A university dropout who is now worth millions has revealed how he 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 for vintage cameras quickly turned into a full-fledged operation.
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“Customers were looking for a beginner-friendly camera at a much lower price,” says Madi.
At just 19, Madi was able to invest $50,000—which she had saved while working at a supermarket during high school—into her business.
The business was a quick success story, with Madi now turning over $1 million a year.
Recently, Madi has become one of the youngest entrepreneurs to sign a six-figure contract with JB-Hi-Fi.
Its vintage-inspired cameras fit in the palm of your hand and are available in seven colors – including best-selling 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 delighted to find the company was familiar with the brand.
“They noticed that we had been on their radar for a while, which was so exciting,” Madi tells 7Life.
“We met in person at their office in Melbourne and started working on delivering 35mm Co in 2024 to stores.”
Madi partnered with a distributor to facilitate distribution and says “it’s been a great pleasure working with their team to grow Co 35mm in Australia”.
“I was thrilled when the deal came through – it was such a great experience working with the JB Hi-Fi team and seeing how excited they are about the brand,” says Madi.
“We’re young, fun and look exciting on the shelf. I am excited to capture the attention of JB Hi-Fi customers and introduce a new demographic of buyers to the 35mm Co.
Madi says JB Hi-Fi was an obvious choice for 35mm Co, being Australia’s leading electronics retailer.
“Given their extensive network of stores across Australia, my aim 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 at a moment’s notice – it’s a great birthday present and a travel must-have.”
And she has no plans to rest on the laurels of the JB Hi-Fi deal.
“My goal is to continue growing Co 35mm into new markets, and accessibility is always top of mind for me,” she says.
“Filmmaking 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 still 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 relocated to New York City.
“I’m excited to begin tailoring our marketing efforts in a way that feels native to the American consumer. New York is such a fun city and the possibilities are endless,” she says.
Madi says 35mm Co has some great brand opportunities in the US that she is looking forward to pursuing.
She’s had plenty of other “rocky” 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 forced me to really work on my communication and public speaking skills.”
Madi’s lightbulb moment for 35mm Co came during her freshman year of college in 2019, when she sold an old film SLR camera for $250 on Facebook Marketplace — after being inundated with offers.
“It sold for five times what I asked for,” she says.
That’s when Madi realized there was a real gap in the market.
She started rolling in vintage cameras, but had supply problems as the old film cameras were constantly being sold.
She turned her attention to developing her film cameras, a product she says was “as small and compact as a disposable camera, but which was completely reusable.”
Madi says she worked around the clock during Melbourne’s COVID lockdowns, building her “debut camera” which she called The Reloader.
During the early stages of her business, Madi was also working at Mecca Beauty Store so she could put all her savings into her first shipment of cameras.
Her hard work paid off as 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 at will, without limitations or restrictions, is one of the most rewarding parts of working for myself.”
Her advice to other female founders is to “test-proof 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 every moment and enjoy the process. Small actions add up to big changes. Stay consistent and eventually you’ll look back and realize how far you’ve come.”
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