Building a high growth marketplace is challenging, especially in a space driven by hype, scarcity, and fast changing trends. This episode walks listeners through the story of how Pushas navigated explosive demand, painful downturns, and a global expansion that required careful experimentation and sharp execution. It explains how to build repeat customers, how to understand your numbers deeply, and how to grow lean with a product catalogue that constantly evolves.

Justin Truong, co founder of Pushas and a leader who has helped scale the company into one of Australias most recognised hype marketplaces across sneakers, streetwear, collectibles, and international markets, shares the real founder journey behind it all. His experience offers valuable lessons on trend spotting, unit economics, experimentation, and resilience that apply to any founder wanting to grow a high intent consumer brand.

Listeners will understand how Pushas transformed a university side hustle into a global platform, how they survived the most difficult season of the business, and how they are preparing for the next stage of growth.

1. I learned that constant experimentation is the only way to stay ahead when hype changes every day.
2. I realised that profitability becomes a competitive advantage when capital disappears.
3. I discovered that trusting my gut often beats waiting for perfect data, especially when launching new categories.

Timestamps:

• [00:00:00] How Pushas began with Sandy's sneaker obsession
• [00:01:24] Turning early reselling into a proper storefront
• [00:02:47] COVID demand surge and the shift to a marketplace model
• [00:03:54] Why they raised capital and what it enabled
• [00:05:20] Defining Pushas as the marketplace of hype
• [00:07:11] Staying ahead of trends through reseller insights
• [00:08:45] Driving repeat purchases using AI and instant communication
• [00:10:51] The most difficult stage when capital dried up
• [00:14:12] Surviving the founder Valley of Death
• [00:33:19] The next three year vision and reaching nine figures

Links:

• Justin Truong's LinkedIn
• PUSHAS
• Instant website
• Liam Millward's LinkedIn