ENTREPRENEUR · ADVENTURER · CONVERSATION HOST
I’m Sam Penny. I build businesses, take on demanding adventures and get curious about the people who see the world differently.
01 / THE PERSON
From building businesses to swimming the English Channel, I’ve always wanted to find out what happens when you commit to an idea.
My background is in civil engineering and business. Over more than 25 years, I’ve worked through the practical realities of creating products, building brands, growing teams and getting things into customers’ hands.
That work has taken me from artisan food and the communities behind it to the technology I’m building with SAVR today. Outside business, the ocean has provided a different kind of education in preparation, patience and perspective.
I’m based on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. Family, the water and a good conversation are the things I keep coming back to.
Bachelor of Engineering (Civil)
Master of Business Administration
Founder, SAVR
Sunshine Coast, Queensland
02 / THE WORK
A selection of the businesses and projects that have shaped my working life.
CURRENT VENTURE
Founder
I’m building SAVR, a tyre pressure monitoring brand bringing together sensors, an app and in-car connectivity. The work spans product development, customer experience and the practical detail of making technology useful on the road.
Originally launched as Safety Sam.
Explore SAVR ↗LAUNCHED 2016
Co-founder
Co-founded with Helen Shadforth, Cheese Therapy connected artisan cheesemakers with customers around Australia. During the bushfires and pandemic, it became an important route to market for small producers whose usual channels had closed.
The story behind the business ↗LAUNCHED 2021
Co-founder
The Cheese Therapy story expanded into a marketplace for artisan food producers. It brought together the craft of small businesses and the reach of a national online audience.
Read the launch story ↗A MOMENT THAT MATTERED / 2021
When a proposed Australia Post ban on perishables threatened regional food businesses, I joined the public campaign for it to be reconsidered. The proposed ban was withdrawn, keeping a vital delivery channel open.
Read the campaign story ↗03 / BEYOND BUSINESS
Swimming has taken me into places where preparation matters, plans change and perspective comes quickly.
Completed the crossing from England to France in 2018. A long-held goal, reached one stroke at a time.
Completed an Ice Mile in 3.9°C water in 2019. A different test of preparation and composure.
Returned in December 2019 for a winter attempt. The swim ended early; the experience remains an important part of the story.
04 / THE CONVERSATIONS
Founders, explorers, writers and people who have chosen an unexpected path. Selected conversations from my two podcast series.
On preparation, a broken mast and finding a way forward when the plan falls apart.
Explore the conversationThe founder behind New Age Caravans on growth, ownership and returning to build with Bruder RV.
Explore the conversationA conversation about Antarctica, curiosity and making room for the experiences that matter.
Explore the conversationThe Iron Body Fit story: building a franchise network while protecting the culture that made it work.
Explore the conversationOn writing, humour and the willingness to tell a story in your own voice.
Explore the conversationBeyond the familiar Jim’s Group name: a conversation about purpose, people and building a franchise.
Explore the conversationFrom failed Atlantic rows to kayaking the Northwest Passage, and the people who make an expedition possible.
Explore the conversationExploration, education and connecting people through journeys across extraordinary landscapes.
Explore the conversationA double English Channel crossing at seventeen, and an honest conversation about what comes afterwards.
Explore the conversationOn systems, responsibility and building a company that can stand on its own feet.
Explore the conversationA look at the standards leaders set, the behaviour they tolerate and the culture that follows.
Explore the conversationAn engineer’s journey to the South Pole, and the preparation behind a demanding solo expedition.
Explore the conversationProduct, distribution and the work of bringing an app into the world.
Explore the conversationA conversation about filmmaking, identity and finding the story worth telling.
Explore the conversationNo conversations match that search. Try another name or topic.
05 / ON RECORD
TEDxBRISBANE
The story of how buying directly from small producers can support families, businesses and regional communities.
Watch the TEDx talk
06 / SAY HELLO
For a thoughtful introduction, an interesting idea or a conversation worth having, you can reach me directly.
sam@sampenny.com Connect on LinkedIn ↗Based on the Sunshine Coast, Australia.