Masters of the Game

Send us a Text Message.Sahil Bhasin is the founder & director of Bricks & Mortar Real Estate in Fitzroy North.  He started that business from scratch building it up from 0 to 500 properties under management in 4 years and personally sells in excess of 200 properties per year, having mastered off the plan sales & project marketing. A high achiever in every field he has worked in, Sahil is an impressive operator.  He is an extremely driven individual, loves seeing his staff grow and cherishes his time with his beautiful family. He has a unique skillset for someone in real estate and there may not be a person more qualified to talk about how a building should be put together, marketed and then subsequently sold... please enjoy! Topics covered:* Born in India & then fleeing Iraq as a refugee during the war* His extraordinary journey to Australia & the memories that he holds during this traumatic time in his life * Early work life/learnings/successes/accreditations* The greatest single mentor he ever had in Mark Jones & the profound influence he has continued to have on his life* The various experiences that shaped his valuable skills over time: car shows, The Wiggles, Melbourne City Baths, completing an MBA* His days @ Roscon Property Services doing engineering / building reports* Advising the Senate committee & the Australian Prime Minister regarding the dangers of combustible cladding of buildings * Discussing problems with balconies, waterproofing, box gutters etc* Concrete super structures - the only way buildings should be built in Australia * Red flags to look for when buying an apartment* How he determines which developers to work with* What are the attributes of a great sales person in real estate?* How he started Bricks & Mortar* The trajectory of sales from year 1 (25 sales) --> year 4 (205 sales)... next goal is 300* We talk about negotiation & what makes a good negotiator* Biggest challenges as a leader/business owner at this point of his career* The key building blocks in organically his rent roll from zero --> 500 properties in 4 years & fondly remembering his very first management * How they help landlords/rental providers switch from other agencies to them* Using video on socials for recruitment & why it works so well for them* Behind the scenes of the the process in auditioning to be a speaker @ AREC - Australia's largest real estate conference... the learnings he took from that experience* Speaking emotionally about his business partner Madeleine Cahill... her strengths, her evolution & personal growth in the real estate game* We discuss how he deals with failures & what he feels he still needs to work onMasters of the Game is brought to you by Pressie.Pressie is a fun & youthful business to business (B2B) gifting service that offers a seamless & frictionless client experience. Clients include luxury property developers, real estate agents and also the Essendon Football Club in the AFL.Reach out to the team @ Pressie today - https://www.pressie.com.auSahil BhasinInstagram - @bricksamortarhttps://www.realestate.com.au/agent/sahil-bhasin-2201462https://www.linkedin.com/in/sahil-bhasin/Branko Lemaic Instagram - @branko_lemaic Instagram - @masters_of_the_game_https://www.realestate.com.au/agent/branko-lemaic-224821Masters of the Game is created & produced by Branko LemaicEnquiries: blemaic@gmail.com

Send us a Text Message.Raju Ghimire is director of the Hospokendra Group... owner of successful Melbourne cafes Dumbo in West Footscray, Sani in Brunswick East & Yuca in Toorak village. Born in Nepal, to a mother who was 15 years old at the time, it has been a long winding road to get to where he is today. Opportunity. Failure. Bouncing back. Learnings. Taking risks. Expensive lessons. Twenty lenders saying no. Bad credit. Not giving up. Surviving lockdowns. Pour over coffee.  Winning. Success. Family. Arranged marriage... All worth it.  If you are in the hospitality game or even business in general, this will be a valuable listen. Get to know Raju on a deeper level. Please enjoy! Topics covered:* The early days in his home country of Nepal* Impact of his parents on his life* The importance of social status in his home country & the decision to come to Australia* How he fell into the hospitality game & how he literally started from the bottom* Two significant business failures early on & two expensive lessons to the tune of $500,000* His will to succeed & never giving up after 20 lenders said no trying to fund the Dumbo venture... finding a way* How Dumbo survived during the adversity of lockdowns* The mindset behind making the pie bigger mid lockdowns... enter venture #2 - Sani* Introducing a unique coffee menu to Sani, pour over coffee & my favorite dish! * The expansion continues with venture #3 - Yuca* Challenges of a new fit out, business, name & feel with an older & more traditional client base* Openly sharing costs of rent, timeframes/planning/costs regarding cafe fit-outs, staffing challenges & many other pressures associated with being a business owner in hospitality* Incredible story about how he met his wife & the arranged marriage that followed!* What does he do in his spare time?Masters of the Game is brought to you by Pressie.Pressie is a fun & youthful business to business (B2B) gifting service that offers a seamless & frictionless client experience. They can customise to your companies requirements & create your own secure portal from which you can order directly & efficiently. It couldn’t be simpler. Clients include luxury property developers, real estate agents and also the Essendon Football Club in the AFL.Reach out to the team @ Pressie today - https://www.pressie.com.auRaju Ghimire* Instagram - @dumbomelbourne @sanimelbourne @yucamelbourne Branko LemaicInstagram - @branko_lemaicInstagram - @masters_of_the_game_https://www.realestate.com.au/agent/branko-lemaic-224821Masters of the Game is created & produced by Branko LemaicEnquiries: blemaic@gmail.comBranko Lemaic Instagram - @branko_lemaic Instagram - @masters_of_the_game_https://www.realestate.com.au/agent/branko-lemaic-224821Masters of the Game is created & produced by Branko LemaicEnquiries: blemaic@gmail.com

Send us a Text Message.Peter Karaoglanis is the founder of Presenting Homes Australia. His company specialises in presenting properties for sale by maximising buyer appeal & ultimately maximising the sale price for clients. The son of a Greek father & and an Irish mother, he's learned some truly valuable lessons along the way... compassion, empathy, standing up for himself and love, while also learning to deal with personal heartbreak and the devastating losses of his 46 year old brother and his 20 week old son.Honing his skills throughout his work career in a diverse range of jobs/industries, and leaning on mentors over the journey, he has become a true expert and genuine master in his field. There is no part of the house presentation process that Peter hasn't forensically examined and systematically reimagined, to ensure success for his clients.  Peter shares lots of wisdom including facts, tips & takeaways to help improve the appeal and value of your home. An absolute gentleman and a class act. Please enjoy! Topics covered:* Purpose... maximise sale price, have maximum buyer appeal, minimise time on market* His wonderful, compassionate & loving upbringing* The greatest life lesson instilled in him from both parents* Extraordinary story about losing his 46 year old brother from silicosis & glioblastoma... the suffering & the pain* Establishing a servant mindset early in life, lessons learned from mentors, clients & how he consistently achieved success in various fields of work* His take on long-form podcasts & why this format resonates with him* Why obsession is a wonderful thing* The value of a symbiotic relationship with real estate agents in his line of work* The 3 parts to his business... a forensic breakdown of the property clean, property restoration & lastly property presentation * He shares relevant case studies, tips, simple hacks/take aways for anyone to use * Dealing with trauma sites, urine, smoke affected properties & methodology to transform them* What would be the one single thing he would suggest to invest in if someone had a limited cleaning budget?* Regarding restoration, what has the highest amount of impact & why?* What are some of the reasons a vendor wouldn't want to improve the value & perception of their property?* Discussing his incredible wife Tania & their amazing kids * The devastating loss of their 4th child James @ 20 weeks old & the heart wrenching emotion* Their 5th child being born @ 23 weeks old & his wife almost dying after losing 5 litres of blood during deliveryMasters of the Game is brought to you by Pressie.Pressie is a fun & youthful business to business (B2B) gifting service that offers a seamless & frictionless client experience. They can customise to your companies requirements & create your own secure portal from which you can order directly & efficiently. It couldn’t be simpler. Clients include luxury property developers, real estate agents and also the Essendon Football Club in the AFL.Reach out to the team @ Pressie today - https://www.pressie.com.auPeter Karaoglanis* https://www.presentinghomesaustralia.com.au* Instagram - @presentinghomesaustraliaBranko Lemaic Instagram - @branko_lemaic Instagram - @masters_of_the_game_https://www.realestate.com.au/agent/branko-lemaic-224821Masters of the Game is created & produced by Branko LemaicEnquiries: blemaic@gmail.com

Send us a Text Message.Kathryn Stary is the founder and creative director of Kathryn Stary Marketing and has been in the game for ten years. Her life influences have been many and their effects have run deep, from former Western Bulldogs President Peter Gordon while she worked in asbestos litigation, to the special bond shared with her grandfather and then the profound impact her father, criminal defence lawyer, Rob Stary had on her while representing high profile figures Julian Assange, Jack Thomas, Carl Williams and Tony Mokbel... however it was her own grit and determination she had to rely on while beginning her very own e-commerce business with a modest inheritance received from a family member. It took off after only a very short period of time. Her biggest challenge has no doubt been the battle her son William is going through, with a rare medical condition that requires specific ongoing attention. She lifts the hood on what it is, how they are handling it together and importantly, how we can all help through blood and plasma donations via Australia Red Cross Lifeblood.She is absolutely raw, real & relatable. She continues to display great resilience no matter what gets thrown her way, always handling herself with dignity and class.  Get to know Kathryn on a more personal level during this emotional conversation - please enjoy! Topics covered:* Her childhood & upbringing - Irish/English & Hungarian* Parents divorcing @ 4 years old* The single most influential person in her life & his profound effect* Early lessons in resilience relating to her fathers job as a criminal defence lawyer representing high profile clients & how she dealt with it* Discussing the traditional concept of finishing school/uni degree to guarantee future success... is it as necessary today as it previously has been?* The relationship with her many siblings & dad's pivotal role in fostering togetherness* Buying & selling two houses with her ex partner & the learnings that came from it* Starting an e-commerce business with $2,500 she inherited! Blossom & Glow, specialising in fashion for mums* How she organically became an early adopter of using the influencer business model (including dressing Bec Judd), the methodology behind it & what she learned * Why she exited out of the business & the the financials behind it  * What would she do differently if she had her time again?* Emotionally discussing her son William & the rare medical condition he suffers from called Common Variable Immuno Deficiency... only 1 in 13,000 Aussies suffer from it* Being an advocate for Australian Red Cross LifeBlood, donating blood/plasma & why it is critical to William living a normal life * Working in law alongside lawyer Peter Gordon in asbestos litigation* The greatest thing she learned from him as a mentor: fight the good fight* What are some of the more complex marketing projects she's worked on & why?* What dos she love about working in a creative field like marketing?Masters of the Game is brought to you by Pressie.Pressie is a fun & youthful business to business (B2B) gifting service that offers a seamless & frictionless client experience. They can customise to your companies requirements & create your own secure portal from which you can order directly & efficiently. It couldn’t be simpler. Clients include luxury property developers, real estate agents and also the Essendon Football Club in the AFL.Branko Lemaic Instagram - @branko_lemaic Instagram - @masters_of_the_game_https://www.realestate.com.au/agent/branko-lemaic-224821Masters of the Game is created & produced by Branko LemaicEnquiries: blemaic@gmail.com

Send us a Text Message.Damian Corney is the Founder & Creative Director of the Grafico Group. His firm specialises in end to end marketing/advertising signage, design, print & installation. His thriving business is multi faceted & also multi award winning, culminating in being named the City of Melbourne's Small Business of the Year in 2022.A business idea that started as a university project and eventually came to life in Nonna's humble garage, has since developed into a national and international business with the help of positive influences in his life and his business coach. He has since been hand picked for important collaborations with the likes of Porsche & Louis Vuitton, while also being a go-to supplier & sponsor on TV show The Block for almost 10 years.  Sit back and enjoy this insightful conversation #whatwillyougrafico? Topics covered:* Why does he do what he does?* His family background * First inkling of interest in business & being a creative* An important early memento he kept & why* The start of his passion, how he began Grafico & how the name came about* The various different arms of the business - walls, auto, signage, tiles* His long association with The Block TV show & the serendipitous way it began* A special art car project - cool collab Grafico/Porsche/artist Nigel Sense* The standout project of his career with Louis Vuitton* Working on art house hotel The Motley in Richmond - huge design & installation project* What makes a masterpiece, in the world of design?* Taking us behind the curtain of the creative process * Influences / inspiration from a design standpoint* Feeling stuck & not being afraid to ask for help... levelling up* The value of having a business coach & how it totally changed his mindset & subsequently, the trajectory of his business* The best or most timely piece of advice given by his mum, dad or wife?* How does he handle failure & challenging moments?* Great analogy - pilot flying the plane with / without instruments*  Winning City of Melbourne Lord Mayor Award for Small Business of the Year 2022!* His long standing passion for carsMasters of the Game is brought to you by Pressie.Pressie is a fun & youthful business to business (B2B) gifting service that offers a seamless & frictionless client experience. They can customise to your companies requirements & create your own secure portal from which you can order directly & efficiently. It couldn’t be simpler. Clients include luxury property developers, real estate agents and also the Essendon Football Club in the AFL.Reach out to the team @ Pressie today - https://www.pressie.com.auDamian Corney* Instagram - @damian_corney* Instagram - @grafico_walls*  https://www.grafico.com.auBranko Lemaic Instagram - @branko_lemaic Instagram - @masters_of_the_game_https://www.realestate.com.au/agent/branko-lemaic-224821Masters of the Game is created & produced by Branko LemaicEnquiries: blemaic@gmail.com

Send us a Text Message.Toma Banjanin was born in the year 1927. He has lived quite an extraordinary life... one filled with deep suffering, hardships, perseverance and hope. A fulfilling life, living off the land and one full of love, surrounded by family... his wife, 6 children, 16 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren and the rest of his extended family.    He is sharp as a tack and remembers it as though it all happened yesterday. The detail is quite remarkable as he takes us back in time with vivid recollections of people, places and events that go back many, many decades. As one of the first wave of migrants that came to this country in 1949, the migrant story is one that many can relate to, in a multicultural country such as Australia. This was very special, a true privilege. Please enjoy!Topics covered:* Living the simple village life as a child in Gračac, Lika* Describing his mother & his hero, his father* Fondly remembering his 9 siblings & the daily chores* The start of World War 2... the trauma/horror that war represents * Chetniks (Royalists) vs Partizans (Communists) & Germans (Nazis)... the many close brushes with death they experienced throughout the war * The killing of his father & eldest brother at the hands of the communists* I ask him about his relationship with food & basic human needs throughout his life, after his wartime experiences... he got down to 48kg at his lightest, he would go days without food, sometimes a week* Getting orders to lay down arms, the war is over... what was next * The miserable conditions in prisoner of war camps post World War 2 in Italy (Cesena & Eboli) & Germany (Münster), handed to them by the British Army* Did he think he would survive? Did he have hope? * Being given Displaced Person (DP) status, those not wanting to return to a communist country* What he feels he left behind when he left his homeland* How they chose Australia as their preferred destination & the immigration process * The actual month long journey to Australia on a converted cargo ship called 'Nelly' - and the severe sea sickness!* What happened next, once he docked at Station Pier, Port Melbourne as a migrant?* Getting settled into a new country, being sent by government to S.A. for work, working as a mechanic, being introduced to shouting rounds of beer!* Reflecting on the early days in Australia - the 17-18 hour days of hard labour on his 169 acre farm... with no running water & no electricity* Some final reflections on his journey & his lifeMasters of the Game is brought to you by Pressie.Pressie is a fun & youthful business to business (B2B) gifting service that offers a seamless & frictionless client experience. They can customise to your companies requirements & create your own secure portal from which you can order directly & efficiently. It couldn’t be simpler. Clients include luxury property developers, real estate agents and also the Essendon Football Club in the AFL.Reach out to the team @ Pressie today - https://www.pressie.net.au  Branko Lemaic Instagram - @branko_lemaic Instagram - @masters_of_the_game_https://www.realestate.com.au/agent/branko-lemaic-224821Masters of the Game is created & produced by Branko LemaicEnquiries: blemaic@gmail.com

Send us a Text Message.Andrew Koulaouzos is an auctioneer & partner of Barry Plant Taylor Lakes. The son of hard working & protective migrant parents, he learned from them the value of telling the truth & having a tireless work ethic very early in life, two fundamentals that have underpinned his entire career. Along the way, he has had some of the best possible mentors to put him on the right path. He has experienced an immensely organic rise through the real estate ranks... starting as a 19 year old in property management/leasing, to sales cadet/associate and eventually a very successful sales person in his own right. So much so, that now at just 33 years of age, he is an accomplished performer writing in excess of $2M GCI, making him one of the highest performing agents in Victoria & Australia. Listen in & find out how he has done it. A very honest, raw discussion & a true rags to riches story. Get to know Andrew on a deeper level... Please enjoy!Topics covered:* Family background & growing up in St Albans* The influence of his hard working & protective parents* Trying his hand as a sparky & why he didnt like it* How he fell into real estate at 19 years old* How his early days in property management/leasing set up his entire sales career* Why does he want it so bad? Where does the hunger come from?* The level of training, personal development & marketing he committed to early on* His numbers from year 1 --> year 8* What elements has he mastered to become such a consistent elite performer?* The sense of responsibility & loyalty he had & continues to have to those around him * What has he sacrificed along the way? What's the downside of laser focus & obsession in ones craft? * How much improvement does he have in him? * Leaning on other elite performers within the Barry Plant Group* The importance of a supportive & understanding partner/spouse * We talk about his precious family* Why he never felt he was just thrown in the deep end in the beginning* How does he deal with failure? What does he struggle with?* What does a typical day look like for him? The habits, the rituals etc* A discussion about leadership* What decisive event, chance meeting, person, catalyst was the key to changing the course of his life?* The true value of exceptional customer service* How he has leveraged social media over the journey* His tenacity, discipline, passion, determination to succeed* Where would he be without the mentors in his life that he has had?* Being able to give back to his parents & describing the connection with his dadMasters of the Game is brought to you by Pressie.Pressie is a fun & youthful business to business (B2B) gifting service that offers a seamless & frictionless client experience. They can customise to your companies requirements & create your own secure portal from which you can order directly & efficiently. It couldn’t be simpler. Clients include luxury property developers, real estate agents and also the Essendon Football Club in the AFL.Reach out to the team @ Pressie today - https://www.pressie.net.au  Andrew Koulaouzos* Instagram - @andrew.koulaouzos * https://www.realestate.com.au/agent/andrew-koulaouzos-243896Branko Lemaic Instagram - @branko_lemaic Instagram - @masters_of_the_game_https://www.realestate.com.au/agent/branko-lemaic-224821Masters of the Game is created & produced by Branko LemaicEnquiries: blemaic@gmail.com

Send us a Text Message.Jake Moore is an auctioneer & partner of Australia's largest independent auctioneering company, Cooley Auctions. With a background as an apprentice chef in some of Sydney's finest restaurants and hard working parents who guided him on the right path from the outset, he learned the value of putting in the work early in life. As a result, he is extremely dedicated to his craft, has worked with the country's best estate agents and has been privileged to call in excess of 3,500 auctions... all at just 30 years of age.Having sold $4.5 billion worth of property value, including 200 properties over $5M & 57 properties over $10M, he has an enviable resume that even the most experienced auctioneers would be hard pressed to match.He is affable, honest and tremendously grounded for somebody who has already achieved so much. Get to know Jake on a more personal level - please enjoy! Topics covered:* Growing up as a boy in a surf town* Doing a chef apprenticeship, working in some of Sydney's best restaurants & the learnings he took away* The difference between a boss & a leader* Joining his mum in the real estate business & how he fell into auctioneering* His dad's career as a pilot & the sacrifices made for his family - priorities * His latest obsession being Brazilian Jiu Jitsu... the values of discipline & respect* We talk volume of auctions conducted* The pivotal point when everything just clicked & key activities undertaken* What sort of intensive training has he been put through?* The value of shadowing a mentor for 4 years* How his clients feel about him* The pressure to perform on the big stage* How he developed his auction style & how he prepares* The traits that distinguish a highly skilled auctioneer that executes flawlessly vs an auctioneer that merely coasts along* Going behind the curtain - what does a busy Saturday auction day look like?* Pros/cons of onsite auctions vs in-room auctions* Benefits of having an independent specialist auctioneer vs the listing agent being the auctioneer* The greatest influences/mentors in his life & why he values them so much* A key conversation/event that shook him up & changed the way he perceived his career - the critical learnings he took away* Most expensive home he has auctioned, most bids taken, longest auction conducted & the most over reserve he has achieved* What does it mean to him, putting on the orange Cooley tie?Masters of the Game is brought to you by Pressie.Pressie is a fun & youthful business to business (B2B) gifting service that offers a seamless & frictionless client experience. They can customise to your companies requirements & create your own secure portal from which you can order directly & efficiently. It couldn’t be simpler. Clients include luxury property developers, real estate agents and also the Essendon Football Club in the AFL.Reach out to the team @ Pressie today - https://www.pressie.com.auJake Moore* Instagram - @jakefmoore * Website - https://www.cooley.com.au/auctioneer/jake-moore/Branko Lemaic Instagram - @branko_lemaic Instagram - @masters_of_the_game_https://www.realestate.com.au/agent/branko-lemaic-224821Masters of the Game is created & produced by Branko LemaicEnquiries: blemaic@gmail.com

Send us a Text Message.Leigh McCrabb & Ken Attard are the dynamic founders of upstart Bike Shop, Neutral Service based in Melbourne's inner north west. They both have very different and diverse backgrounds... Leigh the country boy from Shepparton, did a multitude of different work over the years, eventually starting and successfully running the very popular Brother Nancy cafe in West Footscray. Ken the city boy from Keilor Downs, always knew he wanted to be a car designer... studying the topic in university & eventually landing his dream job with Ford.The boys' mutual passion for cycling brought them together and today they are creating waves in the bike game after they noticed a gap in the market. Creating a point of difference in the marketplace, they are building phenomenal client experiences through their brilliant industry knowledge, genuine client care, compassion & human connectivity. A very candid discussion covering a raft of various topics... please enjoy! Topics covered:* Their passion for bikes... what do they feel when they jump on a bike?* The reason Ken started to ride! * Leigh's formative years & diverse employment background* Ken's early years, his immediate love of car design & dealing with the loss of his father @ 21 years of age* Leigh's fork in the road after starting Brother Nancy cafe in West Footscray* How Ken's self proclaimed impatience & immaturity led to a career blunder as car designer @ Ford & subsequently Toyota* How the guys met & where the idea for Neutral Service came about* Fit first, bike second... finding the gap in the market* Neutral Service, the name - and it's Tour De France origins* The various bike shop business models that exist across Melbourne* The prevailing elitist mentality that persists in many cycling shops & the steps the boys are taking to break the mould* Overcoming challenges with particular large suppliers not supporting them* Tapping into innate childhood memories of owning our first bike & learning to ride it* The biggest success they've achieved so far & what they've learned from it* Importance of embedding themselves in the local community on Union Road* The biggest challenge they've faced to date & the key takeaways* Advice for those working for someone else & looking to start their own venture* Fulfilment, passion, happiness & believing in what you do* Key influences & mentors, underrated life advice received over the journey* Acknowledgment of their support networksMasters of the Game is brought to you by Pressie.Pressie is a fun & youthful business to business (B2B) gifting service that offers a seamless & frictionless client experience. They can customise to your companies requirements & create your own secure portal from which you can order directly & efficiently. It couldn’t be simpler. Clients include luxury property developers, real estate agents and also the Essendon Football Club in the AFL.Reach out to the team @ Pressie today - https://www.pressie.com.auNeutral Service* Instagram - @neutral.service* Website - https://neutralservicebikeshop.com.au* Email - info@neutralservice.com.au  * Address - 119 Union Road, Ascot Vale VIC 3032Branko Lemaic Instagram - @branko_lemaic Instagram - @masters_of_the_game_https://www.realestate.com.au/agent/branko-lemaic-224821Masters of the Game is created & produced by Branko LemaicEnquiries: blemaic@gmail.com

Send us a Text Message.Elia Donati began his food odyssey at the tender age of just 5 years old, when he began learning to cook at the feet of his Mama & Nonna in his home country of Italy. Fast forward almost 30 years: he has moved to a foreign country, learned English fluently, mastered the art of cooking, gathered extensive experience across Melbourne including work as a butcher, obtained a Diploma in Hospitality Management, started his own successful venture and has invested lots of time & energy in the field of personal & business development.Today he runs his very own niche business Elia Donati Personal Chef... running personalised dinner parties and events across Melbourne. His goal is to help people to connect with others through food and he is doing a brilliant job of it so far - even cooking for Harry Styles recently.A seriously impressive young man. Get to understand his mindset and get to know Elia on a more personal level... Please enjoy!Topics covered:* Growing up in the picturesque rolling hills & vineyards of rural Italy* The enormous influence of his business savvy father & emotive mother* Lessons learned from parents, the hard work, the love, being present, the struggles endured with business & health* His earliest vivid memories of learning how to cook with Nonna* Moving to Australia @ 22 years old with $3,000 in his pocket to chase his food dreams, not knowing any English* The doubt, fear, challenges of starting a business in another country* What is the Elia Donati Personal Chef experience like? How does it work?* Assisting other creatives to monetise their passions* His unique blindfolded dinner offering* At its core, why does his business exist? To connect with other through food* The type of clientele he serves* Where he sources his produce & the importance of having the best ingredients* Mentors/inspiring figures in the cooking world & why the sentence 'Think outside the box' is important to him* The value of investing in a business coach* Incredibly valuable teachings of Brazilian Jiujitsu 'You either win or you learn'* What does the future hold?Masters of the Game is brought to you by Pressie.Pressie is a fun & youthful business to business (B2B) gifting service that offers a seamless & frictionless client experience. They can customise to your companies requirements & create your own secure portal from which you can order directly & efficiently. It couldn’t be simpler. Clients include luxury property developers, real estate agents and also the Essendon Football Club in the AFL.Reach out to the team @ Pressie today - https://www.pressie.net.au  Elia DonatiInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/eliadonati/?hl=enWebsite -  https://www.eliadonati.comCookingBond - https://direct.me/cookingbond?fbclid=PAAaY-Ce-kWNETcSBbi6_e6gfh0XvRFcF4Nbsj8Kf2sHqXy0VDrXcRRdeklZwBranko Lemaic Instagram - @branko_lemaic Instagram - @masters_of_the_game_https://www.realestate.com.au/agent/branko-lemaic-224821Masters of the Game is created & produced by Branko LemaicEnquiries: blemaic@gmail.com

Send us a Text Message.Rocco Montanaro has been in the real estate game for more than three decades, beginning all the way back in 1990 with nothing but a dream. Today, he has established himself as a high performing agent through Melbourne's North East corridor, specialising in the luxury home market & is a Director of Morrison Kleeman Estate Agents. His mantra of 'Tell it as it is' has underpinned his success, along with the significant influence his parents and other business mentors have had on him throughout his brilliant career.  He is a consistent street and suburb price record breaker, even in challenging markets. Find out what makes him tick, what he did before real estate and what he feels are the key disciplines & common denominators amongst the great estate agents. He is also one of the true gentlemen of our industry, all class... please enjoy!Topics covered:* Earliest family memories as a young boy* Greatest piece of advice he received from his mum & dad* His first ever job & the key observations* Rocco's immense passion for flight training - becoming a fully licensed commercial pilot, Air Force cadets, Civil Air Training Academy* The critical importance of the positive early real estate environment he walked into & early mentors* Buying his first house @ 26 yrs old & the valuable lessons learned from the experience* Peter Kleeman - the intro that changed the trajectory of his career & life* Tell it as it is - the mantra he lives by* Keys to succeeding as an estate agent in Melbourne's luxury home market* Breaking suburb price records during challenging markets* The largest home he has ever handled - 236 squares!* What has he mastered as an agent over the past 33 years?* His daily schedule now vs compared to the early days of his career* Biggest challenges he has had to overcome* Mentors he's had, the significant lessons passed on & the ethos he lives by* The value of being a part of Property Profile Group (PPG)* His observations -  what are the key pillars / habits / disciplines / common denominators of the great estate agents across Melbourne?* Rocco talks about his wonderful wife Liz & their three children* Discussing his first ever car in real estate* How does he feel about being a director of a business that he started working in as a young cadet over 30 years ago?Masters of the Game is brought to you by Pressie.Pressie is a fun & youthful business to business (B2B) gifting service that offers a seamless & frictionless client experience. They can customise to your companies requirements & create your own secure portal from which you can order directly & efficiently. It couldn’t be simpler. Clients include luxury property developers, real estate agents and also the Essendon Football Club in the AFL.Reach out to the team @ Pressie today - https://www.pressie.com.auRocco Montanaro* Instagram - @rmontanaro_morrisonkleeman* https://www.realestate.com.au/agent/rocco-montanaro-2831666Branko Lemaic Instagram - @branko_lemaic Instagram - @masters_of_the_game_https://www.realestate.com.au/agent/branko-lemaic-224821Masters of the Game is created & produced by Branko LemaicEnquiries: blemaic@gmail.com

Send us a Text Message.Emma Vasi is the Creative Director of lifestyle brand Elevate Studio incorporating Vasi Design.  During her working life she has tried her hand at everything from teaching, to recruitment & also real estate, however her true deep passion has always been in the creative space, where she has successfully found herself working since 2016.  During part 2 of our thoroughly enjoyable discussion, Emma talks about a vast array of topics relating to the nuts and bolts of running an interior design/property styling business, what her strengths are and how they have helped her/what her weaknesses are and ways she continues to work on them, having the right team working alongside you, the way she collaborates with other stylists and loads more.An incredible lady, get to know Emma on deeper level... Please enjoy!Topics covered:* Where did the spark /passion come from for interior design?* Suffering adrenal fatigue / burnout & strategies employed to combat it * What are her strengths / weaknesses in her view?* Importance of having the right person in the right position within your team* Diversifying by developing various income streams to build a sustainable long term business* Her view on abundance vs scarcity mindset* What is the personal cost of having a deep obsessive drive? * Where does she draw business & design inspiration?* Nuances of high level design, trusting the process & the designer, the pitfalls when clients try to do things themselves* Collaborating with other stylists... how & why she does it* The realities of running a furniture styling business... the extraordinary financial investment required, storage challenges, theft, insurance* Things I feel Emma does really well* An impressive family legacy she is creating & wanting to leave behind eventually* The restructure & rebrand of her business in 2023Masters of the Game is brought to you by Pressie.Pressie is a fun & youthful business to business (B2B) gifting service that offers a seamless & frictionless client experience. They can customise to your companies requirements & create your own secure portal from which you can order directly & efficiently. It couldn’t be simpler. Clients include luxury property developers, real estate agents and also the Essendon Football Club in the AFL.Reach out to the team @ Pressie today - https://www.pressie.net.au  Emma VasiInstagram - @vasi_auhttps://vasidesign.com.auInstagram - @elevatestudio_auhttps://www.elevatestudio.com.auBranko Lemaic Instagram - @branko_lemaic Instagram - @masters_of_the_game_https://www.realestate.com.au/agent/branko-lemaic-224821Masters of the Game is created & produced by Branko LemaicEnquiries: blemaic@gmail.com

Send us a Text Message.Emma Vasi is the Creative Director of lifestyle brand Elevate Studio incorporating Vasi Design.  During her working life she has tried her hand at everything from teaching, to recruitment & also real estate, however her true deep passion has always been in the creative space, where she has successfully found herself working since 2016.  During part 1 of our thoroughly enjoyable discussion, Emma talks about the incredibly supportive/loving environment her parents created to allow her to chase her dreams, amazing lessons learned from her parents, she very openly shares the significant challenges of becoming a new mum @ 22 years of age and the continuous life long journey of growth & finding one's true self.An incredible lady, get to know Emma on deeper level... Please enjoy!Topics covered:* The beginning / childhood* Going to a private school & how it shaped her* The spawning of her creative spirit* Influence of her parents / grandparents, lessons instilled & her deep appreciation* Meeting her husband Nick & how he made her feel, right from the beginning* Some funny stories on the Maribyrnong River & coming home to an empty house!* Becoming a mother @ 22 years of age, trying to find herself & what she learned during this time in her life* Her real estate career... being exposed to incredible operators early on, people that showed her what it took to be great* If she can't go all in, she doesn't go at allMasters of the Game is brought to you by Pressie.Pressie is a fun & youthful business to business (B2B) gifting service that offers a seamless & frictionless client experience. They can customise to your companies requirements & create your own secure portal from which you can order directly & efficiently. It couldn’t be simpler. Clients include luxury property developers, real estate agents and also the Essendon Football Club in the AFL.Reach out to the team @ Pressie today - https://www.pressie.net.au  Emma VasiInstagram - @vasi_auhttps://vasidesign.com.auInstagram - @elevatestudio_auhttps://www.elevatestudio.com.au Branko Lemaic Instagram - @branko_lemaic Instagram - @masters_of_the_game_https://www.realestate.com.au/agent/branko-lemaic-224821Masters of the Game is created & produced by Branko LemaicEnquiries: blemaic@gmail.com

Send us a Text Message.George Alexander has been in the real estate game for almost 25 years and all with the one firm, a rarity in today's day and age. He has been and continues to be one of the most popular people within Jas Stephens and has a massive list of repeat clients that would be the envy of most agents.  Working in his own families dry cleaning business at a young age, he quickly recognised from his parents that hard work and doing the right thing are the things that underpin any successful person or undertaking... elements that still ring true with him today. He is a family man and a huge Seinfeld fan, two things we both have in common. He is a treasure trove of knowledge, wisdom and is always the life of the party... please enjoy! Topics covered:* Background / childhood* His parents story, coming from Greece* Working in the family dry cleaning business & lessons learned* Falling into real estate after his mother spontaneously bought a house for him & his brother* Working under Mark Earle, a top 1% agent in the country... absorbing information, the work ethic & fast tracking his development* Life getting away from him @ 24 years old & travelling to Canada* Next stop - London... brilliant European lifestyle & working in London real estate for 18 months* Whats more important in great estate agents... technical skills/dialogue/scripts or will/desire/determination? * His learnings during the tough markets* What does he do better than any other agent in the marketplace?* The things I believe George has mastered in his real estate career after working together for 16+ years... certainty, integrity, simplicity/process, reliability, extraordinary market & product knowledge* Mentors/heroes/inspirational figures in his life* Great advice given to him by a mentor 'Income gives you a lifestyle, investments create wealth'* The value of being involved in property development, investment, selling a property & putting himself in his clients shoes... understanding empathy & mindset* His massive passion for cars* Hello... Ashley Street... Volvo... haha funny story* How becoming a father has changed him* What does the future hold?Masters of the Game is brought to you by Pressie.Pressie is a fun & youthful business to business (B2B) gifting service that offers a seamless & frictionless client experience. They can customise to your companies requirements & create your own secure portal from which you can order directly & efficiently. It couldn’t be simpler. Clients include luxury property developers, real estate agents and also the Essendon Football Club in the AFL.Reach out to the team @ Pressie today - https://www.pressie.com.auGeorge Alexander* Instagram - @georgealexander_realestate* https://www.realestate.com.au/agent/george-alexander-224811Branko Lemaic Instagram - @branko_lemaic Instagram - @masters_of_the_game_https://www.realestate.com.au/agent/branko-lemaic-224821Masters of the Game is created & produced by Branko LemaicEnquiries: blemaic@gmail.com

Send us a Text Message.Julie Soyer is a school teacher based in London who genuinely loves her chosen professional career & the students she teaches. Born in France & displaying a passion for the game of tennis at a young age, she faced some significant personal difficulties early in her life and like many of us, looked for a beacon of hope to help her during her challenging times. She found that in one of the worlds most prominent sports stars. It's what has transpired in her spare time that has garnered her a 24K strong following on Instagram as #1 superfan @ndjokofan travelling the world & supporting the best tennis player on the planet, Novak Djokovic. Riding the highs, riding the lows and experiencing some unique fan moments that she shares through social media, to a point where she can truly be anointed superfan status.  She speaks with sheer joy and pours out her emotion to help us understand why Novak has been such an important and uplifting influence on her life. Topics covered:* What is a superfan?* Growing up in a small town in Western France * Some of her early interests at a young age* Moving to the U.K. @ 20 years old & flourishing personally* Working as a teacher in East London - significant behaviour management difficulties with the children & the emotional impact it had* Lessons learned from this experience* The skill of learning multiple languages* Some of her key influences early in life* Her passion for writing / journaling, as well as tennis* Applying for time off work, going on a sabbatical & the interesting process involved* The challenges & planning involved with being a superfan - the travel, logistics, finances, hotels, transport, timing, social media* Origins of her interest in Novak's career* How Novak inspired her with a sense of invincibility, confidence & hope when she was struggling through some dark times personally in 2011/12* Illiciting strong emotional responses when she recalls these times* The unwavering gratitude & respect she has towards Novak & how indebted she feels* Being singled out & acknowledged by name as a fan during a victory speech in Adelaide* Why can Novak be such a polarising figure to many?* How was the whole deportation saga of 2022 perceived on the other side of the world?* The experience of playing tennis with Novak in Belgrade & the story of how it came aboutMasters of the Game is brought to you by Pressie.Pressie is a fun & youthful business to business (B2B) gifting service that offers a seamless & frictionless client experience. They can customise to your companies requirements & create your own secure portal from which you can order directly & efficiently. It couldn’t be simpler. Clients include luxury property developers, real estate agents and also the Essendon Football Club in the AFL.Reach out to the team @ Pressie today - https://www.pressie.com.auJulie Soyer* Instagram - @ndjokofan* Twitter - @ndjokofanBranko Lemaic Instagram - @branko_lemaic Instagram - @masters_of_the_game_https://www.realestate.com.au/agent/branko-lemaic-224821Masters of the Game is created & produced by Branko LemaicEnquiries: blemaic@gmail.com

Send us a Text Message.Sheridan Rose Shaw has been in the hair industry for over 16 years & today is the Creative Director of MamaWest, multi award winning hair salon & creative co working space based in Melbourne's Inner West. She is vibrant, energetic, extroverted & tremendously passionate about her thriving young business. Her journey to get to this point has been nothing short of remarkable. She has fought significant personal demons due to childhood trauma, battled with toxic relationships, become addicted to drugs/alcohol as a teenager, gone through extensive rehab/recovery and has also experienced homelessness. However, once she realised that she needed to have self awareness, accept her situation for what it was, ask for help & to take responsibility for her own life, everything changed. She began to work on herself through personal development, seek out the right mentors/coaches, began to inspire others, discovered her love for hairdressing, opened her business during lockdown and also became a mother, giving birth to her beautiful son. An inspirational woman & an extraordinary story of despair, hitting rock bottom, resilience, triumph & redemption, 30 years in the making... please enjoy! Topics covered:* Childhood years & her very early challenges in life* The complicated relationship with her parents & siblings* The impact of her parents divorce* Dealing with loneliness, abandonment & lack of direction as a young woman* Turning to drugs/alcohol from 13 years old to numb the pain* Being in a toxic/abusive relationship at 14 years old* Getting a job at a high end Collins Street salon & being fired within 3 months* Jobless, homeless & her life spiralling out of control* Accepting being a drug addict & experiencing multiple overdoses* Turning it all around - 5 years of rehab & recovery* Investing $30,000 in personal/professional development, coaching, courses* The power of asking for help & inspiring her mum* Discovering her love for hairdressing & her passion for community* How & why did MamaWest begin?* How has she built such a large & loyal customer base so quickly?* What separates MamaWest's service from others? What's the secret sauce?* Being booked out 8 weeks in advance before they opened... & ever since!* Self care & putting yourself first* Industry recognition & being a multiple award winner* Becoming a mentor to others* The challenges of work/life balanceMasters of the Game is brought to you by Pressie.Pressie is a fun & youthful business to business (B2B) gifting service that offers a seamless & frictionless client experience. They can customise to your companies requirements & create your own secure portal from which you can order directly & efficiently. It couldn’t be simpler. Clients include luxury property developers, real estate agents and also the Essendon Football Club in the AFL.Reach out to the team @ Pressie today - https://www.pressie.com.auSheridan Rose Shaw* Instagram - @mamawest_* Instagram - @sheridanroseshaw_mamawest* www.mamawest.com.au Branko Lemaic Instagram - @branko_lemaic Instagram - @masters_of_the_game_https://www.realestate.com.au/agent/branko-lemaic-224821Masters of the Game is created & produced by Branko LemaicEnquiries: blemaic@gmail.com

Send us a Text Message.Sean Reynolds has had a decorated career in the media/marketing space spanning two decades, winning multiple industry awards and also receiving two Emmy nominations while working on various television campaigns in Los Angeles including The Ellen Degeneres Show, TMZ & Extra! He has collaborated with big brand partners such as Nike, Porsche, Lego, Hot Wheels, Google, Apple, Formula One, Lil' Wayne, Steve Aoki & OHSU Doernbecher Childrens Hospital in Portland.  Since moving to Australia in 2015, Sean has established himself as the Brand & Communications Manager for video game company Electronic Arts (EA) based in Docklands, Melbourne.  It's what he has done during his spare time however that has given him a 22K strong following on Instagram, as cultural archeaologist @melbourne_ghostsigns... documenting & piecing together the history of Melbourne's past through a combination of photography, old ghost signs, exhaustive research & engaging story telling.   Topics covered:* What it was like growing up in America's midwest* Some of his early interests & career aspirations* Memories of college life in Illinois & tear gas haha!* The impact his first ever job had on him* Cutting his teeth in the early days, working in local television in Indiana* The crucial things behind storytelling & editing* Moving to Portland during the 2008 financial crisis* Creating a marketing/media company & being nominated for his first Emmy* Cool collab between him + Nike + Doernbecher Children's Hospital Portland* Relocating to L.A. without a plan or a safety net* Landing a job with Warner Bros via LinkedIn in 2011* Working on TMZ - the pace, the hours, the grind, the cost* Being nominated for his second Emmy* The effects of burnout & a satisfying, yet demanding environment* Meeting his partner in L.A. & moving to Australia* How he connected with Melbourne when he arrived* What is a ghost sign?* Where did his innate curiosity in history & old signs originate?* His extensive & exhaustive research process* Piecing it all together & delivering it effectively through storytelling on Instagram* The value of documenting Melbourne's history (over 400 posts done and counting)* Some of his favourite signs in Melbourne* Best parts of the city to get a look at some ghost signsMasters of the Game is brought to you by Pressie.Pressie is a fun & youthful business to business (B2B) gifting service that offers a seamless & frictionless client experience. They can customise to your companies requirements & create your own secure portal from which you can order directly & efficiently. It couldn’t be simpler. Clients include luxury property developers, real estate agents and also the Essendon Football Club in the AFL.Reach out to the team @ Pressie today - https://www.pressie.com.auSean Reynolds* Instagram - @melbourne_ghostsigns * https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanpeytonreynolds/?originalSubdomain=auBranko Lemaic Instagram - @branko_lemaic Instagram - @masters_of_the_game_https://www.realestate.com.au/agent/branko-lemaic-224821Masters of the Game is created & produced by Branko LemaicEnquiries: blemaic@gmail.com

Send us a Text Message.Tass Cico is the director of Big Plans Melbourne. His firm specialises in the immersive and interactive experience that is 1:1 scale floorplan projection, helping the end user conceptualise the unbuilt. Big Plans is quickly changing the way people build, by breaking the mould of how things have previously been done during the building/design process.The son of Greek immigrants, he's gone from modest beginnings in Melbourne's Northern suburbs, to showing true entrepreneurial spirit by saying goodbye to his corporate career of 16 years & going all-in with some mates on a fascinating  idea... and has never looked back. Topics covered:* The childhood years* Mums journey to Australia * His dreams when he was a young boy* One of his early influences & lessons learned* First jobs as a teenager & what they taught him* Buying his first home @ 18 years of age* Life in corporate Australia... Telstra* Exploring his entrepreneurial vision* Property development and being in business with a mate* Starting Big Plans & the problem they were trying to solve* Was he fearful it may not come together?* The potential transformational impact on the building/design process* The challenges of educating the market about a brand new concept* Channel marketing strategy vs End User marketing strategy* What does the client journey look like?* Commercial applications* Redesigning a $21M apartment with Bruce Henderson Architecture* The benefits of using Big Plans* The business model of time on floor* Events & client advocacy / referrals* The power & influence of social media in marketing the business* What's on the horizon for Big Plans?Masters of the Game is brought to you by Pressie.Pressie is a fun & youthful business to business (B2B) gifting service that offers a seamless & frictionless client experience. They can customise to your companies requirements & create your own secure portal from which you can order directly & efficiently. It couldn’t be simpler. Clients include luxury property developers, real estate agents and also the Essendon Football Club in the AFL.Reach out to the team @ Pressie today - https://www.pressie.com.auBig Plans Melbourne* https://www.bigplansmelbourne.com.au * Instagram - @bigplansmelbourneBranko Lemaic Instagram - @branko_lemaic Instagram - @masters_of_the_game_https://www.realestate.com.au/agent/branko-lemaic-224821Masters of the Game is created & produced by Branko LemaicEnquiries: blemaic@gmail.com

Send us a Text Message.Cate Bakos is one of Australian real estates most influential figures. She is a respected buyers agent & investment advisor, heading up the award winning company she founded, Cate Bakos Property. She has been a high achiever wherever she has landed and today is a woman in high demand as a regular media contributor/commentator, a podcast host, an author, a successful property investor, a board member but most importantly she is a mother... one thing is for sure though, her path has not been easy or straightforward.  In this interview, we delve into some different areas and have deep & confronting discussions about the things that shaped her personally and professionally, the painful moments, the special moments and some of the incredibly hard times that almost broke her. As Cate says, "The hard stuff is what makes us'. She is raw, vulnerable and real - Cate Bakos like you have never heard her before... Please enjoy! Topics covered:* Childhood memories & the sudden change that rocked their world  * Her parents - work ethic/price/disappointment/expectations* Career aspirations/pathway at a young age* Key people/pieces of advice that have helped shape her trajectory * Strategic influencing* When a pay rise request is denied* Entering real estate sales* Sacrificing professional life for personal life* Standing up for herself and other women in the corporate world* Mortgage broking career* Starting her own business & the associated challenges as a business owner* Impact as a parent* Mastering product/area knowledge and stats * The importance on people passing on their knowledge to others* The value of relationships built with estate agents over the years* Life in the media & being a contributor/commentator* The power of social media* Doing what excites you and makes you happy* Her property investment journey beginning @ 21 years of age* Learnings from losing key staff* Parenting/mummy guilt/balance* Being a great role model* Her love for Yarraville & Melbourne's Inner West Masters of the Game is brought to you by Pressie.Pressie is a fun & youthful business to business (B2B) gifting service that offers a seamless & frictionless client experience. They can customise to your companies requirements & create your own secure portal from which you can order directly & efficiently. It couldn’t be simpler. Clients include luxury property developers, real estate agents and also the Essendon Football Club in the AFL.Reach out to the team @ Pressie today - https://www.pressie.net.au  Cate Bakos* https://www.catebakos.com.au/cate-bakos/* Instagram - @cate_bakos_propertyBranko Lemaic Instagram - @branko_lemaic Instagram - @masters_of_the_game_https://www.realestate.com.au/agent/branko-lemaic-224821Masters of the Game is created & produced by Branko LemaicEnquiries: blemaic@gmail.com

Send us a Text Message.Jim Hatzimoisis began his real estate career with EJ Doherty as a keen youngster way back in 1986. In the decades since, he has become a gun estate agent, go-to auctioneer, business owner across multiple offices, mentor, teacher, one of most generous people you will meet, someone with an abundance mindset, a significant & respected figure of the Barry Plant Group and the wider business community. Through his tremendous story telling ability, Jim shares with us a treasure trove of knowledge, ideas, insights, stories, light bulb moments, takeaways & learnings from his time in the game. One of the most connected people you will ever meet and a genuine legend of the real estate industry. Get to know Jim on a deeper level... Please enjoy!Topics covered:* The formative years* First 24 hrs on the job & real estate in the 1980's* Hard work & the grind in the beginning* Think people first, rewards second* Sheer will, tenacity & not giving up* The art of deal making* What drives him* Significant turning points in the business* Growing people from within* Repetition & desire to get better* Leading by example on the ground* Up-skilling & embracing social media* Networking, relationships & putting yourself out there* Auctioneering & developing that skill* Mentors & positive influences* What the Barry Plant group has meant to him* Failures in business & lessons learned* Single biggest challenge in business & how that affected him - self reflection* Life away from real estate/workMasters of the Game is brought to you by Pressie.Pressie is a fun & youthful business to business (B2B) gifting service that offers a seamless & frictionless client experience. They can customise to your companies requirements & create your own secure portal from which you can order directly & efficiently. It couldn’t be simpler. Clients include luxury property developers, real estate agents and also the Essendon Football Club in the AFL.Reach out to the team @ Pressie today - https://www.pressie.net.au  Jim Hatzimoisis* Instagram - @jimhatz * https://www.barryplant.com.au/real-estate-agents/james-hatzimoisis/* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=To4TL-ZUWToVic Care * https://www.barryplant.com.au/media-hub/news/barry-plant-co-founder-celebrates-50-years-real-estate/ Susan Alberti* https://susanalbertifoundation.org.au/about-sue/Andrew Koulaouzos* https://www.realestate.com.au/agent/andrew-koulaouzos-243896Branko Lemaic Instagram - @branko_lemaic Instagram - @masters_of_the_game_https://www.realestate.com.au/agent/branko-lemaic-224821Masters of the Game is created & produced by Branko LemaicEnquiries: blemaic@gmail.com