A uni dropout who is now worth millions has revealed how she signed a six-figure deal with Australian retail giant JB Hi-Fi.
Madi, 23, who previously shared her business story with 7Life, from Melbourne, started her reusable film camera brand 35mm Co four years ago. When she was studying a bachelor’s degree in business majoring in entrepreneurship and marketing.
What started as a hobby and a love of vintage cameras quickly turned into a fully-fledged operation.
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“Customers were seeking a beginner-friendly camera at a much lower price point,” Madi says.
At the age of just 19, Madi was able to invest $50,000 — which she had saved up while working at a supermarket throughout high school — into her business.
The business was a swift success story, with Madi now turning over $1 million a year.
Most recently, Madi has become one of the youngest entrepreneurs to sign a six-figure contract with JB-Hi-Fi.
Her vintage-inspired cameras fit into the palm of your hand and are available in seven colours — including best sellers pastel blue, dusty pink and mint green.
Madi first approached JB-Hi-Fi in June 2023 to introduce the retailer to 35mm Co, and was happy to find the company was familiar with the brand.
“They noted we had been on their radar for some time, which was so exciting,” Madi tells 7Life.
“We met in person at their Melbourne office and began working on 35mm Co’s 2024 rollout into stores.”
Madi partnered with a distributor to facilitate the rollout and says it has “been such a pleasure working with their team to grow 35mm Co in Australia”.
“I was thrilled when the deal came through — it’s been such a wonderful experience working with the JB Hi-Fi team and seeing how excited they are about the brand,” Madi says.
“We’re young, fun, and look exciting on the shelf. I’m excited to capture the JB Hi-Fi customers’ attention and introduce a new demographic of shoppers to 35mm Co.”
Madi says JB Hi-Fi was an obvious choice for 35mm Co, being Australia’s leading electronics retailer.
“Given their wide network of stores across Australia, my goal for 35mm Co has always been to make our products as accessible as possible,” she says.
“I love the convenience of being able to pick up a camera on short notice — it makes for a great birthday gift and is a must-have for travels.”
And she has no plans to rest on her laurels of the JB Hi-Fi deal.
“My goal is to continue to grow 35mm Co in new markets, and accessibility is always front of mind for me,” she says.
“Shooting film doesn’t need to be something exclusive, difficult, or expensive — it can be a thoughtful gift and a fun way to collect memories.
“There’s something so special about holding a physical film photo in your hand, it’s a tangible reminder of your lived experiences.”
The young entrepreneur has big plans to launch 35mm Co into the US market, having recently moved to New York City.
“I’m excited to begin tailoring our marketing efforts in a way that feels native to the US consumer. New York is such a fun city, and the opportunities feel endless,” she says.
Madi says 35mm Co has some great-cross brand opportunities in the US that she can’t wait to pursue.
She’s had many other “pinch-me” moments since starting her business — including speaking on panels at events, as well as having actress Gwyneth Paltrow use one of her cameras.
“My first panel was in front of 500 female founders,” she says.
“I was terrified, but it was such a rewarding experience and has forced me to really work on my communication and public speaking skills.“
Madi’s lightbulb moment for 35mm Co came during her first year of uni in 2019, when she sold an old SLR film camera for $250 on Facebook Marketplace — after she was inundated with offers.
“It sold for five times the amount I asked,” she says.
It was then Madi realised there was a real gap in the market.
She began flipping vintage cameras but ran into supply issues as the old film cameras were continuously selling out.
She turned her attention to developing her own film cameras, a product that she says was “small and compact like a disposable camera but that was completely reusable”.
Madi says she worked around the clock during Melbourne’s COVID lockdowns, building the “debut camera” which she named The Reloader.
During the early stages of her business, Madi was also working at beauty store Mecca so she could put all her savings into her first shipment of cameras.
Her decision job paid off after 35mm Co turned over $2 million in its first year of business.
One of the most rewarding things Madi finds about owning her own business is the creative freedom she has.
“I love product design, marketing and campaign ideation,” she says.
“Being creative on my own accord, without restriction or limitation, is one of the most rewarding parts of working for myself.”
Her advice to other female founders is to “test validate your ideas by getting close to your customer and understanding their needs and wants”.
“Building a brand is so exciting and such an incredible experience,” she says.
“Take in every moment and enjoy the process. Small actions compound into large changes. Stay consistent and eventually you’ll look back and realise how far you’ve come.”
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