Sparking Ideas: Supporting Entrepreneurs from the Start.
It’s often said that entrepreneurship is innovation put into action. But fleshing out a new business idea can be challenging: Where do you start? Who do you talk to? Will the idea even work?
This conundrum is why Startup Queenstown Lakes offers Spark Up, an intensive workshop for entrepreneurs ready to learn more about developing a business idea.
Over the course of five hours, specialist coaches work with participants on how to structure an idea and maintain the motivation and momentum needed to spark a business idea into life.
Paula Fernandez of Admin Haven and Greg Avery of Precision Layout Solutions recently completed a Spark Up workshop. Both really enjoyed the experience, despite being surprised by how hands-on it was.
“I really recommend it,” says Paula, “When people tell me they have a good idea or an idea they’re not too sure about, I’ve been sending them the link to Spark Up. But I’ll also say: you need to be ready with the energy to go through it because it’s a long session and you will be working through it!”
“I thought we’d be listening to two coaches talking and I wouldn’t have to do anything… but if you don’t feel like working, it’s not for you because it’s a very active approach.”
Paula Fernandez of Admin Haven, participant of Spark Up Workshop.
Greg says that he also wasn’t sure what to expect, but was pleasantly surprised to be put through his paces: “It’s so good to be put on the spot and work through things. Everyone was easy to get on with and we were all sharing ideas. It’s great to be in a space where everyone is trying to push the boundaries and do new things.”
Greg is a Queenstown-based builder launching a new business which offers site layout services for the building and construction industry, using cutting-edge robotic tools.
Greg Avery of Precision Layout Solutions, participant of Spark Up Workshop
Paula founded Admin Haven, a bookkeeping and admin services business based in Wānaka, a few years ago. She’s adding automation and AI agents as new services and signed up for the Spark Up workshop to help her flesh out the idea.
“The idea was all in my head, but the coaches guided me through, giving me websites to check out and people to see who are doing something similar, or not similar, but competitors that I didn’t know about,” says Paula.
For Greg, it was all about fresh perspectives: “There were a few ‘wow’ moments. You know, it’s always good to have someone question your ideas and your thought processes… There were some really good moments getting different points of view from people who don’t have a construction background.”
Both Paula and Greg say they’ve continued to work with the Startup Queenstown Lakes team to develop their new ideas. From marketing tips to networking and price structures to understanding target audiences, they’ve been taking advice and tips and using the resources to spark life into their ideas.
“I’ve recently had another chat with Monette,” says Greg, “we went over my business plan and some marketing things like surveys to talk to builders to understand their needs and what they’re willing to pay for their services. That’ll help me narrow down the target audience and pricing structure.”
Paula’s also been getting additional feedback on her business plan and has decided, with the encouragement of the SQL team, to sign up as a regional business partner, so that she can assist even more small businesses.
Is Spark Up something everyone should do?
Greg says he’s been recommending it to everyone with an idea and encouraging them to make good use of the great support SQL offers: “one of the best things about this is that it doesn’t cost much, it’s awesome that the region supports it […] it’s good to go out and attend as many of these things as possible.”
Paula agrees: “I almost didn’t show up because I didn’t think what I do is very original. But what I reckon is, when in doubt, you should go anyway. It’s so good for the cost of it and you are definitely going to leave with more than what you arrived with.”