Make It Happen with Iyia Liu

The big question: Do you need millions to make your brand famous, or just a really clever idea?
What does a $50 million bra, McDonald's ending a 32-year partnership and Duolingo hijacking Apple's iPhone launch have in common? They're all making headlines for some seriously interesting marketing decisions.
Welcome to The Business Breakdown! A new series where we unpack the biggest business stories, viral marketing moments and bold moves from the world's biggest brands — and reveal what you as an entrepreneur can actually learn from them.
In this episode we're diving into Victoria's Secret's outrageous $50 million Fantasy Bra worn by Kylie Jenner, why McDonald's is walking away from its FIFA World Cup sponsorship after 32 years, how Duolingo turned Apple's product launch into its own marketing opportunity, and why luxury car brand Bentley is getting into iced coffee.
From publicity stunts and guerrilla marketing to the psychology behind billion-dollar branding decisions - we share the entrepreneurial perspective including how I also once spent $300,000 getting Kylie Jenner to wear my own shapewear brand.
Whether you're building a business, working in marketing or simply love understanding the strategy behind the headlines, this episode is packed with practical lessons you can apply to your own brand.
Ready to take your business further?
🔗 Book a free strategy call: https://www.makeithappen.org.nz/
🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes on business, marketing, strategy and scaling.
🌐 Learn more: http://makeithappen.org.nz/
🌐 Instagram: @makeithappen
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if the biggest thing holding you back isn't your circumstances, your experience or your resources, but the way you think?
Your mindset influences everything from the opportunities you notice to the decisions you make and the actions you take. And the scary part? Most of us don't even realise how much our own thoughts are working against us.
In this episode of Make It Happen, I'm breaking down the psychology behind mindset, why our brains are wired to reinforce what we already believe, and how you can start changing those thought patterns to work in your favour.
I'll also share a surprisingly simple exercise you can start today to become more intentional about what you focus on, and why asking yourself "What if it works out?" might be one of the most powerful mindset shifts you can make.
Whether you're thinking about starting a business, struggling with self-doubt or ready to take your next big step, this episode will help you stop letting your thoughts hold you back and start building a mindset that supports your success.
Ready to take your business further?
🔗 Book a free strategy call: https://www.makeithappen.org.nz/
🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes on business, marketing, strategy and scaling.
🌐 Learn more: http://makeithappen.org.nz/
🌐 Instagram: @makeithappen
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it really take to build a million-dollar business? And what are the lessons you only learn by actually doing it?
I've built businesses across multiple industries, from shapewear and e-commerce to haircare, beverages and education. But behind every success have been plenty of mistakes, setbacks and lessons I wish I'd known sooner.
In this episode, I'm answering six of the most common questions I get from business owners and sharing the biggest lessons I've learnt along the way.
We get into why focus is more important than having a million ideas, the traits that separate successful entrepreneurs from everyone else, how to overcome imposter syndrome and how to get the attention of people who could open doors for your business.
I also share the three signs I look for to know whether a business is actually on the right track, why making sales doesn't necessarily mean you're building a successful business, and what continues to motivate me after achieving some of my biggest financial goals.
Whether you're just starting out, struggling to grow or wondering what comes next, this episode is packed with practical advice, honest reflections and lessons you can apply to your own business today.
Ready to take your business further?
🔗 Book a free strategy call: https://www.makeithappen.org.nz/
🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes on business, marketing, strategy and scaling.
🌐 Learn more: http://makeithappen.org.nz/
🌐 Instagram: @makeithappen
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if the fastest way to grow your business wasn't building your own following, but tapping into someone else's?
Some of the world's biggest brands, including SKIMS, Good American and Poppi, have turned influencer partnerships into billion-dollar businesses. But behind those familiar faces are some incredibly smart business strategies that most entrepreneurs aren't taking advantage of.
In this episode of Make It Happen, I'm joined by producer Holli to break down the business behind influencer marketing, how these partnerships actually work and why having the most followers doesn't necessarily mean generating the most sales.
We look at how brands have partnered with the likes of Kim Kardashian, Khloé Kardashian, Indie Clinton and Alix Earle, and explore the different ways businesses can leverage an existing audience — from paid collaborations and micro-influencer marketing to affiliate programmes and offering influencers equity in a business.
I also share what's worked across my own businesses, why smaller creators can sometimes deliver better results than major influencers, and how to start building an influencer marketing strategy even if you have a limited budget and no audience of your own.
Whether you're launching a product, growing an e-commerce brand or looking for smarter ways to attract customers, this episode will give you practical ideas for turning influence into actual sales.
Ready to take your business further?
🔗 Book a free strategy call: https://www.makeithappen.org.nz/
🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes on business, marketing, strategy and scaling.
🌐 Learn more: http://makeithappen.org.nz/
🌐 Instagram: @makeithappen
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it REALLY cost to start a drinks brand and get your products stocked in supermarkets?
When we launched Brewe, our iced coffee and matcha brand, we invested around $300,000 to get the business off the ground. Less than a year later, we're stocked in Woolworths supermarkets across New Zealand. But getting there has been a much bigger learning curve than either of us expected.
In this episode of Make It Happen, I'm joined by my husband and Brewe co-founder, Jordan Delmont, to break down exactly what it takes to build a beverage brand from scratch.
Jordan left his 13-year career in his family business to take on Brewe full-time, despite having no previous experience in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry. Since then, he's had to figure out everything from manufacturing and distribution to supermarket negotiations, pricing, cash flow and managing thousands of cans of stock.
We get into the real numbers behind starting a drinks business, including our initial $300K investment, how we secured our first major supermarket deal and the mistakes we'd avoid if we were starting again.
We also share the lessons we've learned about working together as husband and wife.
If you've ever dreamed of launching your own product, getting stocked in New Zealand supermarkets, or turning a business idea into a brand, this episode gives you a behind-the-scenes look at what it actually takes.
Ready to take your business further?
🔗 Book a free strategy call: https://www.makeithappen.org.nz/
🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes on business, marketing, strategy and scaling.
🌐 Learn more: http://makeithappen.org.nz/
🌐 Instagram: @makeithappen
🌐 Instagram: @drinkbrewe
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.