In episode 24, we chat with Matthew Stanley, a former New Zealand Olympic swimmer turned dynamic hospitality entrepreneur, with his brother Nick. Matthew shares his inspiring journey from representing New Zealand at the London and Rio Olympics to discovering his passion for food through global travel, which ultimately led him into the hospitality industry. He talks about launching their New Zealand Meat Pie Company in Australia with his brother, the lessons learned from that venture, and how their love for authentic flavours inspired the creation of Costa Taco. From humble beginnings at local farmers markets to building a strong brand on the Gold Coast, Matthew’s story highlights the blend of resilience, creativity, and community support that fueled their growth.
The conversation also explores the challenges and strategies behind scaling a hospitality business, emphasising the importance of systemisation, developing internal talent, and maintaining strong hospitality values across multiple sites. Matthew reflects on his coaching journey with James and THC, describing how focusing on vision, values, and structure transformed their operations and team alignment. Together, they discuss the future of Costa Taco, ongoing improvements in HR and training systems, and their shared commitment to delivering exceptional guest experiences.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in authentic hospitality, growth strategies, and the power of building businesses with heart.
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