"People are very aware of our obligations around reducing our emissions. But chemical pollution is an equal priority. Climate change, biodiversity loss and chemical pollution are elevated to the same level in terms of a triple sanitary crisis." In this episode, hear from Kate Bromfield, founder of Coralus Venture HazEL. Kate joins Coralus Development Guide Loren Walsh to discuss HazEL's tools for chemical risk management, born out of Kate's experience working in chemical regulation in New Zealand and Australia since 2018. They also discuss: HazEL's role in prioritizing chemical risks, promoting transparency and reducing harm in the chemical supply chain. A case study involving a food manufacturing client Challenges in entrepreneurship include raising awareness about the importance of addressing chemical pollution Kate's experience in the Coralus community thus far. Connect with ⁠Kate Bromfield⁠ and ⁠HazEL⁠ on ⁠LinkedIn⁠. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more about Coralus and join our community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In this episode, hear from Stacey Mareroa-Roberts, founder of Coralus Venture Ignite Your Gift. Stacey joins Coralus Development Guide MJ Ryan to discuss Stacey’s journey so far, her background studying law and how it led to her founding Ignite Your Gift, and her company’s advisory, coaching, and mentoring practices grounded in Maori principles and values. Stacey begins the conversation with a karakia, expressing gratitude to the Creator and seeking blessings for everyone present. They also discuss: Holistic development, covering aspects like purpose, heart space, emotions, communication, and mental well-being Maori principles and language such as manaakitanga and aroha Stacey’s experience in the Coralus community so far How the application process prompted reflections on her business impact Connect with ⁠⁠Stacey and Ignite Your Gift⁠ on Instagram. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more about Coralus and join our community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In this episode, hear from Awhina Murupaenga, founder of Coralus Venture Whatu Creative. Awhina joins Coralus Development Guide MJ Ryan to discuss Awhina’s focus on sharing Maori storytelling and visual languages through traditional art, and her upbringing as part of the Kōhanga Reo movement of Māori immersion education style. They also discuss: Starting Whatu Creative in response to the needs of her people in the far north during COVID The excitement of her initial launch, selling out 200 craft kits within an hour An origin story involving Maori gods and the weaving technique Tukutuku How Whatu Creative aims to bring back lost symbolism and storytelling through traditional patterns Acknowledging the responsibility to pass on traditional knowledge Connect with ⁠Awhina and Whatu Creative on Instagram. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more about Coralus and join our community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

TW: This episode contains mentions of self-harm, violence, and bullying. In this episode, hear from Rachel Downie, founder of Coralus Venture Stymie. Rachel joins Coralus Activator Connie Henson to discuss Rachel's entrepreneurial journey, which stemmed from her background as an educator for 30 years. The tool that Rachel developed, Stymie, has grown into an anonymous online reporting tool — delivering over 100,000 notifications in the last year alone. They also discuss: The importance of courage in addressing issues like mental health and family violence The challenges and rewarding moments in transitioning from teaching to entrepreneurship Support from Coralus in providing support, mentorship, and a loving community Rachel's goal of spreading Stymie to every school around the world The importance of leaning into uncomfortable conversations to address harmful behaviours Connect with Rachel Downie and Stymie on LinkedIn, Facebook, X, and Instagram. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more about Coralus and join our community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In this episode, hear from Elisha Watson, founder of Coralus Venture Nisa, in a conversation with Development Guide MJ Ryan. Nisa was founded by Elisha in 2017, and up until July 2023, Nisa had provided employment to 29 women from refugee and migrant backgrounds. In December 2022, Elisha put Nisa up for sale and in June 2023, they announced they were closing. "In the final 5 weeks of business, it became really clear that Nisa's loyal customers valued the products that Nisa's staff made in their Wellington workshop.This response inspired Production Manager Pam Lowe to make a last-ditch effort to save Nisa; the jobs Nisa provides; and to keep making the clothing you love into the future.Together with other members of the Nisa team, a new plan emerged, and a hugely successful PledgeMe campaign launched. After funding their campaign goal in the first 24 hours, they ended the campaign with double the original goal. This made it possible for Nisa to re-start, re-stock and begin to create new employment opportunities to women from refugee and migrant backgrounds." They also discuss: Elisha's vision behind starting Nisa, which was to create job opportunities for people from refugee and migrant backgrounds. How Nisa grew and expanded its product range to include bras, socks, bathing suits, and activewear. Elisha's next steps and the pathway to selling the business. The community's overwhelming support, which led to allowing the business to continue operating. Nisa's new team members, including those from refugee and migrant backgrounds. Elisha's advice for entrepreneurs and learnings from her journey. Connect with Elisha Watson on LinkedIn, and learn more about Nisa on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more about Coralus and join our community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

"It's been a really interesting opportunity to dovetail 30 years of working in gender-based violence, to being now in a position to utilize technology in a way to create safer spaces." TW: This episode contains mentions of gender-based violence and sexual violence. In this episode, hear from Mary Lobson, founder of Coralus Venture REES. Mary joins Development Guide MJ Ryan to discuss REES’s trauma-informed, survivor-centered software as a service that gathers critical data to inform gender-based violence prevention. Since launching in September 2020, REES has evolved beyond campuses and is now partnering with the National Hockey League to create a centralized reporting system called the Respect Hockey Culture Center. They also discuss: How REES aims to reduce barriers to reporting and create a more inclusive and safe environment for anyone in the hockey ecosystem. The importance of timing, perseverance, and being open to unexpected opportunities in the entrepreneurship journey. Mary’s background in social services, and how her ability to follow her vision has contributed to REES’s success. Valuing the ability to work on her own terms and listening to feedback while balancing openness to new ideas. Connect with Mary Lobson and REES on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. ⁠⁠⁠Learn more about Coralus and join our community⁠⁠⁠⁠.

“We wanted to be able to create a sense of a peace of mind. That's one of the things I'm always talking to people about. When you're tired of being tired, you just want a peace of mind.” In this episode, hear from LaTesha McIntosh-Smith, founder of Coralus Venture A Peace of Mind Counseling Services. LaTesha joins Development Guide Loren Walsh to discuss her background as a licensed clinical social worker and her journey into entrepreneurship, A Peace of Mind's four-tiered approach: outpatient mental health clinical services, integrative wellness services, civic engagement, and educational department, and the company's civic engagement initiatives to give back to the community. They also discuss: Her company's emphasis on helping individuals find fulfilling careers rather than just jobs Challenges faced, including financial struggles, especially opening during the pandemic, and difficulty accessing financial assistance Her experience with the Coralus community thus far, especially connecting with other healthcare-related Ventures Plans for the future, including establishing a nonprofit arm Current programs, like Career Pathways to Success, aiming to support youth facing barriers in education and life Connect with ⁠LaTesha McIntosh-Smith⁠ and ⁠A Peace of Mind Counseling Services on ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠, and ⁠LinkedIn⁠. ⁠⁠Learn more about Coralus and join our community⁠⁠⁠.

"As a designer, those are the responsibilities that you need to take on board. We've got a world where we've only got finite resources. We can't just keep on making more and more and more, it's just costing the planet far too much." In this episode, hear from Liz Mitchell, founder of Coralus Venture The Wool Revolution. Liz joins Development Guide Loren Walsh to discuss her background as a fashion designer with over 25 years of experience, challenges with the wool supply chain in New Zealand, and the environmental impact of the fast fashion industry. They also discuss: Liz's connection with wool and its value, which led her to explore local wool production. Experimenting with different processes like hand-spun yarn, weaving, and needle felting to create textiles and products. The breakdown of supply chains during COVID which made local production more appealing. Liz's PledgeMe crowdfunding campaign. The circular economy aspect of wool, highlighting its sustainability, including creating living fleeces and biodegradable products. Connect with Liz Mitchell and The Wool Revolution on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. ⁠Learn more about Coralus and join our community⁠⁠.

"Wrapping paper is single use packaging. It's pretty single use packaging, but it is single use packaging. I want to keep that tradition. I love giving gifts. I love Christmas, I want all the trimmings. I just want to do it better." In this episode, hear from Emma Conyngham, founder of Coralus Venture Waste Free Celebrations. Emma joins Development Guide MJ Ryan to discuss how she started the business, the global problem of single-use packaging during holiday seasons, and employing refugees, informed by her time living and working in Afghanistan as an aid worker. They also discuss: The move next year to help one of her employees set up a business in Afghanistan Partnering with other Coralus Ventures to expand to 2 other holidays, including Matariki The recent Venture retreat and NZ Summit What's next for Waste Free Celebrations: including getting into gift wrap stations in malls and expanding to retail spaces. Connect with ⁠Emma Conyngham⁠ and Waste Free Celebrations on ⁠Facebook⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠. ⁠Learn more about Coralus and join our community⁠.

"There's this idea of a sponge city. So trying to have the city actually absorb rainwater through things like tree canopies and permeable pavements. We know that climate change is changing our weather patterns. So how do we adjust to that?"In this episode, hear from Becky Shaw, CEO of Coralus Venture Stormflow Surfacing. Becky joins development guide Loren Walsh to discuss her journey with Stormflow Surfacing so far, the importance of permeable pavement in managing extreme weather events, and how Stormflow Surfacing helps to reduce flooding, protect water quality, and rethink how cities are built. They also discuss: Customer experiences which highlight the slip-resistant surface and the ability to prevent ice formation in winter. The company's research and development to improve its product and ensure long-term permeability. The company's latest grants to support research, launch a new website, and make improvements. Their experience as a Venture in the Coralus community so far. Connect with Becky Shaw and Stormflow Surfacing on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Learn more about Coralus and join our community.