Remarkable Regional Business
Interviewing Founders and CEOs of Australia’s most remarkable regionally based businesses. You’ll hear about their company and what makes it so remarkable. You’ll also get an insight into their growth journey, the mistakes they made, and how they overcame some of their hardest challenges. Hosted by Caleb Maxwell, Director of Bendigo-based video marketing company Hebron Films, this podcast uncovers regional businesses that are rocking their industries and proves that great companies really can come from smaller places.
Episodes

Friday Mar 01, 2024
Friday Mar 01, 2024
Remarkable Regional Businesses - Episode 5
Guest: Steve Durkin, FounderBusiness Name: SafescapeWebsite: https://www.safescape.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-durkin-28583418/
This episode features Steve Durkin, the founder of Safescape, focusing on the innovative safety and efficiency solutions his company offers to the mining industry. Key topics covered include the origin and impact of Safescape’s flagship product, Laddertube, a plastic ladder designed for safe escapes in underground mines. Steve shares his journey from concept to market, highlighting the challenges of convincing the industry of the ladder’s viability, the company’s expansion into manufacturing, and the introduction of other safety products like Multi-Bund, Edge Protector and Paste Hole Cover. The episode also explores Safescape’s global reach, regulatory challenges, and the significant impact of their products on mining safety standards. Topics Covered: / Introduction of Steve Durkin and Safescape: Background and mission of Safescape to enhance mine safety and efficiency.
/ Development of Laddertube: The inspiration behind and development process of Laddertube, a revolutionary escape ladder for mines.
/ Challenges and Breakthroughs: Initial skepticism from the industry, the decision to self-manufacture, and the eventual acceptance and success of the product.
/ Expansion and New Products: Introduction of additional safety products like Multi-Bund, Edge Protector and Paste Hole Cover, designed to address specific mining safety challenges.
/ Global Impact and Regulatory Hurdles: Safescape’s international expansion, adaptation to various regulatory environments, and notable achievements in changing safety regulations in regions like Quebec, Canada.
References:
Safescape - https://www.safescape.com/

Wednesday Jan 31, 2024
Wednesday Jan 31, 2024
Remarkable Regional Businesses - Episode 4
Guest: Paul Dettmann, Founder of Cassinia Environmental (and many other companies)Business Name: Cassinia EnvironmentalWebsite: https://cassinia.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-dettmann-ba945412/
Topics Covered:
/ The Intersection of Environmental Sustainability and Business VenturesPaul Dedman, founder and director of Cassinia Environmental and several other ventures, shares his journey in integrating environmental sustainability with business. He delves into how his companies, like Cassinia Environmental, are leading in environmental restoration and protection. This segment explores the balance between human aspirations and nature conservation, highlighting the role of businesses in promoting biodiversity and ecological health.
/ Innovative Projects and Social EntrepreneurshipPaul discusses various innovative projects under Cassinia Community, including initiatives aimed at improving access to education in the Global South. He emphasizes the importance of developing new models to address global challenges, such as educational disparities. Additionally, Paul talks about the Social Foundry, a social enterprise cafe in Kyneton, focusing on workplace mentoring and skill development for people with limited opportunities.
/ Developing Environmental and Biodiversity MarketsA significant part of the discussion is dedicated to understanding environmental markets, particularly carbon credits and biodiversity credits. Paul explains the mechanics of these markets, their importance in the current ecological landscape, and the role of businesses and individuals in these markets. He also touches upon the challenges and opportunities in developing and participating in these markets.
References:Cassinia Environmental - https://cassinia.com/Social Foundry - https://www.socialfoundry.org.au/Wilderlands - https://wilderlands.earth/

Sunday Dec 03, 2023
Sunday Dec 03, 2023
Remarkable Regional Businesses - Episode 2
Guest: Jarrod Robinson, Founder & CEO of ConnectedPEBusiness Name: ConnectedPEWebsite: https://connectedpe.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thepegeek/
Topics Covered:
/ Designing a business to serve you rather than you serving it. Jarrod talks about structuring his business in a way that gives him freedom and flexibility rather than being trapped in the day-to-day.
/ Launching products and services you know will work. Jarrod discusses the importance of thoroughly validating and testing new offerings before bringing them to market. This prevents wasting time and resources.
/ Building a sellable business. Jarrod shares his focus on making ConnectedPE an attractive acquisition target by systematizing processes and creating a scalable model.
/ References:ConnectedPEAI/ML products

Tuesday Oct 31, 2023
Tuesday Oct 31, 2023
Guest: Craig Hunter, Director of Government Engagement Business Name: Clear Dynamics Website: https://cleardynamics.com.au/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-hunter-1726b115/
Topics Covered:
/ Automating software development lifecycles Craig explains how Clear Dynamics helps organisations like banks, utilities, and government agencies automate their software development process to unify legacy systems and transform their businesses. They leverage AI and machine learning to achieve this.
/ The exponential impact of large language models like ChatGPT Craig discusses how large language models like ChatGPT represent another intelligence in conversations that can help reconcile complexity at an exponential speed compared to humans. This has huge implications for decision-making.
/ Practical applications of AI for businesses Craig provides examples of how businesses can utilise AI now, like using ChatGPT to help create training content, policies and procedures. He also discusses data analytics and personalisation.
References:
/ ChatGPT by OpenAI
/ Copilot by Microsoft
/ AlphaFold by DeepMind

Tuesday Oct 31, 2023
Tuesday Oct 31, 2023
In this super quick introduction, Caleb introduces the why behind this podcast, who it's for and what you can expect from it.
Find out more about Hebron Films - https://hebronfilms.com/
Subscribe to the video version on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVxlyna-Dc48CVPpGD0qNK3HixaKMGjtb