Always Business Class

What does it take to go from doing customs forms by hand at Australia Post to running a $100M+ global fashion brand?

In this episode of Always Business Class, Steve Hui and Steve Pirie-Nally sit down with Jane Lu, founder of Showpo, to unpack the real story behind building a global brand from her parents' garage, why naivety is a founder's greatest asset, and how backing yourself is the only strategy that matters.

They also get into ...

What really makes a loyalty program work?

It’s not just discounts.It’s not just points.And it’s definitely not just perks.

In this episode of Always Business Class, we go behind the scenes of one of the most successful travel membership programs in the world.

From rebuilding after COVID to scaling to 500,000 members, this conversation breaks down how loyalty, psychology, and experience design come together.

We cover:

What if the most powerful thing you could do for the planet…

…was simply go there and witness it yourself?

What if exploration was never really about the summit?

In this episode of Always Business Class, Peter Hillary, explorer, mountaineer, and son of Sir Edmund Hillary, joins Steve Hui and Steve Pirie-Nally for a live fireside chat with over 400 Accor Plus Explorer members — and shares what 43 trips to Antarctica...

What if the real advantage in life isn’t just what you earn…

…but how you experience the world?

In this episode of Always Business Class, Steve Grace, Founder of Nudge Group, shares how travel, lifestyle design, and smart flying have shaped the way he lives, parents, and builds businesses.

We talk about flying long-haul as a family, why economy is not always the “cheapest” option, and how using smarter ...

What happens when you wire $25,000 of your life savings into a 20-foot container of coconut water… without a business plan?

In this episode of Always Business Class, Scott Mendelson, Founder of Raw C, shares the real story behind building one of Australia’s recognised coconut water brands from scratch and why he is now taking on the 350 million person US market.

We talk about selling one box on day one.
Driving nine...

Is it a scam?
Are points even worth it anymore?
Do you need millions of points to fly business class?

After 150 discovery calls with Australian founders across construction, agriculture, professional services, FMCG and tech, this episode of Always Business Class breaks down the most common myths about points, business class travel, and the Flights Club model.

We unpack the psychology of dynamic pricing, why business class far...

What if the most valuable “capital” you have isn’t travel points or business revenue, but your health capital?

In this episode of Always Business Class, Steve Hui and Steve Pirie-Nally  sit down with Dr Steven Lum Melbourne-trained medical doctor and Founder of Everlab, to unpack the shift from reactive “sick care” to data-driven preventative health. Dr Lu explains why so many high performers make...

 What if your travel life got easier overnight? In this episode of Always Business Class, we sit down with Emilie Couton, CEO of Accor Plus, for her first Australian podcast.

Emily shares how a one-way ticket to Thailand turned into two decades across Asia and a leadership caree...

Why does airline status feel so good and why are so many travellers still chasing it, even when it costs them thousands?

In this episode of Always Business Class, the team breaks down the real difference between points and status, why status is deeply emotional, and why points are ultimately strategic. Drawing on decades of travel experience, they unpack the psychology behind loyalty programs, lounge access, upgrades, and the power...

Dan Hakim joins Always Business Class to unpack how CUB grew from a premium members club into one of Australia’s most influential business communities. We talk work ethic, proximity, culture, systems for scaling networking, and the real travel hacks founders use, from points strategy to VIP airport shortcuts.

What happens when you “turn left” instead of following the obvious path?

We dive into the psychology of pr...

We hope you’ve had a great break and are feeling ready for what’s ahead. Thank you for being part of the Always Business Class community. We can’t wait to share what’s coming next.

We’re back on January 21st, returning to our usual fortnightly release sche...

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the hosts of Always Business Class.

Thank you for listening, sharing, and being part of the journey this year. We’re incredibly grateful for the support and conversations along the way.

We’ll be back on J...

In this episode of Always Business Class, hosts Steve Hui and Steve Pirie-Nally break down the biggest shifts happening in travel right now — from skyrocketing business class fares post-COVID, to the upcoming Amex devaluation, to the new mindset shaping how Australians are planning their trips.

Fresh off a masterclass with 2,300 Accor Plus Explorer members, Steve & Steve unpack what travellers are struggling with, what&rs...

In this episode of Always Business Class, hosts Steve Hui and Steve Pirie-Nally sit down with Jack Henderson to explore the mindset, journeys, and strategies of a business owner who’s turned property investment and strategic thinking into a lifestyle of freedom and global travel. While the conversation starts with business class flights and travel experiences, it dives deep into entrepreneurship, mindset shifts, wealth creati...

Founder of global stationery icon Kikki K, Kristina Karlsson, joins Steve Hui and Steve Pirie-Nally to share how losing her business became a catalyst for a bold new chapter. Kristina now helps millions imagine and live their dream life through freedom, creativity, and meaningful travel. The conversation unpacks the mindset shift of flying business class, earning points like a pro, stacking rewards, and combining work and world dis...

In this episode, hosts Steve Hui and Steve Pirie-Nally dive into the world of business class travel and share insider strategies for transforming your travel experiences. From maximising points to leveraging networking opportunities, this conversation explores how travel can serve as a powerful classroom for personal and professional growth. Discover how adopting a business class mindset and embracing transformational travel can sh...

In this episode, the co-founder of July Luggage share their journey transforming the luggage industry. From travel hacks and business class experiences to innovations in luggage technology, they dive into how personal experiences, product quality, and strong brand identity have shaped their success. Discover their story working with the Australian Olympic team, insights on networking while traveling, and exciting plans for global e...

Welcome to Always Business Class where your hosts Steve Hui and Steve Pirie-Nally explore the transformative power of travel and the often misunderstood value of frequent flyer points. They unpack how points can be viewed as money, the mindset shift that comes from experiencing business class travel, and the common misconceptions that lead to what they call “points trauma.” The discussion highlights how understanding th...