Eva's Evolution: From Mattresses to Omnichannel Furniture and ERP Headaches

GETTING TO THE ROOT WITH EVA.COM.AU FURNITURE FOUNDERS

Hosts: Rudi Khoury & Marcel Berger
Guests: Amanda Niu (ex-neuropsychologist) & Ken Lau (ex-engineer), Eva Furniture founders

1. Business Evolution: Online mattress retailer (2017) → Full furniture range + physical showrooms (2025)

2. ERP Implementation Challenge:

   • Replacing homegrown “Garage” system
   • Managing complex modular product logistics across 5 warehouses
   • Integration of freight, inventory, CRM, planning, and finance

3. Counter-Traditional Retail Strategy:

   • Digital-to-physical expansion driven by customer demand
   • Showrooms designed as homes, not sales floors
   • Physical retail as growth accelerant, not limitation

4. Customer-First Product Development:

   • 30% return customer rate (industry-beating)
   • Deliberate launch delays to ensure product perfection
   • Round-table feedback and in-office testing protocols

• ERP described as “sucking the soul out” but essential for scaling
• Modular sofa management = “hell” without proper systems
• Technology split: Centralized ERP core + flexible marketing stack
• Bootstrapped origins created disciplined, sustainable growth mindset

Ken projects ERP implementation will enable 2-3× business growth without proportional increase in operational costs.

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Guest: Matt Bates

Hosts: Marcel Berger | Rudi Khoury

Tags: #DataStrategy #Construction #BusinessIntelligence #DecisionMaking

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