Make It Happen with Iyia Liu Archiv
118 Episoden
29 Minuten
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.
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.
54 Minuten
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.
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.
57 Minuten
What if the skills you've spent years developing could become your next business?
After nearly 20 years in broadcasting, from sports journalism and Seven Sharp to breakfast radio, Toni Street has turned her experience in front of the camera and behind the microphone into her own business, Confident Communication.
This episode is particularly special because Toni was actually one of my Make It Happen students! I got to see her go from having an idea to launching her own business, selling 50 courses and generating $25,000 in her first six weeks.
Toni joins me to share what it was like going from being an established broadcaster to a first-time business owner, the challenges of turning your knowledge into something people will pay for, and what she learnt about building a business along the way.
She also gives us a masterclass in confident communication, sharing practical tips from nearly two decades on television and radio. We cover how to manage nerves, recover when things go wrong, speak with more confidence and become a better communicator, whether you're pitching your business, presenting to a room or trying to speak confidently to camera for your social media content.
If you've ever wondered how to turn your experience into a business, build a personal brand or become a more confident speaker, there's so much to take away from this conversation.
Share this episode with someone who has valuable skills or knowledge but hasn't yet realised what they could build with them.
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
Toni Street Communication: https://www.tonistreet.com/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
After nearly 20 years in broadcasting, from sports journalism and Seven Sharp to breakfast radio, Toni Street has turned her experience in front of the camera and behind the microphone into her own business, Confident Communication.
This episode is particularly special because Toni was actually one of my Make It Happen students! I got to see her go from having an idea to launching her own business, selling 50 courses and generating $25,000 in her first six weeks.
Toni joins me to share what it was like going from being an established broadcaster to a first-time business owner, the challenges of turning your knowledge into something people will pay for, and what she learnt about building a business along the way.
She also gives us a masterclass in confident communication, sharing practical tips from nearly two decades on television and radio. We cover how to manage nerves, recover when things go wrong, speak with more confidence and become a better communicator, whether you're pitching your business, presenting to a room or trying to speak confidently to camera for your social media content.
If you've ever wondered how to turn your experience into a business, build a personal brand or become a more confident speaker, there's so much to take away from this conversation.
Share this episode with someone who has valuable skills or knowledge but hasn't yet realised what they could build with them.
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
Toni Street Communication: https://www.tonistreet.com/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
23 Minuten
You don’t need years of industry experience to build a successful product brand.
I had never worked in a salon, formulated a haircare product or built an electrical product before starting Tidal Hair. In 2023, the brand did $5.6 million in annual revenue.
In this episode of Make It Happen, I break down exactly how I entered an industry I knew almost nothing about and built a multi-million-dollar brand. From spotting the opportunity and finding a manufacturer on Alibaba, to launching with one hero product, working with influencers and expanding into the US market.
I also share the parts that were much harder to figure out: compliance, product development, Amazon, international fulfilment and the mistakes that cost me time and money. Plus, the three-step framework I’d use today to enter a completely new industry (and what I would do differently if I were starting again!).
If you’ve ever thought, “I don’t know enough about this industry to start,” this episode might change the way you think about building your next business.
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
Share this episode with a business owner who has a product idea but thinks they don’t have enough industry experience to make it happen.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
I had never worked in a salon, formulated a haircare product or built an electrical product before starting Tidal Hair. In 2023, the brand did $5.6 million in annual revenue.
In this episode of Make It Happen, I break down exactly how I entered an industry I knew almost nothing about and built a multi-million-dollar brand. From spotting the opportunity and finding a manufacturer on Alibaba, to launching with one hero product, working with influencers and expanding into the US market.
I also share the parts that were much harder to figure out: compliance, product development, Amazon, international fulfilment and the mistakes that cost me time and money. Plus, the three-step framework I’d use today to enter a completely new industry (and what I would do differently if I were starting again!).
If you’ve ever thought, “I don’t know enough about this industry to start,” this episode might change the way you think about building your next business.
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
Share this episode with a business owner who has a product idea but thinks they don’t have enough industry experience to make it happen.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
53 Minuten
You might not need more traffic. You might just need to stop losing the customers already visiting your website.
In this episode of Make It Happen, we sit down with Nakita Tugaga, founder of e-commerce agency Lenny Rocks, to break down how to turn more website visitors into paying customers.
We get into why people browse but don’t buy, the biggest mistakes hurting your conversion rate, what actually builds trust online, and how to increase your average order value without spending more on ads — including the strategies that added $700,000 in revenue for one client and doubled another brand’s average order value overnight.
Nakita also shares what it’s really taken to build a business alongside raising a child with autism, why becoming a mum made her more ambitious and how building Lenny Rocks has ultimately become about creating security, freedom and a future for her family.
If you’re already getting traffic but know your website should be converting more of it into revenue, this episode is packed with practical changes you can make to get more from the customers you already have.
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
Contact Nikita Tugaga: Lennyrocks.com
Share this episode with an e-commerce business owner who needs to turn more browsers into buyers.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode of Make It Happen, we sit down with Nakita Tugaga, founder of e-commerce agency Lenny Rocks, to break down how to turn more website visitors into paying customers.
We get into why people browse but don’t buy, the biggest mistakes hurting your conversion rate, what actually builds trust online, and how to increase your average order value without spending more on ads — including the strategies that added $700,000 in revenue for one client and doubled another brand’s average order value overnight.
Nakita also shares what it’s really taken to build a business alongside raising a child with autism, why becoming a mum made her more ambitious and how building Lenny Rocks has ultimately become about creating security, freedom and a future for her family.
If you’re already getting traffic but know your website should be converting more of it into revenue, this episode is packed with practical changes you can make to get more from the customers you already have.
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
Contact Nikita Tugaga: Lennyrocks.com
Share this episode with an e-commerce business owner who needs to turn more browsers into buyers.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
48 Minuten
What happens when you stop overthinking business and just give it a crack?
We sit down with Leigh Hart - one of New Zealand’s most recognisable comedians and the entrepreneur behind Wakachangi and SnackaChangi - to unpack how he turned decades of storytelling, creativity and a cult following into brands that stand out on supermarket shelves.
Leigh takes us inside his unconventional approach to business and marketing, from announcing a beer brand on Facebook before he’d figured out how to make it, to landing a meeting with Griffins and testing packaging by literally putting mock-ups on bottle-store shelves to see if people could find them.
We get into why he believes real world behaviour beats focus groups, how to build a brand that can stand on its own without relying on the founder’s personal profile and why knowing what you’re actually good at - then finding the right partners to handle the rest - has been critical to growing his businesses.
Leigh also shares one of the biggest decisions of his career: walking away from his ownership in Wakachangi to take full control of SnackaChangi, why it felt completely counterintuitive at the time, and how trusting his gut gave him the freedom to grow the brand on his own terms.
Plus, we talk Kiwi humour, personal branding, FMCG, expanding into Australia and overseas and why Leigh would rather see someone start imperfectly than spend years planning something they never launch.
If you’re a business owner who tends to overthink the next move, this episode might convince you to stop planning quite so much and start testing.
Ready to take your business further?
Book a 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
Share this episode with a business owner who needs to stop overthinking and give it a shot
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We sit down with Leigh Hart - one of New Zealand’s most recognisable comedians and the entrepreneur behind Wakachangi and SnackaChangi - to unpack how he turned decades of storytelling, creativity and a cult following into brands that stand out on supermarket shelves.
Leigh takes us inside his unconventional approach to business and marketing, from announcing a beer brand on Facebook before he’d figured out how to make it, to landing a meeting with Griffins and testing packaging by literally putting mock-ups on bottle-store shelves to see if people could find them.
We get into why he believes real world behaviour beats focus groups, how to build a brand that can stand on its own without relying on the founder’s personal profile and why knowing what you’re actually good at - then finding the right partners to handle the rest - has been critical to growing his businesses.
Leigh also shares one of the biggest decisions of his career: walking away from his ownership in Wakachangi to take full control of SnackaChangi, why it felt completely counterintuitive at the time, and how trusting his gut gave him the freedom to grow the brand on his own terms.
Plus, we talk Kiwi humour, personal branding, FMCG, expanding into Australia and overseas and why Leigh would rather see someone start imperfectly than spend years planning something they never launch.
If you’re a business owner who tends to overthink the next move, this episode might convince you to stop planning quite so much and start testing.
Ready to take your business further?
Book a 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
Share this episode with a business owner who needs to stop overthinking and give it a shot
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
42 Minuten
Do you actually need to become the face of your business to grow it?
This week on Make It Happen, we sit down with @roimatawilkey founder of @burst digital to unpack how she built a personal brand that has reached more than 200 million people and turned content into a powerful growth channel for her business.
Roi shares how she went from struggling to post consistently to finding repeatable content formats capable of generating millions of views. We break down what actually makes content perform, from hooks and retention to storytelling, testing and knowing when to double down on what works.
We also get into the bigger business case for personal branding: why people buy from people, how showing up consistently builds trust long before someone becomes a customer, and why not every piece of content needs to lead directly to a sale.
Plus, we talk Instagram vs LinkedIn vs TikTok, how to use your analytics to improve your content, where AI fits into your strategy, and why authentic human content could become even more valuable as AI-generated content floods our feeds.
If you’re a business owner looking to build more authority, reach more people and turn your expertise into a brand people know and trust, this episode is for you.
Ready to start building or scale your existing business?
Book a free strategy call: https://www.makeithappen.org.nz/
Subscribe for weekly episodes on business, marketing, mindset and building your dream life
Learn more: http://makeithappen.org.nz/
Instagram: @makeithappen
Share this episode with someone getting ready to launch their first product.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week on Make It Happen, we sit down with @roimatawilkey founder of @burst digital to unpack how she built a personal brand that has reached more than 200 million people and turned content into a powerful growth channel for her business.
Roi shares how she went from struggling to post consistently to finding repeatable content formats capable of generating millions of views. We break down what actually makes content perform, from hooks and retention to storytelling, testing and knowing when to double down on what works.
We also get into the bigger business case for personal branding: why people buy from people, how showing up consistently builds trust long before someone becomes a customer, and why not every piece of content needs to lead directly to a sale.
Plus, we talk Instagram vs LinkedIn vs TikTok, how to use your analytics to improve your content, where AI fits into your strategy, and why authentic human content could become even more valuable as AI-generated content floods our feeds.
If you’re a business owner looking to build more authority, reach more people and turn your expertise into a brand people know and trust, this episode is for you.
Ready to start building or scale your existing business?
Book a free strategy call: https://www.makeithappen.org.nz/
Subscribe for weekly episodes on business, marketing, mindset and building your dream life
Learn more: http://makeithappen.org.nz/
Instagram: @makeithappen
Share this episode with someone getting ready to launch their first product.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
30 Minuten
Finding the right manufacturer is one thing. Making sure they actually deliver the product you agreed on is another.
In Part 2 of our manufacturing series, we sit down with TK Wang, founder of Epic Sourcing, to walk through what happens after you’ve found your supplier - from briefing the factory and developing samples to production, quality checks and shipping your finished product to New Zealand.
We get into how to give your manufacturer a clear product brief, manage sample revisions, approve a golden sample and make sure the final production run matches what you signed off on.
TK also breaks down what you need to agree on before production starts, what to do if your products arrive faulty, and the shipping, customs and compliance considerations that can catch first-time business owners off guard.
If you’re starting a product-based business, manufacturing in China or preparing to place your first bulk order, this episode will help you understand the process and avoid costly mistakes.
Ready to start building or scale your existing business?
Book a free strategy call: https://www.makeithappen.org.nz/
Subscribe for weekly episodes on business, marketing, mindset and building your dream life
Learn more: http://makeithappen.org.nz/
Instagram: @makeithappen
Share this episode with someone getting ready to launch their first product.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In Part 2 of our manufacturing series, we sit down with TK Wang, founder of Epic Sourcing, to walk through what happens after you’ve found your supplier - from briefing the factory and developing samples to production, quality checks and shipping your finished product to New Zealand.
We get into how to give your manufacturer a clear product brief, manage sample revisions, approve a golden sample and make sure the final production run matches what you signed off on.
TK also breaks down what you need to agree on before production starts, what to do if your products arrive faulty, and the shipping, customs and compliance considerations that can catch first-time business owners off guard.
If you’re starting a product-based business, manufacturing in China or preparing to place your first bulk order, this episode will help you understand the process and avoid costly mistakes.
Ready to start building or scale your existing business?
Book a free strategy call: https://www.makeithappen.org.nz/
Subscribe for weekly episodes on business, marketing, mindset and building your dream life
Learn more: http://makeithappen.org.nz/
Instagram: @makeithappen
Share this episode with someone getting ready to launch their first product.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
20 Minuten
At 22, I went from a minimum wage to Making $300,247 in a single month from my first business.
I had no business experience, no connections, and no big bank of savings behind me. Just $6,000 in my account and absolutely no idea what I was doing.
In this episode, I'm breaking down the five phases I've used to start and scale every business I've built - from finding an opportunity people will actually pay for, to launching, landing your first sales and eventually building towards consistent $20K months.
I'm getting into why your idea doesn't need to be original, why competition is actually a good sign, how to stop getting stuck in research mode and self-doubt, and why launching before everything's perfect could be one of the best decisions you ever make.
Ready to build your business to your first $20K month? Book a free strategy call with the Make It Happen team below.
Book a strategy call: https://www.makeithappen.org.nz/
Subscribe for weekly videos on business, mindset, and building your dream life
Learn more: http://makeithappen.org.nz/
Instagram: @makeithappen
Share this video with someone who needs the push to finally start
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
I had no business experience, no connections, and no big bank of savings behind me. Just $6,000 in my account and absolutely no idea what I was doing.
In this episode, I'm breaking down the five phases I've used to start and scale every business I've built - from finding an opportunity people will actually pay for, to launching, landing your first sales and eventually building towards consistent $20K months.
I'm getting into why your idea doesn't need to be original, why competition is actually a good sign, how to stop getting stuck in research mode and self-doubt, and why launching before everything's perfect could be one of the best decisions you ever make.
Ready to build your business to your first $20K month? Book a free strategy call with the Make It Happen team below.
Book a strategy call: https://www.makeithappen.org.nz/
Subscribe for weekly videos on business, mindset, and building your dream life
Learn more: http://makeithappen.org.nz/
Instagram: @makeithappen
Share this video with someone who needs the push to finally start
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
28 Minuten
Spent money on ads and got nothing back? Here’s what you’re getting wrong.
In this episode of Make It Happen, we sit down with Roi Wilkey from Burst Digital, who has helped generate more than $150 million in revenue for businesses, to break down what actually makes Meta ads convert.
We get into how much you should spend on Facebook and Instagram ads, why you should stop boosting posts, how to test your creative and why the ads that look least like ads often perform best.
We also cover retargeting, customer psychology, email marketing, your sales funnel and how to turn more of your ad spend into actual sales. If you’re running ads or thinking about starting, this episode will help you spend smarter, test better and avoid some very expensive mistakes.
Ready to scale your business? Book a strategy call: https://www.makeithappen.org.nz/
Subscribe for weekly videos on business, marketing, mindset and growing your business
Learn more: http://makeithappen.org.nz/
Instagram: @makeithappen
Need Help With Ads? Get in touch with Roi at Burst Digtial
https://www.burstdigital.co.nz/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode of Make It Happen, we sit down with Roi Wilkey from Burst Digital, who has helped generate more than $150 million in revenue for businesses, to break down what actually makes Meta ads convert.
We get into how much you should spend on Facebook and Instagram ads, why you should stop boosting posts, how to test your creative and why the ads that look least like ads often perform best.
We also cover retargeting, customer psychology, email marketing, your sales funnel and how to turn more of your ad spend into actual sales. If you’re running ads or thinking about starting, this episode will help you spend smarter, test better and avoid some very expensive mistakes.
Ready to scale your business? Book a strategy call: https://www.makeithappen.org.nz/
Subscribe for weekly videos on business, marketing, mindset and growing your business
Learn more: http://makeithappen.org.nz/
Instagram: @makeithappen
Need Help With Ads? Get in touch with Roi at Burst Digtial
https://www.burstdigital.co.nz/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
24 Minuten
Think all the good business ideas are already taken? They’re not - you just need to choose the right business model for where you’re starting from.
In this episode, Producer Holli and I break down five business models I think have some of the biggest opportunities in 2026: digital products, service-based subscriptions, events and communities, consulting and coaching, and e-commerce.
We get into how to turn knowledge you already have into something you can sell, why subscriptions can be so powerful for service businesses and how niching down can make you the obvious choice in coaching or consulting.
I also share how Girls In Business grew from a 20-person lunch into an event with more than 900 attendees, what I’ve learned from building e-commerce businesses and how much money you realistically need to get started.
Most importantly, we break down which model could actually make sense for YOU - whether you’ve got $500 and no audience, 50,000 followers you’ve never monetised or you’re an exhausted freelancer looking for a way to scale beyond selling your time.
You don’t need to reinvent the wheel. You need to choose a model that fits your skills, resources and goals - then focus on executing it properly.
Ready to scale your business? Get in touch with the Make It Happen team and we’ll help you figure out where your business is now, where you want to take it and what needs to happen next.
Book a strategy call: https://www.makeithappen.org.nz/
Subscribe for weekly videos on business, mindset and building your dream life
Instagram: @makeithappen
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode, Producer Holli and I break down five business models I think have some of the biggest opportunities in 2026: digital products, service-based subscriptions, events and communities, consulting and coaching, and e-commerce.
We get into how to turn knowledge you already have into something you can sell, why subscriptions can be so powerful for service businesses and how niching down can make you the obvious choice in coaching or consulting.
I also share how Girls In Business grew from a 20-person lunch into an event with more than 900 attendees, what I’ve learned from building e-commerce businesses and how much money you realistically need to get started.
Most importantly, we break down which model could actually make sense for YOU - whether you’ve got $500 and no audience, 50,000 followers you’ve never monetised or you’re an exhausted freelancer looking for a way to scale beyond selling your time.
You don’t need to reinvent the wheel. You need to choose a model that fits your skills, resources and goals - then focus on executing it properly.
Ready to scale your business? Get in touch with the Make It Happen team and we’ll help you figure out where your business is now, where you want to take it and what needs to happen next.
Book a strategy call: https://www.makeithappen.org.nz/
Subscribe for weekly videos on business, mindset and building your dream life
Instagram: @makeithappen
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
45 Minuten
Finding a manufacturer in China is easy. Finding one you can actually trust is the hard part.
In this episode of Make It Happen, we sit down with TK Wang, founder of Epic Sourcing, who has spent more than a decade helping businesses source and manufacture products in China.
We get into how to tell whether you’re dealing with a genuine manufacturer or a middleman, the red flags to look for on Alibaba and why TK recommends getting suppliers on a video call before you place an order.
TK also walks us through the process he recommends before committing to a manufacturer - from creating a golden sample and signing a purchase agreement to having your products independently quality checked before you make the final payment and ship them to New Zealand.
We also talk about minimum order quantities, manufacturing on a small budget, protecting your designs, communicating with suppliers, tech packs and when it might actually make more sense to manufacture locally.
If you’ve got a product idea but have no idea how to find the right manufacturer to bring it to life, start here.
Ready to start building? Join our #1 Business Training today ️
Book a strategy call: https://www.makeithappen.org.nz/
Subscribe for weekly videos on business, mindset, and building your dream life
Learn more: http://makeithappen.org.nz/
Instagram: @makeithappen
Share this video with someone who needs the push to finally start
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode of Make It Happen, we sit down with TK Wang, founder of Epic Sourcing, who has spent more than a decade helping businesses source and manufacture products in China.
We get into how to tell whether you’re dealing with a genuine manufacturer or a middleman, the red flags to look for on Alibaba and why TK recommends getting suppliers on a video call before you place an order.
TK also walks us through the process he recommends before committing to a manufacturer - from creating a golden sample and signing a purchase agreement to having your products independently quality checked before you make the final payment and ship them to New Zealand.
We also talk about minimum order quantities, manufacturing on a small budget, protecting your designs, communicating with suppliers, tech packs and when it might actually make more sense to manufacture locally.
If you’ve got a product idea but have no idea how to find the right manufacturer to bring it to life, start here.
Ready to start building? Join our #1 Business Training today ️
Book a strategy call: https://www.makeithappen.org.nz/
Subscribe for weekly videos on business, mindset, and building your dream life
Learn more: http://makeithappen.org.nz/
Instagram: @makeithappen
Share this video with someone who needs the push to finally start
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
55 Minuten
Kim Crossman has spent more than 20 years building a career in entertainment... but becoming a mum has changed everything.
In this episode of Make It Happen, we sit down with Kim to talk about what happens when the career you’ve spent decades building suddenly isn’t the only thing defining your future.
We talk about the uncertainty of an industry where your next job is never guaranteed, learning to back yourself through change, and how becoming a mum to Coco led Kim to rethink what she wanted her next chapter to look like.
Kim opens up about her experience with postpartum prolapse and how one of the hardest periods of her life exposed a problem she couldn’t stop thinking about. That problem eventually led her to become a co-founder of Vital Bits - a business dedicated to postpartum recovery and wellness products.
We get into career reinvention, starting a business for the first time and using a personal brand to open doors in an entirely new industry.
Subscribe to Make It Happen for more honest conversations about what it actually takes to start, build and grow a business.
Ready to start building? Join our #1 Business Training today ️
Book a strategy call: https://www.makeithappen.org.nz/
Subscribe for weekly videos on business, mindset, and building your dream life
Learn more: http://makeithappen.org.nz/
Instagram: @makeithappen
Share this video with someone who needs the push to finally start
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode of Make It Happen, we sit down with Kim to talk about what happens when the career you’ve spent decades building suddenly isn’t the only thing defining your future.
We talk about the uncertainty of an industry where your next job is never guaranteed, learning to back yourself through change, and how becoming a mum to Coco led Kim to rethink what she wanted her next chapter to look like.
Kim opens up about her experience with postpartum prolapse and how one of the hardest periods of her life exposed a problem she couldn’t stop thinking about. That problem eventually led her to become a co-founder of Vital Bits - a business dedicated to postpartum recovery and wellness products.
We get into career reinvention, starting a business for the first time and using a personal brand to open doors in an entirely new industry.
Subscribe to Make It Happen for more honest conversations about what it actually takes to start, build and grow a business.
Ready to start building? Join our #1 Business Training today ️
Book a strategy call: https://www.makeithappen.org.nz/
Subscribe for weekly videos on business, mindset, and building your dream life
Learn more: http://makeithappen.org.nz/
Instagram: @makeithappen
Share this video with someone who needs the push to finally start
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
14 Minuten
Most people think building wealth is about earning more. But what you do with your money matters just as much as how much you make.
In this episode I’m sharing my 9 money habits that have shaped how I’ve built my wealth and how I think about money altogether.
I’ve learned that looking wealthy and being wealthy are two very different things. From refusing to spend $20 on a drink while owning a $300,000 G-Wagon, to realising that chasing more money was costing me friendships - these are the lessons I wish I’d learned sooner.
Ready to start building? Join our #1 Business Training today ️
Book a strategy call: https://www.makeithappen.org.nz/
Subscribe for weekly videos on business, mindset, and building your dream life
Learn more: http://makeithappen.org.nz/
Instagram: @makeithappen
Share this video with someone who needs the push to finally start
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode I’m sharing my 9 money habits that have shaped how I’ve built my wealth and how I think about money altogether.
I’ve learned that looking wealthy and being wealthy are two very different things. From refusing to spend $20 on a drink while owning a $300,000 G-Wagon, to realising that chasing more money was costing me friendships - these are the lessons I wish I’d learned sooner.
Ready to start building? Join our #1 Business Training today ️
Book a strategy call: https://www.makeithappen.org.nz/
Subscribe for weekly videos on business, mindset, and building your dream life
Learn more: http://makeithappen.org.nz/
Instagram: @makeithappen
Share this video with someone who needs the push to finally start
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
49 Minuten
I’ve built and sold multi-million-dollar businesses. But no one’s ever asked me these questions.
In this episode, Podcast Producer Holli steps out from behind the scenes to turn the mic on me - asking me the unfiltered questions no one’s ever asked.
From paying $300,000 for Kylie Jenner to promote my shapewear brand, to selling the business for $3.3 million, navigating the public fallout of Celebration Box, breaking into supermarket shelves with Brewe, and now helping more than 4,000 entrepreneurs across New Zealand and Australia through Make It Happen - this is the side of business you don’t normally see online.
I get candid about making millions, the decisions that backfired, losing friends because of success, dealing with stalkers, and what REALLY happened behind the scenes when everything blew up publicly…
We also get into the lessons I’ve learned from building, scaling and selling multi-million-dollar businesses, taking calculated risks, breaking into FMCG and supermarkets, and why I believe moving fast beats waiting for everything to be perfect.
Got a burning business question you’ve always wanted to ask me? Drop it in the comments below and we might just answer it in the next Behind The Business episode.
Subscribe for more honest conversations about what it actually takes to build, grow and scale a business.
Book a strategy call: https://www.makeithappen.org.nz/
Subscribe for weekly videos on business, mindset, and building your dream life
Learn more: http://makeithappen.org.nz/
Instagram: @makeithappen
Share this video with someone who needs the push to finally start
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode, Podcast Producer Holli steps out from behind the scenes to turn the mic on me - asking me the unfiltered questions no one’s ever asked.
From paying $300,000 for Kylie Jenner to promote my shapewear brand, to selling the business for $3.3 million, navigating the public fallout of Celebration Box, breaking into supermarket shelves with Brewe, and now helping more than 4,000 entrepreneurs across New Zealand and Australia through Make It Happen - this is the side of business you don’t normally see online.
I get candid about making millions, the decisions that backfired, losing friends because of success, dealing with stalkers, and what REALLY happened behind the scenes when everything blew up publicly…
We also get into the lessons I’ve learned from building, scaling and selling multi-million-dollar businesses, taking calculated risks, breaking into FMCG and supermarkets, and why I believe moving fast beats waiting for everything to be perfect.
Got a burning business question you’ve always wanted to ask me? Drop it in the comments below and we might just answer it in the next Behind The Business episode.
Subscribe for more honest conversations about what it actually takes to build, grow and scale a business.
Book a strategy call: https://www.makeithappen.org.nz/
Subscribe for weekly videos on business, mindset, and building your dream life
Learn more: http://makeithappen.org.nz/
Instagram: @makeithappen
Share this video with someone who needs the push to finally start
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
