Business in Between

Welcome to the latest episode of Business in Between... it's our new series, on our new podcast channel, that features long-form chats with NZ's most interesting business minds. This week we hear the incredible story of how a Kiwi entrepreneur turned an idea for a fitness goal setting app into a global business with customers in over 150 countries and revenue exceeding $80 million a year. It’s the story of Adam El-Agez and his app called The Conqueror. Adam started his fitness goal setting app in 2012 after 10 years of being an entrepreneur with limited success. The idea was relatively simple, instead of ‘just’ going for a run, walk, a ride or swim, you’re working towards a virtual fitness goal, immersed in community and with a tangible race medal delivered on completion. Over six years and hundreds of thousands of dollars later the app was floundering. All the signs were pointing to giving up all together and he even started getting his CV together and applying for jobs. Then, in 2019 he met Raul, a “marketing guy”, online. In a bizarre series of events, he ended up hiring Raul, who lived in Romania, to run the digital marketing with immediate results. Raul started growing sales and from an annual revenue of under $100k they grew to $2m in the first year. The next year they did $40m and $75m in the following two, having secured licensing agreements with franchises like The Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones, Star Wars and Harry Potter. The business has now expanded globally with around 70 staff in 6 countries with customers in over 150 countries. Adam’s story – and the growth of his company – is insane. We talk about navigating a cyberattack, how they built their Facebook community with 378,000 people in it, and why they were spending $250,000 a day on marketing. This story will blow your mind - and it’s the first time it’s been told. Come for the storytelling and stay for Adam’s brilliant business lessons at the end. This is an ep not to be missed. There's an exciting opportunity available to sponsor this channel, if this interests you, please get in touch. Follow and subscribe to this Business in Between channel in your podcast app. We’ve got big plans to grow this space, so following, liking, subscribing and all that stuff means the world to us. Enjoy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to episode 7 of our new show: Accidental Business Owners. It's a podcast about business, life, mindset, relationships and the inside story of a pretty wild last 12 months. This is the seventh episode in the series, but they all stand alone – so you don’t have to go back to the start. In this episode we talk about the struggle of managing friendship and business, and the tools we use to try to bring some balance to our lives.   There's still an exciting opportunity available to sponsor this show. If this interests you, please get in touch. Lastly, please follow and subscribe to this Business in Between channel in your podcast app. Enjoy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to the latest episode of Business in Between... it's our new series, on our new podcast channel, that features long-form chats with NZ's most interesting business minds. This week we're dipping back into our Between Two Beers archives and getting business lessons from Steve Dunstan. Steve is the co-founder of Huffer, one of New Zealand’s most loved fashion brands. He started the company as a 21-year-old and over 20 years grew it into a multi-faceted business with stores across New Zealand and in Australia. Since recording this episode back in 2023 Steve has taken a back seat in the operational running of Huffer but remains a minority shareholder while he looks at new and exciting opportunities. But in this episode we talk about the humble beginnings of the Huffer story, the Orlando Bloom moment in front of 200,000 people in Wellington, taking on America, hitting rock bottom and nearly losing it all and the 10-year salvage mission that got the brand back to where it is today.  Steve is a Kiwi icon, a thoughtful, humble, optimistic winner, who’s epic story of business success is as entertaining as it is inspiring.  There's an exciting opportunity available to sponsor this channel, if this interests you, please get in touch.Follow and subscribe to this Business in Between channel in your podcast app. We’ve got big plans to grow this space, so following, liking, subscribing and all that stuff means the world to us. Enjoy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to episode 6 of our new show: Accidental Business Owners. It's a podcast about business, life, mindset, relationships and the inside story of a pretty wild last 12 months. This is the sixth episode in the series, but they all stand alone – so you don’t have to go back to the start. In this episode we talk about receiving an email from the Prime Minister's Office, asking if we'd have Christopher Luxon on our Between Two Beers Podcast. It got us thinking long and hard about who we are, as a brand, as a business and as a podcast and we detail the spin it put us in, the decision we reached and why. Lastly, before we get into it - there's a really exciting opportunity available to sponsor this show. I could be talking about your business right now. If this interests you, please get in touch. Also, please follow and subscribe to this Business in Between channel in your podcast app. We’ve got big plans to grow this space, so following, liking, subscribing and all that stuff means the world to us. Enjoy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to episode 5 of our new show: Accidental Business Owners. It's a podcast about business, life, mindset, relationships and the inside story of a pretty wild last 12 months. This is the fifth episode in the series, but they are all standalone – so you don’t have to go back to the start and follow along. My name is Steve Holloway and alongside my best mate Seamus Marten, we started a podcast called Between Two Beers nearly five years ago in my Hamilton garage. In quite a surreal series of events, it’s turned into our fulltime job – and along with the podcast we’ve also started two side businesses. In November last year, I was feeling pretty overwhelmed with what my new world was looking like, and so I connected with a business and mindset coach who specializes in helping Accidental Business Owners find their way. Her name is Di Foster – and as you'll soon discover, she’s a bit of a weapon. In this episode the theme is ‘The Price You Pay’, and we talk about some of the unexpected impacts owning a business has had on our personal lives. Lastly, before we get into it - there's a really exciting opportunity available to sponsor this show. I could be talking about your business right now. If this interests you, please get in touch. Also, please follow and subscribe to this Business in Between channel in your podcast app. We’ve got big plans to grow this space, so following, liking, subscribing and all that stuff means the world to us. Enjoy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to episode 4 of our new show: Accidental Business Owners.It's a podcast about business, life, mindset, relationships and the inside story of a pretty wild last 12 months.This is the fourth episode in the series, but they all stand alone – so you don’t have to go back to the start.My name is Steve Holloway and alongside my best mate Seamus Marten, we started a podcast called Between Two Beers nearly five years ago in my Hamilton garage.In quite a surreal series of events, it’s turned into our fulltime job – and along with the podcast we’ve also started two side businesses.In November last year, I was feeling pretty overwhelmed with what my new world was looking like, and so I connected with a business and mindset coach who specializes in helping Accidental Business Owners find their way.Her name is Di Foster – and as you'll soon discover, she’s a bit of a weapon.In this episode the theme is ‘why haven’t you done it already?’, and in the back half Seamus gets pretty open about some of his pre-podcast business struggles, the story he’s been telling himself and how he’s going to change it.Lastly, before we get into it - there's a really exciting opportunity available to sponsor this show. I could be talking about your business right now. If this interests you, please get in touch.Also, please follow and subscribe to this Business in Between channel in your podcast app. We’ve got big plans to grow this space, so following, liking, subscribing and all that stuff means the world to us. Enjoy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to the first new episode of Business in Between... it's our new series, on our new podcast channel, that features long-form chats with NZ's most interesting business minds. This week we're getting business lessons from Matt Stark. For those outside of Hamilton, Matt could be described as a super successful business buyer, builder, investor and leader. For those inside of Hamilton - Matt Stark is the guy transforming the city. With his team at Stark property he's built, innovated and designed many of Kirkiroa's most impressive developments. He's responsible for the Riverbank Lane Project and the Tristram Precint, Panama House, The HIlls Development, South Block. And he’s also our landlord for our own office at MADE in Hamilton East! In the words of Mike Neale, Harcourts Hamilton's managing director 'his impact is everywhere you look'. In this episode we learn why he left school at 16 to pursue a building apprenticeship, how he lost it all in the GFC, his lawn mowing business, the role his wife Jamie has played in it all, personal values, $100 million dollar deals, lifting Hamilton's gaze, and why transforming the city is important to him. Matt is a private guy, and this is the first time he's shared his story in detail - and his first podcast. And we love it - Matt is such a humble, thoughtful, likeable guy - and we learned a lot in this one. If you enjoy this episode, please follow Business in Between in your podcast app - and share with a friend. We've got big plans for this space and will have plenty more long-form interviews coming with NZ's most insightful business minds.  There's also an opportunity available to sponsor the channel - if you'd like us to be talking about your business here - please get in touch.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to episode 3 of our new show: Accidental Business Owners.My name is Steve Holloway and alongside my best mate Seamus Marten, we started a podcast called Between Two Beers nearly five years ago in my Hamilton garage.In quite a surreal series of events, it’s turned into our fulltime job – and along with the podcast we’ve also started two side businesses.One is B2B Speakers – which brings the guests you hear on Between Two Beers to your live event as MCs or Speakers, and the other is called Reflections where our storytellers are available for hire to capture your families' private stories to pass down through generations.In November last year, I was feeling pretty overwhelmed with what my new world was looking like, and so I connected with a business coach who specializes in helping Accidental Business Owners find their way.Her name is Di Foster – and as you'll soon discover, she’s a bit of a weapon.This podcast tells our story, and hers - because shes been juggling parenthood, wellness and a growing business also. It all comes out in these 30 minute, live coaching sessions.Through the series there are laughs, tears and some pretty brutal honesty - but it's something we're all really proud of. In episode three Seamus opens up on what he really wants and Steve gets emotional talking about his struggles of balancing family and business.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to episode 2 of our new show: Accidental Business Owners. It's a podcast about business, life, mindset, relationships and the inside story of a pretty wild last 12 months. My name is Steve Holloway and alongside my best mate Seamus Marten, we started a podcast called Between Two Beers nearly five years ago in my Hamilton garage. In quite a surreal series of events, it’s turned into our fulltime job – and along with the podcast we’ve also started two side businesses. One is B2B Speakers – which brings the guests you hear on Between Two Beers to your live event as MCs or Speakers, and the other is called Reflections where our storytellers are available for hire to capture your families' private stories to pass down through generations. In November last year, I was feeling pretty overwhelmed with what my new world was looking like, and so I connected with a business coach who specializes in helping Accidental Business Owners find their way. Her name is Di Foster – and as you'll soon discover, she’s a bit of a weapon. This podcast tells our story, and hers - because shes been juggling parenthood, wellness and a growing business also. It all comes out in these 30 minute, live coaching sessions. Through the series there are laughs, tears and some pretty brutal honesty - but it's something we're all really proud of. Hope you enjoy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to episode 1 of our new show: Accidental Business Owners.It's a podcast about business, life, mindset, relationships and the inside story of a pretty wild last 12 months.My name is Steve Holloway and alongside my best mate Seamus Marten, we started a podcast called Between Two Beers nearly five years ago in my Hamilton garage.In quite a surreal series of events, it’s turned into our fulltime job – and along with the podcast we’ve also started two side businesses.One is B2B Speakers – which brings the guests you hear on Between Two Beers to your live event as MCs or Speakers, and the other is called Reflections where our storytellers are available for hire to capture your families' private stories to pass down through generations.In November last year, I was feeling pretty overwhelmed with what my new world was looking like, and so I connected with a business coach who specializes in helping Accidental Business Owners find their way.Her name is Di Foster – and as you'll soon discover, she’s a bit of a weapon.This podcast tells our story, and hers - because shes been juggling parenthood, wellness and a growing business also. It all comes out in these 30 minute, live coaching sessions.Through the series there are laughs, tears and some pretty brutal honesty - but it's something we're all really proud of.Hope you enjoy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Business in Between we revisit our chat with Raelene Castle from earlier this year. Raelene is the CEO of Sport NZ, and one of the most accomplished and experienced administrators in NZ sport.  She spent six years as CEO of Netball NZ, before becoming the first female CEO of an NRL team, when she led the Bulldogs for six years.  After that she smashed another glass wall, becoming Rugby Australia’s first female CEO in 2018.  In this episode we talk about the challenges of the Israel Folau saga, when she found herself at the centre of one of sports biggest controversies at Rugby Australia, how she got the job at the Bulldogs, her relationship with Des Hassler and the most insightful memories from six years inside the NRL, lessons in leadership, how she got her start at Netball NZ, her return to New Zealand and the challenges facing sport here.  After listening to this, you’ll get a taste for why Raelene has had the career she has. She’s the real deal, full of energy, sharp as a tack and doesn’t miss a beat. This was a lot of fun and we're so stoked to be able to bring Raelene’s story to you in full.  We're also delighted to announce Raelene is part of our business at B2B Speakers. If you'd like to hire Raelene, or one of our other guests to speak at your function or event, flick us a message by going to B2Bspeakers.co.nzSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Business in Between we're revisiting our chat with Izzy Whitley from 2023. Izzy is one of New Zealand’s most successful, self-made men under 30. At 29 he has founded two businesses that do over $30 million a year in revenue and has the world at his feet. But things weren’t always so smooth.  In the full episode of this podcast, on the Between Two Beers feed, you can hear about his incredible rise; from his humble beginnings in Gisborne to leaving home at 16 and dropping out of uni. At the age of 21 he had lost his father to suicide, suffered two heart attacks himself, and was dealing with his trauma, alone, with nothing, in an Auckland hospital. That’s when he had the idea to start Auckland labour hire, by contracting himself out to construction sites.  And that's where we pick up this conversation from, the building of his business.Auckland Labour Hire is now Aotearoa Labour Hire, with 11 branches around the country and a short-term goal of $100 million in annual revenue.  Izzy’s story is captivating and his mindset is inspirational. We both left this recording quite blown away. His approach to life, adversity and using his time – is just different... and is probably the most dialled in under 30 we’ve ever spoken too.  Enjoy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Business in Between we revisit our chat with Duane Dalton. Duane is the founder and Director of Pita Pit and the 20 minute conversation you’re about to hear was plucked from our 90 minute episode on the Between Two Beers podcast. Duane tragically lost his wife, former Silver Fern legend Tania Dalton to a brain aneurism in 2017, and the first part of the recording focused on life after loss.But the second part was all business and Duane shares his story of how and why he brought Pita Pit to NZ, how it grew a cult following, early hiccups, steep learning curves, smart partnerships and opening in the recession. Duane was one of our favourite guests on the Between Two Beers podcast, and if you want to check out the full ep – find it by searching Between Two Beers. Enjoy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Business in Between we talk to Brodie Kane. Brodie is a Kiwi media pioneer. She had an extensive career in radio and television working for the Hits and TVNZ before she was made redundant from her Christchurch radio gig in 2020. That’s when she decided to start her own company – Brodie Kane Media – where she hosts the very popular The Girls Uninterrupted and Kiwi Yarns podcasts, and produces two other podcasts, Three Gals One Beehive, and Out the Gayte. When we recorded, Brodie was two-years into her journey as an entrepreneur and details the realities of getting an independent media company off the ground. What you’re about to hear is the last 30 minutes of a two-hour episode we recorded for Between Two Beers in July of 2022. The conversation here starts with Brodie talking about getting made redundant from the Hits – and what happened next. If you’d like to hear the full convo, you can find it on the Between Two Beers feed. Listen on iheart or wherever you get your podcasts from, Enjoy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we're revisiting our chat with David Higgins from 2021. David has one of the most fascinating minds in the business of sport with a cunning intelligence and the balls to continually bet big on himself, and win.  In his mid 20s with no boxing experience and little money, he engineered the Fight of the Century between David Tua and Shane Cameron which laid the path for his journey to the top of the boxing world as Joseph Parker’s manager.  This pod is packed with cracking stories like how he got his start in the celebrity speaking scene and how he manufactured a multi-million dollar pay day for Parker in a dream bout with Anthony Joshua.We also delve into his background growing up in poverty and his subsequent relationship with money and creating Unicorns with Duco Events.  David looks at life a little differently and is an out of the box thinker who has chalked up a fascinating run of business wins. You'll love this one. We’re also super stoked to tell you about the business we’ve built. If you’d like to hire one of our incredible guests to speak or MC your event, check out our epic lineup at B2Bspeakers.co.nz and get in touch. And while there sign up to our weekly newsletter with all the biggest news from us and the podcasting space in NZ.   Listen on iheart or wherever you get your podcasts from.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.