Robin Hunuki, founder of RH Media, knows what businesses need to succeed in sales. Since 2018, he’s been equipping companies in Sydney and beyond with user-friendly sales automation and marketing strategies. His philosophy is straightforward: make technology an asset, not a headache.
At RH Media, it’s all about the customer experience. Robin focuses on tech that enhances your connection with customers, which ultimately leads to higher conversions and sales.
Need practical tech for real results? Visit RH Media at www.rhmedia.com.au.
Here we sit down with Robin to learn a bit more about his journey as an entrepreneur.
Q. What inspired you to become an entrepreneur?
Robin: When I started RH Media, I was in the same shoes as many aspiring entrepreneurs – full of dreams and ideas but facing the challenge of balancing family and business. As a Pacific Islander, I came from a background where traditional career choices like rugby, factory work, or a regular job were the norm.
I believe that continually adding value to the relationship between a company and its customers is fundamental to good business. This is an extension of my own principles and ethics for personal relationships. During my days in corporate middle management, I offered many strategies for the company to make improvements in this area. Though well received, it was clear that my peers were not eager to make strengthening customer relationships a priority.
Eventually, I realised that operating in such an environment was not worth the toll it would take on my sense of morality. The kind of fulfilment I desired from a career would not be found in being subject to people who lacked or had opposing values to me. It was at that point I decided to take the leap, saying, “Fuck It – I’m having a crack!” I wanted to take control of my destiny, create a better life for my family, and make a meaningful impact as an entrepreneur.
Q. How did you get started?
Robin: I just jumped. I don’t recommend it looking back – but I realised that the route I was going wasn’t serving me and after 8.5 years at this IT company, I knew it was time to go for it – so with little left in the bank, little notice – I backed myself, quit my job and went all in. I was told it was silly and to wait another 1.5 years to get a long service leave (lump sum payout) before quitting, but I knew I didn’t want to continue having my soul taken out. I needed to do something. I had a goal in me to quit before I was 30, work on my own terms, especially when I have children, and go for it, which I did. I said fuck it – let’s go.
Q. What was your biggest startup challenge? What steps did you take to overcome it? What did you learn?
Robin: My biggest challenge looking back was myself and my ego. Going from working 40-60hr weeks for over 10 years to realising that I have all the time in the world, led me on a path of complacency and I started forming habits that didn’t serve me or the business. While I did find myself covering my bills and living on easy mode with my business – the market around me was slowly catching up to something that was quite foreign at the time (social media marketing).
I failed to realise how powerful my network was initially; I ignored my connections and tried to tackle the world without looking after my backyard. While the online courses were telling me to focus on a niche and go out and tackle the larger markets (US, UK, CA) – I didn’t realise that there were people in Sydney or even closer to home, Northern Beaches willing to give me a go and help me build the business. This would have created the momentum necessary to find the niche and narrow it in.
Now, I tell all new business owners, don’t neglect your backyard and the people around you who will back you. A lot of stress and inability to work could have been mitigated if I had focused more on ‘adding value’ to my local community. This was my biggest eye-opener and lesson.
Q. What is the most memorable thing you’ve done since you started your business?
Robin: I would say give my team the ability to create. I have a great team and a great group of individuals who can build systems that truly add value to our customers. Look after your people, they’ll look after your customers. We often have to put on a lot of different hats to help each other within the business, but when we focus on what we love, it’s fun and exciting. It isn’t easy, but we can all see progress and are working towards a common goal. That feels incredible.
When it comes to my personal life, the most memorable thing I’ve done is being able to spend quality time with my family and travel with them. I’m doing things with my partner Aretha, and son Tama, that I didn’t get to do when I was growing up, so it has been great so far.
Q. What is one book you recommend, and why?
Robin: It’s a little cliché, but I have to say “Rich Dad, Poor Dad.” It’s one that I’m proud to have picked up at the start of my journey. As an employee, I didn’t realise the 4 quadrants that are explained in the book, so I definitely recommend it. It’s the one that kick-started my journey as an entrepreneur. If someone is just starting or wants to look for alternatives to the corporate world, this is a book to start with.
Q. What are your top 3 favourite online apps, tools or resources and what do you love about them?
Robin: My top 3 favourite online apps are:
1. ChatGPT. I use it as Jarvis was to Ironman – a second brain. The more I familiarise myself and learn how to best optimise it, the better I become at leveraging it and overall helping my customers because of it (either guiding them or servicing them).
2. Fathom.Video. This AI-powered note-taking tool enhances the value I offer to clients following our Zoom meetings. It summarises the meeting’s content in moments, which I then import into GPT with my unique framework. This allows me to promptly craft and dispatch a tailored sales proposal to the client shortly after our discussion. This approach ensures that all critical topics and pain points from the meeting are addressed while emphasising the client’s specific information needs within the sales proposal.
3. Major Reap. Full transparency, this is our own SaaS product however it is built on top of a platform called High Level. This tool not only serves our marketing needs with automations, workflows and AI, but it allows us to implement the same systems we use for our customers, giving our customers the enterprise level of software to help grow their business, for a fraction of the price.
Q. In terms of legacy, what is the mark you’d like to leave on the world?
Robin: When I started my business back in 2018, I was obsessed with the idea of leaving a lasting legacy. There are videos on YouTube of me speaking about it! It was a question that consumed me. However, as time passed and I contemplated the reality that, in a few generations, I would merely be a name on a timeline, that pressure to leave a legacy began to fade. Instead, I shifted my focus towards making meaningful impacts during my lifetime.
So, what kind of impact do I want to create while I’m here? Being a great example for those around me, but especially my 2-year-old son, Tama. My dad was not perfect in the slightest but he left an impact on me before he passed suddenly in 2019.
A great mentor of mine said that there are 3 stages our children go through; first, they idolise you, then they demonise you and lastly, they humanise you. I would love to go through this interesting period with my children and have them come out the other end being respectful, hardworking, loving humans who can continue the last name of Pharo Siosiua-Hunuki.
Having said that, in order for me to truly make an impact, I must acknowledge not only my parents who, as Pacific Islanders coming from the island of Niue, made the sacrifices moving from Niue, to NZ to eventually calling Australia home, but especially my partner, Aretha who has been on this rollercoaster journey with me since we were 18.
Q. In one sentence, what’s the best advice you’d give to someone just starting out on their entrepreneurial journey?
Robin: Back yourself and GO!
To keep up to date with Robin and his journey, connect with him on Instagram.
