About us

We are a small-but-mighty team of people who listen, challenge, trust and believe, to create connections and forge pathways for ourselves and other business owners.

Our foundations lay deep in the power of introspection, community, brand and humble story-telling. 

Vari McKechnie and Tom Pountney aligned on a vision and joined forces to create Friday Morning – for business owners to clarify their vision, craft their business and create the life they really deserve.

We’ve been doing it for years in different guises across a range of industries – from finance broking to property staging, gluten free beer to chai.

Don’t just take our word for it – read other people’s words here >>>

  • As a coach, creative director, design and writer, Vari brings a huge variety of skills and experience to Friday Morning.

    Having run her own small business for 15 years, she’s learned a thing or two about what works (and more importantly what doesn’t!) when it comes to balancing work and life.


    Some potentially interesting facts:

    I was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and have called Australia home since 2007.

    I live by the beach on the Mornington Peninsula with my two sons, Gabe and Noah and our adorable staffy, Stella.

    I published my first book in 2023 called Seeds of Courage. (Pretty major bucket list item for me!)

    Coffee order: almond capp ☕

    Weakness: Tony’s Chocolonely, caramel sea salt 🍫🤤

    Sports team: Western Bulldogs #godoggies 🐶 🔴 ⚪ 🔵

    📖 Fav book: The Shadow of the Wind, by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

    🎞️ Fav movie: Crazy Stupid Love and Romeo + Juliet

    🧑‍🏫 Something my school report said that remains true today:
    Vari likes to draw and colour-in. She likes to talk, which can sometimes distract other students.

  • Tom understands how businesses need to act and articulate to head in a desired direction.

    He loves listening to business owners to unlock purpose and passion, and has a strong belief that team culture and brand communication are the key to connection, leading to personal and organisational growth.

    He’s been crafting copy and language for brands since his first job as Editor of the University of West England Student Newspaper in 2007.


    Some potentially interesting facts:

    I was born in Sussex, England and have called the Mornington Peninsula home since 2017.

    I married an Australian and we have three girls; Isabela, Ettie and Maeve – our collective health and happiness – and that of our loved ones – is my why.

    I co-founded road safety charity The White Bike Foundation and completed my first (and only to date) Full Ironman Triathlon in 2018

    Coffee order: Black. Long in the morning and short in the afternoon

    Weakness: Tim-Tams

    Sports team: Tottenham Hotspur

    📖 Fav book: The Celestine Prophecy, by James Redfield 

    🎞️ Fav movie: Almost Famous

    🧑‍🏫 Something my school report said that remains true today:
    If Tom could apply the energy he shows playing sport and socialising to his school-work, he’d be an A* student