Zara Seidler & Sam Koslowski: The Founders of The Daily Aus and How They Changed News for Young Australians

From Passion Project to Business

Zara’s career started in politics and journalism, working for Sky News and in lobbying. Sam had his own path, but both shared a passion for making news more accessible. In 2018, they launched The Daily Aus as a way to bring serious news to young people who struggled to connect with traditional news sources.

“We were always the ones friends came to for the latest updates. It just made sense to turn that into something more,” says Zara.

Neither Zara nor Sam planned to become founders. Their journey took a major turn in late 2020, when they met an investor who showed them what was possible. “Up until that moment, we hadn’t even considered TDA as a business,” Zara admits. “But once that conversation happened, it opened up a whole new world.”

In February 2021, after securing funding, they made the bold move and quit their full-time jobs to focus on TDA. At that point, they had a solid Instagram following but no clear revenue model or a plan to turn it into a business. Zara laughs, “Our first day as full-timers, we just sat at a café, stared at our computers, and had no idea what to do next.”

The Core Values of TDA

At its heart, The Daily Aus was always about making news easier to understand and more relatable to young Australians. Zara and Sam wanted to offer hard news that didn’t feel like a chore to consume.

“We saw a gap in the market—serious, well-researched news that didn’t talk down to young people,” Sam explains. “We wanted to be that source.”

TDA started with simple Instagram stories delivered every weekday morning. Over the years, the company grew into something much bigger: a daily newsletter, podcast, video content, TikTok, and even polling services. “We’ve always been about meeting our audience where they’re at, and that’s what drove the growth,” Zara says.

The Power of Influencers and Transparency

Early on, The Daily Aus grew thanks to influencers who shared their content. Zara and Sam realized that influencers could engage with their news without being forced to take sides or share opinions. It allowed them to stay neutral while still being part of the conversation.

But, as with any media outlet, there were bumps in the road. Zara acknowledges that mistakes were made, but the team’s approach was always about transparency. “When we’ve messed up, we own it,” she says. “Our audience values that. We’ve worked hard to maintain trust, especially with young people who are often skeptical of the media.”

Tools That Keep the Engine Running

Zara and Sam have a few go-to tools to help them run the business. Canva is the backbone for creating visual content, while Mailchimp is used for the newsletter. For internal communication, they rely on Slack, and their podcast is recorded with Riverside.

What Keeps Them Inspired

Zara and Sam find inspiration in a variety of sources. One of the books that’s had a big impact on Zara is CEO Excellence: The Six Mindsets That Distinguish the Best Leaders from the Rest. They also tune into podcasts like Founders Journal and Morning Brew to stay sharp.

For Zara, the key to success is having someone by your side. “Find someone to go on the journey with you,” she says. “I couldn’t have done this without Sam. It’s all about sharing the weight.”

Staying Mentally Tough

Running a business can take a toll, but Zara says the key to managing stress is being open with your co-founder. “We share everything, the highs and the lows,” she explains. “That’s how we get through the tough times.”

The Road Ahead

Today, The Daily Aus is a growing media company that’s reshaping how young Australians consume news. What started as a simple idea has turned into a thriving business, with a loyal audience and a product that’s making waves.

Zara and Sam’s journey is a testament to what happens when you take a chance on something you believe in. They turned a passion project into a business that’s not just changing the way we think about news, but also showing what’s possible when you take risks and stay true to your values.

The Daily Aus is proof that if you’ve got the right idea, and the right people by your side, anything is possible.

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