The Curve

The Curve Platform

The Curve is a platform to learn more about money. To change the stereotype that these conversations are typically boring, and only for men in suits. Victoria has worked in the finance and investing world for 13 years, and Sophie is a total novice. Learn alongside her as she asks all the questions you're thinking, but might feel a little embarrassed to ask. This podcast will give you all the tools and knowledge to achieve financial freedom, as well as (hopefully) having a laugh along the way. New episodes every Monday, Wednesday and Friday! Disclaimer: Raising The Curve has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes. Any information provided and serviced described in this website are intended to be of general nature and provide general information only. The opinions expressed by The Curve do not constitute investment advice

  1. 3 hr ago

    A Side Hustle From Her Bedroom Floor Became an 8-Figure Business.

    Madi Stefanis started her business at 19 with one old film camera and a Facebook Marketplace listing. It sold for 5x the asking price, and that was the beginning of a side hustle that scaled to $70K a month from her bedroom floor, before turning into 35mm Co., a camera brand now sold in nearly every country in the world with over 100,000 units sold. This episode is a true side-hustle-to-global-business story: how Madi went from sourcing and reselling vintage cameras solo, to betting her entire house deposit on manufacturing her own product, to building an 8-figure company, all before turning 26. We get into the real mechanics of scaling a side hustle: how she decided when it was time to go all in, the financial risk that nearly didn't pay off, working with contractors across four countries, and the practical, unglamorous advice she'd give anyone thinking about starting their own thing on the side. Madi’s links 35mm Co Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/35mm_co/) 35mmco.com Madi’s Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/madistefanis/reels/) Check out IOU (The Practical Lessons) here: https://thecurveplatform.com/ We're proud to be partnering with BNZ. There's an art to starting something new, and like any art form, you need the right tools to make it work. Whether you're flatting, saving to travel, or making a career move, BNZ has the tools to help you master your money from the get-go. Credits: Hosts: Sophie Hallwright & Vic Harris Producer: Emily Rigby Editor: Kate Callaghan Social & Digital Manager: Lucy Munro ⁠⁠Leave us a message on The Curve Hotline 💌☎️⁠⁠ (https://thecurveplatform.com/pages/the-curve-hotline) For more from The Curve:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Website⁠⁠ (https://thecurveplatform.com/) ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ (https://www.instagram.com/thecurveplatform/)⁠⁠⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠⁠ (https://youtube.com/@thecurveplatform?si=nlCWqqqySWOzYlj3)⁠⁠⁠ ⁠TikTok⁠⁠ (https://www.tiktok.com/@thecurveplatform)⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Newsletter⁠⁠ (https://thecurve.co.nz/pages/sign-up-to-the-curve-weekly) Chapters 00:00:00 Episode preview 00:01:02 The Curve x BNZ 00:01:29 Growing up: Madi's story 00:03:46 The first time money made an impression 00:08:04 Inside Madi's personal finances 00:12:54 A health scare that changed everything 00:18:25 From side hustle to full-blown business 00:29:31 The hard truths no one tells you 00:38:30 Building the business behind the scenes 00:39:58 Her best advice for aspiring founders 00:43:04 Extra credit 00:46:51 Thank you BNZ! 00:47:14 Financial disclaimer Disclaimer: Raising The Curve has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes. Any information provided and serviced described in this website are intended to be of general nature and provide general information only. The opinions expressed by The Curve do not constitute investment advice.

    A Side Hustle From Her Bedroom Floor Became an 8-Figure Business.
  2. 2 days ago

    Hundreds of millions in the bank. Still took 18 years to turn a profit.

    She's got 33 million followers and one of the most photographed families on the planet. It still took Victoria Beckham 18 years to turn a profit, and £66m in debt to get there. We break down what that says about the difference between revenue and profit, and why runway matters more than either. Plus, tech multimillionaire Bryan Johnson's girlfriend Kate Tolo is running her own 100-day biohacking experiment, tracking 14.8 million data points on her own menstrual cycle in the name of (underfunded) women's health research. And we remember Gloria Steinem. Thanks so much to Generate for making The Curve Weekly possible. Generate has a really impressive 10-year track record, to find out more about their performance click here: generatekiwisaver.co.nz/performance. But remember, a great track record doesn’t guarantee future returns! If you’d like to speak to an advisor, to see if Generate is right for you, you can book time with someone here: https://www.generatewealth.co.nz/curve Credits: Host: Sophie Hallwright Guest: Emma-Louise Boynton Producer: Emily Rigby Editor: Kate Callaghan Social & Digital Manager: Lucy Munro ⁠⁠Leave us a message on The Curve Hotline 💌☎️⁠⁠ (https://thecurveplatform.com/pages/the-curve-hotline) For more from The Curve:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram:⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/thecurveplatform/?hl=en Substack: https://thecurveplatform.substack.com/ Website: https://thecurveplatform.com/ The Curve Investments: https://thecurveinvestments.co.nz/ ⁠YouTube⁠⁠: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFT_HdjhtoRIwPTmQy2TNLw ⁠TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thecurveplatform Chapters 00:00:00 Coming up in today’s episode … 00:01:23 Generate x The Curve 00:01:40 Weekly catchup 00:03:34 Gloria Steinem’s legacy 00:10:25 Victoria Beckham’s business turnaround 00:25:27 Generate x The Curve 00:26:11 Defying death with biohacking 00:45:39 Thank you for listening! 00:46:16 Financial Disclaimer Disclaimer: Raising The Curve has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes. Any information provided and serviced described in this website are intended to be of general nature and provide general information only. The opinions expressed by The Curve do not constitute investment advice. Generate’s Product Disclosure Statement and Financial Advice Provider License can be found here: GenerateKiwiSaver.co.nz/disclosures. *Morningstar KiwiSaver Survey March Quarter End 2026. The Generate Focused Growth Fund returns have ranked in the top three of NZ Multi Sector Aggressive Category Funds for 10 year returns every quarter since becoming eligible in June 2023. Most recently the fund ranked 2nd out of 10 funds for 10 year returns to 31 March 2026.

    Hundreds of millions in the bank. Still took 18 years to turn a profit.
  3. 4 days ago

    First fund update, Apple's new CEO, & the billion-dollar cost of climate change.

    This week, Soph and Vic share the Curve Fund's very first monthly update and break down the biggest movers, including Estée Lauder's and AMD. They also get into Apple's new CEO John Ternus, only the seventh in the company's 50 year history, and what his $60 million pay package (mostly in stock) says about how the company rewards long-term thinking. Plus, natural disasters cost the world $450 billion last year, and insurance is quietly becoming unaffordable in the riskiest areas. Turns out, skipping cover might be the worst money decision you make. Chat to our friends at RP Insurance, no cost to talk, just clarity: https://thecurve.out-sauce.ai/refer/r-p-insurance Submit your money and morals question to The Ethical Hotline: https://form.typeform.com/to/BZHujjGM and if you want to check out any of the questions we've already answered you can find them here! (https://pathfinder.kiwi/pathfinder-x-the-curve/) Credits: Hosts: Sophie Hallwright & Vic Harris Producer: Emily Rigby Editor: Kate Callaghan Social & Digital Manager: Lucy Munro ⁠⁠Leave us a message on The Curve Hotline 💌☎️⁠⁠ For more from The Curve:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram:⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/thecurveplatform/?hl=en Substack: https://thecurveplatform.substack.com/ Website: https://thecurveplatform.com/ The Curve Investments: https://thecurveinvestments.co.nz/ ⁠YouTube⁠⁠: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFT_HdjhtoRIwPTmQy2TNLw ⁠TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thecurveplatform Chapters 00:00:00 Coming up in this episode… 00:00:42 Pathfinder x The Curve 00:01:07 Weekly catchup 00:05:05 The Curve Fund’s First Update!!!! 00:22:28 Apple’s got a new girl in town 00:32:57 Pathfinder x The Curve 00:33:40 The rinsing cost of natural disasters 00:42:08 Community question 00:46:41 Thank you for listening! 00:47:18 Financial disclaimer Disclaimer: Raising The Curve has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes. Any information provided and serviced described in this website are intended to be of general nature and provide general information only. The opinions expressed by The Curve do not constitute investment advice.

    First fund update, Apple's new CEO, & the billion-dollar cost of climate change.
  4. 3 Sept

    The property millionaire who says stop buying.

    This week, Soph is joined by The Curve’s angel investor, Nicole Bremner. At its peak, Nicole’s portfolio included stakes in over 110 properties. In this episode, the pair get honest about what's shifted in the property market over the last 15 years, and why the old rules of buying property no longer apply. They unpack the diversification blind spot most homeowners don't realise they have, and why an emotional purchase isn't a bad one. Plus Nicole reveals what the UK's Rich List actually shows about how wealthy people build and structure their money. Whether you already own property, are weighing up your next move, or are saving for your first home, this conversation will help you buy smarter and think more clearly about where property fits in your bigger financial picture. Episodes mentioned in this podcast… First episode with Nicole: (https://open.spotify.com/episode/4gbxyFomLKuLZ4uP8lXV9M?si=tfcP_NkYTt2J7H4x53s-AA) Why now is never the right time to invest: (https://open.spotify.com/episode/5hZgkak8soileERUsS8bF5?si=dlxbdweyQsid22Akp_4IMw) Nicole’s links Website (https://www.nicolebremner.com/) Podcast (https://www.nicolebremner.com/podcast) Credits: Hosts: Victoria Harris & Sophie Hallwright Producer: Emily Rigby Editor: Kate Callaghan Social & Digital Manager: Lucy Munro ⁠⁠Leave us a message on The Curve Hotline 💌☎️⁠⁠ (https://thecurveplatform.com/pages/the-curve-hotline) For more from The Curve:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Website⁠⁠ (https://thecurveplatform.com/) ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ (https://www.instagram.com/thecurveplatform/)⁠⁠⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠⁠ (https://youtube.com/@thecurveplatform?si=nlCWqqqySWOzYlj3) ⁠TikTok⁠⁠ (https://www.tiktok.com/@thecurveplatform)⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Newsletter⁠⁠ (https://thecurve.co.nz/pages/sign-up-to-the-curve-weekly) Substack (https://thecurveplatform.substack.com/) Chapters 00:00:00 Coming up in this episode… 00:00:56 Welcoming Nicole back! 00:01:54 Investing in startups (and The Curve) 00:06:00 Nicole’s property experience 00:15:11 A case study: Switzerland vs Romania 00:19:15 Should buying property be an emotional decision? 00:27:15 The rich list 00:32:54 Property vs stocks? 00:41:50 Thank you for listening! 00:42:21 Financial disclaimer Disclaimer: Raising The Curve has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes. Any information provided and serviced described in this website are intended to be of general nature and provide general information only. The opinions expressed by The Curve do not constitute investment advice.

    The property millionaire who says stop buying.
  5. 1 Sept

    Meta's $18 billion problem.

    Soph and Emma pay tribute to Dolly Parton's legacy and the financial genius behind her career, from refusing to give Elvis half her songwriting credit to owning her entire catalog decades before artists like Taylor Swift and Dua Lipa followed suit. They also break down Meta's $18 billion legal settlement, why prosecutors have finally found a way to hold the platform accountable, and what it signals for big tech going forward. Plus, they get into the rise of men paying matchmakers tens of thousands of dollars to find themselves a traditional wife. Thanks so much to Generate for making The Curve Weekly possible. Generate has a really impressive 10-year track record, to find out more about their performance click here: generatekiwisaver.co.nz/performance. But remember, a great track record doesn’t guarantee future returns! If you’d like to speak to an advisor, to see if Generate is right for you, you can book time with someone here: https://www.generatewealth.co.nz/curve Credits: Hosts: Sophie Hallwright Producer: Emily Rigby Editor: Kate Callaghan Social & Digital Manager: Lucy Munro ⁠⁠Leave us a message on The Curve Hotline 💌☎️⁠⁠ (https://thecurveplatform.com/pages/the-curve-hotline) For more from The Curve:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Website⁠⁠ (https://thecurveplatform.com/) ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ (https://www.instagram.com/thecurveplatform/)⁠⁠⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠⁠ (https://youtube.com/@thecurveplatform?si=nlCWqqqySWOzYlj3) ⁠TikTok⁠⁠ (https://www.tiktok.com/@thecurveplatform)⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Newsletter⁠⁠ (https://thecurve.co.nz/pages/sign-up-to-the-curve-weekly) Substack (https://thecurveplatform.substack.com/) Chapters 00:00:00 Coming up in this episode… 00:01:10 Generate x The Curve 00:01:27 Weekly catchup 00:03:09 Dolly Parton’s legacy 00:18:42 Generate x The Curve 00:19:18 The $18BN lawsuit 00:41:38 Why men are paying to find tradwives 00:58:04 Thank you for listening! 00:58:42 Financial disclaimer Disclaimer: Raising The Curve has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes. Any information provided and serviced described in this website are intended to be of general nature and provide general information only. The opinions expressed by The Curve do not constitute investment advice. Generate’s Product Disclosure Statement and Financial Advice Provider License can be found here: GenerateKiwiSaver.co.nz/disclosures. *Morningstar KiwiSaver Survey March Quarter End 2026. The Generate Focused Growth Fund returns have ranked in the top three of NZ Multi Sector Aggressive Category Funds for 10 year returns every quarter since becoming eligible in June 2023. Most recently the fund ranked 2nd out of 10 funds for 10 year returns to 31 March 2026.

    Meta's $18 billion problem.
  6. 30 Aug

    Designer Babies, Anti-Aging & the $12.5B Lakers Deal.

    This week we're asking an uncomfortable question: can money literally buy you a longer life? We dig into the eyebrow-raising world of biohacking billionaires spending millions to reverse their biological age, the stark wealth gap in life expectancy (up to 15 years in some countries), and the rise of $50,000 genetic screening packages that let the ultra-wealthy select for IQ, height and health in their future children. Then we shift gears to sport as an investment - unpacking the $12.5B LA Lakers sale, why scarcity drives sports team valuations, and how to get exposure to the female sport boom without buying a whole team. Plus, two community questions: investing in The Curve Investments via direct debit vs. Sharesies, and how to negotiate a pay rise while on maternity leave. Submit your money and morals question to The Ethical Hotline: https://form.typeform.com/to/BZHujjGM and if you want to check out any of the questions we've already answered you can find them here! (https://pathfinder.kiwi/pathfinder-x-the-curve/) WTF does that mean? A guide to all the jargony bits: Asset class — a category of thing you can invest in (property, stocks, sports teams...) Capital gains — profit from an asset going up in value Dividends — regular payouts just for holding an asset Margins — profit left after costs; high margins attract competitors ETF — a ready-made basket of investments you buy in one go Credits: Hosts: Sophie Hallwright & Vic Harris Producer: Emily Rigby Editor: Kate Callaghan Social & Digital Manager: Lucy Munro ⁠⁠Leave us a message on The Curve Hotline 💌☎️⁠⁠ For more from The Curve:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Website⁠⁠ (https://thecurveplatform.com/) ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ (https://www.instagram.com/thecurveplatform/)⁠⁠⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠⁠ (https://youtube.com/@thecurveplatform?si=nlCWqqqySWOzYlj3) ⁠TikTok⁠⁠ (https://www.tiktok.com/@thecurveplatform)⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Newsletter⁠⁠ (https://thecurve.co.nz/pages/sign-up-to-the-curve-weekly) Substack (https://thecurveplatform.substack.com/) Chapters 00:00:00 Coming up in this episode… 00:00:55 The Curve x Pathfinder 00:01:25 Catching up: our Lorde concert debrief 00:03:56 Can money buy you a longer life? 00:22:33 The Curve x Pathfinder 00:23:13 Sport, money & the $12.5B Lakers deal 00:36:53 Your questions, answered 00:47:52 That's a wrap! 00:48:30 Financial disclaimer Disclaimer: Raising The Curve has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes. Any information provided and serviced described in this website are intended to be of general nature and provide general information only. The opinions expressed by The Curve do not constitute investment advice.

    Designer Babies, Anti-Aging & the $12.5B Lakers Deal.
  7. 27 Aug

    7 Questions to Ask Before You Buy an Investment Property.

    Before Pete West buys a single investment property, he runs through 7 questions - skip one, and it could cost you thousands. Soph sits down with Pete (the property investor she's worked with on two of her own investments) to break down exactly what he looks for before he buys anything. This isn't about finding your dream home, it's a practical framework for assessing an investment property before you buy. Pete shares the Google Maps trick he uses before even visiting a property, why "the best suburb you can afford" beats a bigger house in a worse one, and the expensive fixes that add zero value versus the ones that do. He also covers how to spot asbestos, dodgy foundations, and unconsented work before they become your problem, plus a real case study: $525k purchase, $70k renovation, $715k revaluation. If you're buying your first investment property, or just want to understand how the pros do it, this one gives you a checklist to take straight to your next viewing. Pete’s Links Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/peterwestproperty) Website (https://www.westpropertycoaching.co.nz/) We're proud to be partnering with BNZ, because no two journeys to home ownership are the same. BNZ's home loan experts are there to help you navigate the process with confidence – from search to signing 👉 To learn more, head here. Credits: Host: Sophie Hallwright Guest: Peter West Producer: Emily Rigby Editor: Kate Callaghan Social & Digital Manager: Lucy Munro ⁠⁠Leave us a message on The Curve Hotline 💌☎️⁠⁠ (https://thecurveplatform.com/pages/the-curve-hotline) For more from The Curve:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Website ⁠⁠Instagram ⁠YouTube⁠⁠ ⁠TikTok ⁠Newsletter Disclaimer: Raising The Curve has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes. Any information provided and serviced described in this website are intended to be of general nature and provide general information only. The opinions expressed by The Curve do not constitute investment advice.

    7 Questions to Ask Before You Buy an Investment Property.
  8. 25 Aug

    Do you have "Emma Grede Disease"? Unpacking founder culture's biggest myth.

    "Emma Grede disease" is TikTok's new shorthand for our collective obsession with founder culture - the private jets, the polished business profile, the highlight reel version of building something from nothing. This week, Soph and Emma unpack where the term came from and whether it holds up, using Grede's Start With Yourself as the springboard for a wider conversation about what success in business actually requires: the trade-offs, the years of unseen graft, and why the aesthetic of success is so often mistaken for the substance of it. They cover the rise of the creator economy and Time's 100 Creators list, why personal brand has become a career asset in itself, the case for staying employed longer in your 20s to build skills before going out alone, and why women get punished for failing publicly in a way men rarely are. What do you think of these episodes? Take our survey here to tell us what you think: https://form.typeform.com/to/nAMRC7oj Thanks so much to Generate for making The Curve Weekly possible. Generate has a really impressive 10-year track record, to find out more about their performance click here: generatekiwisaver.co.nz/performance. But remember, a great track record doesn’t guarantee future returns! If you’d like to speak to an advisor, to see if Generate is right for you, you can book time with someone here: https://www.generatewealth.co.nz/curve Credits: Hosts: Sophie Hallwright & Vic Harris Guest: Emma-Louise Boynton Producer: Emily Rigby Editor: Kate Callaghan Social & Digital Manager: Lucy Munro ⁠⁠Leave us a message on The Curve Hotline 💌☎️⁠⁠ (https://thecurveplatform.com/pages/the-curve-hotline) For more from The Curve:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Website⁠⁠ (https://thecurveplatform.com/) ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ (https://www.instagram.com/thecurveplatform/)⁠⁠⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠⁠ (https://youtube.com/@thecurveplatform?si=nlCWqqqySWOzYlj3) ⁠TikTok⁠⁠ (https://www.tiktok.com/@thecurveplatform)⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Newsletter⁠⁠ (https://thecurve.co.nz/pages/sign-up-to-the-curve-weekly) Substack (https://thecurveplatform.substack.com/) Chapters 00:00:00 Coming Up In This Episode… 00:00:39 The Curve x Generate 00:00:57 Birthdays, Watches & Being In the Green (Quick Catch Up) 00:03:34 What We're Unpacking Today 00:05:33 What Is "Emma Grede Disease"? (The TikTok Term Explained) 00:16:51 Inside Time's 100 Creators List: Who's Actually Making Money 00:29:22 Take Our Listener Survey! 00:30:18 Do You Need a Personal Brand to Build a Successful Business? 00:38:23 The Curve x Generate 00:39:00 Your 20s vs 30s: Employed, Freelance or Founder? 00:47:00 The Last Taboo: Why We Can't Talk About Failure 00:56:44 Thank You For Listening 00:57:22 Financial Disclaimer Disclaimer: Raising The Curve has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes. Any information provided and serviced described in this website are intended to be of general nature and provide general information only. The opinions expressed by The Curve do not constitute investment advice. Generate’s Product Disclosure Statement and Financial Advice Provider License can be found here: GenerateKiwiSaver.co.nz/disclosures. *Morningstar KiwiSaver Survey March Quarter End 2026. The Generate Focused Growth Fund returns have ranked in the top three of NZ Multi Sector Aggressive Category Funds for 10 year returns every quarter since becoming eligible in June 2023. Most recently the fund ranked 2nd out of 10 funds for 10 year returns to 31 March 2026.

    Do you have "Emma Grede Disease"? Unpacking founder culture's biggest myth.

About

The Curve is a platform to learn more about money. To change the stereotype that these conversations are typically boring, and only for men in suits. Victoria has worked in the finance and investing world for 13 years, and Sophie is a total novice. Learn alongside her as she asks all the questions you're thinking, but might feel a little embarrassed to ask. This podcast will give you all the tools and knowledge to achieve financial freedom, as well as (hopefully) having a laugh along the way. New episodes every Monday, Wednesday and Friday! Disclaimer: Raising The Curve has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes. Any information provided and serviced described in this website are intended to be of general nature and provide general information only. The opinions expressed by The Curve do not constitute investment advice

You Might Also Like