In this episode of Add To Cart, we checkout Melissa Drennan, CEO of Green Friday, a business born from a desire to disrupt retail consumerism on behalf of the planet. Starting in 2021 with an inaugural event which ran at the same time as the Black Friday - Cyber Monday period featuring 23 partners, they’ve grown to now host 260 brands - people like Michael Hill, Salvos Stores and Frank Green. They have an engaged customer base of 12,000 and continue their mission to educate and inspire consumers...
Dec 21, 2023•8 min•Season 1Ep. 365
In this episode of Add To Cart, we are joined by Dave Hack and George Brown, co founders of Creator Flow, a platform that connects brands with UGC-style Ad Creators. The founders saw a gap between those that have a need for social media ad content to be made and those with the talent, experience and availability to make it. They’ve filled their books with high quality Australian creators and are working with some pretty impressive clients - outfits like Shark Ninja, Who Gives A Crap and The Oodi...
Dec 17, 2023•47 min•Season 1Ep. 364
In this episode of Add To Cart, we checkout Jason and Jessica Pallant, the his and hers of marketing research, a dream team package whose academic take on Ecommerce provides much needed clarity and a fresh perspective. Their recently published paper (aptly titled The NIghtmare Before Christmas) delves into how brands feel about taking on Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Pre-Christmas, the lot. They asked a bunch of retailers to spill the beans on their approaches to the sales in an attempt to work ou...
Dec 14, 2023•9 min•Season 1Ep. 363
In this episode of Add To Cart, we are joined by Natalie Wakeling, founder of Embody Women. Natalie landed her first editorial spread in Cosmopolitan Magazine in 2000 and since then has worked with every major Australian fashion title, plus-size brand and large retailer. Her own struggle as a teenager to find cool fashion that actually fit, led her on a crusade for size inclusivity – and in 2006 she launched her own plus size fashion label, Embody Women. In our chat, Natalie shares the surprisin...
Dec 10, 2023•43 min•Season 1Ep. 362
In this episode of Add To Cart, we checkout Emilio Murphy, Head of Paid Media at Muscle Nation, the community and culture driven fitness brand. Before that, Emilio spent three and a half years at hypergrowth start up HiSmile, helping them conquer the teeth whitening sector. Links from the episode: Mastering Paid Media with Muscle Nation | #345 Questions answered in the podcast: What is the weirdest thing you’ve ever bought online? Who is your favourite retailer? Which retail fad do you wish was ...
Dec 07, 2023•8 min•Season 1Ep. 361
In this episode of Add To Cart, we are joined by Alisa and Lysandra Fraser, founders of the successful home and personal care brand al.ive body. Alisa and Lysandra started the brand in 2020 just as COVID hit Australia and today they have 50 product lines, 750 stockists and an estimated 2024 turnover of $22 million. We do chat briefly about their success on The Block back in 2013, but the pair have done so much more since then. They share their stand out learnings from a recent warehouse relocati...
Dec 03, 2023•47 min•Season 1Ep. 360
In this episode of Add To Cart, we checkout the founder of one of the most interesting non-alcoholic brewing companies in Australia, Clinton Schultz. A Gamilaraay man, psychologist, former chef and co-founder of Sobah Beverages. In 2017, after two years on the wagon, Clinton was frustrated at the lack of adult drink options that weren’t alcoholic and launched Sobah in response. The business is on a mission to champion Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, native foods and well-being, an...
Nov 30, 2023•6 min•Season 1Ep. 359
Today’s guest likens himself to a popular eighties TV character. Didn’t we all aspire to be Magnum PI or Uncle Jesse from Full House at some point? I ended up more like Norm from Cheers - I’m showing my age now. Today we’re talking to another smart, resourceful problem solver - just like Macgyver - there you go, did you get it right? My guest is Matthew Pezzimenti, Founder and Director of Conversion Kings. Since 2014, they’ve been working on Conversion Rate Optimisation processes for leading Aus...
Nov 26, 2023•51 min•Season 1Ep. 358
In this episode of Add To Cart, we checkout Alice Kuepper from Winning Group. Alice landed her ‘dream job’ as Head of Sustainable Business and Corporate Social Responsibility at the home of Appliances Online and Winning Appliances in 2020. The broad and far-reaching role includes goals such as championing a circular economy, ensuring good visibility on supply chain ethics and forging meaningful connections with First Nations communities. It feels like destiny may have played a significant part i...
Nov 23, 2023•6 min•Season 1Ep. 357
One of the best things about hosting a podcast is the education I receive in the process. I’ve learned about work life balance from Anthony Zaccaria at Linktree , values from Julie Mathers at Flora & Fauna and timing from Gabby Liebovich of Catch . I’ve even got a recipe for homemade bread from Adam Lindsay from Koh. Today’s episode has more than its fair share of revelations for me - on everything from textile weaving machinery settings to what it's like to work for one of Hollywood’s most ...
Nov 19, 2023•56 min•Season 1Ep. 356
In this episode of Add To Cart, we checkout Clothing The Gaps co-founders Laura Thompson and Sarah Sheridan. Started as a COVID hustle when Laura and Sarah were in health promotion, Clothing The Gaps is now Australia’s leading Indigenous fashion brand, and arguably, Australia’s foremost brand when it comes to leading real social change. From their Free The Flag campaign (which ended up freeing the flag) to this year’s Voice referendum, Clothing The Gaps are an inspirational team who won’t stop o...
Nov 16, 2023•7 min•Season 1Ep. 355
Coming to you today from another live event…we’re on a bit of a roll and are loving bringing our conversations into a packed room. Much funner than being the lone ranger in my studio. This time, we are in Melbourne at Emarsys The Power to the Marketer event. Power to the Marketer is a global event and this year’s theme was elevating the Art & Science of Marketing. My guest is Darren Gunton, GM of Marketing at Total Tools, Australia’s largest independent professional tools retailer with 81 fr...
Nov 13, 2023•33 min•Season 1Ep. 350
In this episode of Add To Cart, we are joined by Justin Ryan, Co founder of Glow Capital Partners, a growth equity firm investing in high growth brands and businesses in Australia and New Zealand. Having led 22 private equity investments and a big fan of partnering with innovative entrepreneurs and founders, Justin started the Glow Capital business in 2021 alongside Kate Morris of Adore Beauty. Earlier this year they secured their first major client, Cargo Crew. Justin and I chat about the benef...
Nov 12, 2023•52 min•Season 1Ep. 354
In this episode of Add To Cart, we checkout CEO of an Australian skincare brand, with a heritage dating back to the birth of the modern beauty industry in the 1930s. Pippa Hallas is the great niece of the original founder of Ella Bache and has been at the helm since 2010. With counters in David Jones and franchises in over 150 salons across Australia, Ella Bache has an emphasis on individual skincare solutions and education. In this chat, Pippa shares the secrets to maintaining a legacy brand, h...
Nov 09, 2023•6 min•Season 1Ep. 353
In this episode of Add To Cart, we are joined by Shamini Rajarethnam, CEO of Rationale. Shamini joined the Australian luxury skincare brand as a marketing and digital coordinator in 2011. Just four years later, she was CEO. Rationale started life in the doctors surgery, prescribed by dermatologists and plastic surgeons to promote optimum skin health. Blending science with Australian botanicals, Rationale is now also available online with flagship stores across Australia, Asia and in LA. Shamini ...
Nov 05, 2023•48 min•Season 1Ep. 352
In this episode of Add To Cart, we checkout Drew Mansur. Drew is the Co founder of TileCloud, an online D2C store transforming the often confusing and overwhelming tile buying process. With over 300,000 Instagram followers and partners such as Three Birds Renovations, TileCloud provides inspiration and the goods to elevate your reno with minimum fuss. Drew struck me as down to earth and perceptive - the kind of guy you want on speed dial when dealing with a dodgy builder. Links from the episode:...
Nov 02, 2023•10 min•Season 1Ep. 351
In this episode of Add To Cart, we are joined by Melissa Drennan, CEO of Green Friday, a business born from a desire to disrupt retail consumerism on behalf of the planet. Starting in 2021 with an inaugural event which ran at the same time as the Black Friday - Cyber Monday period featuring 23 partners, they’ve grown to now host 260 brands - people like Michael Hill, Salvos Stores and Frank Green. They have an engaged customer base of 12,000 and, with this year’s event - which is on right now - ...
Oct 29, 2023•51 min•Season 1Ep. 349
In this episode of Add To Cart, we are joined by Nick Morgan, Founder and CEO of Vudoo, a platform that connects content to commerce and brings the checkout to the customer…we’re talking turbo-charged shoppable video and engagement to match. Vudoo started in 2016 and clients include Nike, Westpac and Vogue. Links from the episode: Vudoo Nick Morgan from Vudoo: The Magic of Interactive Video | #330 Questions answered in the podcast: What is the weirdest thing you’ve ever bought online? Who is you...
Oct 26, 2023•10 min•Season 1Ep. 348
In this episode of Add To Cart, we are joined by Jason and Jessica Pallant, the his and hers of marketing research, a dream team package whose academic take on Ecommerce provides much needed clarity and a fresh perspective. Their recently published paper (aptly titled The NIghtmare Before Christmas) delves into how brands feel about taking on Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Pre-Christmas, the lot. They asked a bunch of retailers to spill the beans on their approaches to the sales in an attempt to wo...
Oct 22, 2023•55 min•Season 1Ep. 347
In this episode of Add To Cart, we checkout Lisa Jones, founder of SHE-com- a community for connecting and mentoring female founders in ecommerce. She was also the co-founder of Ecooriginals which was sold to a private equity investor in 2020. Links from the episode: SHE-com Lisa Jones from SHE-com: Supporting Women Founders | #328 Questions answered in the podcast: What is the weirdest thing you’ve ever bought online? Who is your favourite retailer? Which retail fad do you wish was history? Can...
Oct 19, 2023•10 min•Season 1Ep. 346
In this episode of Add To Cart, we are joined by Emilio Murphy, Head of Paid Media at Muscle Nation, the community and culture driven fitness brand. Before that, Emilio spent three and a half years at hypergrowth start up HiSmile, helping them conquer the teeth whitening sector. Emilio gives us all his tips, plus the channels and formats he sees as essential for success. He reveals the most important lever in his advertising arsenal and shares his predictions on the future of search. Links from ...
Oct 15, 2023•52 min•Season 1Ep. 345
In this episode of Add To Cart, we checkout Sean Ashby, founder and Managing Director of aussieBum, the iconic mens swimwear company born on the sands of Bondi Beach. Back in 2000, unable to find the nylon togs he loved amidst a sea of lycra, Sean created his own and set about knocking on doors. Today, aussieBum’s swimwear, underwear and lifestyle apparel has a cult following and sells in 183 countries worldwide. Links from the episode: Sean Ashby from aussieBum: Around The World In Sexy Togs | ...
Oct 12, 2023•4 min•Season 1Ep. 344
In this episode of Add To Cart, we are joined by Alice Kuepper from Winning Group. Alice landed her ‘dream job’ as Head of Sustainable Business and Corporate Social Responsibility at the home of Appliances Online and Winning Appliances in 2020. The broad and far-reaching role includes goals such as championing a circular economy, ensuring good visibility on supply chain ethics and forging meaningful connections with First Nations communities. It feels like destiny may have played a significant p...
Oct 08, 2023•50 min•Season 1Ep. 343
In this episode of Add To Cart, we checkout Kelly Slessor, digital coach and founder of The Ecommerce Tribe. You might also know Kelly as the founder of personalised shopping app, Shop You. She has helped hundreds of companies including Westfield, Woolworths and Big W to develop and grow their digital channels and was chair of this year’s Online Retailer Conference and Expo. Links from the episode: The Ecommerce Tribe Kelly Slessor from The Ecommerce Tribe: AI Tips from a Technologist | #326 Que...
Oct 05, 2023•7 min•Season 1Ep. 342
In this episode of Add To Cart, we are joined by Clinton Schultz. A Gamilaraay man, psychologist, former chef and co-founder of Sobah Beverages. In 2017, after two years on the wagon, Clinton was frustrated at the lack of adult drink options that weren’t alcoholic and launched Sobah in response. The business is on a mission to champion Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, native foods and well-being, and through their unique range of brews, help to reduce the stigma around socialising ...
Oct 01, 2023•49 min•Season 1Ep. 341
In this episode of Add To Cart, we checkout Joel Azzopardi, Co founder and CEO of Freddy. Freddy make jeans that prioritise comfort and fit and look amazing on every body, thanks to patented fabric technology. The Freddy brand is over 50 years old and in Australia has a cult following with over 150,000 Australian followers. Who knew good fitting jeans would be so popular! Links from the episode: Freddy Joel Azzopardi from Freddy: Acquiring the Perfect Fit | #322 Questions answered in the podcast...
Sep 28, 2023•8 min•Season 1Ep. 340
In this episode of Add To Cart, we are joined by Amanda Healy from Kirrikin. A proud Koori woman, Amanda has more than 30 years experience in mining, but when she noticed the lack of authentic Indigenous products, she took matters into her own hands and in 2014, she launched her own brand. Kirrikin is a luxury fashion label that showcases Indigenous art and offers customers the opportunity to directly support the artist behind the design. In 2021, Amanda’s brand even hit the runway at Australian...
Sep 24, 2023•48 min•Season 1Ep. 339
In this episode of Add To Cart, we checkout Tim Warren, Co founder and CEO of Ambit, a company that started building a conversational artificial intelligence platform back in 2016! Way ahead of the game, or as Tim describes it, just braver than others, they went all in on Ambit GPT, a retail focused chatbot that provides deeply personalised, automated conversations that delight customers. Kiwi born and bred, Ambit has clients such as The Warehouse group, Glassons and Dermalogica and raised a mil...
Sep 21, 2023•10 min•Season 1Ep. 338
In this episode of Add To Cart, we are joined by Clothing The Gaps co-founders Laura Thompson and Sarah Sheridan. Started as a COVID hustle when Laura and Sarah were in health promotion, Clothing The Gaps is now Australia’s leading Indigenous fashion brand, and arguably, Australia’s foremost brand when it comes to leading real social change. From their Free The Flag campaign (which ended up freeing the flag) to this year’s Voice referendum, Clothing The Gaps are an inspirational team who won’t s...
Sep 17, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Season 1Ep. 337
In this episode of Add To Cart, we checkout Daniel Kitay, founder of FUNDAY Natural Sweets, a confectionary brand making lollies with no sugar or sugar alcohol added. Daniel’s own weight loss journey left him missing out on the joy of one of his favourites treats and inspired him to create a replacement. FUNDAY’S unique formula maximises taste and eliminates the frequent trips to the loo that many ‘healthier’ lollies can bring. They have a five-star health rating, contain around 100 calories per...
Sep 14, 2023•10 min•Season 1Ep. 336
