Meet Adam and Carmel
Adam and Carmel are the founders behind Empower Digital and POS Cafe, an innovative app built for the Shopify platform that helps cafes and retail outlets manage complex, customised orders with ease. Since launching their app globally in June 2024, they have been on a mission to simplify point-of-sale systems for hospitality businesses while building a sustainable future for themselves, their family, and their community.
Read more about Adam and Carmel’s business journey so far:
About their business
Our business is called Empower Digital and we are also the founders of POS Cafe, an app that we have developed for the Shopify platform. Shopify is a fantastic e-commerce system, but it doesn’t always work seamlessly for physical retail environments like cafes, where orders can be highly customised. For example, when someone wants a decaf mocha with oat milk and two sugars, Shopify alone can struggle to handle that level of detail. That’s where our app comes in as it solves that problem and makes the process smooth and efficient.
We officially launched POS Cafe on the Shopify App Store in June 2024, which meant from day one, our product was available globally to any Shopify merchant. It’s been an exciting journey, transitioning into this space and building something that meets a real need in the market.
Impact of the SBD Program
When you’re running a business, it’s easy to keep doing things the same way because you’re not always sure what the next step looks like. You might feel like you’re moving forward, but without clear direction, growth can stall.
We had heard about Many Rivers for quite a while and consistently heard positive feedback about their mentoring approach. What stood out to us from Tito’s support was that he is non-judgemental and helped us understand where our business is at and what needs to change to achieve growth in the long run.
The biggest impact has been having someone knowledgeable and supportive walking alongside us as we grow our business. We feel genuinely supported, and we’ve built a strong, trusting relationship with our business coach, Tito. That support has made a huge difference. It’s not just about advice; it’s about having someone in your corner who understands your journey and is there to guide and encourage you.
Thinking about your business growth, what services were you looking for from Many Rivers?
We were really looking for mentorship. We wanted guidance from someone with experience. Someone who had worked with other businesses and could give us honest, practical advice.
We were looking for someone who could look at what we were doing and say, “You’re on the right track, but here’s what you can do to improve and grow.” That kind of one-on-one support is incredibly valuable when you’re trying to take your business to the next level.
How have the Many Rivers planning workshops and business tools helped you?
They’ve been incredibly valuable. One of the first things we did was a strategy workshop, and to be honest, we went in thinking it might feel long but it flew by because it was so engaging and useful.
That session with Tito gave us the opportunity to really step back and look at our business in detail. We didn’t just go through numbers. We actually developed a deeper understanding of them. That clarity helped us build a solid, practical plan for moving forward.
It gave us a new perspective on our business and helped us make more informed decisions with confidence.
Did you get a loan through the SBD program? If yes, how was this experience for you? How has it impacted your business?
No, we didn’t get a loan from Many Rivers.
Challenges
One of the biggest challenges is time. Like many business owners, we’re busy working in the business day-to-day, and it can be difficult to step back and work on the business.
Now that we have a clearer understanding of what needs to be done to grow, the challenge is making the time to actually implement those things. It’s about being intentional and setting aside time to focus on growth, even when things are busy.
Next steps
Our next big focus is growing within Australia. Because our app is built on Shopify, it was available globally from the moment we launched, and we’ve seen strong international interest.
Now, we really want to focus on building our presence in the Australian market and connecting with more local tea and coffee businesses. We’d love to see more Australian merchants using POS Cafe and benefiting from what we’ve created.
Do you have more employees now to support the business growth?
At the moment, it’s primarily the two of us, along with a developer who works with us. However, through our work with Many Rivers, it’s become clear that hiring another employee will be an important step in supporting our growth.
We haven’t made that move yet, but it’s definitely something we’re actively working towards.
Recommendation to other Indigenous Business Owners
The biggest thing we’d say is that you don’t have to do it alone.
Many Rivers offers an incredible support system. It’s a safe, non-judgemental space where you can get guidance, ask questions, and grow your business with confidence. You don’t need to feel intimidated or unsure; there’s genuine encouragement and support every step of the way.
Having someone in your corner who believes in you and your business makes a huge difference. It gives you the confidence to move forward and the clarity to make better decisions.
Thank you Adam and Carmel for sharing your business journey with us. We wish you the best of luck with future endeavours and business success.
If you would like to stay updated with their small business, follow “POS Cafe and Empower Digital” through the following links:
We love to encourage people to take the first step towards growing their small business ideas. Do you want to grow your business?
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