S3 Episode 3 - Troy Benjamin - Blak Brews - Winner of Gordon Ramsays' Foodstars - LIVE at the MCG

S3 Episode 3 - Troy Benjamin - Blak Brews - Winner of Gordon Ramsays' Foodstars - LIVE at the MCG

Author: Isaac Harrison November 8, 2024 Duration: 34:11

In this episode, we chat with Troy Benjamin, a self-made entrepreneur and proud Indigenous Man from Geelong. His journey began in 2010 with a small café in Melbourne. Troy went on to create Backup Barista, an online service connecting cafes with skilled baristas across Australia. Troy is also a huge personality and is an experienced MC and has a real go with the flow vibe.

I’ve crossed paths with Troy a couple of times, so it’s awesome to finally get him on the pod to share his story.

Now, Troy is the founder of Blak Brews, a 100% First Nations-owned business that blends premium teas with native ingredients to celebrate Indigenous culture. With a popular coffee truck and six unique tea blends, Blak Brews has made waves at festivals and events and won Gordon Ramsay’s Food Stars.


Isaac Harrison hosts Deadly Discussions, a series of conversations that digs into the human stories behind meaningful enterprise. Each episode moves beyond spreadsheets and business plans to explore how leaders and founders build ventures that genuinely serve the people around them. You’ll hear from individuals who measure success not just in profit, but in positive impact, discussing the real-world challenges and triumphs of running operations that support both communities and families. This podcast sits at the unique intersection of practical management, entrepreneurial spirit, and non-profit ethos, offering a grounded perspective often missing from typical business talk. The dialogue focuses on the decisions, values, and daily work that define a purpose-driven career. Tune in for honest reflections on what it means to do good business, providing listeners with both inspiration and actionable insight from those who are quietly getting it done.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 57

Deadly Discussions
Podcast Episodes
S2 Episode 11 - Mick Buckworth - Rumbalara - Indigenous Food Growers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:34
Mick Buckworth married into the Yorta Yorta people in Shepparton, Victoria. Mick, a builder by trade, ended up working with the mob at Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-operative. For the last two decades, the Co-op focused its wo…
S2 Episode 9 - Luke Fallini [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:21
Luke Fallini, a Quandamooka man with Italian heritage from SE Queensland, Australia, joins me on the podcast.A builder by trade, with a passion for football (of course). Shares his not so typical upbringing as an Indigen…
S2 Episode 8 - Alana Kennedy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:10
What an inspiring episode this was! Alana Kennedy is a Waanyi Kalkatungu woman from North Queensland. Raised by her Non-Indigenous mother in Mt Isa. Alana understood there was something a little different with her family…
S2 Episode 7 - Cory Grech [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:58
Cory is the founder of Meat Brothers, a food truck that had evolved into a shipping container cafe. A Kamilaroi and Wonnarua Man from New South Wales, Cory shares the importance of having powerful women in his family. It…
S2 Episode 6 - Mervyn Fernando [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:25
Dunghutti Man, Mervyn Fernando joins me on the podcast. Mervyn grew up in Kempsey NSW. After losing his mother at a young age, Mervyn was raised by his father. Growing up as a young Koori boy On Country Mervyn faced the…