Balancing the Grind with Billy Green, Founder & CEO of Make-Out Meals

Billy Green, Founder & CEO of Make-Out Meals, a weekly meal kit company providing recipes from some of Victorians favourite restaurants.

1) To kick things off, could you tell us a little about your career background and current role?

I spent close to 8 years working across various marketing roles in major national and international corporations, which included The Walt Disney Company, Bosch, The Good Guys and my last role at Monash University, where I led marketing strategy across the university.

I also have started various ‘side-hustle’ businesses, the latest being a merchandising business where I serviced predominantly bands, tradies and restaurants across Australia. I launched Make-Out Meals in 2020 amidst the COVID lockdowns, and since then we’ve seen massive growth and have been full-time in the business since 2020.

We’re a meal kit company with a similar business model to our international competitors in Hello Fresh and Marley Spoon, but with all of our recipes and ingredients provided exclusively by Australia’s favourite restaurants.

For customers, it means not only are we offering a premium, localised service that is big on sustainability, but by ordering with us they’re also providing much-needed support to the hospitality industry.

2) What does a day in your life look like for you? Can you take us through a recent workday?

My days are always varied, which is what I love about being my own boss. It can vary from packing orders, admin, managing finances, developing new products, working on the website, customer service, or talking to our restaurant partners.

Our team has been expanding gradually over the last 6 months, which means certain functions like sales and marketing I’m able to outsource, and give myself more time to focus on the bigger picture strategies and future growth of the business.

3) Does your current role allow for flexible or remote working? If so, how does that fit into your life and routine?

Other than when we are packing orders, my role is completely flexible in terms of times and location. Running a business you really get out what you put in, so while I’m working most nights, I’m also able to make time to pick up my son from school, see friends and family, and have a routine based around what works for me.

4) What does work-life balance mean to you and how do you work to achieve that goal?

Anyone else who has started a business would understand the amount of work that goes into it. While you can be flexible and work around your desired lifestyle, there’s also the ongoing sense of accountability and even guilt feeling that you should be working more or should have completed that certain task that week.

While I had worked in corporate environments I had a great work-life balance – it’s much easier when someone else is providing your paycheck! Now, I’m working towards getting there again, but I’ve also realised I need to accept that there will often be late nights, early mornings or weekends spent working, and hopefully one day it all pays off.

5) In the past 12 months, have you started or stopped any routines or habits to change your life?

I’ve definitely dropped off from a steady routine in the last 12 months whilst I transitioned from working in a full-time corporate role to being a full-time entrepreneur. It’s definitely something I’m gradually getting back to, but it’s not always possible when you’re having to wear so many hats in a business – but that’s what I love about my job so I can’t complain!

6) Do you have any favourite books, podcasts or newsletters that you’d like to recommend?

I’ve really tried getting into books and podcasts and have been through multiple phases, but nothing has really stuck! I think I’ve had the same book sitting on my bedside table for 12 months or more.

7) Are there any products, gadgets or apps that you can’t live without?

My laptop is my main device to manage every aspect of my life. I love a good spreadsheet and making sure my day is planned out and I know what needs to get done.

8) If you could read an interview about work-life balance by anyone, who would that be?  

Any foodie entrepreneurs that are scaling rapidly – people like Kim Teo from Mr Yum or others would be great.

9) Do you have any last thoughts on work, life or balance that you’d like to share with our readers?

I think it’s really up to you what you want out of work! I always had a great work-life balance until I started Make-Out Meals, and I love it. For me it’s about being proud of what I’m doing and really challenging myself to do the best job possible, rather than being bored brainless in a cushy corporate role.

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