As The Ripple Festival Doors Open (EP#50)
What began as a wild idea over coffee with business bestie, Mia Fileman, became a full-scale celebration of small business, creativity, and community. What it really takes to transform an optimistic dream into a two-day festival.
In this episode of Money Secrets, Fi pulls back the curtain on the biggest project she’s ever brought to life: Ripple Festival.
Listen to Episode 50
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
The story behind Ripple Festival, and how it evolved from a spark of optimism into a full-scale event.
What “building in public” really means and how it can build trust, courage, and community.
The lessons Fi learned from getting things wrong, and why iteration matters more than perfection.
How Ripple’s program was designed to serve established small business owners with purpose and profit in mind.
The importance of embedding impact and inclusivity into every stage of business growth.
Why creativity and community are the future of small business, not hustle and hype.
The emotional reality of leading a large-scale project: pressure, risk, and deep pride.
What Fi hopes every attendee takes away from Ripple: clarity, connection, and confidence to do business differently.
As The Ripple Festival Doors Open
Money Secrets Podcast – Episode 50
Introduction
We've made a lot of progress as a society in many areas, but one thing that hasn’t changed enough is our relationship with money. If we want to tip the scales in favour of marginalised people, we need to understand the secrets to making money in small business.
The more we talk about money — especially the secrets that usually stay behind closed doors or on the golf course — the more empowered we become. My mission is to get more money into the hands of good people, specifically business owners like you.
Because I believe small business can change the world. And to do that, we need to be making more money.
Acknowledgement of Country
This episode was recorded on the lands of the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation. I’d like to acknowledge them as the Traditional Owners and custodians of this land and water that I live, work and play on.
I pay my respects to Elders past and present, and recognise that sovereignty has never been ceded. This always was, and always will be, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander land.
The Festival That Started as a “Crazy Idea”
When Fi Johnston pitched the idea for Ripple Festival to her business bestie, Mia Fileman, it was nothing more than a hopeful vision — a blend of a small business conference and a music festival. One year later, that vision came to life at Grazeland in Melbourne on November 12–13, 2025.
Ripple Festival was built for small business owners who crave more than PowerPoints and panel discussions. It’s for those who thrive on creativity, community, and connection — with live music, comedy, workshops, and conversations designed to inspire both heart and strategy.
As Fi shared, “Small business deserves better. We are fun, creative, and impactful people — and our events should reflect that.”
Building Ripple in Public
From the very beginning, Ripple Festival was created transparently — sharing the wins and lessons along the way. Fi and Mia designed the program, shaped the brand voice, and coordinated every partnership with intention.
There were challenges (like over-programming, scaling back stages, and navigating ticket sales), but the duo stayed grounded in optimism and purpose.
“We didn’t sell as many tickets as we’d hoped — but we’re so proud of every single name that comes through. Each one represents a vote for the kind of small business event we’ve always wanted to see.”
What Ripple Represents
Ripple Festival was intentionally curated for established small and medium business owners — those ready to grow, connect, and lead with purpose.
The program covered everything from making and managing money to marketing, leadership, creativity, and impact.
Attendees could expect:
A mix of live performances, movement breaks, and interactive sessions
Founder speed dating and a conversation corner to spark real connections
A chill-out zone for those who recharge best in quiet moments
Workshops, art sessions, and keynotes that balance inspiration with practicality
Fi’s ultimate hope?
That everyone left feeling “equipped — not just inspired.”
Gratitude and the Ripple Effect
Fi took a moment to thank those who believed in the vision early — the platinum and gold ticket holders, the volunteers, vendors, speakers, and everyone who said yes when the idea was still forming.
Ripple Festival wasn’t just about the two days at Grazeland — it was about what happens next. The connections made, the ideas sparked, and the collective energy of small business owners who take their purpose seriously.
“We want people to leave Ripple knowing they can achieve more than they thought possible when they walked in that morning.”
Good Money Club
Are you a female or LGBTQIA+ business owner who wants to make more money and create meaningful change? My 6-month program, Good Money Club, is designed to help you do exactly that.
We work on your pricing, positioning, business model, and mindset — so you can build your bank account and your impact. Read more about Good Money Club.
Final Thoughts
Episode 50 of Money Secrets is more than a milestone — it’s a celebration of optimism, creativity, and courage. Ripple Festival marks the beginning of a new chapter for Fi and Mia’s shared mission to make business better for good people.
Whether you joined the festival in person or are catching up through the podcast, this episode captures the heart of what Ripple stands for — connection, creativity, and the power of small business done differently.
Outro
Thank you for listening to Money Secrets. If you loved this episode, please subscribe, share it with a friend, or leave a review. Your support helps us get these conversations into the hands of more good people who deserve to thrive in business.
We’ve come so far as a society in many ways, but money is one of the areas where progress hasn’t been enough. If we want to tip the scales in favour of marginalised people, it starts with understanding the secret: money in small business.
In this podcast, Money Secrets, host Fiona (Fi) Johnston—Chartered Accountant, small business advocate, and impact enthusiast—dives into the conversations we need to have about money. The secrets that once stayed behind closed doors (or on the golf course) are finally out in the open.
Fi’s mission? To get more money into the hands of good people, like you. She believes small businesses have the power to change the world, and the key to making a bigger impact is to make—and manage—more money.
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Thank you to everyone involved for bringing this podcast together. We are excited to hear from you with any questions, feedback or suggestions for future episodes that you might have. Send a Direct Message to @peach.business
If you are excited for what’s to come, please like this episode, follow the podcast and share it with your friends. We are thrilled you're here.
Want to find out more about Good Money Club? It's for female and non-binary business owners ready to make more money and impact. Join us?
Check out my FREE Pricing Training you need to set your prices for profitability.
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This podcast episode was recorded on the lands of the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation and I'd like to acknowledge them as the Traditional Owners and custodians of this land and water that I live, work and play on. I'd like to pay respect to elders both past and present, and note that sovereignty has never been ceded. This always was and always will be Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander land.
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