The SME Stream

EPISODE 112: Vanya Insull started VJ Cooks in 2016 with a Facebook page sharing videos of what she was cooking for her own family. Ten years later, it's a website with 800+ recipes, a meal planning app (CookPlan), three cookbooks (with a fourth on the way), and a social media following approaching a million people. 🍴
In this episode, Vanya takes us through the whole journey, from those first Facebook videos through to the systems, the team, and the decisions that turned a passion project into a genuine business.
We talk about:
🧾 The workflow and checklists that keep it all running
📅 Planning around the school term
📱 Content planning and social media - sooooo much insight!
🤝 Outsourcing early, even before you feel ready
🍰 Choosing collaboration over competition with other creators
Vanya is warm, funny and an open book. I got so much out of this episode and I know you will too.

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What happens when organisations genuinely listen to their people and act on what they hear?
In this episode of HR Unlocked, Lisa Oakley sits down with Maria Coupland, General Manager People & Culture at Finance Now, to explore employee experience, leadership, culture, and the commercial realities of building high-performing workplaces.
Drawing on experience across multiple industries and countries, Maria shares practical insights into creating meaningful employee experiences, building trust through action, and partnering with leaders to drive business outcomes through people.
From leadership development and culture champions to employee engagement, recognition, and commercial HR, this conversation explores how organisations can create workplaces where people feel heard, valued, and motivated to contribute.
What You'll Learn
How employee experience drives engagement and retention

Why listening to employees is only valuable if you act on the feedback

How Culture Champions can strengthen workplace culture

The role recognition plays in engagement and performance

Why leadership development should be continuous, not event-based

How HR can build credibility through commercial thinking

What it means to be a true business partner

Key Takeaways
Great employee experiences start with listening and follow-through

Trust is built through consistency and action

Leadership development works best when leaders learn together

HR creates the most value when it's connected to business outcomes

Small changes can have a significant impact on engagement and culture

About Maria Coupland
Maria Coupland is General Manager People & Culture at Finance Now. With experience across multiple sectors and countries, she is passionate about creating workplaces where people can thrive while delivering strong business outcomes through practical, people-focused leadership.
Why This Episode Matters
As organisations compete for talent and navigate ongoing change, employee experience has become a critical driver of performance, retention, and culture. This episode provides practical insights for leaders, HR professionals, and business owners looking to create workplaces where people genuinely want to stay and contribute.
Resources
Maria Coupland | LinkedIn
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Nicola Willis says the National's new proposed increase to the fuel tax, the new bed tax and the possible bank levy aren't new information.
A Taxpayers' Union Curia Issue poll shows 76 percent of National supporters want the party to promise no new taxes or tax increases.
The party yesterday outlined a promise for fiscal responsibility - including a commitment to lower the debt to GDP ratio and to get the books back into surplus.
Finance Minister Nicola Willis says these proposals have been documented and National's simply being straight with voters.
"Three issues we've already been very open and upfront about, and I can be very clear with you that there is nothing that we are considering that you haven't heard about."
LISTEN ABOVE
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Property markets always favour either the buyer or the seller - someone's gonna get more out of it.
It's hard to know what move to make in the property market, and even harder to know when.
Harcourts Managing Director Martin Cooper joins Tim Beveridge to answer your questions about the property market, and how to know when to buy, sell or hold.
LISTEN ABOVE
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The Cost of Living Crisis has driven a lot of Kiwis to look for financial advice, and many turn to AI over a financial advisor. But is AI really that reliable as a source of financial advice?
And investing in AI seems to be the thing to do at the moment, is it somethng you should be getting in to or watching with caution?
Money Coach Amanda Morrall joins Tim Beveridge on Smart Money to discuss.
LISTEN ABOVE
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