Debbie and Craig’s investing journey began on our OE (Overseas Experience) in London, where we managed to pay off our first home. That milestone gave us both the freedom, and the hunger, to explore what could come next. With Debbie knowing she wanted to be a stay-at-home mum and a desire for more flexibility, we began looking for ways to earn an income that didn’t rely on a traditional 9–5.

That’s when we discovered property investing. A single quote stuck with us: “Over 900 years in the UK, property values have risen an average of 10% per year.” It was enough to convince us to dive in. By 2013, we’d grown our portfolio to 10 properties before strategically consolidating down to six, which we still manage today. Along the way, we expanded into the share market and built a solid foundation of real-world financial experience, guided by curiosity, a love of learning, and a desire to help others grow too.

As parents, we feel that deep instinct to prepare our kids for real life - how to think for themselves, solve problems, make wise decisions, and navigate the world with confidence. But it’s not always easy as teens can be hard to engage with, and sometimes it’s tough to know how to teach these life skills in a way that actually sticks. That’s when we noticed how completely absorbed our kids and their friends became while playing board games.

We realised that games are one of the most powerful learning tools we have. And yet, classics like Monopoly or The Game of Life, while nostalgic, don’t reflect the realities young people face today. We wanted to create something modern, meaningful, and fun. A game that gets kids off screens and into rich, real-life conversations - while equipping them with practical tools for thinking, planning, and decision-making

So, with Debbie’s deep passion for helping others thrive, she brought their vision to life.

Creating HACKT!CS hasn’t been easy. For over three and a half years, we invited friends and family over for dinner and gameplay, refining the mechanics, testing new ideas, and learning what truly resonated. Those early versions were rough, but the feedback was golden.

There have been plenty of challenges, starting a business never follows a straight path, but we've loved the process. As they say, it takes 10 years to become an overnight success. We’re proud of what we’ve built, and even more excited about the impact it’s already having in homes and classrooms.

At its heart, HACKT!CS is about more than money. It’s about preparing the next generation to think critically, live wisely, and build lives they love.

• TVNZ Breakfast
• Informed Investor Magazine
• Property Investor Magazine
• NZ Everday Investor Podcast