Recorded live from the Ammo Podcast Booth at West Tech Fest with Dr Genevieve Honan, founder of The Volte, one of Australia’s leading fashion rental marketplaces.

Cam and Gen dive into the realities of building a two-sided marketplace, changing customer behaviour around sustainability, and why circular fashion only works if it makes commercial sense for businesses.

We also explore Seamlist API, the digital infrastructure helping retailers unlock circular fashion, already working with major brands and set to expand further in 2026.If you are building a marketplace, working in sustainability, or trying to create behaviour change in a tough industry, this episode is packed with practical insights.

Problem:

The fashion industry creates enormous waste, but changing behaviour is difficult. Marketplaces must solve both supply and demand while also proving the model works commercially for brands and retailers.

Solution:

The Volte connects lenders and renters through a trusted fashion rental platform that makes sustainability accessible and practical. Seamlist API also gives retailers the digital tools to support circular fashion and create new value across their customer base.

Advice for founders:

Build something that matters to you. Focus on creating real value and spend your time on your own terms. Your business is only worth what people are willing to pay, so stay patient, celebrate the wins, and keep going.

Bullets:

(00:00) - Intro

(01:05) - Gen’s backstory

(03:07) - How The Volte started

(04:31) - Fostering the sharing economy in fashion

(05:31) - Pop quiz the business Gen would start today

(06:41) - What is Seamlist

(08:01) - Digital asset systems for retailers

(09:06) - Getting the market started

(10:39) - Helping a network of SMB stores

(12:00) - Impacts to the shopper experience

(13:16) - Sustainable fashion

(15:00) - The rise of lenders

(17:31) - Side hustles becoming small businesses

(19:11) - Balancing family with business

(21:19) - Why venture capital should invest in ice skaters

(23:31) - The Volte’s experience with investors

(26:18) - Show & Tell – enjoy the wins when they happen

(27:21) - Ahrefs as a reference point for company valuations

(28:16) - Spend time on your terms and build value

(30:36) - Head to The Volte’s website to become a lender and subscribe to Weird Growth

Show & tell:

• The Volte
• Seamlist
• Ahrefs
  

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