In this episode, Liam sits down with Laura, former partner at Moustache Republic and one of the most influential voices in Australian eCommerce, to unpack what really drives growth for modern brands.

Laura shares her journey from fashion design and eBay’s early marketplace days to scaling one of the region’s most respected Shopify agencies, and why she chose to step away to focus on advisory, board work, and a portfolio career. The conversation dives deep into marketplaces versus DTC, why Amazon is still critical for global expansion, and how Australian brands can successfully enter the US without waiting too long.

They also explore the realities of AI in commerce. From bringing more capabilities in-house, to how agencies must evolve beyond execution, to the guardrails brands need when adopting AI at scale. Laura breaks down what the fastest-growing brands get right, the biggest mistakes retailers are making, and why so many businesses are stuck without a clear three-year plan.