Prompted by a brewery's 30th anniversary as a family operation, this episode tackles one of the trickiest topics in business: handing it down. Mike and Scott get honest about ego, entitlement, and what actually needs to be true for a succession plan to work.

You'll learn:

-The real first question to ask before bringing family into the business — whose ego is this really for?;

-Why "gift it for free" and "sell it at a painful premium" both tend to backfire;

-A fairer structure using open-market valuation plus negotiated terms;

-The difference between a business's DNA (non-negotiable) and its culture (adaptable);

-and why the "first generation builds, second grows, third kills" rule has exceptions worth studying.

Beer: Mount Brewery Waimea Foggy IPA (6.5%) & Mermaid Mirth APA (6%)
Pie: Patrick's Pies — Duck, Mushroom & Cheese

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Want an in-person 6 day business program that gives you a tried and tested playbook to grow? Check out: Business Growth School

Want better content? Check out: Blacklime

The company that uncomplicates business growth. Check out: Point 16

Get to know us! Mike Burke & Scott Douglas

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With global uncertainty rattling supply chains and confidence, Mike and Scott lay out a four-question framework for owners to stress-test their business against a wobbling economy — grounded in real examples from their own portfolio.

You'll learn:

-How to separate a "blip" from a genuine "trend" in your numbers;

-Which lead indicators actually matter for import/export businesses

-Why annual pricing reviews are too slow for this environment;

-How to front-foot hard conversations with customers before you have the full solution;

-and why waiting for perfect information is itself a risk.

Beer: Black Sands Head Above Water Hazy Double IPA (7.3%)
Pie: Dairy Flat Bakery — Burger Pie

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Want an in-person 6 day business program that gives you a tried and tested playbook to grow? Check out: Business Growth School

Want better content? Check out: Blacklime

The company that uncomplicates business growth. Check out: Point 16

Get to know us! Mike Burke & Scott Douglas

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Named for the "butterfly effect" theme of the beer on the table, this episode is all about compounding - in your finances, your habits, and your leadership. Scott shares a personal four-week transformation, and the pair unpack why "catch it quick, catch it small" is the leadership mantra worth stealing.

You'll learn:

-How compounding interest works for you (savings) and against you (debt);

-A simple morning/evening routine that improved sleep and focus within weeks;

-Why addressing behaviour — good or bad — in the moment beats delayed, formal feedback;

-How "tech debt" and "operational debt" build up when businesses skip small evolutions;

-and a single standing question to add to your monthly meetings to catch change early.

Beer: b.effect Social Experiment West Coast IPA 6%, Ridgeline Hazy IPA 6% & Sticky Forest Hemp IPA 5.5%
Pie: Bakerij (Village Bakery Picton) — Sweet Chilli Chicken & Cream Cheese

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Want an in-person 6 day business program that gives you a tried and tested playbook to grow? Check out: Business Growth School

Want better content? Check out: Blacklime

The company that uncomplicates business growth. Check out: Point 16

Get to know us! Mike Burke & Scott Douglas

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mike (openly admitting his bias as a business coach) and Scott rank the outside relationships that move the needle most for small business owners — starting with the one nobody argues against…

You'll learn:

-Why a business coach or mentor is consistently rated the #1 lever by leaders from Eric Schmidt to elite athletes;

-What to actually look for in a coach (complementary skills, trust, "serve the business, not the person");

-Why brand is an underused commercial lever (the difference between $10 and $12 pricing is your margin);

-The emerging concept of AEO — Answer Engine Optimisation for AI search;

-and when a lawyer or HR contractor is worth the spend.

Beer: Garage Project Friendly (3.8%) & Sawmill Beach Day Bright IPA (5.5%)
Pie: Mairangi Bakery Pie 2 Go — Beef Brisket

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Want an in-person 6 day business program that gives you a tried and tested playbook to grow? Check out: Business Growth School

Want better content? Check out: Blacklime

The company that uncomplicates business growth. Check out: Point 16

Get to know us! Mike Burke & Scott Douglas

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The episode where the podcast officially gets its name. Fresh off travels through South Korea and Japan, Scott and Mike map out the real path from idea to first customer — and the four ways to fund it, ranked from best to last resort.

You'll learn:

-How to validate an idea with a Value Proposition Canvas before building anything;

-Why "your idea has no value until it's created value";

-The four funding paths in order of preference — pre-sales, bootstrapping, non-dilutive capital, then equity;

-What VCs actually look for (upside and downside mitigation);

-and why no pitch deck survives contact with real customers.

For a deeper dive into these topics check out episodes:
17 (How to take your business to fruition)
18 (What to do when you’re looking for investment)

Beer: Sprig and Fern Hop Flake Hazy (5.8%) & Neon Noir Japanese Black Lager (4.8%) | Pie: Mairangi Bakery Pie 2 Go — Beef Rendang & Cheese

Liked this one? Make sure you catch the next episode - hit subscribe and check us out here:

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Want an in-person 6 day business program that gives you a tried and tested playbook to grow? Check out: Business Growth School

Want better content? Check out: Blacklime

The company that uncomplicates business growth. Check out: Point 16

Get to know us! Mike Burke & Scott Douglas

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A lighter, rapid-fire format. Scott puts Mike on the spot over Panhead XPA and a Pioneer Pies steak & blue vein, covering the sketchiest deal that ever paid off, the most nerve-wracking moment of his career, and what he actually wants his kids to learn about business.

You'll learn:

-How a 4.5x-multiple, 48-hour-decision ramp-manufacturing deal became "an absolute rocket ship";

-How six companies navigated COVID and the emotional toll that followed;

-The origin story of the NZ Beer Festival (and a $100K lesson in de-risking);

-Core negotiation principles — know your non-negotiables, negotiate in packages, not line by line;

- and what actually drives deals: not alcohol, but genuine conversation.

Beer: Panhead Quickchange XPA (4.6%)
Pie: Pioneer Pies — Steak & Blue Vein Cheese

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Want an in-person 6 day business program that gives you a tried and tested playbook to grow? Check out: Business Growth School

Want better content? Check out: Blacklime

The company that uncomplicates business growth. Check out: Point 16

Get to know us! Mike Burke & Scott Douglas

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prompted by the closure of a well-loved Wellington brewpub, this episode is a masterclass in reading the warning signs early. Mike and Scott break down lead vs. lag indicators, the three essential financial statements every owner should actually understand, and why the best time to pivot is three months before you think you need to.

You'll learn:

-How to track lead measures (things you control) vs. lag measures (outcomes);

-The balance sheet, P&L and cash flow explained in plain English;

-Four common types of pivot (product, customer, pricing, cost base);

-How to turn assumptions into cheap experiments before committing real money;

-and why "get the umbrella when it's sunny" keeps coming up for a reason.

Beer: Fortune Favours The Mystic Hazy IPA (5.8%)
Pie: Pie Rolla's — Steak, Stout & Cheese

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Want an in-person 6 day business program that gives you a tried and tested playbook to grow? Check out: Business Growth School

Want better content? Check out: Blacklime

The company that uncomplicates business growth. Check out: Point 16

Get to know us! Mike Burke & Scott Douglas

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Inspired by a walk near Queenstown, this episode slows things down. Over Altitude Brewing's Hazy IPA and (arguably) the best pie of the series so far, Mike and Scott talk about why a goal needs "soul," why regular reflection beats sporadic hustle, and why celebrating wins is a growth multiplier, not a distraction.

You'll learn:

The three pillars of sustainable growth:
1) goal with soul,
2) review & reflection,
3) and gratitude;

- Stephen Covey's urgent/important matrix applied to business owners;

- The WRAP (Weekly Review Action Plan) habit;

- Why writing goals down (and sharing them) makes them stick;

- and why ringing a literal bell for milestones matters more than you'd think.

Beer: Altitude Brewing Hazy IPA (6.5%)
Pie: Bacon Brew, Ōrewa — Chicken, Cranberry & Cheese (9.7/10)

Liked this one? Make sure you catch the next episode - hit subscribe and check us out here:

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Want an in-person 6 day business program that gives you a tried and tested playbook to grow? Check out: Business Growth School

Want better content? Check out: Blacklime

The company that uncomplicates business growth. Check out: Point 16

Get to know us! Mike Burke & Scott Douglas

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.