Australian Investors Podcast

In this Australian Investors Podcast episode, your host Owen Raszkiewicz sits down with Taylor McPhail, CEO and owner of McPhail’s Furniture, to unpack:

– How McPhail’s went from $22m to $45m revenue
– The painful dip that nearly broke the business
– Why moving to Shopify unlocked explosive growth
– The $45m, 100-acre logistics expansion in regional Victoria

Taylor first joined Owen on-site in Wangaratta when the business was riding high at $22 million in revenue. Since then, McPhail’s dipped below $20m, rebuilt its structure, hired a new GM, doubled down on systems — and is now tracking towards $45 million in annual sales.

This is a raw, tactical breakdown of what it actually takes to scale a regional retail business nationally — without VC money.

If you love learning about business growth, capital allocation and scaling Australian companies, subscribe to the Australian Investors Podcast on Apple, Spotify or YouTube.

Follow us on Instagram and TikTok for more investing insights.

Topics Covered

– Rapid growth and the $22m → $45m jump
What actually changed between 2022 and today.

– The burnout phase
Why growth stalled, what broke internally, and how structure fixed it.

– Shopify and 80% online sales
How the move unlocked inventory control, cash flow visibility and marketing scale.

– $59 nationwide delivery & two-week guarantee
How McPhail’s beat industry norms of 2–5 month wait times.

– Custom rail containers to Perth
Solving logistics as a competitive moat.

– Zero debt in operations, 70% LVR on property
Taylor’s split risk philosophy.

– $30m total debt explained
Why he’s comfortable — and how he stress-tests interest rates.

– The 100-acre expansion
Why doubling down in Wangaratta makes more sense than decentralising.

– Capital allocation decisions
If given $5m today — trucks, property or inventory?

– Founder lessons
Overpaying staff early.
Why structure beats hustle.
The one boring thing that wins every time.

Resources for This Episode

Learn more about McPhail’s:
– https://mcphails.com.au/

Watch Episode 1 (original on-site interview):
– https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpvpqoqPZLU

~~ Rask Resources ~~
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Start investing with Rask – https://bit.ly/R-invest

Access Show Notes – https://bit.ly/R-notes

Ask a question – just select the Investors Podcast – https://bit.ly/R-quest

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DISCLAIMER

This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. You should consider if the information is appropriate for your situation before acting on it.

If you’re unsure, consult a licensed financial planner. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial adviser, or tax professional. You can access The Rask Group’s Financial Services Guide (FSG) here: https://www.rask.com.au/fsg

#Investing #Finance #AustralianInvestorsPodcast
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In this Australian Investors Podcast episode, your hosts Owen Rask and Drew Meredith discuss:– AI, vibe coding and whether software moats are at risk– Pro Medicus (ASX:PME) results and the 22% share price fall– ASX at all-time highs amid a $65bn wipeout– Listener questions on ETFs, silver, property, WiseTech and more

If you love learning about investing, ETFs and Australian shares, subscribe to the Australian Investors Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube!

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The contradiction is real.

The S&P/ASX 200 hit all-time highs — yet headlines screamed “wipeout” after a 2% plunge wiped nearly $65 billion off the market in a single session. Meanwhile:


AMP tanked 31%


Temple & Webster (ASX:TPW) fell more than 30%


Pro Medicus (ASX:PME) dropped 22% on results day


CSL (ASX:CSL) slid hard after earnings


Banks like ANZ Banking Group (ASX:ANZ) hit fresh highs

We unpack why this feels like two markets at once — and why volatility in individual stocks is rising even while the index looks calm.

What’s happening in markets right now?

Pro Medicus's results

Rask's Reporting Season Webinar #1

Ask a question

Rask Resources
🔗 Explore all Rask services – https://bit.ly/R-services
📋 Get Financial Planning – https://bit.ly/R-plan
📈 Start investing with Rask – https://bit.ly/R-invest
📜 Access Show Notes – https://bit.ly/R-notes
❓ Ask a question – just select the Investors Podcast – https://bit.ly/R-quest

📲 Follow us on social media:
– Instagram: @rask.invest
– TikTok: @rask.invest

This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. You should consider if the information is appropriate for your situation before acting on it.

If you’re unsure, consult a licensed financial planner. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial adviser, or tax professional. You can access The Rask Group’s Financial Services Guide (FSG) here: https://www.rask.com.au/fsg

#Investing #Finance #AustralianInvestorsPodcast

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In this Australian Investors Podcast episode, your hosts Owen Rask (and team) sit down with Brendan Malone, CEO and Managing Director of Raiz Invest Ltd (ASX: RZI), for a strategic, no-nonsense discussion on how a scaled consumer fintech actually operates.

Together, they unpack:
– Raiz’s true business model and unit economics
– Why engagement and FUM matter more than headline customer growth
– Product strategy across Invest, Kids, Plus and Super
– AI, advice and compliance realities (not hype)
– Capital allocation, moats and leadership under ASX pressure

If you love learning about fintech, investing platforms and business fundamentals, subscribe to the Australian Investors Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube!

Follow us on Instagram (rask.invest) and TikTok (rask.invest) for more investing insights.

This is a sponsored episode of The Australian Investors Podcast, as Raiz is a long-term educational partner of Rask.

Topics Covered with Brendan from Raiz:
– Raiz’s origin story and early strategic trade-offs
– How Raiz actually makes money today
– Unit economics: ARPU, LTV, CAC and operating leverage
– Why Plus, Kids and Super are growing faster than core Invest
– Public vs private: the realities of being ASX-listed
– AI coaching vs advice and where the red lines sit
– Moats, competitive threats and capital allocation discipline
– What long-term investors should really watch

Resources for This Episode
– Raiz Invest investor centre and ASX disclosures: https://investorhub.raizinvest.com.au/
– Raiz product suite: portfolios, Super, Kids and Plus: https://raizinvest.com.au/

~~ Rask Resources ~~
Explore all Rask services – https://bit.ly/R-services
Get Financial Planning – https://bit.ly/R-plan
Start investing with Rask – https://bit.ly/R-invest
Access Show Notes – https://bit.ly/R-notes
Ask a question – just select the Investors Podcast – https://bit.ly/R-quest
Follow us on social media:
– Instagram: @rask.invest
– TikTok: @rask.invest

DISCLAIMER

This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. You should consider whether the information is appropriate for your situation before acting on it.

If you’re unsure, consult a licensed financial planner. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial adviser, or tax professional. You can access The Rask Group’s Financial Services Guide (FSG) here: https://www.rask.com.au/fsg

#Investing #Finance #AustralianInvestorsPodcast
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In this Australian Investors Podcast episode, your host Owen Rask is joined by Luke Winchester, founder of Merewether Capital, to break down how a professional investor approaches ASX reporting season.

Together, they discuss:
– How reporting season differs from the rest of the year
– Luke’s preparation process and decision-making framework
– The idea that one key metric often drives a stock in the short to medium term
– Small and micro-cap companies Luke is watching this season

If you love learning about long-term investing and company analysis, subscribe to the Australian Investors Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube!

Follow us on Instagram and TikTok for more investing insights.

Luke shares how he applies his framework to real ASX examples, including:

– CleanSpace Technologies (ASX:CSX) – where revenue growth is the key metric driving the investment case
– Racing and Sports Technology (ASX:RTH) – with a focus on incremental margins and operating leverage

Luke explains what would make him re-rate these businesses after earnings, and how reporting season can prompt position sizing decisions.

Learn more about Mereweather:Merewether Capital monthly investor updates:

https://www.merewethercapital.com.au/

~~ Rask Resources ~~
🔗 Explore all Rask services – https://bit.ly/R-services
📋 Get Financial Planning – https://bit.ly/R-plan
📈 Start investing with Rask – https://bit.ly/R-invest
📜 Access Show Notes – https://bit.ly/R-notes
❓ Ask a question – just select the Investors Podcast – https://bit.ly/R-quest

📲 Follow us on social media:
– Instagram: @rask.invest
– TikTok: @rask.invest

This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. You should consider if the information is appropriate for your situation before acting on it.

If you’re unsure, consult a licensed financial planner. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial adviser, or tax professional. You can access The Rask Group’s Financial Services Guide (FSG) here: https://www.rask.com.au/fsg.

#Investing #Finance #AustralianInvestorsPodcast
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Silver just crashed 26% in THREE DAYS - from $170 to $126. Gold plummeted from $7,800 to $6,700 in a matter of days. Just last week everyone was asking Drew about adding silver to portfolios. This is why you don't chase hot thematics!

In this Australian Investors Podcast episode, Owen Rask and Drew Meredith dissect Big Tech earnings that shocked Wall Street:

Microsoft (MSFT) down 11% - Azure cloud revenue up 38% but growth slowing. Capital expenditures hit $37.5 billion (up 66%), exceeding estimates. The kicker? Net income boosted by $1.02/share from OpenAI investment, with a massive $250 billion OpenAI deal accounting for 45% of Microsoft's $625 billion backlog.

Meta (META) up 11% - Beat expectations with Q4 sales of $59.9 billion. Planning unprecedented AI spending: $115-135 billion capex in 2026 (up 87% from 2025's $72 billion). First AI tool not yet released!

Tesla (TSLA) - Capex more than DOUBLE last year's outlay and almost twice Wall Street expectations. Discontinuing Model S and Model X to make room for Optimus humanoid robots. Acquired preferred shares in xAI.

Apple (AAPL) record quarter - Revenue jumped 16% to $143.8 billion driven by iPhone 17 demand. China revenue up 38% to $25.5 billion. Services hit $30 billion (up 14%).

Owen and Drew launch their 2026 Navexa portfolio challenge, with Owen offering to get a TATTOO if 1,000 people beat his returns. Drew reveals his "falling knives plus data centre portfolio" strategy.

They've also taken over The Golden Times publication for retirees! Plus: Dr Deremith's interest rate call update, geopolitics impacting portfolios, and why Australian government debt-to-GDP hit 43.8% (up from 42.8%) while private debt dropped from 82% to 70% over 10 years.

If you like this Australian Investors Podcast episode, you'll love the series. Don't forget to subscribe for weekly shows on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.

Resources for this episode

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DISCLAIMER:

This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg
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