Business Is Boring

Kat Lintott and Ben Forman helped build Wrestler into one of Aotearoa’s most forward-thinking creative and production studios – fusing storytelling, technology and culture in work for brands like Allbirds, and pioneering bold new spaces like the Web3 project Soul Aether. After scaling the studio and building a vibrant creative community, they sold Wrestler to UFORodeo – a move that opened the door to a new phase, where they are still supporting projects.In this episode of Business is Boring, they join us to reflect on the full journey: what it takes to build a studio from scratch, the lessons learned through success and challenge, and what it means to evolve your identity and work while staying connected to your creative roots.Today, Ben is building Ongoing Theory, helping people and businesses reconnect with their natural rhythms and unlock better ways of working. Kat led Rewiring Aotearoa, and is now exploring business ideas aimed at solving problems in women’s health – particularly for those overlooked by traditional research and medicine.This conversation spans creativity, transition, responsibility and possibility – and offers a glimpse into what comes after “success”, when you’re ready to build something new again, on your own terms. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pals is the pastel-coloured RTD that somehow made ready-to-drink drinks cool for the first time. But it wasn’t always assured to be a success, in fact, it started with a wine brand that was very hard to make a business from, a lot of learning, and a sense that there had to be a better way. This week on Business is Boring, we sit down with Nick Marshall and Mat Croad, two of the co-founders of Pals, to unpack how they turned an overlooked, over-sugared category into a cultural icon. We go deep on what it takes to build a brand people love, how they’ve resisted the typical “grow fast, sell out” script, and why category creation is the new brand advantage.From first sell-outs in the Mount, to Halloween costumes and B Corp ambitions—this one’s a masterclass in modern brand building, from two pals who just knew there had to be a better way. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you think of premium feature timber for cladding, decking or façades, your mind likely goes to cedar -  that rich, beautiful wood loved by architects and homeowners. But there’s a cost. Cedar and other prized timbers are often harvested from ancient, irreplaceable forests. Logging them disrupts ecosystems, accelerates climate risk, and destroys biodiversity -  all to meet demand for aesthetic and performance expectations from people who don’t often know the true cost of their choices. Daniel Gudsell saw the problem. And rather than telling people to stop using beautiful timber, he set out to build a better option. His company, Abodo, is pioneering a new category of rapidly renewable, high-performance wood - grown in sustainable forests, thermally modified to stand up to the elements, and positioned to win hearts as well as specs. It’s part science, part supply chain, and a lot of brand - building a better future for timber by changing not just the product, but how we perceive it. After more than 20 years in the space, Abodo is gaining global traction. But as Daniel shares in this episode, in many ways they’re just getting started. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Dold and Mike Mandis, co-founders of Oxygen Advisors, are behind the financial success of numerous startups in Aotearoa. They dive into the critical role of virtual CFOs, discussing how structured financial accounts and key metrics like ARR and MRR drive business success. Emphasizing the balance between optimism and realism, they share insights on capital raising and the emotional challenges founders face. Their expertise not only empowers clients but also propels economic growth, making their advice invaluable for any aspiring entrepreneur.

In a world drowning in plastic waste, Jon Reed of Compostic is pioneering a revolutionary approach to everyday kitchen products. Through sheer determination and innovative thinking, Jon transformed a personal frustration with single-use plastics into a thriving business that now sits on the shelves of major US retailers like Whole Foods and Target. His home compostable cling film and kitchen bags represent more than just a product - they're a bold challenge to the traditional plastics industry. He has expanded Compostic from a small New Zealand startup to a brand distributed across thousands of stores. 2025 has thrown a few tariff-shaped curveballs at founders like Jon - and the going has been tough - but he’s still dead-set on his goal of banishing single-use plastic. How is he navigating the chaos of today's international trade landscape? Listen now to find out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Finance, investment and better money habits have traditionally been areas mainly staffed by, led by and advocated by men. Boring men. Two friends, Sophie Hallwright and Victoria Harris, saw a need for interesting and relevant information, advice and community for women. They launched The Curve, a platform boasting an internationally popular podcast, investing club, courses and community. The Curve is now a fantastic example of how building community and providing value can be turned into a business that creates positive impact and profit. During a brief visit home to Aotearoa, co-founder Sophie Hallwright sat down with Simon Pound to discuss blazing a pathway for women in investment, before she headed back to London to continue the good work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Barnaby Marshall, a partner at Icehouse Ventures and former owner of I Love Ugly, shares insights on venture capital's impact on startup growth. He discusses how his entrepreneurial experience helps him identify promising businesses and founders. The conversation explores when venture capital is beneficial and when it may not be the right fit. Barnaby emphasizes the importance of empathy and market understanding in investing, while also touching on the evolving landscape of venture capital in New Zealand.

Being good with money is not easy. The whole credit, consumer, and hedonistic world are built to try to get people to spend too much on things they don’t need, for short term gain. The actual tips for how to be better with money are quite simple. Spend less than you earn, save a good percentage even when you don’t earn a lot, stay away from expensive debt, invest in upskilling and invest for the long-term as compounding benefits are your friend. However simple these ideas might seem actually connecting with people and getting them to believe they can make the change can be the hardest thing. Luke Kemeys is one of the new breed of financial influencers who is able to make these messages connect by sharing his story, by making the content relevant and by turning up time and time again to land the messages and habits. His media brand Keep the Change educates, informs and entertains through podcasts, courses, events and his regular newsletter. His approach sees the free content deliver heaps of value, and this creates a pipeline of business for his accountancy practice. His work has helped countless people get out of debt and into good positions, and he joins the podcast to chat his approach to money, how he learnt to practice good habits and how sharing great content can lead to business success. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In theory every business has the potential to bake doing good into how it makes money. But very few do. Brianne West has shown with first Ethique, and now Incrediballs, that with intentional action you can make a brand, business, product and movement for change, where everything you sell means you create a net positive for the world. Brianne joins us to share how she does this, and how the opportunity is there for everyone else to too! Incrediballs is her new venture, nearing launch for the effervescent tablets that you drop in water for the soft drink experience and taste, without the plastic bottles, transported water or massive sugar load. We can’t wait to see the impact these can have on the world’s biggest plastic pollution market. If you are interested in learning more about how to design your business to create positive impact with everything you do check out Brianne’s free courses and materials at Business, but Better. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pene Barton, CEO at Crimson Global Academy, and Olivia Dyet, founder and CEO at recruitment startup Empathix, delve into why people leaders are the unsung heroes of business. They discuss the essential blend of culture and strategy that defines effective leadership. The conversation highlights the potential for more diverse CEOs emerging from people operations, emphasizes the transformative impact of AI in leadership roles, and advocates for tools that enhance productivity in today's interconnected work environment.