Nothing on this podcast is to be taken as financial advice… but it might just make you think about your relationship with money. And you’ll find out something pretty vulnerable about ME that you probably don’t know, too!

Money. We all need it, we all have a relationship with it, but how often do we really stop and think about the way we approach it, the decisions we make and the opportunities we might be missing?

In this episode of The Boat Princess Podcast, I sit down with my wonderful friend Serena Lu, Founder of Funding Lab, for a fascinating, honest and at times very personal conversation about money, finance, investing and the mindset that shapes our financial decisions.

Serena and I have been great friends for years, ever since we first met in a meeting at NAB while I was arranging an investment loan! Who would have thought that meeting would lead to such a wonderful friendship and, eventually, this conversation?

After a successful career in corporate banking, Serena took the leap to establish Funding Lab, following her passion for helping clients navigate the often complicated world of finance. Today, she specialises in working with high-net-worth individuals and clients with complex financial structures, helping them find suitable lending solutions for investment properties, family homes, commercial property and much more.

But this episode isn't just about loans, interest rates and investment strategies.

It's about our relationship with money. The way our experiences shape our financial confidence, the importance of surrounding ourselves with the right experts, and why understanding your financial options can open doors you might never have considered.

And yes, I share something rather personal about my own experiences with money that you probably won't have heard me talk about before!

Whether you're an entrepreneur, a property investor, a business owner, someone looking to build greater financial confidence, or simply curious about how successful people approach their finances, there's plenty of food for thought in this conversation.

And who knows? Understanding finance a little better might just help you work towards owning that beautiful boat you've always dreamed of!

Because at The Boat Princess, we're not just talking about boats anymore. We're talking about the people, businesses, experiences and opportunities that help us create the lives we want to live.

🎧 Tune in, enjoy the conversation and perhaps start thinking about money a little differently.

The Boat Princess Podcast | Serena Lu | Funding Lab

For more information on The Funding Lab go to:

https://www.fundinglab.com.au/

I highly recommend signing up for her Newsletter!

Talking of which we have some exciting events coming up in the future including a "A Rising Tide - The Boat Princess Women's Retreat" at which Serena will be one of our presenters. To make sure you don't miss out on the details when we launch them sign up for our Newsletter at https://www.theboatprincess.com/

Disclaimer: This episode is for general information and discussion purposes only and does not constitute personal financial advice. Always seek advice from an appropriately qualified professional who understands your individual circumstances.

Peter Busfield: How New Zealand Built a World-Class Marine Industry

What can the rest of the boating world learn from New Zealand?

In this episode of The Boat Princess Podcast, Nicky Vaux sits down with one of the most influential figures in the New Zealand marine industry, Peter Busfield, former Executive Director of the NZ Marine Industry Association, former CEO of NZ Marine Export Inc and Superyacht NZ, and former President of the Boating Industries Association of New Zealand.

Peter has spent more than 30 years helping shape and represent New Zealand’s marine sector, and in this conversation we explore his remarkable career, his lifelong love of boating and the industry he has played such an important role in developing.

We talk about the Auckland Boat Show, which Peter helped establish in the late 1990s. First held in 1999, it has developed into New Zealand’s largest on-water boat show and operates under a model that is increasingly unusual internationally.

The Auckland Boat Show is owned and managed by the NZ Marine Industry Association. It is an industry-led, not-for-profit event designed to promote New Zealand’s marine sector, with funds generated by the show reinvested into initiatives that support and grow the industry.

Peter and I discuss whether this model could offer lessons for other marine markets as boat shows around the world evolve. In Australia, for example, we have recently seen greater involvement from commercial event operators such as Informa. It raises an interesting question for the future: who should own and operate a boat show — the marine industry itself or a professional commercial event company?

We also talk about the Millennium Cup, New Zealand’s prestigious superyacht regatta, and the role events such as this play in showcasing New Zealand as a world-class destination for superyachts, marine tourism, refit, boatbuilding and the wider marine industry.

Another fascinating part of our conversation is New Zealand’s approach to developing the next generation of marine talent through MAST Academy and its marine apprenticeship and training pathways. We discuss the importance of creating skilled boatbuilders, marine technicians and specialist tradespeople — and why investing in training is so critical to the future of the boating industry.

Peter shares his thoughts on how the industry has changed during his career, why a relatively small country like New Zealand continues to punch well above its weight in international boatbuilding and the superyacht sector, and what the future of boating, boat shows, marine apprenticeships and major marine events might look like.

And, of course, we talk about something Peter and I have very much in common — a genuine love of boats and being on the water.

A fascinating conversation with a man who has spent three decades helping steer the New Zealand marine industry.

Topics discussed: Peter Busfield | NZ Marine | Auckland Boat Show | Millennium Cup | New Zealand Marine Industry | MAST Academy | Marine Apprenticeships | Boatbuilding | Superyacht NZ | New Zealand Superyachts | Marine Industry Training | Boat Shows | Future of Boating | Marine Tourism | The Boat Princess Podcast

What is it really like to work aboard some of the world’s largest and most luxurious superyachts?

My guest, Erin Pickering, knows firsthand.

Erin began her career in the media world in Australia, but quickly realised that spending the rest of her twenties behind a desk wasn't for her. So she did something rather brave — she boarded a one-way flight to Europe and set out to find herself a job in yachting.

She secured her first position aboard a 35-metre Sunseeker, beginning a career that would take her through the ranks of the superyacht industry and ultimately to the role of Purser aboard Steven Spielberg's megayacht.

But behind the glamour of the superyacht world lies a very different reality.

In this conversation, Erin and I talk about the isolation and intensity of working aboard yachts, the extraordinary standards expected of crew and what actually happens behind the scenes when you're looking after some of the wealthiest people in the world.

We also delve into what happened when COVID hit the superyacht industry. For Erin, what was supposed to be a 10-day schedule became 110 days, creating a whole new set of logistical, operational and very human challenges.

And, of course, I had to ask: Is working on a superyacht actually anything like Bravo's Below Deck?

Having reached the pinnacle of her yachting career, Erin eventually made the decision to leave life onboard, return to Australia and establish her own business, Holystone. We talk about making that transition and ask an interesting question: when you've spent your career surrounded by extraordinary wealth and luxury, what does success look like for you personally?

For anyone thinking about a career in yachting or superyachts, this episode offers some valuable advice and a realistic look at the challenges involved — but also captures just how exciting, adventurous and rewarding this extraordinary industry can be.

For more information on Erin's Business go to:

https://www.holystone.au/

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