PowerUp Podcasts

What happens when an oil and gas executive meets an anthropologist for the first time, and they decide to start a software company? It might sound like a bad joke, but for James Donald and Letitia Stevenson, it was the start of a hugely successful business developing chatbots for the tourism industry. Honestly, you have to hear this story to believe it.

James and Letitia are the founders of Yonder, a company that’s designing custom bots for leading tourism companies all over New Zealand. From a chance meeting at a business event to bravely going into business together, their determination and initiative has helped them make their far-off dream a reality.

This is another business tale about perseverance and determination. James and Letitia have been on a rapid learning curve that keeps getting steeper each time they tackle a new challenge (thanks a lot, COVID-19). They are adaptable and creative, and the lessons they’ve learned along the way are SUPER relevant for anyone in business.

Investors Michael and Rachel Perrett are on an ambitious journey to change the way our children are educated. As the founders of The Green School in Taranaki, they are implementing a sustainable and holistic education system that worked wonders for their son in Bali.

Michael and Rachel invest in people and the planet before they think about profit. This approach has seen them develop more than 40 business interests, but they’re adamant none are as important as their work with The Green School.

In this episode of PowerUp, they talk about how they established a world-class facility with world-class educators in such a small pocket of the world. With the utmost dedication, Michael and Rachel discuss their vision for education and for Taranaki, shining a light on how they hope to produce fully rounded students that can thrive in the modern world.

Dan Radcliffe is a Taranaki born and bred businessman, investor and a member of the EY World Entrepreneur Hall of Fame. He founded International Volunteer HQ, one of the world’s leading volunteer travel companies, in 2006, after quitting his graduate finance job on just his third day.

Dan talks about how he was inspired to start IVHQ, how he ran an international business from his family farm in North Taranaki, the hardest part about being an entrepreneur and how he’s helped to steer his business through the challenges of COVID-19. He also touches on his new venture, a brewery that supports local charities, and even gives his top tip for catching goats.

Dan’s unlikely success story shows the power of a can-do attitude and good support, and his desire to give back to the community illustrates how much one person can do to help people all over the world. Even if it’s from a farm in the back of beyond.

Annalee Kemsley is one of New Zealand’s leading online makeup and beauty personalities, with more than 170-thousand subscribers. She’s worked with world-leading brands like Yves Saint Laurent, Disney, Sephora, Bobbi Brown, and more. Behind her bright and bubbly personality is a drive to succeed and a tonne of creativity.

In this episode of The PowerUp Podcast, Annalee talks about her fortuitous introduction to the beauty industry, the pros and cons of working in social media, and what it’s like to grow a national following from her hometown, New Plymouth.

This is a great story about finding your passion and dedicating yourself to it. Annalee lifts the lid on the veneer of social media, openly sharing what it’s actually like to balance the real world with what’s portrayed online. If nothing else, it shows the power of being online and just what’s possible from anywhere in the world!