Thinking of starting a business? Key advice from small company founders

Anya and Frank Walkington, founders of Shamarra Alpacas, lived in the Caribbean and Auckland before settling down in the picturesque Akaroa.

Anya and Frank Walkington, founders of Shamarra Alpacas:

I would say find something unique, different and quintessentially New Zealand. Just find a special little corner and just go for it. Customer service is also huge. We find that so many people are blown away at how nice the staff are, because there’s a lot of places you go that maybe that isn’t the case.

Bridgit Sissons, founder of Vaso:

You’re never too old to start something new. We get scared about change and being judged, and we get scared about doing what we’re supposed to do. My real advice is if you’re not enjoying what you’re doing, it’s okay to say I don’t like this, I don’t want to do this anymore and to start your own thing. It’s scary, but also quite liberating.

Dr David White, inventor of Goodair Nosebuds

I would say connect with the right people and reach out to the community. It doesn’t matter how good you are at whatever you’re doing, working in isolation is going to constrain you, so reach out to all these enablers.

I’ve discovered that, certainly within the Auckland ecosystem and nationally, there’s many good people who will give you good advice for free that will help you connect. So reach out to the wider community and engage.

Thomas Capdevielle, director and chocolatier of Coromandel Chocolate, trained his craft in France before moving to Whangamatā.

Thomas Capdevielle, director of Coromandel Chocolate:

Find something you love and fight for it. People will try to put you out of it and say it won’t pay off, but just respect it as you do with yourself and go hard. Patience is also something I’ve got the most feedback on. If you’ve got the luck to find patience for something in your life, just go hard for it.

Jon Foote, founder and chief executive of Axon Perform:

I think the advice for people that are trying to get into entrepreneurship or into business is to build a community first. Get out there and challenge yourself to become known on social media.

Marketplaces like LinkedIn and Instagram don’t reduce you to your local environment. If you can get out there, expose yourself and let people get to know you first, then the chances of building relationships and building networks get easier.

Cate and Mike King, founders of King Bees Honey:

You’ll need to become a jack-of-all-trades to survive. At the start of the business, you don’t have a lot of resources or connections or time, so being able to do as much as you can yourself can be a lifesaver. Be prepared to put the hard work in, the rewards do come.

Also find a mentor. Our mentor was a massive help in supporting us to find our way and learn what we needed to do, so don’t be afraid to find someone who can help.

Willy Benson, co-founder of PortaSkip, is a former New Zealand Olympian who knew there was a gap in the market for a more mobile rubbish solution.

Former Olympic swimmer Willy Benson, founder of PortaSkip:

Just do your homework initially and make sure that everything lines up, and then just work hard and trust yourself. There are times when growth is pretty slow going, but if it’s genuine and you trust yourself and you’ve got a good plan behind you, you’re most likely going to come out the other side where you want to be.

Mathew Watkins, co-founder of Apostle Hot Sauce:

If you’re really passionate about making a thing, then you’re going to do that regardless. If you’re really passionate about just starting a business and making money, you’re going to do that regardless. The difference is going to be in the product that you end up producing.

Dane Fuller, founder of Fuller Overnight Oats:

When I look back at what I’ve done in my life and the process of going through this business, it’s been really purpose-driven. I think it’s easy to fall into a career path, particularly listening to your parents about chasing money and being financially secure. Be willing to risk that financial security to chase your dreams.

Do you have a small business story you want to share? Send your pitches to tom.raynel@nzme.co.nz.

Tom Raynel is a multimedia business journalist for the Herald, covering small business, retail and tourism.