As Amy Fowler and Kelvin Gilbert were walking down picturesque George Street early last year, they realised their dream of opening their own boutique design agency could become reality in Palmerston North.
The creative duo, both digital artists, met while studying design at UCOL before working for a string of companies and then for themselves, based from home.
“We walked past the vacant shop and said to each other, ‘Why don’t we take the plunge and see what it costs?’” Fowler said.
After a phone call to the real estate agent and a flexible landlord allowing a one-year lease compared to an initial three-year lease, that as new business owners they were hesitant to commit to, they signed on the dotted line and the space became theirs.
Today, the bold orange Origin Eight sign stands out against the soft pink Cherry Blossom trees that line the street. They have been operating for 16 months and are a prominent addition to the collection of owner-operated boutiques that call the playfully quaint street home. Origin Eight is one of 11,700 businesses in Manawatū region, and one of 51 new businesses that have started since March 2016, according to MBIE.
“We have wanted to open our own agency and have a creative hub for so long. We had discussed setting up in Wellington, but the costs and overheads would not have been feasible,” Gilbert said. They couple say they love the creative culture within Palmerston North and at times, you just need to scratch the surface to find it.
Starting a business came with its challenges. Fowler and Gilbert knew their creative strengths, but as their client base grew they needed assistance with growing their business skills.
“Starting a business was nerve-wracking,” said Gilbert, with Fowler adding, “There’s a lot to think about all the time and we didn’t imagine it being like that when we jumped into it.
“We thought we were just going to do fun creative stuff all the time, but you must be everything: the account manager, the creative, the sales person, the coffee maker,” she laughed.
They began exploring mentoring and consultancy services that were “mind-boggling expensive” when they connected with CEDA Business Growth Advisor Brian Sami, who helped to identify ways they could develop their skills. CEDA’s Business Mentoring service immediately appealed and they were soon matched with local accountant and business coach, Hector Bassett. The couple wanted someone to bounce ideas with, give guidance and help them to take calculated risks.
Working with Hector led them to implement a money management system and better client processes. He also helped them to develop client pitches and be more confident when presenting and discussing costs.
“We feel like Hector’s not just challenging the things we are saying, he is vouching for us, too. Knowing you can rely on that support gives us peace of mind,” said Fowler.
Today, most of Origin Eight’s work is local, but they have plans to expand into neighbouring regions and grow their team. The continued development of highways linking Palmerston North with Wellington and the opportunities that closer connectivity to the capital will bring, is exciting for them.
Business Mentor Hector Bassett says seeing the pair’s understanding of business growth develop, is extremely rewarding.
“I’ve been able to help in two ways and that’s driven by their willingness to ask for help. So many people don’t ask for help and they were courageous enough to know they needed it.”
The biggest difference now, he said, is their financial awareness and their ability to learn and implement basic business fundamentals, which have resulted in financial benefits.
“They have realised their numbers aren’t just a great big hole, they were able to manage things themselves with a little bit of help.
For Bassett, mentoring is just as much about learning as it is teaching.
“It is very satisfying to pass on my knowledge and wisdom and see others benefit from it. It is contributes to my ongoing training and development; teaching others helps me understand what I can do better.”
For more information on the ways that CEDA can support your business click here.
Discover more about CEDA’s Business Mentoring Service
CEDA partners with Business Mentors New Zealand to connect business owners and entrepreneurs with a mentor for some one-on-one advice to help you grow or to solve specific business challenges.
