Good Times Great Brands

In this compelling episode of Behind the Brand, we explore the remarkable journey of Kym O'Leary, the visionary behind COgear, a pioneering brand that specialises in bespoke safety and worksite wear for women in the mining industry. Kym's story is a testament to resilience and determination, as she defied the odds to bring her unique products to a traditionally male-dominated sector.

Kym's path was far from conventional; she dropped out of school at 15, only to find her way back through TAFE and eventually into the mines of Queensland. Learning on the job, she identified a significant gap in the market for women's bespoke mining wear. With no business background and limited access to the internet in remote mine sites, Kym embarked on a challenging journey, including facing failures along the way.

Despite early setbacks and her initial design's flaws, Kym's unwavering determination led her to quit her job and embark on an epic journey, travelling across the country, door-to-door, to sell her products. Her fortunes took a turn when BHP recognized the need for women's mining wear, and they offered to support her with a minimum order quantity. This provided the breakthrough she needed, and COgear soon found its place in the mining industry. Kym's story is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of small businesses, and her willingness to bend her business around her life showcases the incredible power of determination.

Join us for this inspiring conversation with Kym O'Leary, where we explore her incredible journey, the challenges she overcame, and her passion for making workwear tailored to women in the mining industry.

Today we have the pleasure of delving into the delightful world of healthy confectionery with Daniel Kitay, the founder of FUNDAY Sweets. Daniel's journey is a testament to his passion for wellness and his bold leap from a well-paid job into the entrepreneurial realm. With a background in regulatory aspects of products, primarily in the wellness industry, he applied his knowledge to create gummy products that would revolutionise the confectionery market.

FUNDAY Sweets experienced significant growth, thanks to a pivotal moment when Chemist Warehouse placed a substantial initial order and their own online store flourished. Daniel discusses the challenges of breaking into major retailers like Woolworths and Coles, emphasising that the days of easily securing a spot on their shelves are gone. He highlights the competitive nature of the food and beverage industry, where the first few weeks can determine a product's fate.

Daniel shares a valuable perspective on the notion of quitting, asserting that quitting at the right time can be a positive decision. The future for FUNDAY Sweets looks promising, with plans to expand to more retailers in Australia and exploring opportunities for global expansion.

Tune in to explore the sweet success story of FUNDAY Sweets and Daniel Kitay's journey to healthier confectionery.

In this episode we embark on an inspiring journey with Barb De Corti, the visionary behind ENJO Australia, a brand that has redefined cleaning for the better. Barb's journey began with a personal struggle - her young son's severe asthma. Unaware of the harmful impact of cleaning chemicals on his health, Barb's life took a transformative turn when she discovered the wonders of ENJO during her time in Austria, a product extensively used in Western Europe and Scandinavia.

Upon returning home, Barb introduced ENJO to her friends and family, sparking immense interest. Recognizing the potential to make a difference in people's lives, she invested her entire life savings of $40,000 to launch ENJO Australia. The direct selling method, which allowed her to demonstrate the product's effectiveness, proved to be the best way to share the ENJO experience. This method not only transformed the cleaning industry but also provided an opportunity for individuals to reenter the workforce and learn the ropes of establishing their own businesses.

Throughout the episode, Barb shares some impactful book recommendations that have guided her on her entrepreneurial journey, including "Atomic Habits" by James Clear, "Find Your Why" by Simon Sinek, "Diary of a CEO" by Steve Bartlett, and the work of Brené Brown. She emphasises the importance of passion, purpose, and profit in driving her mission.

Barb also touches on the ebb and flow of direct selling consultants, highlighting the impact of changes in the workforce, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic. To adapt, ENJO Australia transitioned to e-commerce while still incorporating consultants into the process.

In this episode we delve into the fascinating journey of Mike Halligan, the entrepreneurial mind behind Scratch, an e-commerce venture that has discovered the hidden opportunity in what some might consider the "boring stuff" - dog food. Together with his partner, Doug, Mike ventured into this niche market, applying a methodical approach to every aspect of their business.

What sets Scratch apart is their commitment to staying true to their vision. Unlike many startups rushing for VC funding and exponential scaling, Mike and his team have maintained a steady and thoughtful course, keeping the same core team throughout their journey, with just two exceptions. They have chosen not to invest heavily in events or big marketing campaigns, instead focusing on product quality and customer service.

In a market dominated by giant multinational companies, Scratch stands out by prioritising dog health above all else. Their commitment to delivering a quality product and excellent service has given them a voice far louder than their size would suggest. Mike shares his vision for the future, which includes exploring research and development to introduce new products in the coming years.

In this episode, we're diving into the heartwarming journey of Colbee Mifsud, the creative genius behind Sweater Club. Colbee's story is one of sheer determination and learning on the go as she embarked on a business journey with no prior knowledge of embroidery. She shares how her mom's encouragement led her to buy a sewing machine and pester the local sewing shop experts for guidance, all while documenting her learning process on Instagram.

Colbee's timing couldn't have been better, as Instagram became the platform where she introduced her journey to a captivated audience. With a focus on building a strong connection with her customers, Colbee discusses her commitment to maintaining a sense of community, even at the cost of rapid growth opportunities. She also highlights the importance of authenticity and her gratitude for the supportive relationship she shares with the Shameless podcast hosts, who have been instrumental in her growth.

While Colbee acknowledges that she could use more marketing avenues, she prefers not to overwhelm her audience with excessive promotions. Instead, she believes in offering a seamless user experience and refrains from overusing discount codes to avoid overwhelming her capacity. Colbee's message is clear: you can turn your passion into a business, and she's living proof of that.

In this episode, we have the incredible Victoria Devine, a powerhouse in the finance world and the mastermind behind Zella and She's On The Money. As a business owner, author, and columnist, Victoria shares her expertise on keeping your business finances healthy and thriving. With her podcast boasting a staggering 1.5 million monthly listeners, Victoria has become a trusted voice for millennial women seeking financial empowerment.

Victoria's journey is nothing short of inspiring, with over 500 episodes of her She's On The Money podcast offering invaluable insights into personal and business debt, hiring for business support, and the unique challenges she's faced as a young woman in finance. She emphasises the importance of surrounding yourself with individuals who truly understand your journey and navigating situations where your business needs funding, but the client may not be the right fit.

In this episode, Victoria opens up about her thoughts on the profit-first model and shares her strategies for setting up finance structures that support business growth. As the "Finance Girlie," she embodies the principles of earning, spending, owning, and owing, and discusses the power of personal branding in establishing her expertise.

In this episode, we dive deep into the ever-evolving world of social media strategy with the brilliant Nat Welfare, Founder of SZN Social. Nat shares valuable insights on the intricacies of effective social media posting, debunking myths about frequency and emphasising the importance of quality over quantity.

Nat provides real-world examples of SZN Social's content that garnered up to 7 million views, revealing the power of controversy in driving viral engagement. From sparking conversations in the comments to using hooks and purpose-driven content on TikTok, Nat delves into the nuances of content creation across different platforms.

The episode sheds light on the distinctions between TikTok and Instagram content creation, the significance of repetition in conveying your message, and successful brand examples. Nat also explains why SZN Social doesn't blindly follow TikTok trends and how paid ads play a crucial role in a well-rounded social media strategy.

In today’s episode we're thrilled to have Jess Ruhfus, the mastermind behind Collabosaurus, and No. 2 as our guest. Jess specialises in the art of creating brand partnerships that truly convert. She shares the fascinating story of how a serendipitous moment at an event led to the inception of Collabosaurus, a platform that matches brands for win-win collaborations.

Collaboration, often underestimated in marketing, is at the heart of what Jess and Collabosaurus do. Jess explains that it's one of the most cost-effective ways to promote your brand, allowing you to leverage not just finances, but also audiences, skill sets, and products. 

The beauty of collaboration lies in creating content while working together, making it a win-win for both parties. Throughout the episode, Jess highlights inspiring success stories and emphasises the importance of showing up for the other brand in a collaboration, clear communication, and aligning goals.

In the second instalment of our Mid Year Marketing series, Founder of #gifted and The Right Fit joins me to talk about the world of influencer marketing.

Venturing beyond the conventional, Taryn Williams embarked on building an app to streamline payroll and scheduling for her modelling agency. Little did she know that this internal tool would evolve into a client-facing application. Fast forward to #gifted, a trailblazing platform that bridges the gap between sponsored products and influencers, Taryn shares her insights on influencer marketing, from broad practices to valuable do's and don'ts.

As the landscape of social media marketing evolves, Taryn's wisdom shines through as she emphasises the importance of leveraging influencers' content creation skills while providing clear guidelines. Join us as we uncover unconventional yet rewarding marketing avenues like Pinterest, podcasts, and even employees. Throughout the episode, Taryn provides a wealth of advice, encouraging listeners to focus on what resonates personally rather than chasing every new trend.

In this first instalment of our Mid Year Marketing series, we delve into the captivating world of podcasting and community building with a remarkable guest, Sophie Walker, the creative force behind Australian Birth Stories. Tune in as we explore the inspiring narrative of how Sophie transformed her traumatic birth experience into a thriving platform that has garnered a staggering 13.5 million downloads and beyond.

Sophie has successfully built a huge online community, of 155k on Instagram and she shares her journey of monetising the podcast through digital products, books and advertising. Discover the motivation behind Sophie's journey - a desire to share her own birth story and others', with a focus on education and empowerment in the unique Australian context.

The Australian Birth Stories podcast was born out of a genuine gap in the market. Sophie never anticipated the overwhelming love and reception it would receive. With Australian celebrity guests and a well-structured content-sharing framework, the podcast has made a significant impact in the lives of so many. Sophie discusses the process of creating her own business coaching course and publishing a book, along with insights into the behind-the-scenes production of the podcast.

I’m thrilled to have Kayla Houlihan back for a third time to delve into the exciting topic of the sale of Tribe Skincare, a brand that has captured hearts and skin-care routines across Australia. Tune in as Kayla shares her insights into the recent acquisition of Tribe Skincare and provides a sneak peek into what lies ahead for the brand.

Tribe Skincare, with its focus on sensitive skin and its array of all-natural, vegan-friendly, and cruelty-free products, has cultivated a dedicated following over its 6-year journey. Kayla discusses the transition of ownership, the diligent process of evaluating offers, and why she chose to remain the face of the brand despite handing over full ownership.

From rejecting initial offers to conducting thorough SWOT analysis, Kayla offers advice on what to consider when selling your brand and the importance of having your financial records and processes in impeccable shape. She unveils the strategies she employed to keep the deal under wraps until it was officially sealed and the valuable lessons she learned regarding staffing dynamics with new owners.

Join us in this insightful episode as Kayla Houlihan shares her firsthand experience, the challenges she encountered, and the invaluable insights she gained during the sale of Tribe Skincare. And remember, if something evokes jealousy within you, lean into it - it could be the key to your next great adventure.

In this episode, I sit down with the visionary entrepreneur Sophie Doyle, the mastermind behind The Fable, a flourishing online brand specialising in silk tops and sleepwear that has been redefining elegance since its inception in 2015.

The Fable was born out of Sophie's desire for the ultimate silk shirt. Drawing inspiration from the enchanting silk factories in India, Sophie embarked on a journey that encountered cultural barriers and challenges. Tune in to discover how Sophie navigated these obstacles and learned the power of persistence in overcoming barriers. She reveals the mantra that guided her - if you can push hard enough, you can achieve what you need, even in unfamiliar territories.

Starting with just three colours and a bootstrap mindset, Sophie advocates for the philosophy of doing one thing and doing it well. She delves into the concept of cost per wear and how quality pieces endure. The unexpected turn of events brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic compelled The Fable to expand internationally, driven by changing consumer behaviours and needs.

Sophie takes us behind the scenes as she unravels the process of mastering both development and e-commerce. Her passion for her business shines through as she shares how she embraced the chaos and unpredictability of entrepreneurship. Join us for this compelling episode as we explore the silk-spun journey of Sophie Doyle and her unending quest for elegance and excellence with The Fable.

Join us in this exciting episode as we sit down with the talented twin sisters Alisa and Lysandra Fraser, renowned interior designers turned eco-warrior entrepreneurs. They share their inspiring journey of identifying a gap in the market and creating the beautifully designed personal care products brand, AL.ive Body, to transform homes into havens combining beauty and self-care.

Coming to us live from a bustling building site, Alisa and Lysandra take us back to life before "The Block" fame and how their passion for interior design laid the groundwork for AL.ive Body's success. With a product range now boasting 7 captivating colors, they recount the challenges they faced along the way, from managing suppliers to building a dedicated team and navigating cash flow.

Launching their venture during the unprecedented COVID lockdowns presented its own set of obstacles, but the resilient duo persevered and found their way to thrive. They divulge how they split their time and have overcome teething issues, ultimately finding their groove as business partners and sisters.

With e-commerce sales soaring to over 100% growth in the past 12 months, Alisa and Lysandra share their secrets to success - sticking to their strengths and wisely outsourcing where weaknesses lie. Don't miss this power-packed episode as they offer valuable tips for other e-commerce brands looking to make a mark in the competitive world of sustainable and stylish personal care products.

Today we take a journey with Mike Smith, the visionary mind behind Zero Co., an innovative zero waste household product that's taking the world by storm. Tune in as we uncover how their groundbreaking crowdfunding campaign raised a staggering $5 million in just over 5 hours.

Inspiration can strike at the most unexpected moments, and for Mike, it was during a life-changing trip to 27 countries with his now wife. Witnessing the heartbreaking sight of rubbish strewn across even the most remote places, they were spurred to take action. Learn how this eye-opening journey led to the creation of Zero Co., a company driven by a passion to make a difference and create a cleaner world.

Crowdfunding campaigns can be a make-or-break moment for aspiring entrepreneurs. Mike shares the remarkable story of Zero Co.'s campaign, which rallied 3,200 stakeholders to support their mission. Discover invaluable advice on how to build a strong community around a crowdfunding campaign and leverage the power of collective action.

Mike discusses why authenticity and admitting mistakes are the keys to connecting with consumers who yearn for companies that genuinely care about their impact on the planet.

Join us as we explore the fascinating journey of getting Zero Co. products into major retailers like Woolies and get a sneak peek into the exciting new products soon to be unveiled in the Zero Co. range. This episode is a testament to the power of passion, perseverance, and a shared vision to create a sustainable future for generations to come.