The Real Solutions Business Podcast

In this episode I am joined by Richard Ellis who is a Health and Mindset coach. Richard talks to me about the important work he does within New Zealand organisations where he helps build healthier, smarter and more engaged teams by helping people better manage stress. Did you know that managing the stress your people are exposed to in the workplace is a legal requirement under New Zealand Health a...

Many of us will be familiar with the saying “Rome wasn’t built in a day” but less familiar is the run on sentence that completes it, which is “But, they were laying blocks every day.” As business owners we all want to celebrate success through big wins. But solely focussing on those ‘big wins’ without a roadmap of how you can deliver your vision or offering can be a serious roadblock to achieving...

Marketing, one of the cornerstones of any successful business yet perhaps one of the least understood. In this episode I am joined by Todd Starr who has completed thousands of creative projects over the last decade. Todd talks with me about his background and career in marketing. Todd and I talk about the power or marketing your business and how business owners are able not only to able to obtain...

Have you ever heard of a ‘Brand Coach’ and if you have, do you have any idea what that means and how such a coach might help you. Well, fear not, because in the first episode of 2025 I speak with Kathryn Sandford. Kathryn is a personal brand coach specialising in helping Senior Professionals. Kathryn’s superpower is turning ‘Invisible” into ‘Influential’ through personal branding and leadership. K...

Join me, and me alone (which is a first for the podcast), for a deep dive into the genesis of the Real Solutions Business podcast and the why behind why I am doing this podcast. I enjoyed the challenge of doing a podcast with just myself and one microphone. Hopefully, this one illuminates my purpose and goals with the podcast. Is there a topic you want covered or a person you want to hear from? Yo...

In this episode I am joined by Robin Crimp the Director of RAC Insolvency to talk all things liquidation, company liquidations that is! Robin has worked in the insolvency industry since the beginning of the century. During this time he has worked in personal bankruptcy, company liquidations, company and personal receiverships as well as advising businesses directly on their options when in financi...

In this episode I am joined by Callum Newport who is a Business Broker at NZ Business Brokers here in Christchurch. Callum talks to me about his journey from being an Infantryman in the New Zealand Army to selling businesses locally. Callum delves into the importance of people, discipline, hard work, process, and integrity. We look at the lessons and similarities of grunting round an infantry load...

In this episode I am joined by the energetic and ever-optimistic David Melse. This was a neat full circle moment for me having previously guested on Davids own podcast series. David talks with me about his journey to starting his own business coaching business called ALT and the businesses endeavours that came before that. David talks with me about business coaching and the types of business owner...

In this episode I am joined by Kiwi Angus Winstone and Kashmiri local Mushtaq (“Musha”) Magray who are the founders and Directors of Wild Snow and Kashmir Skis. Angus and Musha talk with me about the Kashmir region and in particular the area Gulmarg (“the meadow of flowers”) in the Pir Panjal range of the Himalayas where you will find Apharwat peak ( www.wildsnow.co.nz/about-gulmarg-copy/ ) at 4,2...

In this episode I am joined by Jimmy Lin from Proficio Business Valuations ( www.proficio.co.nz ) to talk about the importance of business valuation for SMEs, highlighting the gap between SMEs and large companies in accessing high-quality, independent valuation services. Jimmy is, a chartered accountant and risk & business valuation specialist. Jimmy talks with me about the need for accurate,...

In this episode I am joined by Nick Alcock the Tax Debt Coach and financial therapist ( www.taxdebtcoach.co.nz ) . Nick is a Chartered Accountant with over 17 years’ experience working at a number of Chartered Accountancy firms across NZ and overseas helping business owners. As a result of his work Nick has acquired a lot of experience dealing with the Inland Revenue Department on behalf of his cl...

In this episode I am joined by Godfreys Law newest Director Sally Cunneen. Sally is the first female Director in the history of Godfreys Law, not to mention the youngest at 26 years of age. Sally talks with me about the power of believing and working towards your goals. She reflects on the impact and importance of having hard working parents and the valuable lessons she learned growing up on the f...

In this episode I am joined by the joyful, vivacious and ever colourful Susan Forde from Susan Forde Jewellery. Susan talks with me about her background as a girl from West London to discovering her new home in New Zealand and her journey to becoming a bespoke jewellery designer. Susan talks with me about the importance of presenting yourself confidently in business and how jewellery and colours c...

In this episode I am joined by the amazing Elyce Peters and Holly Sullivan who are the dynamic duo that founded the Mortgage Girls 9 years ago. In that time Elyce and Holly, along with the rest of the wonderful team, have grown the business into one of New Zealand’s most trusted and premier mortgage broking brands. Recently the Mortgage Girls one a slew of awards at the Liberty New Zealand Mortgag...

In this episode I am joined by Senior Associate Charles Mullins to talk about his varied career both in the law (for the last 17 years) and the jobs and roles he occupied as a younger man. We talk about how there is never a better time than right now to do something you have always wanted to do and not die wondering. It is better to regret the things you have done than those you have not! We also...

In this episode I am joined by Louise Neville from Accounting Solutions ( www.asl.co.nz ) to talk about Succession Planning for business owners. So, you own a successful business that you have built through your hard work and graft but what is this all for and what does your end exit game look like when you are ready to move your focus onto the next stage of your life? Well, whether you are new to...

In this episode I am joined by the wonderful Louise Neville from Accounting Solutions Limited ( www.asl.co.nz ) to talk about the business environment in NZ in 2024. Louise talks with me about the ‘soft’ recession we are currently experiencing and what that means for some businesses. We talk about how your business can look to thrive by strengthening your business against the economic headwinds wi...

In this episode I am joined by Tom Stanley, Director and Investment Adviser at Amicus Brokers to talk about his background, from playing professional rugby and working as an Engineer post Canterbury Earthquakes to his relocation to London to retrain and then work on the trading floors of London and then Hong Kong before returning home to start a family We then dial our talk in on the "Notes&q...

In this episode I am joined by Noel MacDonald from Helmac Safety & Advisory ( www.helmac.co.nz ) to talk about shifting the dial on Health and Safety in the workplace. Noel talks with me about the importance of having a Health & Safety programme that is not only up to date but relevant, bespoke and has buy in from your team members. Noel and the team at Helmac bring expert health and safet...

In this episode I am joined by the extremely talented creative Ben Ferrier to talk about how time, trust, traction, and tribe matter when marketing your business to enable deep and resonant connections with your audience. We talk about the prevalence and power of telling your stories through video content and how you might look to dip your toes into this medium. If you are looking to stand out fro...

In this episode I am joined by Barbara Lee-Dickson from the Insurance Ladies ( www.theinsuranceladies.co.nz ) to talk about Group Insurance Schemes for NZ Employers. Group insurance can be used by employers who want to provide value added benefits for their employees. Obtaining Group Insurance cover is a great way to support staff through the tough times and provides employees with a bit of certai...

In this episode I am joined by John Allender from Advantage Fire Protection ( www.advantagefire.nz ) to talk about the importance of fire protection and fire training for your business.  Sadly, fires can start in any place, at any time, for any number of reasons! It goes without saying but it pays to be prepared should the worst happen so that you can protect what is most important to you. If you...

In this episode I am joined by one of our Associates, Sally Cunneen. Sally works in our employment and litigation team. Sally talks to me about what has changed in NZ law with respect to 90 day trial periods in the employment space. With a change of Government in 2023 the new coalition Government has opened up the use of trial periods to all employers no matter the size of the organisation and who...

In this episode I am joined by Andrew Burrows, Director at Advanced Ceramics to talk all things teeth including the work of designing and building crowns and other implants. Andrew and I then move into a discussion about how technology, both computing and hardware, have revolutionised the business, the quality of the end product and the throughput gains. We then investigate the impacts that Artifi...

In this episode I am joined by insurance broker Nick Wells a Director of Amicus based in Christchurch. Nick talks with me about what he is seeing in the personal risk side of the insurance industry in 2024, the conversations he is having with clients and their trusted advisers and the different levers that insurance brokers can pull for you. We also talk about the positive impact industry reforms...