The Retail Wrap-Up RetailOasis

Hello and welcome back to the Retail Wrap-Up for 2024 - retail’s favourite podcast!

Today, we're thrilled to welcome Sasha Titchkosky, the Co-Founder of Koskela, an innovative and inspiring furniture & homewares brand synonymous with impeccable quality and a low environmental footprint, proudly made in Australia.

Koskela is making waves in the industry with its ambitious sustainability initiatives, aiming to achieve a fully circular business model by 2027, zero carbon emissions by 2035, and ensure that 90% of its manufactured products use recycled and recyclable materials by 2026. The motivation behind these objectives stems from a deep-rooted commitment to reducing environmental impact, particularly in the face of challenges posed by the furniture industry's waste problem.

Koskela's strategy involves designing out waste in their products, increasing their lifecycle, and implementing initiatives like the ReHome project, which allows customers to trade in old items for refurbishment and resale.

During our conversation with Sasha, we discuss…
-    Her background, her interesting career progression, and what motivated her and her co-founder, Russel, to create Koskela
-    The silver lining of a failed business partnership
-    Why shopping Australian Made should be encourage and how important their partnership with First Nations artists is
-    Her perspective on the cost of sustainability to a business and her advice to other entrepreneurs on this topic
-    And finally, what’s in the pipeline for the Koskela for 2024

We trust you'll find this discussion engaging!


To explore Koskela further, try one of these links:
Koskela's Circularity Action Plan
ReHome Program
Koskela on Instagram
Shop Here
Sasha Titchkosky on LinkedIn
Koskela on LinkedIn

You can learn more about the RetailOasis Team here or for information on our hosts, please see the links below:
Maddy Kulmar
Emma Easton

If you'd like to support our podcast, you know where to find us on Instagram @retailoasis or on LinkedIn, plus make sure to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts from to receive notification when we drop a new episode.

We’d love to hear from you, our loyal listeners, by way of a review, or you can drop us a guest suggestion via one of our social media channels or email us at retailwrapup@retailoasis.com

Once again, we appreciate your company, and we're excited to delve into more insights on retail in our next episode!

Hello and welcome back to the Retail Wrap-Up for 2024 - retail’s favourite podcast!
RetailOasis is extremely excited to bring you our 4th season and we can’t wait to introduce you to more inspiring, innovative, and fascinating guests from a plethora of retail brands.

You’re joined, as always, by retail strategist and enthusiast Maddy Kulmar, that's me, as well as my fellow colleague and strategist here at RetailOasis, Emma Easton.

As self-proclaimed snackaholics, we're thrilled to have Daniel Kitay, the Founder of Funday Sweets joining us today.

Daniel's journey in the retail and confectionery industry is nothing short of inspiring. From his humble beginnings, he carved a path into the world of sweets, driven by a passion for innovation and a keen eye for spotting market gaps.

In the midst of the pandemic, Daniel founded Funday, a natural lolly brand offering a sugar-free alternative to consumers, despite the challenging times. Fast forward to 2024, and Funday's exponential growth landed them in 5000 stores - a testament to Daniel's entrepreneurial acumen and the brand's undeniable appeal.

During our conversation with Daniel, we discuss…
-His background, how he ended up in the confectionery industry and what drew him in
-His motivation for creating Funday Sweets and how he got his foot in the door
-The challenges of starting a business during the pandemic and how informative customer feedback is to the Funday business
-Finding The silver lining in a mistake and turning it into a tasty win
-And lastly, we take a look into what’s next for Funday in 2024 and beyond!

We hope you enjoy this conversation!

To explore Funday further, try one of these links:
Funday Natural Sweets
Daniel Kitay on LinkedIn
Funday on LinkedIn
Funday on Instagram

You can learn more about the RetailOasis Team here or for information on our hosts, please see the links below:
Maddy Kulmar
Emma Easton

If you'd like to support our podcast, you know where to find us on Instagram @retailoasis or on LinkedIn, plus make sure to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts from to receive notification when we drop a new episode.

We’d love to hear from you, our loyal listeners, by way of a review, or you can drop us a guest suggestion via one of our social media channels or email us at retailwrapup@retailoasis.com

Once again, we appreciate your company, and we're excited to delve into more insights on retail in our next episode – bye for now!

Hello and welcome back to the Retail Wrap-Up for 2024 - retail’s favourite podcast!
RetailOasis is extremely excited to bring you our 4th season and we can’t wait to introduce you to more inspiring, innovative, and fascinating guests from a plethora of retail brands.

You’re joined, as always, by retail strategist and enthusiast Maddy Kulmar, that's me, as well as my fellow colleague and strategist here at RetailOasis, Emma Easton.

In this episode, we fulfil a long-time wish-list item as we sit down with Olivia Carr, the dynamic Founder of Shhh Silk and author of Self Made. Olivia's journey is one of resilience and triumph, as she shares her experiences navigating the retail industry and creating a successful brand from the ground up.

Throughout our discussion, Olivia opens up about her failures, the lessons learned, and the silver linings that emerged. We delve into the inspiration behind her book, Self Made, and the impact she hopes it will have on readers.
From celebrity endorsements (Kim Kardashian / Khloe Kardashian) to her overseas brand expansion, Olivia provides insights into building relationships and growing a business. She also shares advice, discusses her inspirations, and offers a glimpse into the future of Shhh Silk.
Tune in to discover Olivia Carr's inspiring story and the bright future ahead for Shhh Silk.

You can get your hands on Olivia's newly released book, Self Made, here:
https://www.oliviacarr.com.au/products/self-made

Or to explore Shhh Silk further, try one of these links:
Shhh Silk Website
Olivia Carr on LinkedIn
Shhh Silk on LinkedIn
Olivia Carr on Instagram
Shhh Silk on Instagram

You can learn more about the RetailOasis Team here or for information on our hosts, please see the links below:
Maddy Kulmar
Emma Easton

If you'd like to support our podcast, you know where to find us on Instagram @retailoasis or on LinkedIn, plus make sure to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts from to receive notification when we drop a new episode.

We’d love to hear from you, our loyal listeners, by way of a review, or you can drop us a guest suggestion via one of our social media channels or email us at retailwrapup@retailoasis.com

Once again, we appreciate your company, and we're excited to delve into more insights on retail in our next episode – bye for now!

Welcome back to the last episode of the RetailOasis 'Retail Wrap-Up Podcast' for Season 3. We're extremely proud to have been the podcast for retailers since 2020!

Joining us today is the dynamic duo behind one of Australia's most innovative and eco-conscious footwear brands, Jess and Stef Dadon, the Co-Founders and Co-CEO’s of TWOOBS.

In 2016, when using the word "vegan" in fashion wasn’t mainstream, these two sisters decided it was time for a change. They created a brand that's not just about shoes but a whole new kind of fashion philosophy. They consciously combined their focus on sustainability and ethics to create a fashionable, yet comfortable shoe.

In today's episode, we unravel their incredible journey, exploring how they turned a damaged stock shipment into a marketing boon, how they navigate the challenges of sustainability in the fashion industry, and what exciting things have they in the pipeline for the remainder of 2023 and 2024.

We'll also dive into their exciting collaborations, including a recent one with First Nations artist Glenda McCulloch, where they seamlessly blend Indigenous art with their shoe designs, creating not just fashion but art for your feet.

And as if that's not enough, we discuss their commitment to giving back, from supporting local kindergartens to inspiring other women to start their own businesses.

So, if you're curious about how two sisters managed to create a brand that's challenging the world of fashion and sustainability, you're in for a real treat. Jess and Stef are here to share their insights, experiences, and a whole lot of inspiration.

Stay tuned as we journey through the world of TWOOBS and uncover the secrets to their remarkable success. Without further ado, let's get started with Jess and Stef, the Co-Founders and Co-CEO's of TWOOBS!

A HUGE thank you to Stef & Jess for joining us, we hope you enjoy this conversation!

For more information on TWOOBS or our guests today, please see the episode links below.

Don't forget to subscribe to The Retail Wrap-Up podcast to receive insightful fortnightly episodes that delve into the stories, strategies, and visions shaping the retail industry. Click here to subscribe.

- SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE -
TWOOBS Website
Stef Dadon on LinkedIn
Jess Dadon on LinkedIn
TWOOBS on LinkedIn
TWOOBS on Facebook
TWOOBS on Instagram
TWOOBS on TikTok

To learn more about your podcast hosts, please see the links below:
Maddy Kulmar
Emma Easton

Welcome back to the RetailOasis 'Retail Wrap-Up Podcast' - the podcast for retailers.

Joining us today is Nadia Lotter, the CEO of Aje Athletica – an offshoot of Aje, focussing on the fusion of both activewear and loungewear. It's the brainchild of co-founders Adrian Norris and Edwina Forest, and since its inception in 2021, the brand has rapidly expanded with 16 retail locations and a global online presence, shipping to over 70 countries.

A just 38, Nadia has worked across an incredibly successful array of retail businesses; on both the agency side and eventually moving to client side in 2014 joining one of Australia’s most iconic brands, Sass & Bide. Since then, she has worked hard to advance her career, cementing herself as a leader in the retail space.

In today's episode, we're diving deep into the world of retail with Nadia. We'll be discussing:
- How Aje Athletica is redefining activewear, blending style and performance with sustainability in mind
- How the brand is adapting to the trend of activewear becoming lifestyle wear while maintaining a focus on functionality and style
- Understanding the customer goes beyond demographics; it's about connecting on a deeper level to serve their unique needs
- Extraordinary in-store experiences are vital in the era of online shopping dominance
- How sustainability is integrated into Aje Athletica's DNA, aligning with their values and customer base
- Nadia's impressive career journey and how these experiences have offered insights into the retail industry's evolution
- Aje Athletica's future plans promise exciting developments and innovations
- And what effect current events and societal shifts have on product collections and colour choices and Aje Athletica

A HUGE thank you to Nadia for joining us, we hope you enjoy this conversation!

For more information on Aje Athletica or our guest today, please see the episode links below.

Don't forget to subscribe to The Retail Wrap-Up podcast to receive insightful fortnightly episodes that delve into the stories, strategies, and visions shaping the retail industry. Click here to subscribe.

- SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE -
Aje Athletica Website
Nadia Lotter on LinkedIn
Aje Athletica on LinkedIn
Aje Athletica on Instagram

To learn more about your podcast hosts, please see the links below:
Maddy Kulmar
Steve Kulmar

Welcome back to the RetailOasis 'Retail Wrap-Up Podcast' - the podcast for retailers.

We're excited to bring you another inspiring episode of The Retail Wrap-Up podcast. In this edition, we're diving into the dynamic world of retail entrepreneurship with two remarkable individuals who've truly left their mark on the industry.

Meet Mary Ralph Lawson and Kennedy Crinchlow, the Co-Founders of the LA-based direct-to-consumer lifestyle brand, Daily Drills. Their journey is nothing short of incredible, starting with a shared vision and a mere $10,000 investment each. Fast forward to today, and Daily Drills is rewriting the rules of the fashion game, setting trends, and leaving competitors in the dust.

In this episode, you'll discover:

1. The Power of Customer Loyalty: Learn how Mary Ralph and Kennedy have forged an unbreakable bond with their audience, turning Daily Drills into more than just a brand—it's a movement.

2. Strategies for Rapid Growth: Uncover the secrets behind Daily Drills' rapid success, with insights into the strategies that propelled them to an impressive projected revenue of US$8 million this year.

3. Customer Feedback as a Compass: Gain insight into how customer feedback has played a pivotal role in shaping Daily Drills' products and overall brand experience.

So, whether you're a seasoned retail aficionado or just starting to explore the world of fashion entrepreneurship, this episode promises to deliver insights, inspiration, and a glimpse into the magic that's turning Daily Drills into a household name.

Thank you for being a valued part of The Retail Wrap-Up community. We hope you enjoy this episode as much as we did creating it. Stay inspired!

A HUGE thank you to Kennedy & Mary Ralph for joining us, we hope you enjoy this conversation!

For more information on Daily Drills or our guests today, please see the episode links below.

Don't forget to subscribe to The Retail Wrap-Up podcast to receive insightful fortnightly episodes that delve into the stories, strategies, and visions shaping the retail industry. Click here to subscribe.

- SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE -
Daily Drills Website
Kennedy Crinchlow on LinkedIn
Mary Ralph Lawson on LinkedIn
Daily Drills on LinkedIn
Daily Drills on Instagram
Daily Drills on TikTok

To learn more about your podcast hosts, please see the links below:
Maddy Kulmar
Emma Easton