Steve Ballantyne is the Founder of Brand IQ helping prominent national brands like Serko, Speedy Signs and Purex build their brand story in NZ. He shares how he clawed his way out of two big business disasters, one of them was $1.5M.
Steve is the brother of Mike Ballantyne, the founder of a travel firm that was sold for $85M.
Episode Partner:Hibiscus Jet Ski Hire: https://hibiscusjetskihire.co.nz/WIN! To Enter: https://tinyurl.com/y64efe7a
Timestamps:
Business Failures & Resilience
01:50 - Which business failure broke Steve the most? The clothing business disaster story
03:40 - Surviving $1.5 million debt: The Telecom Yellow Pages crisis
Emotional Control & Business Decisions
09:00 - Why emotional control matters in business (and when to let it go)
10:22 - The pitch meeting walkout: When Steve called out a CEO's behavior
12:33 - Standing up to clients: Preserving dignity and self-worth in business
Personal Challenges & Growth
14:02 - Dealing with grief: Losing four family members in 18 months
07:51 - Lessons from divorce and learning to pick your battles
Building a Lean Business Model
17:08 - Why lean business models win: Steve's transition from 23 staff to lean operations
17:38 - The future of business: One-person billion-dollar companies with AI
18:15 - How to start building a billion-dollar business from scratch
Market Size & Positioning
19:40 - Why New Zealand vs US market size matters for entrepreneurs
21:38 - Success is about positioning, not just hard work
AI in Business & Marketing, Custom GPTs & Workflows
28:05 - Getting started with AI automation: First steps for entrepreneurs
29:00 - AI is augmented intelligence, not artificial: The 10,000 hour principle still applies
31:30 - Steve's 30-minute AI product development workflow revealed
33:17 - AI workflows vs Custom GPTs: Understanding the difference
34:14 - How to get AI to help you brief the AI (the secret to better prompts)
43:50 - Making money with AI consulting: Opportunities in niche expertise
23:27 - Launching an AI art business: 120+ sales in 8 months
40:20 - Steve’s favourite AI platform and why
59:32 - Athena: Steve's AI business coach that sends daily mindset tips
48:00 - Democratisation production, AI disrupting the branding process
Brand Strategy & Being Different To Stand Out
49:24 - The most urgent thing businesses need for their brand right now
51:26 - How do you get attention?
52:00 - Being different is better than being better
53:00 - Category norms framework: How to disrupt any industry
Storytelling in Business
1:04:36 - Why storytelling is the most powerful form of business communication
1:05:22 - Stories are 20x more memorable than facts and data
1:06:35 - The Hero's Journey framework: Key ingredients of powerful stories
1:07:40 - Why conflict and tension drive great brand stories
Starting Over & Life Philosophy
56:29 - What Steve would do if he lost everything tomorrow
58:17 - Building from zero at 35: The simpler model approach
1:01:13 - What industry would Steve invest in right now?
1:02:41 - The story Steve's most proud of
Practical Business Advice
06:00 - When you're in a hole in business, there's always a way out
07:00 - Standing up to corporate bullies: Confidence and bravery matter
45:56 - Daily rituals for business success: Be a chameleon
Resources & Contact
1:08:36 - How to connect with Steve Ballantyne on LinkedIn and email
Episode Partner:Hibiscus Jet Ski Hire: https://hibiscusjetskihire.co.nz/Be in to WIN! To Enter: https://tinyurl.com/y64efe7a
Follow Steve
https://www.brandiq.co.nz/
Follow me:
www.linkedin.com/in/minaamso
Subscribe To My YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@NotesFromTheExecutivePodcast
Watch on YouTube
https://youtu.be/aho75bHK2-g
Listen on:
Apple podcast: https://shorturl.at/UkJ8v
Spotify: https://shorturl.at/YW7bX
Fran Bellingham, Founder of Virtual Marketers, is an expert in taking new ideas, products and campaigns to market. With a 25-year background across advertising, media and marketing including TradeMe in New Zealand and the UK, she breaks down the myths costing owners time and money and shows the metrics that actually move revenue.
💬 What's one marketing lesson you wish you'd known before launching your product or service? Comment and let me know.
Episode partner: AcademyEx
Sign up to The Masters of Technological Futures Today: https://academyex.com/courses/master/master-of-technological-futures
We cover:
How to market a service business without burning cash
How to launch into a new market (NZ or AU) with evidence, not guesswork
How to use digital products to attract clients and build recurring revenue
The core SaaS metrics that matter (beyond vanity numbers)
00:00 – stop wasting money on marketing
01:45 – meet fran bellingham (virtual marketers)
02:52 – marketing strategy that actually works
05:56 – hard truths about honest marketing
09:08 – what is saas (simple)
09:50 – how to validate a saas product
11:36 – enterprise vs self-serve validation
12:48 – pricing and cac basics for saas
15:29 – steps to product-market fit
18:01 – market sizing with search + ai
20:44 – onboarding, activation, retention tactics
21:24 – how much budget to test a channel
23:36 – channel testing that actually works
24:30 – nz vs australia go-to-market
26:47 – seo + ai optimisation before ads
27:44 – behaviour-based onboarding emails
29:29 – top marketing myths to avoid
32:18 – metrics that matter
39:42 – kpis that move revenue (saas, services, ecommerce) 43:15 – if you lost everything: restart plan
46:13 – awards, momentum, wellington scene
47:21 – best advice for owners (don’t take it personally)
48:50 – how to contact virtual marketers
Follow Fran
Virtual Marketers: https://www.virtualmarketers.co.nz
Follow Me
All links: https://linkin.bio/minaamso
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NotesFromTheExecutivePodcast
Apple Podcasts: https://shorturl.at/UkJ8v
Spotify: https://shorturl.at/YW7bX
Sir Ray Avery GNZM is a New Zealand philanthropist, inventor, scientist and entrepreneur. More about him further below.Sir Ray Avery shares how he went from the streets to knighthood — and the mindset that built an empire. He reveals 50 years worth of business insights around:- how he comes up with genius ideas- how he gets to be successful in business- how he gets up when he badly knocked in businessTime Stamps 00:00 – how sir ray avery went from homeless teen to knighted entrepreneur02:20 – abuse, orphanages and resilience: how he survived seven years of trauma03:20 – the tragedy that defined him: losing his best friend and finding meaning05:00 – the stranger who changed his life and set him on a new path08:15 – starting over in new zealand: how reinvention built his future15:00 – building his first lab: entrepreneurship through experimentation16:12 – meeting fred hollows: the partnership that changed global healthcare17:20 – resilience advice to business owners from 50 years of entrepreneurship.18:13 – ‘Ray, Factory gone’, the disaster that was not forseen24:00 – the start up mentor advice for those going through sh*t in business26:30 – he did this, that’s why he’s successful34:00 – ‘if you lost everything, Sir Ray how would you rebuild it?’35:30 – the tall poppy syndrome in New Zealand is so bad 36:00 – the baby incubator story, media controversy, accusations, and the truth behind the headlines39:00 – Sir Ray’s Invention: The Acuset IV Flow controller story and the media50:20 – mental and health toll on family and team: when doing good nearly destroys you56:00 – how entrepreneurs can survive public attack and failure1:06:05 – how you eventually win1:07:00 – how to find ideas that change the world1:08:00 – how do you innovate?1:09:20 – the story behind velcro, bird’s eye1:13:20 – “how do you feel about winning all these awards?”1:18:51 – What he defines success, what’s he working on right now, and where to next for Sir Ray Avery1:23:18 – the message to New Zealanders in 20251:30:28 – what Sir Ray would invest in right now1:35:00 – BONUS: how do you ask for things - like investors, partners1:40:09 – what’s the most important thing for entrepreneursFollow Sir Rayhttps://www.helpathand.org.nz/ Follow me:https://www.youtube.com/@NotesFromTheExecutivePodcast Listen on:Apple podcast: https://shorturl.at/UkJ8vSpotify: https://shorturl.at/YW7bX More About Sir Ray AveryHe's the CEO and Founder of Help at Hand, Sir Ray Avery Foundation and Medicine Mondiale, where he helped bring life saving medical technologies to third world countries.He is a founding member of the University of Auckland's Pharmacology Department in 1978 and 1985. Spent years working at Douglas Pharmaceuticals and Fred Hollows Foundation before he began inventing tech that kept people alive.Sir Ray shares insights on how to live a successful life and build resilience when sh*t happens, drawing from his own super lows, and super highs, he was:- Beaten unconscious by his mother and spent 7 years in orphanages experiencing all sorts of abuse- Lived under a railway bridge in London as a homeless teenager with just a small tent- His best friend hung himself in the orphanage toilets after Ray convinced him to report abuse to teachers - a guilt he's carried his entire lifeThen had a turning point that saw him succeed...- His inventions such as the Baby Incubators and Drip Controllers have improved healthcare across developing nations saving millions of lives, yet he's faced intense media attacks and investigationsHis accomplishments ..- He’s been awarded the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year and Sir Peter Blake Leadership Medal in 2010- Named Reader’s Digest Most Trusted Person in New Zealand and EY Social Entrepreneur of the Year in 2011 and appointed Knight Grand Companion of the - New Zealand Order of Merit (GNZM) in the 2011 New Year Honours, for services to philanthropy.
Luke Kemeys is an Accountant runs two successful podcasts - Keep the Change (financial literacy) and Next Advisory (business-focused). He's helped 100,000+ Kiwis improve their financial literacy and built a thriving accounting practice.
He has recorded over 1,300 podcast episodes reaching 50,000 Kiwis weekly, attracting clients who pay $10-23K, and generating nearly six figures from speaking opportunities, all through his podcast.
Episode Partner:
@academyex https://academyex.com/courses/master/master-of-technological-futures
-- He shares specific numbers (what to charge, client values, sponsorship frameworks)
-- Reveals the uncomfortable truths ("most people want brain rot, not value" + "you might need to reject people")
-- Business-owner perspective vs. influencer/creator perspective
-- NZ-specific context that's often missing from US-dominated podcast content
Time Stamps
0:00 - Can You Really Make Money from Podcasting?
0:35 - Why Do Most Podcasters Fail to Monetize?
4:30 - What is the Asset Mindset for Podcasting?
7:35 - How Long Does It Take to Grow a Podcast?
10:04 - How Do You Build a Podcast Community?
14:20 - How to Convert Podcast Listeners to Customers
18:40 - Can Anyone Start a Successful Podcast?
22:30 - How Do You Get Podcast Sponsors?
25:48 - What Tools Help Find Podcast Sponsors?
28:20 - How Much Should I Charge Podcast Sponsors?
30:33 - How to Negotiate with Podcast Sponsors
32:50 - Should I Charge Guests to Be on My Podcast?
34:23 - How to Make Businesses Come to You
36:43 - How Podcasting Creates Speaking Opportunities
Follow Luke
https://www.lukekemeys.com/
Follow me:
linkin.bio/minaamso
Follow Us on YouTube: (for spotify and apple only) https://www.youtube.com/@NotesFromTheExecutivePodcast
Listen on:
Apple podcast: https://shorturl.at/UkJ8v
Spotify: https://shorturl.at/YW7bX
Natalie Ferguson paid $100K at 23 to escape a controlling relationship - then used that experience to build a customer research framework that validated a billion-dollar investment platform. This is her exact process.
She has a gift of finding and solving complex problems. She helped change the financial habits of nearly 200,000 customers with her last startup, Hatch. Now, she’s focused on the gender leadership gap with Powrsuit, a career accelerator for women at every stage.
Episode Partner
AcademyEx: https://academyex.com/courses/master/master-of-technological-futures
Time Stamps
0:00 – introduction Natalie Ferguson, Entrepreneur & Power Suit Founder
2:00 – the problem New Zealanders and money mindset
4:30 – natalie’s personal story Overcoming financial control
8:00 – early entrepreneurship Starting a web design business
10:30 – family influence Entrepreneurial mindset from childhood
13:00 – the hatch journey Solving money control issues
16:00 – research & customer discovery Framework for startups
20:00 – gender wealth gap Launching Power Suit
24:00 – mindset barriers Women and money myths
28:00 – product development Testing multiple solutions
32:00 – early adopters Identifying target market for Hatch & Power Suit
36:00 – b2b vs b2c sales Lessons learned
40:00 – sales skills for entrepreneurs Overcoming fear of rejection
44:00 – newsletters Business growth & research
48:00 – podcasting Building community & brand awareness
52:00 – linkedin & events Customer acquisition strategies
56:00 – measuring impact Tracking professional development outcomes
1:00:00 – overcoming objections Budget, time, and gender issues
1:04:00 – mistakes & lessons Failing fast and bold moves
1:08:00 – bootstrapping vs funding Business growth decisions
1:12:00 – the power of co-founders Building a strong partnership
1:15:00 – final advice How to connect with Power Suit
Follow Natalie
https://powrsuit.com/
Follow me:
linkin.bio/minaamso
Watch the episode on YouTube: (for spotify and apple only) https://www.youtube.com/@NotesFromTheExecutivePodcast
Listen on:
Apple podcast: https://shorturl.at/UkJ8v
Spotify: https://shorturl.at/nRz5Z
Podcast Partner: AcademyEx https://academyex.com/courses/master/master-of-technological-futures
Mahesh Muralidhar is a New Zealand-based entrepreneur and startup ecosystem builder who gained prominence as the Head of People Operations at Canva during its explosive growth phase to now having a $42 billion valuation.
Mahesh founded Phase One, a venture firm focused on nurturing early-stage New Zealand founders, though he's currently paused that to focus on a broader mission of accelerating New Zealand's economic growth.
🎙️ In this brutally honest conversation, Mahesh reveals:
Why his own startup failed despite Tim Tam bribes to Uber's country manager
The one customer obsession that separated Canva from every other startup
Why 18 months of "not winning" is mandatory for unicorn success
The exact wealth calculation every 40+ entrepreneur needs to do TODAY
Why New Zealand's "safety first" culture is killing our economic potential
Episode Partner @academyex https://lnkd.in/gumX_FAd
👉 Follow Mina: YouTube
👉 Follow Mahesh: LinkedIn
⏱ Timestamps
00:22 - The "product love" test that predicts startup success
02:16 - Why focusing on ONE customer beats 200 every time
04:21 - How obsessing over 5 customers trains your scaling muscles
06:09 - Mahesh's startup failure story (Tim Tam hustle included)
07:01 - The fastest way to test problem vs solution focus
09:18 - Why he chose Canva over his own startup
11:23 - The one shift Kiwi founders need to think global
13:08 - Why building Canva requires "going through fire"
16:10 - How to figure out what you actually want from life
19:08 - Why saying no is harder than picking your goal
22:59 - Inside Canva's $42 billion valuation story
24:01 - What being Head of People at Canva actually means
29:46 - Master of Technology Futures course for professionals
31:04 - The 6 Kiwi unicorns by 2030 prediction
31:55 - B2B vs B2C: The 70/30 rule that determines exit value
35:15 - The unicorn formula: 18 months of no building
38:04 - Role play: Building a $100 million company blueprint
42:14 - The reverse engineering approach to business planning
45:22 - What really keeps entrepreneurs on track (not community)
49:10 - Canva's Sunday desk move that changed everything
51:22 - Why AI opportunities don't matter (do this instead)
52:02 - Making New Zealand happier: The last chapter mission
54:30 - The best advice that keeps him grounded
#NewZealandBusiness #CanvaStory #EntrepreneurshipNZ #StartupReality #WealthBuilding #KiwiFounders
🎯 Perfect for: Kiwi & Aussie professionals 40+ considering their next career move, established business owners wanting to scale globally, anyone curious about the real story behind billion-dollar companies
Elon Musk became the first trillionaire last month. Here's why that matters more than you think.In the last 5 weeks, AI companies spent more money than entire countries. Here's what that means for your job. I'm talking with Frances Valentine, Founder of AcademyEx, who tracks every major AI development. She was here 6 weeks ago.
The fact she's back this soon should terrify you. We're covering AI girlfriends, the first trillionaire, and why lawyers are panicking.
In this episode:-- We will show you the tool that saved us 20 hours last week-- Frances will explain why your CV written by AI is getting rejected-- We'll cover the one mistake that makes people think they're 'too old' for thisConnect With Frances Valentine - Futurist & Academy X Founder- Email: frances.valentine@academyex.com- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/francesvalintine/- AcademyEx: https://shorturl.at/A72na- Q3 Business Briefing https://shorturl.at/kFtfSConnect With Me- LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/minaamso/- TikTok https://shorturl.at/MJ4qcEpisode Partner AcademyEx Masters of Technological Futures: https://shorturl.at/XeYy0Timestamps00:00 - Start Here: Are You Too Old for AI?02:47 - The Money That Proves This Is RealElon Musk trillionaire status$600M AI researcher salariesWhy these numbers matter to YOUR job06:15 - What Actually Changed in 5 WeeksSpecific capabilities that landedNot hype—demonstrated toolsHow fast this is really moving11:23 - Image & Video Generation BreakthroughFrom typing prompts to voice commandsMemory across conversationsWhy graphic designers are panicking16:47 - The 100 Assets in Minutes RealityProduct photography without photographersMarketing without agenciesReal cost savings small businesses are seeing23:07 - Google's Desperate Pivot (And What It Means)AI Overview killed their own business model$1B university investment strategyWho's actually winning right now27:48 - Which AI Should You Actually Use?ChatGPT vs Claude vs Gemini vs ManusOpen Router for comparing toolsFrances' honest recommendation and why33:14 - Real Companies Replacing Real JobsNorwegian fund: 110 positions eliminatedTop 100 law firms: 35% now AI-enabledTimeline for your industry38:20 - Practical Uses You Can Try TonightHoliday planning exampleChair placement testThe cake ingredient substitution trick43:55 - Why You Shouldn't Use AI for Your CV (WARNING)Every job platform uses AI to review applicationsHow to actually stand out in 2025The people-to-people strategy that still works48:40 - AI Girlfriends: What Parents Need to KnowGrok's "Annie" and millions of usersWhy women don't fall for AI boyfriendsScreen time vs actual relationships53:10 - The Mental Health Trade-Off8 hours/day on social media in NZ teensWhen AI companions help vs harmSelf-regulation strategies57:26 - Using AI Like a Power Tool (Not a Crutch)When Frances chose NOT to use AIThe dishwasher lock problem solvedFinding the balance1:03:40 - The Number One Fear of 45+ Professionals (IMPORTANT)Obsolescence anxietyWhy specialists struggle more than generalistsWhat employers actually expect now1:07:15 - Job Security Reality CheckAge bias + AI = worse than you thinkThe automated application death spiralGet hired: networking over algorithms1:11:51 - If You're Looking for Work Right NowNever use AI for cover letters (seriously)Coffee meetings beat online applicationsHow to showcase AI skills without seeming desperate1:16:30 - Coming Back from Career Gaps7-year maternity leave average in NZ1 year away = massive catch-up neededStudy group strategy that works1:20:23 - Frances' Master Program (Why Cohorts Matter)Average age: 50 years oldWhy learning alone failsAccountability + challenging conversations1:24:00 - Your Monday Morning Action PlanDon't wait for permissionExperimentation won't break anythingWhere to email Frances for help
One year. Over 40 guests. Hundreds of hours. And a podcast that started with zero budget now ranking top 10 next to global giants like Alex Hormozi.Mina Amso is the host of Notes From the Executive, a top 10 business podcast on Apple Podcasts New Zealand. With a background in journalism and a gift for authentic conversation, she interviews kiwi founders, leaders, and changemakers about the real stories behind entrepreneurship. Her show is where business meets humanity, offering powerful insights for purpose-driven professionals ready to grow.If you're building something with purpose, this podcast is for you.In this special solo episode, I take you behind the scenes of Notes From the Executive why I started it, the lessons that nearly broke me, and the moments that reminded me I was born for this.
You’ll learn:- Why I left a career in pharmacy to pursue a dream in media- The real cost (financial, emotional, and spiritual) of building a premium show in NZ- How I landed top business guests — and what made some of them cry on air- Why rejection hurts more than you expect — and how I learned to keep going- The one decision that changed everything- What I wish I knew when I started- Why “consistency” is harder than it looks- How I made this podcast different good — not just “another show”
Timestamps00:00 - Introduction & Podcast Purpose 01:30 - Mina’s Journey: From Pharmacy to Media 03:00 - Inspiration from Oprah Winfrey 05:00 - Starting the Podcast During COVID-19 07:00 - Transition to Business & Entrepreneurship Focus 09:00 - Challenges of Podcasting: Costs & Teamwork 11:00 - Building Partnerships and Sponsorships 13:00 - The Importance of In-Person Interviews 15:00 - Achieving Top 10 Podcast Status 17:00 - Dealing with Analytics & Low Views 19:00 - Favorite Guests & Memorable Moments 21:00 - Lessons Learned: Consistency, Commitment, and Growth 23:00 - Building Community & Future Vision
If you’ve ever doubted your voice mattered…If you’ve wanted to be more visible, but feared judgment…If you’re building something of your own, with more heart than hype…Then this one’s for you.💬 Drop your questions in the comments — I want to know what you’re loving about this podcast? What's your favourite episode? 👇 Watch the full episode and don’t forget to subscribe if you believe in honest, unfiltered, high-trust conversations that matter.🔔 Subscribe here: / @notesfromtheexecutivepodcast 🎧 Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/bZEwmCLzcv0?si=rOzwNoG2Q7gm_k-R💼 Want to be on a podcast? Visit https://podcastguest.co.nz📩 For brand partnerships or guest opportunities: mina@minaamso.com#NotesFromTheExecutive #MinaAmso #PodcastingNZ #WomenInBusiness #VisibilityMatters #EntrepreneurshipNZ #ImposterSyndrome #NZPodcasts #podcastjourney
Former New Zealand Army officer Ellen Ford (PhD) reveals flexible work strategies from “Work School Hours” to lift profits and productivity, business tips on time management and self-improvement.
ABOUT THE EPISODE
Ellen Ford—ex–NZ Army officer, leadership PhD, TEDx speaker, and author of “Work School Hours” - shares a pragmatic blueprint for flexible work that raises productivity, profits, and employee wellbeing. We cover Belonging, Autonomy, Purpose leadership, outputs-over-hours, and steps any employer can apply across New Zealand, Australia, and beyond.
What you’ll learn
◽️ Flexible work that boosts profits andproductivity (not just perks)
◽️ Belonging–Autonomy–Purpose: the leadership modelthat scales
◽️ Outputs-over-hours: measure results, notpresence
◽️ Time management tactics that remove busywork
◽️ Policies and scripts that support parentswithout losing performance
◽️ Lessons from military leadership and NZ Armyimplementation
◽️ How to pilot “Work School Hours” in any team
Episode Sponsor
www.podcastguest.co.nz
Timestamps
00:00 Intro and why this episode matters for leaders andparents
00:37 What changes when work is designed for people—profitsincluded
02:42 Ellen’s mission to improve the working world
03:34 Self-efficacy, impossible missions, and changingsystems
05:35 The Afghanistan evacuation lesson: audacity andteamwork
06:12 Motherhood, business, and the origin of “Work SchoolHours”
07:08 Data from 500+ parents: three broken outcomes to fix
08:31 From PhD to practice: leadership research meets realworkplaces
09:11 Advising the NZ Army: inclusive leadership and policyimplementation
10:25 What needed to change: pregnancy, return-to-work, andphysical standards
12:24 Policy vs. practice: why implementation makes orbreaks change
17:50 From talks to a movement: book, TEDx, and publishing
22:52 Real stories: breastfeeding, field exercises, andcorporate parallels
27:21 Why “we used to do it this way” isn’t a strategy
31:02 The three principles: value life outside work, focuson outputs, enable flexibility
33:51 For SMB owners: use flexibility to win top talent youcan’t out-pay
36:09 Outputs over hours: motivate efficiency without fear
38:31 NZ productivity problem: long hours ≠ high value
40:45 Kill busywork: align tasks to outcomes people are paidfor
42:13 Market response: why companies are booking this worknow
45:01 Belonging–Autonomy–Purpose explained (and why profitsfollow)
49:24 Case study: the dairy farm that transformed teamworkand leave
52:37 Autonomy example: presenteeism vs. real productivity
54:59 Purpose that motivates: linking tasks to businessimpact
59:15 Future of work: flexible, commercial, and leader-led
1:03:22 Free eBook for listeners (code below)
1:05:03 Final takeaway: “There’s more in us than we think”
Follow me:
LinkedIn: linkin.bio/minaamso
Follow Ellen:
https://www.ellenjoanford.com/
Use code MINA100 on Ellen’s website shop page to get Ellen's Book
Follow me:
linkin.bio/minaamso
Listen on:
Apple podcast: https://shorturl.at/UkJ8v
Spotify: https://shorturl.at/YW7bX
Episode Sponsor:
www.podcastguest.co.nz
Steven Zinsli knows what startup mistakes are like. He launched his first startup business at 22, later starting Extraordinary, a fast-growing company transforming employee benefits across New Zealand and Australia. In this Episode, Steven shares:⬜ Early startup mistakes and lessons learned.⬜ How Extraordinary evolved and succeeded.⬜ Building networks and a personal brand.⬜ Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.Episode Sponsor: www.podcastguest.co.nzTimestamp00:00 –Intro02:02 – Growing up with discipline and resilience04:05 – Why founders must love winning | Entrepreneurial mindset explained06:45 – How to start a business after university in New Zealand | 08:15 – First healthcare startup at 22 | Lessons learned from early mistakes09:27 – How to validate startup ideas with customers10:06 – Pivoting a failed idea into success | Startup adaptability and investor feedback14:26 – Building a scalable business model | From healthcare to extraordinary card16:14 – How to get honest investor feedback 17:22 – Scaling to 220+ corporate clients in NZ and Australia18:38 – Pros and cons of being a solo founder20:57 – How to find early investors in New Zealand | Networking and building trust22:39 – Business networking tips | How to grow relationships with investors & advisors26:35 – Why brand building matters for startups | Personal and business branding tips28:52 – Personal brand strategy for entrepreneurs 30:16 – B2B sales strategy in New Zealand | How to land enterprise clients33:21 – How events help you close business deals | Using speakers and experiences34:58 – Startup founder challenges | How to survive discomfort and hard times36:21 – Advice for 22-year-old entrepreneurs | Why experience before a startup helps40:21 – Understanding fiscal buying cycles | Key dates for startup sales strategy42:00 – Customer obsession in startups | Why founders must stay close to customers45:17 – Best way to raise startup capital47:26 – Choosing the right investors | More than just money in capital partnerships49:24 – Why entrepreneurs must think big | Bold mindset for billion-dollar companies50:25 – Biggest mistakes in business | Cash flow, contracts, and financial oversight51:34 – Best decisions in business | Avoiding business death and choosing survival53:33 – Top 3 lessons every entrepreneur must learn | Team, numbers, contracts55:41 – Speed vs slow decisions in business | When to act fast or hold back59:01 – Best industries for entrepreneurs in New Zealand 1:00:26 – Why passion fuels startups | Personal backstory driving extraordinary card1:01:03 – Scaling from New Zealand to global markets1:01:47 – Where to connect with Steven Zinsli | LinkedIn and extraordinary websiteFollow me: LinkedIn: linkin.bio/minaamsoFollow Steven:Website:https://www.extraordinarypay.com/Listen on: Apple podcast: https://shorturl.at/UkJ8vSpotify: https://shorturl.at/YW7bXWatch latest episodes:https://shorturl.at/zpgv5Episode Sponsor: www.podcastguest.co.nz
Easy Crypto co-founder Janine Grainge started the fintech company in late 2017. Within four years, she’d scaled it to over 250k users and more than NZD $2 billion in trades, smashing big goals in record time.Janine talks about how to start a business with no money, how an entrepreneur mindset work, and how her fintech story shaped how New Zealand do cypto. This fintech startup story started as a business with no money and they have no ideas.She is recognised globally as the crypto expert, a Hi-Tech Inspiring Individual 2023, a Women in Web3 Changemaker, and a UoA 40 Under 40 Innovator.Episode Sponsorwww.podcastguest.co.nzWe cover:- Saying no to “no”.- When a bank wouldn’t open an account.- When her platform gets banned from advertising.- and when a CEO who won’t “shill” in Facebook groups… becomes the companys Australian country manager out of a ban.Timestamp00:00 – Intro02:52 – Janine Grainger childhood lessons on money and resilience04:40 – Should you drop out of high school to become an entrepreneur?07:09 – How to deal with imposter syndrome as a startup founder09:02 – Why Janine believed in Bitcoin before it was mainstream10:36 – The future of digital money and financial systems going digital12:12 – What disruption in crypto really means for New Zealand startups13:28 – How Easy Crypto grew fast with automation and lean operations14:22 – The crazy story of how Janine’s brother built Easy Crypto in 5 days16:31 – Co-founder dynamics: Building a business with your sibling17:32 – How startup co-founders grow together: equity splits, roles & relationship changes21:10 – The power of dreaming big in business (BHAG explained)23:29 – Where young entrepreneurs in New Zealand can find free startup support25:08 – How to validate your business idea and get product-market fit29:10 – How Easy Crypto got customers without paid ads or Google marketing30:45 – How Easy Crypto grew through Facebook groups without shilling (banned story that led to Australia expansion)32:39 – Customer growth journey: From 10M in 18 months to 10M daily turnover34:39 – How Easy Crypto survived competitors copying their code (startup moat story)36:27 – How Easy Crypto convinced KiwiBank after every NZ bank said no (startup banking struggle)40:58 – Easy Crypto expansion into South Africa and the Global South43:37 – Why is cryptocurrency so volatile? Truth about Bitcoin spikes44:47 – The “Wild West” days of crypto and how regulation changed everything47:51 – Why Easy Crypto sold to Swyftx: regulation, costs & consolidation50:56 – Janine’s best business decision vs biggest mistake as a founder53:49 – Finding your WHY as an entrepreneur when the industry changes56:13 – How to connect with Janine Grainger on LinkedInFollow Janine:www.easycrypto.comFollow me: linkin.bio/minaamsoListen on: Apple podcast: https://shorturl.at/UkJ8vSpotify: https://shorturl.at/YW7bXEpisode Sponsor:www.podcastguest.co.nz
Richard Conway is the founder of Pure SEO, one of New Zealand’s top digital agencies. From $200 and a dream, he built a multimillion-dollar business and is now leading his company into an era of AI-driven search and zero-click marketing.
In this episode, Richard reveals how Shopify’s ChatGPT integration lets people shop directly with AI potentially making traditional websites not needed. He shares how clients have found him through ChatGPT, and what that means for the future of e-commerce.
you’ll learn:
adapt or die: the only AI strategy that works for 2025
personal branding: the secret growth weapon for entrepreneurs
how to get noticed in a zero-click world (without paying for ads)
the #1 ai mistake every business makes (and the simple fix you need)
timestamps:
00:00 – intro
01:06 – welcome back richard conway: founder of pure seo new zealand
01:54 – how pure seo started with $200 and a bottle of vodka
02:36 – is seo dead in the era of ai search?
04:29 – seo vs geo vs aeo: what’s the difference?
05:10 – the rise of zero-click searches on google
07:26 – how to optimise for ai-generated summaries
08:44 – leveraging sources and citations for ai search rankings
10:00 – avoiding spammy seo tactics in the ai era
11:30 – why reddit and quora influence ai search results
14:34 – simple steps for businesses to improve ai search presence
16:39 – the unique edge humans have over ai
20:00 – identifying where your customers are and showing up there
21:42 – building brand mentions through community engagement
22:32 – the power of first-party data in a cookieless future
23:36 – why personal branding is crucial in the ai era
24:25 – richard’s personal branding strategy and pillars
26:24 – starting a personal brand from scratch
28:45 – business brand vs personal brand in 2025
30:00 – standing out by doing things differently
31:35 – networking through cold approaches
32:41 – how ai tools like chatgpt choose the “best companies”
35:00 – the paid listings problem in ai recommendations
36:31 – overlap between optimising for google ai and openai
37:10 – following seo thought leaders for ai search insights
38:20 – why enduring marketing principles still matter in ai search
39:05 – the evolution of search since 2009
40:22 – understanding large language model source selection
41:56 – combining pr, seo, and ai strategy for long-term wins
43:30 – how to adapt quickly to ai-driven search changes
44:55 – building authority through consistent brand mentions
46:40 – leveraging ai search insights for competitive advantage
48:05 – why google’s ai search is still the wild west
49:22 – long-term vs short-term ai search strategies
50:50 – the importance of transparency in ai search marketing
52:15 – how to make your brand appealing to ai search engines
53:30 – measuring success in the ai search era
54:48 – overcoming misinformation in ai search results
56:05 – how ai is reshaping the digital marketing landscape
57:26 – preparing your business for the next ai search shift
58:42 – final advice for businesses on ai and seo
01:00:15 – why now is the time to embrace ai in marketing
follow richard:
linkedin: linkedin.com/in/pureseo
watch on youtube:
https://youtu.be/7-7qiWeSBJo
podcast sponsor:
www.podcastguest.co.nz
#richardconway #richardconwayseo #richardconwayauthor #richardconwayentrepreneur #pureseofounder #pureseo #seoentrepreneurnz #digitalmarketingnz #howtogettothetopofgoogle #seoexpert #searchengineoptimisation #searchmarketing
Dr. Gail Pearson is an nationally respected anesthetist-turned-nutrigenomics advocate with over 30 years of experience in traditional medicine.She served as a specialist anesthesiologist in Auckland, New Zealand, where she gained a reputation for clinical excellence and leadership. Dr. Pearson held senior roles such as serving on the board of one of Auckland’s largest private hospitals and chaired one of the city’s largest groups of anesthetists. Dr. Gail Pearson shares:◽️How Nutrigenomics Helps Entrepreneurs & Busy Professionals◽️The science behind activating your genes for better health (versus supplements)◽️Collagen Activation: How To Make It, Not Take It◽️The anti-aging secrets she uses to stay sharp and energized at 66◽️Why Everyone Should Be on an NRF2 Activator (Backed by Science)Episode Sponsor:Academy Ex - https://shorturl.at/JLutFTimestamps: 00:00 - Intro01:10 - Meet the Rebel Doctor: Why Dr. Pearson Left Traditional Medicine03:50 - Rebel Doctor: Why I Left Medicine & Reversed Aging05:55 - 30 Years in Anesthesia: Dr. Pearson’s Medical Background Explained07:25 - How COVID Took the Human Touch Out of Medicine10:17 - Why Everyone Should Be on an NRF2 Activator (Backed by Science)11:34 - How Nutrigenomics Improves Sleep, Energy & Brain Fog15:38 - Gene Activation vs Supplements: What’s the Real Difference?16:05 - How Nutrition Can Change Your DNA Expression18:52 - Gene Activation vs Supplements: What’s the Real Difference?22:30 - Collagen Activation: Make It, Don’t Take It23:57 - Turmeric, Ashwagandha & NRF2: Potent Natural Combinations26:21 - The NRF2 Pathway: How to Activate Antioxidants in Every Cell Naturally29:40 - Are You Missing the Cellular Support Layer?32:32 - Why I Left Traditional Medicine to Champion Natural Healing34:11 - What Is Oxidative Stress and Why It Accelerates Aging36:37 - AD38:24 - Real Benefits: Hair Growth, Clear Skin, and Energy Boosts39:18 - How Nutrigenomics Helps Entrepreneurs & Busy Professionals42:37 - NRF2 + Activated Collagen: Game-Changer for Women Over 4044:24 - Collagen Beyond Skin: Joints, Gut & Heart Health Benefits45:50 - Regulations & Ethics Around Nutrigenomics Products47:43 - Where to Find Dr. Gail Pearson and Start Your Health JourneyFollow Gail:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dr-gail-pearson-87901320Website: NewLight.earthFollow me: https://www.instagram.com/minaamso/Listen on: Apple podcast: https://shorturl.at/UkJ8vSpotify: https://shorturl.at/YW7bXEpisode Sponsor:Academy Ex - https://shorturl.at/JLutFAfter decades in conventional medicine, Dr. Pearson became increasingly concerned by the chronic conditions she saw in patients, ailments that modern medicine was only managing with pharmaceuticals rather than curing. She observed first-hand the limitations and side effects of pharmaceutical treatments, which opened her mind to alternative approaches. Around 2019, Dr. Pearson discovered the emerging science of nutrigenomics – the study of how nutrition and natural compounds affect gene expression. Impressed by the robust scientific research behind it, she recognized nutrigenomics as a “future of medicine” that could address root causes of illness by supporting the body’s own healing processes.#Nutrigenomics #NRF2Activation #EntrepreneurHealth #BusinessWellness #CEOWellness #CellularHealth #BiohackYourLife #NaturalPerformance #GeneActivation #StressFreeSuccess #BrainFogFix #BurnoutRecovery #HealthOptimization #FunctionalWellness #ExecutiveHealth
Marisa Fong is a pioneering entrepreneur who transformed the recruitment industry in New Zealand. She co-founded Madison Recruitment and scaled it from a two-person startup into a 100-strong enterprise, all without a college degree. In this episode, she explains:◽️How being underestimated became her biggest edge◽️Sales-first strategies that built a national business◽️Why recurring revenue is non-negotiable◽️What psychological safety really looks like at work◽️The mindset shift every first-time founder needsEpisode Sponsor:Academy Ex - https://shorturl.at/JLutF Timestamp00:00 – Intro02:39 – How Marisa Fong’s Mother Shaped Her Work Ethic and Leadership04:21 – Why Marisa Fong Chose Entrepreneurship Over University08:28 – How Marisa Fong’s Husband Became a Stay-at-Home Dad and Broke Stereotypes09:44 – Starting a Business With the Right Partner: Tips for Founders14:32 – Why Purpose and Values Matter in Long-Term Business Growth17:42 – How Marisa Fong Supports Women Entrepreneurs in Aotearoa19:22 – Why Specialization Beats One-Stop Shops in Modern Recruitment24:45 – How to Pitch Your Startup to Investors in a Competitive Market25:58 – AD28:07 – Mentorship vs Coaching: What Early-Stage Founders Really Need31:06 – Marketing to Female Founders: Solving Overwhelm with Done-For-You Solutions32:53 – Timeless Marketing Principles: How to Look Big and Build Trust34:35 – Investing in Brand and Perception: Why Professionalism Matters36:46 – Physical Offices vs. Remote Work: What Works for Recruitment Today37:39 – Would You Start a Recruitment Company Again? Adapting to AI and Tech39:47 – End-to-End AI Recruitment: The Future of Hiring and Workflow Automation42:36 – Common Mistakes New Entrepreneurs Should Avoid in NZ45:15 – How to Stay Resilient Through Business Highs and Lows48:00 – The Power of Listening and Leading With Empathy50:26 – Marisa’s Personal Growth Journey as a Business Leader53:14 – Creating Opportunities for Underrepresented Founders in NZ56:02 – Business Beyond Profit: Giving Back and Creating Impact59:11 – How Founders Can Align Vision With Daily Execution1:01:04 – Business Basics: How to Understand Your Costs, Profit, and Cash Flow1:04:47 – Why Marisa Fong Chose to Exit a Thriving Business1:07:22 – Final Advice From Marisa Fong to the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs1:10:03 – Where to Follow Marisa Fong and Learn More About Her WorkFollow Marisa:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/marisafong Follow Me https://www.instagram.com/notesfromtheexecutivepodcast/Listen on: Apple podcast: https://shorturl.at/UkJ8vSpotify: https://shorturl.at/YW7bX Episode Sponsor:Academy Ex - https://shorturl.at/JLutF#femaleentrepreneur #scaleyourbusiness #salesmindset #nzculture #founderstory #noclientsproblem #psychologicalsafety #cashflowtips #recurringrevenuebusiness #buildwithoutinvestors #nichemarketingstrategies #cofounderadvice #aiinrecruitment #newzealandentrepreneurs #marisafong #businesswithoutadegree #kiwis #businessleadership #businessowner #businesstips
Scott Wilson is a New Zealand-based digital marketing strategist and expert and the founder of Digital Influence, a Christchurch-based marketing agency in New Zealand.
Episode Sponsor:
@academyex https://shorturl.at/JLutF
He explains:
◽️ How sending this item helped grab attention of high-ticket clients every time
◽️ Why most digital agencies are selling you the wrong thing, and how to spot it
◽️ What’s possibly going to be hot in marketing in 2-3 years time
◽️ What it takes to build a digital marketing company from scratch
Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro
00:30 – Why In-Person Marketing Still Works in 2025
01:25 – How to Know If Your Business Idea Will Work
03:34 – How to Find a Gap in the Digital Marketing Industry
06:50 – How Scott Got Clients by Hosting Free Seminars
07:54 – Why You Shouldn’t Wait to Be Perfect Before Starting
09:23 – Best Video Script for Personal Branding and Trust
10:26 – The Simplest Video Script That Works Every Time
12:31 – Why Spending on Ads Early Helps Your Business
13:52 – The Core Formula for Consistent Marketing Results
15:15 – Creating Your Ideal Customer Avatar (Colin & Claire)
17:43 – Turning Customer Pain Points Into Content
20:30 – Don’t Build a Fancy Website First – Do This Instead
21:42 – Shy Entrepreneurs? Join Toastmasters to Build Confidence
24:47 – Teach Only What You’ve Done to Build Authority
27:25 – How Conversations at Events Can Turn Into Clients
28:59 - AD
30:09 – Red Flags: How to Spot Bad Clients Early
32:17 – Signs a Client Isn’t Ready or a Good Fit
33:25 – How to Qualify Clients Who Want to Win
35:42 – How to Price a Strategy Session at $499
36:44 – What Happens in a High-Value Strategy Session
41:51 – Genius Direct Mail: Sending Hammers to Get Clients
44:16 – Why the Hammer Campaign Worked So Well
45:21 – Using Reciprocity to Increase Your Marketing ROI
47:39 – Why Face-to-Face Events Will Dominate in 2025
49:19 – Building a Product Ladder: Free to High-Ticket Offers
51:47 – Why the Word ‘Audit’ Doesn’t Work in Sales Offers
53:33 – What’s Inside a 45-Page Marketing Strategy Report
55:57 – Hiring Mistakes: Lessons from My First Employee
58:08 – Biggest Mistakes I Made as a Marketing Founder
1:02:03 – If I Lost Everything, Here’s How I’d Rebuild
1:04:00 – Start With This: Talk to the Market First
Follow Scott:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottwilson10x/
Follow me:
linkin.bio/minaamso
Listen on:
Apple podcast: https://shorturl.at/UkJ8v
Spotify: https://shorturl.at/YW7bX
Watch episodes:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLV02UOsnqLn4F2Ekrg_xUFvnl-tStCh14&si=C0j5h87OrmIcStUK
Episode Sponsor:
@academyex https://shorturl.at/JLutF
#entrepreneurmindset #scaleyourbusiness #marketingstrategy2025
#digitalmarketingtips #founderstory #businessgrowthhacks #clientacquisition
#startupadvice #highperformancebusiness #growyourbrand #marketingforservicebusiness #marketingfunnel #leadconversiontips #trustedmarketingadvice #buildabusiness #zeroresultsbigmistake #marketingcaseexample #noclientsproblem #digitalmarketingagencylife #salesandmarketingstrategy#valuefirstmarketing
Frances Valintine is a leader and disrupter in tech and education. She's changed learning for over 100,000 people through AcademyEX and The Mind Lab in New Zealand.She's an award winning futurist and innovator with a focus on digital technology, she helps mid-career professionals adjust to technological changes in their careers and businesses.
She's helped deliver postgraduate qualifications to over 8,000 Kiwis and trained more than 100,000 people through short courses and online programs.She explains ◽️ Why AI is bigger than the internet ◽️ Why if you're 40+ you need to gear up◽️ How to shift from analogue business model to a digital business model◽️ The #1 Mindset Shift for Learning New Skills in Your 40sEpisode Sponsor: @academyex MasterClass - https://shorturl.at/JLutFTimestamps: 00:00 – Intro01:31 – Quick Message From the Host02:05 – Representing New Zealand on Global Tech Delegations03:14 – What Legacy Really Means to a Visionary Educator04:44 – How a Shy Farm Girl Became a Global Education Disruptor06:32 – What It’s Like to See the Future Before Others Do07:03 – How to Spot Trends Before They Happen: Francis’ Research Method08:26 – Lifetime Achievement Awards Too Soon? Reflections on Success09:30 – How to Handle Rejection and Pushback as a Pioneer10:36 – Does Imposter Syndrome Hit Women in Tech Harder?12:34 – The #1 Mindset Shift for Learning New Skills in Your 40s15:00 – How Francis Avoids Distraction and Stays Focused16:42 – The Power of Grounding Relationships and Personal Cheerleaders18:34 – The Origin Story of AcademyEX & The Mind Lab20:46 – Why Education Must Adapt to the Digital World23:40 – AI Is Bigger Than the Internet: What That Means for You26:18 – Why You Need to Learn AI or Risk Becoming Obsolete29:21 – What to Do If You’re 40+ and Feeling Stuck in Your Career32:14 – How to Reinvent Yourself in Midlife: The “You’re Not Done Yet” Mindset32:55 – How to Choose the Right Type of Learning for You36:31 - AD37:24 – From Media Design School to Building Lifelong Learning Institutions41:24 – Post-Covid Learning: Rebuilding Human Connection Through Education42:11 – How Learning Communities Solve the Loneliness Crisis46:50 – Finding New Purpose and People After 40 Through Collaborative Learning46:56 – Why Midlife Is the Most Powerful Time to Learn and Grow48:29 – How Collaborative Classrooms Drive Real-World Innovation50:00 – Why Shared Learning Experiences Stick Better Than Solo Study52:30 – Frances Will Personally Teach the AI Masterclass at AcademyEX53:02 – How to Future-Proof Your Business With AI & Disruptive Tech55:00 – Digital vs Analog Business: What’s Holding You Back?57:51 – Why Most Small Businesses Are Falling Behind Digitally59:32 – Hard-Earned Entrepreneurial Lessons for Business Resilience1:00:55 – Final Thoughts and Farewell From FrancesFollow Frances:MasterClass Aug 16 - https://shorturl.at/JLutFPersonal Website: www.francesvalintine.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/francesvalintineEpisode Sponsor: @academyex MasterClass - https://shorturl.at/JLutF
Justin Flitter is an AI expert. As the founder of AI New Zealand, he’s helped thousands of entrepreneurs, marketers, and corporate teams adopt AI tools that automate workflows, increase productivity, and scale operations.
Episode Sponsor:
00:00 – Intro
01:41 – How Justin Flitter became a leading AI advocate in NZ
02:32 – Do I need to learn AI if I’m not in tech?
03:40 – What is an AI agent and how does it work in business?
05:38 – Real-life examples of AI automating tasks for NZ companies
07:36 – What data does AI need to be effective in small business?
09:53 – AI adoption in New Zealand compared to global trends
10:20 – Best AI tools for small business productivity in NZ
12:29 – Is AI worth it for startups and young entrepreneurs?
14:00 – Why using AI is essential to remain competitive in 2025
15:07 – How complete beginners can start using ChatGPT today
17:12 – Top AI tools: ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, Claude, NotebookLM
21:25 – Ethical AI: Why Anthropic Claude is considered safest
23:45 – How Google Gemini outperforms others with larger context windows
26:01 – AI voice search vs Google SEO: How discovery is changing
28:09 – How to get your NZ business found in AI search results
30:11 – Does podcasting help you rank in ChatGPT or Perplexity?
31:51 – Key SEO tips for ranking your website in AI-powered search
33:14 – Why Reddit threads boost AI discoverability
33:56 – Podcast guesting strategy for building AI search visibility
36:41 – Can AI access YouTube videos and podcast audio?
38:03 – Live demo: ChatGPT voice mode in real-world use
40:44 – How to make money online using ChatGPT in 2025
42:48 – Best AI tools for content creation in a digital agency
45:10 – Automating workflows with AI agents and custom GPTs
47:15 – How AI saves 90% of time with smart business automation
47:55 – The future of AI in New Zealand jobs and the workplace
52:26 – What jobs will AI replace or reduce in next 2–5 years?
54:42 – Why AI will improve teachers’ and nurses’ daily workflows
55:44 – Final thoughts and where to connect with Justin Flitter
Follow Justin:
https://nz.linkedin.com/in/justinflitter
Follow me:
Listen on:
Spotify: https://shorturl.at/hlbGM
Apple podcast: https://shorturl.at/UkJ8v
#aitools #entrepreneurmindset #scaleyourbusiness #chatgptforbusiness #aiworkflow #businessautomation #solopreneurtools #digitalmarketingai #makepassiveincome #lowcodeai #futureofwork #voiceai #chatgptmarketing #aiagents #buildwithai #startupgrowth #aiadoption #aiinnewzealand #ai2025 #aiforentrepreneurs
Without Hash
AI tools for business, how to use AI at work, ChatGPT for beginners, AI for entrepreneurs, AI business productivity, AI voice search strategy, New Zealand AI trends, AI integration in small business, AI agents explained, AI workflow automation, using AI for meetings, AI for content creation, AI digital workforce, AI training tools, future of AI jobs, make money with ChatGPT, AI for startups, AI marketing automation, generative AI for business, how to be found on ChatGPT, SEO for AI search, how to use AI assistants, AI podcast guest tips,
Spotify: https://shorturl.at/YW7bX
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Lisa O’Neill is a best-selling author and award-winning keynote speaker and author whose high-energy presentations have lit up conferences from New Zealand to Los Angeles. Known for turning ‘energy’ into a practical business resource, she’s a fixture on the Australian–NZ circuit and increasingly booked for international events.
00:31 Inro
02:11 Raised on Self-Belief: Childhood Lessons That Last
03:20 High Standards and Self-Mastery: Lisa’s Life Blueprint
04:59 Neurodivergence, School Hacks, and Playing the System
06:03 Why Wanting Is Power: Rediscover What You Really Want
08:23 How to Protect and Replenish Your Energy Every Day
09:30 Lisa’s Energy Code: Get It, Guard It, Give It
13:00 Burnout Recovery: Where to Start If You Feel Drained
15:30 What Season Are You In? How Life Phases Impact Focus
17:07 Time Management with ADHD: Hour-by-Hour Focus
18:31 The True Cost of Attention: Why Audience Presence Matters
19:25 How to tailor presentations to your audience’s real problems
22:35 Lisa as a Mother: Learning Through Parenting Adults
26:38 Finding Joy in Pets, Vintage Markets, and Creativity
28:51 Why Dressing Up Increases Confidence and Joy
30:54 Styling with Stripes: Body Acceptance and Bold Choices
33:30 From Fashion to Speaking: How Styling Fuels Confidence
35:50 Why Emotional Energy Drains Us (and How to Clear It)
39:46 Humor and Irreverence: Lisa’s Secret On and Off Stage
41:35 When Ego Gets in the Way: Lessons from the Stage
43:43 Blunt Mentoring: The Power of Honest Disruption
45:48 Disruption Is the Shortcut to Growth
48:15 Energy: The Book That Will Rewire Your Daily Life
50:22 Final Advice: Do One Thing Today That Boosts Your Energy
Follow Lisa:
https://www.lisaoneill.co.nz/
Follow me:
linkin.bio/minaamso
Listen on:
Apple podcast:https://shorturl.at/OxCT1
Spotify: https://shorturl.at/YW7bX
Episode Sponsor:
www.podcastguest.co.nz
#betheceoofyourlife #energymanagementforentrepreneurs #resetafterburnout
#burnoutrecoveryforbusinessowners #businesswithenergy #mindsetshiftsforhighperformer #stoppeoplepleasing #maincharacterenergy #scaleyourbusinesswithoutburnout #structureyourweekforenergy #balancebusinessandlife #entrepreneurburnouttips #emotionalenergymastery #intentionallivingforwomen #energyhacksforentrepreneurs #leadershipstrategies2025
Samantha Nichols is the Sales Director of a specialist medical equipment company called Sheffmed NZ, an exclusive first-time interview with this family-run business, going behind the scenes to find out their quiet success.Sheffmed NZ is a medical and surgical equipment company that just celebrated 25 years, a quarter of a century! Their business story has never been told on screen and it's pretty inspiring!00:00 - Intro02:04 - How Samantha Started in Accounting and Sales05:15 - Challenges of Running a Close Family Business08:30 - Why Versatility Matters in Small Business Success11:12 - How to Deliver Outstanding Customer Service in a Niche Market14:50 - Importance of Quality Products in Building Brand Trust18:27 - The Role of Marketing Strategy in Business Growth21:33 - How Education Shapes Entrepreneurial Thinking24:46 - Managing Sales and Operations as a Female Business Leader28:05 - How to Negotiate Better in Family-Owned Businesses31:20 - Dealing with Tariffs and Trade Barriers in Local Markets35:02 - Samantha’s Advice for Women Entering Family Business38:40 - Lessons Learned from Generational Business Ownership42:18 - Future Business Goals and Expanding Market Reach45:55 - How to Build Strong Business Relationships in New Zealand49:34 - Final Thoughts on Business Resilience and Vision52:20 - Thank You and Outro from Samantha NichollsEpisode Sponsor:www.podcastguest.co.nzFollow Samanthahttps://sheffmed.co.nz/Follow me: linkin.bio/minaamsoWatch:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8ieDujoPF0
Debra Chantry-Taylor is one of only three certified EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) implementers in New Zealand and part of a global network serving over 220,000 businesses in 80 countries. With more than 20 years of experience, Debra has guided leadership teams to:
• Increase annual revenue by an average of 25% within 12 months
• Reduce unproductive meeting time by 20% in the first 90 days
• Resolve complex stakeholder conflicts—such as an 11-shareholder meeting—in under two hours.
In this podcast episode, Debra breaks down the six core EOS components that create clarity, accountability, and sustainable growth.
Episode Sponsor
www.podcastguest.co.nz
Timestamps
00:00 – Intro
02:03 – Why the perfect meeting TikTok video went viral
03:01 – Achieving a perfect 10-out-of-10 meeting score every time
04:50 – Addressing the elephant in the room in multi-shareholder meetings
06:26 – Why entrepreneurs feel stuck even with a clear vision
07:11 – How to articulate and share your business vision with the team
07:55 – Turning business overwhelm into genuine time freedom
10:24 – How clarity becomes the turning point for near-collapse companies
11:39 – Global EOS adoption statistics and New Zealand implementer overview
14:30 – Essential EOS framework: six components to scale sustainably
15:56 – Defining your vision using the Vision Traction Organiser tool
17:21 – Getting the right people in the right seats with GWC criteria
19:18 – Building a weekly scorecard for data-driven performance tracking
28:14 – Using the Issues Solving Track to uncover and solve root causes
34:01 – Simplifying core processes for scalable and trainable operations
37:49 – Balancing visionary leadership with effective process management
40:23 – Avoiding family-time regrets: Deborah Chantry Taylor’s personal why
43:02 – Lessons from entrepreneurial failures: mergers and event space pivots
47:23 – How EOS implementation boosted client revenue by 23 % and profit by 53 %
49:49 – Why bringing in the right person early accelerates business growth
52:15 – Where to find Deborah Chantry Taylor’s coaching and EOS resources
Follow Debra
https://debrachanrytaylor.com
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https://linkin.bio/minaamso
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NotesFromTheExecutivePodcast
