Revenue growth plus a helping hand
Christchurch is a hotbed of entrepreneurs. This is demonstrated perfectly by the 10 businesses that recently completed a 12-week high-growth launch programme, aimed at helping them increase their capability, knowledge and presentation skills.
These are entrepreneurs who have successfully turned their good ideas into commercial realities and are growing quickly.
Maui Studios, which tells Aotearoa’s stories through different creative channels, produced as much revenue in one month this year as they did for the whole of 2017.
Bacon Bros, producing great burgers and giving free hugs to customers, has experienced revenue growth of 2000 per cent from last year to this.
Senior Move Managers, which helps seniors move homes, has grown its annual revenue by nearly 3000 per cent in the past year and hired four new staff members during the programme. It also recently launched a charitable trust to help those who can’t afford relocation expenses.
The figures, which are just a snapshot of what’s going on in our business community, speak for themselves.
These are businesses that have taken great ideas, turned them into commercial realities and want to continue to grow.
They also want to do good things for our community – think free hugs and helping those less financially fortunate – not just make profits.
The high-growth programme is run by ChristchurchNZ in partnership with the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and is free in exchange for a deep commitment from the businesses that take part.
Participants hear from other business owners and mentors from around New Zealand, who share honest and tangible learnings from their experiences of common challenges faced by businesses from all sectors.
This involvement from the wider business community is invaluable and makes such a difference to these business that want to expand and learn from others.
Wrapping support around businesses that have an appetite to evolve and helping them unleash their potential for growth must continue to be a key focus in our city.
We are proud of our innovative reputation and the scores of businesses that have gone global from humble beginnings.
Now is the time to build on that strong platform. Success is vital if we want Christchurch to continue to cultivate its pioneering reputation with a willingness to explore opportunity on the international stage.
By supporting the best and brightest in our business community we can help them scale up. They gain the courage and know-how to face business challenges head on and an understanding of how to crack into overseas markets.
That business growth brings good results for everyone. There are more jobs, often in high-value sectors, and increasing profits that bring extra disposable income into the city.
It helps us attract and retain key talent and skills in the region and makes the city more attractive to other businesses looking to relocate or establish here by building our brand on the national and international stage.
This all has a positive impact on our long-term growth ambitions for the city.
Former alumni of the programme have gone on to amazing accomplishments nationally and globally – businesses such as Emendo, a world leader in hi-tech health analytical software, which recently sold to global giant McKesson Corporation.
There is also location data specialist firm Orbica; Flatpack Global, now one of the world’s fastest growing franchises, which recently partnered with Swedish multinational company Ikea; and Ethique, which is winning accolades around the world for its ethical skincare and haircare products from its Christchurch base.
I can’t wait to see where some of these businesses will be in five years’ time, as they continue to build on our city’s legacy of innovation and grow the economy for all.