Episode 19. Making Money Matter: Family, Legacy and Values with David Murdoch

In this episode of the Build Your Own Business podcast, I sit down with David Murdoch the Wealth Activist and founder of Paxton Bridge.

David’s been in the game for 15 years, guiding family groups, business owners and executives through the messy, often emotional world of money. But what makes his approach different is that it’s not about “wealth management” – it’s about Wealth Activism. It’s a mindset shift: from simply parking money in the bank, to actually activating resources so they create experiences, build legacy, and bring families closer together.

We dive into some big topics - like why business owners often stumble into success but then freeze when it comes to what’s next. How intergenerational wealth isn’t just about passing down money, but values and education. Why the greatest asset isn’t dollars in the account, but the time you choose to spend with family. And how succession planning, estate planning and even the conversations around money are often left until it’s too late.

David also shares his personal journey - from paper rounds and early corporate life at UBS, to taking the leap into his own business. He reflects on the grind, the shiny-object distractions, and the lessons from building a business that’s as much about relationships as it is about numbers.

For me, the conversation hit home when we talked about the balance between saving for tomorrow and actually enjoying life today. As David put it, wealth isn’t about locking it away – it’s about using it with intention.

“Wealth activism is about choices. It’s about using the resources you’ve worked so hard to create in a way that brings you joy, gives back to others, and creates memories that outlast the dollars. Money in the bank is nice - but money that creates experiences with the people you love? That’s real wealth.”

This episode is a must-listen if you’ve ever wondered what happens after the success – when the question shifts from “how do I earn more” to “what do I do with what I’ve got?”

David’s LinkedIn

Paxton Bridge Website

Andrew Ford
Marketing expert Andrew Ford, the founder of Social Star, has discovered the secret of ‘Powerful Branding’. With a fire for unleashing people’s inner brand and developing business models to generate profit from an individual’s passions, Andrew leverages ground-breaking digital and social media marketing techniques to create digital strategies for clients to attract maximum opportunities. Having established a strong name for himself in the field, Andrew blends traditional business techniques with now-necessary tools for entrepreneurs to achieve scale, quality, and influence in their niche. Andrew’s comprehensive business background and qualifications consist of a Bachelor of Business (Marketing) (RMIT 2003), a Graduate Certificate in Management (MBA Executive Program, University of Sydney 2005), and a Masters of Entrepreneurship and Innovation (Swinburne University 2011). Continually on the cutting edge of his own education, Andrew has tested his marketing theories in forums such as the BCG Business Strategy Competition, which he won in 2005 against all Victorian MBA schools, and the Venture Cup Business Plan Competition (Swinburne University 2003), which he won in the Masters category. With experience working at Hewlett-Packard, Sensis (Telstra) and IBM, Andrew also has mentored dozens of junior staffs to help them achieve their professional goals. Meeting and influencing high-profile public figures helped Andrew to realise just how many professionals require more understanding and control of their public brands or appearance, and need help with the skills to use the many amazing free tools at their disposal to generate success. At Social Star, Andrew consults with clients to uncover their personal brand – both where it is today and where it can be tomorrow – and refine and define how that should be displayed in social media in order to attract their perfect target audience. Andrew mentors his clients to rapidly grow their business’ audiences, resulting in larger potential client bases and higher revenue. Applying formulas that integrate over twenty years of Andrew’s business experience and fifteen years of formal business education, Social Star specialises in building clarity and velocity for clients’ brands using the ‘Understand, Build and Leverage’ methodology. ‘Having a Personal Business enables people to have an authentic, congruent connection with their valued clients and partners, using their brand as the bridge,’ says Andrew. ‘I’m highly driven to work with the new breed of entrepreneurs and small business owners – people who have a passion for making the world a better place. Traditional business models are stepping aside as people follow their innermost dreams and my role is to see them operate within their values while creating wealth. Some people think you have to sacrifice what you love to be successful in your business, yet it is actually the opposite. Follow your passion and success will come.’ Lecturing at Swinburne University from 2009 to 2011 on brand dynamics and digital marketing, presenting at numerous conferences, and consulting to hundreds of clients, Andrew has seen his philosophy work that if you follow your unique path, based on your skills, experience, values and goals, you will automatically attract the opportunities you desire and achieve the success you deserve. Living his mantra, Andrew has created a successful business and attracts high-profile clients including musicians, athletes, authors, models, entrepreneurs, professionals and small business owners, helping them find their ‘why’ in their business and fulfilment in their lives. Business for Andrew is more than work, it’s personal. Running a personal business means that he is able to fulfil all of his values rather than separating his life from work. It supports his two boys while providing social opportunities, educational development, fitness opportunities, spiritual fulfilment and many valuable friendships. Social Star has now become the vehicle for Andrew to crystallise his mission in the world, to help people love what they do, supporting his ‘why’, that if more people loved what they did, the world would be a better place.
http://www.andrewford.com.au/
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Episode 18. Building Bold: Business, Data & Backing Yourself with Schalk Kock