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In this episode of the Ways to Wealth Podcast, Charlie is joined by Chris Parnell!

Chris is the co-founder of SetSeed, a platform designed to create smarter websites without the heavy reliance on plugins. His entrepreneurial journey began in marketing, moved through graphic design training, and eventually into self-taught web development. After seeing a product from a previous company go global, Chris was inspired to build his own venture, teaming up with UK-based partner Ben Vallack to launch SetSeed.

The discussion covers the challenges small and medium businesses face with plugin-heavy platforms like WordPress, where security, maintenance, and complexity can become serious pain points. SetSeed’s plugin-free model offers an alternative with built-in functionality designed for simplicity and reliability.

Chris and Charlie dive into the realities of bootstrapping versus pursuing venture capital, exploring how founders can maintain control while still taking advantage of growth opportunities. They reflect on the trade-offs between ambition and family balance, and how recent VC interest has created both potential opportunities and distractions for SetSeed.

The episode also looks at strategic advice for businesses considering platform migrations, stressing the importance of long-term planning over reactive decision-making, especially in a market increasingly influenced by AI-driven hype.

Find out more about SetSeed here: www.setseed.com

Watch all episodes of the Ways to Wealth Podcast here: www.eccuity.com/podcasts

#WaysToWealth #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #WebDevelopment #Innovation #SmallBusiness #Leadership

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In this episode of the Ways to Wealth Podcast, Charlie is joined by Brent Coleman!

Brent runs a fast-growing YouTube channel dedicated to educating New Zealanders about personal finance, covering saving, investing, and money management. With a finance degree and international experience, including two years at a Singapore-based family office, Brent brings both practical and global perspectives to his content.

The conversation explores Brent’s content creation strategy, where he shares how he develops video ideas, scripts, and edits — spending roughly an hour per minute of final content while keeping a pipeline of 10+ ideas. They also dive into economic analysis, discussing issues with New Zealand’s CPI data, the Reserve Bank’s interest rate decisions, and new tools like Truflation for real-time inflation tracking.

Brent explains his investment philosophy, built around a conservative index fund approach with an 80/20 core-satellite strategy balancing stable long-term holdings with smaller speculative plays. He also gives behind-the-scenes insights into life inside a Southeast Asian billionaire’s family office, from 80-hour weeks to exclusive private investment opportunities, highlighting the reality versus perception of ultra-wealth management.

The discussion expands into cryptocurrency, where Brent and Charlie examine Bitcoin’s institutional adoption, transaction costs, and the practical challenges of secure storage.

This episode shows how deep finance expertise can translate into engaging education, while underscoring the importance of discipline and balance in building wealth.

Watch all episodes of the Ways to Wealth Podcast here: www.eccuity.com/podcasts

#PersonalFinance #Investing #WealthBuilding #MoneyManagement #FinancialEducation #IndexFunds #EconomicInsights #CryptoInvesting #FamilyOffice #WaysToWealth

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In this episode of the Ways to Wealth Podcast, Charlie is joined by Vinay Deobhakta!

Vinay is a former lawyer turned entrepreneur whose career collapsed after a Law Society complaint saw him struck off the legal roll in 2009. Coming from a prestigious legal family, he practiced law for 20 years before facing bankruptcy and personal ruin.

The conversation explores Vinay’s remarkable journey of resilience, from selling possessions at markets to working in high-end sales of Ferraris and Lamborghinis, and eventually rebuilding through Mackenzie Friend Professionals – a business supporting self-represented litigants in Australia and New Zealand.

Key themes include the principle of “ego edging God out” that contributed to his downfall, his spiritual recovery through Bible study, and the psychology of overcoming depression and financial hardship. Vinay also shares his perspective on AI’s disruption of the legal profession and his transition into mental health advocacy through his podcast A Fighter’s Mind, focused on litigation trauma and resilience.

The episode highlights grit, recovery, and practical strategies for bouncing back stronger after failure.

Find out more about McKenzie Friend Professionals Limited here: www.mckenziefriendprofessionals.com

Watch all episodes of the Ways to Wealth Podcast here: www.eccuity.com/podcasts

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In this episode of the Ways to Wealth Podcast, Charlie is joined by Tom Hern!

Tom Hern is a New Zealand film and television producer, writer, and director who began his career as a junior TV reporter at just 13. After leaving school at 15, he moved from acting into producing and went on to found Four Nights Film in 2010. He has since produced major projects including The Dark Horse and the TV series Madam starring Rachel Griffiths and Martin Henderson.

The conversation explores Tom’s entrepreneurial journey in the screen industry, comparing film production to property development and start-up models. They discuss the unique challenges of independent filmmaking in New Zealand, international financing strategies, and the balance between creative integrity and commercial realities.

Key themes include the importance of personal brand as a storyteller, the role of data versus human curation, the industry’s shift toward AI, and why name actors remain pivotal for financing. Tom also unpacks counterculture storytelling, negotiation strategies, and the goodwill factor in deal-making.

He shares insights on his upcoming projects, including a skateboarding film with Tony Hawk and Steve-O as executive producers, and offers advice for aspiring filmmakers on blending timeless storytelling craft with modern technology.

Find out about Tom’s company TAVAKE here: www.tavake.tv

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In this episode of the Ways to Wealth Podcast, Charlie is joined by Jamie McKenzie!

Jamie McKenzie is a UK-born video production business owner and creative director who has been operating in New Zealand for 22 years. After training in London and working on TV shows and documentaries, he moved to Auckland and founded his production company, targeting the early gap in business video content when the market was still dominated by VHS tapes and CD-ROMs.

The conversation explores the shift from polished corporate videos to today’s demand for authentic, story-driven content. Key themes include how trust and audience expectations have changed, the evolution of influencer marketing, and the growing importance of long-form video as brands look to build owned audiences rather than relying on social platforms.

They also discuss AI’s role in creative industries, exploring whether it acts as a replacement or a productivity multiplier, and Jamie shares insights into entrepreneurship, adapting to industry disruption, and how businesses can approach video content with clarity and purpose.

Check out PURE Video Content Agency here: www.pureproductions.co.nz

Watch all episodes of the Ways to Wealth Podcast here: www.eccuity.com/podcasts

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In this episode of the Ways to Wealth Podcast, Charlie is joined by Murphy O’Neill!

Murphy O’Neill is the director of Adaptable Structures in Auckland, where he is developing what he claims is the world’s first “design for industrialization” construction system. With roots in his family’s construction business, he has spent the last 10 years self-funding this venture after being inspired by the urgent housing needs following the Christchurch earthquakes.

The conversation explores O’Neill’s modular housing system, which uses recyclable aluminum instead of timber, designed to be mass-produced sustainably within a circular economy framework. He critiques New Zealand’s innovation ecosystem, arguing that exporting intellectual property offshore undermines local industry.

O’Neill explains why traditional construction methods are stuck in a “1600s model,” while industries like aerospace have advanced dramatically. His modular homes can be assembled in days, reconfigured as needs change, and financed more like a car purchase than a 30-year mortgage, with modules priced around $50,000.

They discuss New Zealand’s housing affordability crisis, mortgage system challenges, and ongoing building quality issues. O’Neill also highlights government regulatory barriers and the lack of data collection on construction failures. Looking ahead, he sees opportunities for international expansion, particularly for humanitarian housing in conflict zones like Ukraine and Gaza, with production capabilities already scaling.

Watch all episodes of the Ways to Wealth Podcast here: www.eccuity.com/podcasts

#WaysToWealth #Podcast #Entrepreneurship #Innovation #Housing

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In this episode of the Ways to Wealth Podcast, Charlie is joined by Naadia Jackson!

Naadia Jackson is an online marketing expert specializing in small business development. Starting her entrepreneurial journey at 19, she has built multiple businesses including database creation, event management through Wakahama Club, and currently runs marketing services for small businesses. She also serves as treasurer of Wakahama Club and is developing a new program called "Own Your Uniqueness," aimed at helping women over 40 start their own businesses.

The conversation covers the entrepreneurial mindset and the importance of staying open to opportunities rather than rigidly following plans. Naadia introduces the idea of business versioning – building version one foundations first, instead of chasing version ten capabilities right away. Key topics include identifying ideal clients, why marketing is essential for success, and the need for strong systems to scale effectively.

They also explore gender differences in business thinking, the role of women’s support networks, and succession planning challenges in New Zealand. Naadia explains why poor systemization means Kiwi businesses often sell for lower multiples compared to those in Australia, Canada, the UK, and the US.

Watch all episodes of the Ways to Wealth Podcast here: www.eccuity.com/podcasts

#WaysToWealth #Podcast #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusiness #Marketing

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In this episode of the Ways to Wealth Podcast, Charlie is joined by Belinda Thomas!

Belinda Thomas is an executive coach and facilitator who works with leadership teams globally. A former competitive fly fisher who represented New Zealand internationally, she transitioned into coaching after experiencing its transformative power through her own mental strength sports coach. With a background in organizational psychology, she has built a leadership practice spanning over nine years, working with both individual clients and teams across multiple industries.

The conversation explores the intersection of performance, decision-making, and leadership in uncertain times. Belinda discusses her journey from competitive fishing to executive coaching, emphasizing the importance of separating outcomes from decision quality. Key topics include navigating economic uncertainty, the challenge of managing seven generations in today’s workforce, and the tension between productivity demands and innovation needs.

She highlights the value of creating psychological safety where employees can bring their whole selves to work, while also tackling modern challenges like information overload, rumination, and the risk of decision paralysis. Belinda advocates for maintaining curiosity while balancing clarity and adaptability in volatile environments.

Find out more about ‘Belinda Thomas Inc’ here: www.belindathomasinc.com

Watch all episodes of the Ways to Wealth Podcast here: www.eccuity.com/podcasts

#WaysToWealth #Podcast #Leadership #DecisionMaking #Wealth

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In this episode of the Ways to Wealth Podcast, Charlie is joined by Leighton Wilson!

Leighton Wilson runs Ladder & Co, a performance-focused digital marketing agency based in New Zealand. After a decade in finance at ANZ working on database mining and wealth products, he transitioned through two marketing agencies before launching his own business in March 2020. Ladder & Co now helps SMEs achieve measurable growth through analytics-driven strategies.

The conversation covers entrepreneurship, wealth building, and challenges facing the New Zealand economy. Key topics include the difficulty of top-of-funnel marketing versus bottom-of-funnel conversion, why retention matters more than acquisition, and Wilson’s philosophy of doing what you say you’ll do.

They discuss investment strategies around concentration versus diversification, referencing Warren Buffett’s approach, and explore vulnerabilities in New Zealand’s property market, currency weakness, and the valuation gap for SMEs compared to international peers.

Wilson shares how he transitioned from employment to entrepreneurship during COVID-19, how referrals fuelled growth through retention-focused delivery, and his future plans including equity stakes in client businesses and treasury strategies for tax efficiency. The episode also highlights financial education gaps, property investment challenges, and the impact of the contractor economy on wealth creation.

Find out more about Ladder & Co here: www.ladderco.co.nz

Watch all episodes of the Ways to Wealth Podcast here: www.eccuity.com/podcasts

#business #entrepreneurship #wealth #investing #digitalmarketing #newzealand #founders #economy

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In this episode of the Ways to Wealth Podcast, Charlie is joined by Serdar Kabul!

Serdar Kabul is a Turkish-born business broker who moved to New Zealand in 2013. After starting two import businesses, he discovered his passion for selling businesses during his own exit process. This led him to join Link as a broker seven years ago, specialising in manufacturing, engineering, and import/export businesses.

The conversation explores Serdar's journey from immigrant entrepreneur to business broker, offering insights into the New Zealand M&A landscape. He shares lessons from the 18-month learning curve for new brokers, the impact of economic shifts on business sales, and the wave of retirements among baby boomers that is driving deal flow.

Serdar also discusses the two-year preparation process for business exits, the importance of documentation, emotional readiness, and how interest rate fluctuations from 2020 to 2024 shaped market demand. He reflects on cultural perspectives in business ownership, the need for post-sale purpose, and practical steps for owners to prepare for successful exits.

Find out more about Link here: www.linkbusiness.co.nz

Watch all episodes of the Ways to Wealth Podcast here: www.eccuity.com/podcasts

#business #entrepreneurship #wealth #investing #mergersandacquisitions #founders #newzealand #exitplanning