Insights into Success

Maureen Mwangi grew up in Nairobi, Kenya where entrepreneurship was not commonplace.  Her grandfather had started a hardware business which had been passed down to her father and mother. Working in the business and watching her parent's grow the business, gave her the entrepreneurial bug. While few went to university and even fewer went abroad, Maureen headed to America to complete a Master&a...

Looking back now, it is hard to imagine the early days of the internet and the opportunities that existed. Back in the early 2,000's Phil Fraser had no idea how significant the internet was going to become. Initially he thought about setting up an online Bingo platform in the UK, but found his timing too early. Instead he turned his attention to building a website to list Bingo websites aroun...

Looking back now, it is hard to imagine the early days of the internet and the opportunities that existed. Back in the early 2,000's Phil Fraser had no idea how significant the internet was going to become. Initially he thought about setting up an online Bingo platform in the UK, but found his timing too early. Instead he turned his attention to building a website to list Bingo websites aroun...

Karl Hughes has spent most of his professional career working as a software engineer predominantly with startups. Finding his hours cut in half in the middle of COVID, the opportunity to start a business in his spare time was too great to turn down. Such has been Karl's success, that he subsequently resigned from his job and went full time with his business Draft.dev In this Read to Succeed i...

The world is talking about the phenomenon of "mass resignation" in the middle of COVID. Karl Hughes seemingly fits the narrative, but all is not entirely as it may seem. Having spent so much time working for startups as a software engineer and finding his hours cut in half in the middle of COVID, the opportunity to start a business in his spare time was too great to turn down. Such has b...

Duane Mutu created Let's Play Live, which streams online gaming competitions around the world, working with the biggest gaming creators in the world and publishing the content on platforms such as Twitch TV. In part two of this interview with Duane Mutu we learn about the background of eSports, the development of his company Let's Play Live (LPL), his motivations for success and what suc...

Duane Mutu created Let's Play Live, which streams online gaming competitions around the world, working with the biggest gaming creators in the world and publishing the content on platforms such as Twitch TV. In part one of this interview with Duane Mutu we learn about his up-bringing and how he got into eSports. Duane has never forgotten how lucky both him and his identical twin brother are t...

Katie was bought up in Michigan just outside of Detroit, as one of four children to her Greek, newly immigrant parents. With no connection to Hollywood, any dream of appearing in movies with the likes of Al Pacino and Robert De Niro must have seemed impossible. From an early age Katie had an awareness of herself well beyond her years and from as early as 13 had set her mind on some big goals. Asid...

Can you imagine a time when Google and Facebook didn't exist? Before anyone knew what Social Media marketing was about 20 years ago Terry Dry and his company Fanscape were doing Social Media marketing, they just didn’t know it! Terry has agreed to join us on our podcast “Insights into Success” to help us “Make Sense of Marketing” by sharing his knowledge and experience from his time with Fans...

Victoria Lee has created a successful digital media business with staff working remotely around the UK. How has she done it?  Victoria attributes a key influence for her has been reading the Basecamp book "It Doesn't Have to Be Crazy at Work". Her remote working business has gone from strength to strength as it adopted a lot of philosophies extolled in the book.  What was the book a...

Due to a childhood accident Victoria Lee found herself often in pain at work and needing major back surgery. She needed a change. A job with flexibility that would allow her to work around her back issues. An opportunity came her way to manage a small social media account. Not enough to sustain her, it was nonetheless a start. Teaming up with a friend, they started a social media business which wa...

Malcolm Gladwell has been a key inspiration for Christine McKay's success. In this interview we find out which Malcolm Gladwell book in particular has inspired her of late and what was it that particularly resonated with her. Could you too benefit from the reading of Malcolm Gladwell books? Christine McKay has become a very successful female entrepreneur and achieved her dream to attend Harva...

From top High School student to university drop out, broke, living out of her car and pregnant, Christine McKay’s world came tumbling down. A marriage and two more children came in quick succession. With a husband that believed that she should be at home with the kids, but was unable to provide for the family, Christine sunk to even greater depths of poverty and hopelessness.  Despite everything,...

Having practiced as a clinical psychologist and consulted to companies such as Nike, Sony, Netflix and Bank of America, Dr Books has been given a great view of the capabilities of the human mind and has witnessed some of the common traits shared by those that meet with a lot of success.  In this interview Dr Brooks shares his view on some of the keys to success, along with giving insight into his...

 Joseph Drolshagen was caught in a rut until one day he could do it no more.  He made changes to his life which has brought him happiness and a new career as a life coach. In this interview Joey shares the books that have inspired him and helped him make the changes he has needed to in his life. Maybe you can get inspiration for your life by reading one of the recommended books?   #insightsintosuc...

Have you ever felt trapped, doing something that you might be good at, but it is not your passion? Joseph Drolshagen (Joey) felt exactly like that until one day it all became too much and he broke down on the side of the freeway.  With a lot of soul searching Joey came to realise why he kept doing something that really wasn't right for him and is now fulfilling his dream to help others. Joey...

Casey Jacox is the author of the book “Win the Relationship not the Deal”, host of the podcast Quarterback DadCast, motivational speaker and sales coach. Casey forged an outstanding record in sales, setting records for his company that have yet to be beaten, before deciding on a change of pace and change of focus. Aside from his own book, what books would Casey recommend reading?  Join us as we ta...

Casey Jacox is the author of the book "Win the Relationship not the Deal", host of the podcast Quarterback DadCast, motivational speaker and sales coach.  Casey forged an outstanding record in sales, setting records for his company that have yet to be beaten, before deciding on a change of pace and change of focus. There is one particular event that occurred in Casey's early  life t...

In the middle of a Covid 19 lock-down in New Zealand, Sarah Colcord came up with the idea for a Facebook group that became a runaway success. New Zealand Made Products achieved over 500k of members within a matter of weeks. Since then Sarah has rebranded to Chooice and has a website where members can sell their products.   In this interview, Sarah shares the secrets to her marketing success! For m...

 In the middle of a Covid 19 lock-down in New Zealand, Sarah Colcord came up with the idea for a Facebook group that became a runaway success. New Zealand Made Products achieved over 500k of members within a matter of weeks. Since then Sarah has rebranded to Chooice and has a website where members can sell their products.  How has Sarah dealt with her overnight fame? What to her is success? What d...

Matthew Turner is a British author who lives in a small town in Yorkshire, England. He never started out to become a writer, in fact he was following a career in marketing when he made the momentous decision to become a writer.  In this interview not only does Matthew share his journey, following his passion, he also shares insights from having interviewed more than 163 successful business people...

Terry Dry shifted to California to break in to the music industry. Having achieved that goal, Terry spotted an opportunity to co-found a company called Fanscape. Fanscape was created to help bands connect and sell to their fans. Fanscape was one of the first social media marketing companies, growing and pivoting until it was ultimately sold to Omnicom for a eight figure sum.  Not done, Terry has g...

Terry Dry has had an outstanding career so far. Before anyone knew what Social Media marketing was, in the late nineties, Terry co-founded Fanscape one of the very first Social Media marketing agencies. With a background in the music industry, Terry identified an opportunity to help bands connect and sell to their fan base. Fanscape grew quickly and caught the attention of VC capitalists. They als...

In this interview, The Apprentice NZ host Mike Pero talks about the POWER of Branding!  Mike Pero was recently chosen to host New Zealand's version of The Apprentice. Mike has had an extensive career creating Mike Pero Mortgages and Mike Pero Real Estate that have gone on to be very successful, nationwide businesses. Central to his success has been the creation of the Mike Pero brand and his...

Mike Pero came from a poor, mixed race family in Christchurch New Zealand. As a shy teenager he discovered motorbike racing and went on to become a six times New Zealand champion and still holds a New Zealand speed record. Having left school early and with no tertiary qualifications he firstly became a motorcycle mechanic before moving onto sales. After meeting with success in sales, he decided to...