Connection is at the heart of how I work - and how I live.
The people around you shape everything. In business, the right relationships create trust, open doors and hold you accountable. Outside of it, they keep you sane.
I've always invested in communities - building them, joining them, showing up for them. Not for networking. Because good people around you genuinely matter.
The network I work alongside
In delivering trusted independent facilitation and advisory, I work closely with lawyers, accountants, recruitment specialists, insurance brokers, financial advisers, property specialists, and branding and IP experts. When a situation calls for specialist input, I know who to call.
The communities I'm part of - or have built
The Polo Club (Daily) What started as three guys in polo shirts became a daily WhatsApp group - five years of honesty, vulnerability, critique, encouragement, retreats and plenty of laughs. It's kept us sane through Covid and beyond.
The Breakfast Club (Monthly) An invitation 10+ years ago led me to a then 35-year-old institution. Today I help organise it. Each month, entrepreneurs, politicians, scientists and leaders share their stories. A rapidly growing, curated group - a place for learning, camaraderie and real conversation across generations.
The Schnitzel Club (Every few months) One Spanish mate at tennis eight years ago led to 60 guys on a WhatsApp group. Every few months a large number turn up at a local German restaurant for schnitzel, beer and connection. Not everyone knows each other - but new friendships get made every time.
ZiGR Dinners (Semi-regular) With two close mates - one a globally awarded business coach — we meet regularly to talk business and life. No judgement. Just listening, nudging and honest conversation.
Tuesday Blokes' Breakfast (Weekly) A mate who recently retired pulls together about eight of us at the local café. Mostly light-hearted. Not every gathering needs to be deep and meaningful - and this one reminds me of that.
Dinner Club (Bi-monthly) Old mates, each having to cook a meal for the group. There is nothing quite like old friends. You just get each other.
Friday Golf Club (Fortnightly in summer) A return to golf at 50. Sunshine, average shots and great company.
Tennis Club (Fortnightly) I grew up with tennis and came back to it after a long time away. Sport brings joy and fresh connections at any age. Still true.
GrownUps® - 2006 to 2016
Connection has always been part of my DNA. Co-founding GrownUps - NZ's leading lifestyle platform for the 50+ demographic - was proof of that at scale. At its peak, GrownUps attracted 200,000 monthly visitors, 160,000 members and 10,000 articles and resources. It wasn't just a business. It became a community. We eventually sold it to Cigna, a Fortune 500 company.
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The Brain Drain Campaign - 2000
When so many of my peers were leaving New Zealand, I placed a full-page ad in national papers asking our leaders what would happen if we didn't return. It sparked real debate and earned national coverage. With today's brain drain, the question feels relevant again.
Why this matters
Good people around you can never be overrated. They help you get through the hard times and celebrate the wins. They make life richer and more honest.
The same instinct that built GrownUps and keeps me showing up to these communities underpins the work I do now - because ownership decisions don't happen in a vacuum. They happen between people. And people are always the real story.
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