This document provides advice from the founders and leaders of businesses recognized on Australia's Smart50 list. It shares quotes from nine different companies on themes like encouraging innovation at all levels, staying true to your values and purpose, backing yourself with ambition, and overcoming challenges through precision and commitment. The businesses highlighted thrive on digital innovation, being trendsetters, and motivating their teams to try new things.

1. Nine lessons in business from our Smart50

2. “These are the businesses to watch, the
companies that are innovating, and
challenging their competitors to step up their
game or move aside.”
– Eloise Keating, SmartCompany editor

3. “As trendsetters and early adopters of digital
technology, they thrive on being leaders-of-
the-pack.”
– Kosmas Smyrnios, Professor of Family Business Entrepreneurship at
RMIT University

4. “New ideas are encouraged at
every level of our company –
‘courage to fail’ is one of our
core values, so every single
team member is tasked with
trying new things.”
– Adore Beauty, Smart50 #28,
Kate Morris, founder
HOW DO THEY DO IT?
READ MORE

5. “Always think of the
opportunity, not the
obligation. Action
precedes motivation.”
– Podpac, Smart50 #18,
Toby Strong, founder
HOW DO THEY DO
IT? READ MORE

6. “There is always
room for greater innovation.”
– Just For Pets, Smart50 #47,
Karen Justice, founder
HOW DO
THEY DO IT?
READ MORE

7. “Unless you're completely
committed and passionate
about what you're doing
you won’t survive.”
– Fluent Retail, Smart50 #11,
Graham Jackson, CEO
HOW DO THEY DO IT?
READ MORE

8. “Stay true to your values … stop and
remind yourself why you started the
business.”
– b.box for kids, Smart50 #10, Monique
Filer and Dannielle Michaels, co-founders
HOW DO THEY DO IT?
READ MORE

9. “Know your ‘why’, and the essence of
your business. ‘People don’t buy what
you do, they buy why you do it.’”
– Unita Group, Smart50 #38, Robert
Rowe, founder
HOW DO THEY DO IT?
READ MORE

10. “Back yourself,
believe in ambition
and try harder than
your peers.”
– Retail Savvy
Group, Smart50
#30, Stewart
Koziora & Anna
Carosa, co-founders
HOW DO THEY DO IT?
READ MORE

11. “Challenges are inevitable but the
methods used to overcome them is
what sets certain businesses apart.”
– Mountain Bikes Direct, Smart50 #41
Gen Geale, co-founder
HOW DO THEY DO IT?
READ MORE

12. “Our greatest successes have
come when we were very precise
about expectations.”
– Prospa, Smart50 #1, Greg
Moshal & Beau Bertoli, co-founders
HOW DO THEY DO IT?
READ MORE

13. smartcompany.com.au