Today on the podcast, I speak with Bridget O’Sullivan, founder and co-owner of J'AIME – an artisan bakery best known for its exquisite French macarons and luxury confectionery. Bridget established the business with her then-business partner in Christchurch in 2008. Seventeen years on, J’aime is a national brand admired for its craftsmanship, innovation and commitment to quality. What began as a small local venture at the Christchurch Farmers Market has evolved into a thriving business with two beautiful retail stores – in Christchurch and Auckland’s Commercial Bay – a strong e-commerce presence, boutique stockists and national distribution through supermarkets including New World and Pak’nSave. In our conversation, Bridget shares her story from law to entrepreneurship, and the lessons she’s learned along the way. We talk about resilience through the Christchurch earthquakes, navigating commercial growth and change, and how a period of challenge led to a major rebrand and new partnership that marks an exciting next chapter for the business. I really enjoyed this conversation with Bridget – she has such a great business story to share and does so with openness, honesty and vulnerability. I know you’ll love this kōrero with Bridget as much as I did.So, no doubt after this conversation you will obviously want to head to jaimelesmacarons.co.nz and check out their delicious range of macarons and sweet treats. And of course, make sure you follow along with J’aime on Instagram @jaimelesmacarons_ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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1:34:30
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1:34:30
Sophie Cooper - Anihana
Today on the podcast I speak with Sophie Cooper, founder and Smile Director of Anihana – a New Zealand beauty brand creating solid body and haircare that is sustainable, cruelty free and made with clean, natural ingredients.What began in 2016, when Sophie bought the soap business she was working in while pregnant with her daughter, has grown into a family-owned company producing joyful, affordable products now stocked in over 8,000 stores across New Zealand, Australia and the United States, including Target, Walmart and Amazon.com.In this episode, Sophie shares the reality of scaling a handcrafted Kiwi business into global markets - from navigating a major rebrand to building supermarket partnerships, balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship, and the values that keep Anihana rooted in community, sustainability and joy.I really enjoyed this conversation with Sophie – she is warm, open and such a quiet achiever. I’m so inspired by this clever brand doing incredible things on the world stage. I know you’ll love this kōrero with Sophie as much as I did. Once you’ve listened to this episode, head straight to @anihana_life on Instagram and be inspired by their vibrant, joyful products. And of course, visit anihanalife.com to explore the full range and learn more about their story. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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1:14:27
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1:14:27
Jasmine Kroeze - Artist
Today on the podcast I speak with Jasmine Kroeze - an artist based in Pāpāmoa Beach who wears many hats: mural artist, illustrator and surface designer, to name just a few! With a background in fashion and textiles, Jaz has built a multifaceted creative practice spanning murals, paintings, brand partnerships, art licensing, surface patterns and illustration – all from her oceanside home studio. Known for her bold use of colour and playful compositions, her work sparks conversation, creates connection and injects joy into everyday spaces. In this episode we talk about her journey from fashion into art, how textiles shaped her creative style, building a brand through social media, the three values she measures every project by and so much more… I’ve followed Jaz’s work and progress for years, and one of the things that stands out is her incredible output (alongside her work, she is a content queen!). She exudes joy and passion for what she does, and her willingness to try new things, put herself out there, and share her process so openly is inspiring. For any working artist, aspiring creative, or anyone dreaming of turning their passion into a full-time career, Jaz is proof that it’s possible – and she does it with honesty, energy and a whole lot of heart. I know you’ll love this kōrero with Jaz as much as I did. 🎧 Listen now on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.✨ You can find Jaz at @jasmine.kroeze and jasminekroeze.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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1:30:42
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1:30:42
Live from Destination 159Design
Something a little different for today’s episode! A few weeks back I had the honour of hosting a panel at Destination 159Design – an event that brought together some of New Zealand’s leading design creatives for an afternoon of conversation, optimism and future-focused inspiration. On the panel with me were Tom Webster (architect + host of Grand Designs NZ), Amy Shaw (Creative Director of David Shaw Furniture), Emma Hayes (founder of Emma Hayes Textiles) and Nat Davis (founder of Folio magazine). It was an energetic, thoughtful, insightful and robust kōrero - and I’m so glad we get to share it here with the wider design community and of course, my Super Creative listeners. This event was made possible by the businesses and brands behind 159Design – a trade focused, interior design centre in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland where a mix of trusted furnishing brands - textiles, furniture, flooring, rugs and hardware – are all under one convenient roof. A shout out to those brands that continuously champion and support the New Zealand interiors industry:→ James Dunlop Textiles→ David Shaw Furniture→ Haro Flooring→ Kovacs Design Furniture→ The Textile Company→ Belgotex→ The Ivy House→ Porcelanosa→ Montreux Furniture→ Emma Hayes Textiles→ Pocketspace Interiors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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1:06:04
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1:06:04
Gina Urlich - Odi Nutrition
Today on the podcast, I speak with Gina Urlich - clinical nutritionist, mother of four, and the founder of Odi, a children’s food brand designed to make healthy eating easy and accessible for busy families. Odi was born from Gina’s passion for providing healthier, nutrient-dense food for babies and children, and has grown into a trusted brand known for its convenience, transparency, and commitment to real, wholesome ingredients. In this episode, Gina shares the personal journey that led her to launch Odi, from her background in clinical nutrition to finding gap in the market for truly nourishing baby food. We talk about the challenges of starting a business from scratch, navigating a rebrand, and building a community of customers who trust and support the brand. We also talk about Gina’s journey of resilience, including how she faced a serious health challenge while running her business and how it shaped her approach to leadership and self-care. Gina’s story is one of passion, perseverance, and a deep commitment to helping families make better food choices for their children. She’s down-to-earth, insightful, and a true advocate for change in the health and nutrition space. After listening, firstly visit odinutrition.com to check out the range of nutritious baby and children’s food that Gina has worked so hard to create and then head to both @odi_nutrition_ and @gina.urlich for a wealth of information and education. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Candid conversations with inspiring women who are thriving in creative business. Join host Catie Dawson as she talks with her guests about creativity, strategy, productivity, marketing, success, failure, fulfilment, health, happiness, and everything-in-between. This is a behind the scenes look at the clever women who make a living being creative, and how they do it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
New Zealand