Fix & Fly Podcast

#33  Jim Marsh —High Performer

#32  John  Stephens —Partner, Cuncannon

#31  Jamie Summers —Health-15

#30  Mike Smith — Owner

Woodsmith Building Co.

#29  Mike Edmonds — Founder

Number 8 Solutions

#28  Vicki Hill — Founder

Kiwi Cladding

#27  Fiona Bycroft — CEO Naut

#26  James McCombe — Founder Pilot

#25 Megan Rorich — COO Tandym

#24 Alex Russell — Pacific Invoice Finance

#23 Dr. Buzz Burrell — Chair of

General Practitioners Aotearoa (GPA)

#22 Kadon Captain — Founder of Open Minded

Kadon offers practical advice for business owners, educators, and anyone supporting neurodiverse people. She dives into the challenges neurodiverse people face in traditional systems — from being misunderstood at school to struggling in workplaces and how understanding their unique profile can turn those challenges into superpowers.

#21 Shelley May — Award winning Business Broker

Shelley shares what really goes into preparing a business for sale, the hidden challenges owners don’t see coming and the mindset shifts that can make or break a deal. From navigating buyer psychology to supporting owners through some of the biggest decisions of their lives, Shelley pulls back the curtain on an industry full of opportunity, emotion and transformation. Whether you’re planning to exit, looking to buy, or just curious about the process.

#20 Stephen Cockle — Co-Founder and Creative Director of ASC Salon

Stephen opens up about the realities of ownership—lawsuits, surviving a pandemic, and even recovering from a fire—while offering practical advice for stylists, salon owners, and anyone in service-based businesses. Stephen also highlights the importance of team culture, ongoing education, and keeping creativity at the heart of the business in an ever-evolving industry.

#19 Renee Stuart, Co-Founder and CEO of MOXX Brands

Fresh off major Deloitte Fast 50 wins, Renee takes us behind the scenes of MOXX’s rapid rise—building products that truly meet customer needs, expanding into global markets, and navigating the pressures of fast growth. She shares insights on their product development process, pitching to major retailers, and why choosing the right co-founder has been pivotal to their success.

#18 Dave Howden, co-founder of SupaHuman

Dave reveals how Kiwi business owners can harness AI to cut through chaos, streamline operations, and reclaim valuable time. This episode explores why AI isn’t about replacing people—it’s about fixing broken systems, reducing stress, and freeing owners from repetitive tasks. Dave shares practical tips on slowing down, asking better questions, and choosing the right tools to unlock AI’s full potential. If you’ve ever wondered how AI really applies to your business, this conversation will show you what’s possible and where to start.

#17 Tui Fau, ANZ Relationship Manager for Māori Business

Tui shares her journey from banking to empowering Māori businesses, iwi, and whānau across Aotearoa. In this episode, she explores the challenges and opportunities in the Māori economy—from intergenerational investment to embracing technology—while offering practical advice and inspiring insights for anyone interested in business, investment, or the future of Māori enterprise. Tune in for lessons on growth, resilience, and making a lasting impact.

#16 Amanda Morrison, iCollect founder Getting Kiwi’s paid

Amanda shares how iCollect empowers business owners to take control of their debt collection, removing commissions, streamlining payments and giving clarity in an often chaotic process. She unpacks the realities of chasing overdue invoices, the challenges businesses face with accounts receivable and how technology can simplify and strengthen cash flow. Tune in for Amanda’s insights on navigating the debt collection industry and why empowering clients is at the heart of iCollect’s mission.

#15 Francis Hooper – World Co-Founder & Fashion Designer

Francis Hooper, co-founder of World is one of New Zealand’s most iconic fashion brands. Francis shares the highs and lows of running a fashion business for over 36 years creating unique, handcrafted garments to surviving economic downturns and the challenges of staffing and manufacturing in New Zealand.

#14 Jonathan Good – Sensory Tech, AI & Scentian Bio

Jonathan Good, CEO of Scentian Bio, a New Zealand tech company turning insect biology into AI-powered sensors with the potential to transform food, health, and beyond. Jonathan opens up about the challenges of commercialising science, navigating global markets, and why innovation in biotech could transform entire industries.

#13 Michael Dearth — Serial Restaurateur & Baduzzi Founder

Michael Dearth, the visionary restaurateur behind Baduzzi & The Grove shares his story behind some of New Zealand’s most beloved hospitality experiences. Michael shares how Baduzzi is “a true labour of love,” honouring his Italian-American roots and built on the foundation of long dinners, great food, and a deep sense of belonging. Unpacking the realities of running high-quality restaurants from navigating staffing challenges, sourcing artisan ingredients, and turning every meal into a shared experience. Michael shares his insights on leadership, overcoming challenges in hospitality, and why the heart of any business is ultimately its people.

#12 Holly Cassidy – Top-Selling Luxury Real Estate Agent

Holly Cassidy, Top-Selling Ray White Real Estate Agent with over 16 years’ experience shares her journey in real estate, the biggest challenges facing the market right now, and the lessons she’s learned along the way. She also opens up about what makes the work rewarding, why client relationships matter more than ever and her perspective on building trust in a fast-moving industry.

#11 Hayden Smith– Founder of Sea Cleaners

Hayden Smith shares his story of founding Sea Cleaners and leading the fight against ocean plastics. Hayden shares the challenges of sustaining support, managing large-scale cleanups, and securing funding. We unpack what makes the work so rewarding, from seeing real change on our coastlines to inspiring communities and young people to take action. Hayden shares why community involvement matters, how we can better protect our waters and lessons learned from leading a movement spanning 20 years.

#10 Steve Armitage – CEO Hospitality New Zealand

Steve shares his views on the challenges facing New Zealand’s hospitality sector — from post-COVID recovery and inflation to staffing shortages and regional differences. This episode focuses on how businesses are adapting, the role of local government, and the importance of investing in people for a stronger future. Steve reflects on his time in the role, sharing personal insights on leadership, work-life balance, and staying resilient in demanding positions.

#09 Tristram Fink – Tristram Marine

Tristram shares his journey from leaving Deloitte and joining the family business, who have been building boats since 1987. He discusses managing and growing one of New Zealand’s best trailer boat brands, what motivates their team, and how they maintain such incredible customer experience.

#08 Melanie Boudet-Hearn – Top NZ Banker on Cash Flow, AI & Growth

Melanie discuss common financial blind spots every Kiwi business owner faces. Whether it’s cash-flow forecasting, margin pressures, and missed opportunities. This episode also covers the future of banking for small businesses — non-bank financing, the impact of AI on banking, and why strong reporting and data-driven decision making are critical in tough times.

#07 Shane Young – Co-Founder, Essano

Shane shares his journey from a hairdresser mixing hair wax in his flat to Co-founding Essano, a leading skincare brand. Shane shares key lessons on perseverance, product development, and breaking into competitive retail markets.

#06 Grant Ellis – former CFO of Restaurant Brands (KFC & Pizza Hut) and current President of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand

Our next guest is Grant Ellis, former CFO of Restaurant Brands (KFC & Pizza Hut) and current President of Chartered Accountants ANZ. Larissa and Grant discuss navigating franchise challenges, managing costs, employees, and staying strategic through tough economic times.

#05 Lynne Van – Partner, Anthony Harper

Our next guest is Lynne Van, Partner & Lawyer of Anthony Harper, specialising in commercial litigation. Larissa and Lynne discuss their best advice for kiwi businesses, shareholder and employee agreements, phoenix companies, and protecting yourself around assets in times of trouble.