Creating Modibodi: Kristy Chong’s Million-Dollar Idea

We're dropping in your feeds with a special bonus episode!  We learnt so much from each of our guests this season on Lady Startup Stories, so we wanted to put together our top 5 lessons and build a framework for getting started in business. Today, we’re going over the most practical tips of the season and diving into some of our favourite moments with each of our incredible lady startups.  SUBSCRIBE:  Subscribe to Mamamia Have your say! By completing our survey, and to say thank you for your time, you’ll go in the running to win a $50 gift voucher. CREDIT  Host: Elfy Scott Producer: Cassie Merritt Audio Production: Madeline Joannou THE END BITS: Feedback? We’re listening! Call the pod phone on 02 8999 9386 or email us at [email protected] Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever had a brilliant idea that you thought could change the world? But inevitably due to life and circumstance, it stayed just that - an idea? Enter lady startup Kristy Chong, who turned her game-changing concept into a multi-million dollar reality. She’s the founder of Modibodi, the company that has been redefining the way we think about period products since 2013. This week, Kristy sits down with Elfy to share her story, from launching the business to selling it for millions and using her success to empower other female-founded, purpose-led businesses. This is a story about paying it forward and the powerful ways entrepreneurship can not only disrupt the industry but become a catalyst for social change. This episode of Lady Startup Stories is made in partnership with Airbnb. SUBSCRIBE:  Subscribe to Mamamia THE END BITS  Have your say! By completing our survey, and to say thank you for your time, you’ll go in the running to win a $50 gift voucher. CREDIT  Host: Elfy Scott Guests: Kristy Chong Producer: Cassie Merritt Audio Production: Madeline Joannou Feedback? We’re listening! Call the pod phone on 02 8999 9386 or email us at [email protected] Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At twenty-nine, Jennifer Jones was on top of the world. She was the managing director of Diesel and spent her days overseeing a $40 million dollar brand account. But one week before her thirtieth birthday, she quit.  Flash forward a decade or two and she's the creative mind behind Bondi cult-favourite ceramics and homewares brand Jones & Co. This week, Jennifer (JJ) sits down with Elfy to lift the lid on her biggest career wins and mistakes as well as why quitting her day job was the best thing she ever did.  This episode of Lady Startup Stories is made in partnership with Airbnb. SUBSCRIBE:  Subscribe to Mamamia THE END BITS  Have your say! By completing our survey, and to say thank you for your time, you’ll go in the running to win a $50 gift voucher. CREDIT  Host: Elfy Scott Guest: Jennifer Jones Producer: Cassie Merritt Audio Production: Thom Lion Feedback? We’re listening! Call the pod phone on 02 8999 9386 or email us at [email protected] Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Laura Thompson & Sarah Sheridan didn’t intend to build a fashion brand. But with a knack for marketing and a fire in their bellies to make a difference in the world, they created Clothing The Gaps.Their dynamic fashion label aims to challenge racial stereotypes, promote cultural awareness, and start conversations about reconciliation.This week, Laura and Sarah sit down with Elfy to discuss how their purpose drives profit - not the other way around - and the core reasons behind their success. This episode of Lady Startup Stories is made in partnership with Airbnb. SUBSCRIBE:  Subscribe to Mamamia THE END BITS  Have your say! By completing our survey, and to say thank you for your time, you’ll go in the running to win a $50 gift voucher. Wherever you're at in your business journey, Ladystartup.com has the tools, resources and education to help you launch and grow your business right now. CREDIT  Host: Elfy Scott Guests: Laura Thompson & Sarah Sheridan Producer: Cassie Merritt Audio Production: Thom Lion Feedback? We’re listening! Call the pod phone on 02 8999 9386 or email us at [email protected] Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Melanie Grant's story starts 12 years ago when she opened her first clinic in Sydney, called Melanie Grant Skin. Since then, her business has expanded all over the world, with clinics in Melbourne, Los Angeles, a residency in Paris, and plans of expanding into the UK.She transforms the skin of celebrities, models and A-listers alike. But even beyond her star-studded client list, Melanie has built a fiercely loyal global following of people who just love her clinics.Today, Elfy's sitting down with Melanie to find out how Melanie Grant Skin got to where it is today. Melanie shares the secrets at the core of her business model that helped her cut through the noise of the skincare industry and propel her to international success. This episode of Lady Startup Stories is made in partnership with Airbnb. SUBSCRIBE:  Subscribe to Mamamia THE END BITS  Have your say! By completing our survey, and to say thank you for your time, you’ll go in the running to win a $50 gift voucher. Wherever you're at in your business journey, Ladystartup.com has the tools, resources and education to help you launch and grow your business right now. CREDIT  Host: Elfy Scott Guest: Melanie Grant You can check out Melanie's book here. Producer: Cassie Merritt Audio Production: Thom Lion Feedback? We’re listening! Call the pod phone on 02 8999 9386 or email us at [email protected] Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Twin sisters & co-founders Sali Sasi and Julie Stevanja are dominating the tech business space. But when they first started out, the pair say building their platform was like learning Mandarin.  The twins founded Stylerunner back in 2012, the first online retailer of its kind globally. A few years ago, Sali tapped Julie on the shoulder with an idea for a new business. She wanted to do it all over again...Enter Wrapd (previously Her Black Book) a premium online shopping app designed to save money on the world's biggest brands.  On the show today, Sali & Julie sit down with Elfy to share how they learnt the language of tech, jumped on the AI bandwagon and used automation to completely reimagine how they do business. Plus, they share their number 1 tip for women in business. This episode of Lady Startup Stories is made in partnership with Airbnb. SUBSCRIBE:  Subscribe to Mamamia THE END BITS  All Resources Mentioned:  Tech Ready Women Girls In Tech Australia Have your say! By completing our survey, and to say thank you for your time, you’ll go in the running to win a $50 gift voucher. Wherever you're at in your business journey, Ladystartup.com has the tools, resources and education to help you launch and grow your business right now. CREDIT  Host: Elfy Scott Guests: Sali Sasi and Julie Stevanja Producer: Cassie Merritt Audio Production: Thom Lion Feedback? We’re listening! Call the pod phone on 02 8999 9386 or email us at [email protected] Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the early 2000s when Melbourne local Linda Hammond and her husband first came up with an idea for their business, it was just that - an idea. With nothing but $165 in the bank, the pair made the decision to pack up their lives and fly 3,000 km away to Bali, where they set up Quay Australia as a musical festival merch tent.  Fast forward to 2018. The Hammonds were breaking the internet with record sales, opening international locations, rubbing shoulders with The Kardashians and securing a a multi-million dollar deal where they sold the majority share of the business. Yes, you read that right. So how did they get there? On the show today, Linda sits down with Elfy to discuss how she used the power of social media to turn her "little idea" into an Internationally acclaimed fashion empire. Plus, she gives us the inside scoop on what her life looks like now and her new business venture, Otra. This episode of Lady Startup Stories is made in partnership with Airbnb. SUBSCRIBE:  Subscribe to Mamamia THE END BITS  Have your say! By completing our survey, and to say thank you for your time, you’ll go in the running to win a $50 gift voucher. Wherever you're at in your business journey, Ladystartup.com has the tools, resources and education to help you launch and grow your business right now. If you'd like to find out more about Linda's charitable venture TLC Ambulance, and all the incredible work they're doing for seriously ill children, click here. CREDIT  Host: Elfy Scott Guest: Linda Hammond Producer: Cassie Merritt Audio Production: Madeline Joannou Feedback? We’re listening! Call the pod phone on 02 8999 9386 or email us at [email protected] Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Lucy Bloom made her first speech to an audience (some 20 years ago) she was scared sh*tless. Everything in her told her she couldn't do it. Time to give up right? Wrong. In her own words, Lucy "followed her fear" and has since gone on to become one of Australia's most prominent public speakers. She books out rooms with hundreds of people every week. She's also written 3 books, founded a production company and lead a not-for-profit in Ethiopia (just to name a few). But none of this would have been possible if Lucy had given up when she first started out. On the show today Lucy shares exactly how she learnt to find her voice, crafted her personal brand, built self-confidence and pretty much took over the world. This episode of Lady Startup Stories is made in partnership with Airbnb. SUBSCRIBE:  Subscribe to Mamamia THE END BITS  Have your say! By completing our survey, and to say thank you for your time, you’ll go in the running to win a $50 gift voucher. Wherever you're at in your business journey, Ladystartup.com has the tools, resources and education to help you launch and grow your business right now. CREDITS Host: Elfy Scott Host: Elfy Scott Guest: Lucy Bloom You can check out Lucy's new book here. Producer: Cassie Merritt Audio Production: Thom Lion Feedback? We’re listening! Call the pod phone on 02 8999 9386 or email us at [email protected] Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Laura Henshaw co-founded Keep It Cleaner, she had a vision of empowering women and changing their relationship with health and fitness. As the business evolved and the landscape shifted, Laura and her team needed a fresh perspective. Determined to adapt, they set out on the path of rebranding. This week on Lady Startup Stories, we'll explore the moment Laura and her co-founder Steph Claire Smith knew they had to rebrand Kic. Discover how she crafted a new brand identity that resonated with her audience while staying true to her core values. We'll discuss the rapid growth of Kic, the impact rebranding has had on the business and some of the mistakes made along the way. Plus, we'll see how the courageous step to rebrand has led to a brand evolution that Laura believes will take Kic one step closer to becoming an international household name. This episode of Lady Startup Stories is made in partnership with Airbnb. SUBSCRIBE:  Subscribe to Mamamia THE END BITS  Have your say! By completing our survey, and to say thank you for your time, you’ll go in the running to win a $50 gift voucher. Wherever you're at in your business journey, Ladystartup.com has the tools, resources and education to help you launch and grow your business right now. CREDIT  Host: Elfy Scott Guest: Laura Henshaw Producer: Cassie Merritt Audio Production: Thom Lion Feedback? We’re listening! Call the pod phone on 02 8999 9386 or email us at [email protected] Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever wondered how your favourite businesses came to be? Or wanted to know what it's really like to grow a business?  Join host Elfy Scott as she unpacks how eight Lady Startups really did it on the latest season of Lady Startup Stories.  Tune in on July 25th for a brand new season.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.