#15 Claire Wood - Mogo Bookstore, The bookstore she bought o Facebook

#15 Claire Wood - Mogo Bookstore, The bookstore she bought o Facebook

What do you do when a business you love isn't doing what a business needs to do - make money? That's exactly where Claire finds herself right now. Owner of Mogo Book Store on the NSW South Coast, Claire is in the middle of one of the most emotionally loaded decisions a founder can face: close, sell, or find a reason to keep going. But spend five minutes listening to Claire talk about books and you'll understand why this decision isn't simple. This isn't a hobby she picked up casually. Claire is someone who feels books. The old ones, the rare ones, the ones that have lived a whole life before they reach her shelves. There were moments in this conversation that genuinely gave us goosebumps. That kind of love for what you do makes everything else a whole lot harder to walk away from. In this episode, we sit down with Claire for a conversation that is equal parts honest, funny, and genuinely moving. She doesn't have it all figured out and she doesn't pretend to. What she does have is six kids, a full-time government job in Canberra, a deep love for books, and a very clear sense of what Mogo Book Store means beyond the bottom line. In this episode we talk about: * The decision Claire is currently navigating - whether to close or sell Mogo Book Store, and everything that makes that so complicated * How she bought the store off Facebook - while working full time and raising six children - and what happened when the dream met reality * Expectations vs reality: what we imagine owning a beautiful little bookstore in a small town will look like, and what it actually looks like day to day * What it's like to listen to someone speak about something they truly love - and the goosebumps that came with it * The moments of pure joy - opening the store, breathing in the smell of books, sitting with a chai latte - and how those moments make the hard ones feel even harder to walk away from * The moments when you're ready to give up, and what pulls you back * The impact of big chain retailers on small independents like Mogo Book Store - customers conditioned to expect prices that simply aren't possible for a small business to match * Claire's extraordinary connection to her customers - she learns who they are, worries about them when they haven't been in, and on scouting trips, keeps specific clients in mind when she spots something they'd love * The guilt of not having enough time for everything and how Claire found ways to bring her family into the business rather than pull herself away from them * Life with a blended family of six children, and how the chaos is very much real and very much woven into the fabric of the store * What working a shift at Mogo Book Store means for each of Claire's younger kids, and why it feels completely different for each one of them * Mogo Book Store's point of difference: this isn't a new bookstore. Claire sources and restores books, many of them rare or old, and there's a whole world of people who care deeply about that * The shift in Mogo - once a buzzy tourist destination on the South Coast and what that change has meant for small businesses in the village * Honest reflection: what Claire would do differently if she started again; getting things in writing, finding a good accountant from day one * Taking risks, and the truth that they don't always work out and why having a go is the only way you'll ever find that out * The quote that stayed with us: "After all, tomorrow is another day." - Gone with the Wind This episode is for you if: You've ever kept something going for reasons that don't show up on a spreadsheet. Or you're in the thick of deciding whether a risk that didn't quite pay off was still worth taking. Or you just need a reminder that tomorrow is, in fact, another day. 📍 Find Mogo Book Store in Mogo, NSW South Coast 📲 Follow us on Instagram: @for.founders.sake [https://instagram.com/for.founders.sake] 🎵 TikTok: @forfounderssakepodcast [https://tiktok.com/@forfounderssakepodcast] ▶️ YouTube: @forfounderssake [https://youtube.com/@forfounderssake]

#14: Clare Lovelace - The Studio She Never Planned to Own

This week on FFS! we sat down with Clare, the founder of Soul Tribe Yoga Studio right here in Batemans Bay - and honestly, this one had us thinking for days. Clare’s path to owning a yoga studio is anything but linear. It starts with backpacking and late nights, winds through a quarter-life reckoning, a coin flip on the side of the road, and a wild story of how she came to acquire the studio that we absolutely did not see coming. There were plenty of laughs along the way, but underneath it all is a really honest conversation about what it takes to build something meaningful in a small, seasonal town. For two hosts who run on structure and to-do lists, Clare’s heart-led approach to business was equal parts refreshing and genuinely thought-provoking. If you’ve ever questioned whether you’re doing things the “right” way - this one’s for you. In This Episode We Cover: * From backpacking and big nights out to finding yoga - and how that shift actually happened * Why turning 30 made Clare feel like she needed to get “serious” (and what that looked like) * The truth about her early days of teaching - she hated public speaking and regularly wished the floor would swallow her whole * How she ended up in Australia, and then specifically on the NSW South Coast * The coin flip that decided her direction (no, really - north or south?) * The unexpected, chaotic, and honestly kind of wild story of how she came to own the studio * What it’s really like running a business in a small, seasonal town - the adversity, the quiet periods, and the reality check * Why showing up consistently matters, even when it’s just one or two people on the mat * Behind the scenes of what actually goes into running a yoga studio * How Clare built a space that feels welcoming to everyone - not just the people who already look like “yoga people” * Running a heart-led business while still holding firm on boundaries About Clare Clare is the founder and owner of Soul Tribe Yoga Studio in Batemans Bay, NSW. She’s built a community-first space on the South Coast that’s as much about belonging as it is about the practice itself. 📍  57 Beach Road, Catalina NSW 2536 🌐  soultribestudio.com.au [https://www.soultribestudio.com.au] 📧  hello@soultribestudio.com.au [hello@soultribestudio.com.au] 📸  @soultribestudio [https://www.instagram.com/soultribestudio] Connect With Us 📸  Instagram: @for.founders.sake [https://instagram.com/for.founders.sake] 🎵  TikTok: @forfounderssakepodcast [https://tiktok.com/@forfounderssakepodcast] ▶️  YouTube: @forfounderssake [https://youtube.com/@forfounderssake] Got a story worth telling? We want to hear from you. For Founders Sake is brought to you by two founders, for founders — and honestly, for anyone who’s ever taken a leap and figured it out on the way down.

#13: Peggy McAlister - Back to Business After Baby, Sales Without the Ick & The Truth About “Having It All”

Today we’re joined by Peggy McAlister - a familiar name in our local area and someone who has built a reputation not just on results, but on the way she works with people. Peggy burst onto the real estate scene in 2008 and quickly became recognised as a top performer both locally and nationally. But this episode isn’t just about success - it’s about what happens when life shifts, priorities change, and you’re forced to rebuild in a new season. At just four months postpartum (at the time of recording) with her second baby, Peggy is stepping back into business - and doing it with a completely different perspective. We talk about the reality of returning to work after having a baby, the pressure around “having it all”, and whether success, family life and relationships can truly coexist - or if something always has to give. This conversation also dives deep into sales - especially for small business owners who feel uncomfortable putting themselves out there. Peggy shares her mindset around selling as service, how she handles rejection, and why focusing on solving people’s problems (not chasing the biggest deal) is what’s actually built her career. We also unpack: * What buyers are getting wrong in today’s market * What sellers need to understand before listing * How to navigate big decisions with more confidence and less pressure * The mindset shift that makes selling feel natural, not forced This episode is honest, practical and grounding - whether you’re in business, navigating a big life transition, or simply wanting to approach sales and decision-making in a more aligned way. ------------------- Links: Follow Peggy McAlister: https://www.realestate.com.au/agent/peggy-mcalister-3260056?cid=agent-profile-page|buy:pdp:contact-side-panel Follow us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/for.founders.sake/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForFoundersSake

#12: Sharan Callender - Resilience, Reinvention & The Reality of Small Business

Today we’re joined by the incredible Sharan - a true business veteran and the woman behind what many on the South Coast would consider an institution. Having been in business since just 18 years old and now approaching 60 at the time of recording, Sharan brings decades of lived experience, resilience and perspective to this conversation. She’s also spent more than 20 years in business alongside her husband - something we both agree is a huge achievement in itself, and a dynamic not many could navigate day in, day out. From the much-loved Bodalla Bakery to its next chapter as Bodalla General, Sharan’s story is one of evolution, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to her community. But this conversation goes far beyond baked goods and beautiful cakes. Sharan takes us behind the scenes of what it has really looked like to run a small-town business through some of Australia’s toughest moments - supporting first responders during the bushfires, navigating the uncertainty of COVID, and finding ways to keep both her business and her team afloat when everything felt like it was working against her. She shares how, in the middle of chaos, they pivoted quickly - bringing comfort into people’s homes through curated high teas - a reminder that even in the hardest seasons, there is still room for creativity and connection. We also dive into the parts of business that aren’t often spoken about. Sharan opens up about the risks that come with running a business, the weight of leadership, and the reality of things not always going to plan. In a deeply honest moment, she shares her experience with bankruptcy - something so many business owners face, but so few talk about publicly. This part of the conversation is raw, real and incredibly important. Because behind every “iconic” business is a person who has had to make hard decisions, carry pressure, and keep showing up regardless. We talk about what it means to run a business that’s so deeply tied to community - being part of people’s weddings, celebrations and hardest days - and the quiet responsibility that comes with that. And finally, we look ahead. The transition into Bodalla General marks a new era - a reimagined space that blends the heart of the original bakery with a nostalgic general store feel. It’s a reflection of everything Sharan has built, learned and endured - and a reminder that reinvention is always possible. This episode is about resilience, honesty, and the true reality of small business. It’s about starting again, even when it’s hard. And it’s about the kind of strength that doesn’t always shout - but shows up anyway. Links: Bodalla General: https://www.instagram.com/bodallageneral/ [https://www.instagram.com/bodallageneral/] Follow us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/for.founders.sake/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForFoundersSake

#11: Kirsty Furbank - Carving Out Space in the Line-Up, Resilience, Community & Women in the Waves

Today we’re joined by Kirsty, founder of Camel Rock Surf School — a business that’s not just teaching people to surf, but creating space for women in the lineup. After landing on the Far South Coast in 2018, Kirsty built her surf school in Bermagui from the ground up. But her journey hasn’t been all sunshine and salty hair. In this episode, Kirsty opens up about the darker side of breaking into a traditionally male-dominated surf culture — including facing bullying, territorial behaviour, and even nasty posters being put up around town. Instead of backing down, the local community rallied around her in a powerful show of support that helped strengthen the business even further. We also talk about the realities of running a surf school — the early mornings, the constant watching of wind and swell charts, and the unpredictability of building a business that’s entirely dependent on weather and ocean conditions. It’s a far cry from the “spending every day at the beach” lifestyle people often imagine. Kirsty shares how her Surf & Stretch women’s retreats came to life — bringing together surf lessons, yoga and connection — and why the demand for women-only sessions continues to grow. Through her popular Waves for Womenclasses, she’s creating a space where women can step outside their comfort zones and support each other in an environment that feels welcoming, empowering and fun. And throughout the conversation, one thing becomes clear — the genuine joy she gets from teaching first-timers and watching someone stand up on their very first wave. This episode is about resilience, community, and carving out space where there wasn’t one before. In this episode we talk about: * The reality of running a surf school and building a business around weather and ocean conditions * Facing bullying and territorial behaviour within surf culture * The local community support that helped Camel Rock Surf School grow stronger * Creating safe and supportive spaces for women in the ocean * Surf & Stretch retreats combining surfing, yoga and connection * The rising demand for women-only lessons and retreats * The joy of teaching first-time surfers and watching confidence grow in the water ---------------------- LINKS: Camel Rock Surf School https://www.camelrocksurfschool.com.au/ [https://www.camelrocksurfschool.com.au/] https://www.instagram.com/camelrocksurfschool/ [https://www.instagram.com/camelrocksurfschool/] Follow For Founder’s Sake Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/for.founders.sake/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForFoundersSake