What happens when you combine crocodile encounters, buffalo hunting, and a submerged 4WD on a broken bridge in the middle of an outback river - with business ambition? You get Angus Dicker's incredible journey.

Sam and I had so much fun in this episode! Angus Dicker is not your typical business owner. He’s managed to carve a life for himself in which he gets to do work he loves, in places where most people don’t go. From early beginnings in the military to becoming a Masters of Business graduate, Angus Dicker, owner of Home Filtration Systems, turned his love for the extreme outdoors into a unique business model. His company doesn't just provide clean water systems – they reach the places his competitors won't go in the remote corners of Australia. Which is perfect for Angus. Because adventure is his game and for him, the more remote and adventurous the location, the better. And luckily for him, all remote locations need clean water.

If you have an adventurous spirit and a love of autonomy, you’ll love this episode! You’ll hear Angus’ stories of outback adventure combined with business ownership. Angus shared how a random concrete driveway job ended in an unexpected mentorship, leading him to build a niche business that services remote communities across Western Australia. If you’ve ever dreamed of building a business that aligns with your values and thirst for adventure, this is for you.

Angus’s story is a masterclass in grit, growth, and unconventional entrepreneurship.

Highlights:

• From the Military to a Master’s Degree: Angus opens up about his unconventional academic path, overcoming educational gaps, and pushing through self-doubt to complete a Master of Business.
  
  
• Finding Business Clarity in the Mud (Literally): Discover how helping a mate pour concrete became the catalyst for launching his own company in the water filtration industry.
  
  
• Mentorship and Opportunity: The pivotal role that experienced mentors played in shaping Angus’s business approach and how one old-school entrepreneur helped unlock a new venture.
  
  
• Niche Market, Big Impact: How Angus carved a unique space by servicing remote and often overlooked communities, bringing clean water to places that desperately need it.
  
  
• Building a Business Around Adventure: Angus shares his love for the land, off-grid living, and how the ruggedness of remote work is exactly what fuels him.
  
  
• On Accountability & Autonomy: Real talk on the ups and downs of being your own boss and why Angus wouldn’t have it any other way.

• And Lots More!

👉 Like what you heard?

Subscribe to Thriving Business Podcast for more candid conversations with entrepreneurs who are doing business their way.

👉 Want to connect with Angus?

Check out Home Filtration Systems and learn more about their work in regional and remote water solutions. https://homefiltrationsystems.com/

Thanks for listening and remember success doesn’t have to follow a traditional path. Sometimes it’s found on a dusty road, under the sun, with nothing but grit, heart, and a damn good water filter!

Connect with the Hosts:

Kate De Jong, PhD | Inspired Business

Website: https://katedejong.com/

Instagram: katedejong.inspiredbusiness

Email: kate@katedejong.com

Sam Morris | Digital Systers

Website:

In this episode, Sam and Kate delve into the sensitive and often tricky topic of business partnership failures. Globally, around 70% of business partnerships end up dissolving. In a candid and honest conversation, Kate and Sam explore the challenges that arise in business collaborations, acknowledging that while “failure” is possibly an unfair term (because often our biggest learnings come through these experiences), many partnerships naturally come to an end or evolve over time.

Sam and Kate offer insights based on their personal experiences and those of their clients, sharing that while business failure can feel discouraging, it often leads to valuable personal growth and important lessons. The pair discuss the key reasons behind these failures, and what you can do to prepare yourself when entering a business partnership. You’ll walk away with actionable insights to navigate the complexities of business partnerships.

Key Takeaways:

• The Reality of Business Partnership Failures: Sam and Kate discuss their personal experiences with business partnerships, both successful and unsuccessful, and explore the common reasons why partnerships fail.
• Learning Through Partnership Failures: The hosts reflect on the personal growth that comes from business partnerships, emphasising how working alongside a partner can accelerate learning and self-awareness.
• Key Reasons Why Partnerships Fail: And what you can do to prepare yourself if considering entering a partnership.
  
  

This episode offers valuable perspective for entrepreneurs navigating or considering business partnerships, emphasising that failure isn’t the end but often the beginning of valuable learning.

Thanks for tuning in!

Connect with the Hosts:

Kate De Jong, PhD | Inspired Business

Website: https://katedejong.com/

Instagram: katedejong.inspiredbusiness

Email: kate@katedejong.com

Sam Morris | Digital Systers

Website: https://www.digitalsysters.com/

Instagram: sammorris.businesscoach

Are you tired of losing sleep over your financial future? In this empowering episode of the Thriving Business Podcast, hosts Kate and Sam are joined by seasoned financial strategist Gayle McKew, who reveals how to transform financial stress into strategic confidence.

Gayle shares her journey from a career in banking to becoming an independent financial planner. Her journey shows us how taking control of your financial decisions, even when they're difficult—can lead to both ethical alignment and financial freedom.

After leaving the banking world twice due to values conflicts, Gayle built a practice that proves you don't have to choose between doing what's right and building wealth at the same time.

If you've ever felt overwhelmed by financial decisions, confused by conflicting advice, or worried about your retirement security, this episode shares:

• How to move from financial anxiety to confident decision-making.
• Why growing up in a feast-or-famine household shaped Gayle's approach to financial security.
• The moment Gayle realised corporate banking wasn't aligned with her values—and what she did about it.
• A real-life example of choosing ethics over easy money (and why it pays off long-term).
• How to build wealth without compromising your personal values.
• Why professional financial guidance beats "BBQ advice" every time.

Sam also shares a personal update after a few episodes away, and the trio explores what it means to take control of your financial future with integrity and confidence.

Key Takeaways:

• Financial confidence comes from strategic planning, not wishful thinking.
• Trust your instincts—when something feels ethically wrong, it probably is.
• Breaking the feast-or-famine cycle requires professional guidance and clear systems.
• Taking control of your financial future starts with aligning your money decisions with your values.

Guest Spotlight – Gayle McKew: Gayle is a financial strategist who specialises in helping people move from financial anxiety to financial freedom. With over 25 years of experience in banking and financial planning, she's passionate about providing the strategic guidance that transforms financial stress into confident, values-aligned wealth building.

Connect with Gayle: 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/gaylemckew-financial-strategist-retirement-agedcare-successionplanning/

Thanks for tuning in!

If this episode helped you feel more confident about your financial future, don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who's ready to take control of their financial destiny.

Connect with the Hosts:

Kate De Jong, PhD | Inspired Business

Website: https://katedejong.com/

Instagram: katedejong.inspiredbusiness

Email: kate@katedejong.com

Sam Morris | Digital Systers

Website: https://www.digitalsysters.com/

Instagram: sammorris.businesscoach