Today on the podcast I speak to Jen Jones - founder of New Zealand Design Week. She’s also a construction manager by profession, entrepreneur, and speaker. Jen is a woman who wears many hats.

Jen has spent almost 15 years delivering complex commercial and infrastructure projects, managing builds up to $300 million, while also carving out a voice in sustainable construction and considered living.

In 2023, alongside her construction work, Jen founded Auckland Design Week, which has now evolved into New Zealand Design Week. Created to give designers a platform to connect, collaborate, and be seen, NZDW has quickly evolved into a nationally recognised event.

In this conversation we talk about Jen’s journey from construction into events, the realities of building something from scratch, what it takes to scale an idea, and the bigger ambition behind New Zealand Design Week. This is a conversation about vision, resilience, commercial thinking and backing yourself, even when the market is tough.

Jen makes me feel motivated. She backs herself. She is not afraid to put herself out there. There is an incredible drive and capacity for work, but also real clarity about why she is doing it. She is a true example of “just start” - even when the goal feels massive.

I loved my kōrero with Jen and I know you will too.

After this conversation, find NZ Design Week at nzdesignweek.com and @nzdesignweek on Instagram.

Right, let’s get on with the show.

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Today on the podcast I speak to Cherie Metcalfe, founder of Pepper & Me – a Tauranga based food brand that believe food should be bold, exciting and never a chore. Their salts, sauces, and seasonings are designed to make cooking easier and bring big flavour to every meal.

Pepper & Me grew from Cherie’s background as a chef and a very practical idea. Helping people cook great food at home without overcomplicating it. Built on the idea that good food should be simple, flavourful and accessible, the business has grown to include a range of more than 80 products, cookbooks, and a highly engaged online community.

In this conversation, Cherie shares the story behind the brand’s growth, from its early beginnings through to becoming a well-recognised name in New Zealand households.

What I loved about this conversation is how open, funny and down-to-earth Cherie is. She’s incredibly generous with her story, an open book when it comes to the realities of building a business, and very clear on the values that underpin everything Pepper & Me does. That authenticity comes through strongly in the way she talks about community, trust, and the importance of connection over constant selling.

I loved my kōrero with Cherie and I know you will too.

After this conversation, visit the Pepper & Me website at www.pepperandme.co.nz and find @pepperandme on Instagram.

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In this episode, I’m joined by interior designer and founder of Gezellig Interiors, Annique Heesen. At the heart of Gezellig is the idea of creating spaces that speak to the soul.

Annique first joined me in November 2020, just over five years ago, right at the very beginning of Super Creative. So much has changed since then, and this felt like the perfect moment to sit down and catch up.

In this conversation, Annique shares what the last five years have looked like, from growing her studio, to refining the type of work she wants to do and the way she wants to work. We talk about building a values-led creative practice, the importance of trust and creative freedom with clients, and why great design starts with understanding how people actually want to live.

We also talk about leadership and team building, learning to let go of control, making space for deep creative work, and the lessons that come with experience, motherhood and time.

Once again, this is a thoughtful, generous and deeply reflective conversation about creativity, business and family. Annique’s original episode resonated strongly with listeners, and I know so many of you will take a lot from this follow-up.

I loved my catch up kōrero with Annique and I know you will too.

After this conversation, make sure you are following @gezellig_interiors on Instagram. And then head to gezelliginteriors.com to be inspired by incredible spaces that speak to the soul.

(The 100 Series is a collection of conversations revisiting previous podcast guests to celebrate the milestone of 100 Super Creative episodes.)

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Today on the podcast, I’m joined by Katey Mandy, founder and CEO of Raaie, a New Zealand made skincare brand combining powerful land, sea and alpine botanicals from Aotearoa with modern cosmeceutical science.

Katey first joined me in July 2023, when Raaie was just a year into business, and honestly, I could not believe it has only been two years. So much has happened for Raaie in that time.

In this conversation, Katey shares what’s changed since we last spoke, from expanding the product range and growing the team, to relocating back to London and building the brand on a truly global stage. We talk about what it takes to scale with intention, including investment, structures and systems, and the realities of supporting major retail partnerships like Sephora.

Katey also takes us deep into brand, strategy and storytelling, including how she built a clear framework from day one and why consistency matters. We discuss customer retention, loyalty and relationship building, and some of the biggest lessons she’s learned as the business has matured.

Once again, Katey is the most wonderful open book. The feedback from her first episode was so incredible and I know there will be similar thoughts on this one. This is an honest, behind the scenes conversation and it is full of insight for anyone building a product-based business, especially if you’re thinking beyond New Zealand.

I loved my catch up kōrero with Katey and I know you will too.

After this conversation, make sure you are following @raaieskincare on Instagram. And then head to raaieskincare.com to learn more about this award-winning brand and of course, shop some beautiful skincare.

(The 100 Series is a collection of conversations revisiting previous podcast guests to celebrate the milestone of 100 Super Creative episodes.)

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A random little solo episode from me reflecting on the year that has just been, sharing some business lessons that I have l learnt from the women I have had on the podcast this year and looking ahead to 2026. Happy holidays! Thank you so much for listening to, and supporting, Super Creative. x Catie

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Something a little bit different this week. This episode of Super Creative is a 2025 Year in Review, recorded as a relaxed, end-of-year catch up with two women who have both been podcast guests and both become genuine friends.

I’m joined by Mandy Myles, founder of Bookety Book Books, and Emma Sage, founder of Sage Journal, for a wide-ranging conversation reflecting on the year that was.

Both Mandy and Emma have had significant business moments over the past six to twelve months. Mandy shares the thinking behind her crowdfunding campaign and the evolution of Bookety Book Books, while Emma reflects on the launch of the first print edition of Sage Journal and what it took to bring that project to life.

Alongside the business reflections, this episode also doubles as a recommendations special. We chat about the books, podcasts and TV shows that have stood out this year and what we’re looking forward to reading, watching and listening to over summer.

This is a conversation that feels like sitting down with friends at the end of a big year. A chance to pause and reflect before heading into what’s next.

You can find Mandy at booketybookbooks.co.nz and Emma at thesagejournal.com

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Today on the podcast, I speak with Emma Hayes, founder of Emma Hayes Textiles, a design studio with a vision to create beautiful wall coverings for beautiful spaces. The brand works with residential and commercial interior designers and specifiers around the world. All of Emma’s designs start by hand - from paintings, drawings and mark-marking generated in response to the patterns and textures of the surrounding landscapes that inspire her. The Emma Hayes brand is represented in showrooms in Europe, USA, Canada, Asia, New Zealand and Australia.

Emma established her studio back in 2011 and we first spoke on the podcast in June 2021, 4.5 years ago. Emma was episode 18.

And, after we spoke for the podcast, Emma became a client of mine and I’ve had the privilege of working with her since then which you will hear about in our conversation.

Emma is incredibly hardworking, deeply design-led and quietly focused. What she has achieved globally with a small team is so impressive and a true reflection of her vision and creativity. I have learnt so much from her over the years.

In this conversation we talk about the evolution of the studio, her design approach, the systems and structure behind building a global brand, the influence of her time living and travelling overseas, and the role of collaboration in expanding the brand into new markets and product categories. We also discuss the realities of scaling a creative studio, the value of customer experience and the values that guide Emma’s work.

I know you will love my kōrero with Emma as much as I did.

After this conversation, make sure you are following @emmahayestexiles on Instagram and of course, visit emmahayestextiles.com to explore the beautiful collection of wallpaper designs that Emma has created.

(The 100 Series is a collection of conversations revisiting previous podcast guests to celebrate the milestone of 100 Super Creative episodes.)

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

In this episode, I speak with Morgan Maw, founder of Boring Oat Milk and Head of Brands at Apollo Foods, where she also oversees the newly relaunched juice and smoothie brand, Picky.

I first spoke to Morgan for Episode 32, back in June 2022 (3.5 years ago!).

In this conversation, we talk about what has changed since we last spoke: navigating international expansion, continuing to invest deeply in understanding the consumer, and the cultural considerations that come with building brands for new markets. We discuss the value of robust strategic groundwork, the power of being challenged by your team and collaborators, and creating brands that live beyond the product – through community, experiences, and meaningful real-world activations.

Once again, this is an insightful conversation that offers both practical wisdom and strategic perspective. Morgan is one of those people who is incredibly generous with her knowledge, and every time I speak with her, I hang off every word. I still get people referencing her original episode, and I have no doubt this one will be the same.

I loved my catch up kōrero with Morgan, and I know you will too.

After this conversation, make sure you are following @boringmilk and @weare_picky on Instagram. Then head to boringmilk.com and wearepicky.co.nz to learn more about the brands and shop delicious oat milk, juices and smoothies.

(The 100 Series is a collection of conversations revisiting previous podcast guests to celebrate the milestone of 100 Super Creative episodes.)

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Today on the podcast I speak with Hannah Souter – founder and creative director of Hannah Design Studio, a boutique design studio creating considered branding, packaging and design solutions for forward-thinking brands. Based in Mount Maunganui, with clients in both New Zealand and around the world, Hannah works with brands and business across fashion, hospitality, interiors, architecture, design and more.

Hannah first joined me on the podcast in Episode 5, back in November 2020, almost five years ago to the day we recorded this conversation.

In this episode, we talk about what’s changed in that time: relocating from Auckland to the Mount, rebuilding community, and discovering that career momentum doesn’t depend on a big city, it depends on relationships, reputation, and doing consistently great work. We talk about the value of creative relationships, and the idea that great work is defined by process and craft, and how five years on her original ethos – “Work Hard and Be Nice to People” – still stands.

Not only is this an insightful and honest conversation, as you will hear it is very much a conversation between friends with a few lols thrown in!

I know you’ll love this kōrero with Hannah as much as I did.

To see all of Hannah’s beautiful work make sure you follow @hannah_design_studio on Instagram and visit her website hannahdesign.co.nz

(The 100 series is a collection of conversations revisiting previous podcast guests to celebrate the milestone of 100 Super Creative episodes).

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Today on the podcast I speak with Alex Fulton, interior designer, artist and all-round creative force. Alex is someone who doesn’t like to be put in a box.

I first spoke to Alex in April 2021, in Episode 17 - about seven months into this podcast. That was 4.5 years ago.

In this conversation, Alex and I talk about the maturity and clarity that comes with time and experience, the evolution of her work and creative identity, her official shift into the art world, collaboration over competition, building a creative community, knowing your strengths, and finding joy and authenticity in the work you choose to do.

It’s reflective, energising, honest, and I know you will love this kōrero with Alex as much as I did.

(The 100 series is a collection of conversations revisiting previous podcast guests to celebrate the milestone of 100 Super Creative episodes).

And as you’ll hear, Alex is in the middle of her own rebrand, launching soon, so make sure you’re following @helloalexfulton on Instagram, and keep an eye on her website alexfultondesign.com.

🎧 Listen now on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

#supercreativepodcast #creativebusiness #murals #artistsoninstagram #womeninbusiness

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