“Don’t work with D!ckhe@d$”: Building a business that lasts - Brant McNaughton, Ecce

In this unfiltered episode of That Moment, host Thailah Newton sits down with Brant McNaughton, a founder who's been solving complex problems for 26 years — not by chasing every opportunity, but by knowing exactly when to walk away. From tinkering with computers in his bedroom in Invercargill, New Zealand, to building custom digital engines for the NHS and Sennheiser, Brant's journey proves that lasting success isn't built on systems alone. It's built on relationships, boundaries, and the courage to say no.

When Brant built an appointment booking system for a dentist friend 20 years ago, it wasn't just about solving a no-show problem. That system became credited as the cornerstone of a business sale years later — proof that the right solution at the right time creates value that compounds over decades. But Brant's real wisdom comes from what he's learned to refuse: toxic clients, unrealistic expectations, and projects that sacrifice team wellbeing for portfolio prestige.

Brant brings a refreshingly blunt philosophy -"don't work with dickheads and don't burn your bridges" — that sounds contradictory until you understand his approach. He's walked away from paying clients to protect team morale, invited former employees to his 25th anniversary party, and rehired his best team member who'd left years earlier. His mantra? "You can control your reactions," even when you can't control difficult clients.

This episode tackles the tension every agency founder faces: when do you prioritise revenue, and when do you prioritize the people who actually create the work? And why is walking away one of the hardest - but most crucial - skills for entrepreneurs to master?

The Hard-Earned Wisdom of Walking Away:

The "As You Bond" Culture: Growing up in Invercargill taught Brant that your word is your bond — but protecting your team matters more than keeping toxic clients

From Form to Function: Why Brant spent too many early years worrying about aesthetics instead of delivering outcomes, and how that shifted

The Luxury of Saying No: How 26 years in business gave him something money can't buy: the freedom to refuse projects that don't fit

Clients Who Don't Respect Value: Why prestige portfolio pieces aren't worth it when payment comes 60 days late

The Little Devil on Your Shoulder: The internal battle between revenue protection and team protection — and why team always wins

Rehiring the Best Decision: How maintaining relationships with departing employees led to bringing back his Head of Delivery years later

About Supo:

Supo provides people-first intelligence software for professional services firms, helping businesses maximize profit and motivate their people through powerful, AI-enabled business intelligence dashboards. By connecting over 500+ platforms and providing real-time data analysis, Supo helps firms make better data-driven decisions about their profit, projects, and people.

For more information about Supo: ⁠www.supo.co.uk

About Ecce:

For 26 years, Ecce has built custom digital engines that become the operational core of businesses — not off-the-shelf solutions, but bespoke platforms that solve complex, frustrating problems. From replacing chaotic spreadsheet systems for logistics clients to creating revenue streams from data monetisation, Ecce specialises in proving that custom-built technology delivers real ROI. Founded by Brant McNaughton, who brought a "get it done right" attitude from financial trading in Wellington and London, Ecce has worked with clients including Sennheiser, the NHS, and businesses that need technology they can depend on under pressure.

For more information about Ecce: https://ecce.co.uk/