This thoughtful post includes the voices of many past Gold Awards Alumni. Times are tough to be sure, there's no denying that, but we need to remind ourselves of our strength, resilience and talent as we navigate the challenges towards a better day.
I help Kiwis to tell great stories • Keynote Speaker, Facilitator & MC • Journalist • Coach • jehancasinader.co.nz
"Wellington is dead," we keep hearing. But something's missing from this story: Innovation often flourishes in periods of scarcity and adversity. I’ve interviewed many of the capital’s innovators, who illustrate this so well. 🥜 Roman created Fix & Fogg in an empty lawn bowls club at night, while his wife was expecting their first child. 💰 Claire and James launched Hnry, Australasia's fastest-growing accounting firm, at their kitchen table – with an Excel spreadsheet and a one-page website. 🥤 Joe built Six Barrel Soda after working in hospo. He had no capital, no family money, and no fallback plan. 📈 Sonya was inspired to create Sharesies because she wanted to avoid spending $50 on dinner – and invest it instead. 🍺 Pete created Garage Project after Lion Nathan closed its brewery in Wellington in 2010, citing economic pressures. Yes, councils and governments need to enable economic activity. But they don't create businesses – people do. There's 550,000 people in the region. Many are doing it tough. But right now, new ideas are being hatched in kitchens and garages – incredible projects we haven't even heard about yet. Let's not lose sight of that. ☀️ #storytelling #entrepreneurship #innovation #wellington