Growing Kiwis with Claire Williamson

Unapologetically me: Cherie Osbaldiston on backing yourself and building a business on your own terms

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 17:00:00 -0400

Cherie Osbaldiston is the founder of Pulse Property Management, a boutique property management agency covering Matamata, South Waikato, Te Aroha and the surrounding provincial areas. After 15 years working her way from receptionist to general manager at a Hamilton firm, Cherie left to start her own business in a town where nobody knew her, with nothing but 17 years of experience and an absolute refusal to be anyone other than herself. She is now an award winner, a sought-after industry speaker and an unapologetic advocate for both landlords and tenants in a market that needs more of both. This episode is a straight-talking, deeply honest conversation about building a reputation from scratch, knowing your values before you start, and the controversial opinion that work-life balance is rubbish.

In this episode

Why Cherie fell into property management on her first day at work and never left
The decision to leave a GM role after 15 years and start from scratch in Matamata
How she built Pulse Property Management around a model that is deliberately different
What she actually wrote down before she took her first client on
Why people do not leave businesses, they leave leaders, and what she learned from becoming one
The truth about property management, tenants, landlords and a market that is getting harder
Her take on pets, big family homes, subdivisions and where smart investors should be looking
Why she keeps showing up to every conference she can find before the speakers are even announced
Backing yourself when you have very little self-confidence and a lot of experience

Chapters

Timestamps are based on the raw recording, nudge them once the intro is trimmed in the edit.

00:06 Welcome and introduction
01:12 Who is Cherie the human, values, family and the Waikato
03:28 Finding your authentic self, the journey to knowing who you are
05:00 Conference addict, networking and showing up before you know the speakers
06:13 Falling into property management and why she stayed
08:26 Working up through the ranks to general manager
09:36 The hamster wheel, the decision to leave and what came next
10:14 The first steps in starting Pulse, writing down what she wanted it to look like
13:05 Leadership, the people do not leave businesses they leave leaders principle
16:00 Growing up in Cambridge, horses, her dad and the work ethic that stuck
18:37 The little Cherie who never thought she would run an award winning company
20:09 Backing yourself when you have no self-confidence
20:22 The conference speaking gig, fear versus opportunity
23:22 What property management actually involves, legislation and the reality
28:00 Myths about tenants and landlords, the symbiotic relationship
30:00 Pet legislation, housing stock and why landlords are leaving the market
37:45 The granny flat rules and multi-generational living
39:11 What is being overlooked by investors, provinces and subdivisions
44:08 Her EDD list, non-negotiables and the controversial work-life balance opinion
46:01 Just do it now, treating people with kindness and controversial opinions
51:12 Technology and AI in property management, why she is deliberately old school
53:03 Final message, back yourself, build your reputation, talk to people

About Cherie

Cherie Osbaldiston is the founder of Pulse Property Management, covering Matamata, South Waikato, Te Aroha and surrounding areas. She has 17 years of experience in property management, having risen from receptionist to general manager at a Hamilton firm before founding Pulse two years ago. She holds a Level 4 Property Management Qualification, is a REINZ accredited Property Manager, and serves as a National Residential Property Management Ambassador for the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand. She has received multiple individual industry awards and was named Inspiration of the Year at the Property Management Conference New Zealand. Cherie grew up in Cambridge in a family involved in thoroughbred horse racing and is a married mother of two young children.

Links

Pulse Property Management website

Pulse Property Management on Instagram

We are not here for long — Jonathan Brown on business exits, grief and living deliberately

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 17:45:00 -0400

Episode summary

Jonathan Brown, known as JB, co-founded BCD Group, a planning and engineering consultancy that grew to 125 staff and five offices across New Zealand before he exited in his late 30s. After a series of profound personal losses, Jonathan retrained as a qualified counsellor and life coach, and now runs Big Picture Coaching and Counselling, working with everyone from kids navigating school pressure to business owners who have hit their wall. He also coaches at St John's College and is developing outdoor experiences in the hills for clients who need space to think. This is a rich, deeply human conversation about deliberateness, freedom, grief, the second mountain, and what it looks like to build something that actually fits who you are.

Content note

This episode includes open and honest conversation about grief, death by suicide and sudden loss. If you are navigating any of these things, you are not alone. You can call or text 1737 at any time, free, to speak with a trained counsellor.

In this episode

How JB went from town planner in London to co-founding BCD Group and what drove that growth
What made BCD different, youth, energy, promotion on merit and a culture built on purpose
The shareholder agreement lessons he would give any pair of mates starting a business
His staged exit from BCD and how they future-proofed it from the start
The series of losses that caused him to stop and reassess everything
Why he retrained as a counsellor and life coach and what he brings to it that a classroom cannot teach
Working with kids, teenagers, and burnt-out business owners, and what they all have in common
His plan to take clients into the hills for immersive outdoor sessions
How a rural upbringing, multi-sport and a deep awareness of mortality shape the way he lives now
Being very selective about the relationships he puts his time and energy into
His secret sauce: I have just always known we are not here for long

Chapters

Timestamps are based on the raw recording, nudge them once the intro is trimmed in the edit.

00:04 Welcome and introduction, WAM and meeting JB
00:45 Who is JB today, values, family and the outdoors
03:06 What Big Picture Coaching and Counselling actually does
05:22 Starting BCD Group with Blair and building something fast
09:02 Recruiting young, promoting on merit and growing from the inside
13:00 Going into business with mates and why the shareholders agreement is everything
18:40 The staged exit and how they had future-proofed shares from the start
20:07 Why he decided to pivot, and the losses that came first
27:08 Navigating grief, exercise, outdoors and what helped
28:21 Practical frameworks for sitting with people who are grieving
29:31 Setting up Big Picture, four days a week, Fridays for life
31:28 The outdoor immersive sessions he is about to launch
32:07 The rural upbringing, freedom and a five-kid sheep and beef farm south of Raglan
36:32 Adventure, multi-sport, Coast to Coast and why structure keeps him focused
39:17 Quiet confidence and where it came from
41:28 Intentional friendships and why less is more
43:44 Separation, relationships and being more yourself the second time around
47:34 Beliefs about the world, helping people detach from what others think
49:27 What values to give kids before they leave home
51:37 Secret sauce: we are not here for long
53:43 Habits, winning the morning and coaching the kids on Saturdays

About Jonathan

Jonathan Brown, known as JB, is the founder of Big Picture Coaching and Counselling in Hamilton, working with kids, teenagers and business owners across counselling, life coaching and leadership support. He co-founded BCD Group, a planning and engineering consultancy that grew to 125 staff and five offices nationally, and exited in his late 30s following a period of profound personal loss. JB retrained as a qualified counsellor and life coach four years ago and works four days a week, spending Fridays with family. He is a multi-sport athlete, a dad to Bella and Johnny, and a partner to Adele.

Links

Jonathan runs Big Picture Coaching and Counselling.

From a flat paddock to a thriving community with Brit Stembridge

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 17:00:00 -0400

Brit Stembridge is the founder of Tomtit Farm, a certified organic market garden and flower farm in Matangi, Waikato. After years in academic research, Brit walked away from a PhD path to start growing food on a flat paddock, building Tomtit Farm into a thriving community supported agriculture business through nothing but seeds, soil and showing up. This episode covers the courage to swap a safe academic career for farming, the COVID surge that proved the business model overnight, and the hard decision to let go of the vegetable boxes that built her identity in order to grow into teaching and community. It is warm, grounded and full of practical wisdom on building a business that fits your actual life.

In this episode

Why Brit walked away from a PhD path to start growing vegetables on a flat paddock
How COVID grew her veggie box subscriptions from eight to eighty almost overnight
The moment pick your own flowers changed how Brit thought about connection to the land
Why she had to let go of the vegetable boxes that built her identity in order to grow
How becoming a new mum forced her to rebuild her business around rest, not hustle
The story behind Return to the Mudder, her six month soil health workshop series
Why Brit believes community is the antidote to the loneliness of farming
Her honest take on seasonality, local food systems, and why organic does not have to mean expensive

Chapters

Timestamps are based on the raw recording, nudge them once the intro is trimmed in the edit.

00:51 Welcome and introduction
01:55 Growing up on a generational family farm in the Wairarapa
07:28 Studying nutrition at Otago and falling into academic research
08:33 The crossroads between a PhD and a different path
09:21 The radio story that planted the seed for Tomtit Farm
10:45 Approaching her family and diving into growing food
13:09 Where the Tomtit Farm name came from
15:21 Starting small with a farm gate and veggie box model
16:04 COVID and the overnight growth from eight to eighty boxes
18:23 Bringing pick your own flowers to the farm
21:57 Becoming a new mum while running a full CSA
24:25 Giving herself a winter rest season and what it unlocked
26:08 Building Return to the Mudder, a six month workshop series
29:44 The hard decision to let go of the vegetable boxes
39:49 Why time outdoors is non negotiable for her mental health
39:58 New Zealand's local food systems and what we are getting right
52:04 Secret sauce, being a natural connector
55:11 Two simple actions to get closer to your food and community
59:06 Final reflections on vulnerability and sharing the journey

About Brit

Brit Stembridge is the founder of Tomtit Farm, a certified organic market garden and flower farm in Matangi, on the outskirts of Hamilton. Brit grew up on a generational sheep, beef and venison farm in the Wairarapa and later the Waikato, before studying nutrition and science at Otago University and working in maternal and infant health research. She founded Tomtit Farm in 2019, growing it from a small farm gate operation into a thriving community supported agriculture business spanning vegetables, pick your own flowers, seedlings and a six month soil health workshop series. Brit runs the farm alongside her husband James and her parents, and is mum to a young son, Kia.

Links

Tomtit Farm website

Tomtit Farm on Instagram

From fast horses to fashion labels - Annmarie Hughes on building two businesses in one world

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 07:15:00 -0400

Annmarie Hughes is an equine dentist and the founder of Aspin and Co, a New Zealand owned luxury equestrian apparel brand she launched while on maternity leave. Originally from North Wales, Annmarie built a career in equine dentistry in the Waikato before spotting a gap in the market between cheap throwaway riding gear and expensive European imports. This episode covers the courage to launch a business with a newborn on your hip, why getting comfortable being uncomfortable is the entrepreneur's real superpower, and the surprisingly simple secret to building a loyal community around a niche brand. It is fast, funny, full of side quests, and genuinely useful for anyone juggling more than one identity at once.

In this episode

Why Annmarie launched a new business on maternity leave instead of resting
How she spotted a gap in the equestrian apparel market that nobody else had filled
The best advice she ever received about failing fast and not taking it personally
Why a batch of glittery brown jodhpurs taught her to trust her customers over her own taste
How sponsoring riders built an entire community around the Aspin and Co brand
The juggle of running two businesses, equine dentistry and a fashion label, alongside being a mum
Why she believes self awareness is the single biggest predictor of entrepreneurial success
Where AI fits into her business, and the one place she will never let it take over

Chapters

Timestamps are based on the raw recording, nudge them once the intro is trimmed in the edit.

01:03 Welcome and introduction
02:11 From North Wales to equine dentistry in the Waikato
04:46 Launching Aspin and Co on maternity leave
05:47 Spotting the gap in the equestrian apparel market
07:03 Growing the range from jodhpurs to head to toe apparel
08:35 Building an online community during COVID
10:51 The best advice on getting comfortable being uncomfortable
12:01 The glittery jodhpur disaster that became a bestseller
13:43 From hand drawings to CAD to manufacturing
18:08 Sponsoring riders and building brand identity through values
21:15 Late nights, newborns and the reality of building a business
23:13 What makes a good entrepreneur, self awareness and failing well
29:05 The man in the arena, celebrating failure as growth
32:19 Manifestation, hard work and believing in what you are building
34:21 Secret sauce, taking action fast and trusting yourself
43:38 Using AI for customer service while protecting the brand's human side
46:53 The customer who was too intimidated to walk into the stand
52:09 Final reflections on redefining success

About Annmarie

Annmarie Hughes is an equine dentist and the founder of Aspin and Co, a New Zealand owned and operated luxury equestrian apparel brand. Originally from North Wales, she trained in equine dentistry in the UK before moving to New Zealand, eventually settling in the Waikato. She launched Aspin and Co while on maternity leave with her daughter Nina, growing the brand from a single style of jodhpurs into a full range spanning clothing, footwear and even veterinary hoof care products. Annmarie balances running two businesses with raising Nina alongside her husband.

Links

Aspin and Co website

Aspin and Co on Instagram

Enjoyed this episode

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A journey through authenticity with Rose Kennedy

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 17:00:00 -0400

In this episode of the Growing Kiwis Podcast, we sit down with Rose Kennedy, founder of Rose's Dining Table, to talk about creativity, authenticity, motherhood, and building a business that reflects your values.

Rose shares the journey behind creating a brand that has become known for bringing people together around the table, creating meaningful experiences, and celebrating genuine connection. We dive into the courage it takes to do things differently, the importance of staying aligned with your values, and how motherhood has influenced both her personal growth and business journey.

This conversation is a beautiful reminder that success doesn't have to fit a traditional mould. By embracing who you are, leaning into your creativity, and staying true to what matters most, you can build a life and business that feels deeply fulfilling.

In This Episode:

The story behind Rose's Dining Table and how it all began
Why authenticity has been a driving force in Rose's journey
The role creativity plays in business and everyday life
Building a brand and community with purpose
The realities of entrepreneurship behind the scenes
Lessons motherhood has taught her about balance and growth
Staying connected to your values through different seasons of life
Redefining what success looks like

Connect with Rose:

Follow Rose's journey and learn more about her incredible work through Rose's Dining Table.

From the workroom to the numbers with Abby Van Schreven

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 17:00:00 -0400

Content Warning: In this episode, Abby shares a deeply personal experience involving her fathers suicide and loss. The conversation is approached with sensitivity and compassion, but we wanted to make listeners aware in case this topic feels difficult or triggering.

EPISODE SUMMARY

Abby Van Schreven spent 14 years building the fashion label Maaike before closing it and starting again, this time helping other creative business owners get to grips with the numbers and the business side so they can build something sustainable. Her new venture, Waffle Advisory, comes from everything she learned the hard way.

This is a rich, honest conversation about getting clear on why you are really in business, learning that everything is learnable, and building a life and a business that are genuinely yours. Abby also shares a profound personal loss and how it shaped the way she lives now, with warmth, perspective and a lot of heart.

IN THIS EPISODE

- Getting to the core of why you are really in business

- From a fashion label to advising creative founders

- An early life in hospitality, and the lessons that stuck

- Building Maaike, going global, and learning on the fly

- Becoming a mum, identity, and the myth of having it all

- Money stories, and unlearning what holds you back

- Perspective, loss, and what really matters

- Surrounding yourself with people who get it

WHAT WE COVER

Timestamps are not in the raw transcript, so slot these in from the final edit.

- Who Abby is: creative, foodie, grower, and someone who craves deep connection

- Helping founders align what they are building with what they actually want

- Why she started Waffle Advisory after years in fashion

- A teenage start in hospitality, and learning above the line and below the line

- Growing up in Waimate, independence, and pushing back on being told what to do

- The MICA story: Fashion Week, retail, export and early Shopify

- Becoming a mum, survival mode, and rethinking identity

- Money stories, perfectionism, and what she has unlearned

- A turning point and a profound loss, handled with care

- What gives her meaning, and keeping joy in the everyday

- Finding her people in the Waikato, and being honest about the hard parts

- Her unreasonable advantage: she can talk to anyone, about anything

ABOUT ABBY

Abby Van Schreven is the founder of Waffle Advisory, where she helps creative business owners understand the finance and business side so they can grow something sustainable. She co-founded and ran the fashion label Maaike for 14 years, navigating retail, e-commerce, export and manufacturing, and now brings those hard-won lessons to other founders. A creative, a foodie and a grower who loves the ocean and nature, she lives in Cambridge with her partner James and their son Mateo.

LINKS

Waffle Advisory

Grit and numbers: building a life, not just a business with Duncan Leask

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 10:00:00 -0400

Episode summary

Duncan Leask is one of those people who just got stuck in and built something brilliant. In a little over five years he has grown Optiplumb into one of the Waikato's standout trades businesses, and in this episode he shares exactly how, and why none of it means much without the life around it.

We talk about the obsession with numbers that underpins everything he does, the grit that goes back to a hospital bed at 18, why he hires the person and not the CV, and how he protects time for his wife and three kids without apology. It is an honest, warm conversation about building a business on your own terms, and a few unpopular opinions along the way.

In this episode

Why Duncan is a dad first and a business owner second
The single most important thing he believes every business owner must understand
Hiring the best person before you even have the work, and why the person beats the role every time
The accident at 18 that shaped his grit, and the word he refused to accept from his doctor
The 1 percent that separates good from great
Saying no to protect your energy, and the non-negotiables that keep him grounded
Why chasing perfect holds people back
His honest take on university, the trades, and the future of work in the age of AI

Chapters

Timestamps are based on the raw recording, so nudge them once the intro is trimmed in the edit.

02:00 Who is Duncan the human: values, family, and grit
03:30 The career journey, 20 years in the trade, and the mind-blowing moment in Perth
05:00 Growing fast, hiring before the work, and flying by the seat of your pants
07:00 Know your numbers: the foundation of everything
08:00 How Duncan hires, and why attitude beats everything
09:45 The trades are customer service: how people feel matters
11:00 Building and protecting a culture, and winning through winter
14:30 Leadership, trust, and doing what you say you will do
16:45 Little Duncan: rural roots, independence, and being the first in business
20:00 The accident, the hospital bed, and refusing to be just a number
24:30 The power of the 1 percenters
25:00 Consistency, mindset, and seeing it from the other person's side
27:50 Saying no, protecting your energy, and managing your time
30:30 Family non-negotiables and switching off
34:30 Parenting, values, and the legacy he is building
36:30 Energy, connection, and what AI can never replace
40:30 His secret sauce: relating to anyone
42:00 Constructive, not conflict, and why everyone just wants to be heard
44:00 Fundamental beliefs: openness, perfectionism, and living life on your terms
49:00 An honest take on university, the trades, and the ambitious middle
51:00 The future: embrace the tech, but stay human

About Duncan

Duncan Leask is the founder and managing director of Optiplumb, a family-owned plumbing, gasfitting, drainlaying and backflow prevention company based in Hamilton and serving the wider Waikato. With more than 20 years in the trade across New Zealand and overseas, Duncan started Optiplumb just over five years ago and has grown it quickly on the back of strong values, sharp systems and a genuine love of people. He is a proud dad of three, a member of WAM, and living proof that you can build a serious business and a full life at the same time.

Enjoyed this episode

Building trust through connection with Angela March

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 10:00:00 -0400

In this episode of Growing Kiwis, we sit down with Angela March, founder of Brainchild, an award-winning PR and reputation agency helping businesses across New Zealand build trust, tell meaningful stories, and connect with the audiences that matter most. Angela shares her journey from a gap year in the UK to building a successful business in the Waikato, while balancing motherhood, leadership, and the challenges of growing both a family and a company.

Together, we explore the power of reputation, the role of trust in business, and why authentic human connection remains at the heart of great communication. Angela also reflects on resilience, backing yourself, adapting to change, and how storytelling continues to shape the way brands build credibility and lasting relationships.

"Great communication is about building trust, telling good stories, and connecting with people." - Angela March

Building community and connection with Ben Woodgates

Wed, 27 May 2026 18:00:00 -0400

In this episode of the Growing Kiwis, Claire chats with Ben Woodgates, communications professional, community builder, and founder of Hello Hamilton. Ben shares his journey from growing up in Northland to building one of Hamilton’s most positive local communities, along with the experiences that shaped his passion for communication, connection and creating impact.

Together, they explore community, courage, resilience, the future of media, and why saying yes to opportunities can completely change the direction of your life. This episode is a thoughtful conversation about growth, people, purpose and building a life that feels meaningful and fun along the way.

Hello Hamilton

Building community from the ground up with Fran Bailey

Wed, 20 May 2026 18:00:00 -0400

There's something really special about rural New Zealand. The people, the land, the way communities show up for each other. In this episode, we sit down with Fran Bailey for one of those conversations that just leaves you feeling good.

We talk about what makes rural communities so unique - the table, the food, the belonging, and the kind of resilience you only really find in farming life.

Fran grew up in rural Tokoroa, chased a glittering career in London, and eventually found her way back to a Waikato dairy farm and to a simple life that has now bloomed into something special – a movement that is part farming conference, part food festival.

Underground is one of the most exciting things happening in the regenerative farming space right now and is reconnecting people with the land, learning and each other.

If you've ever felt the pull of rural life, or you just love seeing New Zealanders build something meaningful from the ground up, this one's for you.

Ambition is normal with David Remmerswaal

Wed, 13 May 2026 18:00:00 -0400

In this episode of Growing Kiwis, we sit down with David Remmerswaal, digital marketer, founder of Dimple Digital, and one of Cambridge’s most community-driven business owners for a raw and energising conversation about what it really looks like to build a business and a life on your own terms.

David shares his journey from growing up in Rotorua through his parents’ business going into liquidation, to boarding school at St Peter’s, a gap year in Belgium, and eventually starting Dimple with no plan, no name, and what he calls “ignorant determination.” We get into the real story behind building a values-led business, why community involvement is some of the best ROI you’ll ever make, and how raising over $50,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters through his Bowls and Barbecue events has shaped the kind of clients and culture he now attracts.

We also go deep on accountability as the ultimate consistency hack, the cost of being a yes person, and why David believes his wife Charlotte is his single biggest unfair advantage in business and in life.

This one is full of honesty, humour, and practical gold. If you’re building something meaningful, navigating the loneliness that comes with ambition, or trying to figure out how to make your business work for your life not the other way around, this episode is for you.

The ripple effect with Andrew Miller

Wed, 06 May 2026 18:00:00 -0400

In this episode of The Growing Kiwis, we sit down with Andrew Miller, a leadership coach, dad of four, and all-round good human for an honest and insightful conversation about life, leadership, and showing up as yourself.

Andrew shares his journey growing up as the youngest of five and how those early experiences shaped the way he connects with people today. We dive into what real leadership looks like as businesses grow, why you don’t need all the answers, and how the way you speak to yourself directly impacts how you lead others.

We also explore the power of values, the realities of balancing work and family, and the importance of creating space for connection, both with others and with yourself. Andrew brings a refreshing perspective on keeping things simple, focusing on what matters, and not taking life too seriously.

This episode is a reminder that everyone is navigating their own challenges, the small things matter most, and when you show up as your true self, you give others permission to do the same.

Roar Coaching Nz

Growth through change with Jason Tiller

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 17:00:00 -0400

In this episode of Growing Kiwis, Claire sits down with Jason Tiller for a raw, honest, and energising conversation about what it really takes to grow through change.

From hospitality kitchens and rural sales calls to building his own consultancy and co-founding a global wellness platform, Jason’s journey is anything but linear. They unpack the power of relationships in business, the reality behind taking the leap into entrepreneurship, and how major life pivots can become the catalyst for reinvention.

This is a conversation about backing yourself, leading with intention, and building a life and career that creates both freedom and impact, all while wearing a few too many hats along the way.

The power of self-leadership with Gemma Slack

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 17:00:00 -0400

In this episode of Growing Kiwis, we sit down with Gemma Slack for a grounded and honest conversation about burnout, identity shifts, and coming back to yourself.

Gemma is a breathwork facilitator, leadership coach, and mum, and she shares her journey from high-performance startup life into a more embodied, intentional way of living. Shaped by motherhood, nervous system awareness, and deep personal change.

We explore self-leadership beyond mindset, into the body, behaviour, and everyday choices that shape how we show up in life, work, and relationships.

A key reflection from this episode:

“Most high achievers don’t need more information, they need more space.”

This idea runs through the conversation, that clarity often comes not from doing more, but from slowing down enough to actually feel and integrate what we already know.

We also dive into co-regulation, leadership, parenting, ADHD and novelty, and why emotional safety is something that’s felt, not simply created or stated.

Connect with Gemma:

Instagram: @the_gemma_rose
Website: https://www.gemmarose.nz/

From the gym floor to business ownership with Cam Woods

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 17:00:00 -0400

In this episode of Growing Kiwis, we sit down with Cam Woods, owner of two Waikato-based Strength Nation locations, community builder, and all-round good human, to unpack how he went from cleaning floors as a teenager to owning two thriving businesses by 24.

We dive into the power of saying yes, backing yourself before you feel ready, and why building genuine community is the real secret to business growth.

Cam shares his journey through the fitness industry, the lessons he learned from being surrounded by the right people early on, and how he’s created a gym culture that people genuinely want to be part of.

If you’ve ever thought you were too young to take action, doubted yourself, felt stuck in comfort, or wondered what it really takes to build something meaningful, this one’s for you.

Strength Nation - Cambridge

Strength Nation - Te Awamutu

Rising through adversity with Chantelle Good

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 18:35:00 -0400

In this episode of Growing Kiwis, we sit down with business owner and powerhouse leader Chantelle Good to explore a journey of resilience, growth, and self-discovery.

From growing up on a rural farm deep in the King Country to building a successful virtual assistant and bookkeeping business, Chantelle shares how early independence, problem-solving, and a passion for learning shaped her life and career.

One of the biggest things I love about Chantelle is her unwavering belief in herself, her resilience and ability to step fully into a challenge, her learner’s mindset and the way she leans fully into life.

She takes us through her health challenges, including dialysis and a life-changing kidney transplant, and how these experiences have built her empathy, confidence, and leadership style.

We explore some raw relationship moments, her journey in leading her team with clarity and vulnerability, and what authenticity really looks like.

For anyone building or scaling a business, struggling with adversity or wanting to dive deeper into values and daily habits, Chantelle’s story is packed with golden nuggets!

Varntige

The gold medal mindset with Shaun Kirkham

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 17:00:00 -0400

In this episode of Growing Kiwis, Olympic gold medalist and business owner Shaun Kirkham takes us inside one of the most powerful comeback stories in New Zealand sport.

From a fiery, ambitious kid in Hamilton to standing on the Olympic podium in Tokyo, Shaun’s journey is packed with grit, growth, and game-changing mindset shifts.

This isn’t just about winning gold, it’s about what it takes to rebuild when things aren’t working, to lean into hard conversations, and to create unstoppable momentum through the smallest daily actions.

It’s high performance, some very real chat, and the kind of perspective that makes you want to lift your standards immediately.

If you’re chasing growth, needing to pivot and do things differently or looking to rebuild momentum, this episode is for you.

Shaun’s journey is a reminder that no matter where you are right now, you’re one decision, one mindset shift, or one small action away from changing everything.

Stories through the lens with Ruth Gilmour

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 17:00:00 -0400

In this episode of the Growing Kiwis Podcast, we chat with Ruth Gilmour, founder and Creative Director of Gilmour Studios, about living and working intentionally.

Ruth shares her journey from teaching photography to running a thriving studio in Hamilton, NZ, and how she aligns her business with her family values. We explore how she balances work, family, and wellbeing, the evolution of her studio into a collaborative space, and the role of habits and systems in creating consistency and reducing decision fatigue.

Ruth also discusses the importance of community, collaboration, and empathy in business, reframing challenges as opportunities, and how her energy and approach differentiate her service. This conversation is packed with inspiration and practical insights for anyone looking to live more intentionally, build meaningful habits, and create a business that reflects their values.

Gilmour Studios

From shift work to subdivisions with Sam Ashton

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 17:00:00 -0400

In this episode of Growing Kiwis, we sit down with Sam Ashton, a former police officer who has reinvented himself as a successful property developer.

Sam shares his journey from niche side hustles to finding his true passion in property.

He opens up about the challenges of his first big development, the lessons learned from managing multiple moving parts, and the importance of surrounding himself with the right people.

Sam talks honestly about mindset, persistence, taking risks, and continuously learning from every experience.

Packed with humor, authenticity, and practical insights, this episode is full of inspiration for anyone ready to take action and create the life they want, in any industry

Ashton Projects - Facebook

From idea to inventory with Hannah Porter

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 17:00:00 -0400

In this episode of Growing Kiwis, we sit down with Hannah Porter, , founder of Bear & Moo, to talk about how a maternity leave side hustle turned into a thriving e-commerce business. What began as a simple idea at home has grown over the past seven years into a well-known baby and parenting brand, with a growing team, a warehouse, and a retail store.

Hannah shares the real story behind building a product-based business, including the challenges of manufacturing overseas, managing inventory and stock forecasting, and making big decisions about what products to bring to market. She also opens up about some of the harder lessons along the way, from bad product calls to hiring too early, and how those experiences helped shape the business she runs today.

We also dive into what it’s like running a business with your partner, balancing family life with entrepreneurship, and learning to step into leadership as the business grows. Hannah talks honestly about the mindset shifts that come with moving from a side hustle to a fully-fledged business and the importance of trusting your instincts as a founder.

A huge part of Bear & Moo’s success has been the strong community built around the brand. Hannah explains why authenticity matters more than polished marketing, how staying relatable has helped create loyal customers, and why connection is still one of the most powerful tools for growing a brand in today’s digital world.

This conversation is packed with honest insights into entrepreneurship, leadership, and what it really takes to build a business that people genuinely connect with.

Bear and Moo - Website

Courage over comfort with Dom Vettise

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 10:00:00 -0400

In this episode of Growing Kiwis, we chat with Dom Vettise, one of NZ sport’s hidden gems, supporting many of our leading athletes behind the scenes.

He’s lead sport psychologist for the NZOC, NZ Football, NZ Rugby and more, and occupied some of sport’s leading psych roles at a relatively young age which has brought tons of excitement, challenge and opportunity.

He’s also a devoted Dad and champion of courage, and while he began by studying medicine, quickly realized his heart lay in psychology and understanding what makes people tick and how to help them thrive.

Dom has worked with a huge range of people across industries, and every experience has shaped his unique approach to leadership. He shares the lessons he’s learned from the mentors who inspired him, and how those lessons now guide the way he leads, supports, and develops his sports teams.

We also chat through his approach to being a dad, changing the way he shows up and providing fresh perspective on fostering courage, nurturing future leaders, and creating teams that genuinely flourish.

There’s some real gold here in Dom’s practical frameworks, honesty and authenticity and examples from his own journey around showing up with his own values and connecting with people in a different way.

Packed with insights, stories, and practical takeaways, this episode will leave you energized, motivated, and ready to step up in your own life, no excuses.

Vettise Psychology - Website