The Real Biz Life Chronicles

#091 Risk & Real Talk with Matt Birney

Tracy Fryer Season 2 Episode 91

From parliament to Perth’s airwaves, Matt Birney’s story is anything but linear.

In this episode, I sit down with the former WA Opposition Leader turned serial entrepreneur and founder of Bulls N’ Bears, a media empire connecting ASX-listed companies with major news outlets. We dive into the power of reinvention, taking bold action, and why curiosity is one of the most underrated business skills.

From launching WA’s biggest auto parts store out of a BP backroom, to becoming the first Liberal to win Kalgoorlie in over 100 years, Matt shares how persistence, resourcefulness and fun have defined his career.

He doesn’t believe in faking it, or waiting for permission, and this conversation is full of real lessons for business owners navigating risk, visibility, and their next big pivot.

Specifically, Matt shares:

[07:05] How $150k worth of consignment stock built WA’s largest auto parts superstore
[16:04] Why getting rejected (twice) became the best thing that ever happened to him
[18:14] The pub conversation that accidentally launched a political career
[26:31] His favourite quote from Theodore Roosevelt and how it shaped his outlook
[37:46] The truth about AI, branding, and being future-fit in business
[48:53] The painful lesson from the business he got wrong, and what he missed
[1:00:56] What smoking brisket and building community have in common

Connect with Matt Birney:
Matt Birney on LinkedIn
Bulls N’ Bears WA on LinkedIn

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About Tracy: Tracy Fryer is a branding powerhouse, speaker, and founder of Design Studio Perth and Trace Designs Bespoke. She’s dedicated to helping business owners and creatives build brands that truly reflect their values, passions, and long-term vision. As the host of The Real Biz Life Chronicles, Tracy brings raw, insightful conversations that push entrepreneurs to embrace bold growth, develop strategic branding, and lead with unapologetic confidence. Her approach is refreshingly real—blending deep expertise with a passion for authenticity, creative excellence, and business success.

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