Pep Talk With Grace

Today's guest is another one that is a little bit close to home – this time, because Jordan from The Caker runs a cake business, something I'm pretty familiar with from my previous life at Sweet Bakery & Cakery.

The Caker is an Auckland-based bakery, which started when founder Jordan started a cake blog when she was just 21. I know a lot of people will be really interested to hear how you take your blog to the next level, and beyond – as Jordan has done so successfully.

The Caker cakes are definitely not typical - using Belgian Couverture chocolate, fruit, and ground almonds - these cakes have a beautiful texture and are wholesale, moist and sumptuous. Decorations are simple but beautiful, Jordan's signature look is to decorate fresh flowers, fruit and coulis. It's a distinct style!

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Right now, Jordan is based in Los Angeles, busy working away on bringing The Caker LA version to life. Exactly what that looks like, and what the move has been like, I can't wait to hear all about – as well as finding out what impact Covid-19 has had on Jordan's business – both here and over in the USA too.

While recording Jordan was definitely in the thick of LA life so you can hear a little background noise, and even a helicopter joining our chat part-way through – but I think that just makes it a little more authentic!

Follow The Caker on Instagram (@thecaker) and order cakes and baking mixes online (www.thecaker.co.nz).

This latest ep sees me chatting with Hannah, the CEO of Indigo and Iris.

Indigo and Iris is a make-up brand, but as it calls itself – a make-up brand that gives a damn! That's because 50% of the profits of their products go to charity. And that's not just a marketing ploy – the business started when founder Bonnie saw the Fred Hollows Foundation's amazing work in Vanuatu, and has since gone on to cure over 300 people's eyesight in the Pacific, all from sales of their first product – the Levitate Mascara.

Hannah and Bonnie have a lot of exciting plans in the works for Indigo and Iris, including their next launch – 4 shades of lipstick. I can't wait for you to hear all about what Hannah has learned along the way and how they plan to, eventually, be able to offer an entire face of makeup that is linked to making a positive difference in the world. Amazing!

I'm sorry this episode went a little longer than my usual 45 minutes - but Indigo and Iris is just such a wonderful business I couldn't bear to leave any questions out. Have a listen and you'll see what I mean...

Be sure to follow Indigo & Iris on social (@indigoandiris) and head to their website for a spot of shopping too (www.indigoandiris.co).

It's always blown by mind that so many millions of people in the world have periods and yet it's still a bit of a taboo subject, which is why I'm so excited to welcome Robyn from The Hello Cup onto the show today.

Not only are Robyn and her business partner (and former nurse) Mary creating NZ designed and made menstrual cups, they are also opening up the conversation and normalizing period chat, and working hard on accessibility of period products and period poverty.

45 billion tampons and pads end up in the land fill each year, whereas on the flip side, each Hello Cup lasts for 5 years - and on top of that at the end of it's rich and useful 5 year life, it's fully recyclable.

I loved hearing how Robyn and Mary have fused their skillsets to create a fun and unique brand with a distinct voice, and a top-notch product that's made right here in New Zealand (in the Hawke's Bay to be exact).

I know everyone - male and female, young and old - can take something from this conversation, whether they have a period or not. Let's get stuck in...

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Follow The Hello Cup on Instagram (@thehellocup) and online on their website (www.thehellocup.com).

Kick off your week with a little PEP TALK - Episode 4 is out now! Listen in on Grace's chat with Joe, co-founder of Six Barrel Soda Co.

Six Barrel Soda Co. is a Wellington independent soda company, making syrups and bottled sodas in weird and wonderful flavours. Having clocked being the market leader in craft soda in New Zealand, Joe and the team are now looking overseas, starting to bring the Six Barrel brand to life in Australia, the USA, and Hong Kong, with more to come.

So you might have noticed this week's guest is a little unusual - if you caught my Pilot Episode you might remember hearing, I actually work as the marketing manager at Six Barrel Soda Co., so this episode is pretty close to home.

Although I'm fairly familiar with the Six Barrel story and brand myself, I promise I didn't just twist my boss's arm to come on the show to fill a gap (there way too many amazing businesses out there to have to do that) - I genuinely know it'll be a really interesting story for you all to hear. I'm also looking forward to having a male perspective on the show and balancing things out a little.

Joe promises me there will be some surprises along the way and some things I don't know about the business - So let's find out...

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Join us over on the Six Barrel Soda Co. Instagram (@sixbarrelsodaco) and remember you can order online on the Six Barrel Soda Co. website (www.sixbarrelsoda.co).

Today I was very lucky to get half an hour or so to jump on the phone with Hannah, the founder and CEO of Real Rad Food. Hannah, who actually has a degree in georgraphy and education, came into the business world somewhat by accident – maybe the best of us do!! While studying and working at a cafe, Hannah started sharing her adventures in raw food on Instagram and quickly built up a loyal tribe of fans around the world.

And now only three short years later, Hannah's business Real Rad Food supplies over 60 cafes around New Zealand and delivers direct to customers nationwide via their website from their base in Mount Maunganui. It's been so wonderful to hear how Hannah took her hobby and passion for raw food and turned it into a thriving business, with very little investment and a whole lot of determination and hustle along the way.

Hannah's story is the perfect example of how you can start a 'side hustle', as a really low risk way to test out your market before you leap into the business world full-time. I know you will find this so inspiring to show you just what's possible – so let's get ready to hear the whole story from Hannah right now...

Follow along with Hannah and the Real Rad Food team on their Instagram page (@realradfood).

So excited to bring you Episode 2 of the Pep Talk Podcast - chatting to Kate from Loxy's.

​Loxy's is a hair salon in Auckland, but not just a regular hair salon - Kate and her team specialise in premium ethically sourced hair extensions, applied using a unique technique with no gluing or braiding, so they blend seamlessly – no awkward Britney Spears moments here! On top of that, their salons are just beautiful works of art – such gorgeous spaces – and her team are so lovely and kind, you can't help but feel like part of the Loxy's family.

What you probably can't tell from looking at Loxy's now is that it started off with Kate – who was at the time working in the corporate world at an ad agency – doing hair extensions for friends and family in a shed in her garden – and has now grown to 2 salons in Auckland, 1 in Wellington along the way, as well as an at-home clip in extension range – which we didn't get get round to talking about as there was too much good stuff to cover in one short episode!

Make sure you follow the Loxy's gang on Instagram (@loxysnz) and check out their website to book in advance for post-lockdown now (www.loxys.co.nz).

This week we're kicking off with Shut Up and Dance // Episode 1!

A Wellington dance company like no other, where you learn routines from music videos and movies, with dimmed lights, loud music, no mirrors and lots of LOLs.

Hear about how Abby, Lesa and Clair met in Wellington and bought SU&D to life over drinks at Goldings Free Dive and dinner at Loretta.

Find out their plans for global domination, and how they're getting through the Lockdown one day at a time, taking their famous classes online for the first time (for free!).

Join Abby, Lesa and Clair to POP Grace's podcast cherry and let's get this show on the road!

On this quick Pilot Episode of the brand new Pep Talk Podcast, we'll meet host Grace Kreft - find out why she's such a business geek and why she decided to start Pep Talk during the National Lockdown in April 2020.

Pep Talk is a space to celebrate and support our local New Zealand businesses during tough times due to Covid-19.

Hope you can come along for the ride!

Grace x