Episode Details

How do you build a retail business that stands the test of time?

You stop chasing overnight success and start treating business like the long game it really is.

In this episode of Money Secrets, Fi is joined by Dara Shashoua, founder and creative director of Byzantine Design, Melbourne's most beautiful tile store. A boutique retail experience specialising in bespoke natural stone, architectural surfaces and highly customised design solutions.

More than a decade ago, Dara left Sydney, moved to Melbourne knowing fewer than five people, and started building her business from the ground up. What began as a small showroom with no customers has grown into a destination for architects, interior designers and homeowners looking for beautiful materials and highly personalised design solutions.

Dara shares the lessons she's learned from more than 12 years in business, from trusting her intuition and building genuine customer relationships to navigating a chronic illness, hiring a team, outsourcing, managing money and learning where her time creates the most value.

Fi and Dara explore why business owners need to stay involved when outsourcing, why the founder is always the best salesperson in the business, and how understanding your strengths leads to better financial and business decisions.

Whether you're building a retail business, growing a service-based business or creating something premium, this episode is a refreshing reminder that meaningful businesses aren't built overnight.

🎧 Tune in to discover why building a great business is a marathon, not a sprint, and why some of the most valuable lessons happen along the way.

 What you'll learn in this episode:

• Business is a marathon, not a sprint. Building a premium, sustainable business can take much longer than you expect.
• Small steps can build a bigger vision. Dara incrementally grew Byzantine Design from a tiny showroom into a destination store.
• Relationships can become your competitive advantage. Connection, empathy and understanding customers shape Dara's approach to sales.
• Great sales don't have to feel sales-y. Good sales conversations create trust and strong customer experiences.
• Outsourcing still requires your involvement. Handing something over doesn't mean stepping away from responsibility completely.
• Outsourcing as collaboration. Shared responsibility and regular check-ins create better working relationships and results.
• Every investment needs a return. Outsourcing decisions should consider the result you want, not just what you can afford.
• Business owners often make the best salespeople. Dara prioritises selling, sourcing products and building relationships over tasks others can do.
• How money beliefs can follow you into business. Old stories about money don't reflect your current financial capability.
• Rest is part of sustainable business. Creating white space can support better thinking, creativity and long-term decision-making.
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