Ground Breaking Podcast

Karl Budge is a strategic sports leader who has played a key role building the ASB Classic, WTA, Australian Open and FIFA brands globally.

Karl is about to bring one of the most exciting surf events New Zealand has ever had, the Corona Piha Pro.

I know you will enjoy this interview, so be sure to subscribe and share this podcast with your network.

Stay awesome

Eli Smit

Founder & Host

Ground Breaking Podcast

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

Ezel Kokcu is a serial entrepreneur on to her third startup Passphere; an analytics registration platform for large scale events and theme parks. Ezel also co-founded STQRY; an exploration app for museums and cultural sites. She raised over $7 million in VC funding, and had over 800 customers on the books before selling the company in 2016.

I know you will enjoy this interview, so be sure to subscribe and share this podcast with your network.

Stay awesome

Eli Smit

Founder & Host

Ground Breaking Podcast

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

Nick Hyland and his business partner Jacksen Love are two amazing entrepreneurs taking on the world of last-mile transport through Flamingo Scooters. In the face of major competition from global companies like Lime and Uber, Flamingo Scooters already have over 1,200 scooters across 3 major cities in New Zealand. 

I know you will enjoy this interview, so be sure to subscribe and share this podcast with your network.

Stay awesome

Eli Smit

Founder & Host

Ground Breaking Podcast

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

Greig Brebner is the founder of BLUNT Umbrellas, a New Zealand company that has disrupted the umbrella category, by creating better performing and longer lasting umbrella.

Greig is still deeply involved in the day to day running of the company, he is passionate about creating a better product, and he is always on the lookout for new ideas and improvements to bring to market.

I know you will enjoy this interview, so be sure to subscribe and share this podcast with your network.

Stay awesome

Eli Smit

Founder & Host

Ground Breaking Podcast

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

Grant Difford founded Waking Giants in 2011, and this creative agency is growing from strength to strength.

Grant talks to me about his massive ambition, the hard times that shaped his leadership and how he is keeping one eye on creativity and the other on entrepreneurship.

I know you will enjoy this interview, so be sure to subscribe and share this podcast with your network.

Stay awesome

Eli Smit

Founder & Host

Ground Breaking Podcast

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

Jon Bostock has consistently succeeded at the toughest challenges presented by companies both large and small. Over the course of nearly a decade at General Electric, he reinvented the company’s sprawling appliances division, devising ways to grow share and profitability, all the while competing against an ever-increasing number of entrants. 

In 2016, Jon joined Big Ass Fans, he focused on improving the customer experience and then shepherded a sale that valued the company at $500 million.

Following the sale, Jon sought a new challenge and joined with Big Ass Fans Global Marketing Director Alex Reed to found Truman’s, a household cleaning products company designed for today's consumer with an emphasis on simplicity, convenience and sustainability. 

I know you will enjoy this interview, so be sure to subscribe and share this podcast with your network.

Stay awesome

Eli Smit

Founder & Host

Ground Breaking Podcast

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

As co-founder of two highly successful NZ start-ups – James Robinson has run the Marketing, IT and Finance teams of both businesses.

With revenues exceeding 100 million, My Food Bag has changed the landscape of the online retail food sector.

I know you will enjoy this interview, so be sure to subscribe and share this podcast with your network.

Stay awesome

Eli Smit

Founder & Host

Ground Breaking Podcast

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

Catherine Wood is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Ark Investment Management which runs

$7.4 billion in assets.

From Tesla to the latest innovators in healthcare, Cathie Wood always keeps her eye on the disruptors. In 2018, Cathie was recognised in Bloomberg’s Top 50 list of leaders who have defined global business.

Cathie has spoken all over the world and this week she finds herself in New Zealand speaking to me, your host Eli of Ground Breaking Podcast.

I know you will enjoy this interview, so be sure to subscribe and share this podcast with your network.

Stay awesome

Eli Smit

Founder & Host

Ground Breaking Podcast

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

Tony Falkenstein is the Founder and CEO of Just Life Group.

This Auckland based entrepreneur's story is filled with wins and losses and an array of business ventures from fax machines, to watches to sunglasses and water coolers.

This episode will challenge your mindset around failure and help you consider what you are prepared to lose when it all goes wrong.

If you enjoy this interview be sure to subscribe and share this podcast with your network.

Stay awesome

Eli Smit

Founder & Host

Ground Breaking Podcast

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

This week I am speaking with Ben Forman the co-founder of Wrestler.

Wrestler are a creative agency specialising in human centred storytelling.They have worked with the likes of Allbirds, Singapore Airlines, NZ Post and Kiwibank.

From creating parody rap videos in high school Ben has come along way having been named this year on the Forbes Asia 30 Under 30 list. Ben is one of only six New Zealanders to make the list this year, and the only Kiwi in the media, marketing & advertising category.

If you enjoy this interview be sure to subscribe and share this podcast with your network. 

Stay awesome 

Eli Smit

Founder & Host

Ground Breaking Podcast

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