Brand Builders Lab with Suz Chadwick

Suz Chadwick

If you want to be bolder to stand out in the crowd, then this podcast is for you!! Every week I’ll share all things building a bold Business & Brand, learning to nail your Marketing & Sales and getting out of your own way - yep we talk mindset too. I’m your host Suz Chadwick, business & mindset coach to female lead small business owners, author, speaker and your new business bestie! If you want more help to build your business then check out our freebies at www.suzchadwick.com/freebies or signature group coaching program the Bold Business Academy at www.suzchadwick.com/bba

  1. 6 DAYS AGO

    442. The Power of Storytelling with Mackenzie Heflin

    What does it actually mean to tell your story — not just post content and hope the right people find you? In this episode, I'm joined by my long-time friend and storytelling expert Mackenzie Heflin for one of my favourite conversations on the podcast. Mackenzie works with entrepreneurs and content creators to help them find their voice, shape their stories, and build real communities — not just follower counts. We get into the honest, practical, and deeply personal side of storytelling for business, and why it's the missing piece for so many founders who are creating content but still feel like they're shouting into the void. In this episode: Why treating your social media feed like a private Facebook group changes everything How Mackenzie built a business from 400 followers — and what happened when it was all deleted overnight The simple before-and-after framework that works for any niche (yes, even sourdough) Why your story doesn't have to be dramatic to be powerful How to tell your story when you can't share your own — or your clients' The difference between authority-based content and trust-building content (and when to use each) Why conversion storytelling isn't about chasing engagement — it's about being ready when your audience is How to stop talking at your audience and start making them feel seen Why shame-free, desire-free marketing might actually convert better Mackenzie's storytelling framework Start with your before. End with your after. Everything in between is connection. Write down your struggles and your transformations — those two lists are the foundation of every piece of content you'll ever need to create. About Mackenzie Mackenzie Heflin is a storytelling strategist and content coach who helps entrepreneurs build engaged communities through purposeful, authentic storytelling. She got her start building a 400-person Facebook group while working in a nursing home during COVID — and has since grown a following of 70,000 by showing up consistently and telling her story with honesty and intention. She's now focused on long-form writing, Threads, and helping her clients find the stories that actually convert. 🔗 Website | Threads

    37 min
  2. 2 MAR

    440. Your Cash Flow Isn’t Broken. Your Strategy Is – With Karen Woller

    What does it actually mean to manage your money in a way that supports the life you want - not just survive month to month and hope for the best? In this episode, I'm joined by accountant and financial strategist Karen Woller (founder of Thrive NZ) for a refreshingly practical and no-nonsense conversation about money, business growth, and what it really takes to build financial clarity as a business owner. Karen works with SMEs and service-based businesses to help them understand their numbers, manage cash flow, and make smarter decisions — so their business actually funds the life they want to live. We get into the real, sometimes uncomfortable, and deeply important side of business finance, and why so many entrepreneurs are working hard but still feel financially stuck. In this episode: Why cash flow problems aren't always what you think — and the two main culprits behind them The difference between profit and cash in the bank (and why confusing them is costing you) How to set payment terms that actually work for your business — and enforce them Good debt vs. bad debt, and when borrowing to grow actually makes sense Why fear around financial decisions is usually a data problem, not a confidence problem How to break down a scary hiring decision into a number you can actually work with The CEO mindset shift that founders resist — and why it's holding them back Contractors vs. employees: how to build capacity without overcommitting Why reconciling your Xero regularly is the single most important habit you can build How to use 90-day sprints to stay focused on the right financial levers Karen's framework for financial clarity: Understand your baseline (what you need) vs. your thriving number (what you want). Know where you are now. Map what needs to change to get there. Review it every 12 months — because every business and life has seasons. About Karen Karen Woller is the founder of Thrive NZ, an accounting and financial strategy firm working with small to medium businesses across New Zealand. She helps business owners cut through the fear and confusion around their finances, understand what their numbers are actually telling them, and build businesses that work — for their goals and their life. Karen is direct, practical, and deeply invested in making sure her clients aren't just profitable on paper, but genuinely thriving. 🔗 LinkedIn | Instagram | https://www.thrive.nz/

    42 min
  3. 27 FEB

    439. You've Got the Business. So Why Does It Still Feel Hollow? with Viren Thakar

    What does it actually mean to live your values — not just list them in your brand strategy and forget about them? In this episode, I'm joined by my long-time friend and values expert Viren Thakar (founder of In The Game) for one of my favourite conversations on the podcast. Viren works with organisations and individuals to help them identify their values and build real systems to live them — day to day, week to week. We get into the messy, practical, and deeply personal side of values alignment, and why it's the missing piece for so many entrepreneurs who are doing "all the right things" but still feel hollow. In this episode: Why your values aren't just for your About page — and how to actually use them The difference between values, morals, and purpose (and why we conflate them) How to identify your real values (hint: look at your irrational reactions) Designing your working week around what you actually value Why senior leaders tick every "success" box and still feel empty How to use a simple 1–5 check-in to stay values aligned Why being unfiltered and spiky attracts the right clients — and repels the wrong ones The danger of doing profitable work that isn't values aligned (and when it's okay to do it anyway) Why your business is just a mechanism for expressing your values Viren's 5 Values: Freedom | Fun | Creativity | Achievement | Growth When weighing options, ask — does this align with my values? Score each option across your values and add in the business factors (revenue, market appetite, ease of delivery). The combination is your guide.   About Viren Viren is the founder of In The Game and Values Map. He works with organisations and individuals to define their values and design strategies to bring them to life. All done in a psychology-backed, playful and collaborative way. Outside of all this work, he loves playing games, DJing house music, diving into sci-fi, watching soccer, and running. https://www.linkedin.com/in/virenthakrar/

    50 min
4.8
out of 5
133 Ratings

About

If you want to be bolder to stand out in the crowd, then this podcast is for you!! Every week I’ll share all things building a bold Business & Brand, learning to nail your Marketing & Sales and getting out of your own way - yep we talk mindset too. I’m your host Suz Chadwick, business & mindset coach to female lead small business owners, author, speaker and your new business bestie! If you want more help to build your business then check out our freebies at www.suzchadwick.com/freebies or signature group coaching program the Bold Business Academy at www.suzchadwick.com/bba

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