Mike Ballantyne is President and Co-Founder of Online Republic, an Auckland headquartered e-commerce business with 100 staff in 4 countries and an annual revenue of $170 million. Online Republic has over 3,000 travel websites in its stable, primarily in the cruise, car rental and motorhome rental verticals - with over 90% of its trade done outside NZ. Earlier this year Mike launched Search Republic - a specialist search marketing agency, to help NZ businesses make the most of their e-commerce opportunities. Prior to Online Republic, Mike was a creative in top London, Melbourne and Auckland ad agencies, and won a Cannes gold lion for his work with adidas. He also owned NZ's most successful regional ad agency at the age of 23. Mike will share insights from his journey so far, reveal the secret herbs and spices to his success, and spill the beans on the stupid thinking that led to some of his failed ventures.