In this episode, Dr. Itsuki Mueller shares her inspiring journey to becoming a veterinarian — from her childhood on a rice farm on the outskirts of Osaka, to emigrating to New Zealand, earning a PhD in Veterinary Anatomy, and becoming a mother along the way. It was her drive to solve a key challenge for her clients — and her willingness to invest in herself — that ultimately transformed her into a businesswoman and her own boss.
You can find her businesses in the links below:
https://novavets.co.nz/
https://www.sonovet.co.nz/
In this episode, we sit down with Lian Kairua — a proud māmā of three, registered nurse, community nurse prescriber, Clinical Director of Whare Tiaki Hauora, and Co-Director of Te Korowai o Ngā Ringa Āwhina. Lian shares the pivotal moment that inspired her journey into nursing, and how, in her early 30s and pregnant with her third child, she made the bold decision to return to university. Her story is one of resilience, purpose, and unwavering commitment to improving health outcomes — especially for Māori, who continue to be overrepresented in negative health statistics.
On this episode we sit down with Naeema Nilufa, an artist who sells her paintings online and hosts paint-and-chai workshops across Auckland. In addition, she serves as a community engagement coordinator for the National Bowel Screening Programme. Naeema opens up about how her upbringing has shaped her, inspiring her to create a life that reflects the values instilled in her from a young age. Tune in for an inspiring and insightful look into her journey.
In this episode we sit down with Mike, a son of refugees, husband, father and co-director of MK Financial Solutions. He offers a candid look at the perks of being your own boss, as well as the challenges of managing a business built on trust and word-of-mouth as its primary marketing strategy. He also reflects on his journey from a teenager with no clear direction, to someone who kept pushing forward, opening doors that led to new opportunities, ultimately guiding him to where he is today.
In this episode we speak with Simone, an inspiring single māmā who is doing it all. By day, she's a legal executive, and by night, she runs a custom cake business from home. We dive into her journey of building her business, and discuss how internalised racism and inherited disadvantage— experiences so deeply ingrained, she never had the words to fully describe them—have driven her to overcome challenges and motivated her to succeed.
In this episode with Dr. Samantha Mariam, we explore the highs and lows of being a content creator, the business side involving monetisation & sponsorships, and the importance of being true to yourself in order to gain a dedicated following.
In this episode with Dr Karlina Tongotea we discuss how her upbringing in South Auckland has fostered her discipline and work ethic, leading her to become a World Champion Powerlifter while still working her usual day-job as a doctor.
In this introductory episode, Rebecca & Jessica sit down and talk about why they’ve started Minority Makers, their hopes for the podcast, and share a bit about their family’s background to provide some context for the show.
