What does it actually mean to manage your money in a way that supports the life you want — not just survive month to month and hope for the best?

In this episode, I'm joined by accountant and financial strategist Karen Wollen (founder of Thrive NZ) for a refreshingly practical and no-nonsense conversation about money, business growth, and what it really takes to build financial clarity as a business owner.

Karen works with SMEs and service-based businesses to help them understand their numbers, manage cash flow, and make smarter decisions — so their business actually funds the life they want to live. We get into the real, sometimes uncomfortable, and deeply important side of business finance, and why so many entrepreneurs are working hard but still feel financially stuck.

In this episode:

Karen's framework for financial clarity: Understand your baseline (what you need) vs. your thriving number (what you want). Know where you are now. Map what needs to change to get there. Review it every 12 months — because every business and life has seasons.

About Karen

Karen Wollen is the founder of Thrive NZ, an accounting and financial strategy firm working with small to medium businesses across New Zealand. She helps business owners cut through the fear and confusion around their finances, understand what their numbers are actually telling them, and build businesses that work — for their goals and their life. Karen is direct, practical, and deeply invested in making sure her clients aren't just profitable on paper, but genuinely thriving.

🔗 LinkedIn | Instagram | https://www.thrive.nz/

What does it actually mean to live your values — not just list them in your brand strategy and forget about them?

In this episode, I'm joined by my long-time friend and values expert Viren Thakar (founder of In The Game) for one of my favourite conversations on the podcast.

Viren works with organisations and individuals to help them identify their values and build real systems to live them — day to day, week to week. We get into the messy, practical, and deeply personal side of values alignment, and why it's the missing piece for so many entrepreneurs who are doing "all the right things" but still feel hollow.

In this episode:

Viren's 5 Values: Freedom | Fun | Creativity | Achievement | Growth

When weighing options, ask — does this align with my values? Score each option across your values and add in the business factors (revenue, market appetite, ease of delivery). The combination is your guide.

About Viren

Viren is the founder of In The Game and Values Map. He works with organisations and individuals to define their values and design strategies to bring them to life. All done in a psychology-backed, playful and collaborative way. Outside of all this work, he loves playing games, DJing house music, diving into sci-fi, watching soccer, and running.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/virenthakrar/

You've got decades of experience, a tonne of knowledge, and you know your stuff inside out — so why does showing up online feel so bloody hard?

In this episode, I'm getting into the three shifts that I see 40+ expert women in business needing to make right now to build a personal brand that actually works. This isn't about doing more — it's about doing the right things, with the right mindset, in the right way.

In this episode:

The HALO Storytelling Framework: H — Hook | A — Action | L — Lesson | O — Opportunity

Ready to build your personal brand with the right strategy, frameworks, and support? Join me in Amplify - the programme for expert women who are done playing small online.

If you've been feeling stuck in your business lately, this episode is for you. I'm getting real about what's actually causing the stuckness (spoiler: it's probably not a strategy problem) and walking you through 6 practical steps to break through it - from auditing your business and killing offers that aren't working, to building your support network and diversifying your revenue.

We're also talking about the state of the business landscape in 2026, the growing divide between those thriving and those struggling, and why the portfolio career might be the move you didn't know you needed.

If something lands for you in this episode, I want you to take one action in the next 24–48 hours. No more sitting in the stuck. Let's go.

If you need help and want to work together then apply at https://www.suzchadwick.com/amplify

If you're an experienced expert but you're not showing up online, you're leaving serious money on the table. In this episode, I'm breaking down the four key reasons why smart, experienced women stay invisible - and what it's actually costing you. From the curse of knowledge to the fear of being a beginner again, I'm calling out the real blocks that keep you from building a personal brand that converts.

If you've been thinking visibility is optional, this one's for you.

How to Work with Me:

✅ Work with me to scale - https://www.suzchadwick.com/amplify

How to Use Storytelling to Attract Clients (Without the Sales Pitch)

If you want people binging your content and actually connecting with you, there's one skill you need to master: storytelling. In this episode, I'm breaking down exactly why stories matter for your business, the three types of stories every business owner needs, and how to structure your stories so they're memorable and magnetic.

In this episode:

Links:

Welcome to another episode of the Brand Builders Lab podcast! Today I'm diving deep into what I'm calling the "UN Era" – six powerful mindset shifts that will transform how you build your personal brand.

If you've been filtering yourself, playing it safe, or trying to be "professional" instead of being YOU, this episode is your wake-up call. I'm sharing the exact mindset shifts that help my clients build magnetic personal brands that attract dream clients and incredible opportunities.

Instagram: @suzchadwick Website: www.suzchadwick.com

Your strategy is boring—and I say that with love. You're showing up, creating content, doing what everyone's telling you to do... and it's not getting you the results you want. Sound familiar?

In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on the three non-boring strategies I'm implementing in 2026 to amp up my personal brand and business. These are the exact things that will help you stand out, build genuine connection, and finally become memorable in your industry.

In this episode, you'll discover:

If you're ready to take your strategy from boring and beige to bold and spicy, this episode is your permission slip to do more, be more, and create the impact you know you're capable of.

LINKS:

In this episode, I'm joined by voice and visibility coach Vasavi Kumar for a powerful conversation about overcoming fear of visibility in business. We dive deep into the neuroscience of saying things out loud, nervous system regulation strategies that actually work, and why mirror work might be your secret weapon for confidence on camera.

Vasavi shares her personal journey from therapy to entrepreneurship, including her experience with addiction recovery and how it shaped her approach to authentic visibility.

If you've ever hesitated to hit publish, get on camera, or share your real thoughts in business, this conversation will give you the practical tools and mindset shifts you need to show up boldly. We also tackle money mindset, pricing psychology, and why simplifying your business might be the key to scaling it.

Website

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✅Work with me to scale - https://www.suzchadwick.com/amplify

✅1:1 Coaching - https://www.suzchadwick.com/bc

✅Build your coaching & consulting business masterclass - https://www.suzchadwick.com/coach

✅Messy to Magnetic Masterclass - get your biz foundation in place - https://www.suzchadwick.com/messy

The truth is that you don't need to have a million messages, products and projects. 

Simplifying your business is going to be one of the best things you can do to feel at ease, to create in a powerful way and to build something that aligns with where you want to go. 

Today I'm sharing 3 key things that I think you can keep simple and focus on that will make the biggest difference. 

If you're ready to work together then DM me the word Amplify on Instagram @suzchadwick to get started!