Entrepreneurs (Speakers)
John Anderson is one of those people you meet that is inspiring, humourous and you remember his story long after you have heard it. You will find him funny, interesting and astute.
Just ten years ago, Tony and wife Tracey decided to open their own Travel Agency in Invercargill. Every travel industry expert (not to mention the Bank Manager) warned it was a terrible idea and proceeded to list a host of very good reasons why. Against all odds, Laker House of Travel has quickly become one of the largest travel companies in New Zealand. Tony’s topic “How the Hell did that Happen?” is described as a no-nonsense, common-sense, roller-coaster ride of adventure, fun, intrigue, mystery, and if time permits, a little bit of travel. His message of “if an ordinary guy like me can do this, just imagine what you can do” is hugely entertaining and empowering to all audience types.
Alister Brown - chef, TV presenter, writer and Wellington restaurant-owner - is one of the best known faces of New Zealand cuisine. With his Wellington business partner restauranteur Steve Logan, Brown has been co-owner of the capital’s celebrated Logan Brown Restaurant & Bar since 1996. Logan Brown received New Zealand’s highest restaurant honour - Cuisine Restaurant of the Year - in 2009.
Former CEO of Business In The Community, Alison is a great believer in the Mentoring Programme and how it is helping small businesses to survive and grow. Alison has served as a Judge on the WestpacTrust business Excellence Awards in the North Shore and Manukau for three years, has served as President of the Export Institute, is a Director of Business In The Community and a Trustee of the Equal Employment Opportunity Trust. She is a member of the IOD and Small Business Advisory Group and still acts as a business mentor .
Working now with over 120 women, Annah takes on huge levels of responsibility daily. Not unaccustomed to making important decisions that could affect her huge work force, she continues to thrive on every challenge placed before her as her business enters yet another phase of growth, including international recognition and exporting to 150 accounts throughout the world.
Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2000, Bill started out as a scuba diving instructor, then began taking underwater commercial jobs. Before long Bill had so much work he bought a dive support vessel and in 1983 launched his shipping company Seaworks. Bill has found a niche market and developed a highly successful maritime service business. An innovative and entrepreneurial businessman as well as adventurer.
Colyn started her business as a solo mother with $800, working in her garage eventually building a successful company which exported around the world.
A self-described ‘tornado’ Jenene has never stood still for long…. Her first foray into digital came at 16 as a high-school drop out, which drove the launch of Jenene’s first digital business www.nzgirl.co.nz from her spare bedroom on a second-hand computer.
Several of these companies have grown to be international with significant operations outside New Zealand. Jenny is a chairman and director on several boards and past directorships include amongst others NZ Trade & Enterprise, Trust Bank NZ Ltd, AgResearch Ltd, The Rural Bank and NZ Rail Ltd. She has been a member of the Council of the Institute of Directors in New Zealand, the New Zealand Arts Council, and the Government's ICT Taskforce. She is Chairman of the Hi Tech Association which organises the Hi Tech Awards in New Zealand and a Trustee of the Jayar Charitable Trust. Prior to No 8 Ventures, Jenny’s background was in investment banking, including setting up Morel & Co Ltd, an investment bank which specialised in technology companies.
He’s grown his Wellington-based team tenfold and proceeded to earn some major awards. These include the Merino New Zealand Inaugural Innovation Award 1996, Tradenz Entrepreneur Scholarship 1997, Ernst and Young Inaugural Young Entrepreneur of the Year 1998, Wellington Gold Award: ‘Rising Gold’ for best small business in the region 2001 and Finalist ISPO Brand new Award: best new sportswear or outdoor brand in Europe 2001. Jeremy's presentation topics include export market development, innovation, branding, marketing and innovative management.
In 1995 with only $100 in his pocket, Justin Herald decided to start his own business. He had enough money to buy 4 blank t-shirts and have them printed with his logo. At last count, his company "Attitude" had sold over 150,000 units! "Attitude" currently sells its brand in over 3400 stores throughout Australia. With the "Attitude" label striking a chord in the public, major corporations are queuing up to use the "Attitude" name and logo. Justin has been invited to join "The Small Business Advisory Group", a federal government body established to advise the Taxation Department on how to treat small business. Not bad for a boy who failed school and was told that he "would amount to nothing"!
Karen Scott is one of New Zealand’s most recognised business women renowned for her determination and passion to succeed in the competitive magazine world. Sales are her strength and Karen’s dream of owning her own magazine began when she found herself fully responsible for two young children and unable to find a publication that provided her with information about the city she was living in for the whole family. In 2003 she created Tots to Teens - a magazine that identified kid friendly locations, shops and events around Auckland. In recognition of her success Karen was named Her Business – (2005) Most Inspirational Role Model AND Best New Business. In 2006, Karen embarked on the next exciting chapter of her adventure by joining forces with Australian-based on-line parenting directory kidspot.com.au
Host of the ITM Fishing Show and famous for catching very large fish from very small vessels, Matt Watson has appeared on the David Letterman Show, 60 Minutes and BBC World amongst other shows.
Jeweller - Michael seems to continue to make profits with his jewellery businesses both here and in Australia even when other retailers are struggling. Michael shares his marketing and success stories with delegates.
He provides executive coaching globally to a variety of entrepreneurs and corporates, and has recently been described as one of Asia’s top ten coaches and Asia’s leading Edu-tainer. He combines his unique talents in music, with humour and his knowledge of business and people to provide entertaining and informative learning experiences.
Personal and business success story - from very average scholastic results to a highly successful franchised mortgage broking business, plus interests in airlines and freight forwarding companies and his newly developed consumer protection business SafeKiwi.
Murray's career is a success story. Murray was the Head of CBS Music, founder of Personalised Plates and now runs his own highly successful music business.
Phil O’Reilly is Chief Executive of Business NZ, New Zealand’s largest business advocacy organisation. He has a background in business, advocacy and communications in enterprises in N.Z. and Australia.
Sam Johnson is the founder of Christchurch's 9,000 strong Student Volunteer Army (SVA), an elected member of the Riccarton/Wigram Community Board and is in his penultimate year studying law and political science at the University of Canterbury.
Sir Ray Avery was named the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year 2010. The award recognises Kiwis who make a major contribution to the nation and inspire through their achievements. He was awarded the Sir Peter Blake medal for leadership in the same year. In 2011, Sir Ray was named “most trusted person” in New Zealand.
Therese servied as the General Manager Corporate Services for Rugby New Zealand 2011 Limited, the company established by the NZRU and the NZ Government to deliver the Rugby World Cup Tournament in 2011 and is now doing a similar role for the Cricket World Cup to be hosted jointly in Australia and NZ in 2015.
Founder of 7 successful start up companies including medical clinics, internet software companies and car fairs. As a medical student he ran the first student owned tutoring service and also the first car fair in the South Island. He was the founding medical director of Taranaki’s first accident and medical clinic – White Cross. He did the first on line patient consultation in the world using the Internet. He has won a number of academic awards and won four different Chamber of Commerce business awards. He is the author of the book “Healthy Thinking, Your Prescription for Success”, which examines attitudes in personal and business life.
Nine 'start up' companies in 16 years has got to come with some great stories! It comes with some scars too. Troy's experience in business and marketing, has given him the opportunity to address many small business, franchise and multi national groups around the world on a range of business topics. He has been Co-Host on ‘Inside Franchising’, a national TV show on Network Ten which delivers news, views and stories from the franchise community. His keynote and workshop presentations contain a combination of the information he has collected from some of the planets brightest and most successful business people, and lessons learnt from his own businesses over the last twenty years. Troy has joined Channel 9’s newest national business show, ‘Don’t Come Monday’ as the resident business expert.
Vincent became founding editor of the magazine Unlimited which was his brainchild. Since Unlimited’s inception in 1998, it has won 28 journalism and design awards including three times winning magazine of the year (business and professional). After selling the magazine, creativity and innovation are his passions and he now has several business projects going.
After graduating from university, Warren owned and ran a small chain of successful surf shops. He then went to Fletcher Challenge, where he ran their Gib Franchise, then to Burger King NZ as Country Manager before returning to Fletcher's as GM for Hire A Hubby. Warren first came across Hell Pizza when he ordered in one day. He approached the two owners and offered his services as a partner to help them franchise. They sold it in 2006, but have since bought it back.
She was honoured as one of the forty Leading Women Entrepreneurs of the World 2002 sponsored by Harvard, recognised by The International Herald Tribune as a World Class Entrepreneur, named by Time Magazine in 2001 as one of four International Business Leaders to Watch, placed at #30 in The Sunday Times 500 Most Powerful Britons and Forbes Magazine stated in 2003 “at the head of the pack …Anne McKevitt
With the catchcry ”No Is Negotiable” - when Barry talks, people listen. Barry is a hands-on operator and a great believer in leading from the front and keeping in touch with his customers needs, a practice he attributes to his success in retailing. He talks not as a professional speaker but as a successful small businessman with a message for others like him. Barry’s store, Toombul Music, is one the largest and most successful independent music retailers in Australia. Acknowledged as an industry leader and listed in the top 400 privately owned companies.
The concept behind Trends has its origins back in the 1970s when David Johnson joined journalist and broadcaster Gordon Dryden at Radio Pacific, the pioneering talkback radio station in Auckland. The success of the project led to the formation of a business, which continues and is involved in all types of media and TV businesses.
Kirsty Dunphey has first and foremost always been entrepreneurial. From her start at an early age working in her parents small businesses or opening her first business at 15 – she’s had the bug her whole life. With two businesses and two part time jobs under her belt at the age of 15 to her own real estate agency at 21 Kirsty has been described as “Little bit Aussie Battler, Little bit Sassy Entrepreneur”.