Business Mentors Blog
Mark registered with Business Mentors NZ, when he realised that he didn’t have the confidence or business savvy to move his business forward. He was assigned to mentor Ross Kennedy, who supported him and gave him newfound confidence. Ross’ expertise, knowledge, advice and guidance ensured the couple understood the foundations of a small business so they could grow and add people to it.
When Theo Gibson discovered there was a gap in New Zealand’s Audiobook market, he developed a website selling Audiobooks by New Zealand authors. As this was his first time taking on a project of this level, he contacted BMNZ to give him guidance and support on areas outside his expertise. He was paired with Ailsa Barr, who he describes their relationship as being “invaluable”.
AnneMarie is a photographic artist, based in Otago. She specialises in historic photographic processes. Her goal was to become self-employed and make a living from her art, but, while she exhibited and sold her works through a gallery in old Cromwell, she wasn’t sure how to further progress her business. Annemarie contacted BMNZ who matched her with mentor Brian Weaver, who she has now had a partnership with for nearly four years.
After spotting a gap in the sustainability education market, Lesley used her passion for horticulture, tutoring and the environment to create her own business, Eco-Educate. With guidance from her mentor, Linda Norris, Lesley has used her skills to work with pre-schools and schools, helping to increase the level of learning around sustainability. Since joining BMNZ, her business has not just grown – “it has flown”.
Jo came to Business Mentors looking to increase her sales. With the help of her mentor, Bryan Winters, Jo changed her workshops from educational classes into “glass-making experiences”. This doubled her income in the past year. Half of Jo’s business is now dedicated to her glassmaking workshop experiences, while the other half is spent making her own creations for sale throughout New Zealand.
Running a successful business or getting a new idea off the ground isn't easy. Most CEOs, directors and senior staff make countless key decisions every day, weighing up opportunities and threats, managing limited cash flow and much more. But those who are new to running a business may not even be sure where to start or whether their business idea has potential.
Great business mentoring relationships have several things in common. They involve mentees who are fully engaged, and who seek improvement in specific areas of weakness. They are also real relationships in which both parties know and trust each other. Lastly, they are built upon a strong goal as a starting point.
