From Failure to Flow: Tom Martin's Journey in the World of Spirits

🎙 In this episode of Owners Outlook, host Shaun Lord sits down with Tom Martin, co-founder of Little Things Gin Distillery, to uncover the entrepreneurial lessons behind building one of Western Australia’s fastest-rising spirits brands.

Tom’s journey is far from linear — from launching a clothing label at 18, to pitching a social enterprise on Shark Tank, to finally finding his stride in distilling — his story is built on persistence, setbacks, and the resilience to keep chasing ideas until one clicked. Today, Little Things has become a name in the Australian craft spirits scene, with Tom steering the business through rapid industry growth, intense competition, and the constant balancing act of leadership.

Here’s what you’ll hear in this episode:

Entrepreneurial Foundations

• Lessons from failed ventures and what Shark Tank taught him about pitching, sales, and staying calm under pressure.

The Birth of Little Things

• How a passion for brewing and distilling transformed into a thriving spirits brand.

• The role of testing fast, failing forward, and creating a true brand home.

Leadership & Mindset

• Why structure, habits, and KPIs keep the team accountable and the business moving forward.

• The importance of optimism, ownership, and having hard conversations as a leader.

Resilience & Perspective

• Behind-the-scenes challenges of burnout, stress, and learning to slow down.

• How redefining success as passion, control, and balance keeps him aligned with his vision.

Tom’s story is a reminder that success doesn’t come from one big break — it’s built through persistence, resilience, and enjoying the “little things” along the way.