Heart Saver takes top spot in David Awards

A business which is focused on saving lives, Heart Saver NZ, has taken out the top spot in this year’s David Awards.  

This business has been a previous category winner over several years, starting its David Awards history by being named the Fledgling Business of the Year in 2013.

The judges commented that Heart Saver NZ’s marketing has been superb, and was instrumental in the extraordinary growth of the business.

Overall, this year’s Awards attracted some great entries.
“There were several categories where the competition was fierce this year, among them the Most Outstanding Fledgling Business category,” says one of the judges, NZBusiness editor Glenn Baker. 
“There were a number of really great entries and innovation and smart thinking were evident with a number of businesses offering unique products and services. This is a very healthy sign for the New Zealand business sector. The Established, Innovation, Solo Meo and Adversity categories were particularly strong this year.” 

For the past decade, The David Awards have been recognising the unsung heroes in home and small businesses throughout New Zealand – the Kiwi Davids taking on the Goliaths of the New Zealand business landscape.

Judge Glenn Smith commented that with a record number of entries this year in the Triumph over Adversity Category, it was a particularly challenging category to judge. 

“Many of the stories of triumph were harrowing. However, a small number stood out to the judges as truly inspiring,” he enthuses. 

“There were several stand-out entries that captured perfectly the essence of what the David Awards are all about – small businesses punching way above their weight in the face of real adversity,” adds Glenn Baker. 

Pictured: Heart Saver NZ owners Mike and Helen Mander.

The 2017 David Awards winners: 

Most outstanding fledgling business 
Winner:
Establish
Other finalists:
Broadband Compare
Craft Smoothie
Frankie Apothecary
 
The BNI Most outstanding established business 
Winner:
Heart Saver NZ Limited
Other finalists:
BB Distillers Limited
Doll Face Mineral Makeup Ltd
Firefly
Waglands Dogs’ Holiday Retreat Limited
 
Most outstanding triumph over adversity 
Winner:
NZ Sign Solutions
Other finalists:
Craft Smoothie
Mana Property Law Ltd
Waglands Dogs’ Holiday Retreat Limited
 
Most outstanding lifestyle business 
Winner:
Kate The Gardener Ltd
Other finalists:
Imagine Box
 
The NZBusiness Most innovative business 
Winner:
Excio
Other finalists:
Doll Face Mineral Makeup Ltd
Urban Dogs
Verifi Identity Services Limited
 
Most inspired use of marketing 
Winner:
Heart Saver NZ Limited
Other finalists:
Broadband Compare
Urban Dogs
 
The Bizbuzz Most community-minded business
Winner:
The Dubliner
Other finalists:
Bay Learning Academy
Kate The Gardener Ltd
Nest Consulting
 
The Solo Meo Award 
Winner:
Burton Security
Craft Smoothie
Other finalists:
BB Distillers Limited
Frankie Apothecary
 
The People’s Choice Award 
Winner:
Broadband Compare