How Gen Z entrepreneurs are doing things differently

Twenty something Ella Sargent from Manawa Māori and Multi Agency explains how Gen Z entrepreneurs are doing things differently and what we can learn from them. 

There’s a new kind of entrepreneur on the rise: one who doesn’t wait for permission, doesn’t follow the old rules, and isn’t afraid to experiment. They’re bold, values-driven, and unapologetically online. 

That’s Gen Z. 

And Ella Sargent is a shining example of what Gen Z entrepreneurship can look like in Aotearoa.

At just 20-something, Ella has built not one but two meaningful, growing businesses: Manawa Māori and Multi Agency. 🌿 Her approach is refreshingly modern, unapologetically purpose-driven, and deeply rooted in her identity. 

Let’s explore how Gen Z entrepreneurs are doing things differently.

They Build A Business That Is 100% Authentic ✨

How Gen Z startup founders are different comes down to one big shift: they don’t separate work from passion. ❤️ 

Ella’s identity and her values are the heartbeat of both businesses. She has learnt that if she feels good about her approach, she’s on the right track.

This is how Gen Z entrepreneurs are different. They refuse to wear a “professional mask” and believe their culture, values and identity belong in all aspects of their lives, including in the business they run.

They Don’t Wait for Permission Or Perfection 💡

Older generations often waited until they were “ready” before they launched something. Gen Z flips that script. Ella built Manawa Māori in public, sharing her learning journey before she felt like an expert.

This is how Gen Z startup founders are different: they see a problem and move quickly to solve it. No gatekeepers, no long delays. Just action. 

Ella’s willingness to show up imperfectly attracted people because they felt seen. 

This is another example of how Gen Z entrepreneurs are doing things differently: they build trust by being real, not by pretending to have all the answers.

They Don’t Romanticise The Nonstop Hustle 🧠

One of the biggest shifts in how Gen Z entrepreneurs are doing things differently is their refusal to glorify burnout.  That doesn’t mean they aren’t working hard. It means they don’t work themselves to the ground and wear that as a badge of honour. 

Ella doesn’t fill her week with endless multitasking. Instead, she theme-blocks her time with dedicated days for content, admin, and creative work. This flexible structure keeps her focused and avoids the mental chaos of constant context switching.

But at the same time, she also unapologetically makes space for morning walks, evening time -off, and solo coffee breaks.

How Gen Z startup founders are different  shows in their belief that success doesn’t have to look like exhaustion. 🌱 Gen Z founders are showing all of us that protecting mental health is non-negotiable.

They know that working until you drop is not the right way forward in business, or life for that matter.

They See The Technology And Human Connection Blend As A Win 🤝

Ella says emotional intelligence and genuine connection matter most. But It doesn’t stop her from embracing technology (including AI). She believes one doesn’t exclude the other and “new” or “different” doesn’t mean “bad”.

This balanced mindset is how Gen Z entrepreneurs are doing things differently. They see tech as an amplifier, not a replacement for humanity. 

The Question On My Mind…

This is a new part of my podcast. 

Every guest leaves a question for the next guest. They don’t get to prepare the answer, so you get real and raw insights into the life and mind of other business owners. 

Here she goes.

Q: Imagine that you hadn't become a business owner, where do you think you'd be?

Ella: “I think I would be a school teacher or a primary teacher. That’s what I've always wanted to do, so I feel like I would have somehow landed in teaching. I love children so probably a primary school teacher. The reason I could answer this question so quick is because I was always set on doing that until I switched to my business ideas during the last year of college.”

Final Thoughts On Why Gen Z Entrepreneurs Are Thriving

Ella isn’t just running two businesses. She’s part of a movement redefining what entrepreneurship can be. Something we can learn from. 

If you’d like to see Ella’s mahi up close, check out Manawa Māori 🌿 to learn Te Reo Māori or Multi Agency 💡 to level up your brand.