Make It Happen with Iyia Liu

Black Friday can bring a flood of sales to your business. But what if those sales are actually costing you money? In this episode we break down 7 clever Black Friday marketing strategies to increase sales WITHOUT sacrificing your profit margins. From free gifts and product bundles to VIP early access and the psychology behind consumer spending, we're exploring how successful brands turn Black Friday into a profitable opportunity without relying on massive discounts. We also reveal how one simple free-gift strategy generated an additional $700,000 in revenue for a fashion brand, and why some businesses have achieved incredible results by doing the exact opposite of a traditional Black Friday sale. Whether you're running an e-commerce store, launching a product brand or growing a small business, this episode is packed with practical marketing ideas you can use this Black Friday. Because more sales don't always mean more profit - and the goal isn't just to sell more - it's to make more money! Ready to take your business further? 🔗 Book a free strategy call: https://www.makeithappen.org.nz/ 🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes on business, marketing, strategy and scaling. 🌐 Learn more: http://makeithappen.org.nz/ 🌐 Instagram: @makeithappenSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if maternity leave was the beginning of a completely new career? When Ella Tebby became a mum, she knew she didn't want to return to full-time teaching. But with no business experience, no business idea and just $1,000 to get started, she had no idea where to begin. After joining our It Happen programme, Ella turned her experience as an early childhood teacher into Education Starts at Home, a product-based business that generated over $300,000 in its first year! Just ONE MONTH after launching, she was earning more than she had as a teacher. In this episode, Ella shares how she found her product idea, built an audience before launching, and used clever, low-cost marketing strategies to grow her business.  She also opens up about the challenges behind the success, including a sudden downturn in sales that forced her to rethink her entire marketing strategy. Now a Make It Happen Emerging Founder of the Year winner, Ella is proof that you don't need a huge budget or years of experience to build a successful business. Ready to take your business further? 🔗 Book a free strategy call: https://www.makeithappen.org.nz/ 🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes on business, marketing, strategy and scaling. 🌐 Learn more: http://makeithappen.org.nz/ 🌐 Instagram: @makeithappen 🌐 Website: educationstartsathome.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when your next customer asks ChatGPT what to buy instead of searching on Google? And more importantly, will AI recommend YOUR business? The way customers discover brands, compare products and make purchasing decisions is changing fast. For business owners who rely on Google, SEO, social media and paid advertising to drive sales, this could change everything. In this episode we unpack how AI is reshaping online shopping, what it means for traditional marketing and how entrepreneurs can position their businesses to get discovered in this new era of search. We also put my own businesses to the test! We ask ChatGPT to recommend products and brands to see if my businesses make the cut or if AI sends potential customers straight to my competitors. We find out just how visible my own brands really are in the age of AI. We break down how to adapt your marketing strategy, get your brand discovered by AI and stay ahead of the competition. Because it's no longer just about ranking on Google. It's about making sure AI recommends YOUR business, not your competitors. Ready to take your business further? 🔗 Book a free strategy call: https://www.makeithappen.org.nz/ 🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes on business, marketing, strategy and scaling. 🌐 Learn more: http://makeithappen.org.nz/ 🌐 Instagram: @makeithappen  Episode references: Campaign Brief NZ — AI and consumer search, October 2026 IAB NZ — How Kiwi shoppers are discovering and buying in 2026 Google — Search, AI and brand discovery See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do you turn a small business into an international brand and get your products into major retailers like Chemist Warehouse and Woolworths? In this episode we sit down with Beatrice Thorne-Laloli, co-founder of Eve Wellness, the New Zealand women's health and supplement brand now stocked in over 800 retail stores across New Zealand and Australia, with expansion into the UK. But the journey wasn't straightforward. What started as a hormone-testing business quickly revealed a major problem: the market was too small to scale. Beatrice shares how they turned that early setback into their biggest competitive advantage, using years of customer research to develop products women actually wanted. We get into the realities of building and scaling a product-based business, including how to pitch your products to major retailers, negotiate wholesale margins, create a retail pitch deck and build enough customer demand to succeed on shelves. Beatrice also shares why Chemist Warehouse became one of Eve Wellness's most profitable sales channels and the challenges of expanding into Australia and the UK. Whether you're launching your first product, trying to get stocked in retail stores or looking to scale your business internationally, this episode is packed with practical advice from a founder who's done it. Ready to take your business further? 🔗 Book a free strategy call: https://www.makeithappen.org.nz/ 🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes on business, marketing, strategy and scaling. 🌐 Learn more: http://makeithappen.org.nz/ 🌐 Instagram: @makeithappen See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The big question: Do you need millions to make your brand famous, or just a really clever idea?  What does a $50 million bra, McDonald's ending a 32-year partnership and Duolingo hijacking Apple's iPhone launch have in common? They're all making headlines for some seriously interesting marketing decisions. Welcome to The Business Breakdown! A new series where we unpack the biggest business stories, viral marketing moments and bold moves from the world's biggest brands — and reveal what you as an entrepreneur can actually learn from them. In this episode we're diving into Victoria's Secret's outrageous $50 million Fantasy Bra worn by Kylie Jenner, why McDonald's is walking away from its FIFA World Cup sponsorship after 32 years, how Duolingo turned Apple's product launch into its own marketing opportunity, and why luxury car brand Bentley is getting into iced coffee. From publicity stunts and guerrilla marketing to the psychology behind billion-dollar branding decisions - we share the entrepreneurial perspective including how I also once spent $300,000 getting Kylie Jenner to wear my own shapewear brand. Whether you're building a business, working in marketing or simply love understanding the strategy behind the headlines, this episode is packed with practical lessons you can apply to your own brand. Ready to take your business further? 🔗 Book a free strategy call: https://www.makeithappen.org.nz/ 🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes on business, marketing, strategy and scaling. 🌐 Learn more: http://makeithappen.org.nz/ 🌐 Instagram: @makeithappenSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if the biggest thing holding you back isn't your circumstances, your experience or your resources, but the way you think? Your mindset influences everything from the opportunities you notice to the decisions you make and the actions you take. And the scary part? Most of us don't even realise how much our own thoughts are working against us. In this episode of Make It Happen, I'm breaking down the psychology behind mindset, why our brains are wired to reinforce what we already believe, and how you can start changing those thought patterns to work in your favour. I'll also share a surprisingly simple exercise you can start today to become more intentional about what you focus on, and why asking yourself "What if it works out?" might be one of the most powerful mindset shifts you can make. Whether you're thinking about starting a business, struggling with self-doubt or ready to take your next big step, this episode will help you stop letting your thoughts hold you back and start building a mindset that supports your success. Ready to take your business further? 🔗 Book a free strategy call: https://www.makeithappen.org.nz/ 🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes on business, marketing, strategy and scaling. 🌐 Learn more: http://makeithappen.org.nz/ 🌐 Instagram: @makeithappenSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it really take to build a million-dollar business? And what are the lessons you only learn by actually doing it? I've built businesses across multiple industries, from shapewear and e-commerce to haircare, beverages and education. But behind every success have been plenty of mistakes, setbacks and lessons I wish I'd known sooner. In this episode, I'm answering six of the most common questions I get from business owners and sharing the biggest lessons I've learnt along the way. We get into why focus is more important than having a million ideas, the traits that separate successful entrepreneurs from everyone else, how to overcome imposter syndrome and how to get the attention of people who could open doors for your business. I also share the three signs I look for to know whether a business is actually on the right track, why making sales doesn't necessarily mean you're building a successful business, and what continues to motivate me after achieving some of my biggest financial goals. Whether you're just starting out, struggling to grow or wondering what comes next, this episode is packed with practical advice, honest reflections and lessons you can apply to your own business today. Ready to take your business further? 🔗 Book a free strategy call: https://www.makeithappen.org.nz/ 🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes on business, marketing, strategy and scaling. 🌐 Learn more: http://makeithappen.org.nz/ 🌐 Instagram: @makeithappenSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if the fastest way to grow your business wasn't building your own following, but tapping into someone else's? Some of the world's biggest brands, including SKIMS, Good American and Poppi, have turned influencer partnerships into billion-dollar businesses. But behind those familiar faces are some incredibly smart business strategies that most entrepreneurs aren't taking advantage of. In this episode of Make It Happen, I'm joined by producer Holli to break down the business behind influencer marketing, how these partnerships actually work and why having the most followers doesn't necessarily mean generating the most sales. We look at how brands have partnered with the likes of Kim Kardashian, Khloé Kardashian, Indie Clinton and Alix Earle, and explore the different ways businesses can leverage an existing audience — from paid collaborations and micro-influencer marketing to affiliate programmes and offering influencers equity in a business. I also share what's worked across my own businesses, why smaller creators can sometimes deliver better results than major influencers, and how to start building an influencer marketing strategy even if you have a limited budget and no audience of your own. Whether you're launching a product, growing an e-commerce brand or looking for smarter ways to attract customers, this episode will give you practical ideas for turning influence into actual sales. Ready to take your business further? 🔗 Book a free strategy call: https://www.makeithappen.org.nz/ 🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes on business, marketing, strategy and scaling. 🌐 Learn more: http://makeithappen.org.nz/ 🌐 Instagram: @makeithappenSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it REALLY cost to start a drinks brand and get your products stocked in supermarkets? When we launched Brewe, our iced coffee and matcha brand, we invested around $300,000 to get the business off the ground. Less than a year later, we're stocked in Woolworths supermarkets across New Zealand. But getting there has been a much bigger learning curve than either of us expected. In this episode of Make It Happen, I'm joined by my husband and Brewe co-founder, Jordan Delmont, to break down exactly what it takes to build a beverage brand from scratch. Jordan left his 13-year career in his family business to take on Brewe full-time, despite having no previous experience in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry. Since then, he's had to figure out everything from manufacturing and distribution to supermarket negotiations, pricing, cash flow and managing thousands of cans of stock. We get into the real numbers behind starting a drinks business, including our initial $300K investment, how we secured our first major supermarket deal and the mistakes we'd avoid if we were starting again. We also share the lessons we've learned about working together as husband and wife. If you've ever dreamed of launching your own product, getting stocked in New Zealand supermarkets, or turning a business idea into a brand, this episode gives you a behind-the-scenes look at what it actually takes. Ready to take your business further? 🔗 Book a free strategy call: https://www.makeithappen.org.nz/ 🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes on business, marketing, strategy and scaling. 🌐 Learn more: http://makeithappen.org.nz/ 🌐 Instagram: @makeithappen 🌐 Instagram: @drinkbreweSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if the skills you've spent years developing could become your next business? After nearly 20 years in broadcasting, from sports journalism and Seven Sharp to breakfast radio, Toni Street has turned her experience in front of the camera and behind the microphone into her own business, Confident Communication. This episode is particularly special because Toni was actually one of my Make It Happen students! I got to see her go from having an idea to launching her own business, selling 50 courses and generating $25,000 in her first six weeks. Toni joins me to share what it was like going from being an established broadcaster to a first-time business owner, the challenges of turning your knowledge into something people will pay for, and what she learnt about building a business along the way. She also gives us a masterclass in confident communication, sharing practical tips from nearly two decades on television and radio. We cover how to manage nerves, recover when things go wrong, speak with more confidence and become a better communicator, whether you're pitching your business, presenting to a room or trying to speak confidently to camera for your social media content.  If you've ever wondered how to turn your experience into a business, build a personal brand or become a more confident speaker, there's so much to take away from this conversation. 📣 Share this episode with someone who has valuable skills or knowledge but hasn't yet realised what they could build with them. Ready to take your business further? 🔗 Book a free strategy call: https://www.makeithappen.org.nz/ 🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes on business, marketing, strategy and scaling. 🌐 Learn more: http://makeithappen.org.nz/ 🌐 Instagram: @makeithappen 🌐 Toni Street Communication: https://www.tonistreet.com/  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.