What if the biggest opportunity for growth isn’t beating your competitors, but working alongside them? In this episode, Reyan Fernando sits down with Ryan Toppin, Founder of The Toppin Group, COO of Evolved Ecosystem, Co-Founder of Auto Fetch and Melbourne host of Founders Live, to explore why strategic partnerships are becoming one of the greatest competitive advantages in business.
Ryan shares the mindset that has shaped his entrepreneurial journey, from sport and retail to finance, fintech and AI, explaining why an obsession with customer experience has been the common thread behind every venture he’s built.
Together, they dive into the impact AI and automation are having on modern businesses, why leaders need to embrace change rather than fear it, and how collaboration consistently outperforms a scarcity mindset. Ryan also unpacks the importance of aligning sales and marketing, solving real customer problems and using long-form content to build trust and create meaningful business relationships.
In this episode you’ll learn:
- Why partnerships create more opportunities than competition.
- How AI is reshaping the future of business.
- The importance of becoming obsessed with the customer experience.
- Why sales and marketing must work together.
- How long-form content is changing networking and trust-building.
- The leadership lessons Ryan has learned across multiple industries.
If you’re looking for practical ideas to grow your business in an AI-driven world, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.
This episode was proudly brought to you by ISO365 – ISO Compliance, as a Service.
More Episodes
Sep 9, 2026
Running for Geelong: Lee Troop on Olympic Resilience & Building a Legacy
Three-time Olympic marathoner Lee Troop on twenty years of elite running, the toll of the sport, and his mission to…
Listen
Aug 26, 2026
From a Punt to 600+ Billboards: The Gawk Story with Luke Course
Gawk co-founder Luke Course on turning a punt on a few billboards into a 600+ billboard regional media business built…
Listen
Aug 12, 2026
AI Can’t Do This: Why Local Radio is Winning In a Digital Age with Rachel Patterson
Geelong Broadcasters GM Rachel Patterson on why local radio still thrives in the AI era, and the human connection algorithms…
Listen