Kiwigarden: Finding Business Confidence and Growth After the Owner Manager Programme

Joanne Edwards, owner of Kiwigarden, a Hastings-based business that uses freeze drying technology to create fruit and vege snacks for kids, completed the Owner Manager Programme in 2015. We touched based with Joanne to see how she and the business were going since completing the programme.

Did you have a ‘nail in the coffin’ or ‘straw that broke the camel’s back’ moment? Tell us, what was happening in your business that made you decide to take on the Owner Manager Programme?

I still have them, just not as frequently! At the time of enrolling for the Owner Manger Programme (OMP), I was feeling quite overwhelmed in the business. I had started the business two years prior and was feeling that the business had grown to a level that required specific expertise (in certain areas).

While I was aware of the areas requiring additional resources, I was not confident about exactly what sort of resource was required at that stage of growth. We had a lot of opportunities and needed unbiased, objective experience to ensure we managed our growth and did the little things according to best industry practice.

What are the key results you’ve experienced since finishing your Icehouse programme?

I was able to take away key points from each session, and understand the ultimate effect on the business. Due to my time at Icehouse I have been able to appoint a key advisory panel to provide expertise and support. This has made a tremendous difference in looking at each aspect of the business and refining our approach and attention to detail.

How have you developed personally from The Icehouse programme?

At the time I was considering going on the Owner Manager Programme, I thought it was a bit self -indulgent having time away from the business (something I had been living and breathing 24/7 and in many respects has become another child!), so I really had to look hard at myself before committing to it.

I feel like the course has raised my awareness about many aspects of business that I had a limited understanding of. It is very important for me to strive for the best industry standards in all aspects of the business and OMP lit a fire in this regard.

What have you and Kiwigarden got planned for the future?

Consolidation of existing markets, continued innovation, some of the product development we have underway is AMAZING and have really exciting prospects. We want to continue to strive for excellence and develop and nurture innovation.

We want to continue to grow domestically - it's a tough market in NZ (given its size and geographic spread), but kiwis are really supportive of the little guys so have enabled us to make huge progress, meet some amazing people and as Ernst Rutherford said “We have no money ….so what shall we do…” It's this thought process that is the pillar of business in NZ.  As we grow we are able to continue to invest in specialist expertise and vertical integration of our supply chain from farm gate to shelf.