Inspiring business stories from New Zealand

At Gilligan Sheppard, we are passionate about improving New Zealand business. By showcasing some incredible business stories, we hope to inspire our readers to think outside the square. Aotearoa has become a fertile ground for success and entrepreneurship, and despite being situated so far from the rest of the world, many Kiwi brands have established themselves globally. We are lucky to have featured some of these business leaders on our podcast, Boxers and Briefs. Here are six tales of determination and innovation.

Credit: Orakei Bay Village

Myint Aung – reca

Arriving in New Zealand as a 13-year-old refugee, Myint Aung’s path to success was far from typical. After studying travel and tourism, followed by business marketing, she launched an online jewellery business, reca, in the hopes of helping those less fortunate than her, employing female refugees to make items from sustainable materials. Today, her venture has expanded to include a physical store which sells jewellery, clothing, and homewares. Every item is made using ethical practices, such as fair pay and good working conditions, empowering women in workplaces in New Zealand and Nepal. In our interview with Myint, she shared with us how important it was to her to have a personal goal and how lucky she felt to be able to say that her work makes a difference to people’s lives. Full episode here.

Richard Conway – Pure SEO

As a UK national without any Kiwi references, Richard Conway struggled to find employment after moving to New Zealand. So, he decided to take matters into his own hands and instead founded his own company. Ten years on, Pure SEO has become New Zealand’s leading SEO agency, proving that sometimes the best opportunities arise from our greatest challenges. Richard shared with us many benchmarks of his success, such as being invited to Richard Branson’s island and being asked to write a book for Penguin Random House. His episode is available on Spotify now.

Credit: Melanie Langlotz on LinkedIn

Melanie Langlotz – Geo AR Games

Desperate to encourage her stepchild to play fewer video games and spend more time outside, Melanie Langlotz developed the idea for her business, Geo AR Games. Her technology combines augmented reality with outdoor spaces, encouraging children to keep fit and healthy while enjoying interactive fun through their devices. Melanie’s first game, Magical Park, enables children to experience dinosaurs through their phone and tablet screens while running around New Zealand’s public parks. Her creations have caught the attention of governments worldwide, who now use them to teach safety and education to children in an interactive way. The intersection of technology and play puts Melanie at the forefront of both online and physical child safety. Given the high stakes involved, she operates by the principle of asking herself the worst headline she could face tomorrow morning due to an oversight today. This drives her commitment to anticipating and mitigating risks, ensuring the well-being of those who use her software. Click here for more.

Dale Clareburt – Weirdly

Dale founded Weirdly, a recruitment software company after she discovered that workplace culture was the biggest determinant of whether a candidate is a right fit. Now, she is continually trying to challenge the norms of the standardised recruitment process. When it came to pitching to some of the biggest names in business, Dale entered huge offices in the USA without an appointment because ‘they let us in!’ She taught us that a different, more personable approach can sometimes win you the deal. Listen to Dale’s advice.

Credit: Together Journal

Katey Mandy – RAAIE

With 15 years of international experience in the beauty industry, Katey Mandy returned to New Zealand to care for her mum. Back in her home country, she reignited her interest in plants and had an idea that aligned with the experience she had gained working for some of the world’s biggest beauty brands. Katey recognised the unique properties of New Zealand botanicals that protect them from strong UV rays. She began researching how these plants could be used to create a product to protect our skin and developed RAAIE. Years later, RAAIE has garnered global awards and recognition and is now poised to expand into the UK and European markets. In our chat with Katey, she talked about the time and detail that went into building her brand to ensure that it could thrive in the global beauty market. Listen here.

Helane Mead – NZ Business Brokers

Helane ran a popular bakery in Ponsonby, Il Forno, for 19 years before deciding to make a career switch. Although the bakery was hugely successful, Helane and her family decided to prioritise having more free time together. Now, she works as a business broker, using the skills she acquired in running and selling her business to help others on a similar path. Working for NZ Business Brokers, Helane has a new passion, driven by the people she meets and helps find a solution for. If you want to buy or sell a business, we recommend listening to Helane’s advice!

These entrepreneurs are great examples of overcoming obstacles and building thriving careers. They are making a difference with passion, perseverance, and innovative thinking. Watch or listen to the Boxers and Briefs podcasts on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube for more inspiring business stories and interviews with the Gilligan Sheppard team.