I Started a Business

In this episode of I Started a Business , we sit down with Eva — one of the founders of Aunty Jenny Spices, a no-nasties spice brand sourced fresh from farms in India and now stocked on shelves nationally....and that's all in under a year. We talk about the ups and downs of building a brand from the very beginning, what it’s like working alongside your husband, and Eva’s tips for staying grou...

In this episode of I Started a Business , we chat with Will, founder of TANORA, a brand inspired by Madagascan heritage and Australian living, known for its beautifully woven raffia pieces and considered approach to design. We dive into what it’s been like building a brand across two countries, working closely with artisan communities, and growing something with real intention at its core. tanora....

In this episode of I Started a Business, we sat down with Hans and Febby - the founders behind With Miles Store. Based in Melbourne, they’re building a brand that brings a colourful, playful side of Japan to Australia, curating everything from Japanese homeware to matcha. What started in 2023 as a passion for sourcing unique pieces has quickly evolved, with their first experience of matcha in 2024...

Jo Whitton​'s journey began ​in 2008, when she turned to nutrient dense, traditional foods to address her family’s health challenges, food intolerances and her son’s severe OCD and anxiety.​ Her research and dedication led to significant health improvements for her entire family​, leading her to found ​'Q​​uirky Cooking​' ​from her home in the Atherton Tablelands​, Far North Queensl...

In this episode of I Started a Business, we had the pleasure of chatting with Andi and Kim - the duo behind Calla Collective. Best friends turned business partners, they’re the creative force behind a brand built on beauty, truth and goodness, with products designed to bring meaning into everyday moments. What started as a quiet whisper has grown into a purpose-led business now reaching customers...

Julie from NATIF joins us on the podcast to share her journey from naturopathy to native food expert. We chat about ethical sourcing, MasterChef moments, her favourite native ingredients and what it’s like running a 100% Aussie made business.  If you’ve ever wondered how native foods go from bush to table. This episode is packed with stories, tips and inspiration. natif.com.au @natif

In this episode we’re joined by Aidan McEvoy, one half of the duo behind GIFTROO who are redefining thoughtful corporate gifting. What started as a gut instinct leap (and a near house purchase turned business investment!) GIFTROO has carved out its own lane by championing quality over quantity, spotlighting small makers and donating to charity with every box. We unwrap the story behind GIFTROO, th...

Sisters Bec and Narelle Thompson, the duo behind Cubbyhouse Canteen, share how their beloved parkside café in Armadale has grown over 15 years into a purpose-driven brand loved by families across Australia. What started as a community hub built on connection, kindness and coffee has evolved into something much bigger with their gingerbread cookies now stocked in all Victorian Woolworths and over 5...

What happens when a personal health diagnosis sparks a business idea that not only reshapes your family’s life but also helps others reimagine their own health journeys. In this month’s episode, Rosie sits down with Simon Brosolo, co-founder of Nuvie Saunas, to explore his journey from leading digital transformation and growth strategy at a corporate consultancy to building a science-led wellness...

This month's podcast features Daz, who made the leap from the poker tables through startups and textbook publishing to building Hatch Agency, a growth agency helping small ecommerce businesses with their biggest challenge: what comes after the initial launch. We chat about calculated risks, their innovative Website as a Service (WaaS) model that's solving cash flow problems, the partners...

In this episode, we chat with Tiffany Yuan, the woman behind SUL - a skincare brand dedicated to helping people feel confident in their own skin. Tiffany shares how her love for skincare, partly inspired by her mum - led her to leave the corporate grind and dive headfirst into running a skincare brand. We chat about passion, community, and how CLIK Collective helped bring SULSKIN’s click-and-colle...

In this episode, we chat with Tim Devlin, co-founder of Atypical - a coffee brand built on a shared love of Asian coffee and a desire to do things differently. Tim shares how a chat over coffee (how ironic) sparked a partnership with Zac, a passionate roaster, and later Mohini, whose design skills brought the brand to life. From sourcing unique coffees direct from origin to packaging them in reusa...

Just Surprise Me helps people show love and gratitude through curated gift boxes filled with locally made goodness. Cathy Shaw first discovered the brand while ordering gifts for her husband’s business - so when she found out the owner was moving on, she didn’t hesitate to put her hand up. She focused on learning the ropes and keeping the business’ trusted suppliers and charm intact. Now running t...

Mini Hippo curates thoughtful, fun, and functional food storage solutions for busy families. In this episode, founder Megan Mallen shares how maternity leave, and a single product she couldn’t find in Australia - sparked a bold leap into business. With no background in retail or business, Megan started out by cold calling toy stores with boxes of stock in her car and went on to form trusted partne...

Alexium redefines sales training, empowering professionals with the tools to communicate, connect, and close with confidence.   In this episode, Alex shares how his experience as a car salesman at leading dealerships ignited his passion for helping others grow. Taking the leap in 2019, he launched Alexium - just before the world was turned upside down by COVID. With mentorship, resilience, and a b...

Toybox Tales reimagines the purpose of toys, curating a collection that inspires learning, development, and a sense of nostalgia for all ages. In this episode, Sarah and Chris Haines share how becoming parents reshaped their understanding of toys, leading them to focus on education and meaningful play. They open up about the challenges of transforming an analogue retail store into a thriving onlin...

Redefining meaningful gifting, MiniGem Comfort crafts purpose-driven packs designed to bring calm and connection during life’s most challenging times. In this episode, Minaret shares how MiniGem Comfort began with small, thoughtful items for her brother during his stays in psychiatric hospitals, sparking the idea to craft products that soothe the senses and evoke a feeling of home. She opens up ab...

In just 11 months, Endorfix has sold over a million transdermal patches, with 40,000 return customers driving its rapid growth. In this episode, Endorfix founder Aloni Benau shares his journey in creating a coffee alternative designed to combat sugar crashes, promote steady energy, and balance mood and cravings. Initially expecting a younger audience, he found broader appeal among health-conscious...

Frustrated by the lack of accessible auction results and market transparency while searching for his own property, Pooven realized how valuable this data could be for potential buyers. What began as a personal project, attending auctions and sharing insights on social media, evolved into Auction Reporters, a business aimed at making auctions more transparent. In this episode, we chat with Pooven B...

Just before the world turned upside down with COVID, Sarah identified a gap in the market and launched her fashion brand, Kireina. As trends shifted during the pandemic, so did her focus — leading to the creation of her signature wide-leg “Freya Jean”, now a best-seller.  In this episode, Sarah shares how her love for denim and commitment to quality led to Kireina’s growth, particularly through th...

While seven months pregnant with her second child, Joni listed her handmade Christmas ornaments on Facebook and local groups under "Joni’s Pop-Up Shop." The positive response led her to design her first pair of earrings, marking the beginning of her business, Wood With Words. In this episode, we explore Joni’s dedication to crafting unique accessories inspired by her surroundings. From A...

Growing up, Sarah always dreamed of becoming a dancer. However, after university and a few life twists, she decided to channel her creative flair into starting a business influenced by her desire to help people. Inspired by her "dumpling queen" mother and her family's love of food, Sarah introduced her conversation-starter seasonings to the world.  In this episode, we chat with Sara...

Beth's journey began during her makeup sessions with clients, where she made a simple yet profound observation: cleaning makeup brushes shouldn't be a hassle. Dissatisfied with the available options, she created a quick-drying solution to simplify the task.  In this episode, we chat with Beth Wilson, the visionary behind Saint Jack Cosmetics. Beth shares how her love for makeup and valui...

Darren's journey began with managing GPS tracking for golf carts, but a chance encounter with a farmer sparked a revolutionary idea: why not apply the same technology to cattle? Realising the potential in this market, Smart Paddock was born.  In this episode, we catch up with Darren Wolchyn, the brains behind Smart Paddock. Darren discusses how he stumbled upon a niche market that launched hi...

After a coffee date with a friend, Lor found herself intrigued by her friend's appearance, all thanks to a stunning set of eyelashes. This initial curiosity set Lor on a path to becoming the triple threat she is today, skillfully managing a beauty salon, online store, and accredited eyelash training program. In the episode, we sit down with Lor Nicol, the brains (and beauty) behind Lash by La...