Making Cents

Even the worst economy can still have winners - if you figure out the lay of the land, and have the courage to bet on yourself.

Sarah Davies, founder of Sweet Spot Business Coaching, joins Frances Cook on Making Cents to share the roadmap to ditching employment and thriving as a solopreneur or independent consultant. From her "proof first" validation method to avoiding the feast-and-famine trap, Sarah pulls back the curtain on how to build a business that gives you your time back.

In this episode:
Why being good at what you do and running a business require two different skill sets
The biggest mistake new business owners make: building on guesswork instead of evidence
The "proof first" validation method: how 5 conversations can save you 2 years of trial and error
Why tough economic downturns create massive opportunities for fractional consultants
The pricing trap: factoring in taxes and overheads so you don't work for less than minimum wage
Escaping the feast-and-famine cycle: how to build marketing systems that fit your strengths
Why niching down makes you referable, while being a generalist leaves you overlooked
How New Zealand business owners can access up to 50% government co-funding through Regional Business Partners

As mentioned in the episode, take Sarah’s free 2-minute "Win More Work" quiz to spot the gaps and get your custom action report: https://win-more-work.scoreapp.com/

Whether you're facing redundancy, craving freedom over your calendar, or ready to turn your professional skills into an independent business, this episode breaks down practical steps to help you take the leap on your own terms.

This episode is supported by Tiger Fintech (NZ) Limited.
Sign up through my link to get an extra NZ$100 Stock Discount Voucher. You can also scan the QR code on screen, or enter FRANCESCOOK (all one word, no space) as your Invitation Code https://www.tigersecurities.com/signup?&invite=FRANCESCOOK&region=NZL&lang=en_US
To qualify, your Net Deposit also needs to reach NZ$2,000 within 14 days of your first deposit.
This is not financial advice. Investing carries risk. Terms and conditions apply to each campaign. See tigerbroker.nz for more.
T&C’s https://www.tigerbrokers.nz/activity/forapp/rules?id=COOK2628

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Production and video editing by Lana Byrne
Audio engineering by Tash Chittock
Filmed by Fanaticals

With election day almost here, I join the TVNZ Breakfast team to look at what the financial promises actually tell us, why the KiwiSaver focus is welcome but incomplete, and what it means that property has barely come up this campaign.
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How far you get in your career isn't always down to how hard you work. Sometimes, what you really need is someone in your corner.

Sarah Wood left school at 17. Today, she is the CEO of http://realestate.co.nz - New Zealand’s longest-standing property site - and heads a business named our number one small workplace two years running.

Sarah Wood joins Frances Cook on Making Cents to share the real-world career moves that get you noticed and promoted. From learning how to make or save a business money to building a personal board of directors and navigating leadership with a family, Sarah shares practical steps to help you back your ambition and step into senior roles.

In this episode:
The best early career rule: learning how to make a company money or save it money
Why understanding commercial numbers matters more than job titles
How to build a "personal board of directors" to guide your next career step
How to ask someone for coffee without feeling awkward
Vetting workplace culture and team fit during the interview process
The reality of managing a big leadership role alongside three teenagers
Why career mistakes are really just continuous learning

Whether you want to move up the ladder, pivot industries, or build the confidence to back your own voice, this episode breaks down practical steps to help you build your career on your own terms.

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Production and video editing by Lana Byrne
Audio engineering by Tash Chittock
Filmed by Fanaticals

The money world feels like it’s falling apart, but underneath the doom and gloom, is New Zealand’s economy actually on the brink of its best 30 years?

Between high petrol prices, food bills, and a housing downturn, everyday life feels tough. Yet for the first time in modern history, house prices have dropped 30% in Auckland without dragging the wider economy into a deep recession. We are moving from a country that borrows to an economy that saves and invests - and that changes the game.

Sam Stubbs, founder of Simplicity, joins Frances Cook on Making Cents to challenge the story we've been telling ourselves about our money. Sam shares why New Zealand is at a major turning point, how KiwiSaver is quietly transforming our wealth, and the simple shifts we need to make to stop copying a poverty mindset.

In this episode:
Why Auckland house prices dropped 30% without crashing the economy
Borrowing vs investing: why saving our way to prosperity beats debt
The Australia comparison: how a $1 trillion KiwiSaver pool could wipe out our infrastructure deficit
Why KiwiSaver must become compulsory with rising contributions
The side-pocketing rule: unlocking billions of KiwiSaver funds for local startups and high-growth businesses
Why the best investment you can ever make during tough times is in yourself

Whether you are feeling squeezed by the cost of living or wondering where the New Zealand economy is really heading, this episode breaks down what you need to know to take control of your financial future on your own terms.

Election day is almost here, and money is top of mind for a lot of us.
In this special live edition of Making Cents, I’m joined by:
Claire Matthews from Massey University
Michael Gorin from EnableMe
Dean Anderson, Founder and CEO of Kernel
Georgia Grange, Head of NZ at Revolut

We dig into the financial issues on the table, what the parties are promising, and whether those fixes could actually work.
KiwiSaver: is the political focus deserved, and what should change as it nears its 20th birthday?
The cost of living squeeze: record fuel prices, rising unemployment and inflation, and what you can do now
Investing through uncertainty: are there opportunities amid the chaos?
Competition in banking and supermarkets: will the proposed policies move the needle?
The property market: Auckland’s average price dips under $1m for the first time since 2020, and what a two-speed economy means for building wealth
What the politicians are getting right, and the missed opportunities.

Join the Money Memo newsletter for a free weekly money tip in your inbox each week https://www.francescook.co.nz/subscribe
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#MakingCents #FrancesCook #MakingCentsPodcast #InvestingPodcast #MoneyPodcast #FinancialFreedom