Playdough was never meant to be a toy. Originally created in the 1930s to clean soot from coal-heated homes, it was practical, adaptable, and surprisingly versatile.
That spirit is what drew us to the name. Kiwis have always valued a simple version of “making it” once a bach, a boat and a Beemer, now a home you own, some balance, and room in the budget to enjoy life. A bit of play money. Playdough.
At its core, the name is a reminder that everything starts with a solid base you can shape as you grow. Early business is flexible and full of potential; later, the stakes get higher and decisions matter more. We help businesses build that foundation – adaptable, resilient, and ready for whatever comes next.
Real people, practical experience
We’re a small team with experience inside growing businesses, not just advising from the sidelines. We’ve worked through the messy middle: scaling pains, unclear cash flow, stretched teams, and systems that no longer fit.
That experience shapes how we show up. We listen first, cut through noise, and focus on what actually matters. Our work blends finance, systems, and people, because in the real world, those things are never separate.
Supporting growth with clarity and confidence
Our focus is simple: help businesses grow in a way that still feels good to run.
We do that by:
- Reducing unnecessary complexity
- Building systems that support people,
- Keeping decisions grounded in reality,
We’re here to steady the foundations, sharpen priorities, and help leaders focus their energy where it counts.
Scale your why, not your back office
We know growth isn’t linear. It can be uncomfortable, a bit messy, and full of trade‑offs.
Good businesses don’t scale by chasing perfection, they scale by making clear decisions, learning quickly, and staying connected to their purpose.
Our role is to support that journey,
To align identity with cash flow,
Decisions with reality,
And ambition with systems that can carry the load.
A small team, with serious experience
You’ll deal with real people who are hands-on and accountable. We work closely with our clients, stay curious, and aren’t afraid to say when something isn’t needed.
Julia Ammundsen
Tom Barker
Maddy Wilson
Edward Jansen
Cormac Denton
Ready to move forward?
If you’re building something meaningful and want support that’s calm, practical, and grounded in experience, we’d love to talk.
Book a chat