Elevate Podcast with Vic and Juls

Ep 18 | From One Business to Six | Joey & Phil on Systems, Scale & Partnership

In Episode 18 of Elevate with Vic and Juls, we sit down with Joey and Phil Commandeur, entrepreneurs who have built multiple businesses together by combining their unique strengths, embracing friction, and creating systems that scale.
 
What started as a pool compliance business evolved into a portfolio of businesses spanning compliance, marketing, advisory, and service-based industries. Along the way, they've learned the importance of clear roles, strong partnerships, effective branding, and building businesses that don't rely on the founder being involved in every decision.
 
In this episode we cover:
 
How Joey and Phil built multiple businesses together
The visionary vs integrator dynamic
Why most business partnerships fail
The importance of defining roles and responsibilities
How branding influences trust and sales
The psychology behind lead generation and marketing
Building systems, SOPs and scalable operations
Navigating business and marriage as a team
The habits and routines that support long-term success
Why there's "magic in the friction"
 
If you're building a business, looking for the right business partner, or wanting to create systems that allow your business to grow beyond you, this episode is packed with practical insights, lessons learned, and real conversations from founders who have built success by playing to their strengths.
 
Watch the full episode or listen on your favourite streaming platform and subscribe for more.
 
Joey & Phil Commandeur
 
Phil Commandeur
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philcommandeur?igsh=Y3VpcWgzYXFjNmcz
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philcommandeur/
 
Joey Commandeur
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ladylexproductions/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeycommandeur/
 
Meet your hosts:
Julia Truong
IG: @juliatruong.official
Website: juliatruong.com
 
Victor Tran 
IG: @victortran.official
Website: victortran.com.au
 
Follow Elevate Podcast on Instagram for more founder stories, business insights and couple dynamics:
IG: @elevatepodcast_official
Listen: https://www.podbean.com/ep/pb-p9b26-1ab6b17

Ep 17 | 12 Property Deals in 2 Years | Andy & Thao on Building Wealth Without Sacrificing Family

In Episode 17 of Elevate with Vic and Juls, we sit down with Andy and Thao, a husband-and-wife team who went from running a traditional newsagency to building a property business designed around freedom, flexibility and family.
 
What started as a property investment mistake became the catalyst for a completely different approach to wealth, business and success. In just two years, Thao has completed 12 property projects while creating a lifestyle that puts family first.
 
In this episode we cover:
How a property investment mistake changed everything
Lifestyle entrepreneurship vs financial entrepreneurship
Why they set family goals before business goals
How Thao completed 12 property projects in two years
Taking action before you feel ready
Building trust through personal branding
How they balance business, marriage and family
Their perspective on the current property market
 
If you're building a business, investing for your future or looking to create more freedom in your life, this episode is packed with practical insights and powerful mindset shifts.
 
Watch the full episode or listen on your favourite streaming platform and subscribe for more.
Andy & Thao
https://www.andytran.com.au
https://www.facebook.com/share/1HNrnMNQbm/?mibextid=wwXIfr
https://www.instagram.com/thao_flips?igsh=NjJ1c21sbnF4dGt3
https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-tran-au?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
 
Meet your hosts:
Julia Truong
IG: @juliatruong.official
Website: juliatruong.com
 
Victor Tran 
IG: @victortran.official
Website: victortran.com.au
 
Follow Elevate Podcast on Instagram for more founder stories, business insights and couple dynamics:
IG: @elevatepodcast_official
Listen: https://www.podbean.com/ep/pb-p9b26-1ab6b17

Ep 16 | From Intern to Founder Before 25 | Lyn Nguyen on Exits and Resilience

In Episode 16 of Elevate with Vic and Juls, we sit down with Lyn Nguyen, founder of Auvie Consultants, an operations consultancy helping founders scale and exit their businesses with the best valuation possible.
Lyn helped scale and sell a company before the age of 23, started her business while still employed and built it entirely on her own terms. She also opens up about a deeply personal chapter of her life that will stop you in your tracks.
In this episode we cover: • How she helped scale and exit a company before 23 • What due diligence actually is and when to start preparing • Why every founder needs an escalation matrix • How to step out of the day to day without the business falling apart • Her incredible story of resilience that will leave you inspired • The one piece of advice she would give her younger self
If you are a founder trying to scale, thinking about an exit or just need a reminder that you can get through anything, this episode is for you.
Watch the full episode OR listen on your favourite streaming platform and subscribe for more.
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Lyn Nguyen Founder, Auvie Consultants IG: @auvielyn Business IG: @auvieconsultants Website: auvieconsultants.com 
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Meet your hosts: 
Julia Truong IG: @juliatruong.official Website: juliatruong.com
Victor Tran  IG: @victortran.official Website: victortran.com.au
Follow Elevate Podcast on Instagram for more founder stories, business insights and couple dynamics: IG: @elevatepodcast_officialListen: https://www.podbean.com/ep/pb-p9b26-1ab6b17

Ep 15 | Building Wealth is One Thing. Keeping it is Another | Alex Lau on Family Legacy and Wealth

In Episode 15 of Elevate with Vic and Juls, we sit down with our long time friend Alex Lau, 18 year marketing veteran and founder of SeeSharp Group, for one of the most layered and eye opening conversations we have had on this podcast.
From audio engineering to becoming one of Australia's leading StoryBrand consultants, Alex unpacks the full evolution of his career, why he walked away from his own company as CEO and what it really means to build and protect generational wealth through a family office.
He also shares for the very first time a wealth experiment he has been running with his kids for the last 5 years that every parent needs to hear.
In this episode we cover:
- Why your customer is the hero and you are just the guide- The marketing fundamentals that will never change no matter where technology goes- Why the next big trend is offline not online- What a family office actually is and why you need to know about it- Chase profits not revenue and why top line is vanity- The money tree strategy he has never shared publicly before- How to protect generational wealth before it is too late
If you are building a business, thinking about your financial future or trying to set your family up for generations to come, this episode is for you.
Watch the full episode OR listen on your favourite streaming platform and subscribe for more.
Guest:Alex LauFounder, SeeSharp GroupWebsite: seesharpgroup.com.au
Meet your hosts:Julia TruongMulti-business founder and co-host of ElevateIG: @juliatruong.officialWebsite: juliatruong.com
Victor TranEntrepreneur and business leaderIG: @victortran.officialWebsite: victortran.com.au
Follow Elevate Podcast on Instagram for more founder stories, business insights and couple dynamics:IG: @elevatepodcast_official

Ep 14 | The Story Nobody Knew | Dialla Merie on Sepsis, Building An Empire and Never Giving Up

In Episode 14 of Elevate with Vic and Juls, we sit down with Dialla Merie, multi award winning entrepreneur, business investor and founder of Merie Capital Group, to hear a story she has never shared publicly before now.
 
In the past year Dialla went from thriving to being told she was going into sepsis. She spent 3 months living in hospital, underwent emergency surgery, could not walk, could not speak and lost over 30 kilos. And in the middle of it all she was running a 10 company empire and nobody knew.
 
This is one of the most raw, honest and extraordinary conversations we have ever had on this podcast. Dialla shares how she kept her mindset high through the darkest chapter of her life, why entrepreneurship became the thing that kept her fighting and what she learned about herself on the other side of it.
 
In this episode we cover: 
• Running a business through a serious health crisis 
• The mindset shift that kept her going when everything fell apart 
• How to build a team that holds down the fort without you 
• Saying no as a people pleaser and why it saved her 
• Finding a problem and becoming the solution 
• Why your mental health is your most important business asset
 
If you are building a business, going through a hard season or just need a reminder that you are stronger than you think, this episode is for you.
Watch the full episode OR listen on your favourite streaming platform and subscribe for more.
 
Dialla Merie Founder, Merie Capital Group IG: @diallareginamerie
 
Meet your hosts: Julia Truong Multi-business founder and co-host of Elevate IG: @juliatruong.official Website: juliatruong.com
 
Victor Tran Entrepreneur and business leader IG: @victortran.official Website: victortran.com.au
 
Follow Elevate Podcast on Instagram for more founder stories, business insights and couple dynamics: IG: @elevatepodcast_official

Ep 13 | $300k Loss, Sleepless Nights and a Marriage on the Line. The Raw Truth About Building a Business Together.

Ep 13 | $300k Loss, Sleepless Nights and a Marriage on the Line. The Raw Truth About Building a Business Together.
In Episode 13 of Elevate with Vic and Juls, we sit down with Boris and Mariecris Beygel from Abundance Living Co to unpack what it really takes to build a business, a partnership and a life you are proud of.
From a $300k deal gone wrong to scaling a nationwide property and coaching empire, this conversation goes deep on the raw truth behind entrepreneurship that most people never talk about.
Boris and Mariecris share how they navigated being husband and wife and business partners, why clearly defined roles changed everything, and what they look for before entering any partnership.
In this episode we cover: • Why sales is not sleazy, it is your obligation • How to spot a bad business partner before it costs you • Building confidence through results not validation • Couples in business and how to make it work • Why worthiness is not something you earn, it is something you claim • The mindset shift that took their business global
If you are building a business, thinking about making the leap or trying to figure out what is holding you back, this one will hit.
Watch the full episode OR listen on your favourite streaming platform and subscribe for more.
Boris and Mariecris Beygel Founders, Abundance Living Co IG: @boris_beygel IG: @mariecris.beygel IG: @abundanceliving.co IG: @abundanceproperty
Meet your hosts: Julia Truong Multi-business founder and co-host of Elevate IG: @juliatruong.official Website: juliatruong.com
Victor Tran Entrepreneur and business leader IG: @victortran.official Website: victortran.com.au
Follow Elevate Podcast on Instagram for more founder stories, business insights and couple dynamics: IG: @elevatepodcast_official

Ep 12 | Why Your Content Isn’t Working (And What To Do Instead)

In Episode 12 of Elevate with Vic & Juls, we sit down with Chris Diprose, a video production expert, to unpack how content has evolved and why most businesses are struggling to keep up.
What used to be one video is now a full content ecosystem across multiple platforms. This shift has created overwhelm for many business owners, but also a huge opportunity for those who understand how to use content properly.
Chris shares insights from years in the industry, from sales and client work to building a production business, and breaks down what clients actually value, how to approach content strategically, and why understanding problems is key to growth.
In this episode, we cover:• Content strategy and distribution across platforms• Why businesses feel overwhelmed with content• The real reason clients buy• Sales through problem-solving• Adapting when things don’t go to plan• Building a business in a fast-changing environment
If you’re creating content, building a brand, or trying to grow a business, this episode will change how you think about it.
Watch the full episode OR Listen on your favourite streaming platform and subscribe for more.
--- Chris DiproseFounder, Diprose Media---Meet your hosts:Julia TruongMulti-business founder and co-host of ElevateIG: @juliatruong.officialWebsite: juliatruong.com
Victor TranEntrepreneur and business leaderIG: @victortran.officialWebsite: victortran.com.au
Follow Elevate Podcast on Instagram for more founder stories, business insights and couple dynamics:IG: @elevatepodcast_official

Ep11 | From Corporate to Cross-Border Founder Between Australia and Vietnam

In Episode 11, we sit down with Alyna Pham, Founder of AusViet Bridge, to unpack what it really means to grow up between two worlds and build a business from alignment instead of pressure.
 
From corporate finance to entrepreneurship, Alyna shares the reality behind hustle culture, burnout and the internal shifts that changed how she approaches success.
We talk about navigating serious rooms as a young Asian woman, redefining success internally versus externally, and why running fast in the wrong direction can cost more than you realise.
 
In this episode, we unpack:
• Growing up between Australia and Vietnam
• Imposter syndrome in high level rooms
• The hidden cost of hustle culture
• Burnout from constantly proving yourself
• Leaving corporate with intention and clarity
• Building a business without losing yourself
If you are building something of your own, questioning your definition of success, or considering leaving corporate, this conversation will resonate.
Watch the full episode here on YouTube or listen on your favourite podcast platform.
—
Alyna Pham
Founder, AusViet Bridge
—
Meet your hosts:
Julia Truong
Multi-business founder and co-host of Elevate
IG: @juliatruong.official
Website: juliatruong.com
 
Victor Tran
Entrepreneur and business leader
IG: @victortran.official
Website: victortran.com.au
 
Follow Elevate Podcast on Instagram for more founder stories, business insights and couple dynamics:
IG: @elevatepodcast_official

Ep10 | How They Turned Their Wedding Into a Thriving Events Business

Season 2 of Elevate with Vic & Juls is officially here.
This season, we’re sitting down with more founders, creatives, and high performers to unpack the real stories behind building businesses, relationships, and a life by design.
To launch the season, we sit down with John and Caroline, founders of JCAU Events, to share how their own wedding became the spark for a thriving wedding and corporate events business.
From quitting six-figure corporate jobs while pregnant, to moving back into a garage and starting from zero income, they reveal what it actually takes to build a creative business as a couple.
Over the past decade, JCAU Events has grown into a respected name in the wedding and corporate events industry, working with brands like Tesla, NAB, Bulgari and Pandora.
In this episode, we unpack:
• How to start an events business from scratch• Turning your wedding into a real business opportunity• Building a business as a couple• Dealing with family pressure and cultural expectations• Goal setting systems for couples• Growing a business while raising young kids
If you’re an entrepreneur, creative founder, or building something with your partner, this conversation will resonate.
Season 2 is just getting started.
Watch the full episode on YouTube or listen on your favourite podcast platform.
—
John IG: @johnn_auCaroline IG: @carolineaungoJCAU Events IG: @jcauevents_official
—
Meet your hosts:
Julia TruongMulti-business founder & co-host of ElevateIG: @juliatruong.officialWebsite: juliatruong.com
Victor TranEntrepreneur & business leaderIG: @victortran.officialWebsite: victortran.com.au
Follow Elevate Podcast on Instagram for more founder stories, business insights, and couple dynamics:IG: @elevatepodcast_official

Ep 9 | Our Honest 2025 Reflection: Wins, Losses And What We Are Building Next

In this episode we take you inside our real end of year reflection process. We talk through our wins from 2025, the challenges that stretched us, and how we are setting goals for 2026 as parents and business owners.
 
We unpack the big things that happened this year, like acquisitions, launching our own private equity firm, expanding into Vietnam, client wins and awards, as well as the hard parts, like failed hires, cash flow hits, six figure losses and mum guilt while building Frmefest.
 
We also share the reflection framework we actually use. Listing small and big wins, pairing every challenge with a learning, then setting bold goals and breaking them down into realistic steps with our mentors.
 
If you are wrapping up your own year and planning the next one, this conversation gives you a practical way to review, reset and dream a bit bigger.
 
Connect with us
Julia Truong IG: @juliatruong.official | juliatruong.com
Victor Tran IG: @victortran.official | victortran.com.au
Elevate Podcast IG: @elevatepodcast_official