More information on our 90 day business planning program: https://nextadvisory.nz/90-day-business-planning/

John Bell went from Fonterra employe to growing Kauri Wealth to 4,750 clients in just four years.

While other advisers chase big money, John's focused on putting more wealth into Northland. He's turned down lucrative oporunities to stay true to his mission.

We cover the business lessons from going broke to building something meaningful, why he calls every client annually when no one else does, and how passion for community built a national business.

Plus his plans to hit 10,000 clients while maintaining the same personal service.

Sometimes the best business model is just caring more than everyone else.

Find John:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-bell-b7a698149/
Website: https://www.kauriwealth.nz/

If you're interested in working together:

Visit our website https://nextadvisory.nz
Let's connect over a quick call: https://calendly.com/philsmith/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextadvisory.nz/

Looking for more clarity and growth in your business? Book a call with us at https://nextadvisory.nz 

Today Luke & Phil break down lessons learned from their recent series of business planning sessions with clients, to give you the core lessons to help grow your own business.

If you're interested in working together:

Visit our website https://nextadvisory.nz

Let's connect over a quick call: https://calendly.com/philsmith/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextadvisory.nz/

Thinking of buying a business? Speak with Phil first: https://nextadvisory.nz/buying-a-business/

Terminal tax is due April 7th, 2026. If you haven't planned for it, you're about to get a nasty surprise from your accountant.

Luke and Phil break down what terminal tax actually is and why you should pay it early instead of waiting until the last minute.

The businesses that stress about terminal tax are the ones that don't plan for it. Set up a separate tax account, put money aside monthly, and stop using IRD as your interest-free loan provider.

If you're interested in working together:

Visit our website https://nextadvisory.nz

Let's connect over a quick call: https://calendly.com/philsmith/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextadvisory.nz/

Apply for the winning formula 12 month business planning: https://nextadvisory.nz/the-winning-formula/

Josh Blackie went from being a pro rugby player, to Blues GM to buying a flooring business he'd never run before. The key? Thorough due diligence and finding a point of difference in a competitive industry.

Josh breaks down the business buying process, why elite sport prepares you for business, how to handle uncomfortable conversations, and why speed of communication matters when things go wrong.

"If you're not walking towards that uncomfortableness, it's going to come back and hurt you later on."

The businesses that scale are the ones willing to have difficult conversations early, solve problems proactively, and operate in the growth zone where most people aren't comfortable.

Find Josh's business here: https://www.ecodureflooring.co.nz/

If you're interested in working together:

Visit our website https://nextadvisory.nz

Let's connect over a quick call: https://calendly.com/philsmith/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextadvisory.nz/

Thinking of buying a business? Speak with Phil first: https://nextadvisory.nz/buying-a-business/

Most business owners would rather find a magic solution than do the boring work that actually gets results. They're trying to solve problems at hurdles 8, 9, and 10 when they haven't even crossed the first hurdle.

Luke and Phil break down why changing accountants won't fix your cash flow problems, why there's no shortcut out of debt, and why the answer is always the thing you don't want to hear: do the work. We share the story of someone who went from $60K debt to earning $265K by working 85 hours a week.

If you're interested in working together:

Visit our website https://nextadvisory.nz

Let's connect over a quick call: https://calendly.com/philsmith/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextadvisory.nz/

More information on our 90 day business planning program: https://nextadvisory.nz/90-day-business-planning/

The Reserve Bank held the OCR at 2.25%, and everyone's looking for relief. But the reality is the external conditions won't save your business, your actions will.

Luke and Phil break down why waiting for perfect interest rates, inflation numbers, or economic conditions is a losing strategy. We cover why business is supposed to be hard, the friction between economists and the Reserve Bank, and why some businesses are thriving while others are stuck waiting for someone else to fix their problems.

When are we going to learn that the external is created from the internal? You're going to have to go and do the work first. Stop looking for magic solutions.

The businesses winning right now aren't waiting for rate cuts, they're executing their strategies regardless of economic conditions.

If you're interested in working together:

Visit our website https://nextadvisory.nz

Let's connect over a quick call: https://calendly.com/philsmith/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextadvisory.nz/

A podcast we recently did on Keep The Change with economist Brad Olsen that I thought would be an interesting listen for business owners in NZ discussing whats happening in the economy, where its headed, unemployment numbers, inflation and much more.  

Find Brad:
https://www.infometrics.co.nz/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradolsennzl/
https://www.instagram.com/bradolsennzl/

If you're interested in working together:

Visit our website https://nextadvisory.nz

Let's connect over a quick call: https://calendly.com/philsmith/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextadvisory.nz/

Most business owners hate selling because they think it's sleazy. Max explains why that mindset is killing your business and how to sell with genuine confidence.

Max breaks down the fundamentals and why most Kiwis are too soft to handle rejection.

If you think sales is about getting one over someone, of course it feels yucky. But if you're genuinely helping people solve problems, it feels completely different.

Max shares his journey from personal trainer to sales expert, why you need to give a shit about your customers, and how to build rapport without being fake. 

Sales isn't manipulation. It's helping people get closer to what they want to achieve.

If you're interested in working together:

Visit our website https://nextadvisory.nz

Let's connect over a quick call: https://calendly.com/philsmith/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextadvisory.nz/

Find Max:
IG: maxramontaylor
Email: [email protected]

691 businesses surveyed across New Zealand & Australia. Only 41% grew in 2025. But here's the thing, if you're not growing, don't blame the economy.

Luke and Phil break down the Indicator report: business owners expected recovery in the second half of 2025, it didn't happen, and now they're pushing expectations to mid-2026 or 2027. Meanwhile, the successful businesses are doing the boring work consistently and taking action.

The data proves what we've been saying: there's opportunity out there if you're prepared to go and look for it. While 60% struggled, 41% still found growth in the toughest economy in decades.

The difference? Action beats hope every time.

If you're interested in working together:

Visit our website https://nextadvisory.nz

Let's connect over a quick call: https://calendly.com/philsmith/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextadvisory.nz/

Thinking of buying a business? Speak with Phil first: https://nextadvisory.nz/buying-a-business/

Most Kiwi businesses are just jobs with extra stress. The difference? Systems and processes that actually work.

Luke and Phil break down the essential systems every business needs, why businesses with systems sell for more, how to manage your pipeline effectively, and why you need to work ON your business, not just IN it.

If someone wants to buy your business and asks "what systems do you have?" You better have a good answer.

The businesses that scale have systems. The ones that stay small hope everything works out.

Which one are you? If you're interested in working together:

Visit our website https://nextadvisory.nz

Let's connect over a quick call: https://calendly.com/philsmith/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextadvisory.nz/