The Real Solutions Business Podcast

Godfreys Law

Real People, Real Solutions. You'll hear local business leaders from Christchurch and around New Zealand share their expertise on how to succeed and make your company stand out.

  1. JAN 22

    102. Beyond the Ledge – how one business combined its superpowers to be greater than the sum of its parts

    On the first podcast for 2026 I am joined by Jason Lennie the founder and director of Beyond the Ledge Brand Agency. Jason is a brand strategist and storyteller with more than 15 years’ experience across marketing, design, web and publishing. Since founding his brand studio in 2009 Jason has expanded his expertise through running a print and promotions franchise. Jason talks to me about the differing offerings or strands that sit under the umbrella of his businesses service offerings and how with a dose of reflection over the Christmas break led him to some important deep-seated realisations about the pillars of his business, their importance and how they tended to compete for attention with his target marketing. Jason talks me through his process of getting really clear about what he does and how he presents that story to his potential customers. As a result of these reflections Jason realised the power of combining Ledge Brand Agency and Beyond the Ledge Press into one cohesive whole under the moniker ‘Beyond the Ledge’. There are some interesting insights in his thinking and the reasons behind the consolidation. I think these insights will be of value to many business owners in 2026 and beyond in bringing clarity around positioning of your brand and positioning of your service offering within the services market. Jason is a super intelligent creative and I really enjoyed talking with him. His creative streak also spills over into comic books which sees him acting as Editor of the New Zealand Comics Anthology. Jason is a true creative and I found our chat inspiring.

    55 min
  2. 12/04/2025

    100. Son of a Vicar: a young man, a dream and the launch of a Kiwi owned fragrance brand

    Matthew McVicar is a law clerk at Godfreys Law and the founder of Son of a Vicar - a New Zealand-made fragrance brand he launched in 2024. What began as an idea during his law studies has grown into a small but ambitious business, with three signature perfumes now on the market. A year ago, Son of a Vicar was little more than an idea. Matthew was in his third year of law school in Christchurch, experimenting with scents in his spare time and trying to imagine how a fragrance brand could feel at home in New Zealand without simply replicating what already existed. He wanted a brand with a strong point of view but had no idea of the realities of bringing it to life. The past twelve months have been a steep learning curve. In developing his first three fragrances and launching the business, Matthew has had to do far more than refine scent profiles. Building Son of a Vicar meant registering a company, understanding tax and compliance, managing sourcing and production, and learning how to present the brand in a way that makes people stop, experience, and connect. Matthew loved seeing the first bottles come together, making early sales, receiving positive reviews, and even being featured in The Press. Those moments have been both motivating and surreal. But there’s also been doubt, not about whether there was space in the market, but about whether people would truly understand the brand. His biggest question was whether he had created something people could feel proud to own, because that was always the standard, he wanted Son of a Vicar to reach. One of the most important lessons Matthew has learned is that people buy into people, not just products. Every time he has stepped out from behind the brand, whether in interviews, at markets, or on social media, the response has been warmer and more engaged. At first, he worried that sharing his story - the student years, the small wins and mistakes - might undermine the professionalism and luxury he wanted Son of a Vicar to embody. Instead, he found that the story strengthened the brand by giving it a human dimension. Bravo Matthew!

    46 min
  3. 11/12/2025

    99. What parallels are there between the practice of martial arts and being successful in business: The Power of discipline

    In this episode I welcome John Allender from Advantage Fire Protection back onto the podcast as a returning guest. In the first podcast with John (listen to Ep.64), he and I talked about his business and how he has built that up to become successful in its niche of business fire protection. I have had many listeners comment on how much they enjoyed my first episode with John. John is an absolute hard shot, he works hard and plays hard (living and breathing hunting, fishing and endurance motorbiking), he calls a spade a spade yet has a heart of gold. That is not to mention that the business he works is in leaves no room for error or complacency and requires dedication, focus and precision. So, what the heck does that have to do with a near lifelong practice of Seido Karate? Well, as it turns out a whole lot! John talks with me about how his practice of Seido Karate (he’s a 6th degree black belt nonetheless) has helped transform his personal and professional life even in times of extreme personal hardship and adversity. I would be being untruthful if I said I could have guessed where this conversation was headed but I did not see some of the amazing surprises that came to light when speaking with John about this life and some of the incredible things that happened to him on and off the mat. From a near death and out of body experience to being ripped off by a former business partner and close friend of 25 years this one has some much to unpack in it. As if that wasn’t enough, John then talks about the positive impact that the practice of Karate can have for young and old before wrapping up with his plans for the future. I could not think of a more fitting episode to be numbered 99 because this man has used more than a couple of his 9 lives and lived to tell the tale. And what a tale it is!

    52 min
  4. 10/02/2025

    97. Excellence in the Field

    In this episode I am joined by Martin (Marty) De Gouw who is the Managing Director of Clyne & Bennie Group. Clyne & Bennie is a well known and longstanding Plumbing, Drainlaying and Gasfitting business here in Christchurch. Marty talks with me about the decision to become a plumber 30 odd years ago (due to being colour blind) along with his entry into the Clyne & Bennie business and growing that business into one of the most well-known and respected businesses in the trade services field here in the Canterbury region. We talk about his experience and the multiple boards he sits on including his current role as Chairperson of the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board. I then get to learn about some local issues affecting people here in Canterbury and across the wider Motu when it comes to water and energy issues/solutions. Marty talks through changes in the field and the importance of having a strong educated team along with great customer service. Having previously one the NZ Master Plumber of the Year Award this is a man who knows his craft and is a natural speaker with lots of interesting things to say. Is there a topic you want covered or a person you want to hear from? You can contact us through the Godfreys Law website, or you can message the Godfreys Law Facebook page. We'd like to hear from you, and any ideas you have about making the podcast better. The Real Solutions Business Podcast is presented by Godfreys Law - A Christchurch based law firm, serving Canterbury for over 140 years.

    35 min
  5. 09/04/2025

    96. My Action Plan for Success with Noel MacDonald

    In this episode I am joined by Noel MacDonald your Business Success Partner from Oxygen8 Consultants to talk about a new training programme that they are bringing to the NZ small business market called “MAPS” (My Action Plan for Success). This episode is a must listen for any small business owners in NZ who might have one too many challenges in their business, need to learn to prioritise what really matters, learn to focus limited time and energy, gain necessary skills and build a supportive network of like-minded business owners. Noel talks with me about how the new MAPS programme helps small business owners take a good look at their business, identify a range of issues, record a business plan, draw up a budget and set goals to measure the impact of your actions. This is all the while staying connected with a new network of business owners who will help on the accountability piece. If MAPS sounds like something you and your business need (and I highly recommend Noel and the team ay Oxygen8 as the small business consulting experts) then head along to www.oxygen8.co.nz/maps to find out more.Is there a topic you want covered or a person you want to hear from? You can contact us through the Godfreys Law website, or you can message the Godfreys Law Facebook page. We'd like to hear from you, and any ideas you have about making the podcast better. The Real Solutions Business Podcast is presented by Godfreys Law - A Christchurch based law firm, serving Canterbury for over 140 years.

    27 min

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Real People, Real Solutions. You'll hear local business leaders from Christchurch and around New Zealand share their expertise on how to succeed and make your company stand out.