Practical conversations for private business owners
Running a private business means making constant, high-impact decisions — about growth, sales, strategy, people, ownership structure and exit — often while balancing competing priorities and limited time. These decisions shape not just the business, but the people who depend on it.
Yet many owners make them without the opportunity to step back, sense-check their thinking with other owners, or draw on the perspective of experienced external advisors who understand private business realities.
The Owners Connect Event Series is a free, monthly breakfast series created exclusively for private business owners turning over $3m–$100m. Each session brings a small group of owners together to connect, share perspectives and gain practical insights from like-minded peers and MYMAX Advisors who work alongside owners every day.
Attend a single session that’s relevant right now — or join us regularly to stay ahead of the decisions that matter most.
Why attend?
Every business owner hits a point where fresh perspective and practical guidance can make all the difference. This event series is designed to help you do just that.
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Clarity on the decisions that matter
Step out of the day-to-day to think clearly about growth, people, value and exit — with practical perspectives you can apply immediately. -
Real conversations with other business owners
Connect with like-minded private business owners and MYMAX Advisors who understand the realities of ownership, not just the theory. -
Practical insight you can act on
Each session delivers grounded, experience-led insights to help you make better decisions with greater confidence.
Event Speakers
MYMAX are private business specialists who work with owners of mid-sized business. With extensive real-life experience starting, growing and selling businesses, our team will help you with practical tools, strategy and direction to maximise your potential. At these events you’ll hear from the guys who lead MYMAX team, along with guest speakers who often present on the Owner Manager Program.
Chris Robinson
Chris Robinson is Principal at MYMAX, an investing and consulting firm specialising in accelerated growth and business exits. A Fellow of CPA Australia, Chris has deep finance expertise. As CEO of Amart All Sports, he led a $100 million management buyout with Archer Capital in 2004, doubling revenue from $100 million to $220 million before its merger with Rebel Sports in 2007. He founded MYMAX in 2007 to help boards and senior managers drive growth strategies and manage exits, often including equity investment. Notably, MYMAX worked with Lorna Jane through years of 70% annual growth, guiding its minority sale to Champ Ventures in 2010. Chris also supported onthehouse.com.au’s development and funding, culminating in its $81 million ASX listing in 2011.
Rob Douglas
Rob Douglas is the founder of the Australian Owner Manager Program and now Director of MYMAX. With a career dedicated to helping business owners improve performance, he has advised hundreds of SMEs, franchises, and professional firms on boosting business and financial outcomes. Rob previously led New Zealand’s foremost business performance research centre, publishing data on over 8,000 SMEs annually. His earlier roles include Director of Commercial Enterprise and Executive Education at UQ Business School, and Commercialisation Director at UniQuest. He also established and sold successful companies in New Zealand and Canada. Rob holds a business degree in marketing strategy and an Executive MBA.
Owners Connect
Sessions run monthly from February 2026. New events and locations will be listed here. Follow us or subscribe to our newsletter for updates.
Building a Leadership Team
Friday, 4 September 2026
Time: 7.30am – 9.00am
Venue: The Colmslie Hotel, Morningside
Session description
Many business owners become the central decision-maker for almost everything in their business. While this may work for a time, it can limit growth, reduce resilience, and place increasing pressure on the owner.
In this practical Owners Connect session, Shirley Smith will explore what it takes to build a strong leadership team and why shared leadership is essential for creating a more scalable and sustainable business.
Gain practical insights into how effective leadership teams operate, how to identify and develop the right people, and how to build greater accountability and ownership across the business.
Shirley Smith is an experienced leadership facilitator who works with owners and emerging leaders through the Owner Manager Program and Leadership Development Program. She brings a practical, real-world approach to leadership development, helping businesses build the people and structures needed for long-term growth.
Vision – Strategy – Execution
Friday, 9 October 2026
Time: 7.30am – 9.00am
Venue: The Colmslie Hotel, Morningside
Session description
Many business owners have a vision for where they want to take their business. The challenge is translating that vision into a clear strategy — and then making it happen.
In this session, we’ll explore practical ways to move from ideas and intentions to focused execution. Discover how to prioritise what matters, keep your team aligned, and build the discipline needed to turn strategy into results.
Tactical Calm: how to be calm and effective under pressure
Friday, 13 November 2026
Time: 7.30am – 9.00am
Venue: The Colmslie Hotel, Morningside
Session description
Running a business means making high-stakes decisions under pressure — often with incomplete information, competing demands and no time to think. The ability to stay calm and effective in those moments isn’t a personality trait. It’s a skill that can be learned.
In this Owners Connect session, Dr Sven Hansen will introduce Tactical Calm — a practical, evidence-based approach to managing pressure without losing clarity or performance. Drawing on resilience science and his work with leaders across business, sport and special forces, Sven will share tools owners can apply immediately to make better decisions, lead more effectively and sustain performance through demanding periods.
A medical doctor, MBA and founder of the Resilience Institute, Sven has spent thirty years helping leaders build the skills needed to perform under pressure. He is a regular speaker at both OMP and LDP.
Push Potential
Every business has untapped potential. At our events, you’ll gain strategies, insights, and connections to push your business further – starting now.
Don’t wait to make the changes that matter.
