#22 - Success comes with sacrifice with Sarah Donegan Part 2

#22 - Success comes with sacrifice with Sarah Donegan Part 2

In Part 2 of our conversation with Sarah Donegan, Co-founder of Samuels Donegan, Adam and Sharron dive deeper into the realities of building and leading a successful business.   Sarah reflects on the moment she realised Samuels Donegan had become more than just a startup. After navigating the uncertainty of COVID, demand for the business accelerated, forcing difficult decisions around hiring, scaling, and building a team capable of supporting long-term growth.   They also discuss why some of the hardest leadership conversations aren't about performance, but about communicating change. Whether it's a shift in process, remuneration, or business direction, great leaders recognise that the impact of change is often felt differently by every individual. Sarah also shares her leadership philosophy, explaining why empathy, fairness, and understanding the person behind the numbers have become central to the way she leads her team.   Adam and Sharron also discuss the importance of continuing to learn as a founder. Once you no longer have a boss, who challenges your thinking? Sarah explains why trusted advisors, mentors, and external perspectives become essential as a business matures. If you're a founder, leader, or aspiring business owner, this episode is packed with practical lessons on leadership, growth, decision-making, and building a business that lasts.   Want to reach out? Contact us at www.junoadvisory.com.au

#21 - What it really takes to build a recruitment business with Sarah Donegan

In Part 1 of this special episode of The Juno Advisory Podcast, Adam and Sharron sit down with Sarah Donegan, one of Australia's most recognised voices in HR, recruitment, and leadership.   Sarah shares the remarkable story behind the creation of Samuels Donegan, from a conversation over a few drinks with her business partner Evelina to building one of Australia's most respected executive recruitment firms. What started as a bold idea quickly became a business built on complementary strengths, shared values, and a willingness to take a leap into the unknown.   The conversation explores the realities of business partnerships, why founders don't always have to do it alone, and how finding the right person can completely change the trajectory of a business.   Sarah also reflects on her reputation as a thought leader, discussing the difference between genuine expertise and simply creating content to appear influential. The discussion also touches on the long game of business relationships, building a reputation over decades, helping people without expecting anything in return, and how a commitment to "paying it forward" became an important part of her personal and professional philosophy during COVID.   Adam and Sharron also dive into topics including work-life balance, founder pressure, evolving ambitions, legacy, leadership, and what Sarah hopes the next decade of her career will look like. This is an honest and insightful conversation about entrepreneurship, partnerships, leadership, thought leadership, and building a business with purpose.   Want to reach out? Contact us at www.junoadvisory.com.au

#20 - Why EOFY Is the Perfect Time to Reset Your Business

In Episode 20 of The Juno Advisory Podcast, Adam and Sharron unpack why the period immediately after EOFY is one of the most important opportunities a business owner has all year.   While many businesses simply roll from one year into the next, the most successful businesses use EOFY as a reset point. A chance to reflect on what worked, what didn't, what should be left behind, and what needs to happen next.   This episode explores why a reset isn't about creating more work. It's about creating more focus. Adam and Sharron discuss how business owners can use this time to gain clarity around where the business is heading, what the priorities should be, and whether the current structure is capable of supporting future growth.   They explore the importance of having visibility across the business, understanding the numbers that matter, and using that information to make better decisions. They also dive into the dangers of growth without planning. Using the "tidal wave" analogy, Adam explains how businesses can build incredible momentum, only to have poor decisions, weak systems, and lack of planning exposed when growth starts to put pressure on the organisation.   A key theme throughout the episode is the value of creating a roadmap. Not just a financial plan, but a plan that considers recruitment, resources, operational capability, office space, efficiencies, and the key milestones required to achieve sustainable growth.   Adam and Sharron also debate whether business owners spend too long planning to avoid making the hard decisions, tune in to see who falls on either side of that debate.   If you're approaching a new financial year and wondering how to create focus, momentum, and confidence in your business, this episode provides a practical framework for resetting, planning, and setting your business up for success over the next 12 months.   Want to reach out? Contact us at www.junoadvisory.com.au

#19 - The Accountability Problems Hurting Your Business

Welcome back to the Juno Advisory Podcast! In episode 19 Adam and Sharron tackle some of the most important and often uncomfortable conversations business owners and leaders face as the end of financial year approaches. This episode dives into the role accountability plays in business performance and why avoiding difficult conversations around standards, expectations, and follow-through can quietly damage both culture and results over time. They also unpack the reality of performance reviews and salary reviews how to approach them properly, why clarity matters, and the mistakes businesses make when these conversations become reactive instead of intentional. A major focus throughout the episode is the perception gap between staff and leadership. Adam and Sharron discuss how business owners often view pressure, workload, and performance differently from their teams, and why understanding both perspectives is critical for building trust and long-term engagement. With EOFY approaching, they explore the importance of stopping to reflect before simply rolling into another year. What’s working? What isn’t? What needs to change? And are the decisions being made actually aligned with the future direction of the business? The episode also introduces a brand-new segment: Juno Split where Adam and Sharron intentionally challenge each other’s perspectives and unpack both sides of key business debates. If you’re a business owner, leader, or manager navigating accountability, staff performance, leadership pressure, and EOFY planning, this episode is packed with practical insights and honest conversations. Want to reach out? Contact us at www.junoadvisory.com.au

#18 - How Accountability Drives High-Performing Teams

In this episode of The Juno Advisory Podcast, Adam and Sharron unpack one of the most overlooked and misunderstood drivers of business performance: accountability.   On the surface, most businesses feel like they’re doing the right things. Meetings are happening. Ideas are being shared. Everyone leaves aligned and motivated. But then… nothing happens. Two weeks later, the same conversations come back around. No progress. No movement. No outcome.   Adam and Sharron break down why this happens and it’s rarely a strategy problem. More often, it comes down to a lack of clear ownership, vague expectations, and no real follow-through. When everyone “owns” something, no one actually does. And when there’s no accountability, even the best ideas stall.   They explore the difference between good teams and great teams. Good teams collaborate, communicate, and align. Great teams do all of that but they also execute. They take ownership, follow through on commitments, and hold each other to account when things don’t get done.   The conversation also dives into why meetings often fail. Not because they lack discussion, but because they lack structure. A great meeting isn’t one that feels productive it’s one that produces outcomes. Clear agenda. Defined ownership. Deadlines. Follow-up. Without those, it’s just time spent talking.   If you’ve ever sat in a meeting and thought, “What was the point of that?” this episode will challenge how you think about leadership, meetings, and what it really takes to get results.   Want to reach out? Contact us at www.junoadvisory.com.au