Hamish Mckay: How I’m building a 6 figure startup in public
Overview
The Shopify app that lets customers self-edit their orders and upsell products post-purchase
Industry: Retail and Ecommerce
Founded in: 2023
Co-Founder: Hamish Mckay
How did the business idea spark?
During my first university internship at a fashion brand, I noticed unanswered customer service tickets piling up. I suggested hiring university students to clear the backlog, I was trusted with this responsibility and ended up managing a team of 10 at just 21. To be honest, I was probably the annoying Intern, I was focused on getting the most out of the experience and being proactive. But looking back, it was the best decision I could’ve made. My advice to others is that if you find yourself in an unusual or unexpected situation, throw yourself into it completely.
How did Order Editing come from this?
I saw that 30% of customer service time was spent on simple order changes. It was inefficient, and then I had a lightbulb moment when I thought “why not let customers handle these order changes themselves?”. I worked with a Developer to build an internal tool. Over a year, it proved successful, and after discussions, we decided we would formally start a company; Order Editing!
How did you approach starting Order Editing?
I was eager to learn, so instead of jumping straight into launching the business, I sought a role in a startup where I could be mentored by a founder, whilst working on Order Editing as a side hustle (4-5 hours a day outside of my full-time role). It took six months to launch on the Shopify App Store in June 2023. After securing our first client, the business started generating $2,500 per month, which allowed me to quit my job and go full-time with Order Editing in early 2024. This experience in the startup accelerated my growth and gave me the skills to eventually lead my own business.
How did securing your first client change your perspective on your business?
Securing the first client was definitely a milestone, but it didn’t drastically change my mindset. I always believed the business had potential. It was just a sign of progress, and I had set a goal to grow it to a $20 million company in two years. The client was a confirmation that we were on the right path.
What thought process did you go through to work towards your ambitious milestones?
Goal-setting is crucial, but it’s important to be realistic. Know what you're working toward and set goals that genuinely inspire you. One piece of rowing advice I love is “Keep your eyes in the boat.” Focus on your own progress and don’t compare yourself to others.
I set the goal that, I’m going to be a millionaire by the time I’m 25 not because I cared about the number itself, but because it was an arbitrary goal I could stick on the board and focus on. After a few weeks, I started thinking more seriously about how to actually achieve it. There were a few paths:
Working for someone else – I realised it would be pretty hard unless I became highly skilled or got lucky, so career progression didn’t seem like the best focus.
Cryptocurrency – A totally viable option, but it honestly scared the sh*t out of me.
Starting a business – The most promising path, even though at the time I had no solid ideas for a company.
That realisation led me to focus on entrepreneurship. I didn’t start with a perfect business plan; I just looked for real problems to solve, and that eventually led to what I’m doing today.
Can you share some key milestones?
We launched a first of it's kind Shopify app 13 months ago, and we've just crossed $1.7 million (AUD) in annual recurring revenue. Last year, I was named in Forbes 30 Under 30, and we’ve grown to a team of eight employees; though not all full-time. By the end of this year, we’re aiming to hit around $4 - $5 million (AUD) in revenue, and we’re doing everything possible to get there.
What's the big dream?
I’ve always been financially motivated, and a lot of my work is driven by a future financial outcome. People say money won’t make you happy, and I completely agree. But for me, it’s not about accumulating things; it’s about reaching a point where financial decisions don’t control how I spend my time. Since I was 16, I’ve wanted to be a university lecturer. My dream is to help the smartest students achieve 10x more than I ever did. My financial aspirations are just a means to achieve this ultimate goal.