Ep 28 - Pedals to Patterns: Connor Luke Van Brown on Trading Pro Cycling for Fashion Design

Ep 30 - Stephanie Leung: Building Eat Drink Play and The Hungry Passport

Stephanie Leung (@misssteph_eatdrinkplay [https://www.instagram.com/misssteph_eatdrinkplay/]) has spent more than 25 years quietly building one of Melbourne's most recognisable personal brands. You'll know her from her TV work, her 71K-strong Instagram community at Eat Drink Play, and her hosting at some of the city's biggest launches. But she's also is at PR agency Shy Melbournean Media, a regular host for heritage brands like Hennessy and Cartier, and now a talent manager bringing international actors into the Australian market. Or as she calls herself in this conversation, "a slasher." In this episode, Ray takes Stephanie back to the beginning. Growing up Chinese-Australian in Doncaster. Being one of only two or three Asian girls in an all-girls Catholic school in Camberwell, sent there by her mum after she started having boyfriends in grade five. Choosing literature and arts when "good Asian kids" were expected to do STEM. Earning her singing lessons by climbing piano grades. And looking around Australian media as a teenager and finding no one who looked like her, until The Hangover came out years later. Then we get into the work. Her first job in 1997 was a summer vocational role as a sales rep at a commercial lighting company, cold-calling tradies and getting hung up on. She did a year's budget worth of sales in three months, the company put her on a path to full-time and paid for her to finish uni, and she stayed twelve years. She also faxed her own EDMs to clients before the term existed. The lesson she still carries: when someone hangs up on you, you have no idea what just happened to them a minute before. You just keep dialling. From there we trace the path from lighting, to construction media, to Shy Melbournean Media, to becoming one of the early social media OGs in Melbourne's lifestyle scene almost by accident. We dig into the shift into TV, the difference between being an "influencer" and a creator who runs a real business, and how she decides which heritage brands to take on and which to pass. We close on what's next: The Hungry Passport, an upcoming travel and food show headed to a major Australian TV channel, where Stephanie is filming alongside celebrity pastry chef Anna Polyviou and co-hosts Irene Jones and Anna Simmons, with a companion podcast called The Open Table. In this conversation: * Why "lucky" is the wrong word, and "opportunity meets preparation" is the right one * What 12 years in B2B lighting sales actually teaches you about building a personal brand * The reality behind glamorous TV shoots, including a Paris travel shoot that collapsed mid-strike and a Doha layover hours before a major incident * How to introduce yourself when you genuinely do seven things * What brands get wrong about partnering with creators, and what creators get wrong about pricing themselves * Growing up Asian-Australian when there were no Asian faces in local media * Why hosting a launch is a different muscle from on-camera TV * The decision to start representing international acting talent in Australia Follow Stephanie: * Instagram: @misssteph_eatdrinkplay [https://www.instagram.com/misssteph_eatdrinkplay/] Follow Founders and Funders Australia: * Host: Ray Yee, @rayzworld [https://www.instagram.com/rayzworld/]

Ep 29 - How Nautica Australia Uses Brand Licensing to Win the Local Market with Gabriel Bastien-Dietrich

In this episode of Founders and Funders, host Ray Yee sits down with Gabriel Bastien-Dietrich, Brand Manager at Nautica Australia. Gabriel shares his journey from the ski slopes north of Montreal to navigating the high-stakes world of international fashion licensing. They dive deep into the mechanics of brand rejuvenation. Ready to simplify your content workflow? Explore Riverside here: https://riverside.sjv.io/xLR1Wx [https://riverside.sjv.io/xLR1Wx] Key Takeaways * The Licensing Advantage: Discover how licensing (versus distribution) allows the Australian team to design specific silhouettes and sub-brands, like Nautica Competition, specifically for the local market. * Authenticity Over Aesthetics: Gabriel explains why their most successful campaign was shot authentically on a boat in Sydney Harbour with friends, rather than using "pretty" staged modeling. * Sustainable Quality: A look at why Nautica Australia prioritizes garment longevity—using 220 GSM Australian cotton—to combat "greenwashing" and ensure clothes last for 15 years. * Navigating the Retail Crunch: Insights into the shrinking brick-and-mortar landscape and why brands with a "North Star" ethos are the ones that survive economic downturns. Founder Lessons * Stay a "Tourist": Gabriel attributes his ability to seize opportunities to a mindset of constant wonder and openness. * Data-Driven Decisions: Why "Excel is his best friend" and how annual customer surveys provide the subjective feedback necessary to iterate effectively. * The Originality Mandate: In a small, homogenous market like Australia, being a "copycat" is a fast track to being disposed of by consumers. Links & Resources * Nautica Australia: Official Website [https://nautica.com.au/] * Follow on Instagram: @nauticaaus [https://www.instagram.com/nauticaaus/] * Riverside AI: Our secret weapon for social media clips. * Industry Reading: Gabriel recommends Inside Retail and Business Insider for staying ahead of market trends. Host: Ray Yee Guest: Gabriel Bastien-Dietrich, Brand Manager at Nautica Australia

Ep 28 - Pedals to Patterns: Connor Luke Van Brown on Trading Pro Cycling for Fashion Design

In this episode of Founders and Funders, we sit down with Connor Luke Van Brown, a designer who transitioned from the high-octane world of professional cycling to the intricate craft of technical fashion. Connor shares the "aha moment" in a team van—watching a Givenchy show just minutes before a race—that led him to trade his bike for a career in design. We explore his journey through UTS School of Design, the reality of funding a career pivot by selling off his cycling gear, and how he leverages his background in animation and 3D software to create his signature "Resembool" collection. Named after the hometown in Fullmetal Alchemist, the collection represents a "checkpoint" in his journey. From interning at Song for the Mute to receiving unexpected interest from international buyers in Tokyo and London, Connor discusses what it takes to build a brand in the modern fashion landscape and the meticulous process behind his "beaded pleat" textile manipulations. Connect with Connor Luke Van Brown * Instagram: @connor.lv.brown [https://www.instagram.com/connor.lv.brown/] * Latest Collection: "Resembool" (UTS Honors Graduate Collection) Featured References * Professional Background: UCI Continental Team Development * Industry Experience: Song for the Mute [https://songforthemute.com/] (Sydney) * Education:

Ep 27 - Finding Your Style as a Photographer, with Valentin Zhmodikov

In this episode of Founders and Funders, Ray speaks with Valentin Zhmodikov, a Melbourne-based fashion and portrait photographer originally from St. Petersburg, Russia. Valentin shares how photography became both a creative outlet and a professional path, and what it really takes to move from hobbyist to working photographer. He talks openly about self-doubt, rejection, and the uncertainty that comes with creative careers, especially during periods like the COVID-19 pandemic. The conversation explores finding your own visual style, why gear matters far less than consistency, and how personal projects help shape a recognisable creative voice. Valentin also reflects on collaboration, trust between photographer and subject, and the emotional vulnerability involved in portrait work. This episode is for creators navigating long journeys, imperfect progress, and the challenge of staying committed when results aren’t immediate. Follow Valentin Zhmodikov Website: https://www.zhmodikov.com/ [https://www.zhmodikov.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zhmodikov/ [https://www.instagram.com/zhmodikov/]

Ep 26 - Vickar Adam - International Fashion Photographer

In this episode of Founders and Funders, Ray interviews Vick, a passionate photographer whose hobby turned into a profession. Vick shares his journey from growing up in a small town in Indonesia to becoming an international photographer, working with models and brands, and attending Paris Fashion Week. He discusses the challenges and rewards of his career, the importance of social media in building his brand, and his aspirations for the future. Follow Vick on Instagram:@vickar.adam [https://www.instagram.com/vickar.adam] Episode Highlights: * Photography started as a hobby for Vick and became a profession * Vick’s work in humanitarian projects led him deeper into photography * Social media played a crucial role in Vick’s career growth * Vick’s first paid job came through friends and family support * Working with models and brands expanded Vick’s portfolio * His international exposure began in Europe, particularly in Holland * Paris Fashion Week was a pivotal moment in Vick’s career * Vick emphasizes the importance of trust in photography * He advises new photographers to take every opportunity, even pro bono * Communication is key to balancing personal style with client needs Topics Covered: * From hobby to profession: Vick’s photography journey * Capturing moments: Vick’s path to international photography * The power of social media in building a photography career * Vick’s journey from Indonesia to Paris Fashion Week * Trust and communication as keys to success in photography * Balancing creative style with client expectations * Building a photography brand through consistency and connection Quotes from the Episode: * “Photography is half of my life.” * “Social media helped me a lot.” * “Paris Fashion Week was a big opportunity.” * “Trust is crucial in photography.” * “Take every opportunity, even pro bono.” * “Communication is key with clients.” * “My style is capturing emotion.” * “Social media connects me with people.” * “I love capturing memories.” * “Photography started as a hobby.” Special thanks: Special thanks to Society of Wolves for providing the beautiful Oxford shirt worn by Ray in this episode. Follow them on Instagram:@society.of.wolves [https://www.instagram.com/society.of.wolves/]