From $300 a week to $3.5M: Iyia Liu and Financial Wellbeing
- Feb 26
- 3 min read
What would you do if no one would hire you?
Not because you weren’t smart.Not because you weren’t capable....
But because no one would give you a chance.
In Episode 1 of How We Money, Iyia Liu shares how she went from wanting just $300 a week… to making $3.5 million in her first year of business at 21.
And it did not start with investors.Or a trust fund.Or some perfect master plan.
It started with scarcity.
Saving every dollar.Being scared to waste money.Working retail and calculating that buying lunch would cost almost an hour of pay.
She saved $6,000, used some of it to test a small side hustle, set up a Shopify website on a free trial, ordered a small batch of products, and started posting on social media because it was free.
Low risk.Trial and error.Consistency.
And when it worked, she scaled it.
Not because she was fearless.
But because she believed she was capable of something bigger.
This is the first episode of How We Money, brought to you by Māori Millionaire and ANZ.
A six-part series designed to help you make better money moves and achieve your money goals.
Because Māori Millionaire and ANZ both care deeply about increasing financial literacy in a way that is accessible, practical, and culturally grounded.
And let me be very clear.
This episode is not just for business owners.
It is for ordinary people with big goals who have no idea where to even begin.
It is for the person who wants to save their first $1,000.The person who wants to stop living pay to pay.The person who wants to start something but feels overwhelmed.The person who avoids their bank app because it feels scary.
This kōrero is simple.It is relatable.And it gives you tangible steps you can actually implement.
We unpack:
How culture shapes your money mindset
Why scarcity can show up as hoarding or overspending
Why awareness is the first step to change
How to reverse engineer your goals instead of waiting for motivation
Why consistency beats talent
How to reduce self-sabotage by separating and automating your money
We also go deeper into security
Watching your parents work hard
Living through tight financial seasons
Wanting to give your tamariki a life with less stress and more stability.
This isn’t about burning yourself out chasing a number.
No flashy promises. No overnight millionaire energy.
It is about mindset, execution, awareness, and building a life that actually feels secure.
If you know you want more.
If you are tired of surviving with money.
If you are ready to move with intention.
Start here.
Listen to Episode 1 of How We Money now:
YouTube: https://youtu.be/J6CFeZ4aTTk
This is just Episode 1 of 6.
We are building the foundation first, with a new episode dropping next month.
Aroha nui,
Te Kahukura Boynton
CEO Māori Millionaire
Disclaimer: This is part of a paid partnership between ANZ and Māori Millionaire. The information in this podcast is for general information only and isn’t financial advice. The views of the host or guests are their own and do not represent ANZ. ANZ and Māori Millionaire do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the content and are not liable for any loss arising from its use. Please seek personalised advice before making financial decisions.
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