Dominium Capital