The Real Solutions Business Podcast

Richard works with business owners and leaders to help them make better, more strategic decisions about AI. Through Arcaina, he helps businesses move from an initial exploration through to clear, practical and board-ready AI roadmaps.   Richard joins me to talk about AI for business, and why the right AI strategy matters. We discuss the temptation many business owners are facing now: to try every...

In this episode I am joined by Mitch Shaw from Upstream. Mitch is the Managing Director and Co-founder of Upstream, a charitable organisation that connects businesses and charities in a way that turns everyday spending into real support for young people across New Zealand.   Mitch joins me to talk about the story behind Upstream, how it works, and why it exists. We discuss his own background, incl...

I am joined by Nabilah Chivelkar from Thryv Australia and New Zealand. Nabilah is a Senior Sales Effectiveness Coach and works with small businesses to improve how they operate, communicate, and ultimately deliver for their customers.   Nabilah joins me to talk about what she describes as “operational noise” the day-to-day inefficiencies, systems, and processes that quietly erode time, energy, and...

In this episode I am joined by Chris Van Langenberg from Thryv Australia and New Zealand. Chris is a Senior Sales Capability Coach and works closely with small businesses across the region, helping them better understand how they are found and chosen in an increasingly digital world.   Chris joins me to talk about how AI is changing the way customers discover businesses, and what that means for sm...

In this episode I speak to Ben Jamieson from Heartland Bank. Ben is a Business Development Manager at Heartland Bank, and he looks after the area from Canterbury to Southland and everywhere in between. Ben joins me to talk about reverse mortgages and how they might benefit folks (and business owners!) in their 60s and beyond. Ben also touches upon some other niche products that Heartland Bank can...

In this episode Tom McBride from McBride Wealth joins me to talk about all things investing. Tom started his own business in 2024 after accumulating over 10 years’ experience providing financial advice in a NZ firm. Tom created McBride Wealth to service a need in the community for independent investment advice and bespoke financial advice for one-off engagements.  Tom was born and raised in Christ...

I am joined on this podcast with Ronnie Cheung from the Talent Connection. Ronnie is a Recruitment Consultant and a Career Coach who helps New Zealand businesses find the best person for the job. Ronnie has over 12 years’ experience across a broad variety of industries, as well as experience in providing human resources support. Ronnie talks with me about how SME owners/leaders in New Zealand can...

In this episode Debbie Klintworth from the Footprint Collective joins me. Debbie has over 25 years of international experience working across Australia, NZ, Europe, the UAE, South Africa and the US, partnering with bold start-ups, corporates, and global brands to turn strategy into action and engagement into measurable growth.  Debbie blends marketing strategy, business development and company cul...

On the first podcast for 2026 I am joined by Jason Lennie the founder and director of Beyond the Ledge Brand Agency. Jason is a brand strategist and storyteller with more than 15 years’ experience across marketing, design, web and publishing. Since founding his brand studio in 2009 Jason has expanded his expertise through running a print and promotions franchise. Jason talks to me about the differ...

In this episode I am joined by Brigit Blair, the founder and owner of Linden Leaves. The story of Linden Leaves originally began in Christchurch, New Zealand in the 1990s with Brigit desiring to help care for two of her children with eczema and allergies. At that time, natural and effective products that were kind to sensitive skin were hard to find, and so out of necessity, Linden Leaves was born...

Matthew McVicar is a law clerk at Godfreys Law and the founder of Son of a Vicar - a New Zealand-made fragrance brand he launched in 2024. What began as an idea during his law studies has grown into a small but ambitious business, with three signature perfumes now on the market. A year ago,  Son of a Vicar  was little more than an idea. Matthew was in his third year of law school in Christchurch,...

In this episode I welcome John Allender from Advantage Fire Protection back onto the podcast as a returning guest. In the first podcast with John (listen to Ep.64), he and I talked about his business and how he has built that up to become successful in its niche of business fire protection. I have had many listeners comment on how much they enjoyed my first episode with John. John is an absolute h...

In this episode Patrick Moran from Computer Clinic joins me. Patrick previously appeared on the podcast in episode 25 (Cyber Security for your business) way back in 2021 and is a longtime supporter of the Podcast. Patrick joins me to talk about the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in New Zealand SMEs that he works alongside with, including how businesses are using AI and the approaches they ar...

In this episode I am joined by Martin (Marty) De Gouw who is the Managing Director of Clyne & Bennie Group. Clyne & Bennie is a well known and longstanding Plumbing, Drainlaying and Gasfitting business here in Christchurch. Marty talks with me about the decision to become a plumber 30 odd years ago (due to being colour blind) along with his entry into the Clyne & Bennie business and gr...

In this episode I am joined by Noel MacDonald your Business Success Partner from Oxygen8 Consultants to talk about a new training programme that they are bringing to the NZ small business market called “MAPS” (My Action Plan for Success). This episode is a must listen for any small business owners in NZ who might have one too many challenges in their business, need to learn to prioritise what real...

In this episode, I am joined by Elise Balsillie for a special ‘double-header’ release. Elise Balsillie is the head of Thryv Australia and New Zealand Check them out here  www.thryv.com ). Thryv (formerly known as Yellow Pages in NZ) has been supporting the small business economy in New Zealand by helping small business owners navigate the complexities of marketing and growing their business. Elise...

In this episode I record (as a solo session) a talk that I recently gave at a breakfast seminar to a room full of Canterbury Business Owners hosted by Baker Tilly Staples Rodway. I was one of three presenters who spoke (the other two being previous guests on this podcast: Jeannette Kwant Director of Undercontrol Credit Management and Noel MacDonald from Oxygen8 Consulting). The premise behind the...

Yes, you read that title right! In this episode I am joined by the exceptionally erudite and all-round good guy James Gallagher from Payroll Intelligence and Tempus Payroll to talk about the vexing issue of holiday pay for employees in New Zealand.  Despite the fact the Holidays Act is 23 odd years old it is still a much discussed and maligned piece of legislation due to the complexities of outcom...

In this episode I am joined by Naadia Jackson-Amiga to talk about Foundational Business Marketing. Naadia joins an evolving list of marketing experts that have been on the podcast. Why talk to another marketer? Well, I was intrigued by Naadia’s back to basics “foundational” approach for businesses to approach their marketing from. Naadia has worked with over two thousand small business owners both...

In the latest episode of the Real Solutions Business Podcast, I am joined by Rob Brown ( selfdrivenman.com ) the ‘Self Driven Man’. Rob talks with me about his personal journey through business and life up until the point he received a devastating cancer diagnosis. Not being one to give up without a fight, Rob decided to tackle the diagnosis and cancer in his own personal way by embarking on a jou...

In this episode I am joined by Gareth Melia from Melia Marketing and Design ( meliamarketing.com ) a Company based in Christchurch which has a global reach in both its audience and customer base. Gareth downloaded his years of experience in the web design space direct to me during our wide-ranging conversation. Not only did I learn some new slang, “techno babble” but I also learned about the key i...

In tis episode I am joined by Andrew Male who is the Southern Territory Manager at Kinetics Group. Andrew leads the Kinetics business in the South Island and has a deep and varied background across multiple business areas. Kinetics Group ( www.kinetics.co.nz ) was established over 25 years ago and is an award-winning IT support and solutions company who specialise in supporting medium sized busine...

In this episode I am joined by Tracey Olivier. Tracey is a Leadership coach, speaker and facilitator ( traceyolivier.com ). Tracey works with leaders to ignite, encourage and equip them so that they can build happy, healthy and productive teams. She does this by equipping leaders with tools for creating effective teams and works to help leaders build teams focussed on excellence. Tracey is a certi...

In this episode I am joined by Stewart Hunt who is the owner of Auckland based First Commercial Insurance Brokers ( www.fcib.co.nz ). FCIB was established in 2018. Stewart and his team offer specialist insurance and risk management advice to small and medium sized businesses. FCIB are members (and have the backing of) of Insurance Advisernet NZ who are one of the biggest General Insurance Broker G...

In this episode I am joined by Bill James. Bill helps people who are technically excellent at what they do, but really struggle to promote the value they bring to customers. From generating opportunity to completion of the business and beyond, he can provide introverts, newbies, and reluctant salespeople with the confidence, knowledge, and willingness plus the process to measurably increase their...