Welcome to Minority Makers! We are Rebecca & Jessica, daughters of refugees who took the safe path to become doctors—but now we're on a mission to explore what it takes to build a business as a minority. Join us as we sit down with everyday minority makers to uncover their stories, challenges, and find out what it really takes to turn a vision into a reality.
Episode 13: Matilda Lee - Founder & Owner of Butter Baby
Matilda Lee, founder of Butter Baby, discusses building a bakery inspired by Kiwi-Singaporean flavors and driven by community, in this interview episode.
5 Oct 2025
Episode 12: Ghazaleh Pakdel - DEI Project & Program Manager & Founder of Refugee Story Project
Ghazaleh Pakdel, DEI Project and Program Manager, discusses her experiences as a refugee and how they inform her work promoting inclusion in corporate and community spaces in an interview with the host.
1 Sept 2025
Episode 11: Taz Machra - Founder & Director of Swolefoods
Host [Host Name] interviews Taz Machra, Founder & Director of Swolefoods, about his resilient journey building a successful health food brand from uncertainty.
31 Jul 2025
Episode 10: Maggie Maximiano- the business owner with a heart for the community
Maggie Maximiano shares her journey of founding Maxy's Cupcakes and The Sharing Hope Project, illustrating how businesses can integrate charitable missions and positively impact the community in this interview.
3 Jul 2025
Episode 9: Jesse Armstrong- Co-Founder & CEO of VAKA
Jesse Armstrong, VAKA's co-founder and CEO, recounts his entrepreneurial path and discusses pivoting his business during COVID, in an interview, to empower youth with 3D printing.
1 Jun 2025
Episode 8: Dr Itsuki Mueller- the Veterinarian and Owner of Nova Vets & Sonovet
Dr. Itsuki Mueller recounts her path from a childhood on an Osaka rice farm to becoming a veterinarian, earning a PhD, and establishing her own veterinary businesses in New Zealand in this interview.
1 May 2025
Episode 7: Lian Kairua, the Registered Nurse, Community Nurse Prescriber, Clinical Director of Whare Tiaki Hauora and Co-Director of Te Korowai o Ngā Ringa Āwhina
In this episode, we sit down with Lian Kairua — a proud māmā of three, registered nurse, community nurse prescriber, Clinical Director of Whare Tiaki Hauora, and Co-Director of Te Korowai o Ngā Ringa Āwhina. Lian shares the pivotal moment that inspired her journey into nursing, and how, in her early 30s and pregnant with her third child, she made the bold decision to return to university. Her story is one of resilience, purpose, and unwavering commitment to improving health outcomes — especially for Māori, who continue to be overrepresented in negative health statistics.
1 Apr 2025
Episode 6: Naeema Nilufa- the Public Health Professional & Artist
On this episode we sit down with Naeema Nilufa, an artist who sells her paintings online and hosts paint-and-chai workshops across Auckland. In addition, she serves as a community engagement coordinator for the National Bowel Screening Programme. Naeema opens up about how her upbringing has shaped her, inspiring her to create a life that reflects the values instilled in her from a young age. Tune in for an inspiring and insightful look into her journey.
Naeema’s Website
Naeema’s Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/naeemasartwork?igsh=cWp4YTZ1MWJxdHUx)
Naeema’s TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@naeemanilufa?_t=ZS-8v7s8s1ZMYx&_r=1)
6 Mar 2025
Episode 5: Mike Lam- the Financial Adviser and Co-Director of MK Financial Solutions
In this episode we sit down with Mike, a son of refugees, husband, father and co-director of MK Financial Solutions. He offers a candid look at the perks of being your own boss, as well as the challenges of managing a business built on trust and word-of-mouth as its primary marketing strategy. He also reflects on his journey from a teenager with no clear direction, to someone who kept pushing forward, opening doors that led to new opportunities, ultimately guiding him to where he is today.
31 Jan 2025
Episode 4: Simone Lee- the inspiring single māmā, legal executive and business owner
In this episode we speak with Simone, an inspiring single māmā who is doing it all. By day, she's a legal executive, and by night, she runs a custom cake business from home. We dive into her journey of building her business, and discuss how internalised racism and inherited disadvantage— experiences so deeply ingrained, she never had the words to fully describe them—have driven her to overcome challenges and motivated her to succeed.
15 Jan 2025
Episode 3: Dr Samantha Mariam - the Doctor and Content Creator
In this episode with Dr. Samantha Mariam, we explore the highs and lows of being a content creator, the business side
involving monetisation & sponsorships, and the importance of being true to yourself in order to gain a dedicated following.
4 Jan 2025
Episode 2: Dr Karlina Tongotea - the GP and Powerlifter
In this episode with Dr Karlina Tongotea we discuss how her upbringing in South Auckland has fostered her discipline and work ethic, leading her to become a World Champion Powerlifter while still working her usual day-job as a doctor.
12 Dec 2024
Episode 1: Welcome to Minority Makers
In this introductory episode, Rebecca & Jessica sit down and talk about why they’ve started Minority Makers, their hopes for the podcast, and share a bit about their family’s background to provide some context for the show.
Who has been a guest on Minority Makers
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Matilda Lee
Ghazaleh Pakdel
Taz Machra
Maggie Maximiano
Jesse Armstrong
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Spotify
5.0 / 5
5 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 20 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
26
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
32
Contact Minority Makers
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of Minority Makers?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
