It all started with a shoe store called ‘Northside Runners’

In 2008, I’d left my job as an engineer, but with no plan. All I knew was that I loved triathlon, and had nine months before a big race in Hawaii. And I needed a job.

So, I learned to sell shoes and socks and watches, in a little running store.

Well, about nine months into it, the owner asked me if I wanted to open my own shop.

I was terrified, of course. I was twenty four, and had no business experience.

But over time I got used to the idea.

Anyway, six months later, I’d sunk all my money, time, and energy into getting my own store, with my first run of shoes on the wall.

Fortunately, I’d already learned how to sell

But I didn’t know how to attract customers with marketing or networking, or, how to run a business at all, really.

So I got help.

The shoe sales reps helped me learn ordering and networking.

The barber next door to me taught me the art of entertainment in delivery.

The florist up the road taught me branding.

The store grew, and soon I had it managed.

Since then, my wife Ruby and I sold that store, built a gym, then, sold that too

Both of these businesses are still running successfully.

Over the years, our ‘business’ experience was in the trenches, with real failures, and real successes.

Anyway, somewhere along the line, people started asking me for help.

An in particular, how to use their ‘story’ as part of their business.

In 2016, my first coaching program was born

Back then, it was called Access Potential. And was a bit more of a holistic coaching program, as I still had the gym. That became a problem, because it was too broad.

Soon, we started to see the importance of the creator archetype, and we also knew we had to narrow down.

So in 2020, Creator Club business coaching was born.

Over the years, we’ve worked with hundreds of businesses.

Some have been very big. They’ve stayed with us for years.

Others, were starting out, looking for a little boost.

We’ve learned over this time, like any business, that we’re definitely not for everyone. And now, we’re proud of that, and are looking for just a few businesses that we know we can help powerfully.

My Dad was a physicist and a builder

He and my mum built their first boat in their twenties.

Design thinking, and learning through experience is a ‘family thing’.

Early on, I learned that zooming out, and looking at the big picture is important.

And can help us get where we want to go, much faster.

I also learned to be wary of trends. Just because something seems like a shortcut, doesn’t mean it’s any faster. You’ve probably picked this up already on the Creator Club site.

Ruby, my wife, plays a key role in Creator Club

Her background as an architect and retail management means she can see things from a different angle.

She brings much more energy to the community.

And helps clients to feel empowered. Her confidence is infectious.

“Always have a project”

This was something I learned from my parents.

And I guess it’s a habit that stuck ever since. That’s why you’ll see all kinds of things on the site, including books, podcasts, and more. We’ve run retreats, workshops, even produced short films.

We love to share this way of working and thinking with businesses, so if you get the emails, or read the articles you’ll hear a lot of talk about that.

You might even decide to do your own project.

Ready to start your journey?

The first place to check out is the list of articles. There’s no email sign up, and you can start to learn, one step at a time.

John Marsh

PS - Yes, we were both raised in New Zealand, although from different ends of the country. Ruby is from Christchurch, and I’m from near Auckland. We met over here in Australia though. I guess it was the accent that she couldn’t resist. Now, you’ll find us in Australia, or, travelling on our breaks. Some of my hobbies are spearfishing, training, drawing and reading, while Ruby loves yoga and organising events and anything French.