Across The Table With David Melse

For episode 231, we sat down at Bessie Steakhouse with Brad Fraser, Co-Founder of Agentic Intelligence to catch up over some incredible food and dive into the future of tech. Brad shares exactly how his company managed to scale rapidly from just 4 staff 18 months ago, to 44 staff today. He walks us through his unorthodox fifteen minute hiring playbook that ditches resumes for pure trust, explains...

For episode 230, we sat down with Dr Tom Cawood, a remarkable Christchurch based serial entrepreneur and medical specialist who is leveraging e commerce growth to fund a massive environmental rescue mission. In this episode, Dr. Tom reveals the fascinating journey behind his latest venture, a science based nail strengthening product born out of his own frustration as a classical guitarist needing...

For episode 229, we sat down with Curtis Fairweather, founder of Primal Pantry, to map out an absolute masterclass in online business scaling and relentless execution. We chart the incredible journey Curtis took from a single bone broth stall at local markets in late 2024 to a massive direct to consumer brand serving over 100,000 customers by Q2 2026. He shares the raw reality of walking away from...

For episode 228, David and Buddy go to the pub!

For episode 227, we sit down with Lucas Yeung, the co-founder of Invicta Financial, for a deep dive into his journey from being "young, dumb, and broke" to leading one of New Zealand’s fastest-growing financial services firms. Recorded on-site at their Christchurch office, this conversation marks Lucas’s first appearance on the podcast and explores the story of his career. Lucas recounts the humbl...

For episode 226, we met up with Paul Szybiak to check out 3 different building sites across Christchurch, documenting each stage of the building process for a ROSEFERN home. We see a freshly demolished site, to a construction site, to a newly completed townhouse. At each new location we get to hear about the challenges and wins of developing during the Christchurch development boom, and what the f...

For episode 225, we sat down with Simon Rolland for an exclusive interview about the new secret brand he has been building, ZURIX.CO.NZ . In his most personal conversation yet, Simon explains how this business aligns with a childhood dream of his, how his own son inspired the company name, and how mountaineering in his 20s shaped the new logo. After starting, scaling, and selling multiple business...

For episode 224, we met up with Tim Aldridge in Marlborough to tour PURO, the biggest cannabis farm in New Zealand. With over 60,000 plants, it’s something you have to see (and smell) to believe! In this mini episode of the podcast we hear the story of how Tim, Sank and Tom founded PURO, how it broke the NZ crowdfunding record on PledgeMe, how difficult it’s been to get started, and how fast the o...

For episode 223, we met up with Lucas Devotion at the newly completed ‘Fillin Holes’ mini golf course. 11 months ago, Lucas was on the podcast explaining his plan to turn an abandoned Christchurch city lot into a construction themed mini golf course. Now, less than 1 year later, the vision has come to life! David and Lucas hit it off with an all new format. 18 questions over 18 holes. The question...

For episode 222, David and Buddy sat down for the first new podcast episode of the year, announcing the end of the previous podcast format, and announcing an all new style for 2026. Rather than continuing the studio format, we are spicing things up and taking the podcast on the road, with a new style that combines free form documentary and educational content. David lays out his goals for the new...

For episode 221, we sat down with Curtis Fairweather to dissect the exponential growth of his Tallow Skincare business, which launched only ten months ago and has scaled at a record-breaking pace. Curtis shares the core strategy that fueled this fire: keeping his processes aggressively streamlined, launching with only four key products for the first seven months, and leaning heavily into paid ads...

For episode 220, we sat down with Diego Ramirez, an expert known for mastery in AI business automation. Diego shares an unprecedented and urgent message: his current technical skillset is on the verge of obsolescence. He explains that with platforms like OpenAI and other tools advancing so rapidly, the need for human input on the how to automate will soon vanish. This conversation is a crucial wak...

For episode 219, we sat down with James Wallace for an extraordinary and raw account of the business crisis that rocked his company over the last nine months. James offers a crash course in the true cost of scaling, revealing how his management philosophy—a desire to "see the best in people" and an inability to control structural mistakes—led to a catastrophic breakdown. He details how the company...

For episode 218, we sat down with Hayley Sharp, a certified breathwork facilitator, coach, and former corporate HR professional. Hayley shares her compelling journey from a 15-year corporate career—where she experienced multiple rounds of burnout—to taking a huge leap into self-employment to help others find a new way of living and being. In this episode, we talk about: The Science of Burnout: Hay...

For episode 217, we sat down with Tim Bateman. From a highly respected professional rugby player who commanded the midfield to the founder of a rapidly-scaling wellness brand, Tim’s journey is a powerful study in discipline, peak performance, and translating the hard-won lessons of elite sport into groundbreaking business success. In this episode we talk about the mental fortitude required to tran...

For Episode 216, we sat down with Ellie Compton, a successful artist who merged her architectural background with her creative passion to build a highly structured, profitable enterprise.     Ellie's professional journey demonstrates the power of converting a side project into a full-time career through calculated strategy and business acumen. In this episode, we talk about the development of her...

For episode 215 we sat down with Troy and Nic from Lead Head. What started as a few mates with an idea has grown into one of New Zealand’s most recognisable lifestyle brands, built on creativity, community and a good dose of chaos. In this episode we talk about the story behind LeadHead’s rise — from custom golf hats to international orders — and how a casual podcast appearance turned into a full...

For episode 214, we sat down with Daniel Lastovicka.   From his family’s journey from Czechoslovakia to New Zealand to building a career as an Army officer, hunter, and endurance athlete, Daniel’s story is one of purpose, discipline, and pushing beyond limits. In this episode we talk about the creation of Project Beyond the Ranges — Daniel’s self-made Movember challenge combining a 5km swim across...

For episode 213, we sat down with Mike Keast.   From working on roofs at nine years old to running multiple successful roofing businesses, Mike’s story is one of consistency, resilience, and backing yourself through the ups and downs of business.   In this episode we talk about staying focused when things get tough, what it really means to lead by example, and how mindset and momentum can carry yo...

For episode 212, we sat down with Nick Inkster.   From mopping floors at 4am to running one of Christchurch’s most iconic hospitality groups, Nick’s story is one of grit, growth, and doing what it takes to make it happen. In this episode we talk about building OGB in memory of his dad, the lessons learned from expanding to eight venues, what it’s really like managing 140 staff, and how Christchurc...

For episode 211, we sat down with Sacha Coburn.   From failing her first ballet exam to leading one of New Zealand’s most loved café brands, Sacha’s journey is full of grit, humility, and lessons in leadership that stick.   In this episode we talk about learning to back yourself even when you feel out of your depth, why failure is the best teacher, the balance between winging it and over preparing...

For episode 210, we sat down with Ant and Paul from Rosefern Homes. From humble beginnings fixing houses to building a property development company grounded in values, Ant and Paul’s approach is practical, people-first, and unapologetically hands-on. In this episode we talk about leveraging social media to find property deals, building a business that reflects your values, overcoming resistance to...

For the first episode of Season Four, we’re taking it back to where it all began — in the car on the side of the road. What started as part of the 10 Million in 10 Years Challenge here has since grown through The Loft, multiple Distinct studios, and now into a brand-new Distinct space with fresh energy and a new podcast name 'Across The Table with David Melse'.  In this episode, David reflects on...

For episode 208, we sat down with Tristan Bailey.   From building a national electrical and security company to launching a SaaS business on the side, Tristan’s approach to leadership is fast, people first, and unapologetically hands on.   In this episode we talk about sales psychology, long-term relationships, retention strategies, and how to grow a team that actually sticks. Plus some wisdom on...

In this episode, Simon returns to share what life’s looked like since exiting his companies. From road-tripping Europe to finding new purpose (and cash flow) through business acquisition.   We dive into decision fatigue, energy management, learning to say no, and building a business you actually want to run. It’s a wide-ranging chat on investing, productivity, problem solving, and backing local. W...