In this episode of the Marketing 4 Business podcast, Scott is joined by Alli Kennedy, the 24-year-old founder of Sharenanigans, the board game teaching Kiwi families about money. From a university project to national distribution in The Warehouse, Alli shares how she turned a simple idea into a successful product-based business.

They cover product validation, using TikTok for growth, DIY PR, and what it really takes to get stocked by major retailers. Whether you're a first-time founder, parent, or just curious about launching a business in NZ, this episode is full of practical lessons and fresh ideas.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro

01:35 – Why a board game about money?

04:28 – Turning a uni project into a real business

06:45 – Building an audience before launch

08:12 – Using TikTok for product marketing

10:30 – Overcoming imposter syndrome

13:15 – Getting into The Warehouse

15:42 – How to validate your business idea

18:10 – Why face-to-face feedback still matters

20:05 – Getting media coverage without a PR agency

22:47 – Top 5 tips for product-based startups

26:30 – Focus on solving real problems

28:14 – Final advice + where to follow Ali

If you find our content valuable and informative, please help us reach more business owners by sharing it with a friend who might benefit. Additionally, please ensure that you're following our podcast on your preferred platform, and if you enjoyed the latest episode, consider leaving us a five-star review. Your support is highly appreciated.

See below for ways to get in touch with us…

Connect with Alli on LinkedIn here

Follow the Marketing 4 Business podcast on Instagram here

Follow Digital Influence on Instagram here

Connect with Scott on LinkedIn here

Eager to enhance your marketing strategy? Book in for a complimentary strategy chat with our team to discuss your marketing here.

Have Fun & Take Action

Got a great product or service but feel like your message just isn’t landing? You’re not alone.

In this Marketing 4 Business podcast episode, Scott is joined by Renée Omand, our Growth Specialist at Digital Influence, to unpack why so many businesses struggle with messaging, and what to do about it. Drawing on insights from over 50 strategy sessions, Renée shares the common traps, missed opportunities, and practical ways to make your message matter.

They dive into how to write messaging that actually moves people (not just ticks boxes), why “full-service” isn’t a selling point, and the power of storytelling to create connection and drive action. Plus, Scott shares his go-to “PASTA” copywriting framework and why your messaging should be compelling, not just convincing.

If your website, ads, or socials aren’t converting like they should, this episode will help you find the gaps and fix them fast.

If you find our content valuable and informative, please help us reach more business owners by sharing it with a friend who might benefit. Additionally, please ensure that you're following our podcast on your preferred platform, and if you enjoyed the latest episode, consider leaving us a five-star review. Your support is highly appreciated.

See below for ways to get in touch with us…

Follow the Marketing 4 Business podcast on Instagram here

Follow Digital Influence on Instagram here

Connect with Renée on LinkedIn here

Connect with Scott on LinkedIn here

Eager to enhance your marketing strategy? Book in for a complimentary strategy chat with our team to discuss your marketing here.

Have Fun & Take Action

What do thriving hospitality businesses have in common? It’s not just great food or fast service, it’s systems that scale and data that drive smarter decisions.

In this Marketing 4 Business podcast episode, Scott chats with Andrew McClurg, hospitality expert and Managing Director at Tevalis, about how better systems, smarter use of data, and genuine customer connection can transform hospitality businesses.

Andrew shares what he’s learned from working with over 1,000 venues across New Zealand and Australia, including how to use loyalty marketing the right way, why customer data often goes unused, and what makes service truly unforgettable.

If you’re in hospitality or just want to understand how to turn service into scale, this episode is packed with real insights.

If you find our content valuable and informative, please help us reach more business owners by sharing it with a friend who might benefit. Additionally, please ensure that you're following our podcast on your preferred platform, and if you enjoyed the latest episode, consider leaving us a five-star review. Your support is highly appreciated.

See below for ways to get in touch with us…

Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn here

Follow the Marketing 4 Business podcast on Instagram here

Follow Digital Influence on Instagram here

Connect with Scott on LinkedIn here

Eager to enhance your marketing strategy? Book in for a complimentary strategy chat with our team to discuss your marketing here.

Have Fun & Take Action

Drowning in to-do lists and feeling chained to your business? This episode is for you.

In this Marketing 4 Business podcast episode, Scott chats with Kate MacGregor, founder of Out of Office, about how smart digital systems can help business owners reclaim their time, scale sustainably, and create more freedom in their lives.

Kate shares how her own business pivoted during COVID and how she now helps others build digital products like courses, memberships, and toolkits that deliver real value, without requiring the business owner to show up live every time.

They dive into what it takes to design a business around your ideal lifestyle, why progress beats perfection, and how digital platforms can serve hundreds without burning you out.

If you’re ready to work less, serve more, and build a business that fits your life, this episode is a must-listen.

If you find our content valuable and informative, please help us reach more business owners by sharing it with a friend who might benefit. Additionally, please ensure that you're following our podcast on your preferred platform, and if you enjoyed the latest episode, consider leaving us a five-star review. Your support is highly appreciated.

See below for ways to get in touch with us…

Connect with Kate on LinkedIn here

Follow the Marketing 4 Business podcast on Instagram here

Follow Digital Influence on Instagram here

Connect with Scott on LinkedIn here

Eager to enhance your marketing strategy? Book in for a complimentary strategy chat with our team to discuss your marketing here.

Have Fun & Take Action

Facing burnout, hardship, or just trying to get back up after a tough season? This one’s for you.

In this Marketing 4 Business podcast episode, Scott sits down with Jake Bailey – resilience speaker, bestselling author, and cancer survivor – for a raw and powerful conversation about what it really takes to bounce back.

Jake shares how a life-changing diagnosis during his final year of high school sparked a journey of purpose, recovery, and redefining strength. They unpack the 5 S’s of resilience, the difference between surviving and thriving, and why slowing down is sometimes the strongest move you can make.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re running on empty, or need to reframe how you deal with pressure and setbacks, this episode is a must-listen.

If you find our content valuable and informative, please help us reach more business owners by sharing it with a friend who might benefit. Additionally, please ensure that you're following our podcast on your preferred platform, and if you enjoyed the latest episode, consider leaving us a five-star review. Your support is highly appreciated.

See below for ways to get in touch with us…

Connect with Jake on LinkedIn here

Follow the Marketing 4 Business podcast on Instagram here

Follow Digital Influence on Instagram here

Connect with Scott on LinkedIn here

Eager to enhance your marketing strategy? Book in for a complimentary strategy chat with our team to discuss your marketing here.

Have Fun & Take Action

Know you need to post, but stuck on what, when, and why? You're not alone.

In this Marketing 4 Business podcast episode, Scott chats with Andréa Marshall from Lime Global about creating a content calendar that actually works. Andréa shares her real-world experience in digital marketing, from student radio to leading marketing for diverse businesses.

They break down how to truly understand your audience, what to learn from the competition, and why involving your community can be a game-changer (even a duck race!). Plus, they touch on working with local influencers and keeping it genuine with AI in the mix.

Whether you're stuck on what to post or just want your content to work harder, this episode gives you the structure and mindset to make it happen.

If you find our content valuable and informative, please help us reach more business owners by sharing it with a friend who might benefit. Additionally, please ensure that you're following our podcast on your preferred platform, and if you enjoyed the latest episode, consider leaving us a five-star review. Your support is highly appreciated.

See below for ways to get in touch with us…

Connect with Andréa on LinkedIn here

Follow the Marketing 4 Business podcast on Instagram here

Follow Digital Influence on Instagram here

Connect with Scott on LinkedIn here

Eager to enhance your marketing strategy? Book in for a complimentary strategy chat with our team to discuss your marketing here.

Have Fun & Take Action

Struggling to stay consistent with content? You’re not alone.

In this Marketing 4 Business Podcast episode, Scott and Renée unpack what effective content actually looks like, how to simplify your approach, and why strategy, not trends, should shape what you post.

They share the three types of content that consistently drive results, how to avoid the trap of ‘random acts of marketing’, and real examples from businesses getting it right.

If you’ve ever wondered what to post, how often, or if your content’s even making an impact, this one’s worth a listen.

If you find our content valuable and informative, please help us reach more business owners by sharing it with a friend who might benefit. Additionally, please ensure that you're following our podcast on your preferred platform, and if you enjoyed the latest episode, consider leaving us a five-star review. Your support is highly appreciated.

See below for ways to get in touch with us…

Follow the Marketing 4 Business podcast on Instagram here

Follow Digital Influence on Instagram here

Connect with Scott on LinkedIn here

Connect with Renée on LinkedIn here

Eager to enhance your marketing strategy? Book in for a complimentary strategy chat with our team to discuss your marketing here.

Have Fun & Take Action

Most websites suck. Yours probably does too – and it’s not your fault. But if you’re starting a business or relaunching, here’s what to do instead to actually get customers.

In this Marketing 4 Business podcast episode, Norman McKenzie, founder of Meta Digital, shares what 24 years in business has taught him about building websites that work, running a values-led agency, and staying ahead in a fast-changing digital world.

From humble beginnings and BNI meetups to long-term client relationships and embracing AI, Norm breaks down the practical lessons that matter – why caring deeply is still a serious competitive edge, how to think long-term, and what traps to avoid if you actually want results.

If you're serious about doing digital right, this conversation is a must-listen.

If you find our content valuable and informative, please help us reach more business owners by sharing it with a friend who might benefit. Additionally, please ensure that you're following our podcast on your preferred platform, and if you enjoyed the latest episode, consider leaving us a five-star review. Your support is highly appreciated.

See below for ways to get in touch with us…

Follow the Marketing 4 Business podcast on Instagram here

Follow Digital Influence on Instagram here

Connect with Scott on LinkedIn here

Connect with Norm on LinkedIn here

Eager to enhance your marketing strategy? Book in for a complimentary strategy chat with our team to discuss your marketing here.

Have Fun & Take Action