Across The Table With David Melse

EP228: Important Podcast Update! Mid year recap | David Melse

For episode 228, David and Buddy go to the pub!

EP227: The Future of NZ Finance: The insurance Trifecta (Lucas Yeung / Invicta financial)

For episode 227, we sit down with Lucas Yeung, the co-founder of Invicta Financial, for a deep dive into his journey from being "young, dumb, and broke" to leading one of New Zealand’s fastest-growing financial services firms. Recorded on-site at their Christchurch office, this conversation marks Lucas’s first appearance on the podcast and explores the story of his career.
Lucas recounts the humble beginnings of Invicta, which he started alongside his co-founder Tom just five years ago. Operating from a kitchen table in a small townhouse, the pair built the foundation of what has now become a multi-city operation. The business has since expanded rapidly into Auckland and Wellington, with Lucas sharing exciting updates on their brand new Queen Street office currently under renovation to accommodate their growing team.
A major theme of the episode is Lucas’s vision for a "one-stop shop" in the financial sector. He explains why Invicta is moving away from the traditional niche model of financial advice to create a seamless experience where clients can manage mortgages, insurance, and KiwiSaver all under one roof. He provides a fascinating breakdown of the synergy between insurance and KiwiSaver, detailing how they use insurance for immediate protection while building a client's KiwiSaver balance to a point where it can eventually "take over" the risk as premiums naturally rise with age.
The conversation also touches on the realities of scaling a service-based business. Lucas reflects on the pivotal decision to grow beyond a two-man operation, highlighting the success of their first employee, Jared, who joined at age 20 and has since become a cornerstone of their management team. Looking toward the future, Lucas doesn't hold back on his ambitions, discussing the goal of dominating the New Zealand "trifecta" of major cities and the long-term dream of potentially taking the company public—a rare feat in the local financial industry.
Finally, Lucas pulls back the curtain on the world of lead generation and marketing. He describes the mechanics of buying leads for insurance comparisons and why Invicta is shifting its strategy this year to focus on building a household brand name. Whether you're interested in the inner workings of the New Zealand financial landscape or the grit required to scale a startup from a kitchen table to a national presence, this episode offers a transparent and inspiring look at modern entrepreneurship. 
Check out Invicta Financial here:
www.invictafinancial.co.nz
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We’d like to thank our sponsor for this episode, Rosefern Homes. Check them out here:www.rosefernhomes.co.nz
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Produced by Buddy Booth

EP226: Redefining Quality in Modern Townhouse Design (Paul Szybiak / ROSEFERN)

For episode 226, we met up with Paul Szybiak to check out 3 different building sites across Christchurch, documenting each stage of the building process for a ROSEFERN home. We see a freshly demolished site, to a construction site, to a newly completed townhouse. At each new location we get to hear about the challenges and wins of developing during the Christchurch development boom, and what the future of ROSEFERN HOMES looks like. 
We’d like to thank our sponsor for this episode, Rosefern Homes. Check them out here:https://www.rosefernhomes.co.nz/
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Produced by Buddy Booth

EP225: Why Private Credit is the Ultimate "Boring" Wealth Builder (Simon Rolland/ZURIX)

For episode 225, we sat down with Simon Rolland for an exclusive interview about the new secret brand he has been building, ZURIX.CO.NZ. In his most personal conversation yet, Simon explains how this business aligns with a childhood dream of his, how his own son inspired the company name, and how mountaineering in his 20s shaped the new logo. After starting, scaling, and selling multiple businesses, Simon has a new approach to running this business, with a key focus on NOT scaling, and instead building for the next 30 years.
Simon talks about his shift away from the high-velocity startup environment toward a more stable and sustainable legacy. He explains his philosophy of finding value in companies that are often overlooked because they appear analog or outdated, and he shares the specific steps he took to rebrand Fifo Capital into Zurix. This process wasn't just about a name change though, it was about modernizing systems to unlock hidden potential and turn a standard business into a high-yielding machine.
Simon warns listeners about the dangers of buying into an industry where you don't possess the fundamental skills to step in and ‘save the day’ if things go wrong. He also details a pivotal moment in his career involving a private credit deal that generated $23,000 a month with minimal maintenance, which completely reshaped his view on how to effectively place capital.
Finally, Simon and David discuss the importance of finding a growth sweet spot rather than chasing scale for its own sake. Simon explains his goal of a balanced business model that maximizes both professional profit and personal freedom, rather than scaling and changing the company completely. Whether you are interested in private credit, looking to acquire your first company, or simply want to learn how to move from working for your business to making your capital work for you, this episode provides a masterclass in strategic thinking.
 
Check out ZURIX here:
www.ZURIX.co.nz
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We’d like to thank our sponsor for this episode, Rosefern Homes. Check them out here:https://www.rosefernhomes.co.nz/
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Produced by Buddy Booth

EP224: The Green Gold Rush: How Puro is Scaling NZ’s Cannabis Industry (Tim Aldridge)

For episode 224, we met up with Tim Aldridge in Marlborough to tour PURO, the biggest cannabis farm in New Zealand. With over 60,000 plants, it’s something you have to see (and smell) to believe! In this mini episode of the podcast we hear the story of how Tim, Sank and Tom founded PURO, how it broke the NZ crowdfunding record on PledgeMe, how difficult it’s been to get started, and how fast the operation has been scaling. Tim predicts that Marlborough could be one of the best places in the world to grow medicinal cannabis, and explains how despite their massive success in markets such as Australia, Germany and the UK, how kiwis are unable to buy the product for themselves. This is a really unique business story that you won't find anywhere else! 
 
Check out PURO here:
www.puro.nz
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We’d like to thank our sponsor for this episode, Rosefern Homes. Check them out here:https://www.rosefernhomes.co.nz/
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Produced by Buddy Booth

EP223: Making a Mini-Golf business from NOTHING (Lucas Devotion)

For episode 223, we met up with Lucas Devotion at the newly completed ‘Fillin Holes’ mini golf course. 11 months ago, Lucas was on the podcast explaining his plan to turn an abandoned Christchurch city lot into a construction themed mini golf course. Now, less than 1 year later, the vision has come to life! David and Lucas hit it off with an all new format. 18 questions over 18 holes. The questions cover all topics from the initial idea, building in public, sponsorships, ram raids, support from the community, future projects and the lasting legacy of iconic projects. This was a super fun episode to film, and covers a really unique business story. Who will win the game of mini golf? Listen to find out! (This episode was filmed and recorded outside, and may contain some ambient background noise)
 
Check out Fillin Holes here:
www.fillinholes.co.nz
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We’d like to thank our sponsor for this episode, Rosefern Homes. Check them out here:https://www.rosefernhomes.co.nz/
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Produced by Buddy Booth

EP222: Saying goodbye to the podcast (David Melse)

For episode 222, David and Buddy sat down for the first new podcast episode of the year, announcing the end of the previous podcast format, and announcing an all new style for 2026. Rather than continuing the studio format, we are spicing things up and taking the podcast on the road, with a new style that combines free form documentary and educational content. David lays out his goals for the new year, as well as recapping some of the big events from 2025.
This is just a short one as we test out the new format, but we are hyped to bring you the next episode! Stay tuned for more!
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We’d like to thank our sponsor for this episode, Rosefern Homes. Check them out here:https://www.rosefernhomes.co.nz/
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Produced by Buddy Booth

EP221: Your Yearly Goal in Four Months: The E-commerce Strategy (Curtis Fairweather)

For episode 221, we sat down with Curtis Fairweather to dissect the exponential growth of his Tallow Skincare business, which launched only ten months ago and has scaled at a record-breaking pace. Curtis shares the core strategy that fueled this fire: keeping his processes aggressively streamlined, launching with only four key products for the first seven months, and leaning heavily into paid ads to generate quick cash flow that could be immediately reinvested for maximum acceleration. It’s a masterclass in how to build a high-growth e-commerce brand designed for velocity.
The conversation dives into the unlikely origin story of the product, which started as a bone broth venture before pivoting after a customer mentioned using the residual animal fat (tallow) to treat a hand rash. Curtis explains how he intentionally shifted the brand's focus from general 'beauty' to solving real-world problems like eczema, a move that gave his business instant credibility. This approach was cemented by working closely with the Eczema Association, which helped the product cut through the crowded market and gave his rapidly growing 19-person team a powerful sense of mission.
Finally, Curtis gives us the honest truth about the grind required to sustain this scale. He reveals he stayed too long at his day job in a software company and was "way burnt out" before taking the leap, which ultimately accelerated his growth. We cover the logistical nightmare of running manufacturing and shipping 100% in-house, and how he just signed a lease for a new space three times bigger to hold inventory. This chat is packed with hard-won lessons on the necessity of simplifying your product line, focusing on the most important, high-leverage task, and accepting that your yearly goals will likely be met in four months.
Check out Primal Pantry:https://www.primalpantry.co.nz/
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We’d like to thank our sponsor for this episode, Rosefern Homes. Check them out here:https://www.rosefernhomes.co.nz/
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Across The Table with David Melse has taken a dramatic increase in production value thanks to the team at Distinct. 
Looking for content partners to take your brand to the next level? Get in touch with them here:https://www.distinctagency.co.nz

EP220: AI and the New Business Blueprint (Diego Ramirez)

For episode 220, we sat down with Diego Ramirez, an expert known for mastery in AI business automation. Diego shares an unprecedented and urgent message: his current technical skillset is on the verge of obsolescence. He explains that with platforms like OpenAI and other tools advancing so rapidly, the need for human input on the how to automate will soon vanish. This conversation is a crucial wake up call for any business leader trying to stay ahead of the curve.
We dive deep into the next level of expertise, which Diego predicts will shift entirely from the technical execution to the strategic question: What and why should a business automate? This pivot requires business owners to be open minded and not fearful of new technology, or risk falling behind those who already have a "leg up" in the market. The true challenge is no longer coding, but vision.
Ultimately, this is a discussion about future-proofing your business and your career. Diego shares the importance of surrounding yourself with "expanders"—people who stretch your blueprint for what is possible—to help you ask the right questions and develop the intuition necessary to thrive in an era of exponential change. Get ready to shift your thinking from tasks to strategy and secure your place in the automated future.
Check out Diego at HMN PLUS:https://www.hmn.plus/
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We’d like to thank our sponsor for this episode, Rosefern Homes. Check them out here:https://www.rosefernhomes.co.nz/
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Across The Table with David Melse has taken a dramatic increase in production value thanks to the team at Distinct. 
Looking for content partners to take your brand to the next level? Get in touch with them here:https://www.distinctagency.co.nz
 

EP219: 9 Months of Brutal Business Survival (James Wallace)

For episode 219, we sat down with James Wallace for an extraordinary and raw account of the business crisis that rocked his company over the last nine months. James offers a crash course in the true cost of scaling, revealing how his management philosophy—a desire to "see the best in people" and an inability to control structural mistakes—led to a catastrophic breakdown. He details how the company’s culture deteriorated to a point where he "didn't want to go to work," client losses mounted, and expensive legal challenges emerged, leaving him feeling like a "shell of a human" while balancing the crisis with being a new father.
The conversation shifts to the critical "line in the sand" moment in April when James realized the business was facing death if he didn't take immediate, radical control. He shares the strategic decisions that stabilized the ship, including personally stepping back into the sales trenches with his brother to generate significant recurring revenue, which bought the company the time necessary to execute a brutal but necessary restructure. James breaks down how he slashed the workforce but created a new structure that was "delivery heavy," prioritizing a high quality product over bloated management.
Today, the company is not only out of the woods but is experiencing its best margins ever, with monthly revenue expected to cross the $300,000 mark. James offers his hardest-won lessons on the necessity of protecting a healthy culture "at all costs," the mistake of trying to "farm out" director responsibilities he disliked, and the vital importance of making tough decisions early rather than hoping problems will correct themselves. This episode is a must-listen for any leader who has faced adversity, proving that genuine intention and forward momentum are the ultimate keys to transforming failure into explosive growth.
 
Check out Digital Simple here:https://www.digitalsimple.co.nz/
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We’d like to thank our sponsor for this episode, Rosefern Homes. Check them out here:https://www.rosefernhomes.co.nz/
___________________
Across The Table with David Melse has taken a dramatic increase in production value thanks to the team at Distinct. 
Looking for content partners to take your brand to the next level? Get in touch with them here:https://www.distinctagency.co.nz