Dunedin Store – Dunedin Stories Firebrand

In this episode, we have our first duo on the mic! Husband & Wife team Laura and James from Dunedin Solar share their unique Dunedin Story.⚡️☀️
Originally from England, the duo first arrived in New Zealand as backpackers. After travelling, the South Island they fell in love with Dunedin as a place to settle down. 🏡 💕 Due to a fortunate friendship with Dean at Wanaka Solar, they found the opportunity to bring Solar to Dunedin. Taking on the epic challenge of starting a business right after lockdown!

It clearly worked out for the team as they took out the prestigious People’s Choice award at the 2023 Grand Business South Awards! 🏆 Next steps after the big win: get more Dunedinites in on the solar benefits (e.g. environmental sustainability, smaller power bills and more disposable income.)🛍️💸
Bex asked the classic question, “Your family’s here from England… Where in Dunedin are you taking them?”

To eat, the answer went to their favourite spot, Arc Brewing, Plato & Carrey’s Bay. 🍻🎣🍟 For some fun, it went to a Highlanders match, Beer Fest, or an exploration of the local beaches. 🏉🍺🌊 We’ve got some extra shoutouts to some of their key supporters: the OTD, Wanaka and Queenstown Solar, and, of course, Business South. 💙


This podcast is not intended as professional advice, whether financial, legal, or otherwise. It is important for you to seek your own professional advice when necessary. By listening to or accessing this podcast, you agree to acknowledge that no warranty, guarantee, or representation is provided regarding the accuracy of any information presented. The opinions, standards, or policies of this podcast may not necessarily align with any third-party materials or content referenced in this podcast. Furthermore, no warranty, guarantee, or representation is made regarding the accuracy or completeness of any content within third-party materials or on third-party sites mentioned in this podcast.

In this episode of Dunedin Stories, we meet Tony Boomer, owner of House Travel Dunedin! Tony shares his incredible experiences travelling abroad, which led him to his career as a travel agent. ✈️🌅

After exploring places such as the UK, Canada, South America, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe, to name a few, Tony still finds home right here in Dunedin, saying, "Dunedin is visually amazing," and what we have here is something special. ❤️ Now, Tony shares his passion and extensive travel knowledge with Dunedites, providing them with the same incredible experiences. 🌎

Tony shouts out to Business South for their Regional Business Partnership Programme, which offered business support & advice after COVID, which, as you can imagine, was vital for a travel agency during those times.

We had to ask if bringing a friend from afar to Dunedin, where are you taking them? Tony went with The Good Oil For Coffee, Precinct for lunch and the Prohibition Steakhouse for Dinner. ☕️🍽️

Tony talks about his love for football, specifically his team, the Dunedin City Royals. ⚽ ️ From asking what Dunedin legend he'd share a speight's beer with, Tony chose Dunedin's legendary 1970s Goalkeeper Jim Taylor. 🥅

It was a true joy hearing about Tony's travel adventures. Listen in for yourself on your favourite streaming platform here. 🔗 https://dunedinstore.nz/links


This podcast is not intended as professional advice, whether financial, legal, or otherwise. It is important for you to seek your own professional advice when necessary. By listening to or accessing this podcast, you agree to acknowledge that no warranty, guarantee, or representation is provided regarding the accuracy of any information presented. The opinions, standards, or policies of this podcast may not necessarily align with any third-party materials or content referenced in this podcast. Furthermore, no warranty, guarantee, or representation is made regarding the accuracy or completeness of any content within third-party materials or on third-party sites mentioned in this podcast.

Join us as Trelise "Summer" Wadsworth - the YES Ambassador and a Design and Marketing Strategist for Firebrand shares her journey with us. 💥 💜

Our youngest participant yet, but no less wise! Her advice to young people is to take every opportunity, get out of the classroom, take the next steps, and have courage. 💪

A born creative, with a family that said, "Pick subjects that you love, that will get you out of bed and into the classroom." 📖 She is proof that if you find what you love, you can build a career from that; then there is never a dull day. Trelise is naturally curious, wants to know stuff and craves learning all she can. She speaks about AI, how and why she incorporates it into her daily work life, and the importance of understanding it. 🤖🌐

Trelise's name/location drops include her Fashion designer Mum from Wadzee, The Esplanade, St Clair, Vault, Midwinter Carnival and the incredible business and fashion powerhouse Margi Robertson of NomD. 👗🍕🌊

And a new Segment Alert! With a surprising answer or two from Trelise…You will have to listen to learn! 🙉


This podcast is not intended as professional advice, whether financial, legal, or otherwise. It is important for you to seek your own professional advice when necessary. By listening to or accessing this podcast, you agree to acknowledge that no warranty, guarantee, or representation is provided regarding the accuracy of any information presented. The opinions, standards, or policies of this podcast may not necessarily align with any third-party materials or content referenced in this podcast. Furthermore, no warranty, guarantee, or representation is made regarding the accuracy or completeness of any content within third-party materials or on third-party sites mentioned in this podcast.

This episode we meet Dan - aka "Danny", aka "Massive Dan", aka "Dan 'MF' Murphy! Representing Mortgage Links subsidiary Insurance Link! A bloody nice guy; he's here to chat all things down to earth and keeping it real. 😎🔗

Dan gives us the "short version" of his career pathway... 🤣 From an initial desire to be a teacher to supporting people at Cargills Enterprises, a bouncer for Allied Security, a radio legend with too many stations to list, an advisor for the Ministry of Culture and Heritage (when our TVs went digital!), and now a local Insurance Advisor. 💪💥

His advice was simple: make your own network, be genuine and honest, and remember, it's about "Substance over Size."

We chat a bit about AI and ethics in insurance and how they can be utilised in day-to-day work. We then learn of a wee secret spot you might not be aware of... 🤫 We're also given his favourite places to eat (next year for your birthday, Shelley, it has gotta be Baccus!) He tops it all off with a massive shout-out to the big man himself, Ian of Biggies. 🍕

We get a particularly heartfelt share for his hero, who inspired himself and many, many others—the founder of Edmond Rice Camps here in Dunedin, Brother Henry Sheppard. A science teacher, sure, but an incredible person by the sounds of it—which is proven if people name their kids after you!

FYI, there are a few bleeps in this session.🙊 After many years, Bex adopted a special nickname for him, and she struggles not to use it now!

This podcast is not intended as professional advice, whether financial, legal, or otherwise. It is important for you to seek your own professional advice when necessary. By listening to or accessing this podcast, you agree to acknowledge that no warranty, guarantee, or representation is provided regarding the accuracy of any information presented. The opinions, standards, or policies of this podcast may not necessarily align with any third-party materials or content referenced in this podcast. Furthermore, no warranty, guarantee, or representation is made regarding the accuracy or completeness of any content within third-party materials or on third-party sites mentioned in this podcast.

In this Dunedin Stories session, Bex chats with Gareth Hargraves of Weapons of Mass Construction (WMC Trail Tools)! ⚒️ We’ll hear just how "local" the business WMC is — proof of the supply chain is evident, and Gareth's passion for supporting locals is proven. 💪💙

Imaginer, creator and seller of all things Trail Tools (oh, and a bike rack), this is a true story that began in his garage and a passion project "hobby" that is now making a difference to many across Aotearoa and Australia. 🌏His products are durable, sustainable, sexy and come with a promise: "If you can break it there is a box of beers in it". 🍻 With big shoutouts to champions Precision Profile Engineering, Mosgiel Engineering, and Escudo Coatings.

His career pathway includes a lengthy stint with FisherandPykel, now his day job where he "gets to have fun and get paid for it", is with Ōtepoti Dunedin legend Escea. 🌟

He gets his favourite places and people plugged, including a desire to have a bevy with Sir Ian Taylor, a coffee at ThePerc, lunch at a regular fav, No7 Balmac, and dinner at Eureka or the Esplanade. 🍕🍽️

This podcast is not intended as professional advice, whether financial, legal, or otherwise. It is important for you to seek your own professional advice when necessary. By listening to or accessing this podcast, you agree to acknowledge that no warranty, guarantee, or representation is provided regarding the accuracy of any information presented. The opinions, standards, or policies of this podcast may not necessarily align with any third-party materials or content referenced in this podcast. Furthermore, no warranty, guarantee, or representation is made regarding the accuracy or completeness of any content within third-party materials or on third-party sites mentioned in this podcast.

Epic (lengthy) Dunedin Stories episode with the incredible Rosann Connolly-George of Vince George Travel, so much love in this session! 💖

Most people in Ōtepoti Dunedin will be familiar with this treasure of a person and organisation - if you were interested in the world of travel, especially her care, support and kindness for those “stuck” here or afar during Covid lockdowns. Her tireless and relentless focus on communicating, and doing the right thing to have families connected was International news. 🌏💞

Also an incredible advocate for mental health services (or the lack of) here - her activism knows no bounds as she continues to push for better. An enthralling story aligns with this, involving Dunedin Legend Janet Frame, which you will have to listen to understand a wee slice of regret from Rosann.

The lasting message from Rosann is truly that we don’t know how lucky we are here, our city and our country offers more than most. 🏙️❤️Having been in war zones, impoverished locations, orphanages and other hard to describe situations - she knows what she is talking about!

Love your work Rosann. 😍

This podcast is not intended as professional advice, whether financial, legal, or otherwise. It is important for you to seek your own professional advice when necessary. By listening to or accessing this podcast, you agree to acknowledge that no warranty, guarantee, or representation is provided regarding the accuracy of any information presented. The opinions, standards, or policies of this podcast may not necessarily align with any third-party materials or content referenced in this podcast. Furthermore, no warranty, guarantee, or representation is made regarding the accuracy or completeness of any content within third-party materials or on third-party sites mentioned in this podcast.