From a kitchen table in Brisbane to a global online fashion movement — this is the story of Black Milk Clothing.

In this episode of What I Learned in Business (That Didn’t Kill Me!), host James H. Stewart sits down with Jackie Kruger, CEO of Black Milk Clothing, the cult Australian label known for its bold designs, product range diversity, and fiercely loyal community of Sharkies.

Jackie shares how she stepped into the CEO role following the tragic passing of founder James “jL” Lillis, and what it takes to balance creativity, commercial discipline, and community trust in a brand built on authenticity. Together, they unpack:

• How Black Milk grew from James Lillis’s home sewing machine to an international e-commerce force
• The emotional and operational realities of leading through grief and transition
• How community and connection fuel long-term brand loyalty
• The leadership, culture and resilience lessons that apply to founders, executives and team leaders alike

This conversation is a powerful look at creativity, courage, and the soul of a brand — and what it takes to carry that forward.

🎧 Listen now on Acast, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Connect with James:

🌐 Website: https://jameshstewart.com

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-h-stewart-gaicd-83b46a9

The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily reflect those of the host, producers, or any affiliated organisations. The content is provided for general information and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional, financial, or business advice. Listeners should conduct their own research or seek independent professional guidance before acting on any information discussed.

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John King's global experience in retail and wholesale brands is unique. He led three major retailers—Matalan, House of Fraser, and Myer—through wildly different market cycles, against major headwinds and each with their own unique set of challenges. After an early career with Sainsbury's and Marks and Spencer in the UK, he spent 13 years in the wholesale sector, witnessed the 9/11 attacks on the Twin Towers in NYC, guided House of Fraser through the GFC and then Myer through Covid.

If you are a retail nut, this episode is a not to be missed conversation where James and John discuss the levers that actually move the needle in legacy retail: footprint and lease strategy, loyalty economics, online performance, and what it takes to lead through a crisis, stabilise balance sheets and set a retail business up for success.

Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the guest and host and do not necessarily reflect the views of any associated companies, organisations, or affiliates.

This podcast is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be relied upon as professional, financial, or legal advice.

All rights reserved © What I Learned in Business (that didn’t kill me!)

Connect with James

• Website: jameshstewart.com
• LinkedIn: James H. Stewart GAICD

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What does it take to transform a national treasure into a modern global brand?

In this episode, James H. Stewart sits down with Frank Cancelloni, Group CEO of Jim Thompson — Thailand’s most iconic names in silk design, craftsmanship, and culture.

Frank shares his journey from leading global retail giants in Asia like Lacoste, Tommy Hilfiger, and Calvin Klein to reimagining Jim Thompson for a new era. Under his leadership, the brand has evolved far beyond silk — opening the spectacular Heritage Quarter in Bangkok, expanding into fashion, homeware, and hospitality, and even featuring in The White Lotus (Season 3).

Together, James and Frank explore:

• How to lead transformation without losing authenticity or heritage
• The lessons learned from global brand leadership across Asia
• Why culture, design, and storytelling matter more than ever
• The enduring mystery — and legacy — of Jim Thompson, the man who built it all

This is a conversation about reinvention, resilience, and respect for legacy — and a rare glimpse into what it takes to carry a 75-year-old brand into the future of global lifestyle retail.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Visit jameshstewart.com for updates, speaking events, and more episodes of What I Learned in Business (that didn’t kill me!).

The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the guest and host and do not necessarily reflect the views of any associated companies, organisations, or affiliates.

This podcast is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be relied upon as professional, financial, or legal advice.

All rights reserved © What I Learned in Business (that didn’t kill me!)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Private-equity veteran Patrick Elliott (Founding Partner, Next Capital; ex-Macquarie PE; former Chair of JB Hi-Fi) joins James H Stewart to unpack career pivots, equity investing and what they teach us about risk, governance, and value creation.

Patrick traces his path from restructuring at Ferrier Hodgson to Private equity investing at Macquarie, then the leap to found Next Capital. We dig into the JB Hi-Fi MBI-to-IPO journey, the lessons from the collapse of Topshop Australia and how to approach turnarounds when the exit options are limited.

Whether you’re a founder, operator, or investor, you’ll get a playbook in patient investing, strategic pivots, and why great businesses are built around great people.

Practical, candid, and loaded with real examples.

Key Takeaways:

• How to know when it’s time to change direction
• The mindset required to transition from advisor to investor
• Lessons from private equity and rethinking growth after crisis

About Patrick Elliott:

Patrick Elliott is Co-Founder of Next Capital and former executive at Macquarie Bank. A graduate of IMD (Switzerland), he has led investments across retail, consumer, and industrial sectors — combining analytical precision with entrepreneurial instinct.

Connect with Patrick:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-elliott-374a3214b

https://nextcapital.com.au

🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify — and don’t forget to follow, rate, and share.

What I Learned in Business (That Didn’t Kill Me!) — hosted by James H. Stewart, exploring the stories behind resilience, reinvention, and leadership.

Connect with James:

🌐 JamesHStewart.com | LinkedIn

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In this episode, James H Stewart sits down with Di Gillett — a fashion-design student, turned retailer, turned headhunter, turned podcaster — whose life and career are a study in resilience and reinvention.

Di began her career in fashion and retail with Myer and Country Road, before spending more than 30 years in executive search, working with industry icon Andrew Banks at Talent 2 and later founding her own firm, Agora Partners. Today, she hosts the acclaimed Power of Women Podcast, and with almost 100 episodes, is approaching the top 1% of podcasters globally.

In a deeply honest conversation, Di shares the moments that shaped her — from surviving sudden alopecia to navigating the loss of her sister-in-law, elite cyclist Amy Gillett, whose death inspired a national road-safety movement.

Together, James and Di explore how adversity reshapes ambition, and why confidence and visibility matter more than ever for women in business.

Key Takeaways:

• How to transform adversity into purpose
• Why visibility and connection matter for women in business
• The importance of authenticity in leadership and storytelling

About Di Gillett:

Di Gillett is a business founder, podcast host, and advocate for women’s empowerment. With a background in retail and recruitment — including work with Andrew Banks and Talent2 — Di brings a grounded perspective on leadership, courage, and finding voice through adversity.

Connect with Di:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/di-gillett-power-of-women

https://powerofwomen.com.au/

🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify — and don’t forget to follow, rate, and share.

What I Learned in Business (That Didn’t Kill Me!) — hosted by James H. Stewart, celebrating real stories of resilience, leadership, and growth.

Connect with James:

🌐 JamesHStewart.com | LinkedIn

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of What I Learned in Business, James H Stewart sits down with Evan Thornley — entrepreneur, investor, reformer, and one of Australia’s most original thinkers on business and social change.

Evan’s career has been anything but conventional. He co-founded LookSmart, one of Australia’s first tech companies to list on NASDAQ at the height of the dot-com boom, before riding out its spectacular crash. He later entered Victorian politics, led the global Better Place electric-vehicle venture, helped rescue ABC Learning through the creation of Goodstart Early Learning, and today chairs LongView, a business tackling housing affordability and generational inequality.

James and Evan explore:

• What it was like to ride the rise and fall of the dot-com bubble
• The lessons from taking billion-dollar risks — and losing
• Why Evan left politics to lead change from outside government
• The story behind Goodstart and the ABC Learning rescue
• How LongView is rethinking housing and wealth inequality in Australia
• What Evan's learned about resilience, risk, and purpose across every chapter

This is a conversation about big ideas, bold failures, and rebuilding success with meaning.

Key Takeaways:

• How failure can sharpen strategy and conviction
• Why purpose-driven business models are the future
• What leadership looks like in times of technological and ethical disruption

About Evan Thornley:

Evan Thornley is an Australian tech entrepreneur, investor, and impact leader. He co-founded LookSmart, led Better Place Australia, was a driving force behind the GoodStart consortium that rescued 650 childcare centres from the financial collapse of ABC learning and now heads LongView, a purpose-driven property business focused on long-term wealth and housing reform.

Connect with Evan:

LinkedIn | https://longview.com.au

🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify — and don’t forget to follow, rate, and share.

What I Learned in Business (That Didn’t Kill Me!) — hosted by James H. Stewart, exploring the real lessons from business, innovation, and resilience.

Connect with James:

🌐 JamesHStewart.com | LinkedIn

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In this episode of What I Learned in Business (That Didn’t Kill Me!), host James H Stewart sits down with Paul Howes — one of Australia’s most recognisable public figures and a leader whose career has spanned the union movement, politics, and corporate life.

Raised by a single mother in Sydney’s Blue Mountains, Paul became the youngest ever National Secretary of the Australian Workers’ Union, rising to national prominence during the Beaconsfield mine disaster. He later became a key player in Labor’s 2010 leadership drama which led to Julia Gillard becoming Australia's first female prime minister— an experience he chronicled in his book Confessions of a Faceless Man.

Today, Paul reflects on the lessons learned from crisis leadership, public scrutiny, and career transformation — from the factory floor to the boardroom. He also discusses his work with Beyond Blue, and his next chapter as CEO of Tenet Advisory & Investments, founded by Luke Sayers.

This is a candid, insightful, and at times surprising conversation about resilience, reinvention, and what leadership looks like under the spotlight.

Key Takeaways:

• How to lead during crises
• Why empathy matters
• The value of reinvention

About Paul Howes:

Paul Howes is the incoming CEO of Tenet Advisory and Investments (from January 2026), former National Secretary of the Australian Workers’ Union, National Managing Partner of KPMG's Enterprise and Consulting divisions and a respected voice on business transformation and social reform. He served on the National COVID-19 Advisory Board and the Beyond Blue Board, bringing together business and community leadership.

Connect with Paul:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/pahowes/

https://tenetadvisory.com.au/

🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify — and don’t forget to follow, rate, and share.

What I Learned in Business (That Didn’t Kill Me!) is hosted by James H. Stewart — senior commercial advisor uncovering the real stories behind leadership and resilience.

Connect with James:

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Born out of the ashes of Enron and the collapse of global Big 5 firm Arthur Andersen, Korda Mentha has become a powerhouse advisory firm in Australia/Asia fuelled by winning some of the biggest and most high profile mandates in the country.

In this episode of What I Learned About Business (That Didn’t Kill Me), James H Stewart sits down with Mark Korda, co-founder of KordaMentha to discuss the inside story of founding KordaMentha, the lessons learned through some of Australia’s biggest corporate crises — including Ansett Airlines, Timbercorp, and Arrium, and the difficult cultural journey to transform Australia's most successful sporting club, Collingwood FC.

Key Takeaways:

• How to lead under intense public and financial pressure
• How to balance transparency and authority in difficult times
• Why culture matters to business success

About Mark Korda:

Mark Korda is Co-Founder of KordaMentha and a former President of the Collingwood Football Club. With decades in corporate restructuring, he’s been at the helm of landmark Australian administrations and continues to shape thinking on business recovery and governance.

About Korda Mentha:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/kordamentha/posts/?feedView=all

https://kordamentha.com/home

🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify — and don’t forget to follow, rate, and share.

What I Learned in Business (That Didn’t Kill Me!) is hosted by James H. Stewart — Senior commercial advisor and founder of JamesHStewart.com.

Connect with James:

🌐 JamesHStewart.com | LinkedIn

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily reflect the views of their organisations, affiliates, or of the host. This podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not be taken as business, financial, or professional advice. Listeners should seek their own independent advice before making decisions related to any topics discussed.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.