The Ascent

Ep. 15 | A Career of Reinvention: Zack Fischer on Tennis, Music Artist Management, Wall Street Sales, and Food Industry Management

Join me today, as I speak to Zack Fischer, a Project Manager for Flavour Makers as we discuss his incredibly diverse career pursuing professional tennis, working in the music industry, making it in the intense world of Wall Street sales, and finally finding stability in the food industry in Australia. In our wide-ranging conversation, we discuss: * His diverse professional journey and how he turned his back problems into career opportunities. * The rigorous work-life balance of Wall Street and how it shaped his career and personal perspectives. * How he managed to navigate career transitions across multiple industries and countries. * His role at Flavor Makers and becoming a Project Manager. * His unique approach to analysing the music industry and the creation of a predictive algorithm for song success. * His distinctive sales strategy that led to increased response rates and success on Wall Street. Got questions, or want to be on the podcast? You can connect with me at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.korokiko.com/] | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/koro.kiko] | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-efstathis]  Or email me at: hello@korokiko.com

Ep 14. | Empowering the Fearless: Alex Connor on Fitness, Adversity, and Building a Successful Personal Training Business

In today's episode, Ben invites Alex Connor, the founder of Fearless Training, to share his fascinating journey from dreaming of being a Formula One driver to running a successful personal training business. Tune in for a compelling story filled with insights on pursuing your passion, overcoming obstacles, and the importance of mentorship in one's career journey. What we discussed: 1. Early Influences: Alex's childhood aspirations and how adversity sparked his interest in fitness 2. Academic Choices: The decision to study sports science and its impact on his career trajectory. 3. Navigating Life Abroad: Personal and professional challenges faced after relocating to Australia. 4. Workplace Challenges: Dealing with toxic work environments and making bold career decisions. 5. Mentorship and Skill Development: The significance of mentorship in Alex's career and his evolution in the hospitality and sales sector. 6. Entrance into Bodybuilding: His journey into competitive bodybuilding in 2018 and the development of success-enabling habits. 7. Industry Hurdles: Navigating through regulations and insurance obstacles in the fitness industry. 8. Fearless Training: The conception and growth plan of Alex's personal training business. 9. Reflections and Future Goals: Alex's reflections on his career decisions, learning, and future plans for Fearless Training. Got questions, or want to be on the podcast? You can connect with me at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.korokiko.com/] | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/koro.kiko] | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-efstathis]  Or email me at: hello@korokiko.com

Ep 13. Part 2. | Shifting Gears: Operations Management & Climbing the Corporate Ladder with Fleet & Allocation Coordinator for ANZ at Tesla Renee Shaw

Today, join me as I talk with Renee Shaw, the Fleet and Allocation Coordinator at Tesla for ANZ. Renee shares her eclectic career journey, starting from a fruit market job at age 12, working at Vodafone, and a significant shift into real estate before landing at Tesla. We discuss the complex realities of striving for success, including the promotion process and her personal struggle with burnout. We reflected on the role of ego and work ethic in her career offering valuable insights into navigating career changes, recognizing burnout, and understanding the dynamics of professional growth. This is part two of a two part podcast. What we discussed: 1. Renee's Early Years: Renee discusses her journey from starting work at a fruit market at age 12, to enrolling in university after taking a gap year, and eventually securing a well-paying job at Vodafone. 2. Education and Career Shift: Renee shares her experience studying law & psychology in the pursuit of forensic psychology and her realization of its competitive nature and limited job prospects. We discussed her transition into real estate and property management, and digital marketing leading her to her current job at Tesla. 3. Job Success and Promotion: The cost of success and the challenges of climbing the corporate ladder. 4. Dealing with Burnout: Renee delves into her personal experience with burnout, how difficult it can be to recognise, and the struggle of feeling unfulfilled in a job. 5. Joining Tesla: Renee shares the story of how she applied to Tesla despite not meeting all the criteria and her journey from Operations Manager to her current role. 6. Reflecting on Work Ethic and Ego: Renee closes the episode by reflecting on her work ethic and how her ego has played a part in some of her career decisions. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing and managing these aspects for career advancement and personal fulfillment. Got questions, or want to be on the podcast? You can connect with me at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.korokiko.com/] | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/koro.kiko] | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-efstathis]  Or email me at: hello@korokiko.com

Ep 13. Part 1. | Shifting Gears: Operations Management & Climbing the Corporate Ladder with Fleet & Allocation Coordinator for ANZ at Tesla Renee Shaw

Today, join me as I talk with Renee Shaw, the Fleet and Allocation Coordinator at Tesla for ANZ. Renee shares her eclectic career journey, starting from a fruit market job at age 12, working at Vodafone, and a significant shift into real estate before landing at Tesla. We discuss the complex realities of striving for success, including the promotion process and her personal struggle with burnout. We reflected on the role of ego and work ethic in her career offering valuable insights into navigating career changes, recognizing burnout, and understanding the dynamics of professional growth. This is part one of a two part podcast. What we discussed: 1. Renee's Early Years: Renee discusses her journey from starting work at a fruit market at age 12, to enrolling in university after taking a gap year, and eventually securing a well-paying job at Vodafone. 2. Education and Career Shift: Renee shares her experience studying law & psychology in the pursuit of forensic psychology and her realization of its competitive nature and limited job prospects. We discussed her transition into real estate and property management, and digital marketing leading her to her current job at Tesla. 3. Job Success and Promotion: The cost of success and the challenges of climbing the corporate ladder. 4. Dealing with Burnout: Renee delves into her personal experience with burnout, how difficult it can be to recognise, and the struggle of feeling unfulfilled in a job. 5. Joining Tesla: Renee shares the story of how she applied to Tesla despite not meeting all the criteria and her journey from Operations Manager to her current role. 6. Reflecting on Work Ethic and Ego: Renee closes the episode by reflecting on her work ethic and how her ego has played a part in some of her career decisions. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing and managing these aspects for career advancement and personal fulfillment. Got questions, or want to be on the podcast? You can connect with me at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.korokiko.com/] | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/koro.kiko] | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-efstathis]  If you'd like to be on the podcast and talk about your career experience or have a question, please email me at: hello@korokiko.com

Ep 12. | Battling in the Web Design Arena with Accredited Shopify Expert Clayton Bates

Today, join me as I speak to Clayton, a self-taught web designer and certified Shopify Expert who shares how he started his business, the lessons he learned, and his advice for others looking to get into web design. He emphasizes the importance of working on oneself, backing oneself, and being true to oneself. Clayton also shares some tips on how to deal with clients and how to compete in the arena of web design. We discussed: * Clayton Bates' Early Career (02:43-05:25) * Starting a Web Design and Development Business (05:25-10:43) * Challenges and Lessons Learned in Running a Business (10:43-48:57) * Clayton Bates' Design Process (48:57-51:37) * The Importance of Communication and Managing Client Expectations (51:37-1:01:18) * Clayton Bates' Business Philosophy and Future Plans (1:01:18-1:17:18) You can connect with me at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.korokiko.com/] | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/koro.kiko] | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-efstathis]  If you'd like to be on the podcast and talk about your career experience or have a question, please email me at: hello@korokiko.com