In the turbulent year of 2016, Toby was steering his ship, Podpac, through the stormy seas of coffee pod manufacturing and sales. Their main customers were the retail giants Coles, Woolworths, and various contract packing customers. A year later, the unexpected hit – their biggest contract packing customer sank into insolvency, leaving a debt of over half a million dollars, and almost taking Podpac down with it.
In a heart-wrenching twist, Toby had to halve his crew, letting 12 of his 24 staff members go in a single, brutal day.
But from the ashes of this crushing event, Toby orchestrated a comeback worthy of an epic tale. He maneuvered Podpac’s business model to prioritise eCommerce and online marketing, turning the digital world into his new domain. This savvy pivot now accounts for a whopping 90% of sales, enabling Podpac to sever ties with Coles & Woolworths.
The transformation has been nothing short of a miracle. Sales and profitability have skyrocketed, and the Podpac crew has grown to over 60 strong. It’s a testament to resilience, strategy, and the power of a good brew.
