Today on the podcast I speak with Sophie Cooper, founder and Smile Director of Anihana – a New Zealand beauty brand creating solid body and haircare that is sustainable, cruelty free and made with clean, natural ingredients.

What began in 2016, when Sophie bought the soap business she was working in while pregnant with her daughter, has grown into a family-owned company producing joyful, affordable products now stocked in over 8,000 stores across New Zealand, Australia and the United States, including Target, Walmart and Amazon.com.

In this episode, Sophie shares the reality of scaling a handcrafted Kiwi business into global markets - from navigating a major rebrand to building supermarket partnerships, balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship, and the values that keep Anihana rooted in community, sustainability and joy.

I really enjoyed this conversation with Sophie – she is warm, open and such a quiet achiever. I’m so inspired by this clever brand doing incredible things on the world stage.

I know you’ll love this kōrero with Sophie as much as I did.

Once you’ve listened to this episode, head straight to @anihana_life on Instagram and be inspired by their vibrant, joyful products. And of course, visit anihanalife.com to explore the full range and learn more about their story.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on the podcast I speak with Jasmine Kroeze - an artist based in Pāpāmoa Beach who wears many hats: mural artist, illustrator and surface designer, to name just a few!

With a background in fashion and textiles, Jaz has built a multifaceted creative practice spanning murals, paintings, brand partnerships, art licensing, surface patterns and illustration – all from her oceanside home studio. Known for her bold use of colour and playful compositions, her work sparks conversation, creates connection and injects joy into everyday spaces.

In this episode we talk about her journey from fashion into art, how textiles shaped her creative style, building a brand through social media, the three values she measures every project by and so much more…

I’ve followed Jaz’s work and progress for years, and one of the things that stands out is her incredible output (alongside her work, she is a content queen!). She exudes joy and passion for what she does, and her willingness to try new things, put herself out there, and share her process so openly is inspiring.

For any working artist, aspiring creative, or anyone dreaming of turning their passion into a full-time career, Jaz is proof that it’s possible – and she does it with honesty, energy and a whole lot of heart.

I know you’ll love this kōrero with Jaz as much as I did.

🎧 Listen now on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

✨ You can find Jaz at @jasmine.kroeze and jasminekroeze.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Something a little different for today’s episode! A few weeks back I had the honour of hosting a panel at Destination 159Design – an event that brought together some of New Zealand’s leading design creatives for an afternoon of conversation, optimism and future-focused inspiration.

On the panel with me were Tom Webster (architect + host of Grand Designs NZ), Amy Shaw (Creative Director of David Shaw Furniture), Emma Hayes (founder of Emma Hayes Textiles) and Nat Davis (founder of Folio magazine). It was an energetic, thoughtful, insightful and robust kōrero - and I’m so glad we get to share it here with the wider design community and of course, my Super Creative listeners.

This event was made possible by the businesses and brands behind 159Design – a trade focused, interior design centre in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland where a mix of trusted furnishing brands - textiles, furniture, flooring, rugs and hardware – are all under one convenient roof.

A shout out to those brands that continuously champion and support the New Zealand interiors industry:

→ James Dunlop Textiles

→ David Shaw Furniture

→ Haro Flooring

→ Kovacs Design Furniture

→ The Textile Company

→ Belgotex

→ The Ivy House

→ Porcelanosa

→ Montreux Furniture

→ Emma Hayes Textiles

→ Pocketspace Interiors

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.