You know that brutally honest mate who tells it like it is? That’s exactly what you’re getting in this unfiltered chat between HARWELL. founders Adam Powell and Harvey Rivers.

Join them as they dive into the gritty reality of building a startup business from scratch.

The lads also share their “hot takes” on the decisions that keep entrepreneurs up at night - from hiring and culture, to leadership and growth.

It's a real-time look at the challenges and contradictions every early-stage founder faces.

Key business questions covered:

✅Is company culture more important than salary when hiring top talent?

✅Should founders hire friends, or is that a recipe for disaster?

✅What is the most effective leadership style?

✅When should you fire fast, even if someone is performing on paper?

✅Is LinkedIn more powerful than your website when you're building your brand?

Adam & Harvey also reveal the cost of growth, how they handle toxic top performers, and why business leadership isn't about being the smartest person in the room.

They also explore:

👉The real ROI of team perks, culture-building retreats, and founder vulnerability

👉Why personal branding and authenticity matter more than polished websites

👉How values, identity, and lifestyle impact your ability to scale

👉The uncomfortable truth about replacing underperformers

👉How to scale a business without losing yourself in the process

Key Moments:

00:01:00 Hot Takes Introduction
00:02:20 Culture vs Salary
00:08:00 Company Culture Responsibility
00:12:00 ROI on Perks
00:16:00 Fire Fast Philosophy
00:20:40 Toxic Top Performers
00:22:20 Leadership and Likability
00:25:40 Founders Hiring Friends
00:30:00 Founder as Brand
00:34:00 LinkedIn vs Website
00:41:00 Rapid Fire Round
00:48:40 Business Hill to Die On

Whether you're a recruiter, consultant, startup founder, or just figuring out how to grow a business - this episode gives you a dose of truth and reality that you might need.

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👉Connect with us

https://www.instagram.com/twoblokesonebusiness
https://www.linkedin.com/company/two-blokes-one-business-podcast

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Adam Powell & Harvey Rivers are the founders of HARWELL.

HARWELL. are renowned in the recruiting space - specialising in finding top talent within the Construction, Accountancy & Finance & Labour Hire sectors. Along with eCommerce.

Their award-winning concierge approach is helping companies attract exceptional talent to their team.

👉Want help finding exceptional talent for your business?

Get in touch with Adam, Harvey, and the team at HARWELL. https://www.harwellconsulting.com.au/

Running a business in Australia and feeling out of your depth when it comes to finances? You’re not alone.

In this episode of Two Blokes One Business, we sit down with Mitch Calley from Wakefield Pacific Accounting & Business Advisory.

Mitch is a top-tier accountant helping small businesses scale with smart financial strategy.

This episode is packed with real-world business finance tips and opinions for founders, entrepreneurs, and directors.

Whether you're struggling with cash flow, confused about business structures, or finally making enough to consider tax planning - this conversation could save you serious money and headaches.

You’ll learn:

✅When and how to switch from sole trader to company or trust

✅The real reason most profitable businesses still run out of cash

✅How to use a self-managed super fund (SMSF) to invest in your business

✅Key financial reports every founder must understand

✅How to protect your personal assets as a business owner

✅When to hire vs. do it yourself (from bookkeeping to tax planning)

✅Smart strategies for paying yourself and managing tax like a pro

This is a deep dive into the financial foundations that separate successful founders from stressed ones.

Key Points

00:04:20 Sweet spot clients and service levels
00:06:40 High earner tax strategies for employees
00:09:00 Self-managed super fund
00:14:00 Employee to business owner mindset shift
00:19:20 Research before starting your business
00:24:40 Business structures 101
00:30:20 Cash flow management
00:36:20 Industry-specific metrics
00:43:40 When to outsource vs DIY approach
00:54:20 How and when to pay yourself
01:01:00 Common accounting myths debunked

If you're in business, making money, and want to scale profitably and sustainably, this episode is for you.

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Connect with Mitch Calley:

Whether you're a start-up or industry titan looking to scale - Mitch and the team at Wakefield Pacific can help you navigate and conquer your business landscape.

https://www.instagram.com/wakefieldpacific/
https://www.facebook.com/wakefieldpacific/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/wakefield-pacific-accounting-business-advisory
https://www.wakpac.au/

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*Disclaimer* The information in this episode is general in nature and does not constitute personal financial, legal, or tax advice. Always consult with a qualified professional to assess your individual circumstances and goals before making any financial decisions.

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👉Connect with us

https://www.instagram.com/twoblokesonebusiness
https://www.linkedin.com/company/two-blokes-one-business-podcast

-

Adam Powell & Harvey Rivers are the founders of HARWELL.

HARWELL. are renowned in the recruiting space - specialising in finding top talent within the Construction, Accountancy & Finance & Labour Hire sectors. Along with eCommerce.

Their award-winning concierge approach is helping companies attract exceptional talent to their team.

👉Want help finding exceptional talent for your business?

Get in touch with Adam, Harvey, and the team at HARWELL. https://www.harwellconsulting.com.au/

Starting a business is hard enough - but what happens when you’re also trying to be a father, a supportive partner, and a business partner, all while clinging to your own sanity?

In this brutally honest episode of the Two Blokes One Business Podcast, Harvey Rivers takes off the entrepreneurial mask and reveals what really happens when your life is no longer just yours.

This is a raw and authentic look at balancing fatherhood and business, including how he built Harwell. while raising two daughters with his partner, Brit.

From the identity crisis of leaving professional football to the never-ending guilt loop of not being “enough” for everyone - Harvey lays bare the unfiltered reality of scaling a business and growing a recruitment agency while managing the pressure of family life.

You’ll discover:

✅The psychological shifts required to become a business founder and dad

✅How fatherhood improved Harvey’s leadership skills through forced empathy and perspective

✅The hard truths about business partnerships, including the unspoken contracts that protect friendships and why having true skin in the game is essential

✅His 4 AM morning routine and why exercise is critical to regulating the pressure of business and parenting

✅The “burn the boats” mentality of going all in on your startup and why that might be the only way to succeed

This conversation will resonate with any working dad, entrepreneur, or startup founder - who feels the impossible tension between building a legacy and showing up for their kids.

Key Moments:

00:02:40 Weekend Offender
00:05:20 Your Selfish Part Must Die
00:07:20 Fatherhood & Leadership
00:10:20 Identity Full Circle
00:14:00 People Pleasers
00:21:20 Exercise For Regulation
00:27:00 Can't Scale Back
00:35:20 Business Partnership Values
00:41:20 Growth Conversation Crossroads
00:48:20 Thinking Bigger
00:56:20 Business Partner Characteristics
00:59:20 Daughters Education

Hit play and discover the real cost of building something meaningful - whilst everyone you love depends on you to not screw it up.

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👉Connect with us

https://www.instagram.com/twoblokesonebusiness
https://www.linkedin.com/company/two-blokes-one-business-podcast

-

Adam Powell & Harvey Rivers are the founders of HARWELL.

HARWELL. are renowned in the recruiting space - specialising in finding top talent within the Construction, Accountancy & Finance & Labour Hire sectors. Along with eCommerce.

Their award-winning concierge approach is helping companies attract exceptional talent to their team.

👉Want help finding exceptional talent for your business?

Get in touch with Adam, Harvey, and the team at HARWELL. https://www.harwellconsulting.com.au/