Before We Get Started - Simon Gould- Founder Sydney Digital Marketing

About Before We Get Started - Simon Gould- Founder Sydney Digital Marketing

"Before We Get Started" is an insightful podcast hosted by Simon Gould, offering a unique blend of solo monologues and interviews with diverse business leaders. This show is designed for action-oriented leaders seeking inspiration, ideas, and practical insights. Each episode delves into the multifaceted world of entrepreneurship and leadership, covering a wide range of topics including: The entrepreneur's journey Determination and resilience Serendipity in business Mindfulness practices for leaders Pivoting strategies Navigating business challenges Conscious leadership approaches The impact of artificial intelligence Geopolitical influences on business Whether you're listening to Simon's weekly observations or engaging conversations with guests at various stages of their careers, "Before We Get Started" promises to deliver valuable insights, ideas, and inspiration to fuel your leadership journey. Join us as we explore the intersection of business, technology, and personal growth, empowering you to take decisive action in your professional life. About Simon Simon Gould is a digital marketing maverick and the CEO of Sydney Digital Marketing Agency. www.sydneydigitalmarketing.com.au With over 35 years in the tech and digital industry, Simon's career reads like a history of the digital revolution. He flogged mobile phones in '87, rode the internet wave in '96, mastered digital marketing by 2010, and now he's knee-deep in the AI boom. In 2023, Simon's agency cracked the Smart50 list of Australia's cleverest businesses. It's no surprise, given his knack for slashing customer acquisition costs and turning ambitious brands into digital powerhouses. Simon's not your average suit. He's a dad who can nail a backside 180 on a skateboard, and while he admits to knowing bugger all about football, he's a deadset expert at kicking goals in the digital arena. His strategies have delivered over 150 million website visits, 5 billion display ad impressions, and more than 200,000 conversions and tens of millions in additional revenue for his clients. From Google Ads to SEO, social media marketing to marketing automation, Simon's expertise spans the digital landscape. He's a Google Certified Partner, a HubSpot Agency Partner, and a winner of the Google Allstars award. But it's not all about the tech. Simon's a big believer in the triple bottom line, helping businesses grow while making a positive impact on society and the environment. His thought leadership content racks up over 100,000 impressions monthly on LinkedIn, proving he's got the goods when it comes to digital insights. Whether you're a CEO, founder, or marketing manager with a hunger for growth and digital innovation, Simon's your man. He's all about transforming businesses with data-driven, integrated digital strategies that deliver real, measurable results. So, if you're ready to take your digital game to the next level, give Simon a bell. Just don't ask him to explain the offside rule.

Publisher

Simon Gould - Founder // Father // Thinker

Category

business · business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

28 Sept 2024

Latest episode

20 May 2026

Latest episodes

12 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   20 May 2026

   Dan Stevens (HubSpot): Why Bad Data Breaks AI — And How to Fix It Before You Scale

   What separates the businesses that will win with AI from the ones that'll just burn time and money on it? In this episode of Before We Get Started, host Simon Gould sits down with Dan Stevens, Partner Development Manager at HubSpot, for an honest conversation about what's really happening in the SME tech stack right now, and what most "AI experts" are getting wrong. Dan has a front-row seat to how Australian businesses are adopting CRM, sales, marketing and AI tools, and he doesn't sugarcoat it: bad data plus AI equals more bad, faster. Before you bolt agents and automations onto your business, you have to get the fundamentals right. In this episode, Simon and Dan cover: Why CRM deployments fail, and why it's almost never the technology The shift from CRM as a "database" to an AI-native customer platform Why context is king when it comes to AI, and how to actually build it The rise of Answer Engine Optimisation (AEO) and what it means for your brand visibility HubSpot's new AI capabilities: the AEO grader and agent, smart deal progression, prospecting agents, customer agents, and the Breeze assistant What "AI agents" actually are (hint: they're not chatbots) A practical 90-day plan for SMEs starting their AI journey without creating chaos What CRM will look like in 2029, and what will separate the winners from the dabblers Whether you're considering a CRM, already running HubSpot, or just trying to figure out where AI fits into your business, this conversation will save you time, money and a lot of false starts. About the guest: Dan Stevens is a Partner Development Manager at HubSpot, working with partners across the Australian market. Find him on LinkedIn (search "Dan Stevens HubSpot"). He's the one with the Viking beard. About the host: Simon Gould is the Founder of Sydney Digital Marketing Agency (SDM), a HubSpot Gold Partner helping service-based businesses generate more leads, increase revenue and get AI-ready. 🎧 Subscribe to Before We Get Started for more conversations with the people shaping marketing, sales, and tech for growing businesses.

2. 

   14 Feb 2026

   Matty Greene - The Psychological Pillar - How One Shift In Perspective Freed Up 80% Of My Mental Energy

   What if a single shift in perspective could free up 80% of the mental energy you didn't even know you were losing? In this episode of "Before We Get Started," Simon Gould sits down with Matty Green for their 3rd and most personal conversation yet — diving deep into the psychological pillar of Matty's four-pillar framework. This time, the roles are reversed: Matty coaches Simon live, unpacking real stories and real breakthroughs from their six months working together. Matty is a registered psychologist and executive coach with over 30 years of experience transforming leaders at the highest levels of business. His unique approach blends psychology, somatic practices, neuroscience, and quantum-based leadership into something truly transformative. What You'll Discover: Why your first 7 years built the "window panes" you still see the world through today — and how to clean them. The story of how one workplace resentment consumed 80% of Simon's emotional bandwidth for months — and how a single conversation made it vanish. Why we have 60–70,000 thoughts a day and 95% are identical to yesterday's The difference between "wounded" and "wise" — and how catching yourself with kindness bridges the gap. How changing two words in your self-talk ("have to" → "choose to") rewires your subconscious response. The marble jar: why cold showers might be costing you more than they're worth Real Transformation: Simon shares how a perspective shift — described as "taking a needle to a balloon" — instantly dissolved months of frustration, resentment, and silent storytelling that was affecting his health, his business, his team culture, and his family. The Takeaway: Just find one thing. Don't write a list of lofty resolutions. Find one small practice that resonates, do it consistently, and watch the mirror start smiling back. Perfect for: Anyone stuck in their own story, running the same mental loop on repeat, and ready to step into the front seat of the consciousness car. Warning: Once you feel that first deep diaphragmatic breath, you can't unfeel it. Connect with Matthew Greene on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-greene-06145a/ Connect with Simon Gould https://www.linkedin.com/in/speaktosimon/ #Leadership #Psychology #ExecutiveCoaching #Consciousness #Transformation #MindsetShift #IntentionalLiving

3. 

   24 Nov 2025

   Matty Greene - How To Turn An Interview Into A Winning Conversation. And Create The Dream Role You Deserve

   Psychologist Matty Greene discusses with host Simon Gould how to transform interviews into winning conversations by building genuine rapport, offering insights into high performance and overcoming imposter syndrome in this interview episode.

4. 

   1 Nov 2025

   Matty Greene - Executive & Wholistic Wellness Coach - The Four Pillars Of Living With Intention

   Executive coach Matty Greene discusses the four pillars of living with intention and how to transform leadership by moving from a reactive to an intentional mindset in this interview with Simon Gould.

5. 

   28 Apr 2025

   Steve Tolen talks Sales and Soul - Blending hard-nosed sales tactics with mindset and humility

   In this episode of Before We Get Started, I sit down with UK-born sales and recruitment veteran Steve Tolan (of Pinpoint Talent & Stolen & Co). Over a lively conversation, we explore: • Mindset Mastery: How early lessons selling fish with his dad taught Steve resilience, humility and the importance of human connection—skills no university can replicate. • Cultural Differences in Sales: Contrasting the cut-throat, transactional UK market with Australia’s relationship-driven approach and why tenure and authenticity matter in a small ecosystem. • Personal Branding & LinkedIn: Steve’s “20 videos in January” experiment that drove 100K views, and the six pillars of modern sales success: personal brand, LinkedIn mastery, AI literacy, video, in-person networking, and the smart cold call. • AI in Recruitment & Sales: Why AI won’t replace people who leverage it—only those who ignore it—and how to map your process, identify pain points, and harness automation to free up time for high-value human interaction. • Work-Life Balance & the Future of Work: The rise of hybrid models, the value of flexibility, and the constant tension between entrepreneurial drive and making time for family. Throughout, Steve’s energy, wit and real-world stories (like wearing a sharp pinstripe suit in Sydney!) underscore one clear message: be authentically you, lean into discomfort, and use every tool—digital or human—to amplify your impact.

6. 

   1 Apr 2025

   Tom Gregory Of Lifesight.io - Why Brand Building Is Essential For Long Term Growth

   In this episode of the “Before We Get Started” podcast, host Simon Gould sits down with Tom Gregory, seasoned martech pro and current commercial leader at Lifesight.io Tom brings over 15 years of experience across performance marketing, creative agencies, and advanced attribution tech. Fresh from attending key marketing conferences in the US and UK, Tom unpacks the evolving challenges of digital measurement, the limitations of platform-based reporting, and why brand building isn’t just a “nice to have” — it’s essential for long-term growth. We explore the rise of unified marketing measurement, the role of first-party data, and how AI is reshaping everything from media targeting to synthetic persona testing. Whether you’re a CMO, agency owner, or data-curious marketer, this episode offers clarity and frameworks to help you make better, more confident marketing decisions.

7. 

   26 Mar 2025

   Saarika Chotai Founder - The Untapped Space - How The ABM approach drives pipeline growth across enterprise, SaaS, and service-based industries.

   Stuck in B2B sales? Time to innovate and see how ABM can transform your pipeline. In this episode, we speak with Saarika Chotai, Founder of The Untapped Space—a strategic GTM and Account-Based Marketing (ABM) consultancy helping B2B companies win high-value deals. Saarika shares how her agency designs experience-led sales campaigns that break through the noise and land meetings with hard-to-reach decision-makers. Forget mass outreach. The Untapped Space is known for crafting bold, human-first campaigns backed by precision targeting and a clear go-to-market plan. Saarika unpacks how her ABM approach drives pipeline growth across enterprise, SaaS, and service-based industries—turning cold leads into warm conversations and stagnant funnels into real momentum. With a proven track record leading GTM and ABM strategies for global agencies across the UK, USA, and APAC, Saarika brings deep insight into what it takes to win in complex, competitive markets. She’s also the host of She Sells, a global podcast spotlighting women redefining sales and marketing leadership, featuring guests from Adobe, Mastercard, Visa, and more.

8. 

   21 Mar 2025

   Darren Clark - Serial Founder - From Webling To Handl

   In this episode of "Before We Get Started," host Simon Gould sits down with Darren Clarke, serial entrepreneur and founder of DazLab. With over 25 years of experience in digital innovation, Darren shares his journey founding five businesses since 1998, including Webling (which was acquired by JWT/WPP) and his current ventures DazLab and Handle. The conversation explores the challenges of entrepreneurship, pivoting when necessary, understanding your strengths, building effective partnerships, and navigating the digital landscape. Darren also discusses his approach to product development, the importance of market validation before building, and raising the next generation of entrepreneurs as his 12-year-old son launches his own fashion brand.

9. 

   22 Oct 2024

   Steve Zammit - Growing Interparcel To An 8 Figure e-Commerce Powerhouse

   This week I sit down with Steve Zammit, Managing Director of Interparcel, for an insightful conversation about building a successful e-commerce logistics company from the ground up. From starting in a UPS call center to leading an eight-figure business serving thousands of online retailers across 250 countries, Steve shares his entrepreneurial journey with remarkable candor. Learn how Interparcel revolutionized shipping solutions for small and medium-sized businesses, making enterprise-level logistics accessible to everyone. Steve opens up about the challenges of scaling a business, the importance of maintaining company culture, and how he's built a team that's stayed together for over a decade. The conversation takes an exciting turn as Steve reveals his unexpected passion for supercars and shares stories from his adventures in the prestigious Gumball 3000 rally, including a particularly memorable drive through the Mojave Desert. Whether you're an e-commerce business owner, an aspiring entrepreneur, or simply interested in the intersection of technology and logistics, this episode offers valuable insights into building a customer-centric business in today's fast-paced digital environment. learn more about Interparcel at https://au.interparcel.com/ Need to grow your business? ♻️ Download the Sydney Digital Marketing 99 point Growth Toolkit https://sydneydigitalmarketing.com.au/lp-business-growth-toolkit

10. 

    11 Oct 2024

    Rob Marston Founder Of Live Commerce Australia - Talking Live Commerce and The Paradox Of Our Connected Yet Disconnected World

    In this episode of Before We Get Started, host Simon Gould welcomes Rob Marston from Live Commerce Australia for a dynamic discussion that traverses personal and professional realms. Rob shares his journey from humble beginnings as a butcher’s son to a successful career in technology and marketing, highlighting key milestones, including his early work with Monster and Google. The conversation delves into the pressing issue of men’s mental health, emphasizing the importance of vulnerability and connection in a society where men often feel pressured to maintain a façade of strength. Rob discusses his involvement in various men’s groups, including W Now, which provides a safe space for men to share their experiences and challenges without judgment. They also explore the transformative potential of live commerce, particularly in light of its explosive growth in markets like China. Rob outlines how this interactive shopping experience engages consumers in new ways, leveraging social proof and FOMO (fear of missing out) to drive sales. The episode culminates in a call to action for listeners to embrace authenticity and connection, whether through mental health initiatives or by engaging with new commerce trends.

11. 

    9 Oct 2024

    Conscious Leadership With Susanne Rauer Master Coach At GAIA Coaching - Before We Get Started Ep2

    Susanne Rauer is one of the rare people inspired to go above and beyond. She is a conscious and multiple award-winning natural leader in her field. At GAIA coaching she offers consulting, training, executive coaching and leadership for seasoned executives, high achievers and business owners. In this conversation Susanne shares her knowledge, wisdom and expertise on her conscious leadership process, setting boundaries and introducing the ‘Delicious Juice of Recognition’ concept. Susanne’s passion for human nature and encouragement of personal and professional growth shine through in this conversation. Key areas discussed: What makes a human tick? Introduction to the ‘Delicious Juice of Recognition’ concept Advice for setting Boundaries in the workplace How to recognise burnout What is leadership? The conscious leadership process Resources mentioned: Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect Author Will Guidara You can find Susanne Rauer: Website: https://gaiacoaching.com.au LinkedIn: @susannerauerexecutivecoachingsydney Book a complimentary call: https://gaiacoaching.com.au/contact-us/

12. 

    28 Sept 2024

    Authenticity in Business: A Conversation with Calvin Chilchik of CUB Sydney

    In this inaugural episode of "Before We Get Started," host Simon Gould interviews Calvin Chilchik, a 32 -year-old business leader and Head of CUB SYDNEY, a private members' club for entrepreneurs. Calvin shares his journey from a directionless youth to a successful business leader, emphasizing the importance of serendipity, adaptability, and networking in his career. Key points discussed include: ⊛ Calvin's unconventional path to business leadership ⊛The value of face-to-face networking in a digital age ⊛ Insights into sales strategies and relationship building ⊛ The importance of authenticity and honesty in business ⊛ Observations on generational differences in work approaches ⊛ The impact of COVID on business practices 2 years later ⊛The significance of persistence and adaptability in entrepreneurship ⊛ The benefits of surrounding oneself with like-minded business leaders ⊛ The importance of giving without expectation in networking ⊛ Advice for effective networking and relationship building in business

Podcast Authority Score: 19 / 100

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Quality

37

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0

YouTube

0

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