u/divvychugsbeer

I'm looking to connect with other local people who run a small business, are building something on the side or have an idea they've been thinking about starting.

Not selling anything.

I'd just like to build a small circle of local people who are ambitious, share ideas, talk honestly about what's working and what isn't and potentially help each other grow.

I've built businesses myself and I'm always happy to share what I've learned, but I've realised lately that half the time I end up learning just as much from the person I'm trying to help.

Doesn't matter if you're doing $1m a year or haven't made your first dollar yet.

If you're around Wollongong/Illawarra and this sounds like you, drop a comment or send me a message

I mentor people because I’ve built businesses, screwed things up, rebuilt, scaled and learned a lot the expensive way.

But here’s what I’ve realised:

Experience doesn’t mean you’ve finished learning.

I might know something about sales, business or leadership that saves you 12 months.

You might know something about AI, technology, investing or an industry I’ve never touched that completely changes how I think.

That’s the kind of connection I’m looking for.

Not guru and student.

Two ambitious people exchanging unfair advantages.

Sometimes the mentor becomes the mentee.

And I reckon that’s exactly how it should be.

I mentor people because I’ve built businesses, screwed things up, rebuilt, scaled and learned a lot the expensive way.

But here’s what I’ve realised:

Experience doesn’t mean you’ve finished learning.

I might know something about sales, business or leadership that saves you 12 months.

You might know something about AI, technology, investing or an industry I’ve never touched that completely changes how I think.

That’s the kind of connection I’m looking for.

Not guru and student.

Two ambitious people exchanging unfair advantages.

Sometimes the mentor becomes the mentee.

And I reckon that’s exactly how it should be.

I've got about an hour free before the wife gets home 😂

If you're starting a business, stuck on an idea or just need someone to bounce shit off, hit me up.

Funny thing is I joined this community thinking I'd be the mentor.

Half the conversations I've had I've walked away feeling like the mentee.

That's probably been the best part.

Everyone knows something you don't.

So let's trade ideas, experiences and mistakes and see if we can help each other out.

DM me. I've got an hour 🤙

I’ve built businesses to seven figures, watched things go wrong, started again and learned more from the fuck-ups than the wins.

These days I genuinely enjoy helping people avoid some of the mistakes I made.

Got a business idea? Stuck on sales? Scared to start? Business growing and suddenly everything feels out of control?

I’ve got some free time for a couple of mentoring chats.

I’m looking for someone who actually wants to VC.

I don’t want your résumé. I don’t care what your favourite colour is. And please don’t ask me “wyd” six times 😂

Tell me about the business you want to start. The country you want to disappear to. Your weird obsession. Your biggest mistake. A conspiracy theory you secretly think might be true.

Business, AI, cars, psychology, philosophy, dark humour, life — I’ll talk about almost anything.

Bring curiosity, humour and at least one opinion you’re willing to defend.

I joined this sub to meet interesting people from different parts of the world.

And I have.

But fuck me, some of you are making it difficult 😂

Every second post is:

“I'm bored.”

“Can't sleep.”

“Anyone wanna chat?”

“Hey, I like music and movies.”

WE ALL LIKE MUSIC AND MOVIES. GIVE ME SOMETHING TO WORK WITH.

Tell me you're trying to build a business from your bedroom.

Tell me you're learning Japanese because you're moving to Tokyo with absolutely no plan.

Tell me you're writing a terrible novel.

Building an app.

Training for a marathon.

Trying to become a chef.

Starting a band that currently consists of you and a bloke who owns half a drum kit.

I don't even care if you're succeeding.

Just be excited about something.

I'm Dave from Australia. I've built businesses, lost things, rebuilt, made plenty of mistakes and right now I'm having the time of my life building again and playing around with AI, automation and new ideas.

I fucking love people with a bit of fire in them.

People who are curious.

People who want to build shit.

People who have ridiculous ideas and actually wonder, “Could I pull this off?”

So here's my challenge to this painfully wholesome but occasionally boring subreddit:

Tell me one thing you're trying to accomplish before the end of 2026.

Doesn't have to be impressive.

It just has to matter to you.

I'll go first…

Funny thing about business — success doesn’t make you immune to failure.

I’ve built businesses from scratch.

Scaled to seven figures.

Made money.

Lost money.

Made great decisions.

Made some absolutely terrible ones.

Started again more than once.

And this quarter I’ve put myself in a position to potentially have the best quarter of my career.

Not because I suddenly became smarter.

Because every time I got knocked down, I kept the lessons.

Anyway, I have about 30 minutes free today and thought I'd put it to good use.

If you're building a business, thinking about starting one, stuck on an idea, struggling with sales, trying to validate something, or you're simply at a point in life where you don't know what the next move is — reach out.

Anyone is welcome.

I'm not selling anything.

I don't have all the answers.

But I've got 20+ years of business and leadership experience, plenty of scars, and I'm happy to be a sounding board.

Sometimes you don't need another course.

You need someone who's already made the mistake you're about to make.

I've got room for one conversation.

DM me.

ne of the conversations I had this week reminded me why I love mentoring.

Someone reached out with a simple question.

"I love Dungeons & Dragons. Is there any way I could turn that into a business?"

Most people would've told them to get a "real" business idea.

Instead, we spent an hour pulling it apart.

What if you built an AI co-Dungeon Master?

What if Dungeon Masters could organise campaigns, generate NPCs, remember every session, and even sell their own adventures?

By the end of the conversation, we weren't talking about a hobby anymore.

We were talking about a SaaS business with recurring revenue.

Whether it succeeds or not isn't the point.

The point is they left believing their passion could become something bigger.

That's what mentoring is to me.

Not telling people what to do.

Helping them see possibilities they couldn't see on their own.

Sometimes all someone needs is another set of eyes and an honest conversation.

If you're sitting on an idea and don't know whether it's crazy, viable, or somewhere in between, reach out.

I can't promise it's the next million-dollar business.

But I can promise we'll explore it together.

Who knows... your hobby might be hiding your next opportunity.

When I was younger I thought mentors would magically appear.

They don't.

People invest their time in people who show up.

Not people who talk.

People who do.

You don't need to have a successful business.

You don't need to have it all figured out.

You just need to be curious.

Take action.

Ask good questions.

Follow through.

I've mentored people who had nothing but a notebook and a dream.

I've also spoken to people with every course under the sun who never took the first step.

Guess which ones made progress.

The biggest thing a mentor can give you isn't a business idea.

It's perspective.

Sometimes one conversation can save you six months of heading in the wrong direction.

And here's something I've learnt.

The best mentoring relationships aren't one way.

Every person I've mentored has taught me something too.

So if you're feeling stuck, don't wait until you're "ready."

Reach out.

Ask the question.

Start the conversation.

One honest chat can change the direction of your life.

Who's the person that gave you advice at exactly the right time? Or if you're still looking for that person, what's stopping you from asking?

They gave me their time

One conversation

One hard truth

One question that made me see things differently

Looking back every big step in my life started because someone took 30 minutes out of their day for me

Now I get to do the same

Every week I jump on calls with people from all over the world

Some are starting their first business

Some are trying to get their first job

Some just feel stuck and need someone to believe in them for a little while

I don't have all the answers

But I've made enough mistakes to help someone avoid a few of them

If you're further down the track than someone else don't underestimate what you can give back

Your experience might be exactly what someone else needs to hear today

And if you're the one feeling stuck don't be afraid to ask for help

One conversation really can change everything

Sometimes the mentor learns more than the mentee

A few weeks ago I offered to mentor a few people.

I thought I'd be the one doing most of the talking.

I was wrong.

I've spoken to people from all over the world.

A software developer in Canada.

A founder in India.

Someone trying to land their first job.

Someone building their first business.

Someone who'd almost given up.

Every conversation has taught me something.

It's reminded me that we're all trying to solve the same problems. We just happen to be at different stages.

If you're looking for someone who has all the answers, I'm probably not your guy.

If you're looking for someone who's built businesses, made plenty of mistakes, and is happy to give you an honest opinion over a coffee or a Discord call, I'd love to chat.

No sales pitch.

No coaching program.

No hidden agenda.

Just two people trying to get a little better.

If that sounds like something you'd find valuable, leave a comment or send me a message. I always enjoy meeting good people.

Hey everyone

I'm Dave. I'm 43 and live in the Illawarra.

I've built multiple seven figure businesses over the years and these days I'm obsessed with building businesses, AI, systems and solving problems. If I'm not working I'm usually thinking about the next idea.

The problem is my close mates aren't really into business. They're great blokes, but they don't get excited talking about marketing, automation, startups, investments or how to build something from scratch.

I'm looking to meet a few like minded people around Wollongong. Not to sell anything or pitch some get rich quick scheme. Just genuine people who are ambitious, enjoy building things and maybe want to work on something together if the right opportunity comes along.

I've got experience scaling businesses, sales, operations, marketing and AI automation, and I'm always happy to help where I can.

If you're the sort of person who wakes up with business ideas at 3am or you're building something and want someone to bounce ideas off, send me a message.

Would be good to build a local network of people who push each other instead of making fun of ambition.

One Business One Winner One Month To Change Everything

Most people don't need another course

They need someone to believe in them and help them execute

So here's what I'm doing

If you've got a business idea but don't know where to start submit it to me with a simple business plan

I'll choose one winner

If you're selected you'll get

✅ A professionally built vibe coded website FREE

✅ Your domain name paid for FREE for 12 months

✅ A one on one strategy and mentoring session with me

✅ $50 towards your first ad campaign

✅ Access to my network where I can introduce you to people who may help you grow

But here's the deal

You have to let me document the entire journey

Every win every mistake every lesson every number

We'll build your business in public from idea to first customers

This isn't about creating another success story

It's about proving that ordinary people can build extraordinary businesses when they're given the right support

If you've been sitting on an idea this is your chance

Post your business idea and a simple business plan below

You have nothing to lose and a business to gain.

My23evo lambo or f8 ferarri tribute?

​

I enjoy the wins in life but they don't compare to helping someone else get one.

If you're feeling stuck with business career leadership or just need someone to bounce ideas off I'm happy to give up an hour of my time.

No course no sales pitch no hidden agenda.

I've built businesses made plenty of mistakes and learnt a lot the hard way. If I can save you a few years of trial and error then that's a good day for me.

Drop a comment or send me a message. If I can help I will. If I don't know the answer I'll tell you that too.

It feels genuine, invites conversation, and avoids sounding like you're promoting something. Currently looking for a reason to leave the casino which is hard when they keep dropping bangers. Haven't gambled a cent. Up in goldie plans are to not gamble tonight which was budgeted for and hire a lambo for the day while we're enjoying our holiday

Its 230am and Im sitting in the Marriott with a coffee in one hand and a cold beer in the other while the cleaners quietly do their thing

These quiet hours have become some of my favourite moments They remind me how far life can change if you just keep showing up day after day

Im grateful for where Im at but I havent forgotten what it felt like to be stuck confused and trying to work it all out on my own

So Ive got time for one more person tonight

If youre starting a business trying to grow one or just need someone to bounce ideas off Im happy to give you 30 minutes No catch no sales pitch Just an honest conversation and hopefully I can save you a few mistakes that took me years to learn

Send me a message if you think it would help

Built multiple 7 figure businesses Now building another one from scratch

Got half an hour free if anyone wants to jump on a call

Happy to help if you're stuck with sales marketing systems hiring mindset or just need someone to bounce ideas off

No catch No course Nothing to sell

Just real lessons from building businesses making mistakes losing money winning big and starting over

Sometimes one conversation is all it takes to save you months of going down the wrong path

Drop a comment or send me a DM and if I've got time today we'll jump on a call

Need a hand growing your business

Got a bit of spare time this weekend and can jump on a call or two

Happy to help if you're stuck with sales marketing systems hiring pricing or just need someone to bounce ideas off

No catch no sales pitch Ive been lucky enough to build a few businesses and had some great mentors along the way This is just my way of giving something back

If you think a chat would help flick me a message and we'll line something up

wanted to know if i could build a business from zero for under $50 without using a single contact from my network

So i tested it

Registered the business name

Built a website

Set up a Facebook page

made an ai video

Then picked up the phone

Today i made 30 cold calls

I got absolutely fucking smashed

Not one meeting

Not one lead

Maybe its because its the weekend here in Australia

Maybe im calling the wrong people

Maybe my list is rubbish

I dont know yet

But this is what starting from zero actually looks like

Even if youve built businesses before you still get punched in the face sometimes

Tomorrow ill make another 50 calls

Ill change what isnt working

And ill keep posting the wins and the losses

For those of you who have started a service business from scratch where did your first customers