Insights from INSPIRE + SUCCEED NZ
Featuring Special Guest Dan Carter along with Kiwi favourite Nadia Lim plus more game-changers, the premiere of INSPIRE + SUCCEED in New Zealand was a multi-city success, delivering on its promise to present the ultimate business and success event.
Severe weather and an airport closure caused some bumps for Wellington –– but there was no stopping the momentum for attendees who, like those in Auckland and Christchurch, were rearing to go for a day dedicated to thinking bigger, leading stronger and achieving more.
If you couldn’t be there for this one, enjoy some of the key takeaways below.
Dan Carter
World rugby legend and NZ national treasure Dan Carter spoke about the impact that a role model can have on achieving winning success. He credited his father as his role model –– his #1 supporter throughout his life - and it was a full circle moment when his father told him he had made the All Blacks team.
Finding Your Why
Achieving anything at the highest level is always going to be challenging –– so it helps if you truly love it. Playing professional rugby was a dream, but Dan initially played simply because he loved it.
So when he fell out of love of the game and decided he didn't like rugby anymore, he said no to playing senior rugby and went and played social rugby. What resulted was one of the best years –– a reminder of why do we do things. After taking a step back because he had been playing for the wrong reasons, he found himself reinvigorated for the game and it put him on a fast trajectory: 18 months later he was playing in the world cup.
- In life and business it's OK to take a step back, and re-examine what is your WHY. Make sure you are doing things for the right reasons.
Following Your Purpose
Dan's defining moment: His first game for all the blacks –– when his dream became a reality. After such an impactful experience, he knew he wanted more. He didn't just want to be just another All Black. He wanted to be an All Black GREAT. And THIS became the purpose that drove his whole career.
- Your purpose is something you strive towards - it may not not be something you can always achieve. But if your'e in the conversation, the you've done something well over time.
- You need a growth mindset and have the ability to evolve. You can't just do the same thing - you need to work hard. Harder than the opponents.
- Ask yourself "What do I need to do each day to better myself? How can I structure my day to strive towards my purpose?" Be meticulous about the structure needed.
Secrets of Leadership Success
During the most challenging times, there were key learnings that got Dan through:
1) Remembering the All Blacks Values –– no individual is more important than the team.
2) Staying mindful of his Purpose, and asking what an All Black great would do. How can I heal better than anyone else, how can I bounce back better? This mindset led him to another 4 years , during which he won the World Player of the Year.
- Success comes from learning from the setback and building resilience from the losses and disappointments.
- You will have good days and bad days, but it's important not to suppress your emotions - even as a leader, you're always learning. Process everything, as it's all part of the journey.
Nadia Lim
Nadia Lim grew up obsessed with anything to do with good food - and like Dan, she found that success follows when you combine your passion with a purpose. She loves what her businesses stand for (MyFoodBag and her regenerative farm) and it means a lot to see people see value in it.
With a background in dietetics and nutrition, Nadia has always loved helping people –– but rather than being limited to one person at a time, she wanted to help en masse.
With a background in dietetics and nutrition, Nadia has always loved helping people –– but rather than being limited to one person at a time, she wanted to help en masse.
What Makes a Business Successful
- Number 1 is the cashflow. Aim to take the money before you need to spend it on the product, as they did with MyFoodBag.
- Number 2 is a scalable model. With MyFoodBag it didn’t matter if they had 100 or 10,000 orders, the same core team was able to work on on recipe development etc. The only variable was the amount of delivery drivers and packers.
- Number 3 is a subscription based model - this can really accelerate growth. MyFoodBag grew from 0 - $100 M in under 3 years
Also key: You want to build long-term relationships with customers. From a founder perspective have a product you love – make sure it aligns with your values
The Value of Below the Line
- You cannot underestimate below the line activity. Face to face interaction – being on the ground and going to see your customers – talking to them. Word of mouth is the biggest driver of business.
Pressure is a Good Thing
10 years after winning Masterchef Nadia returned as a judge – and it made her stop and pause. A full circle moment. It was a reminder that if you dare to put yourself out there and take risks and put yourself under pressure great things can happen.
- Pressure is a good thing. It trains you to be resilient. See similarities with nature – there is nothing in nature that doesn’t build stronger from pressure.
Prioritise Happiness
- Do not underestimate that you need something that is valuable to you and gives you purpose.
- Redefine success that having that purpose and healthy lifestyle is imperative.
Evolving to Stay Relevant
- You need to be dynamic, understand your customer because their needs change overtime. Think back to where you were 25 years ago - you're not the same and you need to keep evolving.
Be Driven By Purpose
Nadia said that the key to when things get tough, and they always will , is knowing that purpose will get you through.
- Bring staff on the journey - shared purpose will keep them motivated too.
- A piece of advice from Nadia to her younger self: "Learn lots, be kind, have fun.”
Brianne West
Continuing with the theme of Purpose, Ethique founder Brianne West brought insights born from a passion to save the world from plastic, and her success with the world's first zero-waster beauty brand, Ethique.
The Ethique Brand Purpose: To rid the world of plastic bottles, by taking out the water and recreating everything in bar form. Brianne began by formulating products in her kitchen at home during uni (a lot of microwaves exploded).
Important Early Lessons
- Every single person will tell you your idea is impossible/stupid. Nobody knows what's possible.
- Know when to scale by paying attention to your customer data and follow the market.
- Ethique grew into 22 countries, without comprising values by really embedding them - always factor in company values at every decision. They are integral to the brands financial visibility.
- Set your business up to be able to continue without you when you exit
Connecting with Customers
- Be honest - be authentic. The single easiest way to build trust is being transparent. There's no such thing as perfect business. Be at the forefront before anything goes public.
- Customers want to deep dive - so get them involved. Always provide education and content to build trust. Brianne said that was the best thing she didL bring them on the journey with the company.
Brand Positioning in a Competitive Market
- Founder marketing - Having a face for the business helps to cut through, i.e. with her new venture Incrediballs she makes people feel part of her business journey and its successes.
- With so much change happening the world, you've got to build a community. That is the number 1 thing that is going to get you through everything.
Building Your Dream Team
- Know your own weaknesses and hire for attitude not skills - you can train a lot.
- Start all staff in customer service, to instil a customer focused culture
Believe in Your Own Ability
- If you want to start something - "Just do it." The fear of failure holds so many people back and you don't want to have the regret of never having tried.
- People who judge you are not worth your time. Every successful business person will tell you how many times they got told their idea was not possible.
- Be careful who you take advice from. Even if someone has way more experience than you, if they are saying you shouldn't try, then they are not a great mentor. They should be guiding, not discouraging you.
Iyia Liu
Serial entrepreneur and online business coach Iyia Liu knows all about creating opportunities. She offered plenty of advice for those looking to start a business that affords them a flexible income stream.
Embracing Opportunity
- Saying yes increases your chances of encountering unexpected success. Saying yes opens doors to opportunity - and one opportunity leads to another.
- Start now. Today is the youngest you will ever be.
- What's the worst that can happen? Doing business takes the right mindset and taking action.
- Get comfortable with being uncomfortable.
- Any ordinary product can sell shoes, notebooks, pens, etc. You're a consumer yourself, so think of things that people want and need
Marketing to a Community
- Social media is the most powerful and accessible tool for business growth, so make the most of word of mouth marketing on social
- Leverage UGC (user generated content) to connect and build trust in the community - ie. the power of reviews
- Trust is the key factor in building a loyal consumer base and results in higher conversions.
Remember, when you start with nothing, you have nothing to lose -so take courage and take action.
Aaron Sansoni
Australia's own "Mr Empire" Aaron Sansoni brought business inspiration backed by his Empire Blueprint. All about building multiple businesses and multiple business streams in order to reach a higher level of success, he gave attendees a taste of what it takes.
- What are you prepared to endure to build what you want? The answer should be, whatever it takes. Sometimes it gets harder before it gets easier
- M.A.I.A Massive And Immediate Action: This concept emphasises momentum and urgency. While many wait for the "perfect" time to start a business, write that proposal, or pitch that idea, Aaron flips that script. Action beats intention. The more you move, the more you learn. And the faster you fail, the quicker you succeed. M.A.I.A is about taking bold, focused steps right now - not tomorrow, not next week - because time kills dreams more than failure ever will.
The Empire BluePrint
There are a few different ways to get into business:
- Start companies with your own money. Stop with the consumer mentality, think differently
- Buy an existing business. It's not always about cash, you can buy without spending any of your own money
- Use equity to own a part of a private company.
What would you do if you were starting? It starts wth mindset then shifts to strategy.
Empire Mindset / Offensive Mindset deciding what you want money lifestyle and time, what do you actually want? Dont get stuck doing the same thing for 10 years – getting lost
Growth Mindset – dealing with what comes in a positive way (defensive mindset).
Fixed mindset - dealing with what comes in a positive way (defensive mindset).
There are 3 stages of working in business and the Empire stage is where you want to end up for financial freedom.
- J.O.B (Just Over Broke). The business owner does all the work (sole trader)
- Business Stage: Business owner is PART of the process of making money... whether there's 3 or 100 workers with you on the org chart.
- Empire Stage You are not needed in the business AT ALL in order to make money.
Remember, to make serious money you need to regard your time as more important than money.
That was just a selection of insights that came out of New Zealand's first INSPIRE + SUCCEED. Thanks to our Kiwi attendees for the solid turnout despite the challenges with the weather –– it was an incredible day and we look forward to returning again soon for the next live event!
To be in the room for one of our upcoming events, check out the SR Australia Events page.
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