Make It Happen with Iyia Liu Archiv
118 Episoden
31 Minuten
Taking over an established business comes with a completely different challenge - how do you make it your own without losing what made it successful in the first place?
In this episode, I sit down with Sera Cruickshank, owner of The Diamond Shop, to talk about how she transformed a 30-year-old business and built a modern luxury brand with a strong online presence.
Sera shares how she approached rebranding the business, creating a more elevated customer experience and using social media and influencer partnerships to grow - without relying on paid advertising.
We also get into taking calculated risks, dealing with doubt and uncertainty and the mindset Sera has developed to keep moving forward when she doesn’t have all the answers.
Sera also opens up about balancing entrepreneurship with motherhood, the importance of having the right support around you and why sometimes the best way to build something is to start small, ask for help and take action before you feel completely ready.
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
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In this episode, I sit down with Sera Cruickshank, owner of The Diamond Shop, to talk about how she transformed a 30-year-old business and built a modern luxury brand with a strong online presence.
Sera shares how she approached rebranding the business, creating a more elevated customer experience and using social media and influencer partnerships to grow - without relying on paid advertising.
We also get into taking calculated risks, dealing with doubt and uncertainty and the mindset Sera has developed to keep moving forward when she doesn’t have all the answers.
Sera also opens up about balancing entrepreneurship with motherhood, the importance of having the right support around you and why sometimes the best way to build something is to start small, ask for help and take action before you feel completely ready.
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
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46 Minuten
Celebration Box started with limited money, a simple idea and a lot of figuring things out as we went.
In this episode, Jayde and I go back to the beginning of Celebration Box and unpack how I got the business off the ground - from bootstrapping and finding the right people to work with, to using influencer marketing and partnerships to get the brand in front of customers.
I share some of the challenges we didn’t anticipate, including shipping disasters, logistics, perishable products and mistakes with customer orders - and what those early problems taught me about running and scaling a business.
We also get into marketing, building a strong team, leveraging your network and why you don’t need to have every part of your business figured out before you start.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned from building businesses is that sometimes you just have to take action, listen to the feedback and solve the problems as they come.
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
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In this episode, Jayde and I go back to the beginning of Celebration Box and unpack how I got the business off the ground - from bootstrapping and finding the right people to work with, to using influencer marketing and partnerships to get the brand in front of customers.
I share some of the challenges we didn’t anticipate, including shipping disasters, logistics, perishable products and mistakes with customer orders - and what those early problems taught me about running and scaling a business.
We also get into marketing, building a strong team, leveraging your network and why you don’t need to have every part of your business figured out before you start.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned from building businesses is that sometimes you just have to take action, listen to the feedback and solve the problems as they come.
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
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29 Minuten
Acting is an industry where rejection is part of the job - so how do you keep backing yourself when you’re constantly being told no?
In this episode, I sit down with actor Courtenay Louise, known for playing Monique on Shortland Street, to talk about the reality of building a career in the entertainment industry.
Courtenay opens up about dealing with rejection, managing the uncertainty that comes with acting and why having the right people around you can make such a difference when you’re chasing an ambitious career.
We also get into manifestation and believing in the opportunities you want to create, alongside the less glamorous side of success - managing stress, prioritising self-care and finding balance when work starts taking over.
Courtenay shares why she’s learned to celebrate the small wins, keep going through setbacks and not let rejection stop her from pursuing what she wants.
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
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In this episode, I sit down with actor Courtenay Louise, known for playing Monique on Shortland Street, to talk about the reality of building a career in the entertainment industry.
Courtenay opens up about dealing with rejection, managing the uncertainty that comes with acting and why having the right people around you can make such a difference when you’re chasing an ambitious career.
We also get into manifestation and believing in the opportunities you want to create, alongside the less glamorous side of success - managing stress, prioritising self-care and finding balance when work starts taking over.
Courtenay shares why she’s learned to celebrate the small wins, keep going through setbacks and not let rejection stop her from pursuing what she wants.
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
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26 Minuten
What does it actually take to turn an idea into a successful online brand?
In this episode, I sit down with Gabrielle Kirk, founder of Papier HQ, to unpack how she started and grew her online retail business specialising in personalised stationery, prints and wall art.
Gabby shares what the early days really looked like, from teaching herself the skills she needed and creating a business plan to finding a mentor who could give her guidance, accountability and a fresh perspective as the business grew.
We get into the marketing strategies she’s used to build her customer base, including influencer collaborations, events, paid ads, email funnels and retargeting - and what she’s learned about turning first-time customers into repeat buyers.
Gabby also opens up about the sacrifices that come with running your own business, the flexibility and opportunities it can create, and her advice for anyone sitting on an idea but unsure how to turn it into something real.
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
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In this episode, I sit down with Gabrielle Kirk, founder of Papier HQ, to unpack how she started and grew her online retail business specialising in personalised stationery, prints and wall art.
Gabby shares what the early days really looked like, from teaching herself the skills she needed and creating a business plan to finding a mentor who could give her guidance, accountability and a fresh perspective as the business grew.
We get into the marketing strategies she’s used to build her customer base, including influencer collaborations, events, paid ads, email funnels and retargeting - and what she’s learned about turning first-time customers into repeat buyers.
Gabby also opens up about the sacrifices that come with running your own business, the flexibility and opportunities it can create, and her advice for anyone sitting on an idea but unsure how to turn it into something real.
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
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19 Minuten
Getting your product onto retail shelves can completely change the scale of your business - but how do you actually convince a retailer to stock you?
In this episode, I’m breaking down what you need to know about getting your products into retail stores, from building demand online first to researching the right retailers and putting together a strong pitch.
I share why getting stocked can help you reach new customers, increase sales and build credibility for your brand, as well as some of the trade-offs you need to consider - including smaller margins and potential exclusivity agreements.
I also get into what retailers are looking for, why you need to understand your unique selling proposition and why starting with smaller retailers can be a smart way to prove demand before going bigger.
Getting into retail takes research, preparation and persistence - but the right retail partnership can open your business up to an entirely new audience.
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
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In this episode, I’m breaking down what you need to know about getting your products into retail stores, from building demand online first to researching the right retailers and putting together a strong pitch.
I share why getting stocked can help you reach new customers, increase sales and build credibility for your brand, as well as some of the trade-offs you need to consider - including smaller margins and potential exclusivity agreements.
I also get into what retailers are looking for, why you need to understand your unique selling proposition and why starting with smaller retailers can be a smart way to prove demand before going bigger.
Getting into retail takes research, preparation and persistence - but the right retail partnership can open your business up to an entirely new audience.
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.
27 Minuten
You don’t need to invent something the world has never seen before to build a successful business.
In this episode, I’m breaking down one of the biggest misconceptions I see aspiring entrepreneurs get stuck on - believing they need a completely original idea before they can start.
Some of the most successful businesses are built around products, services and ideas that already exist. The difference is in how you position them, who you sell them to and what you do better than everyone else.
I get into how to find opportunities in existing markets, identify underserved customers, build a strong brand and put your own spin on an idea without trying to reinvent the wheel.
I also share why starting with a proven concept can actually reduce risk, save you time and money and give you the opportunity to learn from what others have already done.
You don’t always need the next big idea. Sometimes you just need to take an existing one and do it differently.
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
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In this episode, I’m breaking down one of the biggest misconceptions I see aspiring entrepreneurs get stuck on - believing they need a completely original idea before they can start.
Some of the most successful businesses are built around products, services and ideas that already exist. The difference is in how you position them, who you sell them to and what you do better than everyone else.
I get into how to find opportunities in existing markets, identify underserved customers, build a strong brand and put your own spin on an idea without trying to reinvent the wheel.
I also share why starting with a proven concept can actually reduce risk, save you time and money and give you the opportunity to learn from what others have already done.
You don’t always need the next big idea. Sometimes you just need to take an existing one and do it differently.
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
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40 Minuten
Your 20s can feel like the decade where you’re supposed to have everything figured out… when in reality, most of us are making it up as we go.
In this episode, Leah and I sit down to talk about some of the biggest lessons we’ve learned about navigating your 20s - from figuring out what you actually want to do with your life to managing money, taking risks and learning to stop comparing your timeline to everyone else’s.
We talk about finding your passion, investing in yourself, exploring different career paths and why university isn’t necessarily the only route to building a successful career.
We also get into stepping outside your comfort zone, asking for help, dealing with failure and learning to embrace change rather than being afraid of it.
Your 20s aren’t about having all the answers. They’re about trying things, making mistakes, backing yourself and giving yourself permission to change direction along the way.
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
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In this episode, Leah and I sit down to talk about some of the biggest lessons we’ve learned about navigating your 20s - from figuring out what you actually want to do with your life to managing money, taking risks and learning to stop comparing your timeline to everyone else’s.
We talk about finding your passion, investing in yourself, exploring different career paths and why university isn’t necessarily the only route to building a successful career.
We also get into stepping outside your comfort zone, asking for help, dealing with failure and learning to embrace change rather than being afraid of it.
Your 20s aren’t about having all the answers. They’re about trying things, making mistakes, backing yourself and giving yourself permission to change direction along the way.
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
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38 Minuten
It’s often the small money decisions we make every day that end up costing us the most.
In this episode, I sit down with financial adviser Lisa Dudson to unpack some of the most common money mistakes - and the habits that can help you take control of your finances and build more freedom into your life.
We talk about credit cards, Buy Now Pay Later, impulse spending and forgotten subscriptions, as well as why having a clear spending plan can completely change the way you manage your money.
Lisa also breaks down the power of starting early, setting short, medium and long-term financial goals and putting your money to work through saving and investing.
We also get into something I think is really important: being intentional about what you actually value. Because managing money isn’t necessarily about spending less on everything - it’s about making smarter decisions about where your money goes and what you want it to do for you.
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
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In this episode, I sit down with financial adviser Lisa Dudson to unpack some of the most common money mistakes - and the habits that can help you take control of your finances and build more freedom into your life.
We talk about credit cards, Buy Now Pay Later, impulse spending and forgotten subscriptions, as well as why having a clear spending plan can completely change the way you manage your money.
Lisa also breaks down the power of starting early, setting short, medium and long-term financial goals and putting your money to work through saving and investing.
We also get into something I think is really important: being intentional about what you actually value. Because managing money isn’t necessarily about spending less on everything - it’s about making smarter decisions about where your money goes and what you want it to do for you.
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
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30 Minuten
Poppy Ramsay started out as an intern at my social media and digital marketing agency. Today, she owns it.
In this episode, I sit down with Poppy to unpack how she went from learning the ropes as an intern to eventually taking over the business I started - and what she’s learned about running and growing a marketing agency along the way.
I also share how I accidentally started the agency and grew it to managing between 70–90 clients a month on retainer before eventually handing over the reins.
We get into how to land and retain clients, why testimonials and case studies are so important when you’re starting out, standing out in a competitive industry and how Poppy stays ahead of constantly changing social media and marketing trends.
Poppy also shares her advice for anyone wanting to break into the marketing industry and why she believes the future of marketing is becoming less polished and more focused on authentic content, storytelling and building genuine trust with your audience.
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
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In this episode, I sit down with Poppy to unpack how she went from learning the ropes as an intern to eventually taking over the business I started - and what she’s learned about running and growing a marketing agency along the way.
I also share how I accidentally started the agency and grew it to managing between 70–90 clients a month on retainer before eventually handing over the reins.
We get into how to land and retain clients, why testimonials and case studies are so important when you’re starting out, standing out in a competitive industry and how Poppy stays ahead of constantly changing social media and marketing trends.
Poppy also shares her advice for anyone wanting to break into the marketing industry and why she believes the future of marketing is becoming less polished and more focused on authentic content, storytelling and building genuine trust with your audience.
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
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30 Minuten
What does a PR agency actually do - and when should you consider PR for your business?
In this episode, I sit down with Bella Brant from Rise and Shine PR to go behind the scenes of the PR industry and unpack how brands use PR to build their reputation, get people talking and generate media coverage.
We get into what a typical day inside a PR agency looks like, from working with influencers and preparing events to pitching media and managing campaigns. Bella also shares how PR has evolved alongside influencer marketing and why building genuine relationships with media and creators is still such an important part of getting results.
We also talk about measuring whether a PR campaign has actually worked, setting the right KPIs and what business owners should understand before investing in PR.
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
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In this episode, I sit down with Bella Brant from Rise and Shine PR to go behind the scenes of the PR industry and unpack how brands use PR to build their reputation, get people talking and generate media coverage.
We get into what a typical day inside a PR agency looks like, from working with influencers and preparing events to pitching media and managing campaigns. Bella also shares how PR has evolved alongside influencer marketing and why building genuine relationships with media and creators is still such an important part of getting results.
We also talk about measuring whether a PR campaign has actually worked, setting the right KPIs and what business owners should understand before investing in PR.
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
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21 Minuten
Everyone wants to be successful… but what does success actually look like?
In this episode, I’m sharing what success means to me and some of the biggest lessons I’ve learned while building businesses, chasing ambitious goals and figuring out what I actually want from my life.
I get into setting goals, creating a plan, finding opportunities, investing in yourself and staying committed when things don’t happen as quickly as you hoped.
Because success doesn’t happen overnight - and there’s no single roadmap that works for everyone. It comes down to getting clear on what you want, backing yourself and being willing to keep going.
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 what success means to me and some of the biggest lessons I’ve learned while building businesses, chasing ambitious goals and figuring out what I actually want from my life.
I get into setting goals, creating a plan, finding opportunities, investing in yourself and staying committed when things don’t happen as quickly as you hoped.
Because success doesn’t happen overnight - and there’s no single roadmap that works for everyone. It comes down to getting clear on what you want, backing yourself and being willing to keep going.
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
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29 Minuten
Turning a side hustle into your full-time job sounds like the dream… but how do you actually know when you’re ready to make the leap?
In this episode, I’m breaking down what it takes to turn a side hustle into a real, sustainable business - drawing on my own experience of building businesses from the ground up.
I get into finding the right idea, setting clear goals, creating a plan, managing your money and knowing when it’s time to start scaling. I also share why investing in yourself and surrounding yourself with the right people can make such a difference when you’re starting out.
Because having a great idea is only the beginning. Turning it into something that can actually replace your income takes commitment, smart decisions and the willingness to keep going when things don’t happen overnight.
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
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In this episode, I’m breaking down what it takes to turn a side hustle into a real, sustainable business - drawing on my own experience of building businesses from the ground up.
I get into finding the right idea, setting clear goals, creating a plan, managing your money and knowing when it’s time to start scaling. I also share why investing in yourself and surrounding yourself with the right people can make such a difference when you’re starting out.
Because having a great idea is only the beginning. Turning it into something that can actually replace your income takes commitment, smart decisions and the willingness to keep going when things don’t happen overnight.
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
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28 Minuten
Make It Happen is the podcast for ambitious people who want to start, build and grow a business.
I’m Iyia Liu - entrepreneur, investor and founder of Make It Happen. I’ve built, scaled and sold multi-million-dollar businesses, had ideas that took off, made plenty of mistakes along the way, and learned first-hand what it actually takes to turn an idea into something real.
Each week, I share the strategies and lessons I’ve learned from building businesses, alongside honest conversations with founders, entrepreneurs and experts about what happens behind the scenes of success.
We talk business, money, marketing, mindset and everything that comes with backing yourself and building something of your own.
No fluff. Just real experiences, practical advice and conversations designed to help you make it happen.
Book a strategy call: https://www.makeithappen.org.nz/
Subscribe for weekly episodes on business, mindset, and building your dream life
Learn more: http://makeithappen.org.nz/
Instagram: @makeithappen
The information, opinions and recommendations presented in this podcast are for general informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
I’m Iyia Liu - entrepreneur, investor and founder of Make It Happen. I’ve built, scaled and sold multi-million-dollar businesses, had ideas that took off, made plenty of mistakes along the way, and learned first-hand what it actually takes to turn an idea into something real.
Each week, I share the strategies and lessons I’ve learned from building businesses, alongside honest conversations with founders, entrepreneurs and experts about what happens behind the scenes of success.
We talk business, money, marketing, mindset and everything that comes with backing yourself and building something of your own.
No fluff. Just real experiences, practical advice and conversations designed to help you make it happen.
Book a strategy call: https://www.makeithappen.org.nz/
Subscribe for weekly episodes on business, mindset, and building your dream life
Learn more: http://makeithappen.org.nz/
Instagram: @makeithappen
The information, opinions and recommendations presented in this podcast are for general informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
