Winners in Our Midst: Nayth Woodrow - From Sidelines to Centre Stage with Ryde International

Our inaugural "Winners in Our Midst" column shines a light on Nathan Woodrow, the dynamic founder behind Ryde International and its successful apparel arm, Ryde Clothing. For Nayth, the entrepreneurial spark ignited not in a boardroom, but on the sidelines of a sports field in South Australia. A teenage injury, a moment of misfortune, became an unlikely catalyst for a decade-long journey of innovation and impact.

The entrepreneurial spark
As Nayth recalls, this setback coincided with the introduction of an entrepreneurship program at his high school, a serendipitous event that shifted his focus from athletic pursuits to the thrill of building something from the ground up. He fell in love with creativity, the leadership lessons inherent in the process, and the exciting prospect of transferring his understanding of team dynamics from the sporting arena to the business world.

This early passion blossomed into Ryde Clothing, a brand that quickly garnered recognition for its quality and ethos. But for Nayth, Ryde Clothing was never just about threads and fabrics. It became a tangible expression of a deeper purpose, a launchpad to reimagine the entire Ryde venture. The pivotal ‘Aha’ moment came with the establishment of a powerful ‘just cause’ – a crystal-clear understanding of the company’s purpose, values, and standards. This clarity has been a unifying force for Ryde’s diverse business units ever since, whilst also paving the way for unexpected opportunities, including a memorable 2022-23 trip to New York and Columbia University, which provided further impetus at an opportune moment.

Today, Ryde International is a storytelling and moments company that extends far beyond apparel. While sustainable clothing remains a key element, the business now specialises in helping other organisations to unlock their potential. Drawing on his own transformative journey, Nayth works with businesses to cultivate high-performing cultures by establishing a clear ‘just cause’ and mission, amplified by the power of compelling storytelling. He believes that companies with world-class fundamentals inspire their teams at all levels to be deeply invested in business success – they are places where joy, passion, and opportunity thrive.

Advice for fellow self-starters
Nayth’s advice to fellow business owners, best shared over an Aussie coffee, is to undertake this same journey of defining their ‘just cause’. He also passionately advocates for the invaluable role of coaching in personal and professional growth, believing that every leader benefits from having someone to challenge and guide them. Reflecting on his own experiences, the key thing Nayth wishes he’d known at the start of his journey is the importance of filtering out the noise and focusing on research and data – a particularly relevant insight in today’s digitally saturated world.

For AustCham Singapore members seeking to ignite their own company culture, refine their purpose, and harness the power of storytelling, Nayth could be an invaluable resource.

Connect with Nayth on LinkedIn. 

Winners in our Midst is an SME feature series which aims to shine the spotlight on the success stories of the Australia-Singapore business community. If you would like to share your story with us, please reach out to Danny, our Head of Memberships, to get involved.