So you may have seen my social media posts, or figured things out from the title of this episode, but ‘Now, That’s What I Call Business’ is ending…or at least going on indefinite hiatus.

There has been a lot of things going on behind the scenes, and it’s taken me a while but I have made this decision after much thought.

BUT! We’re going to go out with one last episode and there is a lot of stuff to know before we wrap this podcast up.

 In this episode I share:

-      My reasons for ending the podcast

-      Why I’m continuing the green pod and what to expect

-      A big incrediballs update

-      The big break through we have had happen with incrediballs

-     The new launch date

-      My plan for how I want to launch incrediballs

You can get involved with the podcast online

Find our full podcast plus our sister podcast via the website here: https://www.nowthatswhaticall.com/

Or follow the podcasts on our socials: https://www.instagram.com/nowthatswhaticallpodcasts/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briannemwest/

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@briannemwest

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briannemwest/

For our latest big project, find out more about Incrediballs here: https://incrediballs.com/

This week we have two people in the podcast chairs today, Rosa and Margo Flanagan from The Two Raw Sisters.

You may have come across their books, app or their enormous presence on social media.

Their whole thing is about making food fun again, whilst still being good for you.

They are amazing business women and have so many lessons to share about building a business, collaborating with partners and so much more.

 In this episode they share:

 -       The ways that eating wrong and diet culture can really affect our moods

-       How they first started their business

-       What made them decide on a 'plant first' philosophy

-       How they made the business work despite not actually getting along previously

-       How they manage deciding how much personal stuff to post online

-       Their experiences releasing books and why it's their favourite thing to do

-     The marketing tactics they used to sell 800 books in one day.

 Key Quotes

 “I think being flexible within your business and accepting your failures and learning from that is really key.”

 “There’s a point where you need to draw the line

 “All of our failures have led to sitting back and thinking, ok that didn’t work let’s try this. And more often than not that thing is the thing that is a success.”

 More information:

 You can find the ladies via their website: https://tworawsisters.com/recipes/

 Or follow them on socials.

 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tworawsisters/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tworawsisters/

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tworawsisters

You can get involved with the podcast online

 Find our full podcast plus our sister podcast via the website here: https://www.nowthatswhaticall.com/

You can follow me on socials on the below accounts.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briannemwest/

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@briannemwest

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briannemwest/

 For our latest big project, find out more about Incrediballs here: https://incrediballs.com/

This is a special bonus episode to give you an update on all things Incrediballs, as many of you have been asking me what is going on.

As you may know, earlier this week we held our very first taste testing party and it was both incredible and chaotic and so we have thoughts from that to share, updates on the progress and also a few lessons to impart from this journey as well.

In this episode I share:

- The initial thoughts and feelings after the taste test

- Why and how we have updated the logo

- The exciting things that have been happening with packaging

- How exactly incrediballs will be packaged

- The current expected release date and why it has changed

- My response to some of your online questions

- The huge tech advancement coming next year

- My behind the scenes look at how we have built the hype around incrediballs

Key Quotes

“Technology improves as you keep pushing the boundaries of what green chemistry can do.”

You can get involved with the podcast online

Find our full podcast plus our sister podcast via the website here: https://www.nowthatswhaticall.com/

Or follow the podcasts on our socials: https://www.instagram.com/nowthatswhaticallpodcasts/

You can follow me on socials on the below accounts.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briannemwest/

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@briannemwest

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briannemwest/

For our latest big project, find out more about Incrediballs here: https://incrediballs.com/

I am very excited to get to introduce you to Kathy from Appletastic.

Kathy actually booked a mentoring session with me about a year ago and had a few different ideas, but the common theme for them all was that she wanted to start a business that helped her community.

I have seen her weather some storms, but despite them all she has launched an incredible business and I reckon her story is a great peek at what it can be like to launch, get mentoring and follow your passion.

In this episode Kathy shares:

- Her early career in film, television and animation

- The other ideas she pitched to Brianne

- How her sons health led to her creation of Appletastic

- Her experience being diagnosed with ADHD

- What Appletastic is

- The pivot she has had to make in explaining her business

- What made her feel like giving up

- How she started having me as a mentor

- Her experience with pricing and doing things wholesale

- The struggles she has had with supply chain

- How and why she handles her socials

- Her #1 tip for someone trying to start a mission led business

Key Quotes

“Start doing research about how long are you in for this and are you up for it.”

“If you want to do something, you need to start to surround yourself with the people that know how to do it.”

More information:

To check out Appletastic go to their website here: https://www.appletastic.co.nz/

You can find them on socials.

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@appletastic_official Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/appletastic_official

You can get involved with the podcast online:

Find our full podcast plus our sister podcast via the website here: https://www.nowthatswhaticall.com/

Or follow the podcasts on our socials: https://www.instagram.com/nowthatswhaticallpodcasts/

You can follow me on socials on the below accounts.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briannemwest/

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@briannemwest

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briannemwest/

For our latest big project, find out more about Incrediballs here: https://incrediballs.com/

This episode is all about sustainable business and how you can inject sustainability into your business every day.

The thing is, sustainability is confusing as fuck and a survey I read recently said that 85% of business owners want to be more sustainable but have no idea where to start.

So if you are unsure where to even begin, why not start with this podcast episode.

We’ll be going through 10, easy, baby steps to get you started on bringing a little bit of sustainability into your business.

In this episode I share:

 -       The surprisingly high number of business owners who don't know how to start injecting sustainability into their business

-       What the hell business sustainability actually is

-       How to do carbon measurement and offsetting for your business

-       Things to look out for if using an offsetting company

-       Why tree planting is not really offsetting

-       Why your business should go paperless

-       Easy ways to automate turning off devices and power in your business

-       Why shipping products is actually not as sustainable as you might think

-       Some sustainable ways you can ship products

-       Examples of disposable office supplies that you can get sustainable versions of

-       Why you should be measuring your office waste

-       How to do an office compost

-       Why you should probably not make business merch

-       How to focus on cutting down unnecessary purchases and expenses

-       Ways you can minimise the impact of your business travel

-       The people based policy you must have in place in your business

-      The next stage after doing these 10 steps

 Key Quotes

“No business is truly sustainable because so much of what we do is out of our hands.”

“Offsetting is not a silver bullet but it is an excellent first step.”

“How many times have you driven through the CBD and you can see all these offices with their lights still on.”

More information: I referenced a study by NZ Post that compares different shipping materials and shows what is best. You can find that here: https://www.nzpost.co.nz/sites/nz/files/2021-10/nzpost-courier-bag-lca-report.pdf

You can get involved with the podcast online

Find our full podcast plus our sister podcast via the website here: https://www.nowthatswhaticall.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briannemwest/

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@briannemwest

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briannemwest/

For our latest big project, find out more about Incrediballs here: https://incrediballs.com/

Welcome to Now, That's What I Call Business!

Kia ora! I'm Brianne, the founder and former CEO of Ethique, the world's first regenerative beauty brand, and my latest adventures, Incrediballs and Business, but Better. I've been on this entrepreneurial journey for over 15 years, and if you'd told me a year ago I'd be starting a podcast, I would have laughed. But here we are, and I'm thrilled you're joining me.

Why I started this podcast

After stepping away from my role at Ethique in 2023, I found myself diving headfirst into new ventures and feeling a bit lost in the sea of startup life. It hit me - there are stories here, real, raw, and often untold stories about what it really means to build a business that is trying to change the world for the better. Stories that need to be shared, for anyone out there trying to make a difference through their work.

What you can expect

This isn't just another business podcast. It's a heart-to-heart on the highs and lows of trying to change the world through business. I chat about everything - the wins, the setbacks, and the moments of doubt, (there's loads of those). I'll be chatting with some of the most inspiring people I know who are doing incredible things for our planet and our communities, and I'll share practical, evidence-based insights that hopefully make us all a bit more hopeful and a lot more equipped to build businesses that do good.

I'll also be getting personal, and probably a bit ranty.

Now, if there's one thing I've learned, it's that this journey is too important and too hard to do alone, so, hit subscribe and join the conversation. Let's build businesses that are not only profitable, but also change the world!

This week I am talking to the incredible Brooke from Sharesies, a platform that is changing the investment game.

I first met the sharesies crew in 2017 in my very first angel investment pitch and I was blown away by how lovely they all were, and what a good (and simple) idea Sharesies was.

Their mission is all about creating financial empowerment for everybody and Brooke has done this as one of six co-leaders which is unusual, but super effective.

 In this episode Brooke shares:

-       How Sharesies started

-       How they worked to bring on share holders who share a similar vision to them

-       How they get their core info across to the consumer without being overwhelming

-       The conversation she and the founders had about setting up the vibe and culture at their company

-       The importance of sharing your idea

-       How to use the B Corp certification to find the weaknesses in your business

-       Her number one tip to someone starting a mission driven business

 Key Quotes

 “You don't have to be perfect from day one.”

 “When we've brought shareholders on board we've been interviewing them too.”

More information:

Find out more about Sharesies via their website: https://sharesies.com.au/ 

You can also follow them on social media.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SharesiesAU

Instragram: https://www.instagram.com/sharesiesau

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sharesiesau 

You can get involved with the podcast online

Find our full podcast plus our sister podcast via the website here: https://www.nowthatswhaticall.com/

Or follow the podcasts on our socials: https://www.instagram.com/nowthatswhaticallpodcasts/

You can follow me on socials on the below accounts.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briannemwest/

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@briannemwest

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briannemwest/

For our latest big project, find out more about Incrediballs here: https://incrediballs.com/

Today we’re talking about the infuriating world of investment and shining a light on women in business in honour of International Women’s day.

Despite the fact that statistics show just how successful women led business can be, investment in them is pitifully low and if we don’t change the status quo, that is probably not going to change.

This is not an anti men episode, or an ‘us vs them’ discussion it is just sharing what studies have found about the under representation and support of women led

In this episode I share:

-       The disappointing requests I received for international women’s day

-       A horrendous statistic that shows how little investment there is in women led businesses

-       How women are disadvantaged by industry preferences

-       How women are disadvantaged by bias

-       The benefits of investing in women led companies

-       The shocking way that businesses who receive support from women targeted funds are treated afterwards

-       My advice to women on how to combat the problem of bias

-       How to be good at pitching

-       How we can all work to help change the status quo

-       The importance of mentoring

Key Quotes

“Plenty of research has shown that identical business pitches are received way more favourably when they are delivered by men than when they are by women.”

“The underinvestment in women led start ups is not a reflection of their potential or their performance but a systemic issue rooted in bias and weird outdated perceptions.”

“If you can explain your pitch to a 5 year old and they can tell you what your business does, job done, you've nailed it.”

More information:

You can find the Harvard study I mentioned about identical business pitches still giving preference to men here: https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1321202111

You can find the Stuff column I wrote here: https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/350201382/international-womens-day-we-need-champion-female-entrepreneurs

Find our full podcast plus our sister podcast via the website here: https://www.nowthatswhaticall.com/

Or follow the podcasts on our socials: https://www.instagram.com/nowthatswhaticallpodcasts/ 

You can follow me on socials on the below accounts.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briannemwest/

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@briannemwest

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briannemwest/

Failure.

But there are 5 very specific reasons behind why most businesses fail, and if you don’t know what they are, today we’ll be covering them and also how to combat them.

In this episode I share:

-       The many different ways that money and money mindset can cause a business to fail

-       My personal example of how starting Ethique was hard when money wasn’t my focus

-       The options for those who need money for the business

-       Why poor financial management is worst for business than insufficient capital

-       Why a business can fail just because no one wants what you are selling

-       The reason customer service is so important even if it costs more

-       The importance of setting customer service expectations with your team

-       How bad customer service creates 'switchers' customers who drive your costs down

-       Why having the wrong team and ineffective leadership can cause a business to fail

-       The importance of having a strategy

-       Why sticking to a strategy at all times is also a bad idea

 Key Quotes

 “Having a plan does not mean riding that plan all the way down to the ground.”

 “You're not selling a product, you're solving a problem.”

 “We all know the customer is not right all the time or even half the time but suck it up buttercup.”

 “Yes as the leader you can learn from those people you are leading.”

“15 years ago I hated planning and I loved the fact I was also spontaneous, I thought it made me fun. What it did was make me unproductive.”

More information:

I mentioned a few resources around business plans that you can find through business, but better:

You can get involved with the podcast online

Find our full podcast plus our sister podcast via the website here: https://www.nowthatswhaticall.com/

Or follow the podcasts on our socials: https://www.instagram.com/nowthatswhaticallpodcasts/

You can follow me on socials on the below accounts.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briannemwest/

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@briannemwest

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briannemwest/

For our latest big project, find out more about Incrediballs here: https://incrediballs.com.

Today we’re talking about Personal Brands. Some people will say you need a personal brand but a better way of putting this is probably to say that you ‘need to control’ your personal brand and you might even want to grow it. The relationship between your personal brand and your business is complicated and intricate and, well, confusing. But the more you understand it the better

In this episode I share:

-       What exactly is a personal brand

-       The benefits of a personal brand

-       How a personal brand helps with networking

-       Why personal branding is about authenticity

-       How it can give you a competitive advantage

-       The disadvantages of a personal brand

-       The importance of setting boundaries with you and your personal brand

-       Why it can be hard to exit a business that is built around a personal brand

-       How to start creating a personal brand

-       How to use strategy to plan your personal brand

-       Why your values are important to figuring out your brand

-       The best ways to get to know your audience better

-       How to best go about setting up your online presence

-       What is thought leadership and why you should consider using it

-       The difficulty of balancing business and personal brand

-       Two things to consider when building a personal brand

 Key Quotes

 “You are showing the good and the bad as you, not who you think you ought to be.”

 “To stand out you have to stand for something and yes that means some people won't like you. Spoiler alert, they already don't.”

 “Posting once a day is genuinely difficult, don't aim for that.”

 More information:

I mentioned a few resources around business plans that you can find through Business, but better:

You can get involved with the podcast online

Find our full podcast plus our sister podcast via the website here: https://www.nowthatswhaticall.com/

Or follow the podcasts on our socials: https://www.instagram.com/nowthatswhaticallpodcasts/

You can follow me on socials on the below accounts.

Instagram:

Tiktok:

Linkedin:

For our latest big project, find out more about Incrediballs here: https://incrediballs.com/