Small business Q&A
Chilean expat Felipe Rebolledo talks to Aimee Shaw about how his multi-faceted tourism business aimed at backpackers started out as a one-man operation teaching tourists to surf
We have four full-time employees and a team of interns from overseas. For them it’s good experience to be part of a small business, to see how it runs and the challenges. The work they do is meaningful, we don’t get them to do paperwork.
What are your longterm plans for the business?
We have an office in New Lynn but want to open a branch in Christchurch and also move the whole business model to Australia. Expanding into Australia is still three
Tell us your story business@nzherald.co.nz
to five years away, though.
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome?
It’s been financial challenge, really. If I had the money I would expand into Australia now.
When I first started I approached the bank for a business loan but I didn’t get anything.
So I had to start with a personal loan of $20,000. hamish.fletcher@nzherald.co.nz liam.dann@nzherald.co.nz owen.hembry@nzherald.co.nz jamie.gray@nzherald.co.nz aimee.shaw@nzherald.co.nz tamsyn.parker@nzherald.co.nz Phone: 373-6400 business@nzherald.co.nz
What advice do you give to others thinking about starting a business?
Be determined and focused. Starting your own business is hard and it’s a rollercoaster but if you have the ability to focus on your end goal you’ll be able to push through the obstacles.
Elements World is one of two Kiwi businesses to win a trip to Hawaii for the Nurture Change business conference as part of a Herald competition. For more information visit nurturechange.com grant.bradley@nzherald.co.nz anne.gibson@nzherald.co.nz damien.venuto@nzherald.co.nz