Episode
What Happens After a $47M Exit? Phillip Di Bella on What Success Really Is
- Podcast
- Really Good Conversations
- Published
- Mar 23, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 2365
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Summary
Summary Phillip Di Bella built one of Australia's most successful coffee businesses, and sold it for $47 million. In this episode, we find what it actually felt like the day after he sold, how his definition of success has changed over the years, and what the next generation needs to hear about work and leadership. This isn't just a story about building and selling a business, it's about what success really costs, and what's actually worth chasing. Guest Phillip Di Bella is an Australian entrepreneur and founder of Di Bella Coffee and The Coffee Commune. He is also a mentor, speaker and advocate for innovation and collaboration in the hospitality industry. Overview Phillip Di Bella is the founder of Di Bella Coffee , which he launched in Brisbane in 2002 with just $5,000 and scaled into one of Australia's largest specialty coffee brands. After selling the business for $47 million, Phillip could have stepped away. Instead, he doubled down on building community, mentoring entrepreneurs, and reshaping what success looks like. In this episode of Really Good Conversations, Phillip shares the emotional impact of selling a business with your name on it, the cost of relentless growth, and how he lost 80kg to take his life back after burnout. He challenges the hype around startup exits, investment culture, and the "get rich quick" narrative flooding social media. You'll hear his views on leadership, resilience, and what today's business owners need to understand about patience, failure, and building something that lasts. Key takeaways What it really felt like to sell a business for $47 million and why Phillip asked for the cheque, not a bank transfer The personal cost of growth: burnout, weight gain, and what he changed after the exit Phillip's definition of success today and w…