Notes From The Executive Podcast with Mina Amso

• 5 Things That Made My Podcast Top 10 on Apple (In A Year)

  One year. Over 40 guests. Hundreds of hours. And a podcast that started with zero budget now ranking top 10 next to global giants like Alex Hormozi.Mina Amso is the host of Notes From the Executive, a top 10 business podcast on Apple Podcasts New Zealand. With a background in journalism and a gift for authentic conversation, she interviews kiwi founders, leaders, and changemakers about the real stories behind entrepreneurship. Her show is where business meets humanity, offering powerful insights for purpose-driven professionals ready to grow.If you're building something with purpose, this podcast is for you.In this special solo episode, I take you behind the scenes of Notes From the Executive why I started it, the lessons that nearly broke me, and the moments that reminded me I was born for this.You’ll learn:- Why I left a career in pharmacy to pursue a dream in media- The real cost (financial, emotional, and spiritual) of building a premium show in NZ- How I landed top business guests — and what made some of them cry on air- Why rejection hurts more than you expect — and how I learned to keep going- The one decision that changed everything- What I wish I knew when I started- Why “consistency” is harder than it looks- How I made this podcast different good — not just “another show”Timestamps⁠00:00⁠ - Introduction & Podcast Purpose ⁠01:30⁠ - Mina’s Journey: From Pharmacy to Media ⁠03:00⁠ - Inspiration from Oprah Winfrey ⁠05:00⁠ - Starting the Podcast During COVID-19 ⁠07:00⁠ - Transition to Business & Entrepreneurship Focus ⁠09:00⁠ - Challenges of Podcasting: Costs & Teamwork ⁠11:00⁠ - Building Partnerships and Sponsorships ⁠13:00⁠ - The Importance of In-Person Interviews ⁠15:00⁠ - Achieving Top 10 Podcast Status ⁠17:00⁠ - Dealing with Analytics & Low Views ⁠19:00⁠ - Favorite Guests & Memorable Moments ⁠21:00⁠ - Lessons Learned: Consistency, Commitment, and Growth ⁠23:00⁠ - Building Community & Future VisionIf you’ve ever doubted your voice mattered…If you’ve wanted to be more visible, but feared judgment…If you’re building something of your own, with more heart than hype…Then this one’s for you.💬 Drop your questions in the comments — I want to know what you’re loving about this podcast? What's your favourite episode? 👇 Watch the full episode and don’t forget to subscribe if you believe in honest, unfiltered, high-trust conversations that matter.🔔 Subscribe here: / @notesfromtheexecutivepodcast 🎧 Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/bZEwmCLzcv0?si=rOzwNoG2Q7gm_k-R💼 Want to be on a podcast? Visit https://podcastguest.co.nz📩 For brand partnerships or guest opportunities: [email protected]#NotesFromTheExecutive #MinaAmso #PodcastingNZ #WomenInBusiness #VisibilityMatters #EntrepreneurshipNZ #ImposterSyndrome #NZPodcasts #podcastjourney

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• Flexible Work That Boosts Profits & Productivity | Ellen Ford (NZ)

  Former New Zealand Army officer Ellen Ford (PhD) reveals flexible work strategies from “Work School Hours” to lift profits and productivity, business tips on time management and self-improvement. ABOUT THE EPISODEEllen Ford—ex–NZ Army officer, leadership PhD, TEDx speaker, and author of “Work School Hours” - shares a pragmatic blueprint for flexible work that raises productivity, profits, and employee wellbeing. We cover Belonging, Autonomy, Purpose leadership, outputs-over-hours, and steps any employer can apply across New Zealand, Australia, and beyond. What you’ll learn◽️ Flexible work that boosts profits andproductivity (not just perks)◽️ Belonging–Autonomy–Purpose: the leadership modelthat scales◽️ Outputs-over-hours: measure results, notpresence◽️ Time management tactics that remove busywork◽️ Policies and scripts that support parentswithout losing performance◽️ Lessons from military leadership and NZ Armyimplementation◽️ How to pilot “Work School Hours” in any team Episode Sponsorwww.podcastguest.co.nz Timestamps00:00 Intro and why this episode matters for leaders andparents00:37 What changes when work is designed for people—profitsincluded02:42 Ellen’s mission to improve the working world03:34 Self-efficacy, impossible missions, and changingsystems05:35 The Afghanistan evacuation lesson: audacity andteamwork06:12 Motherhood, business, and the origin of “Work SchoolHours”07:08 Data from 500+ parents: three broken outcomes to fix08:31 From PhD to practice: leadership research meets realworkplaces09:11 Advising the NZ Army: inclusive leadership and policyimplementation10:25 What needed to change: pregnancy, return-to-work, andphysical standards12:24 Policy vs. practice: why implementation makes orbreaks change17:50 From talks to a movement: book, TEDx, and publishing22:52 Real stories: breastfeeding, field exercises, andcorporate parallels27:21 Why “we used to do it this way” isn’t a strategy31:02 The three principles: value life outside work, focuson outputs, enable flexibility33:51 For SMB owners: use flexibility to win top talent youcan’t out-pay36:09 Outputs over hours: motivate efficiency without fear38:31 NZ productivity problem: long hours ≠ high value40:45 Kill busywork: align tasks to outcomes people are paidfor42:13 Market response: why companies are booking this worknow45:01 Belonging–Autonomy–Purpose explained (and why profitsfollow)49:24 Case study: the dairy farm that transformed teamworkand leave52:37 Autonomy example: presenteeism vs. real productivity54:59 Purpose that motivates: linking tasks to businessimpact59:15 Future of work: flexible, commercial, and leader-led1:03:22 Free eBook for listeners (code below)1:05:03 Final takeaway: “There’s more in us than we think” Follow me:LinkedIn: linkin.bio/minaamso Follow Ellen:https://www.ellenjoanford.com/Use code MINA100 on Ellen’s website shop page to get Ellen's Book Follow me:linkin.bio/minaamso Listen on:Apple podcast: https://shorturl.at/UkJ8vSpotify: https://shorturl.at/YW7bX Episode Sponsor:www.podcastguest.co.nz

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• Lean Startup Mistakes That Destroy You Early On

  Steven Zinsli knows what startup mistakes are like. He launched his first startup business at 22, later starting Extraordinary, a fast-growing company transforming employee benefits across New Zealand and Australia. In this Episode, Steven shares:⬜ Early startup mistakes and lessons learned.⬜ How Extraordinary evolved and succeeded.⬜ Building networks and a personal brand.⬜ Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.Episode Sponsor: www.podcastguest.co.nzTimestamp00:00 –Intro02:02 – Growing up with discipline and resilience04:05 – Why founders must love winning | Entrepreneurial mindset explained06:45 – How to start a business after university in New Zealand | 08:15 – First healthcare startup at 22 | Lessons learned from early mistakes09:27 – How to validate startup ideas with customers10:06 – Pivoting a failed idea into success | Startup adaptability and investor feedback14:26 – Building a scalable business model | From healthcare to extraordinary card16:14 – How to get honest investor feedback 17:22 – Scaling to 220+ corporate clients in NZ and Australia18:38 – Pros and cons of being a solo founder20:57 – How to find early investors in New Zealand | Networking and building trust22:39 – Business networking tips | How to grow relationships with investors & advisors26:35 – Why brand building matters for startups | Personal and business branding tips28:52 – Personal brand strategy for entrepreneurs 30:16 – B2B sales strategy in New Zealand | How to land enterprise clients33:21 – How events help you close business deals | Using speakers and experiences34:58 – Startup founder challenges | How to survive discomfort and hard times36:21 – Advice for 22-year-old entrepreneurs | Why experience before a startup helps40:21 – Understanding fiscal buying cycles | Key dates for startup sales strategy42:00 – Customer obsession in startups | Why founders must stay close to customers45:17 – Best way to raise startup capital47:26 – Choosing the right investors | More than just money in capital partnerships49:24 – Why entrepreneurs must think big | Bold mindset for billion-dollar companies50:25 – Biggest mistakes in business | Cash flow, contracts, and financial oversight51:34 – Best decisions in business | Avoiding business death and choosing survival53:33 – Top 3 lessons every entrepreneur must learn | Team, numbers, contracts55:41 – Speed vs slow decisions in business | When to act fast or hold back59:01 – Best industries for entrepreneurs in New Zealand 1:00:26 – Why passion fuels startups | Personal backstory driving extraordinary card1:01:03 – Scaling from New Zealand to global markets1:01:47 – Where to connect with Steven Zinsli | LinkedIn and extraordinary websiteFollow me: LinkedIn: linkin.bio/minaamsoFollow Steven:Website:https://www.extraordinarypay.com/Listen on: Apple podcast: https://shorturl.at/UkJ8vSpotify: https://shorturl.at/YW7bXWatch latest episodes:https://shorturl.at/zpgv5Episode Sponsor: www.podcastguest.co.nz

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• Easy Crypto: The $4 Billion Fintech Success Story

  Easy Crypto co-founder Janine Grainge started the fintech company in late 2017. Within four years, she’d scaled it to over 250k users and more than NZD $2 billion in trades, smashing big goals in record time.Janine talks about how to start a business with no money, how an entrepreneur mindset work, and how her fintech story shaped how New Zealand do cypto. This fintech startup story started as a business with no money and they have no ideas.She is recognised globally as the crypto expert, a Hi-Tech Inspiring Individual 2023, a Women in Web3 Changemaker, and a UoA 40 Under 40 Innovator.Episode Sponsorwww.podcastguest.co.nzWe cover:- Saying no to “no”.- When a bank wouldn’t open an account.- When her platform gets banned from advertising.- and when a CEO who won’t “shill” in Facebook groups… becomes the companys Australian country manager out of a ban.Timestamp00:00 – Intro02:52 – Janine Grainger childhood lessons on money and resilience04:40 – Should you drop out of high school to become an entrepreneur?07:09 – How to deal with imposter syndrome as a startup founder09:02 – Why Janine believed in Bitcoin before it was mainstream10:36 – The future of digital money and financial systems going digital12:12 – What disruption in crypto really means for New Zealand startups13:28 – How Easy Crypto grew fast with automation and lean operations14:22 – The crazy story of how Janine’s brother built Easy Crypto in 5 days16:31 – Co-founder dynamics: Building a business with your sibling17:32 – How startup co-founders grow together: equity splits, roles & relationship changes21:10 – The power of dreaming big in business (BHAG explained)23:29 – Where young entrepreneurs in New Zealand can find free startup support25:08 – How to validate your business idea and get product-market fit29:10 – How Easy Crypto got customers without paid ads or Google marketing30:45 – How Easy Crypto grew through Facebook groups without shilling (banned story that led to Australia expansion)32:39 – Customer growth journey: From 10M in 18 months to 10M daily turnover34:39 – How Easy Crypto survived competitors copying their code (startup moat story)36:27 – How Easy Crypto convinced KiwiBank after every NZ bank said no (startup banking struggle)40:58 – Easy Crypto expansion into South Africa and the Global South43:37 – Why is cryptocurrency so volatile? Truth about Bitcoin spikes44:47 – The “Wild West” days of crypto and how regulation changed everything47:51 – Why Easy Crypto sold to Swyftx: regulation, costs & consolidation50:56 – Janine’s best business decision vs biggest mistake as a founder53:49 – Finding your WHY as an entrepreneur when the industry changes56:13 – How to connect with Janine Grainger on LinkedInFollow Janine:www.easycrypto.comFollow me: linkin.bio/minaamsoListen on: Apple podcast: https://shorturl.at/UkJ8vSpotify: https://shorturl.at/YW7bXEpisode Sponsor:www.podcastguest.co.nz

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• How ChatGPT & AI Is Changing Shopping Forever!

  Richard Conway is the founder of Pure SEO, one of New Zealand’s top digital agencies. From $200 and a dream, he built a multimillion-dollar business and is now leading his company into an era of AI-driven search and zero-click marketing.In this episode, Richard reveals how Shopify’s ChatGPT integration lets people shop directly with AI potentially making traditional websites not needed. He shares how clients have found him through ChatGPT, and what that means for the future of e-commerce.you’ll learn:adapt or die: the only AI strategy that works for 2025personal branding: the secret growth weapon for entrepreneurshow to get noticed in a zero-click world (without paying for ads)the #1 ai mistake every business makes (and the simple fix you need)timestamps:00:00 – intro01:06 – welcome back richard conway: founder of pure seo new zealand01:54 – how pure seo started with $200 and a bottle of vodka02:36 – is seo dead in the era of ai search?04:29 – seo vs geo vs aeo: what’s the difference?05:10 – the rise of zero-click searches on google07:26 – how to optimise for ai-generated summaries08:44 – leveraging sources and citations for ai search rankings10:00 – avoiding spammy seo tactics in the ai era11:30 – why reddit and quora influence ai search results14:34 – simple steps for businesses to improve ai search presence16:39 – the unique edge humans have over ai20:00 – identifying where your customers are and showing up there21:42 – building brand mentions through community engagement22:32 – the power of first-party data in a cookieless future23:36 – why personal branding is crucial in the ai era24:25 – richard’s personal branding strategy and pillars26:24 – starting a personal brand from scratch28:45 – business brand vs personal brand in 202530:00 – standing out by doing things differently31:35 – networking through cold approaches32:41 – how ai tools like chatgpt choose the “best companies”35:00 – the paid listings problem in ai recommendations36:31 – overlap between optimising for google ai and openai37:10 – following seo thought leaders for ai search insights38:20 – why enduring marketing principles still matter in ai search39:05 – the evolution of search since 200940:22 – understanding large language model source selection41:56 – combining pr, seo, and ai strategy for long-term wins43:30 – how to adapt quickly to ai-driven search changes44:55 – building authority through consistent brand mentions46:40 – leveraging ai search insights for competitive advantage48:05 – why google’s ai search is still the wild west49:22 – long-term vs short-term ai search strategies50:50 – the importance of transparency in ai search marketing52:15 – how to make your brand appealing to ai search engines53:30 – measuring success in the ai search era54:48 – overcoming misinformation in ai search results56:05 – how ai is reshaping the digital marketing landscape57:26 – preparing your business for the next ai search shift58:42 – final advice for businesses on ai and seo01:00:15 – why now is the time to embrace ai in marketingfollow richard:linkedin: linkedin.com/in/pureseowatch on youtube:https://youtu.be/7-7qiWeSBJopodcast sponsor:www.podcastguest.co.nz#richardconway #richardconwayseo #richardconwayauthor #richardconwayentrepreneur #pureseofounder #pureseo #seoentrepreneurnz #digitalmarketingnz #howtogettothetopofgoogle #seoexpert #searchengineoptimisation #searchmarketing

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