Venture offers ‘three brains on standby’
A North Canterbury trio have opened a unique shared space to play off each other’s business strengths, and plan to use the facility to host business seminars and networking events in the community.
Going under the name Connect North Canterbury, accountant Raelene Rees, property manager Tessa Keeling, and mortgage broker Maria Thackwell have moved into a space together in Rangiora’s Conway Lane, which opened this week.
The three live in Rangiora but maintain offices in Christchurch. They saw a need for their services closer to home so set up the space as a satellite office.
The trio do a lot of work together already, so setting up the space was the next progression.
‘‘The trust is already there. We’ve got an outstanding business relationship really,’’ said Rees.
‘‘We’re all really good successful businesses and it’s just such a wonderful synergy, where people can choose to use all of us or just use us individually,’’ said Thackwell.
Though the three are in a shared space, there are private meeting rooms available to provide confidentiality and flexibility.
Rees said the advantage of the shared space was that it meant customers had ‘‘three brains on standby’’ when they came in for a meeting.
The three also see an opportunity to give back to the local community by hosting networking events and seminars to foster local business relationships.
Thackwell said they wanted to get in high-calibre speakers that Rangiora would not usually attract.
The types of events held would be based on community need, said Rees. Topics are likely to include rental properties, buying a first home, and setting up a business.
Rees said they love the friendly atmosphere and progressive and positive vibe in the local community.
The Colliers workplace report 2016 said shared spaces and coworking facilities were on the rise in New Zealand.
More than 40 co-working facilities are in operation across the country. The majority are in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
The report said the national total was expected to increase by 20 per cent in the next 12 months.
The number of coworking facilities nationwide is expected to rise by 20 per cent in the next year.