Business Is Boring

Business is Boring is taking a break over summer. We'll be back soon with new episodes but, until then, here's one of our favourites from 2023: Xero has defined the SaaS ecosystem here. Although an accounting company, it stood out as a delightful experience and brand, and much of that spirit is thanks to Philip Fierlinger, co-founder and design leader for Xero. He's behind the reconciliation feature and the Do Beautiful Business idea. Today, he is co-CEO and founder at Upstock, a hospo wholesale ordering app building out another change to an industry. Philip shares the stories behind the work anyone that's used Xero knows, and his next mission at Upstock. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Business is Boring is taking a break over summer. We'll be back soon with new episodes but, until then, here's one of our favourites from 2023: Te Kahukura Boynton is on a mission to give more Māori financial independence. Through her Māori Millionaire media and financial literacy platform she has empowered thousands of rangatahi to take control of their finances. Hear how she shares her wealth journey, investment resources, podcasts and education, to leading a conversation about financial literacy, independence and sovereignty, especially for Māori. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Business is Boring is taking a break over summer. We'll be back soon with new episodes but, until then, here's one of our favourites from 2023: Shane Marsh and James McEniery discovered New Zealand is well behind the rest of the world when it comes to transferring money between banks when they were living in Singapore. They decided to create Aotearoa’s first real time payment mobile wallet. They aim to bring banking in New Zealand into the 21st century, and they chat with Simon about how they plan to do it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this crossover episode, podcasters from the Spinoff Podcast Network engage in intense discussions about government policy, the meaning of 'skibbity' in a meme, the bleakness in news, the New Zealand first approach in politics, and their heroes and villains of the year. They also explore the unexpected success of the TV show 'After the Party' and its departure from generic content.

New investment platform Goldie is allowing people to own fractionalised slices of real assets like gold and, into the future, art and collectables. They buy gold bars, and then issue shares in them at the global spot price, which you can then choose to sell or hold. It’s a new idea, trekking a similar track to what Sharesies was able to achieve for international shares. Co-founder Cam Maclachlan joins Simon Pound to chat the three-year journey of sleeping on couches and navigating regulation to help change the face of investing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Unyoked provide busy city people access to just-secluded-enough getaways, where the carefully art-directed cabins let people disconnect from modern life and connect to nature. Having already established itself in Australia, New Zealand and the UK, Unyoked has raised around $30m to expand into Europe. Co-founder Chris Grant joins Simon Pound to discuss what it takes to make an ideal retreat, Unyoked’s journey so far and what’s next. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Entrepreneur Justin Kamine discusses his family business's innovative ventures in carbon reduced chicken farming, bioplastics from seaweed, clean energy, and plant-based healthcare. He emphasizes the need for large-scale solutions and the importance of scientific validation.

International circularity and sustainability expert Dr. Leyla Acaroglu believes that we can change the world with our actions if we care enough to do so. She joins Simon Pound in connection to the Spark Lab Future State series to discuss founding her creative agency Disrupt Design and the award-winning experimental knowledge lab The UnSchool of Disruptive Design. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We send around 330,000 tonnes of used plastics to landfill every year. Critical are out to change this. They make table and bench tops, partitions and other feature materials for building from plastic waste. Upcycling rubbish into beautiful, low carbon and endlessly recyclable materials. Co-founder and CEO Rui Peng joins Simon Pound to talk the company's journey, making treasure from trash, and overcoming everything the world can throw at them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

State of Play is a 100% non-alcoholic brewery - part of a growing movement looking at how we drink, and providing options for healthier relationship with booze. Founder Grant Caunter spent 25 years building beer brands and growing the craft movement, before quitting drinking, losing 45kg and getting a new take on life. He talks to Simon Pound about what it takes to make a great "zero", and how you build a brand in a new category from a standing start. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices