Celebration and consolation

I’ve always remembered that famous Jim Lovell quote that goes something like: “There are people who make things happen, people who watch things happen, and people who wonder what happened. To be successful, be someone who makes things happen.”

There’s no doubt this issue of NZBusiness celebrates Kiwi business owners who are making things happen, and in the most difficult of trading conditions.

As you’re aware, the past 19 months have been incredibly tough for small and medium size businesses – the backbone of the economy. Although I am being constantly approached by people wanting to get their success stories out there – and there are many of them – for every one of those there are many others still struggling to keep their doors open or to gain traction.

Success, for them, has been about maintaining some dignity and reputation, and holding their head above water while all has seemed lost. 

While government-funded assistance is available, it has fallen well short of dealing properly with the disruption, the stress and the disappointment caused by the pandemic.

So while we raise a toast to the many successful businesses within this issue, let’s spare a thought for those businesses still facing a long road to recovery. And let’s keep getting out there and supporting them. 

Normality will eventually return. Vaccinations and a willingness to embrace other strategies to fight the Delta variant, whatever it takes, will get us through. Kia kaha, stay strong!

Meantime I hope you’ll find some value in our Success Issue for 2021, and once again I’d like to thank our advertisers, who continue to help make this platform successful. 

Please support our supporters.

This issue’s highlights, for me, include the David Awards results (congratulations to Nelson’s Hybrid Bikes, the Supreme Award winner); our lead article on the inspirational Craig Schweighoffer; two insightful profile stories in Chemistry and Coastal Cabins; Fiona Clark’s focus piece on women in trades; and two highly successful export businesses in CodeHQ and Raglan Food Co.

Enjoy the upcoming festive season, and here’s to a more ‘normalised’ 2022!

Glenn H Baker

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