Share

Add To Cart
Product Innovation: How to turn a 4am idea into a million dollar business featuring Chris Meade | #014
In this episode of Add To Cart, we are joined by Chris Mead, co-founder and CRO of CROSSNET. Chris, his brother and a friend came up with the idea for this new game, a mix of volleyball and foursquare (or handball, as Aussie kids know it), after a late night of brainstorming. They built a rough prototype, figured out the rules and played. Almost three years later, the game is in over 300 retail stores, generates over a million dollars a month in revenue and could become an Olympic sport. Chris talks about channel strategy, manufacturing and wholesale, the power of community and all the lessons he learned turning an idea into a thriving business.
Links from the episode
Double your Profits in 6 Months or Less by Bob Fifer
Questions answered in this podcast include:
- What marketing channels have been most effective for you?
- How did you get your product into retail stores?
- What advice do you have for anyone looking to turn a great idea into a business?
This episode was brought to you by…
About your host: Nathan Bush from 12HIGH
Nathan Bush is the founder and lead strategist at eCommerce consultancy, 12HIGH. He has led eCommerce for businesses with revenue $100m+ and has been recognised as one of Australia’s Top 50 People in eCommerce four years in a row. You can contact Nathan on LinkedIn, Twitter or via email.
About your co-host: Chris Meade from CROSSNET
Chris Meade is the co-founder and Chief Revenue Officer of CROSSNET. Chris is responsible for everything sales related and has helped the company generate 2.25 million dollars in 2019, their first full year on the market. Outside of building and optimizing the CROSSNET website and leading the e-mail marketing department, he has developed relationships with renowned retailers such as DICKS, Target and Walmart.
You can contact Chris on LinkedIn
Email hello@addtocart.com.au We look forward to hearing from you!
More episodes
View all episodes
522. Is the App Dead? Why Retailers Are Going Wallet-First with Litecard | Ep #522
43:09||Ep. 522In this episode of Add To Cart, we sit down with Brian Pham, Founder and CEO of Litecard, the wallet-led marketing platform helping brands like Dan Murphy’s, The North Face, Bonds, and Penfolds. transform how they engage customers. Brian shares how Litecard is giving brands a high-performance alternative to email, SMS and apps delivering 30% engagement rates through Apple and Google Wallets. From real-time loyalty updates with Barkers in New Zealand to CRM-beating campaigns with L’Oréal, this chat explores the future of mobile-first marketing, privacy-first personalisation, and why digital wallets might just be the next big channel for retailers.This episode was brought to you by: Shopify PlusKlaviyoAbout your guest:Brian Pham is the Founder and CEO of Litecard, an Australian-based technology startup revolutionizing mobile wallet marketing. With a background in sales and product development, Brian leads Litecard in providing no-code solutions that empower brands to engage customers through digital wallets, offering an alternative to traditional channels like apps, SMS, and email. Under Brian's leadership, Litecard has rapidly gained traction, securing category leading brands in the first 3 years of business like Mars, L’Oreal, The North Face, Dan Murphy’s and Hanes brands to name a few. The platform creates a new way for brands and retailers to communicate with their customers and audience using the mobile wallet. Brian is passionate about creating innovative, digital solutions that enhance customer engagement and streamline operations. His vision positions Litecard at the forefront of digital transformation in customer experience and membership services.About your host: Nathan Bush is the host of the Add To Cart podcast and a leading ecommerce transformation consultant. He has led eCommerce for businesses with revenue $100m+ and has been recognised as one of Australia’s Top 50 People in eCommerce four years in a row. You can contact Nathan on LinkedIn, Twitter or via email.Email hello@addtocart.com.au We look forward to hearing from you!521. Ryf Quail from NRF APAC | #521
09:08||Ep. 521Today’s Checkout features Ryf Quail, Managing Director of Comexposium and the driving force behind NRF: Retail's Big Show Asia Pacific, the fastest-growing retail event in the region. Ryf has seen firsthand how brands like Kmart, Mecca and JD.com are making big moves across the Asia-Pacific. In this rapid-fire round, Ryf reveals the strangest online purchases he’s made (hint: it involves bribing his son), how retailer MXstore is keeping his motorbike obsession alive, and the game-changing tech that’s about to shake up global payments. Plus, he shares a powerful book recommendation on grit and resilience that every retail leader should read.Check out our full-length interview with Ryf Quail here:Main episode linksThis episode was brought to you by… Convert DigitalAbout your guest:Responsible for the successful launch of Asia Pacific’s biggest retail trade show, NRF: Retail’s Big Show Asia Pacific, Ryf Quail has worked both in the industry and on the industry. Prior to NRF APAC, Ryf stamped iMedia Online Retail Summit Australia as the most loved eCommerce on the calendar delivering an NPS of 87 with a financial performance to match. He also ran iMedia Summits of various flavours across the region. Prior to that he has run digital and media agencies across ANZ, lead digital marketing and CRM across APAC for Deloitte, as well as playing leading roles in Nike Australia’s first eCommerce trial and the launch of Internet Banking for ANZ across Australia and New Zealand. He holds an MBA with the University of Otago and loves Ducati motorcycles!About your host:Nathan Bush is the host of the Add To Cart podcast and a leading ecommerce transformation consultant. He has led eCommerce for businesses with revenue $100m+ and has been recognised as one of Australia’s Top 50 People in eCommerce four years in a row. You can contact Nathan on LinkedIn, Twitter or via email.Email hello@addtocart.com.au We look forward to hearing from you!520. Rebuilding The Body Shop: How Kira Macleod-Finke Replatformed in 90 Days and Reignited DTC | #520
49:58||Ep. 520In this episode of Add To Cart, we sit down with Kira Macleod-Finke, Head of Direct-to-Consumer at The Body Shop Australia, the iconic beauty brand now certified 100% vegan across its global product range. With a retail career spanning T2, Country Road, Trenery, and Jeanswest, Kira shares how she led The Body Shop through two global buyouts, a decentralisation shift, and a three-month replatform from SAP Commerce Cloud to Shopify, with just 13 minutes of downtime. She reveals how she unified ecommerce and retail under one DTC team, turned L&D into a real-time CX engine, and kept her people calm and focused through an unpredictable transformation. This one’s packed with honest leadership insights, practical team structures, and bold decisions that brand managers and ecommerce leads won’t want to miss.This episode was brought to you by: Shopify PlusKlaviyoAbout your guest:Kira Macleod-Finke is a seasoned retail leader with over 20 years’ experience driving transformation across some of Australia’s best-known brands. As Head of Direct-to-Consumer at The Body Shop Australia, she leads the charge across both ecommerce and 130+ retail stores, unifying customer experience and commercial strategy under one roof. Formerly the ANZ retail operations for The Body Shop, and Global Head of Retail at T2 Tea, Kira has led teams across five international markets. Her career also includes senior roles at Jeanswest and Country Road Group, where she led large-scale retail operations and customer-focused change. With deep expertise in omnichannel retail, team development and CX design, Kira is known for combining operational rigour with purpose-led leadership to put the customer at the centre of every decision.About your host:Nathan Bush is the host of the Add To Cart podcast and a leading ecommerce transformation consultant. He has led eCommerce for businesses with revenue $100m+ and has been recognised as one of Australia’s Top 50 People in eCommerce four years in a row. You can contact Nathan on LinkedIn, Twitter or via email.Email hello@addtocart.com.au We look forward to hearing from you!519. Cam Richardson from Paysquad | #519
07:53||Ep. 519Cam Richardson, founder of PaySquad, gives us a peek behind the curtain at the tech, brands and strategies that keep him ahead. He shares his admiration for Craft Club, the fast-growing Australian brand redefining social shopping, and how AI-driven productivity hacks help him run a scaling fintech business. Cam also reveals why LinkedIn is his go-to platform for ecommerce insights, why This Day in AI is worth a listen, and his biggest challenge in navigating PaySquad’s rapid growth. Whether you’re an ecommerce pro or just looking for smarter ways to work, this chat is chock full of gold.Check out our full-length interview with Cam Ricahrdson here:Main episode linksThis episode was brought to you by… KlaviyoAbout your guest:Cam Richardson is a faith-driven entrepreneur on a mission to change the way we pay. Founder & CEO of Paysquad, Cam is pioneering a “buy now, pay together” solution that makes group purchases seamless, eliminating awkward IOUs and making big-ticket buys, gifts and experiences more accessible.With a background spanning entrepreneurship, retail and business strategy, Cam thrives at the intersection of innovation and impact. A proud Kiwi-American, Cam blends his New Zealand grit with boundless U.S. optimism, embodying an unstoppable drive to challenge the status quo.About your host:Nathan Bush is the host of the Add To Cart podcast and a leading ecommerce transformation consultant. He has led eCommerce for businesses with revenue $100m+ and has been recognised as one of Australia’s Top 50 People in eCommerce four years in a row. You can contact Nathan on LinkedIn, Twitter or via email.Please contact us if you: Want to come on board as an Add To Cart sponsor Are interested in joining Add To Cart as a co-host Have any feedback or suggestions on how to make Add To Cart betterEmail hello@addtocart.com.au We look forward to hearing from you!518. The Unseen Tech Behind Camilla’s Global Fashion Empire | #518
40:31||Ep. 518In this episode of Add To Cart, we chat to Luke Matthews, Head of IT at Camilla, the iconic Australian fashion brand known for its vibrant prints, celebrity fans, and big name collaborations with the likes of Disney and White Lotus. Luke shares how he's building the tech foundations that are powering Camilla’s global expansion, from Australia to the US and beyond. He lifts the lid on the hidden challenges of running a best-of-breed tech stack with NetSuite, Shopify and CDP and explains why data discipline, system resilience and seamless customer experience are critical to scaling a creative brand. This episode was brought to you by: Shopify PlusKlaviyoAbout your guest:Luke Matthews is an experienced technology executive with over a decade leading digital transformation and innovation in retail. As Head of IT at Camilla Australia, he drives technology initiatives that enhance customer experience, streamline operations and support growth across physical and online stores. A former CTO at Kitchen Warehouse Australia, Luke championed digital advancements, including website optimisation, data-driven marketing, and click-and-collect solutions. He has also led major projects at Retail Directions, delivering software development and system localisation for global retailers. Luke’s expertise spans cybersecurity, AI/ML in retail, data analytics, cloud architecture and business process re-engineering. With a results-driven mindset, he consistently delivers solutions that boost profitability, efficiency and customer engagement.About your host:Nathan Bush is the host of the Add To Cart podcast and a leading ecommerce transformation consultant. He has led eCommerce for businesses with revenue $100m+ and has been recognised as one of Australia’s Top 50 People in eCommerce four years in a row. You can contact Nathan on LinkedIn, Twitter or via email.Email hello@addtocart.com.au We look forward to hearing from you!517. Anna Samkova from Albany Advisory | #517
10:55||Ep. 517In this Checkout episode, Anna Samkova takes us behind the scenes of the tools, brands and ideas shaping her approach to customer strat. She explains why Harvey Norman, STAX, Muscle Republic, Bunnings and Woolworths are nailing customer experience and community building. She also shares the tech she relies on for business efficiency, her obsession with AI and how Mel Robbins’ ‘The Let Them Theory’ reshaped her leadership mindset. Plus, she opens up about the challenge of scaling a consultancy without losing quality.Check out our full-length interview with Anna Samkiva here:Main episode linksThis episode was brought to you by… StudioHawkAbout your guest: With over 15 years in retail leadership, Anna Samkova helps brands turn customer engagement into long-term profitability. Founder of Albany Advisory and former Group General Manager at Brand Collective, she has led customer strategy for some of Australia’s biggest retail brands. Using her C.L.I.E.N.T. Growth Framework, Anna has helped major retailers increase repeat purchases by 20%, boost CRM-driven revenue and transform omnichannel experiences. A champion of data-driven decision-making, she ensures brands aren’t just collecting customer insights—they’re using them to scale effectively.About your host: Nathan Bush is the host of the Add To Cart podcast and a leading ecommerce transformation consultant. He has led eCommerce for businesses with revenue $100m+ and has been recognised as one of Australia’s Top 50 People in eCommerce four years in a row. You can contact Nathan on LinkedIn, Twitter or via email.Please contact us if you: Want to come on board as an Add To Cart sponsor Are interested in joining Add To Cart as a co-host Have any feedback or suggestions on how to make Add To Cart betterEmail hello@addtocart.com.au We look forward to hearing from you!516. What 100 E-commerce Sites Got Wrong: Grant Arnott from Click Frenzy Spills All | #516
48:06||Ep. 516In this episode of Add To Cart, we sit down with Grant Arnott, Executive Director at Global Marketplace, home to retail powerhouses Click Frenzy, Power Retail and GrabOne. With over a decade driving peak online moments for brands like Woolworths, Big W and Adore Beauty, Grant brings sharp insights and unfiltered takes on where ecommerce has lost its edge. He unpacks why most sites are blending into the background, the real role of top-of-funnel traffic and what Australian retailers can learn from global innovators like ModCloth. Whether you're buried in attribution models or stuck in template land, this episode challenges you to think beyond best practice and start building with personality.This episode was brought to you by: Shopify PlusKlaviyoAbout your guest: Grant Arnott is the Executive Director at Global Marketplace, where he spearheads initiatives to transform the e-commerce landscape across Australia and New Zealand. With a passion for retail innovation, Grant has successfully driven the development of a dynamic marketing engine, exemplified by key events such as Click Frenzy and influential platforms like Power Retail and GrabOne. Since joining Global Marketplace in 2012, he has played a pivotal role in shaping marketing strategies and overseeing impactful e-commerce events. Prior to this, Grant served as Managing Director of Click Frenzy, Australia’s premier online retail festival, and was instrumental in establishing Power Retail as a crucial resource for the online retail community. About your host: Nathan Bush is the host of the Add To Cart podcast and a leading ecommerce transformation consultant. He has led eCommerce for businesses with revenue $100m+ and has been recognised as one of Australia’s Top 50 People in eCommerce four years in a row. You can contact Nathan on LinkedIn, Twitter or via email.Email hello@addtocart.com.au We look forward to hearing from you!The Download - 2nd May 2025
58:12|Alright, we’re doing this... introducing The Download!A wrap-up of the most interesting changes in eCommerce this week with Nathan Bush and a mystery guest. This episode was recorded live on Friday inside the Add To Cart CAMPUS Community — it’s live, raw and a bit loose… a bit different to our usual eps!This week we cover:AI and shopping: ChatGPT is now showing shopping results. Is this the beginning of the end for product discovery as we know it, or just another overhyped moment?Why online retail feels boring right now and what we can do about it. Criteo has confirmed it with new research.Why attribution is broken: We dig into guesstimation, misleading dashboards, and a simpler approach using Marketing Efficiency Ratio (MER).How to filter the AI noise: Tools, tactics, and how to avoid falling into yet another LinkedIn-hyped rabbit hole.What actually makes a strong brand — and how loyalty can override logic (even if you’re being overcharged).Plus, a preview of our upcoming Meta Bootcamp and all the fun stuff happening at Retail Fest — including trivia, panels and a Gold Coast bogan dress-up.Mentioned in this episode:Join the Add To Cart CAMPUS CommunityRegister for Meta Bootcamp (starts June 9)Add To Cart Trivia at Retail FestCriteo's Boring Retail ReportRetail Fest Transitional TicketsTracksuit – brand trackingTriple Whale – eCommerce attribution and analyticsFYXER – AI email assistantPerplexity – AI research toolAll Marketers Are Liars – Seth GodinWant to join the live session next Friday?If you’re a CAMPUS member, we’d love you to come along. Bring a story, a soapbox moment or just hang out and listen in.Not a member yet? Join for free here.515. Tahlia Mandie from Kakadu Plum Co | #515
08:12||Ep. 515In this Checkout episode, Tahlia Mandie of Kakadu Plum Co. chats tools and inspirations. From using Canva daily to keep her branding sharp, to finding inspiration in Gem’s innovative approach to oral care, and drawing timeless lessons from Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning, hear how this purpose-driven founder balances life and business while growing an ecommerce brand that celebrates Australian native ingredients and supports Indigenous businesses.Check out our full-length interview with Tahlia Mandie here:Main episode linksThis episode was brought to you by… Convert DigitalAbout your guest: Tahlia Mandie launched Kakadu Plum Co. in 2015, long before most Australians had even heard of the powerful native superfood, Kakadu plum. What started as a single product quickly grew into a thriving brand offering over 30 products, from bush teas and preserves to oils and homewares. Today, Kakadu Plum Co. stocks a range of over 1,200 products from other Australian and Indigenous businesses through its online store. Driven by a passion to celebrate Australian bush foods and honour Indigenous culture, Tahlia has built a platform that connects customers with the richness of Australia’s land and its people.About your host: Nathan Bush is the host of the Add To Cart podcast and a leading ecommerce transformation consultant. He has led eCommerce for businesses with revenue $100m+ and has been recognised as one of Australia’s Top 50 People in eCommerce four years in a row. You can contact Nathan on LinkedIn, Twitter or via email.Please contact us if you: Want to come on board as an Add To Cart sponsor Are interested in joining Add To Cart as a co-host Have any feedback or suggestions on how to make Add To Cart betterEmail hello@addtocart.com.au We look forward to hearing from you!