The Founder Hub Sonia & Alana

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Today we are joined by Kendyll and Liv, the charismatic founders of The Cake Club, a boutique bakery, and we get a delicious taste of their business journey. From starting individual businesses to merging into a bakery marvel that reshapes Melbourne's boutique bakery landscape, their story is inspiring for any budding entrepreneur.
They met through Liv's partner and found an instant connection. What started as a casual coffee conversation evolved into a grand plan - a cake shop that encapsulates their mutual love for baking. The bakery quickly became more than just a business; it morphed into an extension of their personalities.
The duo shares their expertise and insights, including the importance of doing as much work internally as possible to save costs. They also emphasize the importance of outsourcing work beyond your expertise to ensure the highest quality. However, striking the perfect balance is key to managing costs while delivering a superior product. 
We then discuss the importance of building a strong community with your customers. Kendyll and Liv make a conscious effort to engage interactively with their audience on social media platforms, making the brand feel relatable. 
They then share their exciting expansion plans, including potential franchises and multiple locations to bring their delicious cakes closer to their customers. They hope to run cake decorating workshops, host kids’ parties and are even discussing a children's picture book that imparts positivity and inclusivity.
Kendyll and Liv's energetic approach, industry know-how, and genuine passion for baking make The Cake Club a delicious success story. Their journey reinforces the age-old adage, 'Do what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.' 
Few businesses serve such delightful servings of entrepreneurial inspiration, along with lip-smacking cakes!



LINKS:
Connect with Kendyll & Liv
Website:thecakeclub.co
Instagram:@thecakeclub_au
Kendyll’s Instagram: @kendyllvandeven
Liv’s Instagram: @livglen


Connect with Alana and Sonia: 
Website: https://www.myfounderhub.com/
Instagram: @myfounderhub
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In an insightful episode of The Founder Hub Podcast, we caught up with Lydia Kirkland, the brain and heart behind the hip jewelry brand, Gimme. A young mom and business-savvy go-getter, Lydia shares her intricate journey of building a successful brand while maintaining a harmonious balance with motherhood.
Lydia gets candid about her journey, discussing the ups and downs of running a successful business. She details the impressive trajectory of her business, the strategies that contributed to its growth, and the incredible momentum that brought GIMME into the limelight.  
She then opens up about navigating motherhood while managing a thriving business. The key, she says, lies in the constant support system around her. She acknowledges the importance of using her “village”, and is grateful for the help she received from her husband, family, and friends.
Lydia also highlights the importance of being present for her children, while simultaneously driving business growth. This might sound like a demanding balancing act, yet Lydia pulls it off brilliantly with her sheer will, dedication, and strategic planning.
We also discuss the marketing strategies she has employed to make her brand visible, Lydia listed a few marketing techniques, including social media marketing and using influencers for targeted product placements. She also emphasized the power of consistency in content and showing up regularly through Instagram and being accessible to her audience by responding to comments and messages.
Lydia Kirkland is not just creating beautiful jewelry but also inspiring women entrepreneurs on how to balance their dreams with the beautiful journey of motherhood. As she strives to grow Gimme, she sets an example for many others to follow their passion with unflinching dedication and perseverance.

LINKS:
 Connect with Lydia Kirkland
Instagram: @gimmestore__
Website: https://gimmestore.com/

Connect with Alana and Sonia: 
Website: https://www.myfounderhub.com/
Instagram: @myfounderhub


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Today I am joined by Sophie Marshall, founder of This Is Incense and its overarching company Gentle Habits. Sophie is an entrepreneurial powerhouse, with a lot of experience including a role in global product development at Rip Curl Group. It was here that she demonstrated her ability to execute ideas, bring to life innovations, dominating in a challenging environment.
Sophie's story begins in the COVID-19 pandemic. She was a busy working mom seeking a way to decelerate her life and find an equilibrium between being a professional and a nurturing parent. She developed rituals to ground herself in the chaos and was eventually inspired to turn them into a business, launching This IS Incense and the Gentle Habits brand.Valuing both mental health and sustainable living, her incredible journey serves as a beacon of success, inspiration, and resilience.
Sophie's extraordinary journey has not been without obstacles. However, her passion and determination have propelled her to success. She posits that embarking on a startup is akin to signing up for the hardest job you will ever do. But, with intense dedication and a love for your work, success is attainable.
Sophie doesn’t shy away from sharing her insights and learnings. Transparency and honesty are the heart of her business, something she recommends to everyone stepping into entrepreneurship.
She advises start-ups to:
- Set up a business correctly from the start, investing in branding and trademarks even when they seem costly initially.
- Make sure any product or idea is market viable through thorough research and testing.
- Invest in mentorship in every avenue (Bookkeeping, business coach, supplier help, etc.)
- Have a working side job until the new venture is viable to avoid potential financial stress.
She also encourages everyone to delve into the ‘dark art’ of digital marketing. In today's time, when most of the eyes are fixated on digital screens, having a unifying and consistent digital presence is essential for any business’s success.
Take a moment to get comfortable and tune in to an incredibly inspiring discussion about pursuing one's passions and dreams to create a business that not only achieves remarkable success but also brings immense fulfillment.


LINKS:
 Connect with Sophie Marshall
Instagram: @thisisgentlehabits
Website: https://www.gentlehabits.com.au


Connect with Alana and Sonia: 
Website: https://www.myfounderhub.com/
Instagram: @myfounderhub


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In today’s episode, we are delighted to be joined by Belinda Agnew, co-founder of X Enabler Digital. In this conversation, we explore her journey in the tech industry, the significance of innovation and entrepreneurship, overcoming challenges in the tech realm, invaluable tips for budding tech entrepreneurs, and the evolving role of women in technology.
Drawing from her early experiences, Belinda sheds light on the formative moments that set her on the entrepreneurial path, and she shares her motivations behind co-founding X Enabler Digital. Belinda underscores the importance of innovation in the tech sector and how X Enabler Digital maintains a competitive edge by facilitating innovation. 
We discuss the common hurdles encountered by tech entrepreneurs. Belinda reflects upon her personal journey, offering insights into surmounting obstacles and drawing invaluable lessons from setbacks. Furthermore, she champions the quality of resilience and the significance of cultivating a robust support network, including mentorship.
Belinda then shares her advice for aspiring tech entrepreneurs. She highlights the merit of starting small and iteratively developing ideas. Validation of concepts with potential users and responsiveness to customer feedback emerge as critical aspects. Understanding market dynamics and regaining adaptable to change stand out as essential tenets.
She also shares her experiences and perspectives as a woman operating within the predominantly male tech industry. Belinda extends her encouragement to women considering careers in tech and offers advice on breaking down barriers.
Belinda’s journey is super compelling and she offers a lot of invaluable wisdom in this episode. We know you’ll find it enlightening and empowering. Enjoy! 



LINKS:
 Connect with Belinda Agnew
XEnabler Digital: https://xenabler.digital/
Belinda Agnew's Website:  https://belindaagnew.com/
Connect with Belinda on LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/belindaagnew


Connect with Alana and Sonia: 
Website: https://www.myfounderhub.com/
Instagram: @myfounderhub
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Subscription boxes are all around the world! They’re huge in places like the UK and USA, and are taking off here in Australia. In this podcast episode, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Michelle, the founder of Aussie Biz Chic, to dive into the world of subscription box businesses. 
We start off discussing Michelle’s journey into entrepreneurship, from leaving traditional employment to where she is now. She shares her previous business ventures, why they didn’t work out, and how Aussie Biz Chic came to be. Michelle emphasizes the significance of starting with a single product or offering and excelling at it before expanding, citing Amazon's success story as an example.
We then dive into the challenges that businesses face during slower economic periods and how Aussie Biz Chic navigates through them. She highlights the significance of customer retention and effective marketing strategies during these times. Aussie Biz Chic introduced a rewards program to keep existing members engaged and happy, and leveraged email marketing to reconnect with former customers.
It’s important to keep our eye on the future in business and Michelle shares her potential strategies for further scaling her subscription box business. Michelle's plans to leverage word-of-mouth marketing and implement affiliate marketing. Additionally Aussie Biz Chic has made its first steps out of Australia, recently expanding into New Zealand
Michelle then shares how she works with Luke, her partner, to run the business. She’s open about how they divide their responsibilities, focusing on marketing, finance, and operations. She emphasizes the importance of separating business conflicts from personal life and the benefits of constructive criticism.
Michelle’s journey of building and scaling Aussie Biz Chic is an incredible one. From the inception of her business idea to strategies for future growth and working effectively with a partner, her insights offer valuable lessons for all aspiring entrepreneurs.


LINKS:
 
Home decor subscription box: https://www.thehometasticbox.com.au/


Connect with Michelle Smith 
Website: https://www.aussiebizchic.com.au/
Instagram: @aussiebizchic


Connect with Alana and Sonia: 
Website: https://www.myfounderhub.com/
Instagram: @myfounderhub




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