case studies
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.
