Jennifer Ford: From Local ROV Service to Global Net Repair Innovator

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?? Do you know what it really takes to export your product beyond Australia?

?? Are your business partnerships helping or hindering your growth?

?? Are your innovations solving client problems or just adding complexity?

If you’re scaling a tech innovation beyond Australia, this episode is for you.

In this episode, I sit down with Jennifer Ford, CEO of Southern Ocean Sub Sea. Jennifer shares how her Tasmanian-based subsea business scaled from servicing local salmon farms to selling innovative net repair technology to Norway, the global aquaculture hub. This episode offers practical advice for mid-sized business CEOs looking to export, protect intellectual property, and navigate business partnerships.

What You’ll Learn:

== How to identify when your local market is too small

== Why exporting requires product design with global standards in mind

== How to structure business partnerships to protect IP and exit value

== Why solving real client problems should drive your innovation

== How to stay focused on your core mission while scaling

Highlights

00:00 Introduction and Background

00:39 Founding Southern Ocean Sub Sea

04:06 Transition to Innovation and Manufacturing

07:53 Partnership Dynamics and Business Growth

12:40 Navigating Challenges and Achievements

19:38 Advanced Manufacturing and Export Strategy

30:36 Future Vision and Reflections

41:12 #CriticalFewActions™ for Senior Leaders

The #CriticalFewActions™ You Can Do Today:

When I work with successful business leaders, I often see them miss export opportunities because their business model isn’t structured to scale. Or they rush into partnerships without clear agreements, putting everything they’ve built at risk.

The first Insight is about scaling an innovation into global markets. Many businesses underestimate their global potential.

So, what can you do?

Research your global market early.

Build products with export-readiness in mind.

The second Insight is about building effective business partnerships. Too many founders skip legal clarity, risking control.

So, what can you do?

Invest in robust shareholder agreements.

Review agreements as your business evolves.

The third Insight is about focusing innovation on solving client problems. Shiny ideas don’t always sell.

So, what can you do?

Engage clients to uncover unmet needs.

Prioritise development based on real-world problems.

If you found this conversation valuable, please Subscribe / Follow, leave a comment, and share this episode with your peer business leaders. Your support helps us reach more CEOs who want to improve organisation performance and value.

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Final Thought

If you’ve ever wondered whether your business is truly ready for export, take a moment today to ask yourself: Have I built my business structure and partnerships to support that scale, or am I still thinking local when I could be thinking global?

References:

Australian Trade and Investment Commission: https://www.austrade.gov.au/news/news/why-more-australian-smes-are-choosing-to-export

Global Aquaculture Market Forecast: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/aquaculture-market-102278

Austrade Aquaculture and Seafood Overview: https://www.austrade.gov.au/australian/export/export-markets/industries/food-and-beverage/aquaculture-and-seafood

Business.gov.au Shareholders Agreement: https://business.gov.au/planning/business-structures-and-types/setting-up-a-company/shareholders-agreement

McKinsey on Customer-Led Innovation: https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/mckinsey-digital/our-insights/the-eight-essentials-of-innovation

#CriticalFewActions #CEOMasterclass

#AquacultureBusiness #TechInnovation #ExportStrategy #BusinessPartnerships #IPProtection #ScalingUp #BusinessGrowth #MidSizedBusiness #CEOInsights