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In this episode of the Ways to Wealth Podcast, Charlie is joined by Lisbeth Jacobs!

Lisbeth Jacobs is CEO of Gallagher Animal Management, a Belgian engineer with a PhD who has built an international career spanning R&D, venture capital, and technology leadership. Her journey led her from Belgium to New Zealand via marriage, then to China where she headed R&D for a steel multinational, before returning to New Zealand in 2012.

The conversation explores Lisbeth’s philosophy that careers develop through serendipity rather than rigid planning – "creating conditions to be lucky" and jumping on opportunities like trains. She discusses her transition from engineering to various roles including HR, her work at the Ice House developing internationalization frameworks, and involvement with Wellington Drive Technologies and Uni Services.

Key themes include start-up investment criteria, with team formation and coachability being essential, the advantages of hardware-based businesses over pure software plays, and AI’s transformational impact on business operations. Lisbeth shares insights on managing technological disruption as a CEO, particularly around AI agents replacing traditional development approaches.

The discussion concludes with her views on intergenerational wealth – supporting children through education debt-free while teaching money’s value through work, and providing strategic assistance like house deposits as loans rather than gifts.

Check out Gallagher Animal Management here: https://am.gallagher.com

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

#WaysToWealth #Podcast #Leadership #Innovation #WealthBuilding

Expert guidance to help you grow, adapt, and plan for what’s next. Try it for free⤵️

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In this episode of the Ways to Wealth Podcast, Charlie is joined by Daniel Walters!

Daniel Walters is a seasoned technology leader turned consultant and CTO coach based in Auckland, New Zealand. His career journey began with aspirations in film and television before pivoting to technology, leading him through roles at companies like Hitwise (acquired by Experian) and Seek, where he served as CTO overseeing their JobsDB and Job Street acquisitions across Southeast Asia. After a decade in Malaysia, he relocated to New Zealand during the pandemic to be closer to family, now running a consultancy focused on tech strategy and executive coaching.

The conversation explores Daniel's transition from full-time CTO roles to consulting, driven by his desire for flexible work arrangements to support his family. They discuss the evolving role of CTOs in an AI-driven world, the challenge many technical leaders face moving from hands-on coding to strategic leadership, and the importance of developing soft skills alongside technical expertise.

Key themes include work-life design, the "what would have to be true" strategic framework, intergenerational wealth building, and navigating career transitions. They examine how AI and automation are reshaping team structures and the technology landscape, while touching on remote work dynamics, startup culture, and the balance between technical excellence and leadership effectiveness.

Check out Great CTO here: https://www.greatcto.me/

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

#WaysToWealth #Podcast #Leadership #TechStrategy #WealthBuilding

Expert guidance to help you grow, adapt, and plan for what’s next. Try it for free⤵️

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In this episode of the Ways to Wealth Podcast, Charlie is joined by Steve Campbell!

Steve Campbell, co-founder of a New Zealand–based youth development charity, has dedicated over 25 years to search and rescue, emergency management, and community service with YSAR. With a background spanning farming, policing, and regional council work, Steve’s driving force is altruism, legacy-building, and empowering the next generation.

In this conversation, Steve shares his belief that youth are underrepresented in decision-making and that, when given the tools and freedom to innovate, they achieve remarkable results. His charity began in 2008 with one branch and now operates nine, aiming to expand to 22 within five years. They train young people for search and rescue roles, working with partners like Datacom and NEMA to adapt to future challenges such as AI and community resilience.

Steve discusses the importance of financial literacy for youth, the challenges of funding in a competitive charity landscape, and the value of corporate sponsors like Zespri. He reflects on resilience, mental health, and the need for open conversations—especially among men. Above all, Steve’s definition of wealth centers on community impact, meaningful relationships, and leaving both a financial and social legacy for his family and the generations to come.

Check out YSAR here: https://www.ysar.org.nz

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

#WaysToWealth #Podcast #WealthBuilding #YouthDevelopment #Resilience

Expert guidance to help you grow, adapt, and plan for what’s next. Try it for free⤵️

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Dr. Nick Edgar is the Chief Executive of the New Zealand Landcare Trust, with a PhD in freshwater ecology. Originally focused on scientific research studying aquatic ecosystems, he transitioned to applied environmental work, leading a team of coordinators across New Zealand who collaborate with farmers, landowners, and rural communities to improve waterway health through practical conservation efforts.

The conversation explores Nick's unique perspective on wealth, which extends beyond financial success to encompass work-life balance, health, purpose, and environmental impact. He discusses building wealth through traditional methods (shares, KiwiSaver, property) while maintaining his passion for environmental stewardship.

Key initiatives include the Junior Landcare Program, sponsored by the Bupa Foundation, which creates intergenerational partnerships between retirement home residents and school children to address eco-anxiety and promote environmental action. Nick also serves as Chair of Global Landcare, working on international projects in countries like Fiji, Tonga, and Bangladesh.

The discussion covers grant programs supported by partners like Westpac, the challenges of selecting recipients from oversubscribed applications, and Nick's philosophy on intergenerational wealth transfer. He advocates for greater generosity from wealthy individuals and emphasizes the importance of volunteering, concluding with practical career advice for aspiring scientists about gaining real-world experience alongside academic qualifications.

Check out New Zealand Landcare Trust here: https://landcare.org.nz

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

#WaysToWealth #Podcast #Entrepreneurship #WealthBuilding #Conservation #NewZealand

In this episode of the Ways to Wealth Podcast, Charlie is joined by Will Gregory! Will is a recruitment professional and business partner at The Pond Recruitment, who recently completed a transformative three‑month executive coaching course. After experiencing a failed business venture in 2008–2009, Will spent years working for others before buying into an established recruitment company, gaining “skin in the game.”

The conversation focuses on Will’s personal transformation through coaching, shifting his mindset from pure performance to living authentically based on core values. He redefines wealth as encompassing four pillars: financial, spiritual (relationships), physical, and mental health.

Will shares practical advice on entrepreneurship, advocating for buying into established, profitable businesses rather than starting from scratch. He highlights the value of partnering with older founders ready to scale back, creating natural transition opportunities.

Key themes include values‑based decision making, sustainable daily routines such as Sunday planning and Friday reflection, mindful parenting, and accountability through coaching programs and mindfulness apps like Positive Intelligence (PQ). The episode concludes with Will’s vision for his final decade, focusing on deep relationships and connecting people for mutual benefit.

Find out more about The Pond Recruitment here: thepond.net/

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

#WaysToWealth #ExecutiveCoaching #Entrepreneurship #ValuesBasedLeadership #Mindfulness #SustainableBusiness #Recruitment #PersonalGrowth #Accountability #WealthRedefined

In this episode of the Ways to Wealth Podcast, Charlie is joined by Nawaz Ahmed! Nawaz is a General Partner at GD1, a New Zealand‑based venture capital firm managing a $150 million Fund III investing in local tech businesses, alongside a smaller crypto‑focused fund with a global mandate. Nawaz oversees the crypto fund, having transitioned from angel investing after navigating New Zealand’s traditionally crypto‑skeptical venture capital landscape.

The conversation explores the mechanics of crypto venture investing, where Nawaz typically takes equity positions with token warrants rather than direct token holdings. They discuss the shift from speculative token launches to fundamentally driven crypto businesses with real revenue streams.

Key themes include crypto’s democratization potential versus regulatory challenges shaped by banking lobbies, especially around stablecoins. Nawaz compares regional adoption drivers, highlighting New Zealand’s stable financial infrastructure against global markets benefiting from crypto’s remittance and wealth protection capabilities.

The discussion also covers investment philosophies, advocating concentrated positions for wealth building and diversification for wealth preservation. Practical crypto education tools are highlighted, such as Cordelayr3 for user onboarding and Inshallah Network’s Sharia‑compliant finance solutions, showcasing crypto’s potential to empower underserved communities.

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

#WaysToWealth #CryptoVC #VentureCapital #CryptoInvesting #Regulation #WealthBuilding #TokenWarrants #ShariaFinance #FinancialInclusion #NewZealand

In this episode of the Ways to Wealth Podcast, Charlie is joined by Lloyd Kirby! Lloyd is a senior partner at RSM, one of New Zealand’s largest international accounting practices with 19 partners and 180 staff nationwide. With over 35 years in the industry, Lloyd specialises in business succession planning and exit strategies, helping SME owners prepare for retirement using tools like B‑Star evaluation software.

The conversation explores Lloyd’s journey from humble beginnings with a solo mother to becoming a successful business partner. He shares how early mentorship and collaborative investments — including forestry partnerships and property developments — set the foundation for his career.

Key themes include recognising your business as your largest asset, starting succession planning three to four years before selling, and fostering strong client relationships that last generations. Lloyd and Charlie also discuss financial literacy, cashflow management for young professionals, and strategies for preserving wealth across generations without losing the work ethic that built it.

Find out more about RSM New Zealand here: www.rsmnz.co.nz

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

#WaysToWealth #BusinessSuccession #ExitPlanning #IntergenerationalWealth #FinancialLiteracy #CashflowManagement #Accounting #SMEWealth #Mentorship #WealthPlanning

In this episode of the Ways to Wealth Podcast, Charlie is joined by Juan Aguilera! Juan is a Venezuelan‑born entrepreneur and leadership coach now based in New Zealand. With an MBA and a former career as an electronic engineer, he has built a diverse investment portfolio spanning property, angel investing, and cryptocurrency. As a coach, he works with both corporate leaders and emerging entrepreneurs, focusing on mindset and leadership development.

The conversation explores Juan’s three‑pronged investment strategy — property for cashflow, angel investing in start‑ups, and cryptocurrency as a hedge against fiat currency. He highlights New Zealand’s supportive entrepreneurship ecosystem, referencing organisations such as FKA’s free Thursday clinics and Icehouse Ventures as vital resources for founders.

Key themes include the role of financial literacy and mindset in wealth creation, the psychological barriers people face around money (such as “tall poppy syndrome” in Australia and New Zealand), and redefining personal success beyond purely financial goals. Juan also discusses long‑term planning, including end‑of‑life considerations and family conversations about money, and offers practical advice for beginners: educate yourself, live within your means, and monetise your passions and skills.

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

#WaysToWealth #AngelInvesting #PropertyInvestment #Cryptocurrency #WealthBuilding #Leadership #FinancialLiteracy #Mindset #Entrepreneurship #TallPoppySyndrome

In this episode of the Ways to Wealth Podcast, Charlie is joined by Gary Bloxham! Gary is a seasoned entrepreneur and recruitment industry veteran who built his wealth through calculated risks and relationship‑driven strategies. Starting from humble beginnings without university education, he launched his first insurance business at 21 using his final paycheck, later scaling and successfully selling the company. After relocating to New Zealand in 2015, Gary co‑founded a boutique recruitment firm specialising in banking, financial services, and insurance.

The conversation explores Gary’s unconventional path to success, highlighting the value of mentorship, humility, and treating people well throughout one’s career journey. Gary shares how completing an executive MBA gave him a structured framework to complement his intuitive decision‑making in business.

A significant part of the discussion examines New Zealand’s economic challenges and shifting immigration trends. Gary explains how his firm has adapted by forming strategic alliances with UK operations to respond to the exodus of professionals moving to Australia and beyond. He offers insights into salary comparisons across New Zealand, Australia, and the UK, especially within financial services roles, and analyses the evolving regulatory environment, including the rise of AML and compliance roles following the Royal Commission.

Find out more about Tyler Wren – Career Experts here: www.tylerwren.co.nz

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

#WaysToWealth #Recruitment #Entrepreneurship #FinancialServices #CareerDevelopment #ImmigrationTrends #ExecutiveMBA #AMLCompliance #NewZealandEconomy #RelationshipBuilding

In this episode of the Ways to Wealth Podcast, Charlie is joined by Brett Pietersen! Brett is a serial entrepreneur who views entrepreneurship not as what he does, but as who he is. Coming from modest beginnings without significant family wealth, Brett has built a career around identifying market gaps and creating value through private capital allocation across multiple ventures and industries.

The conversation explores Brett’s definition of wealth — having the freedom to pursue what energises you and aligns with your values rather than being forced into situations due to lack of options. He shares his entrepreneurial journey, starting from childhood trading instincts to his breakthrough moment buying a distressed business out of liquidation, which he restructured and scaled from 2.5 million to 230 staff over five years.

Brett also discusses co‑founding BLOXX, a housing company aiming to help 4,500 families into homeownership within three years through an innovative rent‑to‑buy model. He reflects on building tenacity for difficult times, understanding your personal energy sources, and balancing entrepreneurial pursuits with family life. Brett’s philosophy centres on energy — not time — as the most valuable resource in life and business.

Find out more about BLOXX here: www.bloxx.co.nz

Find out more about Through The Lens Entertainment here: www.ttlentertainment.com

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

#WaysToWealth #Entrepreneurship #Housing #RentToBuy #PrivateCapital #Freedom #EnergyManagement #BusinessGrowth #FamilyAndBusiness #WealthMindset