Nine years ago, Aidan Anderson was a carpenter with a passion for design. A single Instagram post with just 30 likes sparked what would become The Local Project - now one of the most influential digital design publications, amassing over 3 million followers. Today, he’s expanding the brand internationally, breaking into the New York market, and redefining the design and architecture media landscape.

In this episode, we uncover the real story behind The Local Project’s rise, going beyond the curated social media image to explore:

• How Aidan built a multi-million-follower brand from scratch

• The challenges of scaling a digital publication without a roadmap

• Instagram vs reality - balancing brand growth with personal identity

• Overcoming any self-doubt and betting on yourself as a founder

• The role of mentorship, partnerships, and investment in long-term success

• Expanding globally while strengthening the Australian design industry

• The future of The Local Project and what’s next for Aidan

Aidan’s story is a masterclass in resilience, intuition, and taking action - even without a clear plan. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, creative, or brand builder, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.

Aidan Anderson:

Founder and Editor-in Chief @thelocalproject

Founder and CEO @thelocalproduction

https://www.instagram.com/aidananderson

https://www.instagram.com/thelocalproject

https://thelocalproject.com.au

Camilla Ingall:

Founder of Unfolded

Host of Behind The Design

https://www.instagram.com/unfolded_

https://www.instagram.com/camillaingall

Produced by:

Think loud official / Andrew Cooney

https://www.thinkloudoud.com.au

https://www.instagram.com/thinkloudofficial?igsh=dXN5NGgwazl0Zmg=

Location: https://www.laportespace.com.au

Furniture: Totem Road

https://www.totemroad.com