The Foundr Podcast with Nathan Chan

438: How Nick Mowbray Built ZURU into a Multibillion-Dollar Toy Company


Listen Later

Mowbray is the co-founder of ZURU Toy Co., ZURU Edge, ZURU Tech, and Rhodes Pet Science. In 2018, he was named Entrepreneur of the Year in his home country, New Zealand, and he’s listed in the World Entrepreneur Hall of Fame. He and his siblings, co-founders Mat and Anna, are worth more than $3 billion, while the company revenue was north of $2 billion AUD in 2022. Despite their success, the siblings didn’t go into the toy business with a deep knowledge of business or manufacturing. In fact, they didn’t even know much about toys. They just had one hot air balloon model, a lot of hustle, and a willingness to learn from their mistakes.


Listen to Nathan and Nick discuss:

  • How a childhood hot air balloon model inspired the business
  • Borrowing $20K from his parents to relocate to Hong Kong
  • The growing pains of the early days and learning through failure 
  • Their first toy megahits, Robo Fish and Bunch O Balloons
  • Running a lean business using automation and no inventory
  • The company’s 2% improvement philosophy 
  • The brainstrust business practice 
  • Working alongside his siblings
  • And much more scrappy business growth advice...


  • Who do you want to see next on the podcast? Comment and let us know! And don't forget to leave us a 5-star review if you loved this episode.


    Wait, there's more… If you enjoy the Foundr podcast, check out our free trainings. Get exclusive, actionable advice from some of the world's best entrepreneurs. 


    Speak with our friendly course experts to get clarity on the next steps for your idea, business or career. You will get tailored insights from results achieved by our proven practitioners as well as thousands of students. Book a call now... 


    For more Foundr content, follow us on your favorite platform: 

    • Foundr.com
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • LinkedIn
    • Magazine
    • ...more
      View all episodesView all episodes
      Download on the App Store

      The Foundr Podcast with Nathan ChanBy Foundr Media

      • 4.9
      • 4.9
      • 4.9
      • 4.9
      • 4.9

      4.9

      562 ratings


      More shows like The Foundr Podcast with Nathan Chan

      View all
      The Smart Passive Income Online Business and Blogging Podcast by Pat Flynn

      The Smart Passive Income Online Business and Blogging Podcast

      3,453 Listeners

      Entrepreneurs on Fire by John Lee Dumas of EOFire

      Entrepreneurs on Fire

      3,818 Listeners

      Shopify Masters by Shopify

      Shopify Masters

      380 Listeners

      The GaryVee Audio Experience by Gary Vaynerchuk

      The GaryVee Audio Experience

      16,796 Listeners

      Perpetual Traffic by Tier 11

      Perpetual Traffic

      748 Listeners

      Marketing School - Digital Marketing and Online Marketing Tips by Eric Siu and Neil Patel

      Marketing School - Digital Marketing and Online Marketing Tips

      1,248 Listeners

      Noah Kagan Presents by Noah Kagan

      Noah Kagan Presents

      902 Listeners

      The Game with Alex Hormozi by Alex Hormozi

      The Game with Alex Hormozi

      4,273 Listeners

      My First Million by Hubspot Media

      My First Million

      2,599 Listeners

      The Startup Ideas Podcast by Greg Isenberg

      The Startup Ideas Podcast

      180 Listeners

      Female Founder World by Female Founder World

      Female Founder World

      97 Listeners

      Marketing Against The Grain by Hubspot Media

      Marketing Against The Grain

      345 Listeners

      Build with Leila Hormozi by Leila Hormozi

      Build with Leila Hormozi

      826 Listeners

      The Lazy CEO Podcast with Jane Lu by Jane Lu

      The Lazy CEO Podcast with Jane Lu

      6 Listeners

      Moneywise by Hampton

      Moneywise

      636 Listeners