Guest: Donna Gesundheit, EO Melbourne Member since 2010, CEO/Creative Director of Blue Illusion
Host: Linh Podetti, EO Sydney Member and Owner of Outsourcing Angel

In this powerful and heartfelt conversation, Donna Gusundheit, CEO and Creative Director of Blue Illusion, shares her extraordinary 25-year journey building one of Australia’s most loved French-inspired fashion brands.

With 90 boutiques, a global following, and a mission rooted in community and compassion, Blue Illusion stands as a testament to Donna’s creative vision and leadership. But behind the success lies a deeply personal story of resilience and reinvention.

Donna opens up about:
- How she and her late husband Danny built Blue Illusion from a small family operation
- The transition from Australian manufacturing to overseas production
- Staying relevant in a changing retail landscape
- Navigating unimaginable loss when her husband passed away
- Leading a company of 500 employees through grief, business challenges, and transformation
- The next chapter as her children join the business
- Her 18+ year journey in EO and the global community that supported her
- This episode is full of wisdom for entrepreneurs about leadership, legacy, resilience, and building businesses with heart.

ABOUT DONNA

Donna Gesundheit is a passionate Francophile and the visionary CEO and Creative Director of Blue Illusion, a French-inspired boutique fashion brand. Over the past 25 years, she has grown the business into 90 stores, known for its elegant designs, curated lifestyle offerings, and signature French charm.

Donna’s leadership goes beyond fashion, Blue Illusion sponsors 120 World Vision children and supports numerous charities focused on women’s health, sustainability, and child well-being. Deeply inspired by the confidence and style of women, Donna continues to innovate while honouring the community at the heart of her brand.

CONNECT WITH DONNA:

Website: www.blueillusion.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blue-illusion
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blue.illusion

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ABOUT EO

Entrepreneur's Organization (EO) is a global business network of 18,000 + influential business owners in over 220 chapters across 76 countries. We offer world-class events that encompass engaging entrepreneur and business stories, skills-specific workshops, and exciting social gatherings.

Our mission is to drive both business and personal growth through peer-to-peer learning, providing support for the holistic entrepreneur experience covering business, family, community, and personal aspects. As a not-for-profit organization, all our funds directly contribute to member benefits.

If you're a business owner with revenues ranging from US$250k to US$1m, you can join our Accelerator Program. If your revenues exceed US$1m, you can join the main EO Program in your nearest local chapter. To join or find out more about your nearest chapter, visit https://www.eonetwork.org/why-join/apply-for-membership-form.

For further information, please contact:
Podcast Host Linh Podetti: linh@outsourcingangel.com.au
General Inquiries: support@eonetwork.org.au
EO Sydney: www.eosydney.com.au
EO Global: https://hub.eonetwork.org/

Guest: Dave Hajdu, Founder of Edge8 AI, Founder of the AI Officer Institute, Serial Entrepreneur, Founding Member of EO Vietnam since 2012, and Area Director for EO Southeast Asia

Host: Linh Podetti, EO Sydney Member and Owner of Outsourcing Angel

In this episode, Dave Hajdu shares his remarkable 25+ year journey in technology, entrepreneurship, and leadership. From his early career at Microsoft during the rise of machine learning to building and exiting a Silicon Valley–backed startup, Dave’s experience spans the full evolution of modern tech. He has worked with fast-scaling startups like Stitch Fix and global enterprises such as Sands Casino in Macau. Today, Dave leads Edge8 AI and the AI Officer Institute, where he is training the next generation of AI leaders.

Dave reveals why 95% of AI programs fail, a statistic backed by MIT, and explains the two biggest reasons behind this failure:

1️⃣ Poor data organisation and lack of systems

2️⃣ Lack of proper leadership guiding AI integration

He also shares how he pivoted his business three months ago to launch the AI Officer Institute, a solution built to equip companies with the internal AI leadership they desperately need. As the founder of the EO Vietnam chapter and now an Area Director for EO Southeast Asia, Dave also opens up about his leadership journey, the power of EO, and how building community has shaped his life and career. Whether you're implementing AI, leading a growing team, or navigating entrepreneurship, this episode offers clarity, depth, and actionable wisdom.

ABOUT DAVE HAJDU

Dave Hajdu brings 25+ years of experience in business transformation, starting from the early days of machine learning and database design. His career began at Microsoft in the 90s and spans hyper-growth startups like Stitch Fix and global brands like Sands Casino Macau. He’s founded and exited companies, including Vinasource and TINYpulse, and now leads Edge8 AI and the AI Officer Institute to develop future AI leaders. Dave also founded EO Vietnam in 2016 and now serves as Area Director for Southeast Asia, supporting EO Presidents in growing stronger chapters and communities.

CONNECT WITH DAVE:

Website: www.ai-officer.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davehajdu/

Company: https://www.instagram.com/dhajdu/

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ABOUT EO

Entrepreneur's Organization (EO) is a global business network of 18,000 + influential business owners in over 220 chapters across 76 countries. We offer world-class events that encompass engaging entrepreneur and business stories, skills-specific workshops, and exciting social gatherings.

Our mission is to drive both business and personal growth through peer-to-peer learning, providing support for the holistic entrepreneur experience covering business, family, community, and personal aspects. As a not-for-profit organization, all our funds directly contribute to member benefits.

If you're a business owner with revenues ranging from US$250k to US$1m, you can join our Accelerator Program. If your revenues exceed US$1m, you can join the main EO Program in your nearest local chapter. To join or find out more about your nearest chapter, visit https://www.eonetwork.org/why-join/apply-for-membership-form.

For further information, please contact:
Podcast Host Linh Podetti: linh@outsourcingangel.com.au
General Inquiries: support@eonetwork.org.au
EO Sydney: www.eosydney.com.au
EO Global: https://hub.eonetwork.org/

Guest: Liza Roeser, Founder and CEO of FiftyFlowers, EO Idaho Member since 2016
Host: Linh Podetti, EO Sydney member and founder of Outsourcing Angel.

Liza’s journey is as inspiring as it is unexpected.

From joining the Peace Corps in Ecuador to building a multi-million dollar e-commerce flower business, Lisa shares how curiosity, courage, and compassion led her to found FiftyFlowers, a company delivering fresh blooms from farms straight to customers’ doors.

In this episode, Liza opens up about:
- Falling into entrepreneurship by accident
- Building a global business across the U.S. and Ecuador
- Managing cultural and operational challenges
- Hiring slow, firing fast, and finding the right people
- Creating meaningful social impact for women in developing countries

ABOUT LIZA ROESER
Liza Roeser is the founder and CEO of FiftyFlowers, one of the largest online wholesale flower retailers in the world. What began as a post-Peace Corps adventure turned into a thriving global enterprise connecting farms in South America with consumers worldwide. Liza is passionate about empowering women, leading with purpose, and creating businesses that make a difference.

CONNECT WITH LIZA ROESER
Website: www.fiftyflowers.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liza-roeser/
Instagram: @theflowerceo

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ABOUT EO

Entrepreneur's Organization (EO) is a global business network of 18,000 + influential business owners in over 220 chapters across 76 countries. We offer world-class events that encompass engaging entrepreneur and business stories, skills-specific workshops, and exciting social gatherings.

Our mission is to drive both business and personal growth through peer-to-peer learning, providing support for the holistic entrepreneur experience covering business, family, community, and personal aspects. As a not-for-profit organization, all our funds directly contribute to member benefits.

If you're a business owner with revenues ranging from US$250k to US$1m, you can join our Accelerator Program. If your revenues exceed US$1m, you can join the main EO Program in your nearest local chapter. To join or find out more about your nearest chapter, visit https://www.eonetwork.org/why-join/apply-for-membership-form.

For further information, please contact:
Podcast Host Linh Podetti: linh@outsourcingangel.com.au
General Inquiries: support@eonetwork.org.au
EO Sydney: www.eosydney.com.au
EO Global: https://hub.eonetwork.org/