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Experts210
Questions923

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

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FUNDING & FINANCE

Recommendations please – We have an opportunity to purchase a piece of commercial land. This is something we have been hunting for approx 5yrs.  We would build a purpose built workshop on the land for our growing business we have been operating for 10years. Initial quotes to achieve this will be around $800-900k including land and building. We have approx $700k equity in our home we could use as security.  We have initial support from our bank, but is this the best approach? Are there better leaders than a bank for commercial land and buildings?  Are there better leaders with better terms? Should we be ‘shopping’ around for a good leader?  With forward work until Feb 2021 and low interest rates, hunting for land for a length of time, it seems the right time to jump at this opportunity. 

Question submitted by @anonymous 29/09/2020 @ 4:48 pm
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START-UPS

Hi! I’m running 2 e-commerce businesses and am starting to have real trouble scaling and feel like I am losing my vision, is there anyone to talk to over the phone??Hamish

Question submitted by @donha662 29/09/2020 @ 3:09 pm
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BRAND & MARKETING

Hi guys. So I have started a business.I have a product/business that I need to launch. I was wandering when is it and how do I need to launch? do I make a big spectacle of it over facebook? or do I just launch my product/website with no lead up/build up? .

Question submitted by @anonymous 28/09/2020 @ 7:49 pm
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BUSINESS GROWTH

Helloy name is Hamish and I’m 22 years old I’m currently one of 2 directors at Extreme Outdoors NZ. We are a retail online store for camping tramping and outdoors equipment. You can read about us here  extremeoutdoors.co.nz I would first off like to know how we can get access to expand our range and move into being a proper online store like macpac or kathmandu? We have been told no by so many suppliers since we are small and don’t have a physical shop meaning they don’t want to know is. 2nd is how do we build brand awareness and increase our sales it seems we have waves of sales and can have weeks where we sell nothing at all. I would really like the opportunity to work alongside someone with experience and knowledge in the outdoor equipment industry to help us get our ball rolling more. .

Question submitted by @hamishprice 28/09/2020 @ 7:11 am
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SALES

I need help with direct sales and confidence winning trust quickly when presenting to elevator pitch 

Question submitted by @anonymous 26/09/2020 @ 1:54 pm
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FASHION

How To Sell Leather Products in New Zealand

Question submitted by @pureleather 25/09/2020 @ 4:39 pm
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DIGITAL AND TECHNOLOGY

I am planning to launch an education services business in the new year. The business plan is fairly well advanced and I am happy with the progress made so far. My question is regarding the website that I am having built. A friend is doing it for “mates rates” and it looks pretty good but I am now thinking that I want to get some comparisons in terms of quality control and pricing. I know how to find a builder or painter but how do I find a website developer? Also, the current website design has all the standard features – home page, faqs, contact etc. However, it was suggested to me that it should also have a facility for customers to pay via the website. This will be an added expense but would it be advisable to get this added before going live? ie. would it be good value for money? It is worth noting that my original plan was more of a “side-hustle” with minimal financial outlay required. I am now of the opinion that it is worth thinking a bit bigger and that getting a more complex website will add value even though the upfront cost would be bigger. Finally, what about an app for phones that connect to the website. That was also suggested. Do you think that is something that could wait until the business is showing signs of success (to minimise my initial financial outlay).

Question submitted by @marksb 24/09/2020 @ 11:00 pm
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DIGITAL & ONLINE MARKETING

Wanting to learn more about automation and integration with my on-line retail stores. 

Question submitted by @sabre-co 24/09/2020 @ 12:17 pm
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PROPERTY

Hey 11 months ago (about two years into our lease) our landlord started using a property manager. There was no discussion or consultation with us on this, in fact we only found out when the property manager contacted us to view the building, our landlord hasn’t contacted us since. We never informed that we’d be responsible for the payment of this service or informed what the fees would be. We’ve just received a bill for the previous 11 months and we’re in absolutely no position to pay it. We’ve been paying reduced rent since March due to taking such a hit from COVID-19, we are meant to go back to full rent this coming month but will struggle to pay that.  It is in our lease agreement that we’re responsible for “management fees” which isn’t something I was aware of until now so I have no idea what to do. Money is so tight at the moment that I don’t think we could even afford to pay it off via a payment and we’d also then need to factor the future bill into our monthly expenses which we also have zero room to do. It just feels impossible for us to get back on our feet and I’m afraid I’m going to have to close the business and file for bankruptcy.

Question submitted by @ciaraisunbreakable 23/09/2020 @ 8:32 pm
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COVID-19 FUNDING & SUPPORT

Hi / SOS,We are a small Events/Party Hire Company, that have been incapacitated by Covid Lvl 2.5 and 2 over the last 6/7 weeks – due to Government restrictions of only 10 people allowed when socialising!  We have therefore had cancellations of pre-bookings, thus refunding monies which have put us in a back against the wall situation!It seems we are not even in the same boat as everyone else, (with our industry somewhat forgotten), but are doggy paddling on our own!  Would be great to find out if there is any further financial assistance available to our industry/business?… I look forward to hearing from you… Regards, Gene (Kwik-N-Ezy Hire)

Question submitted by @infokwiknezy-co-nz 23/09/2020 @ 7:34 pm
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START-UPS

Kia Ora, I have a small business idea and was wondering if I was able to apply for startup grants for equipment etc Would appreciate any additional advice on getting started. I consider myself an ideas person and have finally found the kaha to start with just one in the hopes of growing. Nga Mihi, Dominique

Question submitted by @dom 23/09/2020 @ 7:32 pm
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BUSINESS GROWTH

 I have a small business providing in home support to mothers with newborns, providing practical help and support. I have found it really difficult post lockdown to regain the momentum which I had at the beginning of the year to get clients and have had a couple of minor health issues as well. What I would like to do is pause the business until the end of the year -using this time to recharge and look at restarting early  in 2021. Could this work? I don’t want to close the business but I need time to re-energise and take a fresh look at things.

Question submitted by @anonymous 23/09/2020 @ 12:00 pm
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TOURISM

we have a holiday accomodation business . It is very seasonal most business is over summer. It is domestic market so no issues with the international tourist trade . we are looking to grow our market . also looking to “pivot” and add a cleaning service to other property owners who dont use us for booking their houses. we would like also to look to expand the business into another region . Alternatively we could sell the business and how would we value the business for sale ?

Question submitted by @anonymous 23/09/2020 @ 9:56 am
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DIGITAL & ONLINE MARKETING

I have two businesses, my fun one (I make jewellery) and I am starting another one called The Helper which is support and help for women by getting through their ‘to do’ lists (ive had 1 client for 2 years as a side hustle), this is the business which I have identified a need and would love to make happen, in order to do this I want to have some great marketing in place but the problem is that I am doing things without a lot of capital behind me, do you know anyone who can help me out with marketing at a low cost for now until things get going? So far I’ve been able to give my skills in return for someone else’s. Also, I’m interested in going to a marketing course for my jewellery – to turn my website into sales! Can you suggest anywhere? 

Question submitted by @anonymous 23/09/2020 @ 9:55 am
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