• Hospitality Horror Stories
    Apr 7 2025

    In this episode of Besties & Bubbles, Mel and Audrey share some of the wildest and most unbelievable tales from their careers. From spilled soup on a baby to mishaps with university presidents, forgotten weddings, and even haunted hotels, this episode is packed with hilarious, horrifying, and heartwarming stories. Tune in for honest conversations, lots of laughs, and practical advice, all while gaining a deeper appreciation for the chaotic yet captivating world of hospitality.

    (00:42) Kicking Off with Hospitality Horror Stories

    (01:21) Soup Disaster: A Baby's Nightmare

    (02:59) Red Wine Catastrophe

    (04:43) Wedding Day Mix-Up

    (06:33) Dealing with Difficult Customers

    (08:31) Internal Team Conflicts

    (13:58) Shocking Room Service Encounter

    (16:15) Reporting an Incident

    (17:16) Haunted Hotel Stories

    (19:16) Dealing with Unruly Guests

    (22:52) Wedding and Event Mishaps

    (25:23) Handling Complaints and Cover-Ups

    Thanks for listening.

    Follow us on Instagram

    For more information on Davies St. Food Co. or to get yourself some delicious gluten-free chow, head to - daviesstfoodco.com.au

    Or to boost your hospitality business with effective sales, marketing strategies, coaching, and leveraging powerful networks head-to- - www.innspire.au

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    29 mins
  • The Power of Collaboration with Nicole Marie
    Mar 14 2025

    In this episode of 'Besties & Bubbles,' Audrey and Mel introduce their first guest, Nicole Marie, an accredited practicing dietitian specialising in celiac disease and gluten-free living. They discuss their exciting new collaboration, the Gluten-Free Living Workshop, an in-person event designed to bust myths around gluten-free diets while providing practical cooking demonstrations and expert advice. Nicole shares her journey into dietetics and the importance of specialised care, while the trio explores the business benefits of collaboration and networking. Tune in to learn about their plans for creating a supportive, informative community for gluten-free living.

    (00:40) Introducing Nicole Marie

    (01:15) Nicole's Journey as a Dietitian

    (02:24) Challenges in Dietetics

    (03:10) The Importance of Specialization

    (04:05) Networking and Collaboration

    (11:06) Gluten-Free Living Workshop

    (15:57) Power of Collaboration

    (24:01) The Importance of Networking

    (24:21) Overcoming Networking Fears

    (25:06) Understanding Collaborations

    (26:15) Defining Successful Collaborations

    (28:26) Big Picture Collaborations

    (30:20) Vision for the Future

    (39:34) Workshop Goals and Myths

    (44:17) Creating a Supportive Community

    Thanks for listening.

    Follow us on Instagram

    For more information on Davies St. Food Co. or to get yourself some delicious gluten-free chow, head to - daviesstfoodco.com.au

    Or to boost your hospitality business with effective sales, marketing strategies, coaching, and leveraging powerful networks head-to- - www.innspire.au

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    46 mins
  • The Future of Hospitality
    Mar 6 2025

    In this episode of Besties & Bubbles, Mel and Audrey discuss the impact of automation and AI tools on customer service, the decline in face-to-face interactions, and the importance of maintaining human connections in an increasingly automated world. They share their experiences, observations, and actionable tips for hospitality businesses to enhance service standards and meet customer expectations. Listen for practical advice, honest conversations, and plenty of laughs, all while celebrating the art of hospitality.

    (00:55) The Impact of Automation on Hospitality

    (02:21) The Decline of Customer Service

    (03:32) Balancing Technology and Human Interaction

    (07:26) Customer Expectations in Modern Hospitality

    (11:57) Reviving the Art of Service

    (15:36) Challenges in Hospitality Training

    (22:49) The Importance of Customer Experience

    (36:10) Finding the Balance: Technology and Human Connection

    Thanks for listening.

    Follow us on Instagram

    For more information on Davies St. Food Co. or to get yourself some delicious gluten-free chow, head to - daviesstfoodco.com.au

    Or to boost your hospitality business with effective sales, marketing strategies, coaching, and leveraging powerful networks head-to- - www.innspire.au

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    37 mins
  • The Grind
    Dec 12 2024

    In this episode of Besties, Bubbles, and Biz, Mel and Audrey explore the daily grind of owning and operating a business in the hospitality industry. They talk about the nonstop demands, the pressures of running a café, managing staff, and the personal challenges like burnout and finding a balance between work and personal life. Special guest Hayden, our amazing producer from Posterboy Media, joins in to share his experiences and insights into navigating the challenges of small business ownership while staying motivated. Tune in for an honest look at the highs and lows of business life.


    (00:27) Real Talk: The Grind of Business Ownership

    (02:19) Balancing Business and Personal Life

    (05:05) The Challenges of Being a Sole Trader

    (09:31) Strategizing for the Future

    (12:54) Special Guest: Hayden from Posterboy Media

    (14:46) The Realities of Running a Business

    (30:09) Delegating Tasks to Reduce Stress

    (30:54) The Challenges of Meal Packing

    (31:31) Recognising Burnout in Hospitality

    (33:28) Coping Mechanisms for Burnout

    (35:37) The Rollercoaster of Hospitality

    (39:36) Finding Joy and Support in Hobbies

    (41:05) The Passion for Hospitality

    (42:21) Balancing Work and Personal Life

    (51:53) Consistency and Customer Expectations

    Thanks for listening.

    Follow us on Instagram

    For more information on Davies St. Food Co. or to get yourself some delicious gluten-free chow, head to - daviesstfoodco.com.au

    Or to boost your hospitality business with effective sales, marketing strategies, coaching, and leveraging powerful networks head-to- - www.innspire.au

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    55 mins
  • Entrepreneurship
    Nov 28 2024

    In today's ep, we talk about our journey into entrepreneurship, examining the challenges and rewards we face. We reflect on our entrepreneurial spirit from childhood and distinguish between entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship. Not to mention creativity, independence, and dealing with uncertainty, emphasising the importance of spotting opportunities and making an impact. We want everyone to embrace the journey of creating something meaningful. Working in hospitality is actually pretty fun!

    (00:14) Defining Entrepreneurship

    (01:31) The Entrepreneurial Mindset

    (02:27) Intrapreneurship Explained

    (03:25) Challenges of Entrepreneurship

    (04:57) Personal Journeys and Experiences

    (11:43) Balancing Personal and Professional Life

    (12:45) The Importance of Alignment and Impact

    (17:30) Early Signs of Entrepreneurship

    (19:27) Growth and Reflection

    Thanks for listening.

    Follow us on Instagram

    For more information on Davies St. Food Co. or to get yourself some delicious gluten-free chow, head to - daviesstfoodco.com.au

    Or to boost your hospitality business with effective sales, marketing strategies, coaching, and leveraging powerful networks head-to- - www.innspire.au

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    24 mins
  • Our Mission
    Nov 14 2024

    In the second episode of 'Besties, Bubbles, and Biz,' Mel and Audrey discuss the creation of their podcast and the driving force behind it: a mission to empower small business owners in the hospitality sector with actionable advice and practical insights. They discuss what topics will come up in future episodes, including menu pricing, waste management, collaboration, staffing, sales, marketing, and building a strong team culture. Mel and Audrey will create a fun and welcoming atmosphere each week, featuring guest speakers to provide enriched content. All this, with the backdrop of their shared passion and long-time friendship.

    (00:39) How It All Began

    (01:30) Our Mission and What We Offer

    (02:05) Naming the Podcast: Besties, Bubbles, and Biz

    (02:47) Why We Love Podcasts

    (04:16) Filling the Gap in the Market

    (05:33) Real Talk: Business Tips and Lessons

    (06:31) Our Passion for Helping Small Businesses

    (07:49) Topics We Will Cover

    (12:46) Guest Speakers and Future Episodes

    Thanks for listening.

    Follow us on Instagram

    For more information on Davies St. Food Co. or to get yourself some delicious gluten-free chow, head to - daviesstfoodco.com.au

    Or to boost your hospitality business with effective sales, marketing strategies, coaching, and leveraging powerful networks head-to- - www.innspire.au

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    17 mins
  • Content Marketing 101
    Oct 31 2024

    In this episode of 'Besties Bubbles and Biz,' Mel and Audrey share actionable marketing tips for small business owners. They discuss the importance of social media and email marketing strategies, including planning content, utilising user-generated content, and engaging with followers - highlighting practical steps to create effective posts, leverage various social media platforms, and implement email marketing campaigns.
    Whether you’re a small cafe or a retailer, these actionable steps will help you grow your business.00:38 The Power of Social Media for Small Businesses

    (02:45) Creating Effective Social Media Strategies

    (06:31) Engaging with Your Audience

    (10:28) Planning and Executing Marketing Campaigns

    (15:15) The Importance of Consistency and Quality

    (18:08) Utilizing Reels and Stories

    (19:04) Understanding Your Social Media Metrics

    (19:18) Integrating Platforms for Seamless Posting

    (19:40) The Power of Video Content

    (19:58) Overcoming Camera Shyness

    (20:41) Effective Call to Actions

    (21:13) Creating Engaging Reels

    (22:41) Leveraging User-Generated Content

    (23:51) The Importance of Email Marketing

    (27:13) Utilising Tools and Resources

    (31:08) Planning and Content Strategy

    Thanks for listening.

    Follow us on Instagram

    For more information on Davies St. Food Co. or to get yourself some delicious gluten-free chow, head to - daviesstfoodco.com.au

    Or to boost your hospitality business with effective sales, marketing strategies, coaching, and leveraging powerful networks head-to- - www.innspire.au

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    35 mins
  • Trusting Your Gut with Niche Markets
    Oct 17 2024

    In this episode of 'Besties Bubbles and Biz,' Mel and Audrey discuss building a niche business. Audrey shares how she started with Gut Tribe Kitchen, trusting her instincts and eventually growing the business. They discuss the decision to become Celiac Australia accredited to gain trust, expansion strategies, challenges faced, and the importance of customer feedback and market adaptation. Audrey and Mel also discuss the benefits of staying true to their niche and the potential for other businesses to cater to specialised markets effectively.

    (00:32) Starting a Niche Business: Davies Street Food Co.

    (01:03) Market Research and Initial Growth

    (03:27) Collaboration and Accreditation

    (04:59) Customer Engagement and Menu Development

    (06:31) Operational Challenges and Innovations

    (09:43) Rebranding and Customer Loyalty

    (13:34) Marketing and Expanding the Niche

    (21:50) Perceptions and Challenges of Gluten-Free Food

    Thanks for listening.

    Follow us on Instagram

    For more information on Davies St. Food Co. or to get yourself some delicious gluten-free chow, head to - daviesstfoodco.com.au

    Or to boost your hospitality business with effective sales, marketing strategies, coaching, and leveraging powerful networks head-to- - www.innspire.au

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    26 mins