In this special series of The SME Stream Podcast, Wilhelmina O’Keeffe steps inside some of Aotearoa’s most loved small and medium businesses - exploring their culture, their stories, and how coffee helps bring people and ideas together.

In this episode, Wilhelmina catches up with Nespresso's very own New Zealand Market Director; Andrew Bowring to discuss the journey of Nespresso coffee from its origin to why it's become such a morning, social ritual both at home and in the office, as an opportunity to strengthening workplace engagement and human connection in a post-COVID culture and environment.

Served by Nespresso Professional

In this special series of The SME Stream Podcast, Wilhelmina O&rsquo;Keeffe steps inside some of Aotearoa&rsquo;s most loved small and medium businesses - exploring their culture, their stories, and how coffee helps bring people and ideas together.
In this episode, Wilhelmina catches up with Nespresso's very own New Zealand Market Director; Andrew Bowring to discuss the journey of Nespresso coffee from its origin to why it's become such a morning, social ritual both at home and in the office, as an opportunity to strengthening workplace engagement and human connection in a post-COVID culture and environment.
Served by <a href="https://www.nespresso.com/pro/nz/en">Nespresso Professional</a>

Special Series: Common Grounds with Nespresso

In this special series of The SME Stream Podcast, Wilhelmina O’Keeffe steps inside some of Aotearoa’s most loved small and medium businesses - exploring their culture, their stories, and how coffee helps bring people and ideas together.

In this episode, Wilhelmina catches up with Dan Mclaughlin; the co-founder and managing director of Scapegrace to explore Scapegrace’s journey of growth and expansion that took them to being one of New Zealand's most recognisable premium spirits brands, and how coffee can strengthen workplace culture and connection, acting as an icebreaker, and the role it has in building success in a business. 

Served by Nespresso Professional

In this special series of The SME Stream Podcast, Wilhelmina O&rsquo;Keeffe steps inside some of Aotearoa&rsquo;s most loved small and medium businesses - exploring their culture, their stories, and how coffee helps bring people and ideas together.
In this episode, Wilhelmina catches up with Dan Mclaughlin; the co-founder and managing director of Scapegrace&nbsp;to explore Scapegrace&rsquo;s journey of growth and expansion that took them to being one of New Zealand's most recognisable premium spirits brands,&nbsp;and how coffee can strengthen workplace culture and connection, acting as an icebreaker,&nbsp;and the role it has in building success in a&nbsp;business.&nbsp;
Served by <a href="https://www.nespresso.com/pro/nz/en">Nespresso Professional</a>

Special Series: Common Grounds with Scapegrace

In this special series of The SME Stream Podcast, Wilhelmina O’Keeffe steps inside some of Aotearoa’s most loved small and medium businesses - exploring their culture, their stories, and how coffee helps bring people and ideas together.

In this episode, Wilhelmina catches up with Portia Lawrence and Gavin Hunt to chat how coffee plays an important role in Signature Homes’ culture, creating informal moments for people to connect, share ideas, and strengthen relationships across the business. These everyday interactions reflect the company’s family-focused, people-first approach, where collaboration, continuous improvement, and a sense of belonging are central to how they work. 

Served by Nespresso Professional

In this special series of The SME Stream Podcast, Wilhelmina O&rsquo;Keeffe steps inside some of Aotearoa&rsquo;s most loved small and medium businesses - exploring their culture, their stories, and how coffee helps bring people and ideas together.
In this episode, Wilhelmina catches up with Portia Lawrence and Gavin Hunt to chat how coffee plays an important role in Signature Homes&rsquo; culture, creating informal moments for people to connect, share ideas, and strengthen relationships across the business. These everyday interactions reflect the company&rsquo;s family-focused, people-first approach, where collaboration, continuous improvement, and a sense of belonging are central to how they work.&nbsp;
Served by <a href="https://www.nespresso.com/pro/nz/en">Nespresso Professional</a>

Special Series: Common Grounds with Signature Homes 

In this special series of The SME Stream Podcast, Wilhelmina O’Keeffe steps inside some of Aotearoa’s most loved small and medium businesses - exploring their culture, their stories, and how coffee helps bring people and ideas together.

In this episode, Wilhelmina catches up with Co-Founder Nicola Taylor to talk about how the coffee machine has become the modern equivalent of the office water cooler. A space where informal conversations happen, new ideas emerge and creativity flourishes outside of traditional meetings.

Served by Nespresso Professional

In this special series of The SME Stream Podcast, Wilhelmina O&rsquo;Keeffe steps inside some of Aotearoa&rsquo;s most loved small and medium businesses - exploring their culture, their stories, and how coffee helps bring people and ideas together.
In this episode, Wilhelmina catches up with Co-Founder Nicola Taylor to talk about how the coffee machine has become the modern equivalent of the office water cooler. A space where informal conversations happen, new ideas emerge and creativity flourishes outside of traditional meetings.
Served by <a href="https://www.nespresso.com/pro/nz/en">Nespresso Professional</a>

Special Series: Common Grounds with Tax Traders

In this special series of The SME Stream Podcast, Wilhelmina O’Keeffe steps inside some of Aotearoa’s most loved small and medium businesses - exploring their culture, their stories, and how coffee helps bring people and ideas together.

In this episode, Wilhelmina catches up with Greig Brebner & Todd Graydon to explore the journey behind their globally recognised brand, Blunt. From building a product that redefines a daily essential to navigating the challenges of Covid and what came after.  

Served by Nespresso Professional

In this special series of The SME Stream Podcast, Wilhelmina O&rsquo;Keeffe steps inside some of Aotearoa&rsquo;s most loved small and medium businesses - exploring their culture, their stories, and how coffee helps bring people and ideas together.
In this episode, Wilhelmina catches up with Greig Brebner &amp; Todd Graydon to explore the journey behind their globally recognised brand, Blunt. From building a product that redefines a daily essential to navigating the challenges of Covid and what came after.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Served by <a href="https://www.nespresso.com/pro/nz/en">Nespresso Professional</a>

Special Series: Common Grounds with Blunt 

In this special series of The SME Stream Podcast, Wilhelmina O’Keeffe steps inside some of Aotearoa’s most loved small and medium businesses - exploring their culture, their stories, and how coffee helps bring people and ideas together. 

In this episode, Wilhelmina catches up with Toni and Christina Sills to chat about the growth, change and culture of their recognisable brand and what it's like to work with family.

Served by Nespresso Professional

In this&nbsp;special&nbsp;series&nbsp;of&nbsp;The&nbsp;SME&nbsp;Stream&nbsp;Podcast,&nbsp;Wilhelmina O&rsquo;Keeffe&nbsp;steps&nbsp;inside some of Aotearoa&rsquo;s most loved small and medium businesses - exploring their culture, their stories, and how coffee helps bring people and ideas together.&nbsp;
In this episode, Wilhelmina catches up with Toni and Christina Sills to chat about the growth, change and culture of their recognisable brand and what it's like to work with family.
Served by <a href="https://www.nespresso.com/pro/nz/en">Nespresso Professional</a>

Special Series: Common Grounds with Sills + Co

It’s hard enough to chase a scientific breakthrough. 

But as New Zealand company Ārepa found out it's even harder and more expenisve to defend your breakthroughs time and time again. 

Ārepa was founded in 2017 and the so called “brain drink” company was growing at a rapid pace when at the end of 2023, they hit a massive speed bump. 

That's when the Ministry for Primary Industries and an Auckland University scientist came out and said the company hadn’tactually proven better brain function at all. 

Ārepa found itself in the headlines, but for all the wrong reasons. 

The company's co-founder and co-chief executive Angus Brown told their story with Kerre Woodham on the latest episode of Bosses Unfiltered. 

LISTEN ABOVE

NOTE: This interview was recorded on June 4th 2025. 

<p style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; margin: 0px 0px 10.6667px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap; vertical-align: baseline; font-kerning: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;">It’s hard enough to chase a scientific breakthrough.&nbsp;
<p style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; margin: 0px 0px 10.6667px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap; vertical-align: baseline; font-kerning: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;">But as New Zealand company Ārepa found out it's even harder and more expenisve to defend your breakthroughs time and time again. 
<p style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; margin: 0px 0px 10.6667px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap; vertical-align: baseline; font-kerning: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;">Ārepa was founded in 2017 and the so called “brain drink” company was growing at a rapid pace when at the end of 2023, they hit a massive speed bump. 
<p style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; margin: 0px 0px 10.6667px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap; vertical-align: baseline; font-kerning: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;">That's when the Ministry for Primary Industries and an Auckland University scientist came out and said the company hadn’tactually proven better brain function at all. 
<p style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; margin: 0px 0px 10.6667px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap; vertical-align: baseline; font-kerning: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;">Ārepa found itself in the headlines, but for all the wrong reasons. 
<p style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; margin: 0px 0px 10.6667px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap; vertical-align: baseline; font-kerning: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;">The company's co-founder and co-chief executive Angus Brown told their story with Kerre Woodham on the latest episode of Bosses Unfiltered. 
<p style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; margin: 0px 0px 10.6667px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap; vertical-align: baseline; font-kerning: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;">LISTEN ABOVE
<p style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; margin: 0px 0px 10.6667px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap; vertical-align: baseline; font-kerning: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;">NOTE: This interview was recorded on June 4th 2025.

Episode 7: Angus Brown

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/11ad73ea-a43a-4a88-9735-b39a01770dce/transcript

New Zealand produces enough food to feed 40 million people. Some of it we consume and some some we export.

 But a staggering 30% of the food we make or grow goes to waste. 

Fruit and vegetables need to look a certain way to make it onto supermarket shelves – or they get tossed.  

Angus Simms and his partner Katie Jackson wanted to tackle that problem - so they started Wonky Box three years ago. 

This is the subscription food box full of wonky fruit and veg that’s delivered to your door. 

Their business has grown way bigger and faster than they ever thought, but it hasn’t been smooth sailing along the way.  

Angus joined Kerre Woodham in the latest episode of Bosses Unfiltered to share his story. 

LISTEN ABOVE

New Zealand produces enough food to feed 40 million people. Some of it we consume and some some we export.
&nbsp;But a staggering 30% of the food we make or grow goes to waste.&nbsp;
Fruit and vegetables need to look a certain way to make it onto supermarket shelves – or they get tossed. &nbsp;
Angus Simms and his partner Katie Jackson wanted to tackle that problem - so they started Wonky Box three years ago.&nbsp;
This is the subscription food box full of wonky fruit and veg that’s delivered to your door.&nbsp;
Their business has grown way bigger and faster than they ever thought, but it hasn’t been smooth sailing along the way. &nbsp;
Angus joined Kerre Woodham in the latest episode of&nbsp;Bosses Unfiltered to share his story.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Episode 6: Angus Simms

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/535070b9-d2f5-485b-9459-b393017708cd/transcript

What do you do, when you have invested all your money into an idea you thought was going off, and then the whole world shuts down?  

Do you try to fight on? Or do you completely change your business to survive? 

That’s the decision Aidan Bartlett faced.  

He’s the co-founder and chief Executive of online marketplace Designer Wardrobe. It was, once upon a time, a designer rental shop.  

Covid-19 wrecked the business but also gave it a new life.  

Aidan Bartlett joined Kerre Woodham in studio in the latest episode of Bosses Unfiltered. 

LISTEN ABOVE

What do you do, when you have invested all your money into an idea you thought was going off, and then the whole world shuts down? &nbsp;
Do you try to fight on? Or do you completely change your business to survive?&nbsp;
That’s the decision Aidan Bartlett faced. &nbsp;
He’s the co-founder and chief Executive of online marketplace Designer Wardrobe. It was, once upon a time, a designer rental shop. &nbsp;
Covid-19 wrecked the business but also gave it a new life. &nbsp;
Aidan Bartlett joined Kerre Woodham in studio in the latest episode of&nbsp;Bosses Unfiltered.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Episode 5: Aidan Bartlett

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/634df0ab-a47e-4974-8ba3-b38c01771e87/transcript

Five years ago, Port of Auckland was struggling with a shocking health and safety record.

Three people had died and many more had been injured at work.

Financially, the company was dealing with a costly but flawed automation project, and COVID added plenty of headaches for the global shipping industry too.

The company needed a complete turnaround, and Roger Gray was picked as the new chief executive to get on with the job.

With a background of 20 years in the Australian Army and roles at Goodman Fielder and Air New Zealand, Roger came with experience in leadership, but this was a big job with big problems.

Roger Gray joined Kerre Woodham in studio for the latest episode of Bosses Unfiltered. 

LISTEN ABOVE

<p style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; margin: 0px 0px 10.6667px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap; vertical-align: baseline; font-kerning: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;">Five years ago, Port of Auckland was struggling with a shocking health and safety record.
<p style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; margin: 0px 0px 10.6667px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap; vertical-align: baseline; font-kerning: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;">Three people had died and many more had been injured at work.
<p style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; margin: 0px 0px 10.6667px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap; vertical-align: baseline; font-kerning: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;">Financially, the company was dealing with a costly but flawed automation project, and COVID added plenty of headaches for the global shipping industry too.
<p style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; margin: 0px 0px 10.6667px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap; vertical-align: baseline; font-kerning: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;">The company needed a complete turnaround, and Roger Gray was picked as the new chief executive to get on with the job.
<p style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; margin: 0px 0px 10.6667px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap; vertical-align: baseline; font-kerning: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;">With a background of 20 years in the Australian Army and roles at Goodman Fielder and Air New Zealand, Roger came with experience in leadership, but this was a big job with big problems.
<p style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; margin: 0px 0px 10.6667px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap; vertical-align: baseline; font-kerning: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;">Roger Gray joined Kerre Woodham in studio for the latest episode of Bosses Unfiltered. 
<p style="-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; margin: 0px 0px 10.6667px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap; vertical-align: baseline; font-kerning: none; background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;">LISTEN ABOVE

Episode 4: Roger Gray

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/8e2ec82f-d641-4fc4-8347-b3850177376a/transcript

Kiwi businesses have been navigating the biggest economic turmoil in decades. Wherever you look, business leaders are making tough calls: staff cuts, putting payroll on the credit card, or worst case… closing the business altogether.  

They thought they had it all: a great idea, solid marketing, and a healthy amount of capital.  So where did it all go wrong?  And can they ever turn things around? 

In Bosses Unfiltered, Kerre Woodham, interviews prominent Kiwi businesspeople who’ve experienced failure and adversity and lets them tell their story.

When did they realise their dreams weren’t coming true?  How big was their fall from grace?  How did they pick themselves up and where are they now?  

Bosses Unfiltered tells the real story behind the headlines.  About what it’s really like being in business, in a raw and vulnerable way, while showing that there is light at the end of the tunnel, and that success can quite often come from failure.

Listen to Bosses Unfiltered every Thursday morning from 11:30am during Kerre Woodham Mornings, and follow the podcast on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts.

Kiwi businesses have been navigating the biggest economic turmoil in decades. Wherever you look, business leaders are making tough calls: staff cuts, putting payroll on the credit card, or worst case&hellip; closing the business altogether. &nbsp;
They thought they had it all: a great idea, solid marketing, and a healthy amount of capital. &nbsp;So where did it all go wrong? &nbsp;And can they ever turn things around?&nbsp;
In Bosses Unfiltered, Kerre Woodham, interviews prominent Kiwi businesspeople who&rsquo;ve experienced failure and adversity and lets them tell their story.
When did they realise their dreams weren&rsquo;t coming true? &nbsp;How big was their fall from grace? &nbsp;How did they pick themselves up and where are they now? &nbsp;
Bosses Unfiltered tells the real story behind the headlines. &nbsp;About what it&rsquo;s really like being in business, in a raw and vulnerable way, while showing that there is light at the end of the tunnel, and that success can quite often come from failure.
Listen to Bosses Unfiltered every Thursday morning from 11:30am during Kerre Woodham Mornings, and follow the podcast on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts.

Bosses Unfiltered tells the real story behind the headlines.  About what it’s really like being in business, in a raw and vulnerable way, while showing that there is light at the end of the tunnel, and that success can quite often come from failure.

Bosses Unfiltered

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