Share

cover art for Product Innovation: How to turn a 4am idea into a million dollar business featuring Chris Meade | #014

Add To Cart

Product Innovation: How to turn a 4am idea into a million dollar business featuring Chris Meade | #014

Season 1, Ep. 14

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 

CROSSNET

Double your Profits in 6 Months or Less by Bob Fifer

How I Built This with Guy Raz

Shopify Reunite (sponsored)

Klarna (sponsored)


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…  

Shopify Plus

Klarna


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

  • 528. Unwanted FC: The Football Side Hustle That Nike Couldn’t Ignore | #528

    46:06||Ep. 528
    In this episode of Add To Cart, Nathan Bush chats with twin founders Kevin and Keith Chan of Unwanted FC, a circular fashion brand turning unwanted football kits into standout accessories. From bootstrapping handmade bags to building a thriving Shopify store, they share how a Hong Kong pop-up boosted their SEO, why every collab is a marketing play, and the secrets behind working with Nike and winning over World Cup winners like Juan Mata.Get 20% off Unwanted FC’s Upcycling Service with code ADDTOCART20.This episode was brought to you by:Shopify & KlaviyoAbout your guest:Kevin and Keith Chan are the twin co-founders of Unwanted FC, a purpose-led upcycling brand turning unwanted football kits into one-of-a-kind accessories. Kevin brings experience in digital marketing and partnerships from roles at City Beach, Xero, Medibank and Riot Games, where he led brand growth through innovative campaigns. Keith combines a background in product management and global brand strategy, having spent years at Adidas HQ in Germany creating football boots, and more recently shaping products at Canon Australia. Together, they blend creativity, data, and storytelling to champion a more circular future in ecommerce.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, X or via email.Got an idea, opportunity or just want to get involved? Whether you’re keen to sponsor Add To Cart, interested in jumping on the mic as a co-host, or have feedback to help us make the show even better, we’d love to hear from you. Shoot us an email at hello@addtocart.com.au and let’s chat!
  • 527. Belinda Paul from RCYCL | #527

    10:41||Ep. 527
    In this Checkout episode, we chat with Belinda Paul, the founder of RCYCL, the sustainability solution now featured in checkouts at THE ICONIC and Myer. Belinda reveals the unconventional moments that shaped her thinking, including a Mars Bar QR code that sparked a realisation about customer behaviour, and the time she joined THE ICONIC’s internal run club just to land a meeting. She shares her go-to platform (Shopify), the podcast that fuels her mindset (Chief Meta Chicks), and the biggest challenge still ahead: getting more retailers on board with RCYCL’s drop-in sustainability model. A sharp, honest look at what it really takes to scale purpose in the ecommerce world.Check out our full-length interview with Belinda Paul here: https://shorturl.at/7O0Dk This episode was brought to you by Deliver In Person + KlaviyoAbout your guest:Belinda is a passionate and creative brand, product and marketing professional with a track record of building trusted relationships across national and international stakeholders. Having successfully developed and launched products into major Australian retail marketplaces, she brings a unique blend of strategic thinking and hands-on execution to building branding strategies. With a strong focus on sustainability, Belinda is committed to driving long-term environmental impact through smarter product design, minimal waste practices and circular economy thinking. Turning ideas into shelf-ready products, Belinda leads everything from product development and branding, to campaign execution and commercial rollout.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, X or via email.Got an idea, opportunity or just want to get involved? Whether you’re keen to sponsor Add To Cart, interested in jumping on the mic as a co-host, or have feedback to help us make the show even better, we’d love to hear from you. Shoot us an email at hello@addtocart.com.au and let’s chat!
  • 526. From Collapse to Comeback: How HealthPost Rescued Flora & Fauna and Nourished Life (Without Losing Its Soul), with CEO Abel Butler | #526

    46:12||Ep. 526
    In this episode of Add To Cart, Nathan Bush chats with Abel Butler, CEO of HealthPost, the New Zealand natural health retailer that’s quietly built a 36-year legacy and is now breathing new life into Aussie favourites Flora & Fauna and Nourished Life. Abel shares the wild ride of acquiring the brands just two weeks after raising the idea in a board meeting, and what it really took to rebuild them from scratch: new warehouse, new tech stack, new team. He talks through the tools he swears by (Shopify, Klaviyo, ProfitPeak, NetSuite), how they’ve taken an “AI-first” approach to retail, and why they’re still relying on good old discounting to drive growth in a tough market.Get 15% off sitewide with code ATC15 at HealthPost, Flora & Fauna, or Nourished Life. Offer ends 30 June 2025. T&C apply. This episode was brought to you by:Shopify & KlaviyoAbout your guest:Abel Butler is CEO of HealthPost Group, a family-owned collective of natural wellness brands across New Zealand and Australia, including HealthPost, Flora & Fauna, and Nourished Life. A second-generation leader, Abel has revived two iconic Australian brands, returned the Group to profitability, and embedded B Corp values across governance, supply chains, and loyalty.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, X or via email.Got an idea, opportunity or just want to get involved? Shoot us an email at hello@addtocart.com.au and let’s chat!
  • 525. Suzie Young from Metagenics | #525

    08:51||Ep. 525
    In this Checkout episode, we go behind the scenes with Suzie Young from Metagenics to uncover the tools, brands and habits driving her success. From buying tiles and lounges online with Koala and TileCloud, to drawing inspiration from Scott Galloway’s Prof G podcast, Suzie shares how her approach to ecommerce blends curiosity and structure. She reflects on exceptional service moments from legacy retailers like Harvey Norman and Strandbags, reveals why Trello and Jira are non-negotiables for her team, and unpacks the challenge of balancing quick wins with long-term strategy in a digital-first business.Check out our full-length interview with Suzie Young here: https://shorturl.at/7UWrMThis episode was brought to you by: Deliver In Person + KlaviyoAbout your guest:Suzie Young is a results-driven Marketing and Digital Leader at Metagenics, with deep expertise across ecommerce, CRM, CX and digital transformation. She's passionate about agile leadership, building high-performing teams, and creating digital experiences that deliver long-term customer value.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, X or via email.Got an idea, opportunity or just want to get involved? Whether you’re keen to sponsor Add To Cart, interested in jumping on the mic as a co-host, or have feedback to help us make the show even better, we’d love to hear from you. Shoot us an email at hello@addtocart.com.au and let’s chat!
  • 524. The Next Evolution of Online Shopping: Shopify’s AI-Powered Future with James Johnson | #524

    01:00:31||Ep. 524
    In this episode of Add To Cart, host Nathan Bush sits down with James Johnson, Enterprise Leader at Shopify, to unpack how the global commerce platform is evolving to meet the future of eCommerce. As a former retailer turned tech leader (with stints at Michael Hill and Salesforce) James brings a grounded perspective on Shopify’s transformation into a commerce operating system. The discussion explores Shopify’s latest ‘Editions’ release, which puts AI at the centre of everything from customer segmentation with Sidekick to dynamic storefront building with Horizon themes. They delve into the practical applications of AI for retail, from smarter customer service roles to POS innovations, and name-drop forward-thinking retailers such as JB Hi-Fi, Hairhouse, and Crumpler.Reset and Scale Your Meta Strategy Bootcamp: https://campus.addtocart.com.au/checkout/reset-and-scale-your-meta-strategyThis episode was brought to you by:ShopifyKlaviyoAbout your guest:James Johnson is a commerce and retail specialist who has helped retailers and independent businesses navigate the ever-changing world of eCommerce by sharing real-world insights and best practices, drawn from years in the trenches. He’s led award-winning teams that have been recognised across the industry from winning Best Multichannel Retailer to being finalists at the World Retail Awards.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, X 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!
  • 522. Is the App Dead? Why Retailers Are Going Wallet-First with Litecard | Ep #522

    43:09||Ep. 522
    In 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. 521
    Today’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. 520
    In 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. 519
    Cam 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!