Episode Details

Build Your Own Stage: The Story Behind Ripple Festival

Want to know what really goes into creating a game-changing business festival? In this episode of Money Secrets, Fi is joined by her brilliant business bestie and co-founder of Ripple Festival, Mia Fileman, for a no-filter chat about the why behind this big, bold, beautiful idea.

Ripple Festival isn’t just another business event. It’s a full-body experience designed to bring small business owners together in a way that feels exciting, immersive, and truly unforgettable. In this episode, Fi and Mia pull back the curtain on what’s happening behind the scenes, why vanilla conferences just aren’t cutting it anymore, and why building your own stage might just be the most powerful move you can make in your business.

🎧 Hit play now to hear how two small business owners are reimagining what connection, community, and celebration really look like.

Be part of the story. When you buy a ticket, you're not just coming to an event—you’re joining a community and helping shape the experience. From choosing musicians to recommending speakers, the early adopters are in the driver’s seat. Get your tickets here

What you’ll learn in this episode: 

• Why we need Ripple Festival. Spoiler: it’s not just about being in a room—it’s about being part of something that lasts far beyond two days. Fi and Mia break down what makes an event memorable and why most business conferences are missing the mark.
• Build your own damn stage. Tired of waiting to be “picked”? So were they. Hear how Fi and Mia are stepping into the spotlight—on their terms—and why more business owners need to create the opportunities they deserve.
• Why representation matters. Ripple Festival is committed to reflecting the real small business community—one that is diverse in every way. It’s not about ticking boxes; it’s about building something truly inclusive from the ground up.
• Music, comedy, creativity—oh my! This isn’t just a business event. It’s a celebration of culture, creativity and connection. From indie musicians to brilliant speakers you won’t find on the usual circuits, Ripple is about bringing the best of everyone together.
• The truth about funding a festival. Fi and Mia get honest about how they’re bootstrapping the whole thing, what they’ve let go of to make room for Ripple, and why healthy businesses make room for bold risks.
• Why did they stop drinking? This one might surprise you. Hear how cutting alcohol out of their lives has helped them show up with more clarity, more energy, and more intention while building something this big.
• An antidote to loneliness. Business can feel isolating—but it doesn’t have to be. Ripple is designed to connect you with people before you even arrive, so you walk into the festival already knowing faces in the crowd.

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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 sm