Notes From The Executive

Mina Amso
  • 4.3 (6)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Notes From The Executive is NZ's no-BS business & entrepreneurship podcast for Auckland owners running established companies - $1M-$10M revenue, 5-50 staff - who want to grow faster, protect their margin, and build something worth selling. Hosted by Mina Amso (Podcaster + Founder), every episode has real NZ founders sharing the numbers, decisions & hard lessons. Topics: cash flow, scaling, hiring, business value & exiting high. Tired of generic advice? This is the show. 🔎 NZ business | Auckland entrepreneur | scale a business NZ | NZ podcast

  1. How NZ Founders Reposition to Win Their Best Clients Back

    1 DAY AGO

    How NZ Founders Reposition to Win Their Best Clients Back

    Nicki Osbaldiston is a NZ marketing strategist and founder of Client Focused Approach. She has spent years repositioning founders whose marketing was never the real problem and built a framework experienced operators use to win back premium clients without producing more content. Episode Sponsors AcademyEx Get ahead with AI https://discover.academyex.com/mina Pwrfully Get Your Free Podcast List https://www.pwrfully.com Follow Me Mina on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@NotesFromTheExecutivePodcast Mina on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/4QgZGJdrnfjZ1sEm6MeGcp?si=c12e08e33f604916 Mina on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/notes-from-the-executive-podcast/id1586953812 Mina on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/minaamso/ Mina on LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/minaamso Follow Nicki Osbaldiston Website: https://www.clientfocusedapproach.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicki-osbaldiston What I Asked Nicki Why are experienced NZ founders getting underbid every week despite being active online? What is the framework you walk founders through to fix this? How do I stop competing on price and start being chosen? What do my best clients actually want to hear that I am not saying? How do I get found without producing more content? Timestamps (rebuild after final edited runtime — placeholders from current cut below) 36:55 — How does networking actually grow a service business? 38:24 — How do strategic partnerships work in practice? 41:21 — Why should I celebrate what is already working? 44:13 — Who is in my network that I am not talking to? 49:29 — How do I find my ideal client through second-degree connections? 54:47 — How do I track relationships when I am too small for a CRM? 56:27 — How do I build a positioning framework from scratch? 1:00:06 — Why does Nicki want NZ businesses to win? 1:00:30 — Where can people find Nicki Osbaldiston?

    40 min
  2. Is KiwiSaver Broken: What NZ Employers Aren't Being Told

    6 MAY

    Is KiwiSaver Broken: What NZ Employers Aren't Being Told

    Brent Coleman is a New Zealand personal finance YouTuber who built a channel generating the NZ median income while working full-time. He has a finance degree, lived and worked in Singapore for six years, and brings a numbers-first, no-fluff approach to topics most Kiwis avoid talking about publicly. Episode Sponsors ACADEMYEXGet ahead with AIhttps://discover.academyex.com/minaPWRFULLY Get Your Free Podcast List https://www.pwrfully.com/freepodcastsWhat I Asked Brent Coleman Should NZ business owners actually move to Australia, and what does the tax math really look like at different income levels? Why are nearly 1.4 million KiwiSaver members registered but not contributing, and what does that tell us about the scheme? What does the Australian superannuation system do that KiwiSaver does not, and why does the gap matter? What should NZ business owners be doing differently right now to grow profit in a constrained economy? Follow Me Mina on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@NotesFromTheExecutivePodcastMina on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/4QgZGJdrnfjZ1sEm6MeGcp?si=c12e08e33f604916 Mina on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/notes-from-the-executive-podcast/id1586953812Mina on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/minaamso/ Mina on LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/minaamso Follow Brent Coleman YouTube: Search "Brent Coleman" on YouTube Instagram: @brentcolemaninvesting 0:00 – Why KiwiSaver Is “Broken” for Everyday New Zealanders   0:56 – What NZ Viewers Will Learn: Stay or Leave New Zealand?   1:45 – Message to New Zealand Business Owners Making $1M+ Revenue   2:25 – On $80k in NZ: Should Business Owners Move to Australia?   3:10 – New Zealand Cost of Living Crisis, Fuel Costs & Small Business Pressure   5:00 – Best Business Ideas to Start in New Zealand Right Now   6:26 – Building a Personal Brand as a NZ Business Owner   7:28 – Earning $250k in New Zealand vs Australia: Tax & Take‑Home Pay   8:53 – Making $500k+ in New Zealand: Is Moving Your Business to Australia Worth It?   10:00 – The Truth About Moving From New Zealand to Australia for Money   12:22 – Is New Zealand Now Cheaper Than Australia? Cost of Living Comparison   13:20 – What’s Really Going On With the New Zealand Economy?   14:33 – Rising Interest Rates, Inflation and Impact on NZ Businesses   15:45 – Is Immigration Good or Bad for New Zealand’s Economy?   20:00 – How Can We Build a Stronger New Zealand Economy?   21:11 – “New Zealand Feels Like a Penal Colony”: Real NZ Homeowner Struggles   22:29 – Practical Ways Kiwis Can Earn More and Save More Right Now   24:20 – Why KiwiSaver Is a Hot Topic for New Zealanders in 2026   25:00 – Five Key Problems With KiwiSaver for Kiwis   27:01 – How KiwiSaver Works Now: Contributions, Employer Match & NZ Government Top‑Up   28:46 – “Total Remuneration” in NZ: How Employers Package KiwiSaver   29:56 – Why 1.3 Million New Zealanders Aren’t Contributing to KiwiSaver   32:29 – Has KiwiSaver Helped NZ? $145B Saved and First‑Home Buyers   33:15 – Why KiwiSaver Feels Over‑Complicated for Most Kiwis   34:51 – Australia’s Super vs KiwiSaver: What NZ Business Owners Must Know   37:00 – Tax Advantages of Australian Super Compared to KiwiSaver   37:51 – Compulsory Super in Australia vs Optional KiwiSaver in New Zealand   40:00 – Why Brent Coleman Doesn’t Use KiwiSaver (NZ Investor Perspective)   42:16 – Finding Unique Opportunities in the New Zealand Market   45:08 – Using LinkedIn, YouTube & TikTok to Grow a New Zealand Business   46:48 – First Steps for Kiwis With No Personal Brand Yet   48:35 – Brent’s Journey: From Overseas Finance to NZ Money YouTuber   51:30 – What 7% Interest Rates Mean for NZ Landlords and Investors   52:20 – Losing $10k on a Rental: Real Numbers From a Kiwi Landlord   53:44 – Not All NZ Landlords Are “Greedy”: The Accidental Landlord Story   54:32 – Wrap‑Up: Where NZ Business Owners Can Follow Brent (YouTube & Instagram)

    55 min
  3. ASB Chief Economist: Forget Rate Cuts, NZ Mortgage Pain Is Just Starting

    28 APR

    ASB Chief Economist: Forget Rate Cuts, NZ Mortgage Pain Is Just Starting

    ASB's Chief Economist Nick Tuffley delivers the warning most NZ business owners do not want to hear: rate cuts are over and the Reserve Bank is likely to raise rates as soon as September. He calls this a 9 out of 10 shock, worse than the GFC. If your mortgage is coming up for refix, this is the episode you need before you sign anything. Episode Partners AcademyEx Get ahead with AI https://discover.academyex.com/mina Pwrfully Get your story to the people who matter https://www.pwrfully.com Follow Nick Tuffley ASB Economic Research  https://www.asb.co.nz/documents/economic-research.html Follow Me Mina on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@NotesFromTheExecutivePodcast Mina on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/4QgZGJdrnfjZ1sEm6MeGcp?si=c12e08e33f604916 Mina on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/notes-from-the-executive-podcast/id1586953812 Mina on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/minaamso/ Mina on LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/minaamso 0:00 – How big is this shock? Comparing crises (Asian crisis, GFC, Covid, war)0:45 – Who is Nick Tuffley? Chief economist introduction1:17 – Why watch this episode? What you’ll learn2:01 – The listener in mind: stressed NZ business owner with a mortgage2:40 – “Less optimistic”: how the 2026 outlook has changed3:25 – What is the current global energy shock?4:38 – Rating past shocks vs this one: why this is a “9 out of 10”6:09 – 20% of global oil and gas offline: what that means in practice8:38 – How NZ households and businesses are already feeling it10:00 – Fuel costs, freight, shipping and export disruption11:14 – Covid vs this crisis: why this time is harder to fix with policy14:20 – Inflation risk and memories of 2022–2415:34 – If the war ended today: how long until fuel prices ease?17:18 – $3.50+ for petrol, $3.90+ for diesel: price impacts explained18:02 – Our deep dependence on oil and why it’s so hard to replace19:10 – Ad break: disruptive technologies, AI, Sora and blockchain21:45 – “We’re fragile”: NZ’s starting point and why RBNZ may hike22:32 – Why raise interest rates? Plain‑English explanation24:23 – Fuel vs interest rates: what’s really driving prices up?25:42 – CPI basket explained: how inflation is actually measured26:50 – Wage–price spiral: why the Reserve Bank is worried29:09 – Forecasting interest rates: why nobody really knows30:00 – Scenario planning for businesses, not date‑picking30:29 – Which sectors are hit hardest: transport, logistics, agri, manufacturing32:40 – Mortgages in uncertain times: generic guidance and trade‑offs36:08 – Fixing vs floating: risk tolerance and peace of mind38:38 – “Feels like a lottery”: framing mortgage decisions as risk management39:54 – Matching loan terms to life plans and rental leases40:52 – How banks test your servicing at higher “stress” rates43:18 – Nick’s forecasting track record and awards45:24 – Growth forecasts: from 2.5–3% down to ~1–1.5%47:29 – Quarterly outlook for 2026 and why data lags so much49:47 – Two scenarios: war improves vs gets worse50:00 – If the shock drags on: oil, gas, fertilizer and farming impacts51:49 – Who goes without? Developing world, Asia and energy scarcity55:00 – Can other countries replace Middle Eastern oil? Limits and lags56:27 – Risks of social unrest and priority fuel use57:59 – How fragile the world feels: a few governments, global consequences59:25 – From post‑WWII stability to geopolitical instability1:00:00 – Political shocks vs economic/health shocks: a new risk era1:01:08 – Globalization, free trade and why NZ can’t easily “go it alone”1:02:36 – Final thoughts: scenario planning and focusing on what you can control1:04:24 – Don’t get lost in the headlines: understand your real business risks1:05:10 – Where to find Nick’s work and closing thanks

    1hr 6min
  4. War Just Killed NZ's Recovery: What Business Owners Do Now - Top Economist

    21 APR

    War Just Killed NZ's Recovery: What Business Owners Do Now - Top Economist

    Shamubeel Eaqub is one of New Zealand's most respected economists and Chief Economist at Simplicity. With over 20 years of experience analysing New Zealand's economy, Shamubeel has advised governments, businesses, and organisations on economic policy, housing, and long-term prosperity. He is a regular media commentator and author who has shaped conversations around New Zealand's economic future. EPISODE PARTNERS NZBusiness Magazine www.nzbusiness.co.nz AcademyEx https://discover.academyex.com/mina Pwrfully www.pwrfully.com FOLLOW SHAMUBEEL EAQUB Simplicity www.simplicity.kiwi FOLLOW ME Mina on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@NotesFromTheExecutivePodcast Mina on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/4QgZGJdrnfjZ1sEm6MeGcp?si=c12e08e33f604916 Mina on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/notes-from-the-executive-podcast/id1586953812 Mina on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/minaamso/ Mina on LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/minaamso What I asked Shamubeel ◆ Why the war on Iran has thrown a spanner in New Zealand's recovery just as businesses were about to see growth and what this means for your cash flow and hiring decisions in the next six months ◆ The real reason New Zealand turned over 1 million workers last year and why your staff retention problem is not just about the economy ◆ Why the average Kiwi family in Australia earns 30 to 40 percent more than in New Zealand for doing the same work and whether that gap is getting better or worse ◆ What businesses that invest in marketing and advertising during downturns get when the recovery finally arrives and why cutting your marketing budget right now is shooting yourself in the foot

    1hr 1min
  5. How This Kiwi CEO Built 31 Clinics in 3 Years on $90/Month

    15 APR

    How This Kiwi CEO Built 31 Clinics in 3 Years on $90/Month

    James Whittaker is the British-born founder and CEO of Resonate Health, New Zealand's world-first hearing aid subscription company. A former British Airways executive, he spent over a decade running audiology businesses across New Zealand, Japan and Australia before launching Resonate in November 2022. In under three years he has grown the company to 31 studios nationwide, backed by private equity group Tahua Partners, and built what is widely regarded as the fastest-growing audiology business per capita in the world.► Why James says competitors physically cannot copy his model without destroying their own businesses ► How he launched with zero brand recognition and was "absolutely flying" by studio number three in Tauranga ► The one question he asked every new subscriber that had nothing to do with sales ("how many conversations did you have about Resonate today?") Thanks Episode PartnersNZBusiness Magazinewww.nzbusiness.co.nzAcademyExhttps://discover.academyex.com/minaTime Stamps 0:00 - how do I build a business that cannot fail5:36 - how do I position a subscription business7:39 - why can't big companies copy a disruptive model10:34 - how do I raise funding for my business in New Zealand13:29 - what do investors actually look for in a founder16:34 - what happens when your funding round fails20:47 - how do entrepreneurs predict the future26:52 - how do I make my business impossible to compete with32:26 - how do I use AI to stop customers leaving38:01 - how do I build team culture across multiple locations43:35 - how do I know if my business is performing well51:52 - how do I protect my business during an economic crisis53:44 - how do I recover from a costly business mistake56:21 - how do I get funding when I feel stuck59:48 - how to contact James Whittaker Resonate Health New ZealandFollow JamesResonate Health: www.resonatehealth.co.nzFollow MeMina on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@NotesFromTheExecutivePodcastMina on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/4QgZGJdrnfjZ1sEm6MeGcp?si=c12e08e33f604916Mina on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/notes-from-the-executive-podcast/id1586953812Mina on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/minaamso/Mina on Linkedin www.linkedin.com/in/minaamso

    1hr 1min
  6. How A Kiwi Mum Turned a Painful Everyday Problem Into a Globally Scalable Business

    7 APR

    How A Kiwi Mum Turned a Painful Everyday Problem Into a Globally Scalable Business

    Kate Ricketts is the CEO and founder of ISpyNits, creator of the world's first biofluorescent glow-in-the-dark lice detection and treatment system. Her product is now stocked in pharmacy chains across New Zealand and Australia and is currently being piloted across more than 750 lice clinics in the United States. 👉🏻 Join me to learn about AI with AcademyEx's Disruptive Tech Course https://discover.academyex.com/mina 👉🏻 NZBusiness Magazine. Learn More: www.nzbusiness.co.nz 👉🏻 Become a Powerful Communicator: www.pwrfully.com What I asked Kate: ◽️ Why 1 in 3 New Zealand children have head lice at any one time,and why the treatment category has failed to solve reinfection for decades ◽️ How she validated the idea before she knew what market validation was ◽️ Why she almost didn't enter the University of Auckland Ideas Challenge ◽️ How she deals with the cash flow trap that kills product businesses ◽️ How she entered the United States market for $2,000 New Zealand dollars: ◽️ What's her single mum founder mindset ◽️ Why marketing a need product FOLLOW KATE www.ispynits.com MINA ON INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/minaamso/ MINA ON YOUTUBE https://www.youtube.com/@NotesFromTheExecutivePodcast MINA ON APPLE https://shorturl.at/UkJ8v MINA ON SPOTIFY https://shorturl.at/YW7bX

    1hr 4min
  7. Terrifying AI Predictions Explained: Warns New Zealanders Take Action

    31 MAR

    Terrifying AI Predictions Explained: Warns New Zealanders Take Action

    Perrin Rowland is the Chief Product and Experience Officer at AcademyEx, New Zealand's leading disruptive technology education institution, and is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of customer experience in New Zealand. What Perrin reveals  ◽️ Why New Zealand is falling dangerously behind the rest of the world on AI ◽️ The three forces converging right now that make this moment unlike any previous technology shift ◽️ What Microsoft's chief of AI is saying publicly about white collar work Episode Partners: 👉🏻 NZBusiness Magazine www.nzbusiness.co.nz 👉🏻 Sell your expertise at scale www.pwrfully.com FOLLOW PERRIN www.academyx.com Find Perrin on LinkedIn: Perrin Rowland FOLLOW ME https://www.instagram.com/minaamso/ WATCH & SUBSCRIBE ON YOUTUBE https://www.youtube.com/@NotesFromTheExecutivePodcast LISTEN & REVIEW US ON Apple Podcast: https://shorturl.at/UkJ8v Spotify: https://shorturl.at/YW7bX 00:00 – The AI tsunami & why New Zealand is behind01:10 – “Why should anyone watch this episode?”02:26 – Trust, regulation & NZ’s AI hesitancy03:40 – 3 forces converging to supercharge AI (compute, energy, infrastructure)06:52 – Claude can “use your computer for you”07:14 – How New Zealand is (mis)using AI today08:07 – Who will be most impacted? White‑collar roles at risk10:02 – What kinds of jobs/tasks are vulnerable?10:59 – Health NZ, ChatGPT bans & the Heidi Health breach story12:34 – Massive upside: curing a dog’s cancer with AI13:03 – Feeling freaked out but needing “AI agency”14:17 – Analogy: a 6‑year‑old refusing school vs adults refusing AI15:03 – Perrin’s background: CX, finance, and Academy X16:46 – Sponsor break: NZ Business magazine17:55 – Education at every age & school trauma18:15 – The real magnitude of the AI shift20:47 – Not trusting the internet, deepfakes & revenge porn22:58 – Regulate AI or fall behind? The innovation vs safety dilemma24:56 – Risk takers, early adopters & letting AI into your computer27:31 – You can “choose not to use AI”… but it’s already everywhere28:06 – Imagining robot helpers at home28:53 – “How do I learn without getting overwhelmed?”31:32 – Why structured education beats random YouTube rabbit holes33:22 – This isn’t slowing down; you need “floaties” for the AI wave36:51 – Why up‑to‑date, curated AI learning is critical40:21 – The value of a trusted guide & learning community41:34 – Early “silly” AI use cases that became real (IoT, wearables)43:53 – Role reversal: Perrin interviews Mina44:47 – Mina’s fear: content creation & being replaced47:25 – Writing with AI as “therapy” & rediscovering voice48:59 – What Mina really wants: confidence, clarity & trust51:39 – Imagination: using other people’s brains to expand your own52:00 – Trust in tech through credible educators53:22 – Why Mina is picky about courses (and time)54:25 – The challenge: Mina enrolls in the Disruptive Tech course57:44 – How the course runs & what it covers1:01:39 – Real example: Perrin + Claude do SEO & AEO in hours1:03:36 – Mina’s excitement (and nerves) about the challenge1:04:37 – Call‑to‑action for listeners: comments & questions1:05:03 – Where to find the Disruptive Technologies course1:05:51 – “Come do it with me” – Mina invites listeners to join1:06:05 – Final message: “Just keep learning”

    1hr 7min
  8. ‘Down The Drain’ - The Truth Behind Building a Multimillion-Dollar Pharmacy Business in New Zealand

    24 MAR

    ‘Down The Drain’ - The Truth Behind Building a Multimillion-Dollar Pharmacy Business in New Zealand

    Lee Tan is a former award-winning pharmacist and serial entrepreneur who built a pharmacy business from $0 to over $3.50 million in annual revenue. After 15 years of "doing everything right", from social media to 14-day shifts, Lee faced the crushing reality of corporate competition and the heavy burden of the Covid-19 pandemic. In this deeply emotional episode, she opens up about the "grind" of building from scratch, the seven-year wait to break even, and why she ultimately chose to walk away from it all to find a human pace. Episode Partners: 👉🏻NZBusiness Magazine www.nzbusiness.co.nz 👉🏻 Sell your expertise at scale www.pwrfully.com What Lee reveals  ◽️ The "Good Old Days" vs. Now: Why traditional community pharmacy models are collapsing under online competition and "big box" Australian retailers. ◽️ The Pivot Strategy: How Lee used an "Eyebrow Bar" innovation to pay the $200k/year rent for her entire pharmacy. ◽️ Handling Business Trauma: The emotional reality of closing a 15-year-old business and how to use "rock bottom" to push yourself back up. ◽️ The 2026 Trend: Why "Social Wellbeing" (sauna raves and run clubs) is the next massive market for Gen Z and beyond. ◽️ Marketing the "Moat": How to position yourself as a market leader in a small town like Dunedin (on New Zealand’s South Island) by focusing on experience over just service. FOLLOW ME https://www.instagram.com/minaamso/ FOLLOW LEE https://wellandbeing.nz/ WATCH EPISODE ON YOUTUBE https://www.youtube.com/@NotesFromTheExecutivePodcast LISTEN ON Apple Podcast: https://shorturl.at/UkJ8v Spotify: https://shorturl.at/YW7bX Episode Partners: 👉🏻 NZBusiness Magazine ⁠www.nzbusiness.co.nz⁠ 👉🏻 Sell your expertise at scale ⁠www.pwrfully.com⁠

    1hr 20min
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4.3
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Notes From The Executive is NZ's no-BS business & entrepreneurship podcast for Auckland owners running established companies - $1M-$10M revenue, 5-50 staff - who want to grow faster, protect their margin, and build something worth selling. Hosted by Mina Amso (Podcaster + Founder), every episode has real NZ founders sharing the numbers, decisions & hard lessons. Topics: cash flow, scaling, hiring, business value & exiting high. Tired of generic advice? This is the show. 🔎 NZ business | Auckland entrepreneur | scale a business NZ | NZ podcast

Information

  • Creator
    Mina Amso
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    130
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Mina Amso
  • Show Website
    Notes From The Executive

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