SME & Entrepreneur Podcast

We explore Kristy Campbell's creative evolution from a 100-day design challenge to the development of Pink Pony Creative, a multi-6-figure global brand. Discover the secrets behind building brands and generating leads through the influential force of social media. Kristy shares invaluable social media strategies and tells the story of how she ended up on the world stage at Adobe MAX. Listen to Kristy's captivating journey, where you'll gain insights into the art of brand growth through TikTok and Instagram. Discover the power of authenticity and creativity in transforming ideas into successful businesses. Tune in to unlock your brand's potential with the magic of social media! www.nzsmeefestival.com

Overdose now have over 450+ staff in 7 countires, all founded here in NZ - Meet Todd Welling, Co-founder of Overdose - The Anti-Agency, Agency! Get ready to revolutionize your perspective on digital success. Join us as we delve into the mind of Todd Welling, the co-founder of Overdose, The Anti-Agency, Agency. Forget traditional approaches and embrace a disruptive mindset that produces real business outcomes. Buckle up for an exhilarating discussion on entrepreneurship, being different versus being better, and the secrets behind a people-led company. Don't miss this game-changing episode with Todd Welling, a true visionary in the world of digital innovation. Todd is also one of our headline speakers at SME&E Growth in Welington, 11/12 July 2023 jump on ur website for the details. https://www.nzsmeefestival.com/ Overdose website https://overdose.digital/about-us/

Explore the power of branding. Guest - Ciaran Jack, the Founder of Obvious Brand Partner (OBP), specialising in brand and design solutions. Brand is often misunderstood as just a logo, but Ciaran takes us on a deep dive into the true essence of branding. We learn that OBP's approach goes beyond mere visual aesthetics, as they craft brand solutions that are purposeful and grounded in business sensibility. One of the key topics we explore is brand strategy. Ciaran emphasises the importance of defining your brand's values, vision, mission, and market position. By doing so, you can create a strong foundation for your brand and establish a unique identity that resonates with your audience. We also explore how OBP helps businesses curate their brand. Ciaran sheds light on the concept of tone of voice and how it can be used to characterise a brand. Through thoughtful and intentional branding, businesses can effectively communicate their messages and connect with their target market. Tune in as we uncover valuable insights about branding and discover what your brand might look like now, and how you can shape it for the future. Join us on this captivating journey with Ciaran Jack, Founder of Obvious Brand Partner, and gain a fresh perspective on the power of branding and design. (Obvious Brand Partner, or OBP, is a company that specializes in brand and design solutions. They believe that brand is more than just a logo and offer services that help businesses define their values, vision, mission, and market position. Through their expertise in tone-of-voice and brand strategy, OBP helps businesses create purposeful and visually captivating brands.) https://obvious.agency/

Guest Simeon Burnett Co Founder VC Company Snowball Effect - Get ready to be inspired and equipped with the knowledge you need to secure funding for your small business or groundbreaking idea. Featuring interviews with successful founders, venture capitalists, and industry experts, this podcast is your go-to resource for practical advice and strategies to thrive in the world of capital raising. Take advantage of the opportunity to unlock the funding you need to take your business to new heights. Today, subscribe to the Small Business & Entrepreneur Podcast and embark on a transformative journey toward entrepreneurial success. Listen to SNowball Effect at SME&E Growth Wellington 11/12 July https://www.nzsmeefestival.com/ Snowball Effect link below: https://www.snowballeffect.co.nz/

GAME CHANGING ENTREPRENEUR - Welcome to an extraordinary episode of the SME & Entrepreneur Podcast, where we have the privilege of hosting the brilliant Brianne West, a game-changing entrepreneur and the visionary founder of Ethique. Get ready to be inspired as we delve into Brianne's remarkable journey and her mission to revolutionize the beauty industry with her regenerative brand. Brianne, who is not only a highly accomplished entrepreneur but also a headline speaker at SME&E Growth, brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our conversation. Her trailblazing achievements have gained global recognition, from being named a 'Top 100 Global Thinker' to earning prestigious accolades such as the NZ EY 'Young Entrepreneur of the Year' and the One Young World's 'Entrepreneur of the Year.' Her commitment to making a positive impact on our environment and reshaping the business landscape is awe-inspiring. In this captivating episode, Brianne shares her invaluable insights into purpose-led entrepreneurship, sustainable business practices, and creating enterprises that benefit all stakeholders. Prepare to be amazed as she takes us behind the scenes of Ethique's incredible success story and unveils her latest venture, Nous, where she supports early-stage startups with a purpose. If you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a forward-thinking business enthusiast, this episode is a must-listen. Join us as we dive deep into the mind of Brianne West, an unstoppable force shaping the future of purpose-driven enterprises. Get ready to be motivated, enlightened, and empowered. Let's jump right in! If you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a forward-thinking business enthusiast, this episode is a must-listen. Join us as we dive deep into the mind of Brianne West, an unstoppable force shaping the future of purpose-driven enterprises. Get ready to be motivated, enlightened, and empowered. Let's jump right in!

Join us on the SME&E Podcast as we dive into the incredible entrepreneurial journey of Sue De Bievre , the co-founder of Beany. In this episode, we explore the highs, lows, and everything in between that comes with building a disruptive accounting platform. Sue takes us on a rollercoaster ride of her experience, from the moment the idea sparked to the challenges of raising capital and assembling a passionate team. She shares the real, unfiltered insights into the life of a small business owner and the unwavering determination to make a difference in the lives of fellow entrepreneurs. Discover how Beany shook up the accounting industry by harnessing the power of technology to slash costs for business owners while providing exceptional service. Sue unveils the hurdles they faced, the lessons they learned, and the innovative strategies they employed to revolutionise an age-old profession. Sue candidly discusses the ups and downs of securing capital to fuel Beany's growth from humble beginnings to attracting investors. Get a firsthand glimpse into the entrepreneurial mindset, the importance of perseverance, and the transformative power of embracing change. Grab your SME&E Growth 2023 Ticket at the below link https://www.nzsmeefestival.com/ Information about Beany : https://www.beany.com/en-nz/about Information about Plug-In https://www.plugin.accountant/

Join us in this episode as we delve into the inspiring journey of James Fuller, the CEO and co-founder of HNRY, a global financial services platform. James takes us through the challenges he encountered while starting HNRY from scratch, including funding and going global. He shares his experience of becoming a CEO and managing a team of more than 100 staff. James also provides valuable insights and practical advice for entrepreneurs who are looking to develop their minimum viable product (MVP) and gather insights and data to build and scale a successful business. Whether you're a seasoned business owner or an aspiring entrepreneur, this episode offers valuable tips and insights that you don't want to miss. James is a Keynote speaker at SME&E Growth in Wellington 11/12 July; make sure you grab your limited ticket before they are all sold https://www.nzsmeefestival.com/

Join us for an inspiring episode with Miria Flavell, the Founder and CEO of the Hine Collection. Miria shares her journey of building her own business, the challenges she faced, and how she overcame them. We delve into the origin story of Hine Collection and how Miria turned her passion into a successful brand. In this episode, we also discuss funding options for startups, brand development, and advice for business owners facing adversity. Miria opens up about dealing with anxiety and stress in the fast-paced world of entrepreneurship and shares her top tips for maintaining a healthy work-life balance. If you're looking for inspiration and practical advice on how to succeed in business, this episode is for you. Tune in to learn from a true trailblazer in the industry and be empowered to take your business to the next level. https://www.hinecollection.com/ SME&E Growth 11/12 July 2023 in Wellington - details below https://www.nzsmeefestival.com/

Join us as we sat down with Dr. Izzy Bigio to discuss the challenges of making big decisions, particularly in regard to your career. We explore the idea that having options is a privilege and how it can create both opportunities and obstacles. Izzy shares her origin story of leaving behind a medical career to pursue her passion for startups and entrepreneurship. We also dive into her experience of creating Bootstrapped NZ, a startup community in New Zealand, and working for Blackbird Ventures. If you're looking for inspiration to take that leap of faith and pursue your dreams, this episode is for you.

In this episode, Stanley Henry is going to take you on a journey to help you develop your personal brand. This episode is actually a workshop that took place in November 2022 at SME&E Auckland, and let me tell you, Stanley provides some amazing value! The top reason to build a personal brand is to show people that you're an expert in your field. When you have a strong personal brand, people start associating your name and brand with what you do. This helps build trust and credibility with potential customers, employers, and others in your industry. Plus, by sharing your knowledge and experience through your personal brand, you can inspire and influence others. This can lead to new opportunities in your career or personal life. In short, having a strong personal brand can help you reach your goals and stand out from the crowd!

Join us for an inspiring episode of the NZ SME & Entrepreneur Podcast as we welcome Kenyon Clarke, co-founder of Du Val, a leading property development and investment company based in New Zealand. In this insightful conversation, Kenyon shares his entrepreneurial journey, offering valuable tips and insights on what it takes to build and grow a successful business. From finding the right partners to cultivating a winning mindset, Kenyon's experience and expertise will inspire and motivate. So tune in now and discover the secrets of business success with this dynamic and innovative entrepreneur! https://duval.co.nz/about-us/our-team/

Do you want to know how to optimise your website? Focus on your home page, it serves as the gateway to your online presence and can have a significant impact on whether or not visitors stay on your site, explore further, and eventually convert into customers. Our amazing guest Jason Tiller talks about how you can optimise your homepage!   Jason is the Partnership Manager at RocketSpark. For more than 10 years, Rocketspark have dedicated to making it easier and more affordable for businesses to have a beautiful and effective website.

Looking for expert advice to take your business to the next level? Look no further than the SME&E Panel, featuring a lineup of five industry leaders with impressive backgrounds and expertise. First up is the founder of 42 Below Vodka Justine Ross, a well-known brand that disrupted the spirits industry. Next, we have Bob Drummond the founder of Kami, an educational technology platform with over 35 million users worldwide. The panel also includes business manager Ben Panther from TikTok, a social media platform with over a billion active users. And that's not all! The lineup also includes Grant Johnson the founder of Rocketspark, a website building platform that empowers businesses to succeed online. The panel is hosted by the country manager of NZ Xero, a leading accounting software company. With this incredible lineup of speakers, you can expect to gain valuable insights and practical advice that can help you take your business to new heights. So, what are you waiting for? Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn from some of the best in the business. Tune in to the SME&E Panel and take the first step towards business success today!

Welcome to our small business and entrepreneurship podcast! In this episode, we have a special guest: Renee Lee, the co-founder of Moxx and former Global VP of Marketing at Zuru. Renee is an expert in marketing, branding, and business strategy with over 20 years of experience in the industry. In this interview, Renee shares her insights on the challenges and opportunities of starting a new business, and how she used her experience in marketing to grow Moxx into a successful brand. She talks about the importance of understanding your customers and building a strong brand identity, and how to use social media and other marketing channels to reach your target audience. Renee also shares her personal journey from working in corporate marketing to becoming an entrepreneur, and the lessons she learned along the way. Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your small business to the next level, you won't want to miss this inspiring conversation with Renee Lee!

Today we sat with Nicola O’Rourke and had a good chat about Brand/business and marketing. This is a fantastic chat  packed full of business value. Nicola O’Rourke has had a successful career in FMCG, initially in innovation, then marketing and sales, before joining general management as a divisional head – in marketing and operational roles. She has launched over 300 products into 5 markets globally and clearly understands what drives value in FMCG businesses. Nicola was most recently Chief Digital Officer at Comvita, leading their global Digital Transformation across 9 markets. Before that, she was General Manager of Lewis Road Creamery, leading the business expansion into the U.S.. She chaired the Food Basket, a group of companies entering China with NZTE. In this episode, we focus on :  Why it’s important to Double down on your strengths and don’t dwell on your weaknesses. The value of getting advice to help grow your business/idea How to create hype for a brand and then maximise the engagement Why you need to keep innovating and  have a point of difference The Story behind the Lewis Road Creamery hype How the Founder Advisory could help amplify your business Why having a point of difference for any business is worth focusing on

Graham Bloxham has been in sales and marketing all of his life; from when he was very young, he created a business to help SME market their businesses, worked in the event and sponsorship space with B&H, created an outdoor media company, was an early investor of Xero, then social cooking experience, 1 x failed startup and now driving Wellington live and developing Wellington in your pocket.  Thsi episode is packed full of insights and learning s from Graham's career !  April 3-4 2023, in Wellington, we have SME&E Growth in shed 6 Grab your ticket while you can only 200 left www.nzmseefestival.com 

In this episode, we provide insights and strategies to help plan for your next company/business or personal event. We discuss venue hire rates, free government support, Audiovisual requirements, catering, budgets, and strategies to create meaningful events that encourage engagement. If you exhibit at a tradeshow, we'll give you tips to get the ROI you need. Craig has 21 years of experience managing events, ranging from global surf events, world-level mountain bike races, music-based events, venue management, venue ownership, destination management, convention bureau management, stakeholder management and more... www.nzsmeefestival.com 

In a special episode of The SME&E Podcast, we are joined by Sam Pomare. A little over four years ago, Sam and his wife Courtney purchased 1 digger and 1 truck; fast forward four years, and they now have 50 staff, multiple trucks and excavation equipment. They have developed a thriving business called Dreadnaught Civil, specialising in high-risk excavation contracts.  In this episode, Sam is very generous with his knowledge; he shares how he built a large business,  how to recruit and retain a team, and leadership strategies to develop a purpose lead team environment. We go deep into depression and strategies to manage stress. This is an inspiring thoughtful episode!  If you are currently finding life hard and stress is overwhelming you, please feel free to reach out; we are always happy to chat. [email protected]  www.nzsmeefestival.com

FC Boats was founded in 2011 when Ross Christensen realised there was an opportunity to vastly improve smaller-sized aluminium boats in New Zealand. After using, selling and servicing trailer boats for over 20 years, he could see a real need for aluminium boat packages that were practical, good quality and cost-effective, so with an engineering background and passion for fishing, diving and boat racing Ross aspired to set a new benchmark. Ross’ journey started by understanding all the attributes needed to make the best, most practicable small aluminium boat for New Zealand fishermen with ride, stability, dryness, usable space, storage and strength. He then worked on finding the best solutions to these challenges for the ultimate all-round boat and teamed up with a reputable aluminium boat designer. Ross was very generous with his knowledge; we covered the below and many more business insights: How Fish City was first founded Advice  for all new business owners and entrepreneurs Comparing the Global Financial Crisis in 2008 to the pandemic and how very different they were for Fish City How Fish City grew to have 45 staff How FC Boats was created and why Ross focused on the 430 and entry-level boats The value of understanding your customer’s needs and solving a problem they have The advantage of having mentors NZ SME & Entrepenerur Festival is in 2 weeks; grab your ticket at the below link. https://www.nzsmeefestival.com/tickets/

One month until NZ SME & Entrepreneur festival in Auckland , have you got your ticket yet? www.nzsmeefestival.com 8-9 November Today's guest is Erna Basson an award-winning entrepreneur, world-class business coach & international keynote speaker. She is well known for starting, growing & selling companies fast and her passion is to help people become entrepreneurs so that they too, can achieve and live their dream. One of the many accolades that Erna Basson has received is being awarded Female Entrepreneur Of The Year 2017 in Los Angeles alongside Mel Gibson. Erna  has gone onto to interview some of the world's most influential entrepreneurs, like Grant Cardone, Gary Vee, Ed Mylett, Kim Kiyosaki and many more. In this episode we discuss: Why patience is the key to success Women Entrepreneur Magazine founder Why you need to jump at opportunities How she managed to interview Gary Vaynerchuck The definition of  an entrepreneur 5 steps process to get you product in sto retails How to develop a new brand and get it on the shelves of large retailers How to distribute to large quantities of product Advice for a start-up aiming to get into retail How to manage stress Advice for an entrepreneur with an idea New brand Frula Beauty link below https://www.frulabeauty.com/

In this episode, we speak with Katrina (who is not an Insurance broker) about Five insurances you need to consider for your business we focus on what these five types of insurance cover and discuss some practical scenarios. Not all businesses are the same, and each business needs to look at they need to look at their own risk profile; whether you make Lures or Lipgloss each business has its own set of risks to deal with, and these risks effect what cover you may need. Today we focus on: Public Liability Insurance Professional Indemnity Insurance  Directors and officers' liability insurance Cyber Liability insurance Key Personal Insurance  It would be best if you considered other insurances too: Asset insurance, Business Interruption, Portable Equipment, Property, and Building. Our recommendation is to discuss insurance with a professional; they will be able to recommend exactly what you require  NZ SME&E Festival Auckland is quickly approaching. Have you grabbed your ticket yet?  Jump onto our website www.nzsmeefestival.com  8/9 November Auckland

We sat down with Stanley Henry, Founder and Managing Director of Aotearoa's Premier Personal Branding Agency. - The Attention Seeker How did this all start?  In October 2019, Henry started building his Personal Brand on LinkedIn and at networking events. By the time covid had locked down NZ, Henry had people asking him to help develop their online presence. In the three years since he moved back home to NZ, Henry and his partner Claire's team has grown to 12 staff. They have also developed a purpose-built dream studio in Grey Lynn, helping Leaders, Business Owners, and Founders build their Personal Brands.  https://www.theattentionseeker.com/ During today's episode, we chat about: How to process business challenges Whom to take business advice from Why being humble is a great trait to learn in business. How Stanley and his wife started The Attention Seeker and the journey to where it is today How to manage your energy level if you are an introvert Tips to help build your personal brand Changes in the way people consume content How to build brand Why respecting your audience’s time is essential. Short-form video on why you need to start Why you should check out www.Repurpose.io Dont forget - November 8 & 9 2022 The NZ SME & Entrepreneur Festival is where you'll find inspiration, meet exceptional like-minded people and leave with actionable skills. SME&E is a business event for anyone curious about new strategies and tactics to help move forward. www.nzsmeefestival.com

Hamish has always had a deep passion for fishing, particularly casting lures - whether topwater lures for Kingfish or artificial fly for rainbow or brown trout. This passion led Hamish to start building his own topwater lures. After much prototyping, testing, successes, and failures, NaCl Lures was born to fulfil a desire to imitate the food sources of New Zealand’s sport fish. NaCl Lures is guided by a handcrafted methodology steeped in traditional timber lure construction. Check out the beautiful video below visually explaining the process https://www.nacllures.co.nz/films The theme of today's podcast: How NaCl lures were developed and what Hamish has learnt over the years in business How letting go of your regular day job or profession to go all in on your passion/side hustle has its challenges.  The value of influencer marketing  Advice for a business that is starting out The value of developing a strategic plan early. Understanding where you sit in the market  The value of talking to people and asking questions. Why focusing on the experience is an important tactic. 8 & 9 November 2022, the NZ SME & Entrepreneur Festival is at the Vodafone Events Centre, if you need support in digital marketing, brand building, business law, and strategy, NZ SME&E Festival is worth a look.. Click here to learn more

This is a story of how an iconic Kiwi businessman, developed a global company, from Dunedin!  Sir Ian Taylor is the founder of animation Research Limited, which is one of Australasia’s leading Computer Graphics production houses, turning digital data into pictures. They've won numerous awards for  3D animation and special effects work, and their sports division Virtual Eye specializes in real time sports graphics on television, the web and mobile devices. ARL also develops 3D educational, industrial and urban-planning applications. 2021 was a big year for ARL and in particular, their sister company Virtual Eye who covered: *80+ Golf Tournaments *2800+ Major League Base Ball Games *25+ Days of Test Cricket *1 Massive America's Cup *1 Ocean Race  Ian founded Animation Research Ltd (ARL) in 1990 on nothing more than a handshake with the Vice Chancellor of the University of Otago. They bought their first hard drive to make their first TV commercial in 1991. It cost $15,000 and had 1 GB of memory. The computer they used for the America’s Cup in 1992 was the size of a small fridge and cost $500,000. Everything they did on that computer they can now do on a mobile phone. Ian holds an LLB from the University of Otago and was inducted into the New Zealand Hi-Tech Hall of Fame in 2009. In 2010, he was named North & South magazine’s New Zealander of the Year. In the same year, he was awarded an Honorary Fellowship of the New Zealand Computer Society, the top honour of the ICT sector in New Zealand. He was named a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2012 New Year Honours, for services to television and business, and won the Creative sector of the World Class New Zealander Awards. In 2013, he was named Outstanding Maori Business Leader of the Year. Ian was awarded 2019 New Zealand Innovator of the Year. In 2021, Ian was made a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the New Years honours, recognised for his services to broadcasting, business and the community. It may come as a surprise that Ian claims to have no skills whatsoever, is at a loss to understand why anyone would want to hear his story and believes he has received the accolades he has because he lives at the bottom of the world, where no one has been able to check him out.

Ben Lenart is the co-founder of Almighty a Conscious, clean, delicious drink made by nature for those with a thirst for life. Drinks for people who want healthy alternatives, care about the environment and want to contribute positively to the next generation.  We spent some time with Ben asking how Almighty was conceived, the challenges they have faced and what is it like going into a market where you are up against some of the most iconic brands on the planet!  Learn more about Almighty by clicking on the link below and.. the next time you're in a shop and you are considering drinks, grab one of the new Almighty Actives, they are good!  https://www.drinkalmighty.com/

Are you about to purchase a business? Quickly listen to this podcast; Katrina Hulsebosch, Director at Harris Tate Lawyers, has curated five key points to consider before signing a contract. Point 1 People - it is essential to consider the people who make the business operate/grow. You must understand if the key staff will stick around when purchasing the company. Can the team operate without the owner?  Point 2 Clients/Customers - Do some research, check council long-term plans, see if any significant customers/contracts are about to finish, and understand who your customers are and whether there are any red flags. Point 3 Financials – Get a professional to look at financials. Dig deep, check weekly labour hours, and check if it stacks up. Go back to 5 years if possible.  Point 4 Contracts – Look at what has been committed. For example, if the location is key to the success of the business, make sure you can lease the building for many years to come; what infrastructure has been written into the contract, for example, EFTPOS machine, tools, vehicles, software, subscriptions, photocopier, and kitchen equipment.  Point 5 Legal Structure for purchase - Our advice here is to consult a professional! 

Today we are lucky to chat with Phil Clemas the Co-Founder of Lumo Digital, one of the SME&E Festivals' awesome partners. We chat about how electronic billboards can positively impact a business. What key messages you need on a billboard to ensure you get an ROI. How billboards can grow brands. Once you listen to this podcast, you'll have a in-depth understanding of how a billboard can benefit you! We then move into how Lumo was developed, the challenges they faced, and advice for a person with a business idea and not yet started. Why having realistic expectations with your finances from day 1 is important. Thank you Phil for your time, it was really fun!!! Special thanks to DHL who helped deliver this podcat to you! www.nzsmeefestival.com

In today's episode, we discuss: · What does ACC cover in NZ · What does an employer need to cover before ACC kicks in · What records does an employer needs to keep when accidents happen in the workplace · What happens if an accident happens on your site/workplace where a member of the general public ignores signs · What is a PCBU, and who are the PCBU’s · What should we do to keep contractors safe · I have doubts about where my employee is injured; what can I do? · Team member is off on ACC, and I can no longer manage the workload; what can I do? · I don’t have any health & safety documentation; what should I do? · My employee is on ACC, and I need to replace them; what can I do? What is ACC, and How it's calculated How much your business pays depends on: Your business description — this is assigned an ACC classification unit How much do you pay your employees? Your claims history — the number of work-related injury claims your business has made. You can work out how much your levy is likely to be using ACC's levy calculators. For more information, click below:  https://www.business.govt.nz/tax-and-accounting/basic-tax-types/acc-levies/

Mons Royale had aspirations to be a global brand in year one. In this conversation with Hamish Acland, Founder & CEO of Mons Royale, we talk about how he created Mons and grew to be a global brand, with offices all over the world. This podcast will hit the right spot if you have any aspirations to grow or start a business!  How to create a global clothing brand. The origin story of Mons Royale – Founder Hamish How Mons started in 2009, from the idea through to going global How to develop an idea into a physical brand How to go global in year 1 The brand story behind Mons Who to hire to compliment your brand/business Advice for an entrepreneur who has an idea but has not yet taken the leap into reality The value of seeking professional advice to help your business progress If you are considering attending NZ SME & Entrepreneur festival jump on the below link, it's in Auckland on 8 & 9 November 2022 www.nzsmeefestival.com 

Craig quickly chats about the Auckland SME&E Festival, ticket options, ticket inclusions, workshop content & how the Vodafone Events Centre venue will be configured. Plus the on demand element of SME&E. Www.nzsmeefestival.com or Google nz sme festival

Have you ever thought about starting your own business? SME&E have teamed up with Startup NZ to kick start your business or ideate your idea with a FREE 12month programme with any virtual, standard and entry-level tickets for the 2022 NZ SME&E Festival in Auckland 8-9 November. Click here for more details  In this episode, we chat with Richard Liew, StartupNZ programme manager. We focus our chat on the benefits of the programme, including: What is Startup NZ How long does the course take to complete? What do you get out of the course? Business Mindset Lean Startup methodology A tool to help you develop business confidence

If you need advice from a business owner who started in his kitchen filling up bags of Rub to mass producing and being ranged in over 300 stores nationwide, then this podcast is for you!  Matt and his wife are the founders of Rum and Que; Rum and Que sprung to life at New Zealand's first barbeque competition - Meatstock 2016. A bunch of mates that loved food, flavour and the chance to try their hand at something new. Armed with homemade rubs and sauces, they immersed themselves in a scene like no other. Today, Rum and Que has evolved into a family-run business. Staying true to our beginnings, we've hung on to our flavours and continued to create and perfect a range of products we are proud to have on shelves and in the hands of competition teams and fellow food lovers to enjoy as much as we do. https://www.rumandque.com/ NZ SME&E Festival is in the Vodafone Events Centre in Auckland on 8 & 9 November 2022 jump onto www.nzsmeefestival.com to grab your ticket. have an epic day!!!! 

Have you ever wondered what funding is available for your business? James Bennie is the Business Growth Manager at WellingtonNZ. In this episode, we chat about: What is a Business Growth Manager? How an Economic Development agency can help your SME SME funding options to tap into Slack Tide clothing label that James developed and sold Surfcasting tips Advisory boards and why they are important Why building relationships is key to business growth.  Former Owner of HospoTrain for 10 years SME&E Festival Auckland tickets will go live next week. www.nzsmeefestival.com   

Ash Razmi, is a true entrepreneur!  This story is about Bootleg Jerky Co, an award-winning Beef Jerky that started in a garage and scaled to a big warehouse that processes 15,000 packets of jerky a week. Ash started making Biltong for his mates, which motivated him to ditch his day job and convert his 6m x 2.4m garage into an MPI-approved meat processing plant. We cover off alot in our 45minutes, have a listen, this is a good one!  Challenges of an entrepreneur’s business journey - Guest Ash Razmi Founder Bootleg Jerky · The honest story behind the Bootleg Jerky brand, from the humble 6 x 2.4m garage to now · How the Bootleg Brand was developed. · Why creating a brand guideline and staying true to the guideline is important. · The value of investing in a consultant to help develop your business · Challenges Bootleg faces with the ever-increasing living costs · How to balance margins, and look for opportunities with the assets you have Jump online and grab some Bootleg Jerky, and… whack in SME&E Ash, is such a rad dude, he has given anyone from our SME&E community a 15% discount off Bootleg Jerky. Click here to shop and use SME&E as the discount code www.nzsmeefestival.com  Don't forget about the NZ SME&E Festival Auckland 8 & 9 November 2022 at the Vodafone Events Centre, click here for details 

 7 Headline presenters | 26 workshops | 1 expert business panel | 1 networking party | 2 Days |700 attendees  SME&E Festival Auckland 8 & 9 November 2022 at the Vodafone Events Centre. Virtual options too  At the NZ SME & Entrepreneur Festival Powered by Xero, you will learn how to develop your brand story, create and manage digital marketing campaigns, refine your sales process, develop your business values, and understand why having a thriving, inclusive work culture is a good strategy. Learn how to attract the right talent, create a business and marketing plan, understand social media marketing, work on your business and think more strategically, and develop lead generation and sales processes. Learn how to increase your website's traffic and build a beautiful website to improve your organic traffic. More information here. Tickets going live in July www.nzsmeefestival.com 

Today's episode is all about managing cash, knowing what you should be charging for your time and your team's time, what expenses you can claim on the business and how to decipher depreciation...  Profit vs Cash – the most common mistake businesses make Difference between a tax deduction and expenses How to manage Drawings from your business? What is depreciation? Lease or purchase equipment for your business; what is the best? How to charge your worth - Tips to help you set the rate you deserve. How to Add Margin to your quotes to ensure your business can grow How to claim back you sign written vehicle expenses How to keep on top of projects (Xero Projects & workflow max) Why you need to plan out your cash cycle for the year, aka cash flow forecast If you have any questions for Miriam, contact her at https://futureproofconcepts.nz/ Check out our SME&E festival als at  https://www.nzsmeefestival.com/

Today's episode is a journey with Jonty Hodge, co-founder of Aro Digital and Kepla.  Armed with his extensive knowledge of all things Google Ads and Analytics, Jonty co-founded Aro Digital with the drive to create meaningful impacts on the businesses we work with. He's also a co-founder of Kepla, a platform that helps empower anyone to run effective digital ads. The Aro Digial business model’ The most significant change in digital in the last five years  The impact security updates have had to track the effectiveness of a campaign  Why the customer experience is the most effective form of marketing   What mistakes does Jonty consistently see SMEs making in the digital space  Why you should do some research outside of the platform, you are optimising to get a less biased view  How Kepla could revolutionise the way SMEs track and optimes their ad spend on Facebook, Google, Insta and Tik Tok How much money a big company spends per day on digital. What digital platform Jonty would spend a $100,000 budget on if he had the choice Advice for someone who has a business idea and not yet stated The biggest challenge Aro had to manage and what they learnt from that https://aro.digital/team/jonty-hodge Details about Kepla below:  https://kepla.io/ SME&E Festival link below www.nzsmeefestival.com

In this episode, we focus on organisational/business restructures, the process an employer needs to follow and the rights of an employee.  Sophie leads the employment practice at Cavell Leitch. Sophie’s clients range from large multi-national corporate employers to small business owners, employees, and HR professionals. Sophie also takes instructions from insurers to act for insureds in employment disputes. Restructuring best practice – i.e. the process to follow Employee and employer rights during a restructure In the selection process, if you are reducing the number of FTE. Length of time a restructure should take. How to manage and restructure feedback Why having clear selection criteria is essential for a restructure The guideline to disestablish a role What to do if you feel you have been unfairly treated during an organisation restructure Why creating a position description is essential. Articles about employment law: https://www.cavell.co.nz/news-opinions Contact Sophie if you have any questions - [email protected]  www.nzsmeefestival.com

Leader, motivational speaker, author, businessman, entrepreneur, professional Speaker, scholar, columnist, professional director, educator, husband, father and Board Chair are words used to describe our guest Ngahihi o te ra Bidois. Ngahihi o te ra Bidois is New Zealand Maori and “The Face of New Zealand”. He is a Professional motivational Speaker who has presented award winning keynotes to organisations around the world and a Professional Director who Chairs multi-million dollar organisations. Ngahihi o te ra is also an educational leader who has held various leadership positions in the education and health sectors. A multi-award winning motivational speaker Ngahihi is a recipient of the National Professional Speakers Association New Zealand Speaker of the Year and Inspirational Speaker of the Year Awards and others. In this episode we discuss: Ancient wisdom modern solutions – what is that? Leadership from a Maori perspective What is the most important thing in the world? Ngahi’s definition of a leader Why you should make the most of Leadership opportunities Why humility is the most important ingredient to becoming a successful leader! Advice for a person new to a leadership role Why6 leaders need to keep improving Advice for someone with a fear of public speaking https://thefaceofnewzealand.com/ Contact Ngai here [email protected]

This episode is focused on why you should be tracking the performance of your ad spend to optimise results. We don't want you to give your hard-earned money away without getting something back. So this episode with David from Dimple Digital breaks down why it's so important to know what's performing well and what's not.  We chat about: How to track your ad spend using google analytics Where to spend your marketing budget using analytics to optimise your results How to understand conversion rates What does Google Analytics track? What is a Facebook pixel? Why do you need to link your website, google and social media accounts? Definition of a “conversion.” What is Google tag manager? Having a sales process is essential to close a lead you’ve worked hard to get. Need some support to get your ad spend in check? Contact David [email protected]

This episode is loaded with amazing business insights, that will add value to new business owners, side hustlers, business who need support and generally people who are interested in how amazing NZ businesses start and grow to annually earn over 200 million.   Cecilia details the emotional challenges she faced during her time building My Food Bag and many more anecdotal stories of Au Pair, and the new journey that Cecilia and her husband James are on. Tend is a full-service primary healthcare provider, offering GP services online and in the clinic. They have re-imagined healthcare as you know it, using a mobile app to deliver healthcare without the hassle.  As founder and creator of one of New Zealand’s most successful ever start-ups My Food Bag – Cecilia is one of NZ’s leading entrepreneurs. A serial entrepreneur and innovator, Cecilia is now the founder and Co-CEO of Tend Health. Cecilia has won more awards than you can shake a stick at (Supreme Winner 2017 Women of Influence Awards, Next Magazine Businesswoman of the Year 2014, EY Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2013, HER Businesswoman of the Year 2012 to name a few). Following 6 years as Co-CEO of the food delivery service, Cecilia is now a board member and founding trustee of the Prince’s Trust New Zealand as well as Tend Health and Pie Funds. Devoted mum to 9 year old Thomas, 5 year old Leila and baby Charlie, Cecilia is passionate about helping women in business and solving the everyday problems of working mums and dads. How Au Pair Link, My Food Bag and Tend Health were developed and become so successful The best form of marketing for My Food Bag The journey to change the quality of health care in NZ and make kiwi’s the healthiest people on the planet Cecilia's most challenging era in her business career Why hiring people who believe in your vision is essential Who you should hire first when you are starting to grow your business The insights and data you need to consider when taking your business idea into reality When to act and not react to business challenges Cecilia’s definition of success Cecilia’s definition of an entrepreneur

In today's episode, we have the CEO, and Co-founder of Rocketspark, Grant Johnson - Rocketspark was founded by brothers Jeremy and Grant Johnson, along with good mates Richard King and Lee Reichardt, who all graduated from the University of Waikato at different times, and with a range of backgrounds in management, web design and eCommerce.  The four had been working together as designers and developers building websites. Through their own experiences, they saw an opportunity to create a platform that enabled websites to be built more easily and cost-effectively by the customer, putting business owners in control of their online presence. During our chat with Grant we covered the below:  💻 What is the easiest way to get more traffic to your website. 💻 What to focus on to get your website performing better 💻 How well written and strategic blog posts can generate traffic for many years 💻 What Search engine optimisation is and why its important 💻 Why designing your website with a “mobile-first” philosophy is a winning tactic. 💻 Advice for a person with a business idea and not yet built up the courage to back yourself 💻 Why investing in a good website will help your business grow!

In late 2021 we spoke with Tim Jones - The Grow Good Guy, and our chat was focused on B-Corp, what it is, how to apply and the benefits. This one focuses on what B corp is and why you may want to consider being certified for those who missed the full episode. 

In this episode, we speak with Sophie Logie from CavellLeith about employment issues that don't get much air time but are super important for anyone who employs staff. People make mistakes, but when an error or problem becomes a trend, we need to know how to fairly and justly manage these issues at work. It could be as simple as an employee turning up to work late every day, making a repeated mistake, or taking things from you without your consent. How do you manage this situation?  We also discuss what an employee can do if they have been unfairly dismissed or unjustly treated and the process they can follow.  In this episode, we discuss: The employment agreement says I can terminate without notice for serious misconduct; does that mean I can fire an employee? How is serious misconduct defined? What is the process of managing an employee who has acted in a way that you feel meets serious misconduct? Where can I source information to ensure that my managing process aligns with employment law? I don’t have enough evidence (CCTV, caught in the act) to discipline an employee; what can I do? What do I need to do to issue a warning to an employee? What gives an employee ground to raise a personal grievance regarding dismissal? Have an issue and would like legal advice? Email [email protected]  Free advice from MBIE  https://www.employment.govt.nz/about/contact-us/#scrollto-common-employment-issues

Special guest Ian Cartwright, in today’s episode, we chat to him about his brand-new book 6 Fundamentals of sales know-how, which is THE HOW TO SALES HANDBOOK FOR NEW B2B SALES PROFESSIONALS AND SME OWNERS. We cover the six sales fundamentals in this podcast. This podcast is a goodie if you need help with your sales or your team needs support! How to identify the problem you are solving for your clients/customers. Who the book is for, target B2B sales professionals. How to write a book How to understand yourself from a sales perspective Understanding who your customers are, where they are, and why you should focus on them. Where should you sell? First, with your existing customer base by loving the customers you have. how to identify white space, i.e., if you have six products and a customer is only purchasing 2, try to understand how to sell more to them Methodology of sales – i.e. knowing how to sell. Proactive account management to generate sales 80/20understand who your “gold” customer are and love them! How to connect authentically with your customer. Why adding value is a great tactic to engage more authentically. Follow up process – what not to do. You can get the book at the below link https://www.iancartwright.co.nz/the-6-fundamentals-of-sales-know-how

In today's episode, we focus on Google Business Profile, with special guest David Remmerswaal Founder of Dimple Digital. We cover:   How to set up a google business profile I have a google profile that I don’t have admin access to, how can I change this to me? How to ask people to review your business Why a review is important How to get to the top 3 results in the google business profile How to use review automation software and make it easy for your clients to review (for example  rapid reviews) Why business feedback can help your business grow If you need help creating an automated review process, email David [email protected]

CK started Taggun in 2017 as a side gig to automate receipt scanning for other tech companies. In 2020, I quit my job as a software engineer and went full time into the business. I am very thankful to be able to create a bootstrapped lifestyle business that’s profitable. Soon after, a series of events made CK realise that it’s hard for a bootstrapped company to compete for and retain top talents. My ultimate goal is to work with a great team, creating great products. So in 2021, he started a new venture - TagTeam - to offer “no-training/no-fuss” AI integrations for other tech companies. In today's episode, we discuss:  What is AI How AI can help SME How we already integrate AI into our everyday workflow without really knowing it Challenges of a tech startup Why having an accountability partner can help keep you on task. How to manage challenging situations as a startup Why you should consider not going all in until you have tested your idea and have confidence backed by data, insights and time Creating a process that can be repeated by someone else is very important for a business to grow. CK started Taggun in 2017 as a side gig to automate receipt scanning for other tech companies. In 2020, I quit my job as a software engineer and went full time into the business. I am very thankful to be able to create a bootstrapped lifestyle business that’s profitable. Soon after, a series of events made me realise that it’s hard for a bootstrapped company to compete for and retain top talents. My ultimate goal is to work with a great team, creating great products. So in 2021, I started a new venture - TagTeam - to offer “no-training/no-fuss” AI integrations for other tech companies. The idea for TagTeam is a high-growth, venture-backed company that gives us the resources to build high-quality AI solutions faster and form a super team of talents to stick together and do this tough thing of growing a start-up. Ck's social and web links: CK's LinkedIn NZ Tech Week Event Website Facebook LinkedIn

In this episode we have Flavio Hangarter a sales expert answering three questions about developing a sales process and how to convert more leads:  How to create your own sales and marketing process · How to create a process to convert a lead into a piece of business. · What a warm lead, cold lead, hot lead| · How to Start off with the end in mind when writing your sales process · Why speed is an important factor to convert a lead into sales How to make your sales offer stand out from all of the “noise” · How to build the perfect proposition · How to build a clear customer story · Be transparent · Create templates How to build digital  trust in sales · Build credibility · The digital experience/interaction with your brand and offer · Do you deliver on what you offer? · Be reliable Here is the link to a download for the whitepaper Flavio mentioned.  https://selfstarters.kartra.com/page/value-clarity-guide Flavio’s personal page is www.flaviohangarter.com link for your personal on the trusted advisor points: https://trustedadvisor.com/public/files/pdf/2010_TA_Whitepaper_Think_Again_Special.pdf

If you have a business idea but no idea how to start, this episode will help develop the framework needed. If you have an established business but need to develop business processes, this episode will help. Chris Whelan is the Founder of the Centre of Business Excellence, founded on the belief that we all need to succeed to win. Whereas win/loses means a zero-sum, they believe in win/win and work with business owners to achieve that 100% of the time. https://centreofbusinessexcellence.com/ Chris's email  - [email protected]  Thank you, DHL, who helped deliver this podcast to you! NZ SME & Entrepreneur Festival is from 8-9 November 2022 in Auckland... www.nzsmeefestival.com It would be so cool if you followed our team on LinkedIn -  LinkedIn clicks here. PS: keep being awesome!

Learn how to create/start your own podcast for FREE! If you have considered creating a podcast and wondered how to do it, this podcast will help...  To start, all you need is a phone, wifi or a network connection earbuds and a topic to chat about. Register on Anchor for free, and publish your first show. We use https://anchor.fm/ In this episode, we discuss: Free platforms/downloads to help edit a podcast Free platforms to distribute your podcast to Spotify, Apple, Google, Audible etc.  How to boost your podcast to grow your audience How a podcast can generate sales What not to do in a podcast How to prepare for a podcast Podcast equipment Some geeky things podcast hosts do to get great sound. Cheap way to set up your podcast Don't wait; start; you'll make mistakes, but that's ok!  If you want to skip to the actual podcast content and not worry about my intro (I don't blame you), jump to about 5mins in...  Thank you, DHL, who helped deliver this podcast to you! NZ SME & Entrepreneur Festival is from 8-9 November 2022 in Auckland... www.nzsmeefestival.com It would be so cool if you followed our team on LinkedIn -  LinkedIn clicks here. PS: keep being awesome!