Nelson-based jewellery designer Nina Flash Gordon says starting her own business was a “now or never” decision, though it certainly wasn’t an easy one.
In 2012, the year Nina started Flash Jewellery, sole operated, small businesses made up the largest percentage of enterprise in the country. The Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment recorded the creation of around 6,000 small businesses, though around half of those failed or experienced what it calls “enterprise death”.
But Nina's business was one of the survivors. She says persistence, dedication and a very good network of supportive people around her have helped her through the first two years.
What's been her biggest challenge? “Keeping a quality product consistent throughout the whole time has been a real, real challenge, and doing it myself as well, so having to be consistent all the time.”
Photo: Unknown
Flash’s new collection “Rush” is one of the first made offshore. The change has been great “because there’s not that pressure for me producing and doing all of the production myself,” Nina says.
Buy NZ Made public realtions, promotions and marketing executive Scott Wilson says it’s hard to see the Buy NZ Made brand taking a massive decline, however factors like the strong NZ dollar means it’s cheaper to import things than it has been in the past.“Producing goods offshore can be a necessary part of doing business – sometimes it is advantageous to do so.”
For Nina, this is certainly true. Before she even looked for an offshore solution her hands had moulded, filed and boxed all the pieces she'd sold. Now she can focus on designing and marketing her jewellery.
Footage shot by Doug Brooks of Brooklight Media.
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