The Creative Entrepreneur

We were so lucky to sit down with Ronnen Goren of Studio Ongarato and the Longhouse Daylesford for this episode on creative entrepreneurship. As a lifelong learner, fierce innovator, armed with a degree in Architecture and a background in hospitality - Ronnen and his business partner co-founded Studio Ongarato. With a significant cultural body of work, it’s no wonder it has sat as Australia’s foremost design studio for the past 30 years. As all true entrepreneurs will attest, your heart never lies in one business… It’s through this knowing and Ronnen’s drive to continue “later life learning”, along with his focus on legacy, that gave birth to The Longhouse Daylesford. Known as a farm, accommodation retreat and a school, it’s a place that takes you back to the fundamentals of living.

During this episode Amanda and Ronnen discuss how his Grand Designs episode almost didn’t air, that you don’t need to compromise between design and sustainability and the ways in which design boundaries can be pushed. They discuss how breaking down creative projects and ideas converts to early engagement from clients, the importance of not pitching ideas you don’t want the client to pick and his unique hiring process. During this discussion Ronnen shares his experiences growing up with creative entrepreneurial parents and how inheritance isn’t just money.

Enjoy his soothing voice and the endless wisdom in this conversation.