PowerUp: Recent Episodes
Roar Collective
Welcome to PowerUp, a podcast by Venture Taranaki and produced by Roar Collective. Here we celebrate the region’s entrepreneurs and innovators who are leaving their mark on the world, while living the famous Taranaki lifestyle.
Each episode features a prominent local entrepreneur, making waves both nationally and internationally with their trailblazing spirit and can-do attitude. They'll share their successes, ah-ha moments and celebrated wins, as well as their struggles and behind the scenes failures. Our guests also reflect on how being from Taranaki influences their work and the lives they lead.
Hosted by long time business advocate and honorary Taranaki local David Downs, this series illustrates the thriving business environment within Taranaki by telling the stories of everyday people who've been able to achieve remarkable things.
Taranaki is a region where the unique natural and entrepreneurship ecosystems collide to create a place where people can flourish and achieve their full potential. Nau mai haere mai, we welcome you to hear our enterprising stories like no other.
Michael Mansvelt describes himself as a connector, someone who brings people closer to spaces, nature, and a sense of belonging. His career spans landscape, interior, and architectural design, alongside Jungle Nurseries, a nursery and creative hub based on the outskirts of New Plymouth.
In this episode of the PowerUp Podcast, Michael reflects on the experiences that shaped him as both a designer and an entrepreneur. Growing up in South Taranaki, surrounded by rainforest, farmland, and historic architecture, he shares how those early observations continue to inform his work today. Leaving school early due to dyslexia pushed him toward a creative path that eventually led to working on one of Britain’s largest private estates — reshaping his understanding of legacy, time, and design.
Michael also speaks candidly about building his business in the 1990s, the role television played in establishing credibility, and his philosophy of Everyday Opulence, finding beauty in both grand spaces and daily life.
A thoughtful kōrero about creativity, longevity, and building a values-led business grounded in place.
Jesse and AJ come from very different backgrounds, but a shared passion for hospitality brought them together to create Shining Peak, a brewery that has been a cornerstone of the Taranaki hospitality scene since opening in 2019.
In this episode of the PowerUp Podcast, they share the journeys that led them into hospitality. Jesse reflects on growing up in Inglewood and discovering brewing through curiosity and connection, while AJ talks about arriving in New Zealand from Mumbai to study hospitality at Pacific International Hotel Management School, building the foundations for his career in Taranaki.
Together, they discuss the evolution of Shining Peak, the values behind its growth, and the thinking behind the 5% Project, which directs a portion of revenue back into local charities. The conversation also explores what it means to create welcoming spaces where people feel part of something bigger.
A candid kōrero about partnership, purpose, and the future of hospitality in Taranaki.
A patch of struggling soil on a Taranaki lifestyle block sparked a line of questioning that wouldn’t let Michelle and Frank Lachmann go. What began as hands-on experimentation soon turned into years of trial and error, obsessive research, and a deep fascination with the invisible world beneath our feet. That curiosity became Herbi.nz, a next-generation soil and plant food now trusted by home gardeners, market growers, and international partners alike.
In this episode of the PowerUp Podcast, Michelle and Frank share the real story behind Herbi.nz’s evolution. From the failed hemp crop that sparked it all, to the decisions, values, and practical lessons that transformed a side project into a fast-growing business. They speak openly about parenting while building a company, navigating uncertainty, and staying true to their beliefs about health, nature, and simplicity.
They also reflect on the role Taranaki played in their journey, offering space to experiment, strong community support, and a grounding connection to the land.
Herbi.nz began with a problem and that’s often where the best ideas grow.
A garage, a roaster, and a shared love of hospitality set Tane Morgan and Adrianna Greenhill on a path that would become Proof & Stock, now one of the most respected coffee brands in Taranaki.
In this episode of the PowerUp Podcast, Tane and Adrianna talk about the values that sit at the heart of their business and the care they bring to every interaction, from the customers who walk through their doors to the rangatahi they support through their barista training programme. For them, coffee is never just a product, but a way to build confidence, connection, and meaningful pathways into work.
Throughout the kōrero, Taranaki remains central to their story. The lifestyle, surf, friendships, and sense of belonging have helped shape Proof & Stock’s steady, values-led growth.
A warm, honest conversation about purpose, people, and building a business with heart.
Marianne Archibald didn’t set out to become a lettuce farmer. But when an unexpected opportunity emerged in rural Waverley, she and her family stepped into the world of hydroponic growing, transforming a rundown site into Salad Brothers, a thriving, family-run operation supplying fresh greens to cafés, wholesalers, supermarkets, and households across Taranaki and beyond.
In this episode of the PowerUp Podcast, Marianne shares how she, her husband, and her brother-in-law taught every part of the business from scratch. From building systems and efficiencies to maintaining consistent quality, she reflects the realities of running a values-led family business in a demanding environment.
The kōrero also explores the importance of holding firm on price and standards, and what it means to reach a crossroads and thoughtfully prepare a business for its next chapter.
A grounded conversation about determination, teamwork, and building something meaningful from the ground up.
Brooke Lean never planned to build an international fragrance brand. Her journey began in photography, before scent emerged as the creative medium that brought everything together.
In the opening episode of season six of the PowerUp Podcast, Brooke shares the unfiltered story behind the evolution of The Virtue. She reflects on the instincts she trusted, the pivots she made, and the moments where she chose creativity over certainty. Starting without a roadmap, Brooke followed an idea that kept pulling her forward and learned how to navigate a tightly guarded global industry with no clear template.
While creativity sits at the heart of her work, this kōrero also reveals Brooke’s sharp business instincts. Her ability to recognise opportunity, act decisively, and commit fully has taken The Virtue from a local idea to an internationally stocked brand.
A grounded, generous conversation for anyone building something from the gut.
Jai Huta is in the business of supplying high quality sports kit at affordable prices. His business Game Changer is doing exactly that, particularly when it comes to kitting out teams, clubs and schools that don’t have privileged backgrounds.
Game Changer is at the intersection of sport and social enterprise. In this episode of the PowerUp Podcast, Jai talks about why it’s important to him, and how Game Changer grew from a hobby to a full time job.
He discusses how having good kit makes people feel, the reality of growing a challenger business in a competitive space, and why he likes the flexibility of self employment.
Jai’s story is riddled with passion, both for his business and for the people it supports.
Andrew Blanche didn’t exactly follow the normal route to become a baker, but we’re certainly glad he got there in the end. As the founder and head baker at Baked by Blanche, Andrew supplies bread and other baked goods all around Taranaki.
This episode of the PowerUp Podcast walks through Andrew’s unconventional journey, from a chef and hospitality worker to a funeral director, and now business owner with Baked by Blanche.
There are two common threads that bind Andrew’s story together - commitment to doing things properly and an emotional connection. Andrew connects people with food and to each other with his earnestness, and this shines through in the community he is building around his business.
A fantastic listen from someone who has an amazing story, and tells it exceptionally well.
Terry Boon has left his fingerprints all over Taranaki - almost literally. As the founding director of acclaimed design and architecture firm BOON, he has steered the business from its beginnings to its current status as a local giant in all aspects of building design.
In this episode of the PowerUp podcast, Terry talks through more than 50 years of highlights, from the development of New Plymouth’s iconic Bowl of Brooklands to all the McDonalds in New Zealand, and even the New Zealand Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Terry has an encyclopedic recollection of his incredible array of work, but this conversation is about much more than that. He is a passionate contributor to culture and the arts and a huge advocate for Taranaki as a region.
In this fascinating discussion, he reflects on his relationships, family and environments - many of which he has shaped, both literally and figuratively.
If you met Ben and Tess Annabell 15 years ago, you’d probably never have known they’d end up running a business advisory firm. Ben was a qualified plumber, and Tess had gone away from her marine biology degree into chartered accountancy.
Their life experience and shared passion eventually led them to start Recharge; an accountancy firm with a focus on supporting trades businesses to be both profitable and enjoyable.
In this episode of the PowerUp Podcast, they talk about their own struggles running a plumbing company, and how that led to starting Recharge. Ben and Tess discuss mental health and wellness, burnout, financial education and the toll of running a business.
It’s a fascinating look under the hood at the reality of small business owners, and how to prioritise yourself and your lifestyle alongside the health of your business.
Lisa Deken and Leeanne Snowdon are two school friends that run Down to Earth Organics; New Plymouth’s hub of holistic health. It’s packed wall to wall with nothing but good stuff for the mind and body.
In this episode of the PowerUp podcast, Lisa and Lee talk about the beginnings of their work relationship, taking over a long-running Taranaki institution at the height of the Covid pandemic.
They discuss the skyrocketing wellness industry and their place in it, how they manage their relationship, getting the right expertise involved and what it’s like taking over an existing business rather than starting one from scratch.
So many good lessons here for anyone in a similar position, be it in the wellness space, buying an existing business, or starting something with a friend.
Abby Packer is the founder of Neat NZ, an online health and beauty business that sends out thousands of orders a month all around the world. But she never really intended to get to this point. In fact, the start of the business was a complete accident.
In this episode of the Venture Taranaki PowerUp podcast, Abby talks through the serendipitous beginning of Neat and her journey growing the business to become an online powerhouse.
She talks about the challenges of sustainability, team management, sacrifice, looking after your own mental health, advice for female founders and a lot more. There’s so much good stuff in here for aspiring entrepreneurs, whatever field you’re in!
James Donald is one of New Zealand’s shining stars in the tech and startup scene.
He is the first repeat guest on the PowerUp Podcast, and he’s come full circle since his last appearance. Having exited his first venture, tourism-tech company Yonder, he then co-founded the fast-growing market research company Ideally.
James is a highly respected SaaS leader and his lessons cover the complete spectrum of growing a tech startup - from founding and growing to exiting, and taking all those lessons to do it all again!
He picks out the most powerful insights across his journey, together with learnings about technology, AI, the power of accurate market research and the personal aspects of business ownership.
This is a comprehensive conversation with so much for budding entrepreneurs to learn from - it’s not one to miss!
As a nine year old growing up in New Delhi, Simon Singh dreamed of being CEO of an IT company. Now, he’s made that dream happen, but not in a way he could ever have imagined.
In this episode of Venture Taranaki’s PowerUp Podcast, one of Taranaki’s most restless entrepreneurs tells the story of how he came to New Zealand and grew an ever-expanding tech network. Simon talks through his rise within the IT sector, to the power of a good mentor and a capable team, and how he gained perspective on New Zealand and the world.
This is a super inspiring episode packed with gold for any budding tech entrepreneur.
Vizlink is a clever business based on a simple problem - how hard it is to communicate things using just words. Gemma Adams started the business to give farmers simple maps of their land and other tools to help communication and planning.
It’s a perfect fit for her - Gemma has a design background, is a dairy farmer, and is also dyslexic. She would often struggle to understand people because of the way her brain was wired, but she discovered how visual communication is a great leveller that puts people on the same page.
This episode talks through the journey of Vizlink, from the first moment of inspiration through to making it an international business. Gemma’s done it all while working on the farm, raising a family and ensuring she has a life outside of work, which is enough of an achievement on its own!
Graham Nelson is at the heart of entrepreneurism in Taranaki, in more ways than one. He is the founder of Manifold co-working space, which regularly hosts dozens of founders, contractors, remote workers, digital nomads and more, and he’s also a founder of Doso, a start up support organisation helping people bring their ideas to life.
Originally from Ireland, Graham talks about how he ended up in Taranaki and how he transitioned from his work as a designer into being a business founder and an enabler for startups and working professionals.
Graham has his finger on the pulse of the Taranaki work environment. He sees it every day and helps to support people in a variety of sectors. Both Manifold and Doso have become hugely popular, which speaks to the vibrant business scene and how his mahi has enabled the modern generation of work.
Mihi’s Place is centred around traditional Māori health and healing, which is an area of health and wellness that’s becoming more and more popular. And when you listen to founder Mihi Henry-Hatcher speak, you can see why.
Mihi’s journey to becoming a business owner is remarkable. She talks about the family intervention that changed her life, her discovery of holistic Māori healing and how she blends in contemporary health practices, and how the power of healing transformed the life of an abuse victim.
Mihi is an internationally recognised practitioner who’s been on a huge cultural learning curve since dedicating her life to healing people. This is an inspiring episode that you really can’t miss!
Green Meadows Beef started as a two-person family business in a small pocket of rural Taranaki, and 11 years on they’ve sold more than a million packs of sausages, burgers and steaks all over the world.
The business started with a discussion over the family dining table, and was a trailblazing operation in the direct-to-consumer model that’s since become mainstream.
General Manager Nick Carey gave up a law career he enjoyed to lead the business, and talks through the various stages of growth he’s helped to oversee. He touches on the value of being a New Zealand business in the international meat market, the keys to its early success, the boom Covid years, the power of good PR and much more.
When Rachel Church first moved to Taranaki, she noticed how the food and hospitality sector was a well kept secret. Before long, it was her mission to spread the word by creating an annual festival that celebrated local produce and the amazing things Taranaki people were doing with it.
And not long after that, that annual festival was so popular it became a quarterly event. Feastival is now a staple on the Taranaki event calendar, showcasing the best of Taranaki hospitality in unique collaborations.
Rachel talks through how she turned her idea into reality, including navigating a Covid-sized hurdle along the way, and how Feastival has transformed over the years as it’s become bigger and better. This is hugely valuable listening for anyone wanting to get an event or new business off the ground, with real life lessons packed throughout the journey.
It’s one thing to listen to podcasts, but what about producing them? Hannah Hunt and Laura Leadbetter started Roar Collective with a shared love for the platform, but not much experience in actually making podcasts. Four years on, they’re one of New Zealand’s only podcast production companies with an impressive list of corporate and celebrity clients.
In this episode of Venture Taranaki’s PowerUp podcast, Hannah talks us through the journey. It includes how they signed up their first big show before they even had any recording equipment, growing a family while also growing a business, and how they got access to the kind of advice that helped them to grow.
She also reflects a lot on how they’ve done it from Taranaki. Hannah has a big emphasis on work-life balance, which is a big part of why she moved back to the region after years away. It’s a great look into the Taranaki lifestyle, and how the regional culture gives people a productive work and home life.
CJ Mahony left school at 16 and started a transport company as a bit of a side hobby. Nearly 20 years later, he employs 35 people and is the man behind one of the largest commercial developments in South Taranaki in living memory.
CJ’s AGTRANS business has grown and shifted to be a popular crane transport option in the oil and gas industry. At the same time, his desire to put a permanent driveway to his work site has seen him purchase a 67 acre farm that he’s developing into a $12 million commercial and residential business park. He makes it sound like no big deal because he’s that kind of guy - he’s even bought himself a bulldozer and is pretty much doing all the earthworks himself.
This is a real can-do kind of yarn. CJ has a no-fuss confidence about him, and there’s an element of humour in the way he describes big things as being quite straightforward. But there’s no doubt there’s a strong intellect, a boatload of practicality and plenty of know-how about him, and it’s helping him do big things in a growing community.
Content warning: this podcasts discusses issues around mental health, addiction and abuse
Elliot Taylor created ThroughLine to help people in distress get access to critical helplines. In just a few years, it’s grown to offer more than 1,400 helplines to people in more than 100 countries.
This is a fantastic example of using technology to solve problems. Research shows the huge impact helplines can make, but it’s not always easy for people to find the best one at the right time. That’s what ThroughLine does.
Elliot reflects on how he started and grew the company from his home in rural Taranaki, building technology, getting funding and connecting with people all over the world. His mantra of approaching things like an experiment is evident throughout - it’s a great example of what a tech startup looks like, and the difference it can make.
Nick Jackson and Brett Rogers reckon New Zealand’s goal of being carbon-free by 2050 isn’t ambitious enough. They think we can grow the country’s renewable energy by 600%, and use it to export energy around the world.
They’d know too. As energy sector veterans and directors of energy consulting firm Elemental Group, Nick and Brett are at the forefront of helping people to solve energy needs with cutting-edge technology and future-proofed solutions that are fit for the changing global requirements.
In this episode of Venture Taranaki’s PowerUp podcast, they talk about why they’re so optimistic for the future of energy generation, and what the transition might look like. Elemental has already had success helping countries in the Pacific Islands and Caribbean to transform their energy generation, and they discuss how it’s all possible from Taranaki, while also enjoying a lifestyle to go with it.
Joe Emans was once an engineer in the Middle East. Now, he’s a brewer in Taranaki. But he’s not just any brewer - his award-winning Three Sisters brewery is one of the region’s best, and it holds pride of place with a bar and restaurant in one of New Plymouth’s oldest buildings.
The Three Sisters story is a really good one. Joe talks about selling his first batch of beer when a local restaurant ran out, and how he turned a hobby into a business. He’s passionate about the ongoing challenge in making new types of beer and collaborating with both national and international brewers.
Local communities need local drops, and Three Sisters is right up there with the best of them. But while many people might like the idea of running a brewery, Joe is actually living it. From getting started to mastering the process to crowdfunding his very own bar, this is a great look behind the scenes to see how it’s all done.
Boring Oat Milk has been an unmitigated success since its launch in 2021, smashing sales forecasts and playing a big role in the growth of milk alternatives in Aotearoa. But it’s been much harder than it’s appeared, and Taranaki-born and bred founder Morgan Maw describes it as a “seven-year overnight success.”
In this episode of Venture Taranaki’s PowerUp Podcast, Morgan and host David Downs talk about how she’s always been a “hustler”, the three years of planning for Boring Oat Milk that nearly bankrupted her (twice), developing the branding, launching in a Covid lockdown and how that actually worked well.
Boring is a case study in how to succeed in the retail food space, carving out a niche with a strong disruptor brand, a delicious, healthy product and a commitment to doing things the right way.
Morgan is articulate and passionate about her business, but also about her lifestyle. Having recently returned home to Taranaki, she’s a huge advocate for the region’s accessibility to nature and the way it gives her a work-life balance she couldn’t have in the city.
Much of the Boring operation is run out of its Hawke’s Bay facility. Flooding from Cyclone Gabrielle has made for a hugely challenging time for the Hawke’s Bay community. For anyone looking to help out, you can donate to relief efforts at https://www.redcross.org.nz/support-us/our-current-appeals/new-zealand-disaster-fund/
Hydrogen-fuelled trucks have started hitting the roads in NZ, and the impact on our emissions is massive. Taranaki company Hiringa is at the forefront of global efforts to slash emissions in transport, and the progress they’re making is incredible!
This episode of the PowerUp Podcast is about how they’re doing it - pioneering green hydrogen fuel, developing fuelling stations and delivering hydrogen-powered vehicles is a huge three-pronged mission, but they’re making it happen.
Taranaki has been an energy stronghold for years, and Hiringa is leading a transition that will cement the region as a global leader for the sector in the years to come.
IncaFe is all about good coffee done right. It takes effort though - sourcing beans directly from remote plantations in South America and Indonesia, paying above market rates for quality and developing their own compostable packaging. But to founders Carmen and Joop, it’s worth it.
This is a great yarn about how a can-do attitude can help a local business to compete in a global market. IncaFe has become a leading supplier of quality coffee to cafes all around New Zealand, and Carmen and Joop’s dedication to doing it the right way makes their story all the more inspiring.
When you’re fixing chainsaws at 7 years old and making motorbikes at 10, you’ve clearly got a knack for using your hands. This was John Burling growing up, and it’s no surprise that innovations from his back shed have gone all over the world.
John is the man behind Carac Group, a family owned and run engineering company in Eltham. In this episode of the PowerUp podcast by Venture Taranaki, John and his daughter, CEO Sonia Kiser, talk about how this small firm grew from John’s shed to seven factories.
John’s appetite for risk and ability to spot an opportunity (like getting involved in the America’s Cup) is as impressive as it is funny. This is a great yarn about a risk-taking, old-school tinkerer going global with innovations that are literally life-saving.
Even for a baker, getting up at midnight is extreme. But when you’ve got two tamariki and a dairy farm, baking Artisan Donuts have to fit in around them. This is just one of the many aspects that make Erin Benton’s story so awesome.
The founder of Knead, Erin’s doughnuts are unreal. There’s no other way to put it. She used to go to farmers markets and sell out in just over half an hour. She has lines out the door pretty much every day.
In this episode of the PowerUp podcast, Erin talks about the sacrifice it’s taken to become New Plymouth’s worst best kept secret. How she learned to bake, how she juggles her time, how she focuses on kaupapa important to her and keeping the balance so her cup can be full for her whānau and business.
Imagine trying to design and build the famous Len Lye Centre’s stainless steel facade. It doesn’t bear thinking about…unless you’re Steve Scott. Steve and his team at Rivet are masters with sheet metal, illustrated most notably at New Plymouth’s iconic Len Lye Museum.
Steve’s actually an electrician, but don’t let that fool you. He’s taken Rivet to a place where they’re regarded as the team for the hard jobs that other people can’t do. He’s also a passionate supporter of training young people, and a bit of a larrikin to boot.
This is a great example of how to become an expert in your field. Steve brings to life stories of his iconic projects, including gin stills and art sculptures. He brings a grounded approach, throws in a good dash of humour and ends with a great yarn about how to make a local business really stand out.
Some people are just made different. Plenty of others would be happy with being director of a successful building company while raising two kids…but not Glen Stephens. He saw an opportunity to make an environmentally friendly sunscreen that protects against New Zealand’s harsh sun, and his side hustle is rapidly growing.
Glen is the founder of Sol + Sea, which started after seeing the devastating effects of coral bleaching in the Pacific. After a few years of investment, putting in the hard yards and refining his business strategy, Glen has developed a range of products and got them into stores all over NZ (and soon internationally).
This is a great yarn about how he did it, what makes him tick, and how something like this is possible from his base in Taranaki.
From being a professional rugby player to running a successful international honey company, James Annabell’s story is a highly unlikely one. Not to mention the fact the Egmont Honey CEO and founder is allergic to bee stings.
However, there can be no denying the success of this family-run company. It started with James giving his dad a beehive for Christmas one year, and it’s grown to having more than 4,000 hives and exporting more than 1,000 tonnes of honey each year to more than 20 countries around the world.
James talks candidly about the challenges of making honey in some of the most remote parts of New Zealand, and how Egmont Honey is influenced by the local Taranaki region. The world of honey is immensely fascinating, and James’ ability to bring it to life makes this a must-listen episode of The PowerUp Podcast.
We’re proud to bring you the voices of our entrepreneurs, innovators and creators, delivered with their own experiences, insights and humour in mind - the views, thoughts and opinions shared by our guests are uniquely theirs. They do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Venture Taranaki.
In this episode of the PowerUp Podcast, prominent businessman John Matthews lifts the lid on his successes, challenges, and belief in taking risks - like shipping the largest oil tank to ever go on water from Taranaki to Fiji...without insurance.
John is a hugely influential figure in Taranaki’s cultural and art scene, as well as its business and infrastructure. A successful engineer and businessman, John’s expertise in roading and bitumen have seen him made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
A close friend of the late Len Lye, John is an adamant believer in the beauty of art. He was at the forefront of installing New Plymouth’s iconic wind wand - what was a highly divisive project at the time, as well as the city’s unique Len Lye gallery.
We’re proud to bring you the voices of our entrepreneurs, innovators and creators, delivered with their own experiences, insights and humour in mind - the views, thoughts and opinions shared by our guests are uniquely theirs. They do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Venture Taranaki.
The story of how Juno came to be one of New Zealand’s leading spirits companies is hard to believe. After successful corporate careers, Dave and Jo James returned to Taranaki with a dream to distill premium gin. They invested a whole lot of time and money to source everything they needed, before trying to figure out the small matter of how gin was made.
Dave and Jo’s journey to winning a New Zealand gold medal in just two years is a tribute to dedication and creativity. With a considerable amount of help from Taranaki business advocates, engineers, growers and marketers, Juno Gin is now forging a path ahead for all New Zealand spirits. Dave and Jo’s ambitious dream is for kiwi spirits to be thought of internationally in the same way New Zealand wine is.
This is an awesome story about enthusiasm and a can-do attitude, showing just what’s possible when you strive for the very best.
We’re proud to bring you the voices of our entrepreneurs, innovators and creators, delivered with their own experiences, insights and humour in mind - the views, thoughts and opinions shared by our guests are uniquely theirs. They do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Venture Taranaki.
If there’s a book on how to run an iwi business, Ngā Rauru would feature in it heavily. Ngā Rauru iwi is behind the smoothie company Kaitahi, they’ve used a socially and environmentally friendly model to deliver healthy food all over New Zealand. What’s more, their traditional Māori ingredients add significant cultural significance to their operations.
In this awesome episode of the PowerUp Podcast, Pania Winterburn talks through how Kaitahi has gone from a small community nursery in south Taranaki to making unique frozen smoothie drops with ingredients like puha and kawakawa. She talks about the evolution of the business, how they navigate its iwi ownership and how they’ve been guided by their culture and their people.
Kaitahi is an amazing initiative in its own right, but its principles and its purpose make it truly special. This is a must listen!
We’re proud to bring you the voices of our entrepreneurs, innovators and creators, delivered with their own experiences, insights and humour in mind - the views, thoughts and opinions shared by our guests are uniquely theirs. They do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Venture Taranaki.
What happens when an oil and gas executive meets an anthropologist for the first time, and they decide to start a software company? It might sound like a bad joke, but for James Donald and Letitia Stevenson, it was the start of a hugely successful business developing chatbots for the tourism industry. Honestly, you have to hear this story to believe it.
James and Letitia are the founders of Yonder, a company that’s designing custom bots for leading tourism companies all over New Zealand. From a chance meeting at a business event to bravely going into business together, their determination and initiative has helped them make their far-off dream a reality.
This is another business tale about perseverance and determination. James and Letitia have been on a rapid learning curve that keeps getting steeper each time they tackle a new challenge (thanks a lot, COVID-19). They are adaptable and creative, and the lessons they’ve learned along the way are SUPER relevant for anyone in business.
We’re proud to bring you the voices of our entrepreneurs, innovators and creators, delivered with their own experiences, insights and humour in mind - the views, thoughts and opinions shared by our guests are uniquely theirs. They do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Venture Taranaki.
Investors Michael and Rachel Perrett are on an ambitious journey to change the way our children are educated. As the founders of The Green School in Taranaki, they are implementing a sustainable and holistic education system that worked wonders for their son in Bali.
Michael and Rachel invest in people and the planet before they think about profit. This approach has seen them develop more than 40 business interests, but they’re adamant none are as important as their work with The Green School.
In this episode of PowerUp, they talk about how they established a world class facility with world class educators in such a small pocket of the world. With the utmost dedication, Michael and Rachel discuss their vision for education and for Taranaki, shining a light on how they hope to produce fully rounded students that can thrive in the modern world.
We’re proud to bring you the voices of our entrepreneurs, innovators and creators, delivered with their own experiences, insights and humour in mind - the views, thoughts and opinions shared by our guests are uniquely theirs. They do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Venture Taranaki.
Annalee Kemsley is one of New Zealand’s leading online makeup and beauty personalities, with more than 170-thousand subscribers. She’s worked with world-leading brands like Yves Saint Laurent, Disney, Sephora, Bobbi Brown and more. Behind her bright and bubbly personality is a drive to succeed and a tonne of creativity.
In this episode of The PowerUp Podcast, Annalee talks about her fortuitous introduction to the beauty industry, the pros and cons of working in social media, and what it’s like to grow a national following from her hometown, New Plymouth.
This is a great story about finding your passion and dedicating yourself to it. Annalee lifts the lid on the veneer of social media, openly sharing what it’s actually like to balance the real world with what’s portrayed online. If nothing else, it shows the power of being online and just what’s possible from anywhere in the world!
We’re proud to bring you the voices of our entrepreneurs, innovators and creators, delivered with their own experiences, insights and humour in mind - the views, thoughts and opinions shared by our guests are uniquely theirs. They do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Venture Taranaki.
Dan Radcliffe is a Taranaki born and bred businessman, investor and a member of the EY World Entrepreneur Hall of Fame. He founded International Volunteer HQ, one of the world’s leading volunteer travel companies, in 2006, after quitting his graduate finance job on just his third day.
Dan talks about how he was inspired to start IVHQ, how he ran an international business from his family farm in North Taranaki, the hardest part about being an entrepreneur and how he’s helped to steer his business through the challenges of COVID. He also touches on his new venture, a brewery that supports local charities, and even gives his top tip for catching goats.
Dan’s unlikely success story shows the power of a can-do attitude and good support, and his desire to give back to the community illustrates how much one person can do to help people all over the world. Even if it’s from a farm in the back of beyond.
We’re proud to bring you the voices of our entrepreneurs, innovators and creators, delivered with their own experiences, insights and humour in mind - the views, thoughts and opinions shared by our guests are uniquely theirs. They do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Venture Taranaki.
Welcome to PowerUp, a podcast by Venture Taranaki and produced by Roar Collective. Here we celebrate the region’s entrepreneurs and innovators who are leaving their mark on the world, while living the famous Taranaki lifestyle.