Leading business brains share trade secrets

MEDIA RELEASE
25 July 2016

Leading business brains share trade secrets at The Biz Auckland

From mixing peanut butter in his garage to creating a product now spread across the globe, Pic Picot knows the pain and pleasure of starting a business.

Pics Peanut Butter is a real Kiwi tale of struggle and success with the founder excited to share his learnings and expert knowledge at The Biz, hosted by Yellow this month.

After travelling the world and building boats, Pic Picot returned to his hometown of Nelson to start a sailing school. Sadly not long after, Pic’s eyesight worsened and he was diagnosed with macular degeneration and he knew he had to find a new way to make money.

After an unpleasant experience eating sugary peanut butter, Pic decided to make his own, and Pic’s Peanut Butter was born.

Pic’s Peanut Butter now has 25 staff and makes tens of thousands of jars a week with no sign of business slowing down. It is widely distributed in New Zealand as well as being exported to Australia, USA and the UK.

“I never thought making peanut butter for family and friends would take off like it has. It’s been an incredible experience and I’ve loved every minute of it. I’ve had to learn on the go, making sure I take note of mistakes. I’m looking forward to sharing what I’ve learnt at each point of my journey at The Biz,” Pic says.

Also on the Auckland speaker panel is avid foodie Diane Stanbra from Picnic Box.

After visiting Auckland’s Silo Park in August 2011, she had a bright idea to provide ready-made picnic baskets for people to snack on. She produced 80 $15 boxes for Silo Park’s first outdoor movie night and despite only selling 20 boxes, the positive feedback she received gave her the determination to carry on.

Two years later Picnic Box’s turnover increased nearly 200 per cent, with weddings and conferences being areas of big development. The growth and success of her business helped Picnic Box win the Westpac Business Award for best emerging business in 2015.

Yellow CEO Michael Boersen says The Biz is an important networking event for local businesses and is not to be missed.

“The connections we make in business are so valuable, so it’s important for us to help connect everyone, especially in a country of small businesses. It’s a great support network and I urge businesses to attend The Biz as you will come away with helpful tips, advice and networks,” Michael says.

Wendy Thompson, the third speaker at The Biz Auckland grew her specialist social media agency, Socialites, from a one-woman entity in 2010 to New Zealand’s largest specialist social media agency. Her business was also recently placed on the 2015 Deloitte Fast 50 and Tech Asia Pacific 500.

Wendy has been a digital and social marketing expert for more than 15 years and sits on the board of the WDHB Well Foundation, the Social Media Club Auckland committee and CAANZ Experiential and Social Committee.

Wendy will give attendees five practical tips businesses can apply right now to grow a business’ social media presence.

To hear more from these great local experts and to book your spot at the Auckland event, register now at www.bizevents.co.nz

The Biz® - Auckland event details:

Location: The Maritime Room, Princes Wharf, Corner Quay & Hobson St, Auckland City

Time: 4pm - 7.30pm (presentations start at 4.30pm)

Date: Thursday 4 August, 2016

Speakers:

• Pic Picot, Founder, Pic’s Peanut Butter

• Diane Stanbra, Founder, Picnic Box

• Wendy Thompson, Founder, Socialites

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