Every risk tells a story—some lead to breakthroughs, others to tough lessons, but all shape the journey.

In Episode 2 of Risky Business, our candid B2B series, we skip the corporate clichés and delve straight into authentic stories with the bold business leaders of SEQ and beyond. This time, we’re sitting down with Dave Muir, CEO of DS Energy, a solar powerhouse built from bold choices and calculated risks.

Dave founded DS Energy after leaving behind a secure, lucrative role to chase something uncertain but meaningful.

What’s Inside This Episode:

• The career-changing risk that defined his entrepreneurial journey
• The hidden challenge of leadership that nobody talks about
• The underrated skill crucial to business success
• The best investment Dave ever made

And more..

The Risk That Almost Cost Everything

“Ten minutes after we had the conversation, I’d resigned.”

Dave’s biggest risk wasn’t just business—it was deeply personal. Feeling unfulfilled in a secure, well-paid job, his turning point came unexpectedly at home:

“My wife, who’s a clinical psychologist, turned to me after an online Teams meeting with my then-job and said, ‘You’re miserable.’ And I said, ‘I am, I am.’

She said, ‘if you’re miserable, make a change. What do you want to do?’

I said, ‘I want to quit. I want to start backing DS Energy.’ So I gave up a really well-paying job to earn nothing.

It was a real sacrifice and it was a real risk not only for me, but for my family.” I gave up a really well-paying job to earn nothing. We’d have conversations like, ‘Have we got any money to pay me this month?’ But at the end of it, you’re backing yourself and your team to succeed.”

That honest, confronting moment propelled Dave to step away from security into uncertainty.

The Loneliest Role

“You don’t reflect on some of the loneliness.”

Leadership can be isolating—a reality Dave hadn’t fully anticipated:

“You’ve got people, you’ve got finances, you’ve got clients, you’ve got all of these things that go on… sometimes you sit there and go, ‘I feel all of this on myself.’ We’re turning over $20 million, we’ve got overheads of three and a half million. That’s 40 families all depending on the success of this business.”

Dave highlights the importance of finding your community, and someone to speak to who’ve been through it:

“I think for any young entrepreneur, it’s about that. Okay, who is that mentor? You can go and talk to? Who’s someone you can actually send that out with.
And so having those people around you who are willing to give you their time and investing in you and the business from a just being a sounding board.”

The Best Investment: Good People

“What’s the most underrated skill in business?

Managing people effectively is one of the toughest business skills, according to Dave:

“Its a hard one to actually learn how to manage people. That’s a really hard skill. The best answer I have for it is simply to be curious—curious about people, their stories, what motivates them.”

Dave even shared a practical example:

“One of the most popular events we have internally is when new team members share their personal story—where they came from, their journey. It builds connection and understanding, which is invaluable.”

The Most Underrated Skill: Managing People

“It’s a hard one to actually learn how to manage people.”

According to Dave, managing people effectively is one of the toughest and most underrated skills in business:

“We all think of leaders as William Wallace in Braveheart, you know, ‘follow me in the battle and I’m a lunatic.’ Whereas actually, management of people and having empathy and being able to connect with different people because our business is made up of so many different skill sets—that’s a really hard skill.”

“What’s the answer? Be curious.”

Dave illustrates this approach practically:

“We do an International Food Day. Everyone brings in food from their culture, and it’s one of the most popular events we have.”

What Really Matters (and What Doesn’t)

“What other people think—it’s overrated.”

Dave’s final reflection underscores a powerful lesson for entrepreneurs:

“When you’re building a business, it’s easy to get caught up in external validation. But honestly, what other people think matters a lot less than you imagine. Trust your instincts and values, because that’s what truly counts.”

Watch the Full Episode Now → Risky Business 

Risky Business is just getting started. Stay tuned for more unfiltered stories from the boldest minds in business.

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