The journey ends but the magic lives on

As the MILKRUN journey comes to an end, I want to take a moment to reflect on what has been an incredible journey and celebrate the team that made it all possible. While the curtains are closing, I believe the impact that the MILKRUN team had on the industry will be long lasting.

MILKRUN grew to be a larger and more disruptive business, with better unit economics than many people on the outside realised. Not only did we create a brand that was beloved by customers, and raise the bar for customer service, remarkably we went from zero to one million orders in just 15 months. Importantly, our hubs reached breakeven ahead of plan, proving that the business model can work in Australia at an appropriate scale.

We always knew that achieving the scale needed to reach overall profitability would require significant initial and ongoing investment over a long period of time. But life is full of unexpected twists, and the environment and funding conditions shifted beneath our feet. We did our best to shift with the market, or even ahead of it, and rapidly accelerate the path to profitability in a fraction of the time originally envisaged. Unfortunately this proved to be an insurmountable task in the current environment.

Starting this business was always going to be a wild ride. From the very beginning, our team members showed unparalleled dedication, creativity, and resilience to overcome every new challenge we faced and scale the business. They poured their hearts into every aspect of the business and consistently exceeded our already high expectations. As a founder, I couldn't have asked for a more committed and talented group of people to work alongside.

I want to make it clear that the closure of MILKRUN is in no way a reflection of the team, and I wholeheartedly encourage any organisation to reach out to people@milkrun.com with any opportunities for these exceptional people.

As we focus on winding down the business responsibly, we continue to ensure that the team’s welfare is top of mind. I urge all leaders to stay true to your values and always make people your top priority. The lifeblood of any organisation - and particularly a startup - lies in its people. By investing in them, we not only create a solid foundation for them to thrive but also create lasting bonds that can withstand the challenges and unpredictable nature of the startup journey. 

As founders, it is imperative that we dare to think big, even and maybe especially when the road ahead is uncertain. Innovation is synonymous with the unknown, and failure is integral to that journey. I have faced setbacks before, and I am certain this won't be the last. With each experience, I have learned valuable lessons that help shape me as a leader and person. 

To everyone who contributed to the MILKRUN journey as a team member, customer or supporter, I want to say a huge thank you.

Dany