Founders and Funders Australia

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/]

Ep 25 Dale Crawford: Lilith, Chinese-Australian History & The Paradox of Purpose

This week on Founders & Funders Australia, Ray sits down with filmmaker and multidisciplinary creative Dale Crawford, founder of Moon Room Films. Dale grew up in Melbourne surrounded by early computers, robotics, and animation thanks to two programmer parents. From childhood inventions to studying fine arts, screenwriting, and philosophy simultaneously, his early life set the foundation for a career that spans fashion design, independent film, and deep historical storytelling. Ray and Dale explore the extraordinary Chinese-Australian history that inspired Dale’s decades-long research project, including secret societies on the Bendigo goldfields, clan wars, and the origins of Australia’s oldest Imperial Dragon. Dale shares why he closed a fashion label invited to New York Fashion Week to pursue filmmaking, and how acting and modelling became tools to study film sets from the inside and reinvest into his creative work. They also dive into the reality of producing independent films: building teams, sustaining multi-year projects, navigating distribution, and shaping meaningful work in a fast-content world. The discussion moves from TikTok attention loops to the “paradox of purpose,” and why creative people must learn to consume less and make more. If you’re a founder, creative, or someone navigating long-term meaningful work, this episode will resonate deeply. In this episode, Dale shares: * Growing up with early computers, robots, and stop-motion animation * Childhood plans to invent an electromagnet motor and build a “perma jungle” * Studying fine arts, screenwriting, and philosophy across three universities * Building a made-to-measure fashion label later invited to New York Fashion Week * Closing the label to focus on filmmaking * 16+ years researching Chinese secret societies in Australia * The story behind the Imperial Dragon and the Bendigo goldfields * How a stolen script pushed him to start his own production company * Using acting and modelling gigs to learn filmmaking and fund projects * The 10-year journey from writing to releasing his feature film Lilith * How rapid media consumption affects our emotional processing * Why creators need to bring “nutritious work” into an oversaturated world * The paradox of purpose — why achieving goals can erase meaning * Why aspiring filmmakers must start small, iterate, and learn by doing Where to watch Lilith * Australia: Vimeo On Demand [https://vimeo.com/ondemand/lilithmovie] * North America: Fandango [https://www.fandango.com/lilith-119051/movie-overview] Connect with Dale * Instagram: @moonroomfilms [https://www.instagram.com/moonroomfilms/?hl=en] * Film company: Moon Room Films