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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Today on the podcast, I speak with Bridget O’Sullivan, founder and co-owner of J'AIME – an artisan bakery best known for its exquisite French macarons and luxury confectionery.

Bridget established the business with her then-business partner in Christchurch in 2008. Seventeen years on, J’aime is a national brand admired for its craftsmanship, innovation and commitment to quality. What began as a small local venture at the Christchurch Farmers Market has evolved into a thriving business with two beautiful retail stores – in Christchurch and Auckland’s Commercial Bay – a strong e-commerce presence, boutique stockists and national distribution through supermarkets including New World and Pak’nSave.

In our conversation, Bridget shares her story from law to entrepreneurship, and the lessons she’s learned along the way. We talk about resilience through the Christchurch earthquakes, navigating commercial growth and change, and how a period of challenge led to a major rebrand and new partnership that marks an exciting next chapter for the business.

I really enjoyed this conversation with Bridget – she has such a great business story to share and does so with openness, honesty and vulnerability. I know you’ll love this kōrero with Bridget as much as I did.

So, no doubt after this conversation you will obviously want to head to jaimelesmacarons.co.nz and check out their delicious range of macarons and sweet treats. And of course, make sure you follow along with J’aime on Instagram @jaimelesmacarons_

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Today on the podcast I speak with Sophie Cooper, founder and Smile Director of Anihana – a New Zealand beauty brand creating solid body and haircare that is sustainable, cruelty free and made with clean, natural ingredients.

What began in 2016, when Sophie bought the soap business she was working in while pregnant with her daughter, has grown into a family-owned company producing joyful, affordable products now stocked in over 8,000 stores across New Zealand, Australia and the United States, including Target, Walmart and Amazon.com.

In this episode, Sophie shares the reality of scaling a handcrafted Kiwi business into global markets - from navigating a major rebrand to building supermarket partnerships, balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship, and the values that keep Anihana rooted in community, sustainability and joy.

I really enjoyed this conversation with Sophie – she is warm, open and such a quiet achiever. I’m so inspired by this clever brand doing incredible things on the world stage.

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

Once you’ve listened to this episode, head straight to @anihana_life on Instagram and be inspired by their vibrant, joyful products. And of course, visit anihanalife.com to explore the full range and learn more about their story.

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Today on the podcast I speak with Jasmine Kroeze - an artist based in Pāpāmoa Beach who wears many hats: mural artist, illustrator and surface designer, to name just a few!

With a background in fashion and textiles, Jaz has built a multifaceted creative practice spanning murals, paintings, brand partnerships, art licensing, surface patterns and illustration – all from her oceanside home studio. Known for her bold use of colour and playful compositions, her work sparks conversation, creates connection and injects joy into everyday spaces.

In this episode we talk about her journey from fashion into art, how textiles shaped her creative style, building a brand through social media, the three values she measures every project by and so much more…

I’ve followed Jaz’s work and progress for years, and one of the things that stands out is her incredible output (alongside her work, she is a content queen!). She exudes joy and passion for what she does, and her willingness to try new things, put herself out there, and share her process so openly is inspiring.

For any working artist, aspiring creative, or anyone dreaming of turning their passion into a full-time career, Jaz is proof that it’s possible – and she does it with honesty, energy and a whole lot of heart.

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

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

✨ You can find Jaz at @jasmine.kroeze and jasminekroeze.com

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Something a little different for today’s episode! A few weeks back I had the honour of hosting a panel at Destination 159Design – an event that brought together some of New Zealand’s leading design creatives for an afternoon of conversation, optimism and future-focused inspiration.

On the panel with me were Tom Webster (architect + host of Grand Designs NZ), Amy Shaw (Creative Director of David Shaw Furniture), Emma Hayes (founder of Emma Hayes Textiles) and Nat Davis (founder of Folio magazine). It was an energetic, thoughtful, insightful and robust kōrero - and I’m so glad we get to share it here with the wider design community and of course, my Super Creative listeners.

This event was made possible by the businesses and brands behind 159Design – a trade focused, interior design centre in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland where a mix of trusted furnishing brands - textiles, furniture, flooring, rugs and hardware – are all under one convenient roof.

A shout out to those brands that continuously champion and support the New Zealand interiors industry:

→ James Dunlop Textiles

→ David Shaw Furniture

→ Haro Flooring

→ Kovacs Design Furniture

→ The Textile Company

→ Belgotex

→ The Ivy House

→ Porcelanosa

→ Montreux Furniture

→ Emma Hayes Textiles

→ Pocketspace Interiors

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Today on the podcast, I speak with Gina Urlich - clinical nutritionist, mother of four, and the founder of Odi, a children’s food brand designed to make healthy eating easy and accessible for busy families.

Odi was born from Gina’s passion for providing healthier, nutrient-dense food for babies and children, and has grown into a trusted brand known for its convenience, transparency, and commitment to real, wholesome ingredients.

In this episode, Gina shares the personal journey that led her to launch Odi, from her background in clinical nutrition to finding gap in the market for truly nourishing baby food. We talk about the challenges of starting a business from scratch, navigating a rebrand, and building a community of customers who trust and support the brand.

We also talk about Gina’s journey of resilience, including how she faced a serious health challenge while running her business and how it shaped her approach to leadership and self-care.

Gina’s story is one of passion, perseverance, and a deep commitment to helping families make better food choices for their children. She’s down-to-earth, insightful, and a true advocate for change in the health and nutrition space.

After listening, firstly visit odinutrition.com to check out the range of nutritious baby and children’s food that Gina has worked so hard to create and then head to both @odi_nutrition_ and @gina.urlich for a wealth of information and education.

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Today on the podcast, I speak with Sophie Hamer – architect, interior designer and design writer based in the mountains of Valais, Switzerland.

Sophie crafts buildings and spaces in expansive natural landscapes and cities across the globe – from the Swiss Alps to the coastlines of New Zealand and the rolling foothills of Catalonia. Her approach to each project is grounded in place, craft and atmosphere. With an emphasis on stillness and connection to nature, Sophie create spaces that support calmness by slowing down and enriching everyday life.

In our conversation, Sophie shares her story – from growing up in Wellington with a love of art and architecture, to early roles at some of New Zealand’s most respected firms, to making the leap to Europe and establishing her own practice abroad. We talk about her reflective approach to design, the challenges and opportunities of building a business in a new country, and how she sees architecture as something far beyond buildings – as a way of living that touches wellbeing, community and the rhythms of nature.

Sophie is warm, thoughtful and so considered. She is philosophical, intentional and such a high achiever who is spending this stage of her career laying strong foundations for the future, while staying true to her values.

After listening, make sure you visit sophiehamer.com and follow @sophie_hamer on Instagram.

Photo credit: Make Space Journal, Wings and Creativity

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This episode of Super Creative is a little different. Today I’m joined by previous guest, friend of the pod, and PR specialist Liv Boswell (Common Ground PR) for a practical, down-to-earth conversation about DIY PR - specifically for small businesses and growing brands who aren’t in a position to hire a publicist (yet).

We cover the basics: how to shape your story, what makes something newsworthy, how to write a media release and how to pitch it to the right people. Liv shares straightforward, realistic advice for anyone trying to build visibility without a big budget.

This kind of episode is something I’ve been thinking about doing for a while. Over the years, I’ve met so many incredible women who are experts in their fields and I’ve often thought about creating a mini-series that shares more of that practical knowledge, the kind of advice that’s genuinely helpful when you're in the midst of running and building a business.

In true Super Creative style, it’s relaxed and unscripted but packed with insight and helpful tips. Let me know if this is the kind of episode you’d like to hear more of.

You can find Liv at commonground.co.nz, on Instagram @pr.commongound or on Linkedin.

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Today on the podcast, I speak with Sarah Street - footwear designer and founder of footwear brand, Bronwyn.

Named in honour of Sarah’s late mother, Bronwyn is minimalist, consciously curated footwear designed for modern women who lead multifaceted lives - women with a love of simplicity, an eye for detail, and a desire for quality that endures. The Bronwyn design ethos centres around thoughtful silhouettes, considered details, contemporary comfort and unwavering quality - designed to be worn for seasons to come.

In our conversation, Sarah shares the incredibly personal story behind the brand – from her extensive background in footwear design, the impact of the loss of her beautiful mum, launching in the middle of a pandemic, balancing motherhood and business, and how her own lived experience continues to shape everything she creates. We talk about the realities of running a product-based business - from having pallets of shoes delivered to her house, to being the face of her brand on social media. We also talk about how opening a bricks and mortar store has helped create a tangible connection between the brand, the product, and its community.

Sarah is a woman who has poured heart, purpose and thoughtful design into every step of her business journey. This is such a valuable episode for anyone building a brand or starting something new - her insight, vulnerability and honesty make it a truly special listen.

This is one of my longer episodes (you know I love a long chat!) - but trust me, it’s well worth it.

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

After listening, make sure you visit bronwynfootwear.com and follow @bronwynfootwear on Instagram to learn more about the brand and obviously check out all the beautiful shoes.

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