
Business Is Boring
Think business is boring? This podcast proves it's anything but. Join Simon Pound as he talks to everyone from accidental entrepreneurs to industry leaders about their business journeys and what propelled them to where they are today. Made in partnership with Deel.
Latest episodes

Apr 8, 2024 • 48min
David Yu: 2023 EY entrepreneur of the year with Aotearoa’s fastest growing company
David Yu’s company VeVe has sold more than 10 million digital collectables licensed from some of the world’s leading IP owners like Disney, Star Wars, Marvel, Lamborghini, and James Bond. As leaders in this fast growing space they have grown so fast they won the 2023 Deloitte Fast 50, and David won EY Entrepreneur of the Year. But what is a digital collectible? How did VeVe partner with the world’s most protective brand owners? And how have they grown so fast and done so well? Get the download from one of the best to do it! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 1, 2024 • 53min
How Albert Cho went from IG influencer to Ponsonby restaurateur
Albert Cho burst onto Aotearoa’s food scene in 2017 with Eat Lit Food, an Instagram account that dishes out forthright (and often profane) food reviews to an ever-expanding audience. What started as an attempt to redefine a problematic relationship with food quickly grew into a fully fledged career as an influencer, critic and writer. Last year, with the help of David Lee’s Namu Group, he opened Tobi on Ponsonby Road to rave reviews. Albert joins us for a candid chat about the origins of Eat Lit Food, and the journey to opening his first restaurant. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 25, 2024 • 43min
Improving the food system, one wonky box at a time
The first seeds for Wonky Box were planted when Angus Simms and Katie Jackson were fruit picking and saw how much wasted produce was caused by an unseasonal hail storm. The fruit was perfectly edible but aesthetically imperfect, so it was all left on the trees. This shock led to a now national food box service delivering wonky (but great) produce to people, and has so far saved more than 2 million kilograms of food going to waste. Co-founder Angus Simms joined us to chat the journey, improving the food system, and what’s next. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 18, 2024 • 54min
The AI tools every business should already be using
AI is the biggest topic in business, but where do you even begin? Mark Laurence, founder of Ten Past Tomorrow, is a local expert helping businesses get at the front of the AI curve. He joins Simon Pound to chat the tools every business needs, the rewards and risks of AI and just how close we are to an AI-driven world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 11, 2024 • 41min
Designing a te ao Māori agency
Run is a local design and creativity business led with a te aō Māori and treaty partnership view. Their approach to inclusion is changing up how the industry looks at diversity at both a local and international level, making waves recently with their beautiful Manaakitanga D&AD Pencil project. Raymond Otene McKay and Laura Cibilich, co-founders of Run (CCO and CEO respectively) join Simon to chat their mahi, their kaupapa and their ambitions for the future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 4, 2024 • 54min
How to grow NZ Inc
In this podcast, Simon Robertson discusses growing wealth in New Zealand, business relationships, and the impact of AI. He shares insights on finance, IPOs, global investment trends, RocketLab's growth, and writing for Business Desk. The conversation also delves into AI technology, perceptions versus reality, and the future of philanthropy in New Zealand.

Feb 26, 2024 • 24min
Redefining the menstrual experience with Endosoothe
Like so much of women’s health, natural and normal issues around periods are chronically underfunded, under-discussed and under-addressed. One local brand is working to change this. Endosoothe offers products, support and awareness building to empower and educate people who have periods. Founder Monique Lau joins us to talk her own health story, the origins of the business, and what the future holds. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 19, 2024 • 36min
How Powrsuit is changing the face of leadership
Co-founders Kristen Lunman and Natalie Fergusson from Powrsuit discuss empowering women in business leadership, their journey with Hatch, mentorship, networking, and strategies for promoting women leaders. They also talk about expansion plans and the upcoming launch of the PowerSuite membership network.

Feb 12, 2024 • 45min
The company making sustainable practice fashionable
Pangaia sell clothes in order to keep improving the methods of retail and production. Eva Kruse, Chief Global Engagement Officer at Pangaia, talked to us as part of Spark’s Future State series. Eva is a pioneer in sustainable fashion, spearheading the Copenhagen Fashion Summit and Global Fashion Agenda. Hear from a global leader on the future, challenges and hopes around better fashion practice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 5, 2024 • 52min
Setting the right sustainability strategy for your business
Recorded live at the Spark Innovation Studio in Auckland's CBD, Leela Gantman (Corporate Relations and Sustainability Director at Spark NZ) and Rachel Brown (CEO at the Sustainability Business Network) join us to discuss how companies of all sizes can bake better sustainable practices into their business. Listen in to hear how they approach strategy, drive action, and create practical toolkits to help other businesses do the same. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices