Pints, Pies & Profits

Built around a Richard Branson quote — employees first, customers second — this episode is a deep dive into how to identify, keep, and lead A-grade talent, even in a tight labour market.

You'll learn:

-What actually defines an "A-grader" (and why they'll leave a B-grade environment no matter the market);

-The annual "Keep Test" — would you fight to keep this person, or feel relief if they left?;

-The Goal-Role-Rem...

A practical, framework-heavy episode on how owners actually get better at running their business — and how to know what kind of help you need next.

-You'll learn: the 70-20-10 rule for learning (on-the-job, coached, and formal/theory);

-How to spot your business's natural bias across Product, Customer and Finance;

-The real difference between a mentor and a coach;

-Why looking outside your own industry for advice often pays o...

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 ...

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 th...

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 imp...

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 per...

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 prefe...

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 emotiona...

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 bal...

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 g...

Scott breaks his own "NZ craft only" rule with an Indonesian beer and a nostalgic servo-style pie, the hosts turn the mic on imposter syndrome, when confidence-faking helps vs. hurts, and why the best operators know exactly which rules to break.

You'll learn: 

- The "30% uncomfortable" rule for sustainable growth;

- When to project confidence vs. when to put your hand up and ask for help;

- Why "create process, don't just foll...

A sobering, practical one. Using the collapse and rescue of Epic Beer as a case study, Mike and Scott talk about the real signs a business is in trouble, when to pull the pin, and why over-leverage — not bad ideas — kills most companies.

You'll learn:

- The difference between voluntary and involuntary liquidation;

- Why "get the umbrella when it's sunny" beats scrambling for capital in a crisis;

- The danger of personal...

The hosts unpack why passion is one of the worst reasons to start a business — and what to chase instead. Over 8Wired IPAs and a Red Beach Bakehouse sweet plum & lamb pie, they trace the line from mastery to passion, and confront the uncomfortable question: are you the bottleneck in your own company?

You'll learn:

• The PCF (Product-Customer-Finance) framework for diagnosing a stalling business;
• Why "get good, then get...

Mike and Scott kick things off with the big question every founder eventually asks: what actually is a business? Over Lakeman West Coast IPAs and a Dad's Pies Angus Steak & Jalapeño, they dig into growth cliffs, the "roller coaster vs. merry-go-round" mindset, and why naivety might be an entrepreneur's biggest superpower.

You'll learn:

-What makes a beer "craft" vs. commercial;

-The Product-Customer-Finance formula for any busi...

Running a business is one of the loneliest jobs in the world. Everyone thinks you've got it figured out. Most days, it feels like you're not so sure.

Pints, Pies & Profits is the weekly business podcast for founders and owners who want straight answers, not more noise. Every episode, Mike and Scott crack open a craft beer, cut into a pie, and dig into the real stuff, cash flow, team drama, strategy, growth, the decisions t...