36+ years in business. He built a multi-million dollar equipment hire company, retired at 40, got bored, and now runs 90+ ecommerce brands from Thailand. He talks about what he does every day, not theory.
Updated October 2026David Caruso speaks to business owners, franchise networks, chambers of commerce and industry associations about marketing that pays its way and AI that does real work. He still runs a business, so every example on stage comes from this year, not from a book.
David grew up in Blacktown, in Sydney's west. His first job was a cadetship with a local newspaper group, selling advertising space to businesses. In 1991 he left to start a party and equipment hire company in Blacktown. It grew into a multi-million dollar Sydney equipment hire business with two branches, and he sold out in 2010 at 40.
Retirement lasted about twelve months. With nothing to push against, he went back to work, and spent the best part of the next decade speaking on business and marketing across Australia, New Zealand and the UK.
In 2019, tired of the travel, he and his wife Renoo founded BuyFactory.direct. It now runs 90+ brands across 800+ websites and ships to 32 countries from its own warehouse, run remotely from Thailand. Since early 2026 the whole business has been rebuilt around AI, with headcount held flat.
That's what an event organiser gets. A speaker who still runs a business, and who brings his own numbers and mistakes on stage with him.
Facts are taken from David's own published profile at davidcaruso.com.au, updated October 2026.
His most requested talk. What happens when a small business treats AI like a staff member instead of another app. David shows how AI does much of the heavy lifting across his 90+ brands, live on stage, and how the audience can start within a week.
Customers are starting to send AI agents to research, compare and buy for them. If an agent cannot read your business, it cannot recommend it. David shows what an agent-ready business looks like and what he has done on his own sites, so the room can copy it.
Small businesses rarely fail from too little marketing. They fail from too much of the wrong kind. The handful of moves that grow revenue, and why most of the rest is expensive noise.
Platform risk, from someone who has been suspended, throttled and burned by the big platforms. A practical plan for owning your email list, your website and your reviews.
Bird spikes, curtain tracks, latex pillows. The case for choosing unglamorous markets, charging properly and letting everyone else fight over the trendy scraps.
David delivers 45 to 60 minute keynotes, half-day workshops, and panel or MC roles, in person, virtually or hybrid. He speaks across Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia, and anywhere by video.
His published keynote fee is $3,500 to $5,000 AUD, quoted per event. Book direct through his website and you deal with David himself. He replies within 24 hours with availability and a tailored proposal.
Past audiences rated him "at the very top end of the scale" (Stephen De Kalb) and called his session "absolutely wonderful, insightful and engaging" (Adam Reid).
Small business marketing, practical AI, ecommerce and the agentic web. His most requested keynote is Your Next Hire Isn't Human, about treating AI like a staff member rather than another app.
His published keynote fee is $3,500 to $5,000 AUD. Each event is quoted on its own, and the fee is generally the same for a 25 minute or a 90 minute session because it covers preparation and travel.
He lives in Thailand and runs BuyFactory.direct from there. He speaks in person across Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia, and anywhere in the world by video.
Rooms full of business owners: franchise networks, chambers of commerce, industry associations, trade groups and small business conferences. He talks to people who sign the cheques and need ideas they can use on Monday.
Yes. He founded BuyFactory.direct in 2019. It runs 90+ brands across 800+ websites and ships to 32 countries, so his examples come from the current year.
Yes. He offers half-day workshops where owners leave with tactics they can put in place the same day, and he can pair a keynote with a breakout session.
Yes. He presents in person, virtually or in a hybrid format, which suits events with a spread-out or international audience.
Use the enquiry form at davidcaruso.com.au/speak. You deal with David direct, not through an agency, and he replies within 24 hours with availability and a proposal.