SKALE UP

In this episode of Skale Up, hosts Julie Kim and Sophie Seymaux sit down with Julien Marteau, General Manager of Brown Family Wine Group and a wine marketing and sales leader with more than 20 years of experience across Europe, Asia and Oceania, to explore what it takes to build a luxury wine brand with patience and integrity.Born in the Loire Valley and trained in Champagne, Julien brings a career at Moët Hennessy and Pernod Ricard to a family-owned Tasmanian producer. He reflects on how time, terroir and an uncompromising standard of quality shape brands built to last, and what the Old World and the New have to teach each other.Listen to part 2 subscriber-only episode: https://skaleaustralia.substack.com/p/part-2-inside-julien-marteaus-cellarInside the episode:• A life in wine: From the Loire Valley to the great Champagne houses, and the early pull towards sparkling that shaped a career.• Champagne to Tasmania: What changes, and what carries over, when centuries of heritage give way to a faster-moving New World producer.• Listening to the customer: How guest feedback reimagined the cellar door as a place for memorable, hands-on experiences.• Balance: A French work ethic meets an Australian view of flexibility, and why switching off matters.• Scaling without compromise: Why the right people and an unwavering standard of quality outweigh speed, in a category where nothing happens quickly.• Affordable luxury: Where fine Tasmanian sparkling sits as Champagne prices continue to climb.• The next frontier: The export opportunity Julien is watching beyond Australian shores.• The tables turn: Julien asks Julie and Sophie where luxury is heading in Australia, from a widening wealth gap to a more exclusive, more nuanced market.• In person wins: Why the digital era is now a baseline, and what tangible experiences mean for luxury and wine alike.• Luxury held to account: How more knowledgeable consumers are asking brands to prove their worth through craft, sourcing and authenticity.Why Listen?If you’re a founder or leader working in luxury, wine, hospitality or premium consumer goods, this episode offers a considered view on building brands that reward patience. Julien shows how craft, time and experience, rather than scale for its own sake, create lasting desirability, and why the most valuable luxury moments are the ones that can only be felt in person.Part one is just the start. Part two continues the conversation with a more off-the-record look at Julien’s world, available to subscribers. Connect with UsInstagram: @skale_australiaLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/skale-australiaEmail: [email protected]: www.skaleaustralia.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit skaleaustralia.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of Skale Up, hosts Julie Kim and Sophie Seymaux sit down with Bart Celestino, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of LoveWant Magazine, a niche Australian title that sits at the intersection of contemporary art, fashion imagery and photographyFrom a graffiti magazine in the ‘80s to shaping one of Australia’s most distinctive fashion voices, Bart shares how curiosity, curation, and a refusal to chase trends have built a business around backing great ideas over hype.Part one is just the start. Part two continues the conversation with more off-the-record insight, available exclusively for subscribers from Friday, 11th September. Part two available here: https://skaleaustralia.substack.com/p/part-2-inside-lovewant-off-the-recordInside the Episode:* Bart’s unconventional path into fashion media and how growing up far from any cultural centre became his greatest creative advantage* The story behind Damage, his hip-hop and graffiti magazine, and the move to New York that reshaped how he saw Australia’s place in the world* Why Bart refuses to chase trends, and what he backs instead* The philosophy behind Lovewant: building what didn’t exist rather than waiting for permission* What luxury brands actually want from media partners* The shift toward user-generated content, and why audiences (especially Gen Z) are choosing real people over polished campaigns* A Melbourne influencer’s rapid rise on Instagram, and what it reveals about style (@myfriendhannah__) * Bart’s contrarian take on scaling* A challenge to the modern obsession with “becoming an entrepreneur”* Where Bart sees the next frontier for Lovewant and the industry at large* The tables turn: Bart asks Julie and Sophie what most businesses still get wrong about growthWhy Listen?If you’re a founder, creative, or working in media, fashion, or luxury, this episode is a masterclass in trusting ideas over trends. Bart makes the case that curation, point of view, and knowing what not to scale are the real drivers of lasting relevance: a timely reminder in an industry obsessed with growth for growth’s sake.Connect with UsInstagram: @skale_australiaLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/skale-australiaEmail: [email protected]: www.skaleaustralia.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit skaleaustralia.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of Skale Up, hosts Julie Kim and Sophie Seymaux open up the archive to share unreleased audio from across Season 2. Every conversation is recorded for around 45 minutes and edited down to 15, and a lot of insight ends up left on the studio floor. Here, they’ve pulled together some of the moments that were simply too good to cut — extended reflections from eight guests across career, authenticity, media, the art world, recruitment and where AI is taking luxury next.Inside the Episode:* 1:17: Jess Blanch (Publisher & Editor-in-Chief, RUSSH): an unconventional path into fashion and media, and the calling that kept her on it* 3:46: Shamini Rajarethnam (CEO, Rationale): what authenticity really means, and why showing up the same at work, with friends and at home matters* 5:00: David Meagher (Editor, Gourmet Traveler): the lessons in reader feedback from Wish Magazine and Gourmet Traveler, why no title can be everything to everyone, and the real nuance behind “pay to play”* 11:33: Amanda Shadforth (Artist & Creative Director): the shift from an online archive called Oracle Fox to her own name, and how a personal identity caught up with a growing brand* 14:45: Viola Raikhel (Global Arts Industry Leader): a candid look inside the art world and at buying and selling at auction, and why collectors benefit from independent advice* 18:05: Steve Grace (Co-founder, The Pillars): what founders and scale-ups get wrong about hiring and retention, and the feeling he’s building into The Pillars, Sydney’s private members’ club* 22:33: Michelle Reeves (CEO & Founder, Xillions) AI, digital co-creation and scaling scarcity, and what it means when creative directors become megaphones rather than makers* 26:16: Steve Philpotts (Managing Director, Experian ANZ Marketing Services): where AI is heading next for a global data and technology business, and what it unlocks for teams without a background in analyticsWhy Listen?This is a rare chance to hear the parts of Season 2 that are unreleased and unfiltered. If you’ve enjoyed getting to know this season’s guests, you won’t want to miss this one.Connect with Us:* Instagram: @skale_australia* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skale-australia/* Email us: [email protected]* Website: www.skaleaustralia.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit skaleaustralia.substack.com/subscribe

In the season finale of Skale Up, hosts Julie Kim and Sophie Seymaux close out Season Two and mark one year of Skale with a look back at what the first 12 months have taught them.From the lessons learned in client conversations to the guest advice that’s stayed with them, Julie and Sophie reflect on the shifts in confidence, patience, and perspective that have shaped their first year in business, and share what’s ahead as Skale moves into its second year.Inside the Episode* Marking one year of Skale: the biggest shifts in confidence, positioning, and approach since launch* Why patience and trust in the process have replaced the pressure for fast results* Holding onto blind faith and belief through the harder moments of building a business* Guest wisdom that stuck with us* What makes a strong business partnership: aligned values, open communication, and complementary skills* Key findings from their in-depth Australian luxury market report, including the enduring importance of physical retail* Australia’s wealth profile and why property ownership is central to the luxury consumer mindset* Where the luxury industry is headed, and the changing nature of brand and influence* What’s next for Skale in year two, and a season two bonus episode to comeWhy Listen?If you’re a founder, leader, or working in luxury, business, or consulting, this episode offers a candid look at what it really takes to build a business in year one. Julie and Sophie share the lessons, mindset shifts, and hard-won perspective behind Skale’s growth, and what they’re carrying into the next chapter.Connect with UsInstagram: @skale_australiaLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/skale-australiaEmail: [email protected]: www.skaleaustralia.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit skaleaustralia.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of Skale Up, hosts Julie Kim and Sophie Seymaux sit down with Amanda Shadforth, visual artist, photographer, and creative director whose work spans gallery walls, editorial, and global luxury brand campaigns. Based on the Sunshine Coast, Amanda has spent 15 years building a career at the intersection of fashion, art, and storytelling, working with the world’s most storied luxury houses.From teaching herself to code a WordPress site in 2010 to becoming a trusted collaborator for brands like Louis Vuitton, Cartier, and Chanel, Amanda shares how a commitment to craft, a distinct visual language, and a refusal to be defined by industry labels have shaped her trajectory.Inside the Episode: • From fine artist to global creative: how a WordPress blog in regional Queensland opened doors to the world’s leading luxury brands• Being labelled a “blogger” and “influencer” and how Amanda reframed the conversation around her identity as a business owner and craftsperson• Balance in business: why it’s a process, not a destination, and how space and freedom of mind enable her to recharge and re-engage• Staying distinct: why putting blinkers on, doing the work, and bringing a unique perspective is when people notice• The shift from transactional to meaningful: how brands are moving away from KPI-driven engagements and seeking genuine creative collaboration• The value of the Oracle Fox archive: why a 15-year body of content still turns up in brand mood boards today• Finding inspiration: curiosity, travel, music, 17th-century female painters, and the importance of looking sideways• The future of brand-creative partnerships: consulting, painting, photography, sculpting and bringing tactile artistry into the conversation• Community over individuals: why luxury brands that tap into the full ecosystem around a creative will win• In-person as the new disruptive: why offline experiences and events that collect phones at the door are becoming more powerful than digitalWhy Listen? If you’re a founder, creative, or working across luxury, fashion, or culture, this episode offers a grounded and generous look at what it means to build a body of work — not just a business. Amanda’s story is a reminder that clarity of craft, patience, and the courage to be specific are what create lasting relevance in a saturated world.Connect with us: * Instagram: @skale_australia* LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/skale-australia* Email: [email protected]* Website: www.skaleaustralia.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit skaleaustralia.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of Skale Up, Australian luxury business experts Julie Kim and Sophie Seymaux sit down with David Meagher, journalist, editor, author, and one of Australia’s most respected voices in luxury media. Currently Editor of Gourmet Traveler, David spent over 15 years as Editor of Wish magazine at The Australian and is the author of four books, including his 2023 bestselling memoir, Secrets and Lies.From learning to read a luxury advertiser’s long game to redesigning a 60-year-old institution without losing its soul, David shares what patience, focus, and staying the course really looks like over a career in media.INSIDE THE EPISODE* David’s career journey spanning across multiple industries, yet always maintained a common thread* Redesigning Gourmet Traveler without alienating a fiercely loyal readership* How reader feedback shaped a new section in the magazine* Why luxury brands “play a fairly long game” — and the patience required to win them as partners* Balance in business: Two rules of thumb to protect personal time* What it takes to write a book alongside a demanding full-time career and David’s biggest advice for those who dream of becoming an author* What David learned in 18 months at The Local Project that 15 years at Wish couldn’t teach him* The moment after leaving a long career and the moments after that…WHY LISTEN?If you’re a founder, leader, or working in media, luxury, publishing, or creative industries, this episode is a masterclass in playing the long game with integrity. David’s insights on patience, focus, and building lasting relationships with partners and audiences offer rare, hard-won perspective — whether you’re scaling a title, a business, or a creative career.CONNECT WITH US* Instagram: @skale_australia* LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/skale-australia* Email: [email protected]* Website: www.skaleaustralia.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit skaleaustralia.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of Skale Up, hosts Julie Kim and Sophie Seymaux sit down with Michelle Reeves, founder of Xillions AI, a generative AI platform redefining how brands and communities create together. With clients including Disney, Gucci, and KPMG, Michelle has spent her career at the frontier of emerging tech, from e-commerce and social media to blockchain and AI.This conversation explores what it really means to scale a brand in the age of generative AI — and why co-creation, community, and trust are the new competitive advantage.Inside the Episode* Michelle’s career at the intersection of brands and emerging tech — from e-commerce and apps to blockchain, Web3, and now AI* The founding of Xillions AI: how a recurring CMO question of “How do we urgently connect to Gen Z?” sparked a new platform* Co-creation as a business model: turning fan engagement and brand passion into IP-protected content and valuable consumer data* Why Gen Z spend 58 billion hours a year creating digital content — and what brands are missing by not capturing it* The return to physical retail: what does the future of retail look like in an AI age* Balancing opportunity and focus: the paradox of one eye on the microscope, one eye on the telescope* C-suite of the future: why entrepreneurial thinking and constant upskilling are now baseline requirements* AI tools transforming storytelling: how Hollywood-quality content can now be created in a fraction of the time* AI and human creativity: why taste, vision, and creative direction remain irreplaceable — and how AI amplifies, not replaces, experts* Brand strategy in the age of AI-generated content: the nuanced approach from different industries such as Disney, L’Oréal, and Lego * Blockchain as a truth ledger: verifying authenticity, origin, and IP in luxury* The luxury industry’s relationship with technology: why creative integrity must lead, and data should optimise — not drive — brand decisionsWhy Listen?If you’re a founder, leader, or working across luxury, brand, technology, or retail, this episode offers a rare, practitioner’s view of what AI actually means for brand growth. Michelle brings strategic clarity, hard-won insight, and genuine optimism about what’s possible when brands stop fearing technology and start using it to deepen community.Connect with Us* Instagram: @skale_australia* LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/skale-australia* Email: [email protected]* Website: www.skaleaustralia.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit skaleaustralia.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of Skale Up, hosts Julie Kim and Sophie Seymaux sit down with Steve Philpotts, Managing Director of Marketing Services at Experian in Australia and New Zealand. With more than 20 years in data and technology, Steve brings deep expertise in consumer insights, data strategy, and the power of understanding your customer at every level.From debunking long-held assumptions to redefining how luxury brands leverage data for high-stakes decisions, Steve delivers a compelling case for putting customer understanding at the centre of every business strategy — and shares the golden rule of selling that every founder needs to hear.INSIDE THE EPISODE* Steve’s career journey: from telesales in England to leading Experian’s marketing services division in ANZ* How customer feedback sparked a seven-year technology transformation at Experian* Why mastering the role you’re in matters more than chasing the next one* The balance between drive and ambition versus enjoyment and mastery* Why people, culture, and skill sets are the common denominator in scaling success* Best practices in data that the luxury industry can learn from: it’s simpler than you think* How data can debunk myths, strengthen decisions, and give confidence to high-stakes choices like retail footprint* The 56% increase in data science roles in luxury retail and what it signals for the industry* AI and the next frontier: why data quality will determine competitive advantage* Customer profiling as a non-negotiable in meeting today’s personalisation expectations* Steve’s golden rule of sales* The Cartier Panther story — how local consumer insight reshaped a global brand’s investment strategy in AustraliaWHY LISTEN?Whether you’re a founder, leader, or operator in luxury, retail, or any data-driven industry, this episode offers a masterclass in the power of customer understanding. Steve Philpotts brings two decades of expertise to the question every brand must answer: do you truly know your customer? His insights on data strategy, selling, and the courage to challenge long-held assumptions make this essential listening for anyone looking to scale with precision.CONNECT WITH US* Instagram: @skale_australia* LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/skale-australia* Email: [email protected]* Website: www.skaleaustralia.comThank you for listening. If you enjoyed the episode, please subscribe. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit skaleaustralia.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of Skale Up, hosts Julie Kim and Sophie Seymaux sit down with Steve Grace, Sydney-based serial entrepreneur, founder of the Nudge Group and co-founder of The Pillars. Steve shares the unfiltered realities of building and scaling multiple businesses, from his early days in London to leading one of Sydney’s most talked-about private members’ clubs.With sharp insights on cashflow, talent, ego, and the relentless pace of change, Steve delivers a masterclass in practical entrepreneurship and asks a few pointed questions of his own.Inside the Episode:* Steve’s entrepreneurial origin story from London to Sydney* How growing up watching his father reinvent himself shaped Steve’s approach to business* The Pillars: from an 80sqm bar idea to a 2,000sqm private members’ club and what the first year has revealed* Listening to customers as the foundation of every business Steve has built* What balance in business really means, and why designing your life matters more than chasing it* The number one piece of advice for scaling: cashflow, every single day* How to recruit and retain talent: the answer may surprise you.* The role of ego in entrepreneurial success and why recognising it is everything* Resilience and mindset: how long you let yourself brood determines how far you go* Intuition vs. data: why most people already know the right answer* AI, recruitment, and the future: why ignoring change is the biggest risk of all* Steve turns the tables: what’s the biggest myth in luxury marketing?WHY LISTEN?Whether you’re a founder, operator, or leader in startups, luxury, or any fast-moving industry, this episode offers a rare blend of hard-won wisdom and refreshing candour. Steve’s perspective on cashflow, community, and conviction is as practical as it is inspiring and his questions for Julie and Sophie make for one of the most dynamic conversations yet.CONNECT WITH US* Instagram: @skale_australia* LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/skale-australia* Email: [email protected]* Website: www.skaleaustralia.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit skaleaustralia.substack.com/subscribe

In this special mid-season episode of Skale Up, hosts Julie Kim and Sophie Seymaux step away from the guest format for an honest one-on-one conversation about what it’s really been like to build Skale (their luxury business consultancy) from the ground up. Less than a year in, they reflect on their biggest learnings, the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, standout moments from the season’s guests, and what’s coming next.Inside the Episode* A business update from SKALE: clients, new projects, and the exciting expansion of the business launching soon* From Cartier directors to founders: what the first eight months of running a boutique luxury consultancy actually looks like* Sophie’s biggest learning: the surprising confidence and resilience she discovered in herself as a business owner* The art of sales: why selling your services is a craft, and how their approach has evolved dramatically* Julie on the highs and lows of entrepreneurship: navigating wins and failures in the same hour* Why “fail fast” is more than a motto and how setbacks have quietly become blessings in disguise* Reflecting on this season’s all-women guest lineup and what’s coming in the second half* Julie and Sophie both answer a major question featured in every episode of season 2: If you could give one piece of advice on how to scale a business, what would it be?Why Listen?Whether you’re a founder, aspiring entrepreneur, or simply curious about what it takes to build a business from scratch, this episode is refreshingly honest. Julie and Sophie give a glimpse inside building a service-based business: from landing clients and navigating sales to embracing failure and thinking long-term. A must-listen for anyone building something of their own.Connect with Us* Instagram: @skale_australia* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skale-australia/* Email: [email protected]* Website: www.skaleaustralia.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit skaleaustralia.substack.com/subscribe