What does it really feel like to run your own business?

In this special listener Q&A episode of Accidental Business Owners, Steve, Seamus, and business coach Di Foster answer your questions.

We talk about the moment we left our 9-to-5s, what it means to truly “back yourself,” how to avoid getting wiped out by tax, and why many small business owners are unknowingly sabotaging their goals. There are laughs, tears, raw truths, and incredibly practical takeaways.

We also dive deep into emotional burnout, when to hire (and how) and the surprising things business ownership reveals about you.

🔔 Whether you're a founder, freelancer, or just dreaming of taking the leap - this is for you.

IN THIS EPISODE:

✔️ How to leave your job and know when you're ready

✔️ Why conflicting goals stop your progress

✔️ Di’s “freedom fund” strategy for peace of mind

✔️ The most common tax traps (and how to avoid them)

✔️ The #1 mistake people make when hiring

✔️ Personal growth and emotional burnout in business

✔️ What real impact looks like (and feels like)

This episode was brought to you by Xero. Supercharge your business with the help of Xero accounting software. With more ways to pay, clearer cash flow, and powerful insights all in one place, you can say ‘so long’ to endless admin and hello to business control like never before. Try Xero free for 30 days, terms apply.

Accidental Business Owners is sponsored by Icehouse.

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This week on Between Two Beers, we talk to David Downs.

This episode is a little bit different as it was filmed in front of a live audience at The Icehouse. There's about 150 in the room, and David is the perfect guest for our first ever recorded live pod.

David is a former comedian, he's a business owner. He's the CEO of New Zealand Story and the chairman of the Ice House with a ridiculous business CV. And he's also a terminal cancer survivor.

And we got all of his story in this epic chat. The energy in the room was great, and this is something we're keen to do a lot more of in future.

Huge thanks to the team at The Icehouse for helping us put this on, we had a great night and are super excited to share it with you.

This episode is brought to you by the TAB. Got a hunch? Download the new app today and get your bet on.

Enjoy

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In this episode of Hambassadors, Seamus and Steve take you behind the curtain of Between Two Beers — talking honestly about recent viral clips, social media blowback, creative risk-taking, and being called out on-air.

They share their unfiltered reactions to the Run It Straight controversy and Dan Hooker’s backyard scraps, reflect on a confronting coaching moment, and even get real about sleeping nude.

Hambassadors proudly brought to you by Stark Property.

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Mel Bracewell is one of New Zealand’s funniest comedy exports — and in this episode of Between Two Beers, she opens up in a way you’ve never seen before.

We dive into her rise from internet cult figure to TV star, the pressure of performing in Australia vs NZ, and the mental health journey that’s shaped her along the way.

From swearing in front of the Australian Prime Minister, to her viral Seven Days moment (“Classic Kiwi Taste”), to her ADHD diagnosis and life on anti-depressants — this is a funny, honest, and deeply relatable chat with one of the country’s brightest comedic minds.

We also cover the chaos of working in radio, her famous family, the weight of imposter syndrome, and why she once flew across the country with a rabbit.

🎭 Whether you’ve followed her since Tumblr days or know her from Have You Been Paying Attention? — there’s something here for you.

This episode is brought to you by TAB, download the new app today and get your bet on!

Between Two Beers is now part of the Acast Creator Network, listen wherever you get your podcasts from, or watch the video on YouTube.

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This episode of Accidental Business Owners gets raw and real. Recorded the day after a high-stakes advisory meeting, coach Di confronts Seamus with some brutal feedback.

We unpack the cost of silence in leadership, why personal brand is your business insurance policy, and the real reasons so many founders burn out. Whether you're an accidental entrepreneur or an intentional one, this episode will hit home.

This episode was brought to you by Xero. Supercharge your business with the help of Xero accounting software. With more ways to pay, clearer cash flow, and powerful insights all in one place, you can say ‘so long’ to endless admin and hello to business control like never before. Try Xero free for 30 days, terms apply.

Accidental Business Owners is sponsored by Icehouse.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week o we’re re-releasing one of our favourite episodes with Sir Wayne Smith.

Smithy is one of the most respected and accomplished figures in New Zealand Rugby history – an absolute legend of the game.

He was a 17-cap All Black who went on to win three World Cups - two as All Blacks assistant coach, and one with the Black Ferns.

He’s also been the All Blacks coach, won four Super Rugby titles as a coach, two with the Crusaders and two with the Chiefs.

In this episode we talk about the differences between coaching men and women, what rule changes he’d like to see in the game, why he was sacked as All Blacks coach and the hardest moments of his career in 2007, his fairy tale ride with the Black Ferns, where his resilience comes from and much, much more.

There’s a reason Wayne is considered one of world rugby’s greatest thinkers, and this was a fascinating insight into how his brain works. It was a real honour getting to share so much of his time, and it’s easy to see why his players are all so connected to him as a person and a coach.

This episode was recorded in October 2023.

This episode is brought to you by TAB, download the new app today and get your bet on!

Between Two Beers is now part of the Acast Creator Network, listen wherever you get your podcasts from, or watch the video on YouTube.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week’s Hambassadors, we unpack Seamus' controversial sick day, Steven’s scooter dash to Ignite 25, and why he still doesn’t understand how sound works.

We also get into the viral 1 gorilla vs 100 Kiwis meme, a kids’ football blowout that sparked an ethics debate, and behind the scenes of our Reflections webinar and business journey.

Plus: a car giveaway prank gone wrong, political backlash from our Philip Mills episode, and so much more!

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This week on Between Two Beers we talk to Phillip Mills!

Phillip is the founder and Executive director of Les MIlls international - and one of NZ's most successful businessmen.

Some people might think Les Mills is a few gyms in New Zealand… but they would be badly mistaken. Les Mills has become a global operation, boasting partnerships with over 20,000 gyms and a presence in over 100 countries. Their wide range of workouts are led by a network of more than 140,000 instructors.

And it all started with $3 fitness classes in Auckland.

This is the incredible story of how Phillip Mills took over the business from his dad Les nearly 40 years ago - and helped turn it into the global empire it is today.

This episode is brought to you by TAB, download the new app today and get your bet on!

Between Two Beers is now part of the Acast Creator Network, listen wherever you get your podcasts from, or watch the video on YouTube.

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Hey team, welcome to the latest episode of Accidental Business Owners.

The premise of the show is that last year Seamus and I became fulltime business owners. We left our 9-5s to go all in on the podcast - and the other businesses we built off the back of it – and thought it would be interesting to document our journey.

Last year we also started working with a business and mindset coach Di Foster, who you might remember as a B2B guest, and quickly realized she was the perfect foil to help us work through all the highs and lows of running a business.

In this episode of Accidental Business Owners, we recap the latest advisory meeting and unpack the biggest lessons from the journey so far — the good, the bad, and the uncomfortable.

From running out of money and learning the importance of knowing your numbers, to redefining our North Star and learning to say no — we’re brutally honest about what’s working and what isn’t.

This is a transparent look inside a growing business, filled with practical insights for anyone navigating their own journey in business.

Accidental Business Owners is sponsored by Icehouse.

This episode was brought to you by Xero. Supercharge your business with the help of Xero accounting software. With more ways to pay, clearer cash flow, and powerful insights all in one place, you can say ‘so long’ to endless admin and hello to business control like never before. Try Xero free for 30 days, terms apply.

And big thanks to Binance New Zealand for their support of Accidental Business Owners.

Download Binance New Zealand now: https://binance.onelink.me/y874/BTBPOD

Be aware that crypto is volatile, do your own research and invest wisely.

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This week's guest is Dr Paul Wood – speaker, author, psychologist… and a man who spent 11 years in prison for murder.

Paul opens up about the defining moments of his life: the crime that changed everything, what prison was really like, how he transformed behind bars, and how he became the first person in NZ to earn a PhD while incarcerated.

We cover the brutal realities of prison life, the mental strategies he used to survive and thrive, the death of his mother just days before the murder, and how he now works with elite performers, the NZ Police, and the SAS.

This is one of the most mind-blowing redemption stories we’ve ever told.

If you want to check out Dr Paul Wood's online course "Mental Fitness" and you're the type of person who wants to work on their brain capital through Mental Fitness. Head to paulwood.com/mental-fitness-course and simply add the code 'B2B' to access a 10% discount. 

This episode is brought to you by TAB, download the new app today and get your bet on!

Between Two Beers is now part of the Acast Creator Network, listen wherever you get your podcasts from, or watch the video on YouTube.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.