#61. I could have Died , now I've built a brand and impact people's lives - Debra Brockelsby - Deb

Join us as we chat with Deb Brockelsby, founder of StokedNZ, about her incredible journey from a life-changing bike accident to building a thriving business. Her love for adventure and sports, including racing cars and mountain biking, has always been a significant part of her life. However, it was her accident that shifted her perspective on what truly matters.  Tune in to hear how she turned adversity into opportunity and built a brand that resonates with customers on a deeper level. About our guest: Debra Brockelsby, often called Debs, grew up on a farm in Waikato, New Zealand, with her close-knit family, including her parents, two sisters, and extended relatives nearby. With a natural passion for sports and numbers, she pursued a Sport and Leisure degree at the University of Waikato, graduating in 2013. After completing her studies, Debs followed her adventurous spirit to Canada, where she spent time snowboarding and enjoying outdoor activities. In 2015, while riding bikes with friends, Debs had a serious accident that resulted in a traumatic brain injury (TBI), significantly impacting her life. Her recovery took over a year, during which she worked with a team of specialists, including occupational therapists, neurologists, and neurological physiotherapists. This experience led her to reevaluate her priorities, and she decided to pursue a career that truly ignited her inner passion. At the end of 2017, Debs left her role at Cycling NZ and launched STOKEDNZ, a business driven by her newfound purpose and zest for life. She is deeply committed to personal growth, frequently learning from mentors, reading, and listening to podcasts to continuously improve as a business owner. STOKEDNZ, soon celebrating its second anniversary, reflects Debs' belief in living a life fueled by passion and purpose. Follow Our Guest: Website: https://stokednz.co.nz/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stokednz/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StokedNewZealand/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debra-brockelsby-93394b119/?originalSubdomain=nz Follow Us On: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestevehodgson/ https://www.instagram.com/sharewithsteve/ Episode Highlights: 00:00 - Episode Trailer 02:16 - Deb's Early Life 05:35 - Racing Cars: A Family Affair 07:57 - Lessons from High-Performance Athletes 09:14 - The Bike Accident 13:55 - The Struggles of a Brain Injury 17:18 - Realized Personality Shift, But Felt Stuck 20:23 - Birth of StokedNZ After Major Life Shift 24:11 - Challenges in Building a Brand 27:02 - Turning Lemons into Lemonade 29:11 - Controlling the Controllable 31:03 - Creating Memorable Customer Experiences 35:24 - Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs 40:30 - The Importance of Heart in Business 46:29 - Balancing Life and Business 54:31 - Deb’s Definition of Success 55:36 - Deb’s Greatest Teacher 56:41 - You Are Enough