This week on Founders & Funders Australia, Ray sits down with filmmaker and multidisciplinary creative Dale Crawford, founder of Moon Room Films.

Dale grew up in Melbourne surrounded by early computers, robotics, and animation thanks to two programmer parents. From childhood inventions to studying fine arts, screenwriting, and philosophy simultaneously, his early life set the foundation for a career that spans fashion design, independent film, and deep historical storytelling.

Ray and Dale explore the extraordinary Chinese-Australian history that inspired Dale’s decades-long research project, including secret societies on the Bendigo goldfields, clan wars, and the origins of Australia’s oldest Imperial Dragon. Dale shares why he closed a fashion label invited to New York Fashion Week to pursue filmmaking, and how acting and modelling became tools to study film sets from the inside and reinvest into his creative work.

They also dive into the reality of producing independent films: building teams, sustaining multi-year projects, navigating distribution, and shaping meaningful work in a fast-content world. The discussion moves from TikTok attention loops to the “paradox of purpose,” and why creative people must learn to consume less and make more.

If you’re a founder, creative, or someone navigating long-term meaningful work, this episode will resonate deeply.

In this episode, Dale shares:

• Growing up with early computers, robots, and stop-motion animation
• Childhood plans to invent an electromagnet motor and build a “perma jungle”
• Studying fine arts, screenwriting, and philosophy across three universities
• Building a made-to-measure fashion label later invited to New York Fashion Week
• Closing the label to focus on filmmaking
• 16+ years researching Chinese secret societies in Australia
• The story behind the Imperial Dragon and the Bendigo goldfields
• How a stolen script pushed him to start his own production company
• Using acting and modelling gigs to learn filmmaking and fund projects
• The 10-year journey from writing to releasing his feature film Lilith
• How rapid media consumption affects our emotional processing
• Why creators need to bring “nutritious work” into an oversaturated world
• The paradox of purpose — why achieving goals can erase meaning
• Why aspiring filmmakers must start small, iterate, and learn by doing

Where to watch

Lilith

• Australia: Vimeo On Demand
• North America: Fandango

Connect with Dale

• Instagram: @moonroomfilms
• Film company: Moon Room Films

This week on Founders and Funders Australia, Ray sits down with sculptor and model Chi, whose life has taken her from childhood in Vietnam to exhibiting at the NGV and building a new life in Australia.

Chi shares how her parents, raised during the Vietnam War with almost no resources, fought to give their daughters an international education. She talks about teaching herself English through Disney Channel, moving to Australia to study sculpture, and what it means to carry her family’s history, privilege and sacrifice into her creative practice.

In the second half of the conversation, Chi opens up about surviving an abusive relationship while on a partner visa, navigating court, and finding a legal path to stay in Australia without her abuser. She explains how trauma shut down her creativity, how modeling and community helped her rebuild, and why her work now centres on resilience, the human body and the full spectrum of the human experience.

Chi also talks about:

• Getting into a “flow state” with sculpture and why process matters more than prestige
• Showing work at NGV and integrating sculpture, light and space
• Her upcoming human-form homewares brand, including an incense holder cast from a human ear
• The immigrant mindset, hustle culture and why no one is truly “self-made”
• Practical advice for young artists on building skills, using uni resources and the power of networking

If you’re an immigrant, creative, or anyone rebuilding after a hard season, this one will land deep.

Follow Chi on Instagram: @lc_trinh

When Jude moved from Singapore to Melbourne as a teenager, fashion wasn’t the obvious path. After studying fine arts, serving two years in Singapore’s military, and starting over, he found his creative calling — designing clothes that reflect personality, playfulness, and purpose.

In this episode, Jude shares how he built Design by Jude from scratch — beginning with a single sewing machine, small design markets, and a couple of small loans — to growing into a permanent Fitzroy store and recognition on the Melbourne Fashion Festival main stage.

We talk about:

• How discipline from military life shaped his creative process
• The reality of starting a fashion label without investors — and growing slowly, on purpose
• Finding and understanding your first customers at design markets
• Keeping production local and ethical in Australia, using small runs and deadstock fabrics
• Why starting small can be your greatest advantage

Design by Jude is proudly made in Melbourne using locally produced and ethically sourced materials. If you’re in town, visit the store at 252 Johnston Street, Fitzroy — or explore the latest collections online at designbyjude.com. You can also find Jude on Instagram and Facebook @designbyjude.

Tune in to hear how passion, persistence, and purpose built one of Melbourne’s most beloved independent fashion labels.

In this episode of Founders and Funders Australia, Ray sits down with Louis — an actor, model, and photographer whose creative journey spans continents and industries. From moving to Australia as a child and navigating cultural shifts, to signing with one of the top acting agencies in the country and walking the runway at Melbourne Fashion Week, Louis shares a story of resilience, belonging, and artistic growth.

Louis opens up about his early experiences in drama school, overcoming cultural barriers, finding his creative voice, and breaking into the acting and modeling industries. He discusses the pivotal moment he signed with Morrissey Agency, how photography became a way to reclaim his image, and why self-acceptance was the biggest transformation of all.

We also dive into:

• ​How to secure your first acting agent — even as a teen
• ​Why vulnerability is essential for acting and modeling
• ​How TFP shoots helped Louis build his modeling portfolio
• ​The reality behind agency representation and runway work
• ​Why your mirror image isn’t the real you — and how to train your perception

This episode is perfect for aspiring actors, models, and creatives who want an honest look at breaking into the industry while staying true to yourself.

Follow Louis’ work:

Instagram: @le.studio.photography

Website: lestudiophotography.com.au

Follow Ray: @rayzworld

In this episode of Founders and Funders, host Ray Yee speaks with Karen, founder of The Creative Warehouse. Based in Australia, Karen shares her journey of building a creative business from the ground up, offering insights into entrepreneurship, resilience, and how creativity can fuel business growth.

What you'll learn in this episode:

• How Karen transformed her creative passion into a thriving business.
• The challenges of entrepreneurship in Australia’s creative industry.
• Tips for founders balancing creativity and business strategy.
• Why community and collaboration matter for entrepreneurs.

If you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a creative founder, or simply curious about the Australian startup landscape, this episode is packed with lessons and inspiration.

Connect with Karen at The Creative Warehouse and on Instagram.

Hosted by Ray Yee

In this episode of Founders and Funders Australia, host Ray Yee sits down with Mitch, the driving force behind The Essential, a supplement brand dedicated to transparency and quality. Mitch shares his journey from aspiring athlete to successful entrepreneur, discussing the challenges of navigating the supplement industry and the importance of integrity in product development. Tune in to learn about the evolution of The Essential, the role of education in consumer choices, and Mitch's insights on balancing business growth with personal values. Don't miss this inspiring conversation about passion, perseverance, and the pursuit of excellence.

Find Mitch:

1. Melbourne Fitness and Performance: Follow them on Instagram for updates and more information about their gym activities.

2. The Essential AU: You can find their supplement brand on Instagram or visit their website to explore their products, including whey protein in chocolate and vanilla flavors, and creatine. They also offer sample packs for those interested in trying their products.

This episode is brought to you by Riverside, the platform for studio-quality remote recordings. Use code Ray15 for 15% off your first subscription.

⁠https://riverside.sjv.io/xLR1Wx

In this episode, we explore the inspiring story of Justin Rooney, who left a successful career in investment banking to co-found Flame Security. Learn about the challenges and triumphs of developing cutting-edge fire safety solutions and the impact of their products on global markets.

Show Notes:

Introduction to Justin Rooney and Flame Security The transition from banking to fire safety innovation Key challenges in developing fire retardant products Strategic partnerships and market expansion Insights into the future of fire safety technology Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs

Hashtags: #FireSafety #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #FlameSecurity

Contact Justin Rooney: Visit flamesecurity.com.au or firecoat.au for more information. Follow Flame Security on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

This episode is brought to you by Riverside, the platform for studio-quality remote recordings. Use code Ray15 for 15% off your first subscription.

https://riverside.sjv.io/xLR1Wx

In this episode of Founders and Funders, I sit down with Ray Wang, co-founder and CEO of Luca Plus, to explore his journey from accountant at Nike to fintech founder reshaping B2B payments.

We talk about how Luca Plus is giving small businesses access to flexible supplier credit, the inspiration behind its name, and Ray's commitment to integrity, transparency, and building a capital-efficient future.

• Why short-term cashflow gaps are crushing small businesses—and how Luca Plus is solving it
• Ray’s journey from Beijing to Melbourne, and from Nike to fintech
• How his accounting background shaped the company’s credit decisioning framework
• The importance of trust and product validation over perfection
• How Stone & Chalk, government grants, and partner networks enabled Luca’s early growth

Ray Wang is the co-founder and CEO of Luca Plus. With deep roots in accounting and real experience supporting small business owners, he brings a uniquely grounded perspective to solving financial pain points through technology.

• Luca Plus Website
• Ray Wang on LinkedIn
• Principles by Ray Dal_