What if maternity leave was the beginning of a completely new career?

When Ella Tebby became a mum, she knew she didn't want to return to full-time teaching. But with no business experience, no business idea and just $1,000 to get started, she had no idea where to begin.

After joining our It Happen programme, Ella turned her experience as an early childhood teacher into Education Starts at Home, a product-based business that generated over $300,000 in its first year!

Just ONE MONTH after launching, she was earning more than she had as a teacher. In this episode, Ella shares how she found her product idea, built an audience before launching, and used clever, low-cost marketing strategies to grow her business. 

She also opens up about the challenges behind the success, including a sudden downturn in sales that forced her to rethink her entire marketing strategy.

Now a Make It Happen Emerging Founder of the Year winner, Ella is proof that you don't need a huge budget or years of experience to build a successful 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

🌐 Website: educationstartsathome.com

What if maternity leave was the beginning of a completely new career?
When Ella Tebby became a mum, she knew she didn't want to return to full-time teaching. But with no business experience, no business idea and just $1,000 to get started, she had no idea where to begin.
After joining our It Happen programme, Ella turned her experience as an early childhood teacher into Education Starts at Home, a product-based business that generated over $300,000 in its first year!
Just ONE MONTH after launching, she was earning more than she had as a teacher. In this episode, Ella shares how she found her product idea, built an audience before launching, and used clever, low-cost marketing strategies to grow her business.&nbsp;
She also opens up about the challenges behind the success, including a sudden downturn in sales that forced her to rethink her entire marketing strategy.
Now a Make It Happen Emerging Founder of the Year winner, Ella is proof that you don't need a huge budget or years of experience to build a successful business.
Ready to take your business further?
🔗 Book a free strategy call: <a href="https://www.makeithappen.org.nz/">https://www.makeithappen.org.nz/</a>
🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes on business, marketing, strategy and scaling.
🌐 Learn more: <a href="http://makeithappen.org.nz/">http://makeithappen.org.nz/</a>
🌐 Instagram: @makeithappen
🌐 Website: educationstartsathome.com

Join entrepreneur Iyia Liu delve into all things business, money, marketing and life. If you are wanting to up-skill your business knowledge or just needing some motivation on your life and career journey you are in the right place. Whatever it is that you want out of life, let’s Make It Happen for you.

Make It Happen with Iyia Liu

Join entrepreneur Iyia Liu delve into all things business, money, marketing and life. If you are wanting to up-skill your business knowledge or just needing some motivation on your life and career journey you are in the right place. Whatever it is that you want out of life, let’s Make It Happen for you.

Follow @makeithappen and @iyialiu on Instagram 

Join entrepreneur Iyia Liu delve into all things business, money, marketing and life. If you are wanting to up-skill your business knowledge or just needing some motivation on your life and career journey you are in the right place. Whatever it is that you want out of life, let&rsquo;s Make It Happen for you.
Follow <a href="https://www.instagram.com/makeithappen/?hl=en">@makeithappen</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/iyialiu/">@iyialiu</a> on Instagram&nbsp;

From Maternity Leave to $300K Business in One Year | Guest: Ella Tebby - Education Starts At Home

What happens when your next customer asks ChatGPT what to buy instead of searching on Google? And more importantly, will AI recommend YOUR business?

The way customers discover brands, compare products and make purchasing decisions is changing fast. For business owners who rely on Google, SEO, social media and paid advertising to drive sales, this could change everything.

In this episode we unpack how AI is reshaping online shopping, what it means for traditional marketing and how entrepreneurs can position their businesses to get discovered in this new era of search.

We also put my own businesses to the test! We ask ChatGPT to recommend products and brands to see if my businesses make the cut or if AI sends potential customers straight to my competitors. We find out just how visible my own brands really are in the age of AI.

We break down how to adapt your marketing strategy, get your brand discovered by AI and stay ahead of the competition.

Because it's no longer just about ranking on Google. It's about making sure AI recommends YOUR business, not your competitors.

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 

Episode references:
Campaign Brief NZ — AI and consumer search, October 2026
IAB NZ — How Kiwi shoppers are discovering and buying in 2026
Google — Search, AI and brand discovery

What happens when your next customer asks ChatGPT what to buy instead of searching on Google? And more importantly, will AI recommend YOUR business?
The way customers discover brands, compare products and make purchasing decisions is changing fast. For business owners who rely on Google, SEO, social media and paid advertising to drive sales, this could change everything.
In this episode we&nbsp;unpack how AI is reshaping online shopping, what it means for traditional marketing and how entrepreneurs can position their businesses to get discovered in this new era of search.
We also put my own businesses to the test! We ask ChatGPT to recommend products and brands to see if my businesses make the cut or if AI sends potential customers straight to my competitors. We find out just how visible my own brands really are in the age of AI.
We break down how to adapt your marketing strategy, get your brand discovered by AI and stay ahead of the competition.
Because it's no longer just about ranking on Google. It's about making sure AI recommends YOUR business, not your competitors.
Ready to take your business further? 
🔗 Book a free strategy call: <a href="https://www.makeithappen.org.nz/">https://www.makeithappen.org.nz/</a>
🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes on business, marketing, strategy and scaling.
🌐 Learn more: <a href="http://makeithappen.org.nz/">http://makeithappen.org.nz/</a>
🌐 Instagram: @<a href="https://www.instagram.com/makeithappen/?hl=en#">makeithappen</a>&nbsp;
Episode references:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://campaignbrief.co.nz/2026/10/13/nz-firms-face-300m-cost-as-surging-ai-use-reshapes-consumer-search-study/">Campaign Brief NZ &mdash; AI and consumer search, October 2026</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.iab.org.nz/news-resources/new-research-how-kiwi-shoppers-are-discovering-and-buying-in-2026">IAB NZ &mdash; How Kiwi shoppers are discovering and buying in 2026</a></li>
<li><a href="https://blog.google/products/ads-commerce/google-search-ai-brand-discovery/">Google &mdash; Search, AI and brand discovery</a></li>
</ul>

Is Google Dying? How to Get Your Business Found by AI

How do you turn a small business into an international brand and get your products into major retailers like Chemist Warehouse and Woolworths?

In this episode we sit down with Beatrice Thorne-Laloli, co-founder of Eve Wellness, the New Zealand women's health and supplement brand now stocked in over 800 retail stores across New Zealand and Australia, with expansion into the UK.

But the journey wasn't straightforward. What started as a hormone-testing business quickly revealed a major problem: the market was too small to scale. Beatrice shares how they turned that early setback into their biggest competitive advantage, using years of customer research to develop products women actually wanted.

We get into the realities of building and scaling a product-based business, including how to pitch your products to major retailers, negotiate wholesale margins, create a retail pitch deck and build enough customer demand to succeed on shelves.

Beatrice also shares why Chemist Warehouse became one of Eve Wellness's most profitable sales channels and the challenges of expanding into Australia and the UK.

Whether you're launching your first product, trying to get stocked in retail stores or looking to scale your business internationally, this episode is packed with practical advice from a founder who's done it.

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 

How do you turn a small business into an international brand and&nbsp;get your products into major retailers like Chemist Warehouse and Woolworths?
In this episode we sit down with Beatrice Thorne-Laloli, co-founder of Eve Wellness, the New Zealand women's health and supplement brand now stocked in over 800 retail stores across New Zealand and Australia, with expansion into the UK.
But the journey wasn't straightforward. What started as a hormone-testing business quickly revealed a major problem: the market was too small to scale. Beatrice shares how they turned that early setback into their biggest competitive advantage, using years of customer research to develop products women actually wanted.
We get into the realities of building and scaling a product-based business, including how to pitch your products to major retailers, negotiate wholesale margins, create a retail pitch deck and build enough customer demand to succeed on shelves.
Beatrice also shares why Chemist Warehouse became one of Eve Wellness's most profitable sales channels and the challenges of expanding into Australia and the UK.
Whether you're launching your first product, trying to get stocked in retail stores or looking to scale your business internationally, this episode is packed with practical advice from a founder who's done it.
Ready to take your business further? 
🔗 Book a free strategy call: <a href="https://www.makeithappen.org.nz/">https://www.makeithappen.org.nz/</a>
🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes on business, marketing, strategy and scaling.
🌐 Learn more: <a href="http://makeithappen.org.nz/">http://makeithappen.org.nz/</a>
🌐 Instagram: @<a href="https://www.instagram.com/makeithappen/?hl=en#">makeithappen</a>&nbsp;

From a Failed Business to 800+ Retail Stores: How She Built Eve Wellness | Guest: Beatrice Thorne Laloli

The big question: Do you need millions to make your brand famous, or just a really clever idea? 

What does a $50 million bra, McDonald's ending a 32-year partnership and Duolingo hijacking Apple's iPhone launch have in common? They're all making headlines for some seriously interesting marketing decisions.

Welcome to The Business Breakdown! A new series where we unpack the biggest business stories, viral marketing moments and bold moves from the world's biggest brands — and reveal what you as an entrepreneur can actually learn from them.

In this episode we're diving into Victoria's Secret's outrageous $50 million Fantasy Bra worn by Kylie Jenner, why McDonald's is walking away from its FIFA World Cup sponsorship after 32 years, how Duolingo turned Apple's product launch into its own marketing opportunity, and why luxury car brand Bentley is getting into iced coffee.

From publicity stunts and guerrilla marketing to the psychology behind billion-dollar branding decisions - we share the entrepreneurial perspective including how I also once spent $300,000 getting Kylie Jenner to wear my own shapewear brand.

Whether you're building a business, working in marketing or simply love understanding the strategy behind the headlines, this episode is packed with practical lessons you can apply to your own brand.

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

The big question: Do you need millions to make your brand famous, or just a really clever idea?&nbsp;
What does a $50 million bra, McDonald's ending a 32-year partnership and Duolingo hijacking Apple's iPhone launch have in common? They're all making headlines for some seriously interesting marketing decisions.
Welcome to The Business Breakdown! A new series where we unpack the biggest business stories, viral marketing moments and bold moves from the world's biggest brands &mdash; and reveal what you as an entrepreneur can actually learn from them.
In this episode we're diving into Victoria's Secret's outrageous $50 million Fantasy Bra worn by Kylie Jenner, why McDonald's is walking away from its FIFA World Cup sponsorship after 32 years, how Duolingo turned Apple's product launch into its own marketing opportunity, and why luxury car brand Bentley is getting into iced coffee.
From publicity stunts and guerrilla marketing to the psychology behind billion-dollar branding decisions - we share the entrepreneurial perspective including how I also once spent $300,000 getting Kylie Jenner to wear my own shapewear brand.
Whether you're building a business, working in marketing or simply love understanding the strategy behind the headlines, this episode is packed with practical lessons you can apply to your own brand.
Ready to take your business further? 
🔗 Book a free strategy call: <a href="https://www.makeithappen.org.nz/">https://www.makeithappen.org.nz/</a>
🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes on business, marketing, strategy and scaling.
🌐 Learn more: <a href="http://makeithappen.org.nz/">http://makeithappen.org.nz/</a>
🌐 Instagram: @<a href="https://www.instagram.com/makeithappen/?hl=en#">makeithappen</a>

From Maternity Leave to $300K Business in One Year | Guest: Ella Tebby - Education Starts At Home

In 1 playlist(s)

Make It Happen with Iyia Liu

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips