The Backstory Podcast

If you want to hear about passion and drive, you want to hear from Sam Su’a. It takes a whole lot of passion to make it in the hairdressing world, and Sam is living proof that hard work is the key to living your dreams.

Sam left Whanganui at 19 to make a name for himself in hairdressing, and he reached some amazing heights with one of New Zealand’s top studios. He’s now found himself drawn home again, and is helping to revitalise Whanganui with his own salon, The Studio.

Sam talks about discovering his creativity and the challenges in growing a name for himself in a competitive industry. He also goes into the highlights of directing fashion shows and designing editorials, as well as the challenges in becoming a business owner and the joy he gets from teaching others. Sam’s story is one of living your best life, but also the never ending value of people and community. The joy he gets from other people is so heartening, and it’s amazing to hear how someone can reach such amazing heights, only to come back full circle and find such incredible value in the place where it all started, home. 

The Studio: https://www.thestudiobysam.co.nz/ 

Welcome to the very first episode of The Back Story. To kick start this series we are delighted to share this special episode from a really special person – Lee Williams. You don’t meet people like Lee everyday. She has a warmth and an enthusiasm that lights up the room, and underneath that is a fierce determination to do well in whatever she’s doing.

 Lee Williams has such an incredible belief in people,  and hearing her talk about her journey and her values is a privilege. 

Lee has been sewing and designing costumes for the likes of Weta, The Royal NZ Ballet, World of Wearable Art and so much more for more than 20 years. She’s now back home in Whanganui as the founder of Paetuia, where she’s teaching all those amazing skills to locals from a central workshop. 

She talks a lot about family and community, and the draw of home. Lee’s respect for all people means she gets it back in spades, including from the local business community too. She paints an amazing picture of what makes Whanganui such a special place with an incredible insight and understanding that we can all benefit from. 

Paetuia Studio: https://www.facebook.com/paetuiastudio/ 

Welcome to The Back Story, a podcast by Whanganui & Partners and produced by Roar Collective.  Listen to the stories of the creative innovators and entrepreneurs who are sparking a new vibe in this beautiful city. Whanganui is humming with energy and collaboration, driven by brave people doing fun things and living awesome lives.