Ways to Wealth EP98: Creating the Conditions to be Lucky, with Lisbeth Jacobs

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In this episode of the Ways to Wealth Podcast, Charlie is joined by Lisbeth Jacobs!

Lisbeth Jacobs is CEO of Gallagher Animal Management, a Belgian engineer with a PhD who has built an international career spanning R&D, venture capital, and technology leadership. Her journey led her from Belgium to New Zealand via marriage, then to China where she headed R&D for a steel multinational, before returning to New Zealand in 2012.

The conversation explores Lisbeth’s philosophy that careers develop through serendipity rather than rigid planning – "creating conditions to be lucky" and jumping on opportunities like trains. She discusses her transition from engineering to various roles including HR, her work at the Ice House developing internationalization frameworks, and involvement with Wellington Drive Technologies and Uni Services.

Key themes include start-up investment criteria, with team formation and coachability being essential, the advantages of hardware-based businesses over pure software plays, and AI’s transformational impact on business operations. Lisbeth shares insights on managing technological disruption as a CEO, particularly around AI agents replacing traditional development approaches.

The discussion concludes with her views on intergenerational wealth – supporting children through education debt-free while teaching money’s value through work, and providing strategic assistance like house deposits as loans rather than gifts.

Check out Gallagher Animal Management here: https://am.gallagher.com

Watch all episodes of the Ways to Wealth Podcast here: https://www.eccuity.com/podcasts

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