Fix & Fly

Our next guest is Sarah Trotman, CEO of Business Mentors New Zealand

Having experienced both the rewards and challenges of running businesses, Sarah understands how difficult it can be to navigate uncertainty and make the right decisions. Today, she leads an organisation that has supported more than 85,000 Kiwi entrepreneurs, connecting business owners with experienced mentors who can help them build confidence and unlock potential.

Sarah shares why you don’t have to figure everything out on your own and how the right guidance can help you avoid costly mistakes. From learning through setbacks to building stronger foundations for long-term success, this conversation explores the value of experience, perspective and support in business.

#FixandFlyPodcast #LarissaLogan #SarahTrotman #Fixity @larissalogan @businessmentorsnz @alyrt_ai

Welcome to the Fix & Fly Podcast hosted by Larissa Logan from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Fixity⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Our next guest is Pip Larner, Co-Owner of Scarpa Shoes.

Scarpa has been a much loved Auckland boutique for 35 years — known for beautiful European shoes, handbags and an experience you can't replicate online.

Pip took over the family business with her sister seven years ago. Since then they've navigated COVID, a shifting retail landscape and some tough decisions — including downsizing from three stores to one.

In this episode Pip talks honestly about what keeps a retail business alive. Knowing your margins weekly, backing yourself even when others say no and building a loyal customer base that keeps coming back.

If you're in retail or running a small business this one is worth your time.

Huge thanks to Pip for featuring in this episode!

Connect with her here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pip-larner-29a32258/

Fix & Fly is proudly brought to you by Fixity: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://fixity.co.nz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow our socials to keep up with new episodes: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/fixity.nz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This podcast was proudly produced by the team at Fanaticals: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.fanaticals.co.nz⁠⁠⁠⁠

Welcome to the Fix & Fly Podcast hosted by Larissa Logan from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Fixity⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Our next guest is Matt Haines, Co-Owner of Ollie’s Ice Cream ParlourFounded by his father in 1973, Ollie’s has become a much-loved Auckland institution — a traditional ice cream parlour built around good food and generations of loyal customers.Now, alongside his wife, Matt is carrying Ollie’s into its next chapter while trying to hold onto everything that makes it so special.Matt shares the lessons he’s learnt along the way — from creating a strong team and managing rising costs to knowing when to step back from the business. He also talks about the challenge of finding new ways to grow without losing the character, identity and community that have kept Ollie’s going for more than 50 years.If you’re running a small business, this episode is packed with practical lessons on protecting your margins, looking after your people and finding the right opportunities to grow.Huge thanks to Matt for featuring in this episode!

Fix & Fly is proudly brought to you by Fixity: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://fixity.co.nz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow our socials to keep up with new episodes: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/fixity.nz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This podcast was proudly produced by the team at Fanaticals: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.fanaticals.co.nz⁠⁠⁠⁠

Welcome to the Fix & Fly Podcast hosted by Larissa Logan from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Fixity⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Our next guest is Felicity Hill, Founder & Director at Cahill Accounting.Felicity sits down with Larissa to unpack the numbers business owners need to understand before small financial problems become serious ones. From cash flow and unpaid invoices to debt, solvency and the balance sheet, she shares why a profitable business can still run out of cash — and why understanding the numbers behind the business is more important than ever.It’s a practical look at what business owners should be watching, how to spot problems early and why getting the right advice could save you a lot of money in the long run.

Huge thanks to Felicity for featuring in this episode!

Connect with her here: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/felicityhill/

Fix & Fly is proudly brought to you by Fixity: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://fixity.co.nz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow our socials to keep up with new episodes: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/fixity.nz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This podcast was proudly produced by the team at Fanaticals: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.fanaticals.co.nz⁠⁠⁠⁠

Welcome to the Fix & Fly Podcast hosted by Larissa Logan from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Fixity⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Our next guest is Jon Sinclair, Director at Performance Building Technologies.

Jonathan joins Larissa to unpack the hidden costs eating into construction businesses — from missed details and rework to variations, outdated processes and poor use of data.With some projects going millions over budget, Jonathan explains how businesses can use better planning & technology to catch costly mistakes earlier, protect their margins and work smarter.If you're in construction, trades or running an SME, this episode is packed with practical ideas for protecting your time, your margins and your bottom line.Let us know what you thought of the conversation in the comments!Huge thanks to Jon for featuring in this episode!Connect with him here: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonsinclair-builtasset/

Fix & Fly is proudly brought to you by Fixity: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://fixity.co.nz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow our socials to keep up with new episodes: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/fixity.nz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This podcast was proudly produced by the team at Fanaticals: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.fanaticals.co.nz⁠⁠⁠⁠

Welcome to the Fix & Fly Podcast hosted by Larissa Logan from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Fixity⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Our next guest is Brad Jacobs, Director of The Coffee Club NZ and Chair of the Parnell Business Association.

With oversight of 65 cafés across New Zealand, Brad has a unique view of the challenges facing hospitality and small businesses today.

Brad and Larissa discuss how to protect profitability without losing customers, why business owners need to ask for help before problems become too big, and how honest conversations with suppliers and landlords can make all the difference. 

Whether you’re in hospitality or running a small business, this episode is packed with practical advice for navigating uncertainty, protecting your business and keeping it moving forward.

Huge thanks to Brad for featuring in this episode!

Connect with him here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradley-jacobs-08377550/

Fix & Fly is proudly brought to you by Fixity: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://fixity.co.nz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow our socials to keep up with new episodes: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/fixity.nz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This podcast was proudly produced by the team at Fanaticals: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.fanaticals.co.nz⁠⁠⁠⁠

Welcome to the Fix & Fly Podcast hosted by Larissa Logan from ⁠⁠⁠⁠Fixity⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Our next guest is David Altena, Co-Founder of The Better SMB — a platform on a mission to help businesses benchmark their performance, know their numbers and take practical steps to build a business that lasts.

David and Larissa dig into why so many NZ business owners are good at what they do but struggle with the business side and why New Zealand has a culture of viewing advice as a cost rather than an investment.

David shares how PerformIQ — The Better SMB's free tool — helps business owners see how they're performing, compare themselves to others in their industry and take a clear next step to lift performance.

If you're a business owner who's been putting off the numbers this episode is for you.

Huge thanks to David for featuring in this episode!

Connect with him here: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidaltena/

Fix & Fly is proudly brought to you by Fixity: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://fixity.co.nz⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow our socials to keep up with new episodes: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/fixity.nz⁠⁠⁠⁠

This podcast was proudly produced by the team at Fanaticals: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.fanaticals.co.nz⁠⁠⁠⁠

Welcome to the Fix & Fly Podcast hosted by Larissa Logan from ⁠⁠⁠Fixity⁠⁠⁠.

Our next guest is Scott Blanks, co-founder and owner of The Classic Comedy Club — Auckland's home of live comedy for nearly 30 years. Scott has built one of the country's most iconic entertainment venues from the ground up and launched the careers of some of NZ's biggest comedians.

Scott and Larissa dig into what it really takes to run a small entertainment business through the tough times. Why comedy is recession-proof, why consistent branding keeps customers coming back and how the opening of the CRL could be the biggest opportunity Auckland's city businesses have seen in years.

Scott shares why good neighbours make good business, why you should trial your idea before signing a lease, and why looking for opportunity in tough times is always the right move.

If you're running a small business in Auckland's city centre, this one is packed with practical and optimistic advice.

Huge thanks to Scott for featuring in this episode!

Connect with him here: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-blanks-a0651323/

Fix & Fly is proudly brought to you by Fixity: ⁠⁠⁠https://fixity.co.nz⁠⁠⁠

Follow our socials to keep up with new episodes: ⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/fixity.nz⁠⁠⁠

This podcast was proudly produced by the team at Fanaticals: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.fanaticals.co.nz⁠⁠⁠

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

Welcome to the Fix & Fly Podcast hosted by Larissa Logan from ⁠⁠Fixity⁠⁠.

Our next guest is Renee Coulter, Co-Founder of Coco's Cantina — one of Auckland's most loved restaurants on Karangahape Road. Renee started with a passion for hospitality and no idea about business. What followed was 17 years of learning.Renee and Larissa talk honestly about what it takes to survive in hospitality long term. From navigating COVID, construction disruption and rising food costs, to managing staff and building a loyal customer base.If you're in hospitality, retail or running any customer-facing business, this one is full of real, hard-won advice.

Huge thanks to Renee for featuring in this episode!

Connect with her here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/renee-coulter-92834972/

Fix & Fly is proudly brought to you by Fixity: ⁠⁠https://fixity.co.nz⁠⁠

Follow our socials to keep up with new episodes: ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/fixity.nz⁠⁠

This podcast was proudly produced by the team at Fanaticals: ⁠⁠https://www.fanaticals.co.nz⁠⁠

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

Welcome to the Fix & Fly Podcast hosted by Larissa Logan from ⁠Fixity⁠.

Our guest is Jim Marsh, Director at High Performer Building.

Jim believes the biggest challenge facing New Zealand's construction industry isn't rising costs or a slowing market—it's our resistance to change.

In this episode, Jim shares why the industry needs to move beyond traditional thinking and start focusing on long-term performance, quality and value. From embracing new technology and smarter systems to improving collaboration across the sector, he explains why building better homes starts with changing the way we think.

Whether you're a builder, developer, business owner or homeowner, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on where New Zealand construction is heading and what it will take to lead the industry into the future.

Huge thanks to Jim for featuring in this episode!

Connect with him here: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-marsh-688a021aa/

Fix & Fly is proudly brought to you by Fixity: ⁠https://fixity.co.nz⁠

Follow our socials to keep up with new episodes: ⁠https://linktr.ee/fixity.nz⁠

This podcast was proudly produced by the team at Fanaticals: ⁠https://www.fanaticals.co.nz⁠

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