Super Creative

Hosted by Catie Dawson | Super Creative

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Episodes

116

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Aug 2026

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About the show

Super Creative is a leading New Zealand podcast exploring creativity and business through candid conversations with inspiring women. Hosted by Catie Dawson, the show features founders, leaders and creative thinkers navigating entrepreneurship, strategy, growth and life behind the scenes. Each episode explores the realities of building work that is meaningful, profitable and sustainable. With over 100 episodes across five years, Super Creative shines a light on the people shaping industries across design, food, fashion, publishing, marketing and beyond. Whether you are building a business, growing a career or simply curious about how creative leaders think and operate, this podcast offers practical insight, thoughtful reflection and grounded business perspective.

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60 recent

August 31, 20261 hr 29 min

Sasha McLeod - Dose Buddy | Inventing a product, validating the idea, bringing it to market.

Today on the podcast, I speak with Sasha McLeod, founder of DoseBuddy , a reusable medicine syringe for kids, with numbers that never rub off and a cap that stops the mess. In this episode, Sasha takes us through the journey from that 2am frustration to a fully realised, regulated medical product. We talk about: 🍼 How she validated her idea 💸 Using PledgeMe to fund the first manufacturing run 📢 Building a brand and community by sharing it all publicly, delays included 📱 Her approach to digital marketing and founder-led content 👶🏻 Juggling a full-time job, motherhood, and building a business on the side Sasha is so open and honest about the process, and because digital marketing is her actual day job, this episode ends up being as much a masterclass in brand and social strategy as it is a founder story. I know you'll love my korero with Sasha as much as I did. After the episode, head to dosebuddy.co to check out this amazing new product for yourself (already a staple in my home), and follow @dosebuddy on Instagram to follow along the journey as Sasha grows her brand. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

August 12, 20261 hr 31 min

Zoë Williams - Zoe & Morgan | A family-led business honouring craftsmanship and connection

Today on the podcast, I speak with Zoë Williams, co-founder of Zoe & Morgan , a consciously created jewellery brand she runs alongside her siblings, Ruth and Morgan. For 20 years, Zoe & Morgan have been crafting jewellery that celebrates connections and stories, showcasing a vibrant and fully-fledged expression of craftsmanship, individuality, and connection We talk about: 🤍 The foundations and values that guide every decision 👪 What it takes to build a family-led business with your siblings 🌿 Honouring craftsmanship and connection 🏠 Balancing motherhood and growth ✨ What success really means to her I adored talking with Zoë. This was such a thoughtful and gentle conversation, Zoe is so genuine and so generous with her time and her story. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

August 3, 20261 hr 36 min

Vanya Insull - VJ Cooks | Building one of New Zealand's best known food platforms

EPISODE 112: Vanya Insull started VJ Cooks in 2016 with a Facebook page sharing videos of what she was cooking for her own family. Ten years later, it's a website with 800+ recipes, a meal planning app ( CookPlan ), three cookbooks (with a fourth on the way), and a social media following approaching a million people. 🍴 In this episode, Vanya takes us through the whole journey, from those first Facebook videos through to the systems, the team, and the decisions that turned a passion project into a genuine business. We talk about: 🧾 The workflow and checklists that keep it all running 📅 Planning around the school term 📱 Content planning and social media - sooooo much insight! 🤝 Outsourcing early, even before you feel ready 🍰 Choosing collaboration over competition with other creators Vanya is warm, funny and an open book. I got so much out of this episode and I know you will too. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

July 29, 20261 hr 18 min

The Art of Home - Super Creative Live

✨LIVE EPISODE✨ An evening of thoughtful and lively conversation with Liv Patience ( Material Creative ), Olivia Moon ( Nodi ) and Amber Armitage ( Interior Stylist ). You might be wondering why we talked about interiors at a food festival, but when you think about it, food and interiors are inseparable. Food is at the heart of the home. It's what brings people together. We gather around tables, we linger in kitchens, we open a bottle of wine with friends, celebrate milestones, and create the small everyday rituals that shape our lives. Join us for a thoughtful conversation about how considered interiors, shared meals and meaningful hospitality shape homes that feel deeply lived in and loved. ~ This event was co-hosted by Super Creative Podcast and Blank Canvas Catering as part of the Flavours of Plenty festival in Tauranga, New Zealand. Recorded in April 2026. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

March 5, 20261 hr 23 min

How to optimise your business in 2026 with Rosie Holt

This episode of Super Creative is another one that’s slightly different to the norm. After the response to my DIY PR episode with Liv Boswell last year, I realised how much people value hearing directly from experts who can share practical insight for running and growing a business. Today I’m joined by business and mindset coach (and friend of the pod) Rosie Holt for a conversation about how to optimise your business in 2026. It’s coming out a little later than I originally planned, but it actually feels perfectly timed as we head into the new financial year. We talk about strategy, direction and the importance of stepping back from the day-to-day work of running a business to think about where you’re actually heading. Rosie shares practical advice on setting meaningful goals, creating simple strategies, managing your time more intentionally and building systems that allow your business to grow sustainably. This episode really is for anyone. You might have been in business for years or you might be in the early stages. You might be working solo, leading a small team, or even just sitting on a business idea you’re hoping to launch in 2026. Even if you’ve been running a business for a long time, you might recognise the classic trap of working in the business rather than on it. And if strategy is already one of your strengths, you might simply enjoy hearing some fresh ideas and perspectives. In true Super Creative style, the conversation is relaxed and unscripted but packed with useful ideas that will help you start the year with clarity and direction. After this conversation, find Rosie at www.rosieholt.co and @rosie.coaches on Instagram. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

February 19, 20261 hr 55 min

Jen Jones - NZ Design Week | Building and Scaling New Zealand’s Premier Design Event

Today on the podcast I speak to Jen Jones - founder of New Zealand Design Week . She’s also a construction manager by profession, entrepreneur, and speaker. Jen is a woman who wears many hats. Jen has spent almost 15 years delivering complex commercial and infrastructure projects, managing builds up to $300 million, while also carving out a voice in sustainable construction and considered living. In 2023, alongside her construction work, Jen founded Auckland Design Week, which has now evolved into New Zealand Design Week. Created to give designers a platform to connect, collaborate, and be seen, NZDW has quickly evolved into a nationally recognised event. In this conversation we talk about Jen’s journey from construction into events, the realities of building something from scratch, what it takes to scale an idea, and the bigger ambition behind New Zealand Design Week. This is a conversation about vision, resilience, commercial thinking and backing yourself, even when the market is tough. Jen makes me feel motivated. She backs herself. She is not afraid to put herself out there. There is an incredible drive and capacity for work, but also real clarity about why she is doing it. She is a true example of “just start” - even when the goal feels massive. I loved my kōrero with Jen and I know you will too. After this conversation, find NZ Design Week at nzdesignweek.com and @nzdesignweek on Instagram. Right, let’s get on with the show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

February 5, 20261 hr 55 min

Cherie Metcalfe - Pepper & Me

Today on the podcast I speak to Cherie Metcalfe, founder of Pepper & Me – a Tauranga based food brand that believe food should be bold, exciting and never a chore. Their salts, sauces, and seasonings are designed to make cooking easier and bring big flavour to every meal. Pepper & Me grew from Cherie’s background as a chef and a very practical idea. Helping people cook great food at home without overcomplicating it. Built on the idea that good food should be simple, flavourful and accessible, the business has grown to include a range of more than 80 products, cookbooks, and a highly engaged online community. In this conversation, Cherie shares the story behind the brand’s growth, from its early beginnings through to becoming a well-recognised name in New Zealand households. What I loved about this conversation is how open, funny and down-to-earth Cherie is. She’s incredibly generous with her story, an open book when it comes to the realities of building a business, and very clear on the values that underpin everything Pepper & Me does. That authenticity comes through strongly in the way she talks about community, trust, and the importance of connection over constant selling. I loved my kōrero with Cherie and I know you will too. After this conversation, visit the Pepper & Me website at www.pepperandme.co.nz and find @pepperandme on Instagram. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

January 27, 20261 hr 12 min

Annique Heesen Returns (100 Series)

In this episode, I’m joined by interior designer and founder of Gezellig Interiors , Annique Heesen. At the heart of Gezellig is the idea of creating spaces that speak to the soul. Annique first joined me in November 2020, just over five years ago, right at the very beginning of Super Creative. So much has changed since then, and this felt like the perfect moment to sit down and catch up. In this conversation, Annique shares what the last five years have looked like, from growing her studio, to refining the type of work she wants to do and the way she wants to work. We talk about building a values-led creative practice, the importance of trust and creative freedom with clients, and why great design starts with understanding how people actually want to live. We also talk about leadership and team building, learning to let go of control, making space for deep creative work, and the lessons that come with experience, motherhood and time. Once again, this is a thoughtful, generous and deeply reflective conversation about creativity, business and family. Annique’s original episode resonated strongly with listeners, and I know so many of you will take a lot from this follow-up. I loved my catch up kōrero with Annique and I know you will too. After this conversation, make sure you are following @gezellig_interiors on Instagram. And then head to gezelliginteriors.com to be inspired by incredible spaces that speak to the soul. (The 100 Series is a collection of conversations revisiting previous podcast guests to celebrate the milestone of 100 Super Creative episodes.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

January 8, 20261 hr 5 min

Katey Mandy Returns (100 Series)

Today on the podcast, I’m joined by Katey Mandy, founder and CEO of Raaie , a New Zealand made skincare brand combining powerful land, sea and alpine botanicals from Aotearoa with modern cosmeceutical science. Katey first joined me in July 2023, when Raaie was just a year into business, and honestly, I could not believe it has only been two years. So much has happened for Raaie in that time. In this conversation, Katey shares what’s changed since we last spoke, from expanding the product range and growing the team, to relocating back to London and building the brand on a truly global stage. We talk about what it takes to scale with intention, including investment, structures and systems, and the realities of supporting major retail partnerships like Sephora. Katey also takes us deep into brand, strategy and storytelling, including how she built a clear framework from day one and why consistency matters. We discuss customer retention, loyalty and relationship building, and some of the biggest lessons she’s learned as the business has matured. Once again, Katey is the most wonderful open book. The feedback from her first episode was so incredible and I know there will be similar thoughts on this one. This is an honest, behind the scenes conversation and it is full of insight for anyone building a product-based business, especially if you’re thinking beyond New Zealand. I loved my catch up kōrero with Katey and I know you will too. After this conversation, make sure you are following @raaieskincare on Instagram. And then head to raaieskincare.com to learn more about this award-winning brand and of course, shop some beautiful skincare. (The 100 Series is a collection of conversations revisiting previous podcast guests to celebrate the milestone of 100 Super Creative episodes.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

December 23, 202519 min

A message from me and some business lessons from 2025

A random little solo episode from me reflecting on the year that has just been, sharing some business lessons that I have l learnt from the women I have had on the podcast this year and looking ahead to 2026. Happy holidays! Thank you so much for listening to, and supporting, Super Creative. x Catie Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.