The Start Out Savvy Podcast

AI is not replacing you.But the business owner who knows how to use it properly?She’s moving faster.In this episode of the Start Out Savvy Podcast, I sit down with AI strategist Anita Mac for a real conversation about how to use AI in business without becoming robotic, generic, or lazy.This is not a “10 prompts to go viral” chat.It’s about:• Using AI for strategy, not just content• Building custom GPTs that actually save you time• Leveraging AI to map your value ladder and spot revenue gaps• Improving client experience with smarter systems• Training ChatGPT to sound like you, not like the internetWe also talk about the fear around AI, the myths, and why it should never replace your thinking, your judgment, or your expertise.Used properly, AI becomes your thinking partner.Used badly, it makes you look like everyone else.If you’re an established service-based business owner who wants to work smarter, tighten your systems, and stay ahead without losing your authenticity, this episode will shift how you see AI.No fluff.No fear.Just smarter business.Connect with Anita:Find her on Instagram here

AI is everywhere right now.It’s fast. It’s powerful. It’s overwhelming.And if you’re not careful? It can make you sound like every other generic robot on the internet.In this solo episode, I’m breaking down the real talk on AI for business owners, no hype, no fear-mongering, no “AI will rot your brain” drama.We’re talking about:How to actually use AI to streamline your business (without outsourcing your thinking)Why knowing your end goal before opening ChatGPT mattersThe biggest mistake I see business owners making with AI contentHow AI can help you make more money, and where it absolutely won’tThe uncomfortable truth about action: AI can’t sell for youHow to future-proof your business (and your clients) in an AI-driven worldWhy your industry (and your clients’ industries) might be at riskI’m also sharing real examples from behind the scenes at Start Out Savvy - what we’ve tried, what we ditched, what actually saves time, and how I’m using AI for deep research, marketing, and strategic planning in 2026.If you’re a driven, service-based business owner who wants to leverage AI without losing authenticity (or revenue), this one’s for you.And if pricing is the real issue in your business?AI can’t magically fix that either - but it can give you clarity.If you’re a service-based business owner and you want to sense-check your pricing properly, run your numbers, and stop guessing - check out SAMI, my AI Pricing Strategist SAMI helps you run your current pricing through a strategic emotion free lens based on your goals, your current prices and she will tell you what they really should beGet SAMI for just $97 NZD hereDon't forget to come give us a follow on the IG here

Are you secretly hoping NZ Super will “just work out”?Hate to break it to you… but this episode might be the wake-up call you didn’t know you needed.In this honest, no-fluff conversation, I’m joined by Maria Temnyuk from Diamond Property & Wealth, a New Zealand financial advisor specialising in investments, property and KiwiSaver.We’re talking about what’s really happening with retirement in NZ, and why waiting until “later” to invest could cost you more than you think.Inside this episode, we cover:Why NZ Super alone won’t fund a comfortable retirementThe scary stats most Kiwis don’t know about retirement incomeWhat investing actually is (and what it’s not)The power of compound interest (aka money making money babies )Why consistency beats trying to time the marketThe biggest investing mistake people make (hint: it’s not what you think)How to start , even if you feel behindWhy women are often better investors than menBusiness owners: how to balance paying yourself, investing, and growing your businessMaria shares practical, grounded advice , not hype, not TikTok stock tips, but real-world strategy based on what she sees every day working with Kiwi families.If you’ve ever said:“I’ll start investing once the mortgage is paid off.”“I’m too late.”“KiwiSaver will probably be enough.”“I make good money, I’ll figure it out later.”This is your nudge to stop winging it.Because retirement isn’t a someday problem.It’s a strategy problem.Maria offers:A free 30-minute discovery callA 2-hour strategy consultation where she models your trajectory and next stepsYou’ll find her links below.If this episode hits home, share it with your partner, your bestie, or the friend who “doesn’t want to think about retirement yet.”Future You will be glad you did.Ready to take action?Follow Maria on IG hereCheck out her website here

February is our Money & Marketing Series, and this solo episode is a real talk about money.Your business can look successful and still be terrible at building real wealth.In this episode, I break down:The difference between cashflow, profit, and wealthWhy being busy (or even profitable) doesn’t always mean you’re financially safeThe most common money blind spots in established businessesHow pricing quietly determines whether you can actually pay yourselfIf your business disappeared tomorrow, what would you be left with?This episode will help you rethink how money moves through your business, and what needs to change if you want more security, less stress, and long-term options.If you’re not sure your pricing supports the income and life you want, SAMI our AI Pricing Strategist is here to help.SAMI pressure-tests your pricing, highlights cashflow gaps, and guides you through what needs to change so your business can actually fund your future.Sense-check your pricing with SAMI hereIt will be THE best $97 NZD you spend on your business (and life) all year.Don't forget to come follow us on IG here

February is our Money & Marketing Series.Because great marketing means nothing if it’s not making you money.This is Episode 2 of the Marketing segment, where we cut through the fluff and talk about what actually works, and what’s quietly costing you time, energy, and cash.Posting more isn’t your problem.Boosting posts isn’t the solution.And “hoping for the best” definitely isn’t a strategy.In this episode, marketing strategist Carrie McIntosh (WHY Digital) and I get brutally honest about why your marketing isn’t working and share the foundational fixes you need to make before throwing more time or money at it.We unpack:Why marketing without strategy is just expensive guessingThe data you should actually be looking at (and why most people avoid it)What makes a landing page convert , and why most don’tThe smartest way to spend your marketing budget as a service businessWhy good marketing starts way before ads or content calendarsIf you want marketing that converts , not just looks good on Instagram, this episode is your wake-up call.Get Carrie's FREE Marketing Goals EPIC checklist hereGo follow Carrie here

February is our Money & Marketing Series, and this solo episode is your marketing reality check.Aka your check in with your own marketing foundations. If you’re posting, emailing, showing up, and still wondering why people aren’t buying — this is why.Marketing isn’t just social media, ads, or hitting “publish” on your website. It’s how people find you, trust you, and decide to buy.In this episode, I cover:Why posting more isn’t the answerThe most common marketing traps business owners fall intoWhy foundations matter more than platformsHow to use data (not vibes) to make better marketing decisionsWhere marketing effort quietly turns into wasted time and moneyIf you don’t know who you’re for, what you’re selling, or where you’re sending people, no amount of content will fix that.This episode will help you simplify your marketing, stop copying what everyone else is doing, and start making decisions that actually lead to sales.🎧 Next episode: I’m bringing in a marketing expert to go deeper on strategy, data, and spend.If you want marketing support then check out people I recommend:SM Marketing: Sarah Lilly MediaAds, Funnels: WHY DigitalCopywriting: Dirty Copy

Confidence isn’t something you download or template.In this episode, we’re talking about confidence.Where it actually comes from and why it’s built through action, repetition, and trust, not motivation or mindset hacks.We’ll cover how confidence grows in business, why waiting to “feel ready” keeps you stuck, and how doing the work changes how you show up. If you want real, grounded confidence that lasts, this is how it's done.Come stalk us on the IG ⁠here⁠Ready for a new accountant? Book a free chat ⁠here⁠

Trying to run a business without clarity is like driving in the fog.In this episode, we’re talking about clarity.Knowing where you’re going, why you’re going there, and how to make decisions without constantly second-guessing yourself. Foggy thinking leads to off-road detours.We’ll cover how lack of clarity shows up in money, pricing, and planning, and why everything feels easier once the fog lifts. If you want direction instead of drift in 2026 , this episode will hit home.Come stalk us on the IG ⁠here⁠Ready for a new accountant? Book a free chat ⁠here⁠

Profit looks good on paper. Cash flow keeps the car running!In this episode, we’re unpacking what cash flow actually is, why it’s one of the most important parts of your business, and how to tighten it up without micromanaging every dollar.We’ll cover common cash flow blind spots, why income alone doesn’t equal stability, and the small shifts that create more control and ease. If you want your business to feel calmer and more predictable, start here.Come stalk us on the IG ⁠here⁠Ready for a new accountant? Book a free chat ⁠here⁠

You don’t stumble into mastery , you train for it.In this episode, we’re talking about mastery and why running a business is more like training for an Olympic event than winging it as you go. Peak performance doesn’t happen by accident.We’ll cover why consistency beats intensity, how skill-building compounds over time, and why treating your business like something you train for changes everything. If you want to operate at a higher level, this is how you do itCome stalk us on the IG ⁠here⁠Ready for a new accountant? Book a free chat ⁠here⁠

Mindset isn’t about meditating for hours or thinking positive thoughts.In this episode, we’re breaking down what mindset actually is in business, why it matters, and how it shows up in the decisions you make every day. No crystals. No manifesting marathons. Just practical awareness.We’ll cover how mindset affects money, pricing, and growth, and why shifting the way you think doesn’t require a total personality overhaul. If you want better results without the woo, this one’s for you.Come stalk us on the IG hereReady for a new accountant? Book a free chat here

Money is the fuel that keeps your business running.In this episode, Kirsten is talking about money in your business: how it comes in, how it flows out, and why it’s the thing that keeps your business vehicle running smoothly. When the fuel system’s off, everything starts to feel harder than it needs to.She'll cover how money really moves through your business, where it quietly disappears, and why understanding this changes how you make decisions. If you want your business to run smoothly instead of spluttering, this is where it starts.Come stalk us on IG hereNeed a new accountant? Book a free chat here

In this episode, I’m coming to you from Vietnam, where I’ve been living for the past six weeks. I’m sharing what life has really been like here — the daily rhythm, the cultural shifts, and how this new chapter compares to life back in New Zealand. One of the biggest surprises? Tune in to find out.KirstenCome follow the travel IG account hereNeed a new accountant? Then stalk us here

In this week's episode, Kirsten is sharing what she hasn't been doing in business (she's been naughty!) and what has happened instead.Maybe this will inspire you to do the sameA bit of a BTS episode today, all the way from VietnamKirstenDon't forget to come follow us on IG⁠ here⁠Want to check out Ivorey (literally THE best all -in-one platform? Take a look ⁠here

Ever felt guilty for saying no? Or caught yourself bending over backwards for a client who barely pays on time?Or dropped your prices before sending an invoice?In this episode, we’re diving deep into the uncomfortable truth: setting boundaries is hard—but not having them? That’s a fast track to burnout, stress, and clients who treat your business like a buffet and come and go as they please.I’m sharing what really happens when you avoid boundaries in business (hint: it’s not cute), why people-pleasing is costing you money, and how to start backing yourself like the powerhouse you are. Whether it’s pricing, time, energy, or expectations—this one’s your wake-up call. If you’re ready to stop over giving and start owning your value, this episode is for you.Kirsten

AI is EVERYWHERE right now.Getting bigger and louder by the day it seems.In this episode Kirsten is sharing her props and pitfalls and things to watch for when it comes to using AI (or not!) in business.Packed full of tips you won't want to miss this oneKirstenWe hang out on Instagram ⁠here⁠, don't forget to come follow us.

Who doesn't love a bit of a BTS peak into how people run their businesses?This week, Kirsten is breaking down how the money flows in her business.From invoicing, bank account set up, expenses and more!A must listen episode if you are a service based business and want to know some simple and sweet changes you can make in your business to blow it all the way up.KirstenDon't forget to come follow us on IG hereWant to check out Ivorey? Take a look here

In this no-fluff, no BS episode, we cut through the crap, ditch outdated advice, and spill the tea on what actually works when it comes to growing a service-based business on Instagram — even if you’ve only got 2 hours a week, hate dancing, or never touch trending audioWhether you’re stuck in a content rut, are super confused when it comes to your socials or just want a smarter way to show up, this episode is your Instagram reset button.In this episode, we cover:The Instagram “strategies” you can skip entirely in 2025What types of content waste your time (and what’s actually worth it)How to make the most of 2 hours a week on the ‘gramReels, carousels, static posts — which to use, when, and whyHow to use Stories, Posts & Reels strategically — not just randomlyCan you grow without dancing or using trending audio? (Spoiler: YES)What “growth” really means for small businesses on InstagramCan educational content alone grow your account?How to batch and plan content without making it your second jobWhat you actually need to know about the algorithm in 2025How to boost engagement without cheesy caption questionsThe truth about replying to every comment and DMBuilding a community vibe without living onlineIf we were starting from scratch, here’s what we’d do differentlyThe most underrated Instagram feature nobody’s talking aboutThis episode is perfect for: service-based biz owners,, and anyone ready to show up with purpose (not pressure) and do it in an authentic way.Hope you enjoy!KirstenYou can find Sarah here:Instagram WebsiteElevated Ambition Podcast

Ever dreamt of ditching the cold and running your biz from a sun-soaked beach in Southeast Asia? In this behind-the-scenes episode, I’m sharing the real numbers, the planning process, and the mindset shifts that make our winter escape from New Zealand not just a fantasy — but a smart, intentional move that happens EVERY yearI break down:The actual costs — flights, accommodation, visas, and all the little extrasHow we plan our trips from year to yearWhether you’re after a mini escape, a future relocation, or just want the inspo to make bold lifestyle moves to kickstart your Rich Life Era — this one’s for you.Press play and start mapping out your own version of freedom and using your business to do itUseful links:Sky ScannerWise - Travel AccountAgodaIf you have any questions or want help planning your own winter relocation, flick me a DM on Instagram, its where I hang out.Follow us here

In this episode, Kirsten is sharing her own personal money system she has in place which works with her spender money personality not against it.You'll find out where the money goes and where you can start to do the same.I hope you find inspiration in this episode to build a system of your own KirstenDon't forget to come follow us on Instagram ⁠here