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The Real Biz Life Chronicles
Unedited stories of Business, Branding and Life.
Banish boring as Tracy Fryer and her guests take a ride on the rollercoaster of being a business owner - or of simply being human! Get ready to learn exactly what it takes to grow with distinction and show mediocrity the middle finger. In this podcast Tracy interview’s authentic business owners, who share their story of building a successful business, their strategies behind their success and leading the way.
RAW. Honest. Unedited.
The Real Biz Life Chronicles
#102 Mark Birkinshaw: Doing Business Without the BS
What happens when you’ve ticked all the “right” boxes only to realise you never wanted the life they lead to?
Mark Birkinshaw qualified as a Chartered Accountant, walked away from it, and threw himself into the wild early days of the IBM PC boom. From there, he crossed borders, industries, and comfort zones, ending up in Perth as the co-founder of Tango, a business built on grit, honesty, and a deep respect for doing things properly (while wearing a bold suit).
In this episode, we talk about walking away from the safe path, building a brand that stands for something, and why “ask an expert” might be the most profitable business mantra you ever adopt.
For me, Mark’s blend of sharp strategy and no-nonsense straight talk is exactly what makes conversations like this so refreshing. What he shared about partnerships, both the business and ballroom kind, stayed with me.
If you’ve ever questioned the rules, wondered if you’re in the wrong game, or been tempted to just “wing it”, this one’s for you.
In This Episode
(07:19) How Tango was born over Maccas lunches and pub chats
(14:40) Why their first logo was a total flop (and the lesson it taught)
(23:38) Acting as “Google Translate” between business and tech
(28:48) The truth about business partnerships and why they work (or don’t)
(33:12) The real cost and reward of hitting reset on your life
(42:22) On being unapologetically direct and why it works
(51:39) The unexpected origin of Mark’s colourful suits
(1:10:06) The smarter way to grow a business without burning out
About Mark Birkinshaw
Mark is the co-founder of Tango, Western Australia’s go-to independent technology advisory for medium-sized businesses and local and state government. With decades of experience across IT leadership, consulting, and strategy, he’s known for his candid approach, deep client loyalty, and passion for brand integrity.
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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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