Nick Mowbray is an inspirational entrepreneur and the Co-Founder of ZURU Toy Company, ZURU Edge, and ZURU Tech, along with notable recognition as an EY Entrepreneur Of the Year in New Zealand and his inclusion in the World Entrepreneur Hall of Fame. His journey began at the young age of 18 when he ventured to China with his brother to start a toy company, which ultimately evolved into one of the fastest-growing toy companies globally. ZURU has become a household name, recognized for popular brands such as Bunch O Balloons, X-Shot, and 5 Surprise, among others. With an innovative approach to business, Mowbray has driven the company’s growth without any external financing, managing operations across 15 countries and directly employing 8000 people.
To reach Nick Mowbray, you can find him on LinkedIn at https://linkedin.com/in/nick-mowbray-a5201024 or contact him through his work email: nick@zuru.com.
Mowbray has made impactful appearances on several podcasts, sharing his entrepreneurial insights and experiences in the toy industry. Some notable podcasts he has graced include:
1. Leaders Getting Coffee, hosted by Bruce Cotterill.
2. Adventures in Aotearoa, where he discusses the toy industry and entrepreneurship.
3. Product, Process and Persistence, hosted by Andy Florkowski.
These platforms allow Mowbray to connect with a broader audience and share valuable lessons learned throughout his journey. Through these discussions, he has dropped numerous insights that serve as inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs and business leaders. Here are the top ten insights he has shared during his podcast appearances:
1. The power of bootstrapping: Mowbray emphasizes the importance of self-funding and maintaining control over one’s business rather than relying on outside investors.
2. Embracing failure: He discusses how setbacks are learning opportunities that can fuel growth and innovation in a business.
3. The significance of a strong company culture: Mowbray believes that robust company values and a united team are critical to long-term success.
4. Market disruption: He shares strategies on how to identify gaps in the market and disrupt traditional industry norms through innovative products and streamlined processes.
5. The importance of agility: Mowbray stresses that being able to adapt quickly to market changes can provide businesses with a competitive edge.
6. Building brands with purpose: He discusses the value of creating products that resonate with customers on an emotional level rather than just focusing on profit.
7. Leveraging technology: Mowbray highlights the role of technological advancements in optimizing production processes and enhancing product offerings.
8. The future of consumer goods: He provides insights into emerging trends in the FMCG sector, emphasizing a data-driven approach to brand growth.
9. Team empowerment: Mowbray believes in empowering his team members, allowing them to take ownership and contribute creatively to the company’s vision.
10. The value of networking: He shares how building relationships and engaging with other industry leaders has positively impacted his entrepreneurial journey.
Nick Mowbray’s engaging storytelling and profound insights make him a sought-after podcast guest. His experiences in creating a globally recognized toy company and his understanding of entrepreneurship provide invaluable knowledge to listeners eager to learn from his journey.