Who we are
We help brands that give a damn grow on Shopify.
Founder
Hi, I'm Andrew Cox, the founder of The Hope Factory. Working in ecommerce since 2008, and designing, developing, migrating and growing brands on Shopify since 2013, I've also had the privilege of serving as a member of the Business Victoria Content Development Advisory Group, contributing marketing strategy and digital business resources for the Victorian Government.
Our story
- 2008
We launched The Hope Factory, working with disadvantaged youth to design and build websites for small businesses. That's where the name comes from.
- 2013
We started building on Shopify and became a Shopify Partner.
- 2017
In 2017, we had the privilege to collaborate with Patagonia and launch their ecommerce in Shopify.
The brand started as a small company that produced climbing gear. Today, Patagonia is celebrating 50 years in the market as a global brand that is known not only for its high-quality products but also for its commitment to environmental and social responsibility.
- 2018
We became Shopify Plus Partners. We're incredibly humbled (as one of a handful of agencies) to have been chosen to become Shopify Plus partners.
- 2023
We purchased Timber Kids, built on Shopify, a family-run business on a mission to reduce the number of plastic toys in homes by providing beautiful, hand-illustrated, eco-friendly timber toys, learning tiles, nursery decor, and gift cards. We sold it in 2026.
- 2023
Our founder Andrew Cox, attended the Shopify Enterprise Partner 2023 Summit in LA, to learn insights on Shopify's strategic vision, product roadmap & ecosystem evolution.
Curious. Intentional. Invested in the outcome. We're a small team that builds online experiences for clients who care what their store looks like and who it's for.
Andrew Cox
Founder & Director
Fun facts about me:
- Before founding THF, I was an English and Drama teacher
- I've completed an Ironman
- I used to sing (badly) in a band called Beyond the Pale
Based in Melbourne
Rax Martinovic
Technical Lead
Fun facts about me:
- Enthusiastic Ford Falcon owner and acclaimed singer featured in a TV drama series.
- Completed International Law studies in 2023.
- Holder of a private & commercial pilot's license.
Based in Sydney
Veena Prakash
Growth Specialist
Fun facts about me:
- I’m a certified make-up artist
- I quit refined sugar for 2 years (and counting)
- I’ve starred in TV commercials for Australian brands
Based in Melbourne
Gati Shah
Senior Front End Developer
Fun facts about me:
- I was a state-level badminton player
- I love and enjoy eggless baking
- I can speak four languages fluently: English, Hindi, Gujarati & Marathi
Based in Melbourne
Right fit
Who we're a good fit for
Small to medium brands on Shopify, or moving to it
Owners who want a long-term partner, not a one-off build
Full projects, or small tasks through Blocks of Time
Sound like you?Book a discovery call
Who we're not for
Ecommerce on any platform other than Shopify
Paid ads, SEO, email marketing or branding (for SEO, we'll introduce you to Optimising)
If we're not the right fit, we'll say so and point you to someone who is. Our guide to Shopify agencies in Australia compares 14 of them, including who each one suits.
Our impact
The concept of micro-lending always inspired us from when we first heard about the work Mohammed Yunus was doing to enable individuals to create value and improve the lives of their families while also growing their local communities and economies. Micro-lending is a bottom-up approach to bootstrapping an economy and it can have a global impact - when implemented properly it is nothing short of inspirational.
As a result, we have chosen to loan a portion of our profits to empower entrepreneurs in the developing world through micro-lending with Kiva.org. To track our progress and view our latest loan recipients, please visit our page on Kiva.