An eye for opportunity has seen a business partnership between two Samoan friends sprout into a successful company servicing New Zealand’s growing events industry, writes REGION SALANOA-MOELASI.
When you see an opportunity, seize it with both hands. That’s exactly what Patrick Schuster and business partner Va Leaupepe did when they returned to New Zealand from the United Kingdom.
Their lengthy stay in the UK had gained them valuable experience in the event industry. With the growing number of events being staged in New Zealand, they saw a gap in the market just waiting to be filled.
“We both wanted to come home because we saw a hole in the events industry which we were confident we could fill. We had been lucky enough to gain some invaluable event experience in the UK and felt ready to transpose this to the Kiwi market,” Patrick says.
New Zealand’s social events calendar is a permanent fixture in the households of most, if not all Kiwis. We are a country that’s spoilt for choice from Pasifika in Auckland, Parachute in Hamilton, the NZ Fringe festival in Wellington to the ASB Classical Sparks in Christchurch.
Full of ambition and wanting to work for themselves, Patrick and Va decided to look into business ownership. “We saw the tents up in the UK and realised their potential so we were keen to head over to South Africa to meet with Freeform tents and discuss how we could bring their product home and be our own boss,” he adds. Why not? They both have experience working in the events industry in the UK, both came home with a bit of money tucked away and confidence in their product. A product that is unique to the New Zealand market - Freeform tents. A versatile material, that allows the experienced rigger to create a lasting impression for any function.
As Patrick talks about some of the fundamental steps they took leading up to starting their business, it is clear they have been proactive in their pursuit. “We talked to friends, professionals and banks. The internet was a good source of information,
as were business booklets, and brochures. There’s a lot of information available, you just have to look for it,” says Patrick.
Research is an essential part of business start-up, as is putting together a solid business plan. Something that Raymond Tuala, Training Manager of the imPAC workshops emphasises in the five week course.
“One important thing I learnt from the imPAC workshop is that you need to put together a business plan and stick to it,” Patrick explains.
With the right information in tow, it was inevitable that SCHUPEPE Ltd would grow veins and to be the driving force for Patrick and Va’s plan be their own boss.
