I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with a good mate of mine, Ian Gardiner on his podcast, Open the Pod Bay Doors, to talk about my journey, my learnings, and what led me to launch Sinorbis. If you’ve listened to Ian’s podcast before, you’ll know he has a way of making every conversation feel like a chat over coffee, and this one was no different.
We kicked things off by looking back at my career, starting with my time at Expedia, where I managed operations in Australia, New Zealand, and beyond. Those years taught me so much, not just about growing a business in new markets but also about the power of adaptability and staying ahead of digital trends. Later, at Orbitz, I found myself increasingly fascinated by the potential of China. The numbers were incredible, China’s eCommerce market was exploding, but I also saw how difficult it was for Western businesses to navigate the unique challenges of that ecosystem.
That’s where the idea for Sinorbis started to take shape. As I shared with Ian, I wanted to create something that would help businesses bridge the gap between China and the rest of the world. With such a massive opportunity in front of us, I couldn’t just sit on the sidelines.
What made the conversation special was how Ian drew out the personal lessons behind the professional milestones. We talked about the importance of understanding cultural nuances, why localising your digital presence is essential, and how technology can make entering even the most complex markets manageable.
It was one of those chats where you leave feeling energised and reminded of why you started in the first place. If you’re interested in the story behind Sinorbis, curious about the Chinese market, or just love hearing about startups and innovation, I’d highly recommend giving it a listen.
You can catch the full episode below on Open the Pod Bay Doors. Let me know what you think, I’d love to hear your thoughts or answer any questions you have about the journey so far!