Delusional
Every founder is called delusional before they're called successful.
The world has never been changed by people who thought realistically.
Every breakthrough, category-defining business and industry leader was once dismissed as too ambitious, too risky or completely delusional.
DELUSIONAL is where entrepreneurs, founders, creators and high performers come to challenge conventional thinking and hear the conversations most people never get access to.
Hosted by Sammy Kennedy, each episode goes beyond the highlight reel to uncover the decisions, failures, mindset and strategies behind people building extraordinary businesses and lives. From multi-million-dollar founders to industry disruptors, you'll discover what it really takes to create something that everyone else thought was impossible.
This isn't motivation.
It's the blueprint for thinking bigger, leading differently and building a life most people will never have the courage to pursue.
If people aren't questioning your vision...
You probably aren't thinking big enough.
New episodes every Monday.
Welcome to DELUSIONAL.
https://www.instagram.com/sammykennedyofficial/
https://www.instagram.com/delusionalwithsammykennedy/
hello@sammykennedy.com.au
Delusional
Grief, Grit and Growing a Global Brand with AMPERNA®
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I’m recording the very first episode inside our new Beauty Industry Leaders Podcast studio, and I’m joined by husband-and-wife founders Kiri and Wesley of AMPERNA® - the topical postbiotic, microbiome-friendly skincare brand created for sensitive and reactive skin.
Kiri shares the deeply personal journey that led to building the brand, from pustular acne and rosacea to topical steroid withdrawal and the grief of losing her father. Wesley explains how his background in operational systems became the backbone of turning a personal solution into a globally recognised business. Together, we unpack what it really takes to bootstrap a skincare company in a competitive market.
This is an honest conversation about resilience, cashflow pressure, manufacturing stress, and choosing integrity over trend-chasing.
In this episode:
✨ How AMPERNA® was born from chronic skin struggles and personal loss
✨ The realities of bootstrapping: cashflow strain, product delays and contract lessons
✨ Navigating high-stakes manufacturing runs without external funding
✨ Founder-led marketing strategies: UGC, SEO, Meta ads and PR trade-offs
✨ Building genuine community - including gifting products to a young steroid withdrawal sufferer
✨ International expansion plans (US, UK, Japan), 3PL logistics and compliance risks
If you’re serious about building a product-based brand, this episode gives you a clear look at what sustainable growth actually demands - operational discipline, emotional resilience, and long-term thinking.
Connect with Kiri & Amperna
https://www.instagram.com/kiriyanchenko
https://www.instagram.com/ampernaskin
Resources mentioned in this episode:
→ Profitable Pricing Calculator: https://beautyindustryleaders.com.au/profitable-pricing-calculator
→ Breakeven Cost Calculator: https://beautyindustryleaders.com.au/breakeven-cost-calculator
→ ATO Industry Benchmarks: https://www.ato.gov.au/businesses-and-organisations/income-deductions-and-concessions/small-business-benchmarks/in-detail/beauty-services
Connect with me and join the Beauty Industry Leaders movement:
→ https://www.instagram.com/sammykennedycoach/
→ https://www.instagram.com/beautyindustryleaders/
→ https://beautyindustryleaders.com.au/
If you have any questions about the episode, have a burning question you would like me to answer on the show, or want to join our movement of ambitious beauty leaders, connect with me and the rest of our incredible community on Instagram:
→ https://www.instagram.com/sammykennedycoach/
→ https://www.instagram.com/beautyindustryleaders/
