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What do the original founders of Country Road, Saba, Le Specs, Catch and Deals Direct have in common? These legendary figureheads are headlining the latest instalment of Ragtrader’s ‘Breakfast of Big Ideas’, sharing first-hand insights into how they built some of Australia’s most successful brands. They’ll be sitting alongside the backers of P.E.Nation, M.J.Bale and Rebecca Vallance for a once-in-a-lifetime gathering of the industry’s greatest minds. It’s time to get your team together, break out of the retail rut and network with industry leaders over a breakfast fuelled by big ideas and big players.
Ragtrader LIVE provides attendees with access to experts in their field, through keynote sessions and interactive panel discussions tailored to Australia’s thriving fashion industry.
Developed in collaboration with industry stakeholders, this conference offers a unique opportunity to gain insights into trends, best practices and competitive strategies.
Ragtrader Live provides companies with an opportunity to develop their teams through gaining a deeper understanding of the industry and connecting with their peers.
Through a series of networking sessions and drinks, clients can exchange ideas and establish new business relationships in between presentations.
7.30am Registration
8.00am Opening Address
Ragtrader publisher Assia Benmedjdoub and Adore Beauty CXO Nicola Clement
8:10 am The Entrepreneurs: Lessons in turning dreams into dollars
Catch founder Gabby Leibovich and Le Specs founder Jack Gance
One secured a $230 million exit. The other scaled an eyewear brand from one pharmacy to a national empire of accessories and cosmetics. How can entrepreneurs and designers turn their passion into a profitable enterprise? From humble beginnings in backyard garages to negotiating deals and scaling with limited capital, two leaders will reveal their roadmap to prominence and a lucrative exit. Catch founder Gabby Leibovich and Le Specs founder Jack Gance revisit their earlier business ventures to provide lessons on creating and extending strategic advantages, building long-term businesses and striking deals that turn dreams into reality.
8:35am The Disruptors: Lessons in blazing a trail in tech
Industry legend Kellie Hush and Deals Direct founder Paul Greenberg
Australian households spend over $63 billion online each year, with over 5.6 million adding to cart each month. Renowned for founding and scaling one of the country’s first successful online retail platforms Deals Direct founder Paul Greenberg joins industry legend Kellie Hush to map out the next wave of eCommerce innovation, from high-growth startups to lucrative acquisition targets. Hush, part of a disruptive digital venture backed by global giant eBay, offers her insights into the B2C fashion playing field alongside the Godfather of Australian online retail.
9:05am Breakfast is served. Time to network!
9:35am The Dealmakers: Lessons in the art of business development
Hotsprings co-founder Wassim Gazal and Briskin Investments founder David Briskin
M.J. Bale. P.E Nation. Sass & Bide. Rebecca Vallance. Between them, Hotsprings co-founder Wassim Gazal and Briskin Investments founder David Briskin have invested in some of the country’s most prominent fashion retailers, shaping the landscape of Australian retail and beyond. The two leaders will share their expertise in business development, offering lessons on balancing commercial outcomes with innovation and creativity. Leveraging decades of industry experience, the pair will also delve into the process of identifying and capitalising on market opportunities in a competitive environment.
10:00am The Pioneers: Lessons in building a fashion legacy
Saba founder Joe Saba and Country Road founder Stephen Bennett
Discover how two visionaries navigated through decades of evolving consumer behaviour and industry dynamics to create Australia’s most iconic fashion brands. Country Road founder Stephen Bennett and Saba founder Joe Saba share their experiences of building enduring retail legacies, diving deep into the opportunities and challenges they faced along the way. This uplifting session will unearth insights into innovation, resilience and leadership through the story of how two creative minds went on to create Australian fashion history.
10:25am Closing address
10:30am Networking
Marquee Retail Group chairman Bernie Brookes
Tigerlily CEO Travis Wright
Australian fashion retailers are trading in an environment marked by rising costs, falling consumer spending and an uncertain macroeconomic outlook. Marquee Retail Group and Tigerlily are among businesses which have appointed voluntary administrators this year as they navigate through these tougher conditions. In a candid, insightful and ultimately inspiring session, leaders from both businesses identify the challenges they’ve faced and the strategies, insights and lessons for all businesses moving forward.
Modibodi founder, advisor and investor Kristy Chong
Glow Capital Partners co-founder and managing director Justin Ryan
One is a trailblazing entrepreneur who founded a business that sold for $140 million and became a women-led investor. The other is a private equity pioneer with a talent for finding high growth and future focused companies. So what’s their playbook on building and scaling a successful venture? And what’s the investment outlook for Australian apparel brands? Make informed decisions and drive outcomes through hearing this open-book conversation on entrepreneurship, investing and capitalising on growth opportunities.
Seafolly CEO Brendan Santamaria
R.M.Williams CEO Paul Grosmann
In a world of constant change and evolving consumer preferences, how can retail leaders identify and define a brand’s unique value proposition? In this highly tactical session, two retail CEOs reveal how they are transforming Australia’s most iconic brands to differentiate in a competitive market. The discussion will explore practical approaches for defining a brand’s USP and innovate strategically through new products, services and business models that align with the brand’s heritage while meeting the evolving needs of consumers.
Mosaic Brands CEO Erica Berchtold
Alquemie Group CEO Scott Evans
As retailers stand at the cusp of significant shifts in market dynamics and consumer behaviour, the retail roadmap has never been more uncertain. Gain valuable insights from two of the country’s most seasoned fashion retail leaders as they discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the sector this year, alongside strategies for staying ahead in a rapidly changing market. With their businesses representing a significant share of Australia’s $27 billion a year economy, their well-informed perspectives will help shape actionable retail strategies.
Publisher Ragtrader
Director of Business Development Ramp
