This special montage episode features three of New Zealand’s top business minds: Marisa Fong (co-founder of Madison Recruitment, sold for $30M+), Lisa O'Neill (Energy Expert & Author), and Rich Ellis (Executive Health & Mindset Coach).Together, they reveal the brutal truth about entrepreneurial burnout. They discuss the cognitive collapse of "decision fatigue," why the concept of balance prevents scaling, and the specific energy management protocols needed to survive the early stages of building a business.What they explain◽️ The "Bandwidth Collapse": Why female founders suffer from decision fatigue first◽️ The "Demon Hours": The exact window where you must sacrifice balance to win◽️ Energy Stacking: How to transition from "CEO Mode" to bedtime without crashing◽️ The "8-Week Postpartum" Reality: The irreversible trade-offs of an exit-level founder◽️ Why "Work-Life Balance" is a myth that keeps you small (and what to aim for instead)Timestamps00:00 Intro01:30 Lisa O'Neill: Why energy is everything (and where to start)03:15 How to find a way to keep your energy up05:40 "What season are you in right now?"08:10 Rich Ellis: The reality of burnout and why it’s not "nice"12:45 The "Bedtime Transition": Stacking small opportunities for rest15:30 Marisa Fong: Mental Overload and Bandwidth Collapse18:15 The Myth of Balance: Why you can't have it all while scaling20:40 "Working like demons": The necessary window of obsession22:50 The Cost of Success: Energy, Time, and Sacrifice24:10 The 8-week tradeoff: Marisa’s irreversible decisionExamples and guide on styleFOLLOW MElinkin.bio/minaamsoWATCH EPISODE ON YOUTUBE (for spotify and apple only)https://www.youtube.com/@NotesFromTheExecutivePodcastLISTEN ONApple podcast: https://shorturl.at/UkJ8vSpotify: https://shorturl.at/YW7bXABOUT THE EPISODEIn this compilation, Marisa Fong, Rich Ellis, and Lisa O'Neill dismantle the myth of work-life balance for entrepreneurs. They explore the cognitive cost of decision-making, the necessity of "demon work" periods, and how to manage your energy so you don't burn out before you cash out.Episode Partners:👉🏻 Hibiscus Jet Ski Hire: 🔥 WIN Free Jet Ski Rides 🔥Enter: https://tinyurl.com/y64efe7a👉🏻 Podcast GuestDownload Your Free Podcast Guide: www.podcastguest.co.nz

If you’re a NZ Business founder heading into 2026, staying small, comfortable and indecisive will kill your dream – you have to think bigger, commit to one path.Three top entrepreneurs tell us why Big Thinking in New Zealand is Hard. They say founders move too slow.

Kiwis think too small. Optionality kills. Comfort kills.

Tall poppy cuts ambition.

Learn More From

Mahesh Muralidhar https://youtu.be/jXmNi-XqLMg

Steven Zinsli https://youtu.be/r9fes_4ZU_I

Sir Ray Avery https://youtu.be/GenrFva6QBA

This Episode Is For:

• NZ entrepreneurs building or scaling a business

• Founders frustrated with staying small in New Zealand

• Business owners thinking about global expansion

• Anyone interested in entrepreneurship in NZ

Thanks ⁨@HibiscusJetSkiHire⁩ for powering this episodeL Be in to win: https://www.facebook.com/hibiscusjetskihire/posts/pfbid02oyANuNkVR8RaFtcfmBJD6PbyJjTNJfhReJtTau8ivH94fbnU1QaKmQVDWMN6ekUrl

If you are starting a business in New Zealand in 2026, this episode is compulsory viewing.

The rules have changed. What worked ten years ago will not work today.

This montage brings together three of Aotearoa’s top founders to break down the critical mistakes that kill most early-stage Kiwi businesses before they ever get off the ground.

Thanks Episode Partner

Hibiscus Jetski Hire https://hibiscusjetskihire.co.nz/

You will learn:

• How to validate your idea before you spend money.

• How to avoid building a product nobody wants.

• How to choose the right niche and avoid spreading yourself too thin.

• Why resilience, simplicity and speed matter more than ever in the NZ market.

• How AI is reshaping the fundamentals of entrepreneurship.

Watch More:

• Scott Wilson – https://youtu.be/f1wHt5QBTyM

• Tim Warren – https://youtu.be/iN4VD9wT2N4

• Steve Ballantyne – https://youtu.be/aho75bHK2-g

Chapters:

00:00 Trailer

01:00 Mistake 1 – Building Without Validation (Scott Wilson)

08:00 Mistake 2 – Going Too Broad (Tim Warren)

12:00 Mistake 3 – Building Too Heavy (Steve Ballantyne)

15:30 Final Advice for 2026

If you are serious about building a business that lasts, start here. This episode will save you time, money and years of unnecessary pain.

This episode is ideal for:

• Early-stage founders

• Aspiring entrepreneurs

• Small business owners looking to grow

• Anyone planning to launch in 2026

• Investors who want to understand NZ founder behaviour

Founder resilience isn’t luck. This episode shows how founders stay resilient with practical resilient leadership habits, mindset shifts, and tools you can use this week. Apply it now: daily practices, decision frameworks, and stories from David Downs.

David Downs is the CEO of New Zealand Story, former Microsoft executive, best-selling author, and cancer-survivor-turned health advocate. He helps Kiwi companies scale their global impact through brand storytelling and practical leadership, and serves across innovation and entrepreneurship initiatives in Aotearoa.

What David explains

Founder resilience isn’t luck. This episode shows how founders stay resilient with practical resilient leadership habits, mindset shifts, and tools you can use this week.David Downs is the CEO of New Zealand Story, former Microsoft executive, best-selling author, and cancer-survivor-turned health advocate.

What David explains:

◽️True Resilience vs. "Macho" Resistance

◽️ The Science of Storytelling in Business

◽️ The "Kiwi Paradox" in Business

Episode Partners: 👉🏻 Hibiscus Jet Ski Hire

🔥 Enter to WIN Free Jet Ski Rides

🔥 Enter: https://tinyurl.com/y64efe7a

Timestamps

00:00 - Intro: The power of storytelling

04:46 - Impact: How New Zealand is seen by the world

06:22 - David Down’s Story and Cancer Diagnosis

09:23 - What is resilience? (It’s not about being tough)

11:00 - Why positive thinking is science, not "Woo Woo"

12:28 - The "Green Traffic Light" mindset (A lesson on luck)

16:36 - How to handle bad days: "Recreational Moaning"

18:03 - Hedonic Adaptation: The science of bouncing back

19:35 - The GROW Framework for solving any problem

21:51 - Kiwi Business: Great at starting, struggling to scale

24:31 - Tall Poppy Syndrome: Why we struggle to celebrate success

31:27 - Why people buy stories, not spreadsheets

34:39 - Inside "New Zealand Story": Branding a nation

35:57 - The Fern Mark: Leveraging NZ’s reputation

40:43 - How a terminal illness creates a "more intense" version of you

FOLLOW David New Zealand Story: https://www.nzstory.govt.nz/

FOLLOW ME linkin.bio/minaamso

WATCH EPISODE ON YOUTUBE

https://youtu.be/fV3LMp11_NQ

LISTEN ON

Apple podcast: https://shorturl.at/UkJ8v

Spotify: https://shorturl.at/YW7bX

Thinking about starting a service business in New Zealand? In this video, we sit down with Angela McLachlan, founder of Sort My House, a service that help people sort their mess into tidy spaces, to share how she turned her passion for organising into one of NZ’s leading home organisation brands.

You’ll learn:

◽️09:48 How to find your first customers

◽️13:55 Pricing and marketing strategies that work

◽️ 24:18 Picking up big contracts, adapting to new opportunities, and scaling processes and staff.

◽️ 27:48 Mindset shifts about failure

◽️ 32:09 Hiring mistakes, culture challenges, and learning to move quickly on staffing changes.

◽️44:03 Deposit policy, subscription model, and how that affected client quality and regularity. Common mistakes to avoid when starting a service business

Whether you’re planning to start a cleaning company, organising service, or any other hands-on business, this interview will give you the inside scoop from someone who’s done it.

Episode Partner:

👉🏻 Hibiscus Jet Ski Hire: 🔥 WIN Fee Jet Ski Rides 🔥

Enter: https://tinyurl.com/y64efe7a

FOLLOW ANGELA

https://sortmyhouse.co.nz/

FOLLOW ME

https://www.instagram.com/notesfromtheexecutivepodcast/

WATCH EPISODE

https://youtu.be/lq53o3STNak

Subscribe for more stories like this: YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@NotesFromTheExecutivePodcast

Listen on:

Apple podcast: [https://shorturl.at/UkJ8v](https://shorturl.at/UkJ8v)

Spotify: [https://shorturl.at/YW7bX](https://shorturl.at/YW7bX)

Episode Partners:

Hibiscus Jet Ski Hire: 🔥 WIN Fee Jet Ski Rides 🔥

Enter 👉🏻 https://tinyurl.com/y64efe7a

home decluttering,decluttering business,entrepreneurship,startup story,small business,business growth,founder interview,female entrepreneur,business tips,New Zealand business,organizing tips,scaling a business,business mistakes,startup advice,founder journey,service business,Angela McLachlan,productivity,business strategy,success story,business mindset,marketing tips,business lessons,solopreneur,work life balance,women in business

Jurgen Kolb is a marine biologist turned entrepreneur who built an award-winning jet ski business that sits in the top 10 percent on TripAdvisor with more than 320 Google reviews. Episode Partner:👉🏻 Hibiscus Jet Ski Hire: 🔥 Enter to WIN Fee Jet Ski Rides 🔥https://tinyurl.com/bdej898hWhat [Guest] explains◽️Best Entrepreneurship tips for those wanting to start a business in 2026◽️How to win business awards and get to be the top on Trip Advisor00:00 – Intro 01:40 – Tourism Business Recognition on TripAdvisor 02:38 – Best Advice for Young Entrepreneurs 03:20 – Marine Biologist turned Entrepreneur and Finding Market Gaps 06:40 – How to Add Value Beyond Jet Ski Rides 07:50 - Location Location Location 09:50 – How to Win Business Awards in Tourism 13:00 – How to Use Your Background to Your Advantage19:37– AD20:00 – How Do You Know What People Want That Took Jurgen Next Level 24:20 – Weather Challenges in Outdoor Tourism Businesses 25:25 – How To Deal With Bad Weather and Revenue 25:50 – Strategies for Seasonal Tourism Businesses 30:35 – Off-Season Activities: Jet Ski Fishing and Oyster Tours 32:00 – Networking and Partnerships for Tourism Growth 32:40 – Sustainable Tourism and Environmental Responsibility 35:00 – What’s The Strategy in The Busy JetSki Season: Hiring Strategy 41:00 – Becoming a Tourism Entrepreneur with a Science Background 45:00 – From Marine Biology to NZ Adventure Tourism 47:25 – Expert Tips for Starting a Tourism BusinessEpisode Partner:👉🏻 Hibiscus Jet Ski Hire: 🔥 Enter to WIN Fee Jet Ski Rides 🔥https://tinyurl.com/bdej898hFollow Jürgen Kolb https://hibiscusjetskihire.co.nz/Follow me:https://www.youtube.com/@NotesFromTheExecutivePodcast Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NotesFromTheExecutivePodcast Listen on:Apple podcast: https://shorturl.at/UkJ8vSpotify: https://shorturl.at/YW7bX

Michal Garvey Founder of Foodprint - New Zealand’s award winning food rescue app, how it helps cafes and retailers cut food waste in NZ, turn surplus food into revenue, and win new customers.What Michal explains◽️ Onboarding 600+ eateries without upfront fees; why consistency wins◽️ The marketplace playbook: door‑knocking, anchor brands, and network effects◽️ Handling brand objections (reputation vs. reality) and protecting positioningEpisode Partners:👉🏻 Hibiscus Jet Ski Hire: 🔥 WIN Fee Jet Ski Rides 🔥Enter: https://tinyurl.com/y64efe7a👉🏻 Podcast GuestDownload Your Free Podcast Guide: www.podcastguest.co.nzTimestamps00:00 IntroFood waste NZ & why surplus food becomes profit01:56 Why Michal launched Foodprint App. The Climate impact of food waste, methane, and emissions06:17 What made Michal think she can start the App. Founder origin story: sales background and startup timing09:12 What is Foodprint11:40 How much do we waste food in New Zealand14:56 Work‑from‑home effect: broken forecasting & inconsistent foot traffic16:10 Vendor growth: 600+ eateries and how the App is expanding into food retail17:15 Supermarkets vs. food rescue orgs; where Foodprint fits19:10 How did Michal get her first 100 venues and what did she do to start21:00 What was challenging in the early days22:41 How did Michal drive early success23:51 AD24:39 How did Michal come up with the money to build the App25:20 What was Michal thinking as an early stage entrepreneur and how she made decisions and strategies to win30:25 What objections Michal gets from cafes and eateries and how she deals with them37:35 How Michal drives profitability for the App, for vendors and users39:20 The exact app launch strategy that got Foodprint 1000 users by 3pm on day one and 10,000 users in 21 days 42:17 Advice on successfully launching an app from scratch45:10 The time when Michal had to shut down the business (and how she pivoted) 50:12 Next 18 months: what Michal investing in and doing to win52:32 If Michal starts again53:25 The biggest mistake lessons Michal made in business and how would she do things differentlyFollow Michalhttps://www.foodprint.org.nz/Follow me:linkin.bio/minaamsoWatch the episode on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@NotesFromTheExecutivePodcastListen on:Apple podcast: https://shorturl.at/UkJ8vSpotify: https://tinyurl.com/fjv2nhcwEpisode Partners:Hibiscus Jet Ski Hire: 🔥 WIN Fee Jet Ski Rides 🔥Enter 👉🏻 https://tinyurl.com/y64efe7aPodcast GuestDownload Your Free Podcast Guide 👉🏻 www.podcastguest.co.nzABOUT THE EPISODEMichal Garvey, founder of Foodprint (NZ), breaks down the real economics of surplus food and climate impact, from solving the two‑sided marketplace cold start to onboarding 600+ eateries nationwide. We get tactical on pricing surplus inventory, consumer adoption (170,000+ users), brand objections, and what actually drives repeat purchase in New Zealand’s hospitality market.