Chairing the SMB Stage at Online Retailer
I’m buzzing! Chairing the SMB Stage at Online Retailer Conference & Expo in July was honestly the best way I could’ve experienced the conference.
I had the chance to dive deep into real conversations with people who are living and breathing small business every day. The overall consensus from my guests was they felt relaxed and engaged talking to me… which is an amazing compliment.
Focusing on just one stage meant I could fully immerse myself in the space I’m most passionate about - supporting and advocating for SMBs and it felt so good to be in that zone.
The SMB Stage was packed with practical insights, candid stories, and plenty of inspiration. I got to share My Top 5 eCommerce tips to help you sell more effectively online, introduce some incredible guests, host fireside chats and facilitate a panel with a diverse lineup of business operators who’ve built success through collaboration and genuine partnerships. The energy was real!
This was actually my first time chairing an entire stage. I’ve hosted my own events and podcasts, and been a guest on panels and interviews - but this was a new kind of opportunity. I’m so grateful to Matt Smith, Stacy Phang and the Online Retailer team for trusting me with it.
I’m proud of how it went. I was definitely nervous leading up to it, but with some solid prep, amazing guests, and support from my mum and friends (style tips included!), it became a truly collaborative win.... Pep talks, good vibes, and encouragement made all the difference.
Huge thanks to everyone who made it such a memorable day and to Peter Santiago and PayPal for backing the SMB Stage and helping to spotlight these important stories.
Today, I’m resting in the bush with my favourite little human, soaking it all in.
If you’d like to connect, chat SMBs, or share ideas or collaborate get in touch.
The Power of Personal: Balancing Growth, Service, and Sanity in Modern Ecommerce
- Fireside Chat with Jonathan Gregorace at The Monogram Shop
The Monogram Shop is a proud, family-run business. From packing orders in the garage to running a factory that now ships nationwide, Jonathan has built a brand that puts service, quality, and lifestyle at the heart of every decision.
We discussed ’s how he’s grown 10–20% year after year, on his own terms.
Jonathan and I dove into how you can grow your business without burning out - by blending personal service with smart automation, and knowing when not to scale.
Panel: Better Together: How Brand Collaborations Fuel Ecommerce Growth
On the panel we had an incredible and diverse group of speakers who shared their insights on how brand collaborations fuel eCommerce growth. We explored how strategic partnerships can unlock new audiences, what makes a collaboration successful, and heard the common pitfalls to avoid.
Panelists:
- Julie Okely, Founder of Dilkara, My Mullet a proud Kamilaroi woman and an award-winning business leader, passionate about empowering Indigenous communities.
- Dr. Kate Hartigan, Chief Marketing & CX Officer at The Blue Space,
Australia’s largest online renovation retailer, known for her innovative approach to growth and partnerships. - James Salerno, Co-founder & CEO of Ringers Western, an entrepreneur and cattle farmer who turned his outback lifestyle into a thriving eCommerce brand
Fireside Chat: Real Talk, Real Connection: Storytelling that Connects and Converts - Chelsea Singer, Owner, Bowy Made
Keynote: From First Draft to Best-Seller: Refining Your Product Through Real-World Feedback - Suji Sanjeevan, Co-founder and Director, Brand Scent & Light + Glo
Keynote: Smarter Business, Leaner Team: Using AI to Scale with Purpose
- Sarah Saputra, Founder, Belle Fever
