Small Business Heroes Battled it Out

Press Release

For Immediate Release

Thurs 8th October 2009

Small Business Heroes Battled it Out

Manager of the NZ Art Guild, Sophia Elise is thrilled her passions for fine art and philanthropy have come together to create a striking composition.  The NZ Art Guild has been announced as the winner of the Most Community Minded Business in The David Awards: Heroes in Small Business.  These awards take place annually to recognise the tenacity and dedication of small businesses.

The NZ Art Guild was founded in 2004 and provides promotion, support and opportunities for visual artists of all mediums and career stages.  The Judges of The David Awards said that the huge support the Guild has given to artists in addition to a major focus on supporting charities both in New Zealand and overseas, has contributed to the Guild’s recognition as a winner.

“We operate as a business, but we donate a significant amount of time and money to non-profit organisations ” Sophia says.  “The Guild has been involved in charity events since it started, because that’s a real passion of mine, and in the last year we have helped raise more than $60,000 for a number of organisations. We’re official sponsors of the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand and also love to support other charities such as Leukaemia and Blood Foundation of NZ, UNICEF, NZ Shore Plover and many others.”

“I also find supporting the emerging artists who belong to the guild very satisfying.  I love seeing them reaching important milestones.  There are some artists who when they first joined the NZ Art Guild were selling paintings for $15 on Trademe and now they’re selling works for thousands in Galleries and winning various awards.”

Organiser of the David Awards, Heather Douglas, says it takes a lot of courage for people like Sophia to give up their regular incomes and secure jobs, to make their small business idea a reality.  “That’s the kind of bravery the awards recognise,” she says.

“There are plenty of business awards out there, but usually if you’re a little player it can be difficult to compete against big businesses.  We want to recognise small Kiwi businesses, many of them home-based, who’ve taken a risk in order to pursue their passions. It’s about courage, integrity, tenacity, and encouraging businesses, such as the NZ Art Guild, to keep going doing the good work they’re doing,” she says.

The David Award winners were announced at 10.30am on October 7th, via a live webcast at http://www.thedavidawards.co.nz/event2009.html

 
ENDS

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