In this episode Debbie Klintworth from the Footprint Collective joins me. Debbie has over 25 years of international experience working across Australia, NZ, Europe, the UAE, South Africa and the US, partnering with bold start-ups, corporates, and global brands to turn strategy into action and engagement into measurable growth.  Debbie blends marketing strategy, business development and company culture design helping businesses thrive from the inside out, aligning internal teams and values with external customer experience to help drive meaningful, lasting impact. Debbie is one talented lady and we could have talked on any number of the strings to her bow but we hone in on how businesses can look to refine their customer strategy and build a better client experience that will have your customers coming back time and time again. Debbie shares insights we me about how businesses can create solutions that connect your teams, resonate with your customers and ultimately help to strengthen your market position. How good! I really enjoyed talking with Debbie and learning valuable new insights into how SMEs can help differentiate themselves in this space. What are you waiting for?

On the first podcast for 2026 I am joined by Jason Lennie the founder and director of Beyond the Ledge Brand Agency. Jason is a brand strategist and storyteller with more than 15 years’ experience across marketing, design, web and publishing. Since founding his brand studio in 2009 Jason has expanded his expertise through running a print and promotions franchise. Jason talks to me about the differing offerings or strands that sit under the umbrella of his businesses service offerings and how with a dose of reflection over the Christmas break led him to some important deep-seated realisations about the pillars of his business, their importance and how they tended to compete for attention with his target marketing. Jason talks me through his process of getting really clear about what he does and how he presents that story to his potential customers. As a result of these reflections Jason realised the power of combining Ledge Brand Agency and Beyond the Ledge Press into one cohesive whole under the moniker ‘Beyond the Ledge’. There are some interesting insights in his thinking and the reasons behind the consolidation. I think these insights will be of value to many business owners in 2026 and beyond in bringing clarity around positioning of your brand and positioning of your service offering within the services market. Jason is a super intelligent creative and I really enjoyed talking with him. His creative streak also spills over into comic books which sees him acting as Editor of the New Zealand Comics Anthology. Jason is a true creative and I found our chat inspiring.

In this episode I am joined by Brigit Blair, the founder and owner of Linden Leaves. The story of Linden Leaves originally began in Christchurch, New Zealand in the 1990s with Brigit desiring to help care for two of her children with eczema and allergies. At that time, natural and effective products that were kind to sensitive skin were hard to find, and so out of necessity, Linden Leaves was born. Brigit began harvesting and freeze-drying roses, and blending fruit and flower oils with the unique scent of essential oil blends. It became a real labour of love for Brigit, who set out to create beautiful and quality handmade natural products that were kind to the skin. From a humble family kitchen operation, Linden Leaves expanded into an internationally recognised brand known for its natural everyday luxury handmade products. This is Brigit’s story of how a passion project focussed on family, care and sustainability grew into the business it is today. There is beauty, purpose and story within the handcrafted treasures produced by Linden Leaves. Enjoy.

Matthew McVicar is a law clerk at Godfreys Law and the founder of Son of a Vicar - a New Zealand-made fragrance brand he launched in 2024. What began as an idea during his law studies has grown into a small but ambitious business, with three signature perfumes now on the market.

A year ago, Son of a Vicar was little more than an idea. Matthew was in his third year of law school in Christchurch, experimenting with scents in his spare time and trying to imagine how a fragrance brand could feel at home in New Zealand without simply replicating what already existed. He wanted a brand with a strong point of view but had no idea of the realities of bringing it to life. The past twelve months have been a steep learning curve. In developing his first three fragrances and launching the business, Matthew has had to do far more than refine scent profiles. Building Son of a Vicar meant registering a company, understanding tax and compliance, managing sourcing and production, and learning how to present the brand in a way that makes people stop, experience, and connect. Matthew loved seeing the first bottles come together, making early sales, receiving positive reviews, and even being featured in The Press. Those moments have been both motivating and surreal. But there’s also been doubt, not about whether there was space in the market, but about whether people would truly understand the brand. His biggest question was whether he had created something people could feel proud to own, because that was always the standard, he wanted Son of a Vicar to reach. One of the most important lessons Matthew has learned is that people buy into people, not just products. Every time he has stepped out from behind the brand, whether in interviews, at markets, or on social media, the response has been warmer and more engaged. At first, he worried that sharing his story - the student years, the small wins and mistakes - might undermine the professionalism and luxury he wanted Son of a Vicar to embody. Instead, he found that the story strengthened the brand by giving it a human dimension. Bravo Matthew!

In this episode I welcome John Allender from Advantage Fire Protection back onto the podcast as a returning guest. In the first podcast with John (listen to Ep.64), he and I talked about his business and how he has built that up to become successful in its niche of business fire protection. I have had many listeners comment on how much they enjoyed my first episode with John. John is an absolute hard shot, he works hard and plays hard (living and breathing hunting, fishing and endurance motorbiking), he calls a spade a spade yet has a heart of gold. That is not to mention that the business he works is in leaves no room for error or complacency and requires dedication, focus and precision. So, what the heck does that have to do with a near lifelong practice of Seido Karate? Well, as it turns out a whole lot! John talks with me about how his practice of Seido Karate (he’s a 6th degree black belt nonetheless) has helped transform his personal and professional life even in times of extreme personal hardship and adversity. I would be being untruthful if I said I could have guessed where this conversation was headed but I did not see some of the amazing surprises that came to light when speaking with John about this life and some of the incredible things that happened to him on and off the mat. From a near death and out of body experience to being ripped off by a former business partner and close friend of 25 years this one has some much to unpack in it. As if that wasn’t enough, John then talks about the positive impact that the practice of Karate can have for young and old before wrapping up with his plans for the future. I could not think of a more fitting episode to be numbered 99 because this man has used more than a couple of his 9 lives and lived to tell the tale. And what a tale it is!

In this episode Patrick Moran from Computer Clinic joins me. Patrick previously appeared on the podcast in episode 25 (Cyber Security for your business) way back in 2021 and is a longtime supporter of the Podcast. Patrick joins me to talk about the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in New Zealand SMEs that he works alongside with, including how businesses are using AI and the approaches they are adopting as they look to roll out AI solutions. We also talk acronyms including an oldie but a goodie: GIGO which stands for “Garbage In, Garbage Out” and its application to outputs from AI. This leads us to talk about the importance of keeping humans in the loop to check outputs from AI before looking to place any reliance on the same. The chat moves into where businesses can look to start using AI and some of Patrick’s thoughts around how to do that safely. If you have been feeling overwhelmed about all the noise and hype around AI, then I recommend giving this episode a listen. If you want to find out more about how Patrick might be able to help you and your business with the use of AI, then go and check out www.computerclinic.nz

In this episode I am joined by Martin (Marty) De Gouw who is the Managing Director of Clyne & Bennie Group. Clyne & Bennie is a well known and longstanding Plumbing, Drainlaying and Gasfitting business here in Christchurch. Marty talks with me about the decision to become a plumber 30 odd years ago (due to being colour blind) along with his entry into the Clyne & Bennie business and growing that business into one of the most well-known and respected businesses in the trade services field here in the Canterbury region. We talk about his experience and the multiple boards he sits on including his current role as Chairperson of the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board. I then get to learn about some local issues affecting people here in Canterbury and across the wider Motu when it comes to water and energy issues/solutions. Marty talks through changes in the field and the importance of having a strong educated team along with great customer service. Having previously one the NZ Master Plumber of the Year Award this is a man who knows his craft and is a natural speaker with lots of interesting things to say.

Is there a topic you want covered or a person you want to hear from? You can contact us through the Godfreys Law website, or you can message the Godfreys Law Facebook page. We'd like to hear from you, and any ideas you have about making the podcast better. The Real Solutions Business Podcast is presented by Godfreys Law - A Christchurch based law firm, serving Canterbury for over 140 years.

In this episode I am joined by Noel MacDonald your Business Success Partner from Oxygen8 Consultants to talk about a new training programme that they are bringing to the NZ small business market called “MAPS” (My Action Plan for Success). This episode is a must listen for any small business owners in NZ who might have one too many challenges in their business, need to learn to prioritise what really matters, learn to focus limited time and energy, gain necessary skills and build a supportive network of like-minded business owners. Noel talks with me about how the new MAPS programme helps small business owners take a good look at their business, identify a range of issues, record a business plan, draw up a budget and set goals to measure the impact of your actions. This is all the while staying connected with a new network of business owners who will help on the accountability piece. If MAPS sounds like something you and your business need (and I highly recommend Noel and the team ay Oxygen8 as the small business consulting experts) then head along to www.oxygen8.co.nz/maps to find out more.

Is there a topic you want covered or a person you want to hear from? You can contact us through the Godfreys Law website, or you can message the Godfreys Law Facebook page. We'd like to hear from you, and any ideas you have about making the podcast better. The Real Solutions Business Podcast is presented by Godfreys Law - A Christchurch based law firm, serving Canterbury for over 140 years.

In this episode, I am joined by Elise Balsillie for a special ‘double-header’ release. Elise Balsillie is the head of Thryv Australia and New Zealand Check them out here www.thryv.com). Thryv (formerly known as Yellow Pages in NZ) has been supporting the small business economy in New Zealand by helping small business owners navigate the complexities of marketing and growing their business. Elise is an ardent advocate for the small business community and has a focus on helping small business owners digitise their operations. This is a space in which small changes can make a significant difference in the lives of business owners. On side A of the podcast Elise talks with me about the small business digital divide in New Zealand noting that a whopping 50% of NZ businesses are not as digitally enabled as they could be and how this can be bridged. Then on side B we continue the discussion by delving into how small business can build business resilience through smarter technology. There should be a number of nuggets in this podcast for small business owners.

Is there a topic you want covered or a person you want to hear from? You can contact us through the Godfreys Law website, or you can message the Godfreys Law Facebook page. We'd like to hear from you, and any ideas you have about making the podcast better. The Real Solutions Business Podcast is presented by Godfreys Law - A Christchurch based law firm, serving Canterbury for over 140 years.

In this episode I record (as a solo session) a talk that I recently gave at a breakfast seminar to a room full of Canterbury Business Owners hosted by Baker Tilly Staples Rodway. I was one of three presenters who spoke (the other two being previous guests on this podcast: Jeannette Kwant Director of Undercontrol Credit Management and Noel MacDonald from Oxygen8 Consulting). The premise behind the breakfast seminar was "Getting back to Growth" for Canterbury Business Owners. After an opening and introduction from Director Dorian Crighton I kicked the seminar off with a presentation entitled "Loneliness at the Top & Unlocking Leadership Brilliance". The title says it all. I hope you find something in this one that inspires you with your own leadership journey.

Is there a topic you want covered or a person you want to hear from? You can contact us through the Godfreys Law website, or you can message the Godfreys Law Facebook page. We'd like to hear from you, and any ideas you have about making the podcast better. The Real Solutions Business Podcast is presented by Godfreys Law - A Christchurch based law firm, serving Canterbury for over 140 years.