In this Checkout episode, we catch up with Serene Lim , founder of Gellae and Cup 49 , two innovative brands making waves in the DIY space. With seven-figure success and 400 million TikTok views under her belt, Serene is rewriting the rules of what small businesses can achieve. Serene shares why she’s inspired by the meteoric rise of FAYT the Label , spills on her go-to tech tool, Repurpose.io , which she calls a “game changer” for amplifying social media content with minimal effort, and for fel...
Jan 23, 2025•10 min•Season 1Ep. 486
In this episode of Add To Cart, we meet Nate Spiteri , the founder of Shopfront , the AI-powered platform revolutionising secondhand selling. Nate shares his journey from reselling Jordans on Depop to building a venture-backed SaaS business supported by industry leaders like Paul Greenberg and Antler Residency. Discover how Shopfront is saving sellers time by automating listings across platforms like eBay and Etsy , and why focusing on niche vintage sellers was the key to early success. Packed w...
Jan 19, 2025•51 min•Season 1Ep. 485
In this Checkout episode, we dive into the habits and inspirations of Mike Rhodes , the mastermind behind Mike Rhodes Ideas and the bestselling The Ultimate Guide to Google Ads . Mike discusses his admiration for brands like Frank Green and Sheet Society , his go-to tools like ChatGPT and Cursor , and the books that have shaped his journey, including The Goal and Co-Intelligence . From walking his daughters to school to crafting scripts that empower brands, Mike offers a fascinating glimpse into...
Jan 16, 2025•10 min•Season 1Ep. 484
In this episode of Add To Cart, we meet Vic Gigliotti , the founder of Muscle Republic , the fitness apparel brand that’s built on heart and hustle . Vic takes us through his journey, from starting the brand alongside his late dog Charlie Brown—the original “CEO”—to scaling it into a global operation selling in over 200 countries. Hear how Vic overcame early challenges, like finding suppliers and funding, and the pivotal moments that turned Muscle Republic into a community-driven brand. Packed w...
Jan 12, 2025•57 min•Season 1Ep. 483
Starting from a spare-bedroom setup, Tinyme has expanded internationally with high-tech, made-to-order products. In this checkout episode we chat to the trio behind the brand: Ben Hare , Mike Wilson and Nick McLennan . They discuss how brands like Bellroy and Bird’s Nest are inspiring their approach and discuss the tech essentials that power Tinyme’s operations, including their custom-built production system and Looker Studio . The trio also give their hottest must-reads and listens, including T...
Jan 09, 2025•14 min•Season 1Ep. 482
In this Checkout episode, we chat with Lou and Ben of Strapsicle to dive into the brands, tech, and inspo that drive their brand. They share her admiration for Aussie brands, July , Contour Cube and CMY Cubes , the tech that keeps them connected as digital nomads and the impact books like Things Will Calm Down Soon and Atomic Habits have on their business. They also discuss their symbiotic relationship with Kindle and the importance of mindset and focus as they grow Strapsicle. Check out our ful...
Jan 05, 2025•9 min•Season 1Ep. 481
In this Checkout episode, we catch up with Pablo Kraus , CEO of ecostore , the sustainable brand that’s captured eco-conscious consumers worldwide. Pablo dives into his admiration for Apple’s unforgettable in-store experience, the impact that ChatGPT has had on his workflow, and how he keeps his creativity sharp with hands-on side projects. Plus, he shares his go-to book for building customer-centric ecommerce, Don’t Make Me Think by Steve Krug , and the value of simple, intuitive design in buil...
Jan 02, 2025•8 min•Season 1Ep. 480
In this special episode of Add To Cart, we count down the five most-listened-to conversations of the year. We unpack insights from Culture Kings’ Simon Beard and Shopify’s Hannah Udina on how to turn physical stores into content powerhouses and Gai Le Roy of IAB Australia on how to navigate Amazon’s growing dominance and the evolving privacy landscape. Justin Bausch of Ryderwear and Thomas Harris of Emarsys share AI-driven personalisation strategies, Iain Calvert of Boom Ecommerce reveals his 50...
Dec 29, 2024•54 min•Season 1Ep. 479
In this Checkout episode, we chat with Damien Smith , CTO of Paramount Retail, the tech leader behind brands like BoozeBud and Barrel & Batch . Damien shares one of his more unusual online buys, sings the praises of small skateboard retailer brand Kick Push and highlights Good Strategy/Bad Strategy and the Manager Tools podcast as sources of practical, no-nonsense advice for leaders. He also explains how Asana keeps his team in sync across locations, highlights Shopify as crucial for powerin...
Dec 26, 2024•7 min•Season 1Ep. 478
In this special Best of 2024 episode of Add To Cart, we revisit five of Nathan’s standout conversations from across the year. We revisit insights from Profit Peak’s Carla Penn-Kahn and David Kahn , who unlocked a 20% profit boost for their multi-brand sneaker empire using real-time data and Adore Beauty’s Dan Ferguson , who uses psychology to build customer loyalty through innovative dual funnels. We recap wisdom on nudges and sludges from behavioural economics expert Sonia Friedrich and learn h...
Dec 22, 2024•40 min•Season 1Ep. 477
In this Checkout episode, we sit down with Lauren French , head of Motto Fashions . Lauren shares her most unusual online purchase—a car with no key— her admiration for Aussie bag brand Bon Maxie ’s clever UX design and lets us in on the tools she swears by, including Dashlane , the password manager that saved Motto from a cyberattack. She reveals how How Brands Grow by Byron Sharp changed the way she thinks about customer acquisition, and opens up about the challenge of adding structure to her ...
Dec 19, 2024•9 min•Season 1Ep. 476
In this episode of Add to Cart, we chat with Elena Chirich , the visionary behind MiniBoss Business School’s Aussie chapter . With a background in leading transformation projects for global giants like Virgin and Deloitte , Elena now focuses on shaping the entrepreneurs of tomorrow. She shares the science behind fostering creativity in kids, the power of early failure, and how mentorship from industry leaders, like Simon Beard of Culture Kings and Mike Thompson of Nude by Nature , sets MiniBoss ...
Dec 15, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 475
In this Checkout episode, we sit down with Phil Leahy , founder of MedCart and the visionary behind Retail Global , a leading e-commerce event platform. Phil shares his most unexpected online buy – a house purchased sight unseen – and praises Julie Mathers from Flora & Fauna for her exceptional approach to e-commerce. He discusses the importance of tools like SearchSpring in boosting MedCart's performance and highlights his go-to podcast, The Jason & Scot Show , for marketplace insights....
Dec 12, 2024•8 min•Season 1Ep. 474
In this episode of Add To Cart , we chat with Serene Lim , the mind behind Gellae (the gel nail stickers that make salon-quality nails achievable at home) and Cup 49 (bubble tea kits that bring café indulgence to your kitchen). Hear how Serene took Gellae to seven figures in its first year, racked up 400 million TikTok views, and landed her gel nail stickers on the shelves of 165 Boots stores across the UK and Ireland. We learn about how she crafts data-driven content strategies, addresses real ...
Dec 08, 2024•51 min•Season 1Ep. 473
In this Checkout episode, we sit down with Jethro Marks , co-founder of The Nile , to uncover personal insights behind this pioneering ecom giant. Jethro shares his thoughts on disruptive platforms like Temu , his admiration for the logistics mastery of Dan Murphy’s and the critical role Google’s BigQuery is playing in powering The Nile. He also reflects on how balancing innovation with consistency has fed into the brand’s long-term success amidst the ever-changing ecom landscape. Check out our ...
Dec 05, 2024•11 min•Season 1Ep. 472
In this episode of Add To Cart, we’re joined by Mike Rhodes , the Founder and Main Ideas Guy at Mike Rhodes Ideas . With a career spanning four successful business exits, including WebSavvy —an agency named one of Google’s Top 18 globally—Mike shares how focusing on problem-solving and innovation has driven his success. He reveals the power of his PMAX scripts, which are helping brands like UNICEF , Helly Hansen and The Body Shop uncover hidden ad spend opportunities. From reshaping ad strategie...
Dec 01, 2024•58 min•Season 1Ep. 471
In this Checkout episode, we catch up with Keira Rumble, founder of Krumbled Foods and a functional wellness brands Beauty Bites , Mini + Me , and Habitual Beauty . Keira shares her most bizarre online purchase (a toddler-sized forklift for content creation), her admiration for Aussie brand Goldie + Ace and her obsession with Milanote as an organisation tool. She shares her love for the book Buy Back Your Time, and how she’s learned to become a better leader by understanding her team’s strengths...
Nov 28, 2024•10 min•Season 1Ep. 470
In this episode of Add To Cart , we chat with Grace Brennan , Founder and CEO of Buy From The Bush , the platform connecting rural creators with global shoppers. From jewellers showcasing at Paris Fashion Week to artists landing commissions in Hollywood, Grace reveals how storytelling and partnerships with brands like PayPal and Meta turned this grassroots movement into a $14 million success. Discover how Grace champions small businesses and why she believes our rural communities deserve to be c...
Nov 24, 2024•37 min•Season 1Ep. 469
In this Checkout episode, we catch up with Adam Bouris , co-founder of WHO IS ELIJAH , a fast-growing Aussie fragrance brand with a commitment to cruelty-free ingredients and bold, gender-neutral scents. Adam talks about an Instagram purchase gone wrong, his admiration for Gymshark founder Ben Francis and his steady brand growth, and explains why Triple Whale is a game-changer for understanding attribution and marketing performance. He also discusses his personal guidebook Principles by Ray Dali...
Nov 21, 2024•8 min•Season 1Ep. 468
In this episode of Add To Cart, we chat with Pablo Kraus , CEO of ecostore , the brand making sustainability a household name around the world. Pablo tells us how ecostore has built trust through transparency—listing every ingredient and earning certifications like B Corp . He shares how ecostore is adapting to different markets by teaming up with Sesame Street to introduce their eco-friendly product line to Japan, and partnering with local independent stores across Australia and New Zealand. He...
Nov 17, 2024•44 min•Season 1Ep. 467
In today’s Checkout episode, we’re joined by Chief Customer Officer at black.ai , Justin Williams, who is leading the way in AI-powered retail technology. Justin shares his thoughts on the most unusual item he's purchased via eBay , how Kmart has reinvented itself and why he loves using Facebook Marketplace for buying and selling pre-loved items. He also opens up about how he balances working with different generations in the fast-paced tech world, why he’s subscribed to Gates Notes and gives hi...
Nov 14, 2024•11 min•Season 1Ep. 466
In this episode of Add to Cart, we chat with Ben Hare , Mike Wilson , and Nick McLennan , the co-founders of Tinyme , the beloved Aussie brand leading the way in personalised kids' products. From personalised backpacks to intricate puzzles, Tinyme has set itself apart with precision manufacturing and a customer-first approach. The team shares how their UK-based facility has transformed delivery times for international customers, how the spirit of “tinkering” drives their creative product innovat...
Nov 10, 2024•59 min•Season 1Ep. 465
In this Checkout episode, we sit down with Erin Williamson , CMO of Paramount Retail—home to online alcohol brands BoozeBud and Barrel & Batch . Erin shares her weirdest purchase (hint: it’s a scream) and why she admires Aussie haircare brand Straand . She also reveals her go-to tool, Shopify , the all-in-one e-commerce platform that keeps Paramount’s online operations running smoothly. Join us as Erin dives into the tools, brands, and inspirations that fuel her approach to agile marketing a...
Nov 07, 2024•9 min•Season 1Ep. 464
In this episode of Add To Cart, we chat with Darren Kawalsky , Chief Commercial Officer at Deliver in Person , and Hakan (Hawk) Steele , Partnerships & Sales Manager at Starshipit , about transforming last-mile delivery into a loyalty driver. Darren shares how Deliver in Person’s focus on reliability and 99.6% on-time rate—helps brands build trust from the doorstep and beyond. Hawk discusses Starshipit’s integration with Deliver in Person and how their real-time tracking and branded updates ...
Nov 05, 2024•58 min•Season 1Ep. 463
In this episode of Add To Cart, we chat with Lou Rice and Ben Stainlay, the creative minds behind Strapsicle , the Kindle accessory that’s won over Shark Tank investors and taken BookTok by storm. With backgrounds in creative direction and project management for top brands like CommBank and Woolies , Lou and Ben have transformed Strapsicle into a seven-figure business in just two years. They share how they built a loyal community of readers, how their Amazon -first strategy helped them reach int...
Nov 03, 2024•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 462
In this Checkout episode of Add To Cart, we dive into the personal side of Gai Le Roy , CEO of IAB Australia . Gai shares some fun and surprising insights, including the story behind the weirdest thing she’s ever bought online—a pantomime playbook that unexpectedly sparked joy. She talks about the retailers that inspire her, the sustainability efforts of Harris Farm and unique shopping experiences in Japan. Gai also discusses the simple yet vital tech tool she relies on daily, her favourite podc...
Oct 31, 2024•9 min•Season 1Ep. 461
In this episode of Add To Cart, we sit down with Adam Furness, Managing Director of Impact.com APAC, and Roger Lee, Head of Digital Marketing at Brand Collective . To take a look at the future of partnership strategies. Adam discusses how partnerships are transforming the growth of global brands like Uber , Airbnb , and Canva by automating and scaling collaboration with influencers, affiliates, and more—driving as much as 30% of total revenue for some brands. They discuss why brands are trading ...
Oct 29, 2024•54 min•Season 1Ep. 460
In this episode, we sit down with the incredible Lauren French, the brains behind Motto Fashions 2.0. While this Australian brand has been around for over 40 years, Lauren has successfully transformed the family business into an absolute digital powerhouse. She shares how the pandemic forced her to pivot from bricks-and-mortar stores to daily live-stream fashion shows, a move that helped the brand go on to make more than $5 million in revenue in 2021— five times more than in 2019! Lauren reveals...
Oct 27, 2024•57 min•Season 1Ep. 459
In this Checkout episode, we chat to Anaita Szarkar from Hero Packaging as she bears all about the realities of scaling a business as she sets her sights on cracking the US market. From her bizarre purchase of a haunted talking doll to mastering SEMrush for tracking organic growth, Anaita offers an honest and practical look into the world of business, personal branding, and customer experience. She name-drops the brands that inspire her, including Nakey , FAYT the Label and Jolie Skin , and reve...
Oct 24, 2024•8 min•Season 1Ep. 458
We sit down with Liam Millward, Co-Founder and CEO of Instant , and Sean Meyer, Founder of Leelo Active . Liam shares his journey from starting his first business at 13 to leading Instant, a tech company revolutionising ecom with automated engagement solutions. He reveals how Instant Audiences is helping brands like Stax , Oxford , FAYT The Label and Toys R Us maximise revenue by turning anonymous visitors into paying customers. Sean, a passionate advocate for Instant, shares how the platform ha...
Oct 22, 2024•41 min•Season 1Ep. 457
