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In this episode of Small Business Sorted, Kay and Crystal interview entrepreneur Deborah Mott, former owner of the e‑commerce and wholesale homewares brand Zakkia. Deborah shares the full story behind buying an existing business, scaling an online store, managing international manufacturing, and growing a product‑based brand across Australia and New Zealand.

We dive deep into the realities of running an e‑commerce business, including sourcing from artisans in India and Vietnam, managing US‑dollar purchasing, dealing with freight forwarders, navigating wholesale vs online sales, and protecting your brand from copycat competitors. Deborah also breaks down the systems she relied on, the staffing challenges that come with small business, and how she balanced design, manufacturing, logistics, and marketing.

Deborah opens up about the impact of COVID on e‑commerce, the spike in online sales, the explosion in shipping costs, and the moment she realised the business model was no longer sustainable. With insights on Instagram growth, product pricing, margins, and the hidden costs most new e‑commerce owners overlook, this episode is packed with practical lessons for anyone running — or thinking about starting an online store or retail brand.

If you’re building an e‑commerce business, importing products, selling wholesale, or trying to scale a creative brand, this conversation is a must‑listen.

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Crystal Petzer - https://businessgrowthcoach.com.au/
Kay Godfrey - https://upupandaway.net.au/

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Email us - radio@businessgrowthcoach.com.au

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