Naked at the Top

Why Most Business Owners Fail at Mindset | Alex SY

• Aleyx Ward • Season 1 • Episode 8

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Mindset is the single biggest factor in whether your business thrives or collapses - yet it is also the part most entrepreneurs get wrong.

In this Naked at the Top episode, Alex Sy joins us to unpack why mindset is the root of business success. He shares his journey from hitting rock bottom to mentoring others, and why many owners sabotage themselves with fake goals, poor retention strategies, and a short-term obsession with cutting costs.

We dive into what truly drives sustainable growth: understanding customers, building resilience, and recognising when closing a business is actually the smartest move. Alex also reveals how mentorship shaped his path, and the hard truths leaders need to face if they want to keep growing.

If you have ever wondered why your business feels stuck despite all the effort, this episode will challenge your assumptions and give you practical ways to rethink your strategy.

Hit subscribe for more real, unfiltered business lessons - no fluff, no ego.

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Aleyx:

​Hi, Alex. How are you? Welcome to Naked At the Top.

Alex Sy:

yes. Thank you so much for me to be part of your podcast, Alex. It's really great too. Alex is a really great synergy, isn't it?

Aleyx:

I know, it's great. Well, you don't have the why in, and the why in your name. So, so could you just start by just, just introducing yourself. What do you do in the company that you run

Alex Sy:

Yeah. So my name is Alex C. So I run a company called Atlas Business Consulting and Mentoring Services. So we do a lot of mentoring for small, medium, and micro businesses around Melbourne and some parts in Australia. So I have clients in Sydney, Queensland, and also in Adelaide. So I love what I'm doing. So I've started this in February, March of 2020. Right? The start of COVID

Aleyx:

It's a great time.

Alex Sy:

it. Absolutely, absolutely. You know what? For COVID, for what it is, it presented a lot of opportunities to a lot of people. one of those opportunities I grabbed this is where I am today, so I, I love what I'm doing. I'm passionate in what I'm doing.

Aleyx:

I am curious, Alex, how did it start, at that, particular time of COVID, what was the spark to, to make it start at that particular moment in time?

Alex Sy:

Yeah, it, it's really funny, um, because at the start of COVID,'cause I, I used to work for a company that we distribute, uh, high end meat to a lot of restaurants. So COVID hit, um, I was outta work.'cause restaurant industry closed down so. went into my LinkedIn and said, listen, uh, hi everyone. Thank you so much. I'm leaving this company. Thank you for all your friendship and connections, et cetera. Then long behold, um, someone within my LinkedIn connection reached out to me and said, Hey, Alex, um, I'd love to connect with you. Um, I have a problem with my company, with my business. Can you help me? I can't afford to pay you full time, I'm happy to discuss hourly rate. that was my light bulb moment. I did have another job to go to, but I said, okay, I'm, I'm gonna give this a try. So I went to see her, we had a discussion, and she engaged my services and that was my very light bulb moment to say I I love this. I want to go into, um, mentoring and Baker because Ive. got Over 40 years of experience I had, I did run my some businesses in the past as well, I know the pain points of being a business owner and I know what the challenges they go through. So I'm gonna share that skills and knowledge somebody out there that can help them personally grow as well. So I think, think it was, it's the right moment because I believe that I can make positive change and impact to small business owners. So I did. this day, she's still my number one customer.

Aleyx:

Fantastic. Yeah, I was gonna, I was gonna ask, how is she today and are you still speaking with her? So you still work with her today?

Alex Sy:

Yeah, I do. And I, and I call into her office once a week. So I spend a whole day in the office. It's like a pseudo, um, um, advisor in, in a way for her. So I do sort of mentoring and from time to time, she rings me up for, for advice. a week. I'm, I'm at their office. So it's great. It's, it's, it's not just a client anymore. It's more like developing to a great friendship in that way helping her pivot her business through COVID and pivot the way they do things to, for growth. And last year, for the first time we posted a profit result. So, which is really good,

Aleyx:

Fantastic.

Alex Sy:

It's, um, it's kind of sometimes as a business owner, too overwhelmed in your day-to-day tasks and I just need somebody to come in to say, Hey, listen, have you tried doing this, doing that, some education about to read your financial statements? never before, they did not know how to read p and l. So, and I said, Hey listen, these are the numbers you gotta watch out for this is where we're, we're tracking the last five years and this is where we need to be. So the, the strategy behind that was where we need to be, right? So we've learned the lessons in the past where we need to be is, is more strategic. So, and we did that and they, they remain focused and they, their product range is now is so to To be more premium quality products that they distribute. it's really great because the clientele that they have now, it's, a, it's a great clientele. So we've really pivoted the business from what it was to what it is now and what what's going to be. So, yeah, I'm, I'm, I'm just so happy the way their mindset changed their whole attitude about their business changed as well.

Aleyx:

And how do you,'cause it often does take that, sometimes just that outsider's perspective to help you see, especially when you're in the day-to-day of it in the weeds, it can be hard to see. How do you think you, you help them with that mindset approach? Because, as we all know, working in business, a lot of it is mindset, right?

Alex Sy:

It is, and mind is about everything because I went through the, a similar situation where I had my business and back then, that was back in 20 2005 when I started my own, um, my own grocery store. And back then there was no minds, there was no support for mental health beyond Blue. Didn't that exist at that time as well? So I managed to navigate my way through about. You know, starting pains, growth pains, challenges within business, financial juggling, and so forth. I share that with my clients and I share that, um, those pain points to say I, I got through it in, in a way. With this particular first client I had, it's just that positive mindset because there's a, a financial, there's a financial goal that we need to reach to. need to have a, a strategic direction of the business and how are we going to get there as well? And, and doing a strategic plan, it needs to be more realistic so they can see the outcome, they can see where they're heading. that changes a lot of perspective to say, oh, this, this wasn't explained to us before. Or, you know, we never had this before. This is great. And you know, because sometimes too, when people do budgets and financial goals, sometimes they pluck a number from the sky to say, we need to be that. Then most of the time they're not achievable. So I'd rather be more realistic in a way. Okay. For the growth, we need to have a 50% growth. than last year, but it's a, it's a growth slow. Slowly. Slowly so they can see they're actually making an impact with the, with its for the growth in itself and not just financial growth or sales growth. They're looking at team within Aswin. Do you have the right. People, do you have the right team? Do you have the right leadership the organization that helps you achieve your strategic goals as well? So we did a, a lot of that, um, back five years ago. You know, so, and, and the, the rewards slow slowly try slowly getting through. Now, terms of about having the first. Net trading profit last year, we're heading in the right direction this year as well. So that changes a lot of things. That changes their mindset to say, yes, we can do this together. we've got the right people, we've got the right team, we have the right customers. Uh, it's about customer relationship as well. Customer engagement, never had A never had a. Customer retention strategy before as well,

Aleyx:

A lot of businesses don't,

Alex Sy:

Yeah.

Aleyx:

a lot of businesses, I find, well, from a marketing perspective, focus on, customer acquisition. Right? And that's, well, it's, so much more expensive, the customer acquisition, and so many don't focus on the customer retention. It's almost like, well, we've got the customer now, and it's like, well. We should be focusing on keeping that customer as well.

Alex Sy:

That's, that's right. And, and to do that, it's all about relationship. Right? And at what else can we, can we guide them in their, in their basket, in the shopping basket? You know, these are your low hanging fruits, right? and sometimes too, a lot of customers talk to their own network as well. So it's about developing that relationship. How, Hey, listen, do you know anyone else within your business that can, that we can help? You know, with our services as well said, oh yeah, down the road, he needs some help. He needs your, he needs your products. it's about referral as well, you

Aleyx:

Yes.

Alex Sy:

those are the, those are the, I guess those are the little tangible strategies we put together order for this company to grow and pivot the way through.

Aleyx:

And I like the fact that you, mentioned, it is been five years because often, and I'm putting myself in this bucket, we wanna be there like yesterday and we always, underestimate how long things will take. So

Alex Sy:

Yeah.

Aleyx:

really good for the listeners to be able to hear, that's over a five year period. It doesn't happen overnight. And when you were talking about the, financials first. The listeners that maybe aren't sure where they would even start, like what, would your advice be in terms of setting those, realistic goals? What do they need to be looking for?

Alex Sy:

So you are looking at your. First of all, your, your financial numbers, right? So your, your profitability of the business, you know, so at the moment you're, you are sort of break even, you are, you're going for a loss or a, or a, a minimal net profit, you need to say, okay, is my business and these are the overheads that, that I have that, and that can't be changed, you know? So yes, we can review the expenses, uh, the business goes through we can. We can review some of those items and so forth. But in terms of about sales, where do we need to be? Because of sometimes too, when, when businesses trying to grow, the first thing they do is cut expenses, cut wages, cut staff, right? And, and often sometimes too, they'll let go of good staff as well. You know, so, and, and when you look at it, okay, so let, let's get the other end. Let's look at from a sales perspective. What other market that we can tap into, what other areas that we can delve into? What are the low hanging fruits? You know, what is a customer referral, scheme like, you know, to, you know, for customers to refer our, our services or, and to their, to their friends as well. You know, things like that. To build the revenue side of things and for the business owners. I've gotta know your numbers and, and to do that, you know, sometimes to a lot of accountants. I'm not being so proactive and I have a lot of horror stories from my, from my clients coming to me and said, oh, you know a good accountant? Right. Most of the time.'cause sometimes through changing accountants, it's not easy to do. You gotta build relationship and trust from that. Right? So first thing I ask is go, what relationship do you have with your accountants? Are they being proactive? Do they just ring up? In August of the following year to say, Hey, listen, you've got a tax bill of a hundred thousand dollars. A good accountant around May, April, or May should be coming to you and said, we wanna do a tax planning

Aleyx:

Mm-hmm.

Alex Sy:

Right. We want to do some financial forecasting That's being proactive and looking at, because they, they know intimately your financials. They should be coaching you. They should be telling you, Hey, listen, you're, you are going in the wrong direction. We should be improving a lot of things as well. So, those are the little things that. What accountants should be doing. Alright. there's some great accountants out there who are so proactive, they want to help you grow from that perspective. So, from a business owner, it's all about key learnings. one of those key learnings is the accounts to ability to translate the financials with you as well. Most accountants don't. Some do. And so those are the little fundamental things that business owners should be aware. Am I getting good value for my accountants? Are they giving me the right advice? Are they giving me. The right education, you know, because some, yeah, some business owners know the numbers, but they dunno. Do, do they know how to translate those numbers, you know, in my balance sheet, you know, am I, am I traveling in a good financial position in my balance sheet? What is my ratios in my balance sheet as well?

Aleyx:

yeah,

Alex Sy:

Am I, am I liquid enough? You know, so things like that. Good accountants can really help. Fortunately enough, I've got an accounting degree. I'm not a CPA accountant'cause that's, that wasn't my intention, at least I can read financial statements and able to translate and interpret them.

Aleyx:

Yes. Yeah,

Alex Sy:

so as a business mentor, um, it's important because when you're trying to look at a business, it all starts with the numbers,

Aleyx:

it does indeed. Yeah.

Alex Sy:

Yeah. So. It, and now it's a good time because 30th of June, 2025, that's the end of your financial year. And you say to yourself, okay, where did I end up with and where should I be heading to? by now, she should have a, a good financial budget for this new financial year.

Aleyx:

Yeah.

Alex Sy:

for that you should be building your strategic goals to say. I want to increase revenue by per X percentage so that I can have a better return on investments from that. So that's really fun doing it, putting together strategic goals because it involves a lot of, a lot of dynamics within the business as well. if you, if you have a great team you and you say yourself, are my great team leaders that can help me achieve the financial growth of the business?

Aleyx:

Yes. Yeah, solid advice. It's great that you've got that accounting degree, so you can help with those numbers as well.

Alex Sy:

Yeah.

Aleyx:

I would love to, know a little bit more about, about you, Alex.

Alex Sy:

Oh, okay. Yeah, sure.

Aleyx:

so in terms of, your obviously run, Lots of businesses and you mentor lots of businesses. Has leadership always been something that you were drawn to from a young age? can you take us, back to young Alex.

Alex Sy:

Yeah. Um, actually I have, I have, and I always say to myself that leaders are born. And I, it's a great question because when I did my MBA in 2017, my final thesis was about leadership I had to write myself, you know, so, the transition, uh, transition to be an effective leader. So at the age of 10, 12 years old, I was in the, I was, I came from the Philippines myself. I was in the Boy Scouts and back then I was the squad leader at 11 years old. Okay, so as a squad leader, oh, okay, so that means I am commanding troops of 15 other boy scouts, right? And I said, oh, wow, this is, this is a, this is great. So I guess that's where it stemmed from that. I came to Australia and, and arrive in Australia in 1976. So I went to University High school in Parkville.'cause when we arrive as a young adult, we live in North Melbourne and we were in the zone of University High. So, you know, so that's where I did my high school years and in my final year I was to school. Captain, I represented the students in the, in the school council. So that was really a great, um, I guess testament of the relationship I built with the student, the student community in that school to be, to be elected as the student resident council. And from then I also had, um. In the sporting field. So I was great in basketball and volleyball, so I was a school captain in basketball and, and, and volleyball

Aleyx:

Oh wow.

Alex Sy:

well.

Aleyx:

Yeah.

Alex Sy:

And I was a co-captain in swimming as well, in that, in that school. I guess, I guess going back to your question, it's leadership's always been inherent in me, you know, with, within me. Um, and because, um, I can relate to people and lead by example. that, you know, so in my community network as well that I volunteer with, so see myself as a community leader that can help and support and mentor other, uh, community people within, within, within different multicultural groups as well in Melbourne.

Aleyx:

So you've always gravitated towards that, that leadership style. And, given that you were elected by, the students, and then, co-captain in sports, would you, how, important would you say it is, in just being able to connect with people and build those relationships?

Alex Sy:

Yeah, because this leadership, it's, it's all about, taking charge of the situation, you know, in, in that way. And leadership's all about, oh man. Being a bit of empathy within you, and you have to have that character, you need to have that attitude. You need to have that building, that trust relationship that can, can come up to you and, and, and talk to you as well, Because sometimes two leaders can be standoffish, you know, I'm a leader, right? So stay away from me, but no, and, and that's not how I work. Leadership's about being relationship. You know, really? and it's, it's about building that relationship, building that trust, building that integrity. you need to portray yourself as a leader. How do you portray yourself in a community? You know, how do you portray yourself in the student community as well? Right. So, and that's why in my high school years, what led me to become a student rep in a student in the school council, I've done. Um, being a, being a school captain in, in different sports, co captain in different sports as well, and I also help mentor young students coming into to high school. First time year sevens and sometimes too, a new student coming on board. So I volunteered to show them around the school, to show them around people and building that great relationship with the school principal. And vice principal as well. and it's so, it's so great because, um, for the first time in that school we, we formed a basketball team to play outside school hours and we were playing at Albert Park basketball and that was the first time that school ever, the principal sponsored school uniforms the fees so that we can have a team at Albert Park Basketball Stadium.

Aleyx:

Amazing. How did you, so how did you pull that one off? What did you, need to do to get the principal to, to tick that one off?

Alex Sy:

Well, we just say that it would be great, uh, I guess, um, what do you call it? Um, a profile for the school to have something there. And we've got some great, basketball, uh, students that's so keen to, to play. We were in

Aleyx:

D grade,

Alex Sy:

right? So we haven't won a lot of games, but it's the fun of being there, being able to compete and also to represent the, the high school as well. Yeah.

Aleyx:

Yeah.

Alex Sy:

And it was good. It was, uh, a great, I guess it was a great social connection after school hours. So, uh, the game starts at four 30, right? So at Albert Park Stadium. So we did two seasons playing at Albert Park.

Aleyx:

Nice.

Alex Sy:

the, the old, the old Albert Park basketball stadium. Not the new one. The very old one.

Aleyx:

well, I've only been here 10 years, so I'm not privy to that one, I don't think.

Alex Sy:

Yeah, so that used to be the old

Aleyx:

Yeah,

Alex Sy:

courts. There used to be very, you know, so there used to be about 10, 12 basketball courts in that in the old basketball stadium there. So that was back then. So it was really good, because the school got behind it as well, behind it as well, right? A few teachers got behind it as well, and it was a great community spirit. community spirit, could Yeah. uh, involvement from the school community as well.

Aleyx:

Yeah. It brings everyone together. Yeah,

Alex Sy:

Yeah, and it was really good because my very first time representing the student in the school council was, was very overwhelming because, um, you know, you talk about being in a, in a, in the, in a school council and there's, you know, people there with some, so many degrees, you know, and, and, and I had a great mentor and he. He was one of the representatives of the local residents, and his name was Dr. Winson Maki, who became a governor of Victoria. And he was my great mentor. He was telling me the protocols in the, in the council, what goes on, and he sits beside me and, and, and teaching me the, the ropes really. he was such a great mentor to me. He really shaped my, my. Education about how to handle boards or councils, you know, the protocols behind that as well. Yeah,

Aleyx:

What's, some of the advice or, tips that, he gave you that kind of have stayed with you?

Alex Sy:

the ability to listen, don't jump in. Just listen, take notes. Right. And be humble in what you're doing. Right. So. There was one that the school was trying to implement school uniforms and so I went out to the, to the student population to say, do you want school uniforms? So. Dr. Winsor McCarthy guided me through the best way how to approach this issue, and then helped me prepare the submission back to the council to say a lot of of the students doesn't want school uniform. So he helped me prepare that brief and we won.

Aleyx:

Ah,

Alex Sy:

at, at that time did not implement their school uniform policy.

Aleyx:

fantastic. So that was a great example of you listening to, what the students need, and then being able to present that information in such a way that would ultimately get you what you wanted.

Alex Sy:

And, and that build further trust within the students as well to say, yes, we've got somebody there who's actually rep representing us, willing to, to fight for us. Right. yeah, I had a, had a really good eyeopener in my early youth council.

Aleyx:

Yeah, and I think that's really important in business as well. certainly in marketing is actually just listening to your customers and listening to your audience more. And many, businesses don't do it. So then when I speak to them about messaging and I ask them, well, what is it that your ideal clients, your customers really struggle with? Try to tap into more of that emotion and the feeling. And many of them don't know'cause they haven't spent the time to, to listen. So, listening is just so powerful in so many formats, isn't it?

Alex Sy:

sorry. My mentor council was Dr. Davis Maki. Winsor Makaki was her daughter who became the Lord Mayor of Melbourne. Dr. Davis Maki passed away early, 2000. Yeah. Yeah. And um, yeah, like I said, he, he really influenced my life in that way forever. Grateful to him. Yeah. You

Aleyx:

So have you found, you've had, many mentors, throughout your career? Obviously be your mentor yourself, but for, your own trajectory.

Alex Sy:

I did my, my biggest mentor is my dad, who unfortunately passed away in 1994, he was my great greatest mentor from a business perspective. And how can I say? 20 years ago met this guy and um, I'm not sure if you're familiar with Dandenong Road and Warragul Road. Chadstone one of the busiest road in Melbourne. So it was a Friday night, it was raining. I was turning right from Dandenong Road to Water Girl Road. If everyone's familiar, a shell. There's a Shell service station on the corner there as well, right? So there's a car in front of me stalled halfway down the intersection, because it was raining. It was cold. No one got out and helped the gentleman. He was an old guy. So I quickly parked my car at the Shell Service station run, run to the corner of where he is in the middle of this intersection and helped him push the car to shell. we got to shell, I said, listen, just stay inside. You know, he was really shaken up. So he went inside, grabbed him. Uh, I bought. A bottled water and gave it that to him. Settled down. He turns out to be one of the biggest successful businessman in Melbourne. I won't mention the name. he ran about seven, eight businesses. Right. And I said to him, wow. And he mentored me a lot from a business perspective.

Aleyx:

Wow.

Alex Sy:

became more than friends. Right. And unfortunately, he passed away two years ago. He, he was a, a beautiful soul, you know, and the way he treated his business was like, just being family, but a culture of openness, diversity, is who are so results driven. That way, build a culture, build a great team in a way that can advance the business in itself, right? So it's seven business units and basically I reconnected with him, was it when I started my business about five years ago, and actually I did couple of mentorship to his leadership team in two of his companies as well. So the mentee became the mentor,

Aleyx:

Ah,

Alex Sy:

you know, so

Aleyx:

circle moment. What a beautiful example of, just being kind, to others. just if you see someone that, that needs help, go and help them. It's amazing to me how. Often you can see someone that's struggling or needs help and so many people just walk on by and

Alex Sy:

That's

Aleyx:

you, an act of kindness goes a long way. Well look what, and look what happened. You know that friendship that it led to for you?

Alex Sy:

said to me that he rang somebody, someone picked him up, you know, so, and then basically his car was, was towed away. And I said, Alex, uh, let's catch up for lunch. Right? So we, we caught up for lunch a week after. Um, and then basically I never realized we have a, a common interest and that was single malt whiskey. And he's got a very deep Scottish Welsh accent, which I love.

Aleyx:

Oh, has he? Where do, you know where he was from originally?

Alex Sy:

We never got to that because he's been in Australia for such a long time, but it's still, he used to be a farmer, He used to drive tractors, he used to crisscross the country, delivering hay, and, and then from that he built his first business in trucking and went to something else, right? So, we never. never got a chance to talk to where actually he's from, you know? So it's more like his journey in business that I was more intrigued and, and of course a, um, a few bottle of single malt. Later on, I said, Dave, I can say this. Dave. Dave, I can understand you now after a bottle of single malt.

Aleyx:

It is funny. you're speaking to a Scot who doesn't like whiskey and actually no longer drinks, but, it's funny you say that because my husband's English and anytime we'd be out drinking with, Scottish friends, he said every time you would drink, you sound more Scottish. I can't understand you, so I'm surprised you understood your friend.

Alex Sy:

It did, and it was such a lovely guy. He's a, you know, God bless his soul, but and, and he's, he, once again, he was one of the great mentors I had that really shaped my life in terms about how you treat people, how you treat staff, and how you treat your business as well. Yeah.

Aleyx:

again, down to those relationships, it's

Alex Sy:

Relationships

Aleyx:

that's coming out there. What's, what's, obviously you work, across different, businesses and leadership teams. what's a leadership mistake that you see, being made time and time again?

Alex Sy:

Well, particularly, uh, I've seen a lot of business owners that have come across who's, you know, the leader in the business basically,

Aleyx:

them,

Alex Sy:

don't wanna listen. Because they pretend they know everything.

Aleyx:

right?

Alex Sy:

And I always, I always believe that, you know, I, I think, um, Kerry Packer, one of the richest men in Australia, at one stage, he surrounded himself with people who knows more, um, more knowledgeable than him. Right. So know, never shy in asking help from people who knows better than you, right? And surround yourself with people better than you. That's the success to growth, I've always had that in my mind because we don't know everything. And if we surround yourself with people who knows more than you. That can complement your, your knowledge and understanding. Hey, isn't, isn't that great? And a lot of business owners, leaders, people in, in, in high positions, doesn't wanna listen to that. Doesn't want to

Aleyx:

invite

Alex Sy:

um, what do you call it, um, input or, or mentoring to help them grow personally. It's funny, I had a client as well, that part, it was a succession plan, you know, exit strategy. I said, okay, part of the exit strategy, we, we need to build a business up to this level in revenue and we will hire a general manager. So you can slowly exit the business and then set up an advisory board so you can call in once a once a month basically see how things are and let the general manager run the business, right? So, and unfortunately, that general manager didn't work out because one, failed to listen. He failed to get advice because he thinks he knows everything. Right. So the first strategic, um, strategy Yeah, action plan. He, he put together, and it was the directors of the company and, and external accountants sat, sat around the table and, and we said that's not a strategic direction, right? So if a lot of leaders fail to listen and understand or seek help from people better than them, um, they're sure to fail. Right. So, and that's why I was encouraged, you know, from people that I mentor to say, are you, are you coachable in a way? Are you willing to listen? Are you willing to, take this knowledge own personal development as well? You know, because I love, I love, I love seeing people grow. I love people seeing for them to be successful. That's why in my mentoring company, it's not chasing the money, you know, because my passion is helping people grow, helping business businesses grow and remain sustainable, right? That's my focus, that's my passion.'cause if I see a successful business, I'm happy. If I see somebody personally grown. Through effective mentoring. I'm so happy with that. Right. Um, I'm working with a local council at the moment, um, mentoring small business startups, right? So, um, we did about three sessions and the first session was about who they are, what they do, what their business is all about. They were so shy and everything, last session we did about how to pitch a business, they have more confidence in what they do. I love their. The growth from that to be able to confidently pitch the. business in terms of what they do.'cause I'm so happy. I'm so happy that they were able to come out of their shell be able to pitch their business more effectively. Right, because as a business, sorry, go.

Aleyx:

Sorry, Alex was gonna say, when you, when, they go from being really shy and unsure to being able to effectively pitch their business for, all the listeners who some might, be struggle still to, to pitch. I've seen a lot of, terrible pitches in networking groups. what, would you say, like, if you could just give them one tip of looking at their pitch, what would it be?

Alex Sy:

Well, it's, it's basically what is their passion in, in their business. You know, what, why, why they wanna start this business and, and what, what product or services are they trying to, to sell out there for, for example, you know, and are you, are you providing a solution to a gap in a marketplace? Because the, the biggest. The, the, the biggest people that can pitch business is yourself.

Aleyx:

Yes.

Alex Sy:

Because you're the one, right? So, and I, and I went through, I, I gave them some notes, you know, a bit more, you know, about clarity in what you're actually doing. Be able to communicate that more effectively, right? And, and basically, I used a problem in the marketplace, right? So when I started my consulting and mentoring service, basically that was the start of COVID. A lot of business owners were, how can I say? Trying to, trying to navigate their way through out of COVID, mentally, physically, and from a business perspective as well. it's all about timing. So I help a lot of business owners navigate their way through post COVID. After COVID. There's a lot of business owners who wants to start up restaurants, right? So the first thing I, I asked them said, why do you wanna set up a restaurant? Oh, because of, you know, I have this passion for cooking, blah, blah, blah. No, I have all this experience and. Uh, I wanna make something about myself. So I always ask the questions about their why, their purpose. You know, it takes me back to Simon Sinek the Golden Circle, about your, your why and how. So I was taken back to that and a lot of them, um, are becoming successful in the restaurant. I have a client at the moment who has an idea. And then we translate that to a business model, to a concept to launch. In the last three and a half years, they have three branches now.

Aleyx:

Wow. Wow.

Alex Sy:

because they have their formula. You know, I said to them, have, you have two simple rules. One, provide good food, consistent. Secondly, exceptional customer service. And customer service is, you don't have to pay for that. It's, it's, it's in nature. It should be your, your standard operating procedure, but providing good customer service, right? So. Fortunate enough, they've now, um, have three beautiful branches across Melbourne,

Aleyx:

Fantastic. Fantastic.

Alex Sy:

So, and, and basically, you know, going back to pitching, it's, it's about, you know, clarity in what you're actually doing, right? And you, they can see that because you have the passion about your business, right? And I, I take them through, I gave them some pointers, and then I went through a presentation about how to pitch your business in a way, be more confident, eye contact, how you stand, and basically. the business in a safe environment, you know, just amongst the, the participants in, in a way to give them that practice.

Aleyx:

Yes.

Alex Sy:

Some were good, some need some notes. That's fine. That's okay eventually, you know, practice makes perfect. So we went through, uh, information pitch about what your business is all about. So it's about three, five minutes and we went through an elevator pitch. You have 10, 15 seconds to tell me what you do, that's the fun part.

Aleyx:

Well, the shorter is always the hardest, right? It's the same. It's the same in writing. It's so much easier to write an A4 page than it is a sentence. People really struggle to be concise, whether that's in spoken word or written. And, I find that with what I do is a lot of businesses, Over explain what they do and therefore their message is diluted. And often you might still be unsure about what they do. So actually the more concise you can be, the better. But it's quite hard

Alex Sy:

It is hard and, and, and for me to come up with that, my purpose in business right, is because, know, I, I love helping small businesses grow. So my pitch line is, you know, someone asked me in an elevator, what do you do? I hope, I help small business. I, I hope, lemme start again. I help businesses grow and remain sustainable. That's my pitch. I help businesses grow and remain sustainable. So What's that? Three seconds?

Aleyx:

yeah. And, it leaves it open to then have more questions.'cause my follow up question was like, oh, how do you make them sustainable? So it's, opening up for more questions. yeah,

Alex Sy:

Right. And said, oh, listen, here's my card. Let's connect. Let's have a coffee, and I'll explain that to you. Oh, yes, I need it. I need my, I need to grow my business. I need my business to remain sustainable. Yeah, Okay. Give me your card. So, yeah, there you go.

Aleyx:

Yeah, exactly. I love it. I'd like to, change it a little bit in terms of, you, you talk a lot about, mental health and,

Alex Sy:

Mm-hmm.

Aleyx:

are a, is it a sponsor of Blue, blue.

Alex Sy:

So, yeah, proudly.

Aleyx:

It's beyond blue.

Alex Sy:

beyond beyond Blue.

Aleyx:

That's right. Beyond blue. Yes. and why is, mental health so close to your heart?

Alex Sy:

I went through that as a business owner, I did not help. I did not. Um, how can I say? I. I did not know where to go for help during that time, and I was struggling mentally.'cause sometimes too, particularly blokes and to say, oh, you know, we're the bread wiener. we, you know, I, I don't have anyone to talk to. Right. So, and being the bread wiener, you've gotta make sure that, you know, you, you, you provide food for your family and, you know, and sometimes too, uh, the, the fear of failure. You know, and there's a lot, that's a big stigma for business owners as well, because how the community perceives them, how their, how their friends perceive them, how their family perceive them, because sometimes too, when they fail, you have so many critiques I told you so. Right. So it's such a mental stress from that. So at the start of COVID, uh, through the Beyond Blue Program, there's called a, um, mental health for, for small business owners. So you do that, it's a 10 hour, it's a 10 hour course through Beyond Blue. It's free. So I did that. So I'm not a counselor, but I'm able to talk and refer people to Beyond Blue as well. So 10% of my. Fees goes to Beyond Blue. I sometimes, during October, it's Mental Health Month, so I organize a, a long lunch for some of my clients and proceeds go to Beyond Blue. So it's important because as a business owner, you need to talk to somebody. You know, do not sometimes to the fear of failure overwhelms you and you don't know where to turn to, but you know what, it's okay to put your hand up. It's okay to ask questions In. In one of the local councils that I mentor with, there's a lot of multicultural business owners that failure, it's not an option and they struggled mentally how to, how to get out of it. And I said to them in here, it's, it's okay. okay to put your hand up. A lot of successful businessmen, millionaires in Australia went through the same situation. They were bankrupt. Once they failed their business, they start up again because that, but they did not start from scratch. They know how to next time because they've learned their lessons. Right. Sometimes too, making mistakes and failure enables you to learn and understand how to be, to be to better yourself from that, you know? So that's why mental health is so close to me because sometimes too, a lot of business owners just call me just to bounce things off and know Sometimes I check in with them. How you going? Right. Um, how's things and, and it's important to, to talk openly, and that's why business mentor is so important. That's why myself as a mentor rather than a coach.

Aleyx:

Yes. Yeah. Yeah. And, that fear of failure is so common. and like what you say, many people need to have the failure to then go on to you build something really successful.'cause you learn from those failures. But if we don't talk more openly about it, then we don't realise that actually so many of us have got that fear of failure and it's okay. It's normal. Yeah.

Alex Sy:

And that's why sometimes you'll have a, a client and um, you know, they were struggling for two years and they came in and said, you know what? Close the business. That is the best option. Close the business, set up a payment plan for your creditors and start up again. Right? Because sometimes that is the best path, you know? But it's okay to do that. You know, so, but because the burden of mental health, what you're carrying at the moment, by keeping open and sacrificing everything, remortgaging your house six times or whatever, right? It's, it's the financial burden that just, just outweighs you. That's why people think, you know, sometimes, you know the best end solution. But it's not the best end solution. It's better things to do. Right? So that because. Um, that makes you stronger in a way that made me stronger, uh, dealing with my mental health from that, that you can, always a light at the end of the tunnel. So what motivated me during that time was reading about how people overcome, how they become, um, through their journey and how they overcame that and become successful in life as well, you know,

Aleyx:

Yeah. Hearing other people's stories, is there one in particular that you, that really stands out for you that, that really helped you in those darker times?

Alex Sy:

Yeah, there was, a book by, Alfred. Graham. Alfred. So I read his book. Uh, he, it's called Never Give Up. was a very successful lawyer in Melbourne. He went through the other side, right? He was in jail and so forth, and came out of it, become successful and set up some businesses as well, become an international speaker and so forth, right? But his journey from, from, from successful to downfall. picking himself up. Right. And become more successful than he was. To me, that was inspirational in how he navigates through that process as well. Right. And the other book I was reading is from Gail Kelly. Gail Kelly was the first woman, of the major banks. So he was, she was the CEO of of Westpac and her journey a CEO. Of a boys club and major banks was so inspirational. That inspires me in that way, that, wow, people go through lens, right? From that not to prove to anyone else, to prove to herself that is a journey and this is my ambition, and to become the CEO of Westpac. So inspirational. Her book.

Aleyx:

Yeah, you can take great motivation from just hearing other people's stories.'cause sometimes you can get so stuck in your own story and what's going on. You think, oh, I'm the only one. there's no way I can do it. And you let that negative talk get through you. But then, coming out of yourself and reading other people's stories like, well, they can do it. Why can't I do it? So you can take some great motivation from that

Alex Sy:

And, and to do that is to really talk to someone. Right. Have a chat. Right. Have a chat to, you know, people close to you. Yeah. Because, and, and sometimes too, it's, sometimes it's, it's good to talk to a stranger than someone close to you.

Aleyx:

Sometimes easier, isn't it?

Alex Sy:

exactly. And, and, and that's why, you know, it's great that I'm so grateful and truly humbled and blessed that, um, the clients that I have. We build that trust around that in a, in a way that, that can just talk to me openly and freely with that fear of being judged in a way. And they know they can bounce things off with me as well in that way. So it's about relationship and trust building from that. So,'cause I, I, I treat my clients is, you know, more than just clients'cause I really want to help them.

Aleyx:

Fantastic. Alex, I could speak to you for hours, but we are coming towards the end, but, I always like to do a bit of a quick fire round, at the end of the episode.

Alex Sy:

Yeah, yeah,

Aleyx:

so just a few short questions and just what, comes, to mind? So what's the best advice you've ever ignored?

Alex Sy:

Best advice I have ever ignored? was I did not listen when I had my cafe business, I did not listen to people who know better than me.

Aleyx:

Yeah. It comes back to what you were saying before and when you were saying it before, the common phrase came to my mind. If you're the smartest person in the room, you're in the wrong room.

Alex Sy:

Yes,

Aleyx:

Yes. When was the last time someone came to you for help and what did they ask?

Alex Sy:

Oh, the last person that came to me for help was two days ago. They asked a way to, they were in the restaurant business, right? They've been so successful and they were two steps away from closing the doors after 10 years in business. it so just so happened one of their friends said, why don't you call Alex and just have a chat? And they rang me a couple of days ago and said, we have a chat? So we had a chat, said, okay, before closing those doors, let's try something else. So we're catching up next week to put strategies together to continue on. Alright,

Aleyx:

I hope it goes well.

Alex Sy:

and, and basically from that. That sort of motivated them positively to say, oh, there is that solution. We never thought about that. Right. So they, they've changed their mindset to say, yes, we can get through this. So I'm sitting down with them next week and, and plan it out.

Aleyx:

Fantastic. Well, I hope it all goes well for them. what does your grandson think you do?

Alex Sy:

Well, my grandson at the moment, he's nearly 10 months old,

Aleyx:

Oh, so he doesn't think too.

Alex Sy:

so he looks at me and, um, my, my grandson calls me Lulu. Lulu means grandfather in Filipino, and um, he's a beautiful boy. So ask me and. Two years time, years,

Aleyx:

the last,

Alex Sy:

my

Aleyx:

oh, sorry. Go on.

Alex Sy:

sorry. But my two beautiful sons, Nathaniel is now 31 and young, young, Alexandra Jr. He's 31 years old, and Nathaniel's 33, so they know exactly what I'm doing and my oldest son wants to start his own business as well. So he said, dad, can you help me? He said, sure. my youngest son, my Alex Juniors started with me in my business and joined my business from the 1st of April of this year.

Aleyx:

Exciting.

Alex Sy:

because his skillset really compliments my skillset sets and. Because he comes from the hospitality industry and I have a lot of hospitality clients, so his skillset can really compliment the services that we provide to our clients as well. So we're building that division. So my son's heading that division in

Aleyx:

Exciting. Father son, duo.

Alex Sy:

Yeah, exactly right. So I'm so excited. You know, it's not about the privilege of her, him being my son, come to the business, but it's about the, his skill sets that can compliment and en enhance the services that, that we provide to the clients.

Aleyx:

Yeah. Fantastic. And the last question for me, it's, a gift for the listeners that I pass it on. So what's, a reminder or a story or a moment from your journey that someone needs to hear right now?

Alex Sy:

My dad said to me before, um, he passed away, he said, always look after your customers. Build a relationship. Never become transactional. Don't just for that single dollar, and then you forget about them. Build that relationship because it is your customers that can help you grow and you grow together. And he built a very successful business in the Philippines in the sixties and seventies. He had a, one of the biggest hardware store, he had a bus service, he had a, a fishing fleet as well. dad was very successful, you know, and he built that on, on trust and relationship with his customers. That was the piece of advice he gave to me,

Aleyx:

That's beautiful advice.

Alex Sy:

I've always, always ingrained in me.

Aleyx:

Yeah. Yeah. look after your customers and your people and build those relationships.

Alex Sy:

Yeah. And, and you know what? Be open to your customers because a lot of cu because people think, ah, customers are dumb, but they're not. They can, they, can they have this, you know, they, they have this bullshit detectors that goes up. And it can detect right away, right? So be open, be honest, be transparent with them, right? So if you, if you stuff up your stuff up, you know, be open. You know, don't hide it. And always build that trust and relationship with your customer.

Aleyx:

Yeah. I love that. Well, Alex, you've been a wonderful guest. Thank you so much for joining me. Now, for all the listeners, where can they reach you if they wanna connect with you after this episode, where's the best place to, to get in touch with you?

Alex Sy:

Sure. Thanks Alex. So you can reach out to me on my website, ww dot Atlas Business Consulting, or I mean Lincoln, uh, look me up under Alex C and basically, or you can send me an email info at Atlas Business Consulting.

Aleyx:

Lovely, and we'll drop it all in the show notes as well. Thanks so much, Alex. You've been great.

Alex Sy:

thank you so much. You know, it's been wonderful and thank you for this opportunity in sharing all that for to, to your listeners.

Aleyx:

Oh, you're welcome. Thanks Alex. Bye.

Alex Sy:

Thank you.

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Aleyx Ward

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