NZ’s small business hero loads up on prizes

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The David Awards Supreme Winner, David Rouse of Auckland Auto Clinic, flanked by HP’s Personal Systems Group Marketing Manager Warwick Grey, and awards organiser, Heather Douglas, of HomebizBuzz.

New Zealand’s small business hero loads up on prizes
For immediate release

New Zealand’s best little business has not only been named, but has earned itself a brand new HP notebook mini, a new set of office furniture from Warehouse Stationery, and the honour of being crowned Supreme Award winner in the inaugural year of The David Awards: heroes in small business.

David Rouse’s Auckland Auto Clinic has not only taken out the Supreme Award, but also the category awards for The Most Outstanding Transitional Business, The Most Outstanding Triumph Over Adversity and The Most Socially Responsible Business.

Organiser of The David Awards, Heather Douglas (who is also managing director of HomebizBuzz.co.nz), says,”The judges felt Auckland Auto Clinic embodies all the characteristics of a David - an ordinary Kiwi business, doing extraordinary things. From tiny, tough and sometimes very insecure beginnings, it has transformed into a business which is thriving in spite of its highly competitive environment, and is gaining incredible recognition from customers and within its own industry, and shows exceptional commitment from its staff. Continual innovation is a hallmark of this business, which also gives back to the community. Run literally on the smell of an oily rag in the beginning, Auckland Auto Clinic is a shining example of a typical kiwi business which has risen above its peers through sheer tenacity, courage and determination.”

Drawing a strong field of just under 90 entries in its first year, The David Awards recognise the unsung heroes in home and small businesses throughout New Zealand, the “Davids” whose tenacity, courage and ingenuity place them firmly at the forefront of entrepreneurship in this country.

The judges of this year’s event were blown away at the diversity and innovativeness of the businesses and the quality of the entries, from single-person home-based businesses to ones on the edge of bursting onto the global scene.

Winners were announced during a live web broadcast which can be viewed at www.thedavidawards.co.nz.

The Wrangler also stood out, winning two categories, namely The Best Use of Marketing and The most Innovative/Quirkiest Business (joint winner with eSource). A complete list of results follows:

MOST OUTSTANDING FLEDGLING BUSINESS
This is a business which is under two years young, smart, quirky, or just very professionally set up.

Winner:
Rental Results

Highly Commended:
Maruki Books

Finalists:
Chez Nous
Earth Angel
Maruki Books
Rental Results
Telephos

About Rental Results:
Jackie Teague-Thomas started her rental property management business with little experience and big goals – and the results prove she is well on her way to building a successful, profitable and highly scalable business.

MOST OUTSTANDING TRANSITIONAL BUSINESS
A promising business between 18 months and 5 years old, which has a proven track record and some or all of the plans/people/systems/processes in place to make a well-above-average future a reality.

Winner:
Auckland Auto Clinic

Highly Commended:
eSource

Finalists:
Auckland Auto Clinic
eSource
TCB Ski & Board
Totally Organised

About Auckland Auto Clinic:
Auckland Auto Clinic has gone from being a home-based business run on the side to now employing nine staff and being poised for significant further growth. Paying attention to systems, processes, staff, branding and home grown customer service has paid of for this business.

MOST OUTSTANDING TRIUMPH OVER ADVERSITY.
A business which has succeeded in spite of challenges beyond the usual.

Winner:
Auckland Auto Clinic

Highly Commended:
Baby Baby

Finalists:
Auckland Auto Clinic
Baby Baby
Maskworx

About Auckland Auto Clinic:
After a business partnership turned sour, the owner took on additional debt and faced potential bankruptcy to start rebuilding from scratch. Today, the three competitors it initially had in its local area have grown to 10 – and yet its customers, suppliers and staff testify it is the shining star among them.

MOST OUTSTANDING LIFESTYLE BUSINESS
This award is for a business which epitomises the ability to integrate business and lifestyle, with the owner(s) to take advantage of its flexibility to fit income generation around spending time on family or leisure activities or other pursuits.

Winner:
Canvart

Highly Commended:
Backload Moving Company

Finalists:
Canvart
Backload Moving Company
Tailored Travel
TCB Ski & Board

About Canvart:
When Rob and Jane Scott got into printing photos onto canvas, it quickly grew from a hobby into a business – and one which allows them to live in the country, work to their own timetable, give back to the community and make the most of the glorious opportunities they have on their doorstep.

MOST INNOVATIVE OR QUIRKIEST BUSINESS
This award recognises a business which either demonstrates a new or clever way of going about things, or is quirky from the ground up while incorporating great business principles.

Joint Winners:
eSource
The Wranger

Finalists:
Backload Moving Company
eSource
Maskworx
Maruki Books
Totally Organised
The Wrangler

About eSource and The Wrangler:
Both these businesses are real kiwi success stories. eSource’s IntelliSwitch product is cleverly designed to save people money on their power bills and power consumption in general, while The Wrangler was invented by farmers wanting to find a better way to restrain cows for easier and more effective handling. Simple, clever concepts make it effective and unique.

MOST INSPIRED USE OF TECHNOLOGY
A business which leverages technology in many guises to enhance efficiency, mobility and keep overheads to a minimum.

Winner:
Backload Moving Company

Highly Commended:
Assistant.co.nz

Finalists:
Assistant.co.nz
Backload Moving Company
eSource

The judges were at pains to point out this award was not given for the business selling technology, but rather one which used technology effectively.

About Backload Moving Company:
Backload Moving Company finds real solutions for people wanting to save money on their household relocation while improving the efficiency of the small independent removal operator. Its smart use of technology has allowed Beth Holbrook’s business to grow while reducing her workload. Constant innovation means technology is constantly introduced and adapted to streamline the way business is done.

MOST INSPIRED USE OF MARKETING
This award recognises a business which punches above its weight in terms of getting the word out, achieving profile and attracting business.

Winner:
The Wrangler

Highly Commended:
Rental Results

Finalists:
Rental Results
Wall Treats
The Wrangler

About The Wrangler:
Wilco and Waverley Klein Ovink have developed a brand as unique as their product. The Wrangler has grown steadily through word of mouth, internet and industry focused marketing and is now poised on the brink of international success.

MOST SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS
A business which gives back to its community, e.g. local, regional or industry sector, in ways, shapes or forms which benefit the community significantly. This is an important category for The David Awards as we believe it’s not just about winning, but contributing positively to society and the community which makes a business successful

Winner:
Auckland Auto Clinic

Highly Commended:
Silverstone Jewellery

Finalists:
Auckland Auto Clinic
Mums the Word
Pure
Silverstone Jewellery

More about Supreme Winner Auckland Auto Clinic:
This business stood out for the way it supports its staff, for example, encouraging them to take their sick days off for wellness activities, and by pledging a percentage of profits to the Westpac Rescue Helicopter and other community initiatives. It showed not just lip service, but a real commitment to giving something back.

Auto Auckland Clinic takes home a whole new office full of furniture from Warehouse Stationery, a notebook mini from HP, online advertising for a year from HomebizBuzz.co.nz, a consultation, book and Cuefile organiser from organiser extraordinaire Robyn Pearce, and a trophy by Smashing Gifts and Promotions. Category winners receive prizes books and other prizes, as well as certificates.

A 12 minute video of the Awards announcement can be found at www.thedavidawards.co.nz

ENDS

A full list of finalists including contact details can be found at http://www.thedavidawards.co.nz/finalists.html

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