How to Build a Brand People Actually Want to Be Part Of with Carmel Zein

Your Soulmates Aren't Always Romantic

⁠Join us at our next community event! Tickets here!⁠ [https://www.chantelbrayley.com/our-next-event] Friendship is one of the most important parts of my life and honestly, one of the things I feel I've gotten right. In this episode, I'm sharing the stories behind some of the friendships that have shaped me, from my best friend of almost 20 years to the people I've met in Australia who have become family. We talk about what makes friendships last, why adult friendships can feel so hard to navigate and the difference between being connected by history versus being connected by values. I share my thoughts on friendship breakups, finding your people later in life, the importance of showing up for the people you love and why the strongest friendships are often the ones where you can happily do absolutely nothing together. If you've ever felt like you're struggling to find your people, wondering why certain friendships fade, or looking to build deeper connections, this episode is for you. Because at the end of the day, the best friendships aren't built on convenience or proximity, they're built on shared values, mutual respect, and choosing each other over and over again.

You Can’t Grow By Standing Still

This episode feels a little more personal than usual. I’m sharing a real, unfiltered look into the season of life I’m currently in - the chaos, the growth, the overwhelm, the gratitude and the quiet moments where I’ve had to stop and ask myself what I’m actually building toward. Over the past few weeks, life has felt full in every sense of the word. From events, work, friendships, networking, long days, little sleep and big dreams, I’ve realised that not every season of life is meant to feel calm and balanced all the time. Some seasons are for healing, some are for slowing down and some are for growing. This episode is a reminder that it’s okay to be in a chapter where you’re stretching yourself, dreaming bigger, working harder and becoming someone new - as long as it’s aligned with the life you truly want. I talk about ambition, boundaries, relationships, mindset, nervous system regulation, online culture and the importance of getting honest about whether we’re actually committing to the life we say we want. Honestly, this one felt more like a journal entry than a podcast episode… but maybe that’s exactly why I love it so much.

The Side of Ecommerce Nobody Talks About with Justin from The Aggregate Co

TAC Scholarship Link [https://lp.retailglobal.com.au/tacscholarship] Connect with Justin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-irvine-670a9a22/] Learn more about The Aggregate Co. [https://www.theaggregateco.com/] Today we are joined by Justin Irvine from The Aggregate Co. - aka the man making logistics sound way more interesting than it should be. This episode is packed with conversations around: * Why ops can quietly make or break your brand * The truth about free shipping * Expanding into the US without completely burning cash * Customer experience and what actually keeps people coming back * Bootstrapping businesses and scaling sustainably * Why marketers and ops teams need to work together * The behind-the-scenes of global ecommerce growth * The Aggregate Co. scholarship and how brands can apply Justin shares so much knowledge from years in ecommerce and logistics, but in a way that actually makes sense, even if you’re someone who usually avoids conversations about 3PLs and shipping costs at all costs. If you’re a founder, marketer, ecommerce manager or someone trying to scale a brand, this one is definitely worth the listen.

Careers, Hiring & The Truth About the Job Market Right Now - Em Haydon Spills ALL

Revere Recruitment - Salary Guide [https://www.revererecruitment.com.au/salary-guide-2026] Connect with Em here [https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilyhaydon/] This week’s episode is a deep dive into the realities of careers, hiring, and what’s actually happening in the job market right now. I’m joined by Emily Haydon, founder of Revere Recruitment, who brings over 20 years of experience in retail, eCommerce and digital recruitment and truly knows the industry inside out. We unpack both sides of the hiring equation: what candidates are getting wrong, what brands are struggling with and why the market feels so different compared to previous years. In this episode, we cover: * What a recruiter actually does (and how they can help your career) * The current state of the job market — and why it’s neither candidate nor client-driven * Salary shifts, expectations and how to know your value * The truth about job hopping, tenure and career growth * What brands are really looking for when hiring * Simple ways to stand out when applying (that most people still aren’t doing) Whether you’re trying to land your next role, grow your team, or just better understand the landscape you’re operating in, this episode will give you a whole new perspective.

How to Build a Brand People Actually Want to Be Part Of with Carmel Zein

In this episode of If You Know You Grow, Chantel sits down with community builder, founder, and powerhouse operator Carmel Zein — co-founder of Staje and the force behind Humble Brags. From producing conferences straight out of uni to building one of the most sought-after communities in the eCommerce space, Carmel shares how she turned connection into a career — and why authenticity is her biggest competitive advantage. This conversation dives deep into: * The reality of building a business (beyond the highlight reel) * Why community is more powerful than marketing * The transition from employee to founder * Creating meaningful connections (not just networking) * Balancing wellness, motherhood, and ambition * The behind-the-scenes of launching a supplement brand in one of the hardest industries If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, out of place, or unsure of your path — this episode is your reminder that everything is unfolding exactly as it should.