Tahlia Mandie, founder of Kakadu Plum Co., has built an ecommerce brand that’s as purpose-driven as it is successful. Starting in 2015 with just one product—Kakadu plum powder—Tahlia has expanded her brand to include over 30 products, from bush teas and preserves to oils and homewares. Today, Kakadu Plum Co. also offers over 1,200 products from Australian and Indigenous businesses through its online store, celebrating native bush foods and supporting Indigenous communities along the way.
In this Checkout episode, Tahlia gives us a glimpse into the lighter, more personal side of her entrepreneurial journey. From her most unexpected online purchase to the retailer inspiring her right now, and the tech tools she can’t live without, here’s what we learned from Tahlia’s rapid-fire checkout session.
A Bunny’s Paradise
While most online purchases are for business or hobbies, Tahlia’s “weirdest” purchase was a little outside the box—or rather, inside a playpen. “I recently bought a child playpen, but it wasn’t for my kids—it was for my bunny! When we go away, he lives in it,” she shared with a laugh.This quirky buy shows a more playful side to Tahlia, reminding us that even ecommerce founders need moments of fun amidst the hustle.
A Hidden Gem of Inspiration
When it comes to retail inspiration, Tahlia is currently keeping a close eye on Gem, an innovative oral care brand making waves with its fresh approach to everyday essentials.
I love what Gem is doing—they started in the toothpaste category and now they’re expanding into body care with their new deodorants.
What stands out to Tahlia is Gem’s ability to take a traditionally mundane product and infuse it with personality, purpose, and premium appeal. “I’m obsessed with their TikToks—even though I’m not a fan of TikTok for my own business, I love watching what Gem is doing there,” she admitted. For ecommerce brands, Gem’s success is a reminder that even the most ordinary products can become extraordinary with the right branding, and marketing.
Canva: Tahlia’s Not-So-Secret Design Weapon
When you’re running an ecommerce business with over 1,200 products, design needs can pile up fast. For Tahlia Mandie, Canva is the ultimate lifesaver. “I’m on Canva every day—it’s my go-to for everything from resizing images to creating email banners and social media content,” she shared.
While she admits she’s no professional designer, Canva’s user-friendly platform allows her to quickly produce polished visuals that keep Kakadu Plum Co.’s branding sharp and consistent. “I did all our Black Friday graphics on Canva—it’s such a lifesaver,” she said. For any ecommerce founder juggling countless tasks, Tahlia’s approach is a reminder that you don’t need a design degree or a big budget to create great content—you just need the right tools and a bit of creativity.
A Book That Brings Life and Business Into Perspective
When asked to recommend a book, Tahlia didn’t hesitate: Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl. “It’s such a powerful read. There are so many lessons in there about life, resilience, and finding purpose—even when times are tough,” she shared.
For an entrepreneur managing the challenges of inventory, marketing, and scaling an ecommerce business, Frankl’s reflections on perseverance and perspective resonate deeply.
I think business, family, and life are all connected. This book really reminds you to stay grounded, no matter what’s thrown at you.
It’s a reminder to ecommerce professionals that while the grind can be relentless, maintaining a sense of purpose can keep you motivated through the highs and lows.
The Biggest Challenge? Teenagers Trump Ecommerce
With a business as complex as Kakadu Plum Co., you’d expect Tahlia’s biggest challenge to be inventory, logistics, or customer acquisition. But when asked, her answer was refreshingly human. “Can I say my teenager? My 14-year-old daughter is probably my biggest challenge right now,” she admitted with a grin.
Tahlia’s candidness is a reminder that behind every thriving business is a founder facing the same everyday struggles as the rest of us. For Tahlia, managing a fast-growing ecommerce is a definite challenge—but navigating the teenage years at home? That’s the real test.
Success Isn’t Just About Sales—It’s About Staying True to What Matters
Tahlia Mandie’s Checkout episode gives us a glimpse into the human side of running an ecommerce brand. From turning to Canva for everyday design fixes to finding inspiration in unexpected places (and managing teenage drama at home), Tahlia shows that building a successful business isn’t all about the hustle. It’s about making smart choices, staying creative, and keeping things real.
Her story is a reminder that success doesn’t come from doing it all—it comes from doing what matters most, using the tools you’ve got, and not losing sight of what makes your brand unique. After all, the best ecommerce brands aren’t just built on sales—they’re built on personality, purpose (and native plums).
The Checkout is a short snippet of our conversations.
