If you’re mad about pets, you’ll be mad for our next guest … Justus Hammer.

Justus is the founder of Mad Paws, Australia’s largest online pet care platform. Dubbed ‘Airbnb for pets’, Mad Paws matches pets with trusted pet sitters. It’s a fabulous alternative to traditional kennels and has proved a massive success.

But Mad Paws isn’t his first venture. Justus is also the man behind Australia’s largest group buying platform, Spreets – which he sold for a massive $40 million less than a year after launch. It was the first of a number of successes for the serial entrepreneur but there have been some failed ventures too.

Justus joins us to share the highs and lows of his First Act.

KEY TOPICS

From sports enthusiast to startup founder

• Justus’s early passion was sports, particularly basketball, which he played competitively and even professionally for a short time.    
• He pursued a degree in macroeconomics, driven by his strength in mathematics, rather than a specific interest in the field.
• His entrepreneurial journey began with a startup in Germany, where he discovered his affinity for online marketing.    

Spreets: A group buying success story

• Justus co-founded Spreets, a group buying company inspired by the success of Groupon in the US.    
• They focused on aggressive marketing and data-driven optimisation to gain market share quickly.    
• Within 10 months, Spreets grew to 1.5 million members and over 100 staff, leading to a successful acquisition by Yahoo 7 for $40 million.    

Learning from setbacks

• Justus’s real estate venture, Sellable, faced challenges due to market timing and underestimating the sophistication of the Australian real estate market.    
• He acknowledges that not all ventures succeed, emphasizing the importance of learning from mistakes and adapting strategies.  
• He remains open to revisiting the real estate space with a revised model that better addresses market needs.    

Mad Paws: The Airbnb for pets

• Justus co-founded Mad Paws, Australia’s largest online pet care platform, connecting pet owners with trusted sitters.    
• The idea stemmed from a passion for pets and recognizing the strong emotional connection people have with their animals.    
• Early customer research validated the need for a service that offered a more personalized and caring alternative to traditional kennels.    

Diversification and growth

• Mad Paws expanded beyond pet sitting to offer a broader range of pet-related services and products, including pet food subscription (Dinner Bowl) and insurance.    
• This diversification strategy proved crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing them to retain staff and capitalize on the increased pet ownership.    
• The company successfully navigated the challenges of the pandemic and emerged stronger, with a significant increase in business.    

The importance of execution

• Justus emphasises the importance of execution in bringing ideas to life, highlighting that timing and market conditions play a significant role.    
• He believes in being aggressive and data-driven in marketing efforts, while also building a strong team and fostering trust within the marketplace.    
• He advocates for continuous learning and adaptation, acknowledging that not all ventures will be successful, but valuable lessons can be learned from every experience.    

Building a household brand

• Justus’s vision for Mad Paws is to become a household name in the Australian pet care industry.    
• He is focused on building a strong brand presence and expanding the company’s offerings to meet the diverse needs of pet owners.    
• He believes in the power of community and aims to create a platform that fosters trust and connection among pet lovers.   

The value of mentorship and networking

• Justus acknowledges the role of mentors and advisors in his entrepreneurial journey, particularly in the early stages of his career.    
• He benefited from the guidance and support of experienced entrepreneurs and investors, which helped him navigate challenges and make informed decisions.    
• He also recognizes the importance of networking and building relationships, as demonstrated by the strategic partnership with Qantas.    

The entrepreneur’s mindset

• Justus embodies the entrepreneurial spirit, demonstrating a willingness to take risks, learn from setbacks, and persevere in the face of challenges.    
• He is driven by a desire to solve problems and create value for customers, as evidenced by his ventures in various industries.    
• He believes in the importance of passion, hard work, and continuous learning in achieving success as an entrepreneur.