Notes From The Executive with Mina Amso

In this special episode of Notes From The Executive, we picked the best moments from some of our top interviews, all focused on starting a business the smart way.You'll hear from:Josh Comrie (The Exit Pro) on how to spot seismic shifts in AI and why timing is everything in businessDominic Sutton (SaaS founder) on the $1.2 million mistake that taught him what really matters when building a startupStu Lees (Marketing expert) on why a $9 website and a few coffee meetings can outperform fancy ads WatchYouTube: https://youtu.be/_nW3E09pZ7E#startingabusiness #businessgrowth #entrepreneurship #notesfromtheexecutive #podcastguestnz

Episode Sponsor:www.podcastguest.co.nzStu Lees is a New Zealand-based marketing strategist, consultant, and workshop trainer who helps small business owners scale using practical, low-cost marketing strategies. Known as the "shoestring marketer," Stu Lees has helped hundreds of Kiwi businesses grow without relying on paid ads or expensive websites. His honest, no-fluff take on lead generation, content strategy, and emotional marketing is increasingly relevant for entrepreneurs and B2B professionals worldwide who want sustainable business growth.Follow Stu https://shoestringmarketer.coFollow me:Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/notesfromtheexecutivepodcast/Watch on YouTube - https://youtu.be/5wKAyw70_DgTimestamps:00:00 – Intro 02:10 – why in-person coffee meetings bring better leads than ads03:30 – Stu Lees reveals his own winning marketing strategy17:00 – Why marketers are B^%L Sh$%ting us19:00 – the $9 website that generated $20k in sales30:09 – lead magnets that actually work: workshops vs ebooks36:00 – workshop strategy: how to sell without selling50:00 – handling no-shows: turn a missed event into a client57:00 – how to use testimonials to remove customer fear01:01:00 – biggest mistake business owners make, emotional marketing: how to make buyers feel how to start a small business, small business marketing strategies, low budget marketing ideas, affordable marketing for startups, marketing tips for entrepreneurs, lead generation without ads, DIY marketing tactics, effective marketing on a budget, startup marketing plan, cost-effective marketing techniques, grow your business online, marketing strategies for new businesses, digital marketing for beginners, building a client base, marketing without spending money

Episode Sponsor: Podcast Guest - www.podcastguest.co.nzBaylyes Auckland CEO Lloyd Budd reveals the defining moments that shaped his leadership — including the time he took on a franchise too soon, watched it collapse, and had to rebuild from scratch. He has nearly two decades of experience in the property busienss.Bayleys Auckland is the flagship franchise of Bayleys Real Estate, New Zealand’s largest full-service real estate agency. Founded in 1973, Bayleys has over 90 offices across NZ and internationally, known for high-end commercial, residential, and rural property services.If you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a business leader, or someone navigating tough seasons in your career — this episode is your playbook for sustainable growth.Follow Lloydhttps://auckland.bayleys.co.nz/Follow me:  Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/notesfromtheexecutivepodcast/Watch on YouTube:https://youtu.be/49R3DQZ14ushow to become a ceo, business journey to ceo, new zealand real estate, bayleys auckland, business leadership podcast, business failures and recovery, how to scale your business, entrepreneurship lessons, leadership under pressure, real estate insights nz, aspiring entrepreneurs podcast, how to grow a business from scratch, business mistakes to avoidEpisode Sponsor: Podcast Guest - www.podcastguest.co.nz

Episode Sponsor: www.podcastguest.co.nzMax Whitehead is one of New Zealand’s most trusted voices in employment relations, with over two decades of experience advocating for both employers and employees.He's built a reputation for cutting through legal jargon to deliver straight-talking, ethical advice that protects everyday Kiwis.From national media to courtroom battles, Max is the go-to expert when the workplace turns messy.Follow Maxwww.linkedin.com/in/maxwhiteheadFollow me:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/notesfromtheexecutivepodcast/Watch on YouTube:https://youtu.be/G9T4cb4ZunQEpisode Sponsor: www.podcastguest.co.nz

Episode Sponsor: www.podcastguest.co.nzWyndi Tagi is a Māori business leader, speaker and co-founder of accounting and advisory firm, We Mana. She scaled her firm across New Zealand and Samoa — all while putting people before profit.In this raw and honest conversation, she opens up about what it really takes to grow a business built on values:✅ How a bad hire cost her $250,000✅ Why she outsourced across the Pacific✅ What it’s like running a business after surviving cancer three times✅ How EOS and systems saved her business✅ And why she refuses to sacrifice family for profitIf you're an aspiring entrepreneur, or a small business owner trying to scale without burning out, this episode is your blueprint.00:00 – podcast intro: scaling a business with purpose in New Zealand02:30 – growing up with an entrepreneurial dad in a Maori family05:00 – how to start a business without a product or plan07:30 – building a people-first business model in New Zealand15:00  - the lessons I wished I learned 18:04 - how Wyndi Tagi feels about being a leader of a lot of staff?18:56 - how Wyndi Tagi handles stress30:00 - sales tips for those who hate to sell38:56 - how Wyndi Tagi scaled her business and hiring people40:00 – hiring mistakes that cost $250k and what to do differently44:00 – outsourcing to Samoa and Fiji: how small businesses can go global45:00 – the truth about growing your team as a small business owner50:00 – what surviving cancer taught me about business and legacy54:00 – how to build a life and business with no regretsFollow Wyndi: https://wemana.co.nz/Follow Mehttps://www.instagram.com/notesfromtheexecutivepodcast/Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/2cFVZVjP3Jg?si=lnRTUidcB54ClWjzEpisode Sponsor: www.podcastguest.co.nz#entrepreneurship #leadership #scalingbusiness #podcastnz

Dominic Sutton is an Auckland-based entrepreneur and investor with over two decades experience in the New Zealand advertising industry founding Pumpt advertising. He is now CEO and co-founder of StockTrim, a SaaS (software as a service) platform that helps product-based businesses forecast inventory more accurately. 00:00 – Intro 00:21 - how dominic built a $10m agency and bounced back from a $1.2m mistake03:40 – biggest business mistake that cost me $1.2 million04:04 – how i survived losing millions in business05:15 – what i’d do differently if i started again07:04  – the most common mistakes business owners make09:00 – should you start a business at 28 or wait until you're older?10:00 – how to grow a business from 0 to $10 million12:01 – how to hire a general manager (and not lose your company)19:30 – black hole days: surviving the early stages of business23:00 – how to keep going when you want to quit24:00 – why we avoid hard tasks (and how to fix it)28:00 – best types of businesses to start in new zealand29:30 – what stocktrim does and who it's for33:35 – building and scaling a SaaS business from scratch37:00 – how to pitch to angel investors and raise capital40:35 – how much funding should you raise?45:30 – my biggest advice for new entrepreneursFollow Dominichttps://www.stocktrim.com/Follow MeInstagram https://www.instagram.com/notesfromtheexecutivepodcast/Watch on YouTube:

Professor Elizabeth Broadbent is a leading health psychologist at the University of Auckland, renowned for her groundbreaking work at the intersection of psychology, healthcare, and robotics. With over 15 years of research, she has pioneered studies on how technology, digital humans, and AI can improve mental health, reduce loneliness, and enhance patient care.She is best known for developing the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire, a widely used tool that helps doctors and researchers understand how patients perceive their health conditions.Professor Broadbent is a Fellow of the Royal Society Te Apārangi, a prestigious recognition for her contributions to science. Her research on companion robots like Paro the seal has shown that AI-driven technology can reduce loneliness in older adults, help patients adhere to medication, and even improve mental well-being in people with dementia.Her work has been cited over 21,000 times, making her a globally respected figure in health psychology and human-robot interaction. With a background in both engineering and psychology, she is at the forefront of reshaping the future of healthcare through technology.Her latest research focuses on digital humans and AI-driven cognitive behavioral therapy, exploring how virtual therapists could support mental health treatment and fill critical gaps in the healthcare system.Professor Broadbent’s insights are shaping the future of healthcare, mental well-being, and AI-driven support systems, making her a key voice in the future of human-technology interaction.Watch on Youtube: Click HereFollow Me:  / notesfromtheexecutivepodcast  #entrepreneur

Josh Comrie is Kiwi entrepreneur, advisor, and angel investor with over 25 years of experience transforming ideas into multi-million dollar successes.Having built, scaled, and exited five companies, Josh’s journey from humble beginnings in South Auckland to becoming a sought-after business strategist is a masterclass in the art of timing and self-investment. Known for his no-nonsense mantra, “Invest in yourself above all else,” he leverages emerging trends like AI and alternative investments to redefine what’s possible in today’s business landscape. Watch Instead on YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/@NotesFromTheExecutivePodcastFollow Joshhttps://www.joshcomrie.com/Follow Mehttps://linkin.bio/notesfromtheexecutive

Richard Conway, founder of Pure SEO, turned a $200 investment into a multi-million dollar digital marketing empire. He discusses the shifting landscape of Google search and the potential disruption AI poses to SEO. Explore the challenges of scaling a business in an AI-driven world and learn about his inspiring retreat with Richard Branson. Conway shares key principles for success, emphasizing self-awareness and adaptability, while warning that AI could lead to a 'race to the bottom' in digital marketing.

Tony Falkenstein ONZM— is a New Zealand-based entrepreneur, author, and philanthropist. He is the founder and CEO of the publicly listed Just Life Group.Tony is an extraordinary Kiwi entrepreneur who’s built over 50 businesses. Tony’s story is all about execution over planning. He famously said:“The definition of entrepreneurship is idea plus execution. Now there are millions of ideas, but people can't execute.”From boosting Optical Holdings’ share price from 38¢ to over $12 to launching Just Water—a water cooler rental now in thousands of NZ offices and homes—Tony offers deep insights into turning setbacks into successes. If you’re serious about New Zealand business, startup strategy, and leadership lessons, this episode is unmissable.Simply search for Notes From The Executive YouTube to watch the episode.#NZBusiness #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #StartupStrategy #Leadership #Innovation #ExecutivePodcast #BusinessInsights #EntrepreneurMindset #KiwiSuccess