Disrupt case studies

When you’re a start up, disruption can feel like too big a mountain to climb (and a bit lonely).

Here are four client case studies, from different sectors, with different needs, to bring to life the bio.t METHOD process and the results that can be achieved from working with Melissa.

both regeneratively and commercially.

2013 - 2014

t.METHOD | Steps 1 - 10

START UP DISRUPTION

good case study for: PRODUCT industry. PRODUCT solution. NEW business. FOR profit. Disrupting a degenerative GLOBAL MARKET.

  • Angus Brown, founder of Ārepa was working at the FoodBowl where Melissa was helping a number of leading-edge export-focused food and beverage clients. He had an idea on the side and needed help to take his idea to market.

  • An 18 month training, coaching and mentoring program to build capability and steer his strategic direction.

    DISCOVERY | Ecosystem mapping. Market validation. Customer interviewing. Insight gathering.

    DISTIL | Strategic direction, purpose, vision and values. Steering Angus to the neuro-science of functional biomaterial ingredients for scale-play product iteration (drinks, powders, tablets etc).

    DESIGN | Foundations of value propositions + bio-based product formulation development working directly with neuro scientists + ingredient sourcing + formulation testing (brain effect efficacy) + product attributes.

    DEFINE | Foundations of Marketing mix, brand positioning and comms. Pricing and monetization model. Distribution channel strategy. Go to market plan. Pitch support.

  • Ārepa has gone from strength to strength. Now a powerful global brand with a powerful bio-science product suite. Multi market, multi channel, multi product, multi revenue streams with strong cross-selling ability. And a fierce tribal customer base.

  • “Melissa’s energy, eye for detail, empathy and experience have led me to believe she is a real world walking Wonder Woman! Within a short-time frame Melissa was able to help me craft the right business plan and strong brand positioning to attract investment and move forward into early stage market entry. Without her help I would have struggled to get to where I am now!”

    Angus Brown, founder Ārepa

2018 - 2019

t.METHOD | Steps 1 - 8

START UP DISRUPTION

good case study for: PROFESSIONAL SERVICES industry. SERVICE solution. NEW business. FOR profit. Disrupting degenerative SUPPLY CHAINS.

  • Louise Nash, founder of Circularity, was one of Melissa’s Masters of Innovation student at Academy EX.

    To complete the course, Louise was required to develop an idea and take it to market. Louise sought Melissa out to help her through the process of taking her idea to market.

  • An 18 month training, coaching and mentoring journey to upskill Louise in circular design as a concept and method (as Melissa had undertaken at ecostore). And to help Louise take her idea to market.

    DISCOVERY | (as part of the Masters program) Ecosystem mapping + enviro value chain mapping + market validation

    DISTILLATION | Overall strategic direction, purpose and values.

    DESIGN | Melissa created the 6 core principles, practice methodologies and underlying te ao Māori values that underpin the Circularity method.

    DEFINE + DEPLOY + DELIVERY | Helped Louise define her go-to-market approach. Upskilled Louise in design sprinting as a technique. Facilitated Louise's first design sprint for a select industry group. Introduced Louise to her first clients (ecostore and Miraka). And then advised from behind. And stepped away as Louise started to fire :-).

  • Circularity is not only a fully fledged, and highly profitable growth business, Louise has successfully spearheaded the circular transition in Aotearoa business, as well as overseas. Creating ripples of living system regenerative change. And strengthening business models alongside.

2020 - 2021

t.METHOD | Steps 1 - 10 - light touch

START UP DISRUPTION

good case study for: PROFESSIONAL SERVICES industry. SERVICE solution. NEW business. FOR profit. Disrupting degenerative GENDER BIASES.

  • Dr Sue Watson and Jayne Chater approached Melissa during lockdowns to help them launch a new business.

    They had identified an issue with the development of women in leadership, and sought to create a future that honored diversity, equity, and inclusion in Aotearoa, New Zealand.

    They sought Melissa out to help them through the process of taking their idea to market.

  • An initial 3 month sprint training journey, followed up with ongoing coaching and mentoring.

    DISCOVERY | Market ecosystem mapping + Market validation + Customer insight + interview technique training

    DISTILLATION | Overall strategic direction, purpose, vision, values and practice principles

    DESIGN | Service offering value proposition ideation and testing. Operating model definition.

    DEFINE + DEPLOY + DELIVERY | Operating model definition. Marketing mix definition. Monetization strategy. Defined go-to-market approach.

    And supported throughout with a soft-touch relational approach to guide two strong and sharp thinking women, into a powerful collaboration.

  • Leaderful is not only a fully fledged business, with service offering revenue multiples, Sue and Jayne have created a regenerative ripple effect in the business community.

  • "Melissa helped us define our place in the world, where we wanted to play, the unmet market need and importantly- our superpowers. A powerful and inspirational process thanks to Melissa's superpower of insight and her robust process. Highly recommended!" - Dr Sue Watson

    “It was a real privilege to work with Melissa as I looked at transforming an idea into reality. She helped me discover potential I hadn’t even thought of. Her method has this unique ability to connect the dots, and an easy framework to follow. This was hugely valuable for my business strategy and I’m so appreciative!”  - Jayne Chater, founder Leaderful

2020 - 2021

t.METHOD | Steps 1 - 5

START UP DISRUPTION

good case study for: the WOOL industry. PRODUCT solution. NEW business. FOR profit. Disrupting degenerative VALUE CHAINS.

  • Sophie Poelman, founder of Studio Alida and now Lof, reached to Melissa during lockdowns. She had become aware of the huge challenges facing the strong wool industry.

    (i) The waste of wool, buried in plastic bales on farm, (ii) the low prices farmers receive for wool, (iii) the ecological issues of plastic textiles, (iv) the decimation of the local textiles industry, (v) the market access restrictions.

    Sophie had an idea to champion the incredible properties of wool, and take something to market that would overturn a dysfunctional end-to-end value chain.

    She sought out Melissa to help her through the process of taking her idea to market.

  • An initial 3 month intensive training, coaching and mentoring journey. With ongoing advisory support.

    DISCOVERY | Market ecosystem mapping + Lifecycle value chain mapping + market validation + customer insight gathering and interviewing training

    DISTILLATION | Overall strategic direction, vision and values, overarching practice principles

    DESIGN | Given Sophie is a designer already, Melissa provided advisory support only

    DEFINE + DEPLOY + DELIVERY | Advisory on end-to-end operational model (supply, processing, manufacture) and go-to-market approach.

  • Launching Q4 2024. Watch this space!

  • "It is hard to express just how incredible Melissa's program was. Her structured design-thinking and solid marketing background has given me a base to completely redesign my business. It has truly exceeded all of my expectations — my new business strategy is grounded in research and deep thinking; driven by the dual goals of profitability and purpose." - Sophie Poelman, Founder Studio Alida and now, Lof

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