I have heard from various sources that many new businesses starting out in New Zealand tend to fail in the first 24 months of operation. I see it in the local newspapers, social media and various meetings – startups that fail and usually the reasons why. However, there are a lot of businesses who have made it past that milestone in their existence. For everyone that makes it, I’m sure there a many that have crashed and burned for one reason of another. It might have been for various reason – Cashflow, poor planning, lack of market differentiation or general lack of effort.
Whatever it is that differentiates the success stories from those that didn’t make it – it is not always in our control. I cannot say what has allowed us to not join the list of failed businesses. But what I can say, is that although it hasn’t been easy and there were many sleepless nights, I can honestly look back over the past 2 years and be very thankful, extremely thankful. Whether it was “just being in the right place at the right time” kind of thing, working tirelessly to convince someone to come on board with us, the great people I have chosen to surround me or was it just sheer luck, the past 2 years have been a whirlwind and I am grateful. I would like to take this opportunity to remember all those tough lessons, fun times, and fantastic people that have helped this business grow.
Success isn’t just given to everyone who wishes for it, so I know just how fortunate I am to be able to celebrate 2 years of being in business. I owe a debt of gratitude to a lot of people. My family, friends, clients, collaborators and now my team!!!! - you all ROCK!! You guys are not just a blip or a distant memory – you are the ones that I think about daily while I am happily working. So, a huge thank you and please know that you have impacted me and my business in ways I can’t even begin to explain.
I have often been asked where the name “KONNECT KONCEPTS” came from – nice and simple, my partner Detlef came up with it – replacing the “C” with “K” gave it that European flavor. Konnect Koncepts – connecting businesses with concepts. Our original platform has changed so much over the past 2 years. When I started, I had a very tiny operation, working for a couple of clients providing outsourced recruitment processes and process management – since then we have evolved and now include various business processes that benefit our growing client base. We didn’t care about industry awards, flash buildings, state of the art tools – our focus was and is always working hard for our clients.
Time flies when you are having fun. Even when you are working your butt off. When you love what you are doing and are passionate about it, it’s not work. We plan on DOING for a very long time to come, and enjoying every moment of it.
We still need to organise a celebration of our achievement – so when we are ready – it will be a few cold ones in front of our whiteboard. We have more exciting plans going forward for the team and the business and every year ahead is going to be better than the previous one.
Happy 2 years Konnect Koncepts. Cheers.
TJ - CEO