In this episode of Business In Focus, Amanda sits down with Cushla Reed, founder of the beloved New Zealand fashion footwear brand Minx. From her early days growing up on the Kapiti Coast to running a nationwide business based in the heart of Onehunga, Cushla’s journey is anything but ordinary.

She shares how she got her start in her stepfather’s shoe factory, the bold leap she took launching Minx with her sister in 2000, and the near-collapse of the business after a disastrous joint venture in Fiji.

With candour and humour, Cushla talks about resilience, creativity, and the powerful moment she received a surprise cake and a handwritten note from a stranger.

This conversation is a celebration of women in business, design with heart, and the kind of fearless reinvention that defines so many Onehunga businesses.

SOCIAL LINKS:

• Follow Amanda Wellgreen on LinkedIn.
• Follow Business Onehunga on LinkedIn, Facebook & Instagram
• Follow Onehunga FM on LinkedIn, Facebook & Instagram

In this episode of Business In Focus, Amanda sits down with Sonia Haumonte, founder of Vaniyé Patisserie, a boutique French pastry business that’s operated in Parnell since 2012 and recently expanded into Onehunga.

Sonia shares her incredible journey from a childhood in a family-run restaurant in Chiang Mai Thailand to training in France as a pastry chef, and ultimately building an award-winning patisserie in Aotearoa.

Sonia touches on the challenges of adapting to different communities, staying true to artisanal values in a trend-driven food culture, and why she believes great pastries are about passion.

You’ll also hear how Vaniyé’s new Onehunga location was a full-circle moment, the importance of leading by example in the kitchen, and why Sonia insists on closing Sundays despite the financial cost. Her insights into leadership, burnout, and building a values-driven business are honest, heartfelt, and inspiring.

Whether you're into French pastries, entrepreneurship, or community-minded business, this episode is a treat.

SOCIAL LINKS:

• Follow Amanda Wellgreen on LinkedIn.
• Follow Business Onehunga on LinkedIn, Facebook & Instagram
• Follow Onehunga FM on LinkedIn, Facebook & Instagram

Nicky Davis didn’t set out to run a gym - but when her sister asked her to help open F45 One Tree Hill, she brought her teaching instincts and deep care for people into the fitness world. Six and a half years later, the studio has become more than a place to work out: it’s a vibrant, ego-free community that reflects the heart of Onehunga.

In this episode, Nicky shares her journey from early childhood education to becoming the operational force behind one of New Zealand’s top-performing F45 studios. She talks about navigating business challenges like COVID lockdowns, building a team culture based on trust and openness, and the unique character of Onehunga as a business hub.

We also hear about leadership lessons, bust some myths about fitness (especially for women), and what it takes to maintain a supportive gym environment in a changing suburb.

SOCIAL LINKS:

• Follow Amanda Wellgreen on LinkedIn.
• Follow Business Onehunga on LinkedIn, Facebook & Instagram

Follow Onehunga FM on LinkedIn, Facebook & Instagram