Young Aussie millionaire on her first 'embarrassing' business idea that failed

The path to success is rarely straightforward, as any entrepreneur can tell you. The journey is typically littered with setbacks, mistakes and teachable moments that, if you are lucky, you can one day share with other budding business owners.

This is something that Brittney Saunders, owner and CEO of Aussie clothing label FAYT, is hoping to do at the upcoming Fujifilm Creator Summit where she will share her wisdom with the next generation of entrepreneurs and content creators. Speaking to Yahoo Lifestyle, Brittney explains that the goal is not to tell people to do exactly as she has done but to encourage them to give it a red hot crack.

"I want them to know that they don’t have to have it all figured out, and it’s okay to take risks and make mistakes", she says.

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Brittney recently revisited some of her own risks and mistakes in a video uploaded to her social media where she talked about her past "failed" businesses, among them a $15 spray tan enterprise and making homemade bedazzled phone cases, which she now calls "really embarrassing."

From "failed" businesses to multimillion-dollar company

"My early business ventures—whether it was content creation on YouTube, selling products online, or experimenting with different ideas—taught me a few key lessons," Brittney tells Yahoo Lifestyle. "The biggest one was that success isn’t instant. People see the highlights, but they don’t see the trial and error, the failures, or the moments where you question if you’re doing the right thing."

She continues, "I also learned the importance of adaptability. The business world changes fast, and the ability to pivot, evolve, and stay ahead of trends is what keeps you in the game. Finally, I realised that building something meaningful isn’t just about making money—it’s about solving a problem, creating a brand that people connect with, and delivering real value."

At just 31, Brittney is worth millions, having launched FAYT in her garage and growing it into the phenomenon it is today, so her advice is certainly worth heeding.

How Brittney defines success

Brittney's success is perhaps something she could not have envisioned when she decided to leave High School at 16 and take up waitressing in an Italian restaurant (a decision she looks back on with pride) but she is certainly the very picture of a success story now.

"When I was younger, success felt very numbers-driven—how many followers, how many sales, how much revenue," she explains. "Over time, I’ve realised success is so much more than that. For me, success now means building something that lasts. It’s about creating a brand that people love and trust, leading a team that feels valued, and making an impact on the people who support what I do.

"I also think success is about personal fulfilment. Am I happy? Do I love what I’m doing? Does my business allow me to live the life I want? Those questions matter just as much as the metrics."

These are ideas and tips she will likely be sharing with attendees at the Creator Summit, having previously told Yahoo Lifestyle that she wants to encourage ticket holders to "find their own path, trust their instincts, and create something they’re proud of."

To do that, Brittney says, you need more than just a great idea, but resilience too.

Tips for launching a successful business

"Anyone can have a great idea, but the people who succeed are the ones who can handle setbacks, criticism, and uncertainty without giving up," she says. "Business is full of challenges, and things don’t always go as planned. If you’re not willing to push through the tough times, adapt, and keep going, even when it feels like nothing is working, it’s going to be hard to make it."

She adds, "Also, execution is everything. A great idea is just an idea unless you take action, test, refine, and actually bring it to life. A lot of people get stuck in the ‘planning’ phase and never start. The ones who succeed are the ones who just go for it."

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Brittney will be joined by other content heavyweights at the Fujifilm Creator Summit including comedian Jimmy Rees OAM and Tom Sharpe, Australia’s first street-style content creator.

Tickets to the ‘Creator Summit: Powered by Fujifilm’ are just $49, and include access to Fujifilm keynotes and interactive workshops and partner hubs. They also include a single-ride pass for the Luna Park Ferris Wheel and a Fujifilm goody bag filled with giveaways worth over $270.

To purchase your tickets or to learn more about the Creator Summit, click here.

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