November 23, 2025 • 32 mins
For a Hutt special Business Panel this week, Nick is joined by Henry Hutcheon, owner of Plenty Foods, and Sarah Wilson, founder of her own recruitment firm and board member of Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce.
They discuss their businesses, what they do, and how it’s going at the moment.
Henry’s new supermarket is three weeks old, and Sarah has been in the recruitment agency for twenty-three years and had her own business for eight years – they discuss the differences in starting independent businesses now compared to then.
They also gave their thoughts on the new Hutt mayors, and how the councils impact business in the valley.
Nick asks our panel what the mood in the Hutt is with business right now, the toughest times in businesses, and their advice on starting an independent business.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:07):
You're listening to the Wellington Mornings podcast with Nick Mills
from News Talk said, b every.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Couple of weeks we bring in a couple of Wellington
business people and have a bit of a chat. We
choose a fat about doing business, how it is, what
we can do to improve it, and how tough it
is if it is tough, for how good it is
if it's good. Today we've gone to the Hut Valley.
We've gone Hut Valley Special. We'll call it our Hut
Valley Special. Henry Hudson, who's the owner of Plenty Foods,
(00:36):
the new independent supermarket at Brewtown Upper Hut. I mean
everyone's talking about it. Everyone's talking about it. Apparently you
had characs at eight cents each, Henry or something something.
You did something really crazy when you're open, But it
seems to be the buzz of the city. Welcome to
the show. How are you feeling? How's it going?
Speaker 3 (00:57):
Thanks for having me? Feeling good?
Speaker 2 (00:59):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (00:59):
Feeling good? All positive?
Speaker 2 (01:01):
Were you terrified?
Speaker 3 (01:04):
No nice?
Speaker 2 (01:05):
Where to get all your money from? You? Young guy?
Speaker 3 (01:07):
I had a pretty supportive landlord is probably the way
to put that. And Malcolm really stepped up and invested
a lot into it. He's he's probably the main reason
this has happened.
Speaker 2 (01:20):
Are you still feeling as buoyant? It's an exciting after
a two months.
Speaker 3 (01:24):
And it's been three weeks.
Speaker 2 (01:25):
Three weeks, it feels like ages.
Speaker 3 (01:28):
Know that three weeks and yeah, I still jump out
a bit every day.
Speaker 2 (01:33):
Do you do you go? You are? You can? I
just ask this question because you're a young guy and
business and I loved I think back to when I
was young, which is a long long time ago. Do
you go to be it excited waiting to wake up
in the morning?
Speaker 3 (01:44):
Yep?
Speaker 2 (01:45):
Isn't that a great feeling? That is? And Sarah Wilson now,
Sarah is the founder of our own successful Lower Hut
recruitment agency. It's called s W Recruitment. She's had about
twenty years in the game and now she's a board
member of the Hut Valley Chamber of Commerce. Sarah, those
are good days, isn't it. Isn't it good a good
day when you hop into bed and all you want
(02:06):
to do is wake up in the morning, have a
shower and go to work.
Speaker 4 (02:10):
Absolutely, I do. I love it. It's it's fantastic.
Speaker 2 (02:13):
Yeah, I mean, that's what being in business is all
about people say, oh, how do you handle the stress?
And how do you handle all the ups and downs
of it? But it's the dream that always comes through,
isn't it.
Speaker 4 (02:25):
Absolutely? And when people ring me, I always they say,
how are you sating on us? I'm fabulous, absolutely fabulous,
And it's true.
Speaker 2 (02:34):
What makes you different to a normal recruiter?
Speaker 4 (02:37):
It's well, it's my business. I'm not one person.
Speaker 2 (02:41):
Yeah, but there's a lot of recruiters that are in
their own business.
Speaker 4 (02:43):
True, that's an excellent question. I think I just enjoy it.
And I've always got really invested with the businesses I
work with. I know them really, really well, so we
have long conversations about the personality type that will fit
in the team. And I know the team so I
can say, look, I think this time around we need
(03:05):
someone quiet, need another big personality. So I'm really involved.
I'm right in there.
Speaker 2 (03:11):
Well, tell us give us our listeners a little bit
of an insight into your business. How many people work
with you out? Where are you situated? What's the deal?
Speaker 4 (03:18):
So I'm based out in the huts and I've been
a business for myself now for nearly eight years. And
before that I worked for recruitment companies. So it's been
twenty three years in total. And I've always worked in manufacturing, printing,
packaging and trades because I love the tangible. All the
businesses I work with make something or supply something. I've
(03:43):
always recruited nationwide and the last couple of years I've
even done work in Australia for some of my New
Zealand based clients as well.
Speaker 2 (03:52):
Oh fabulous, Henry. Tell us about what you're where you
came from, what you do now. I know because a
little birdie told me that you started as a checkout
operator at one of the main one of the big boys.
Speaker 3 (04:04):
I started two thousand and seven in a pack and
saving capity, started as a check out operator and found
myself there was a new role every couple of years,
worked my way through it and I've done everything but
cut meat. I've done every wrong I've done. Worked at
four major supermarkets in the Monton region in the last
(04:26):
seventeen years.
Speaker 2 (04:27):
Why did you not take the path that normal people
take with that organization? As you know, and I know
what happens. You go and do a course and suddenly
you own your own supermarket. You didn't want to see
that path or you didn't see that pathway?
Speaker 3 (04:39):
Yeah, that's a that's a very good question and it's
probably pretty loaded, so I'll mate, I'll keep it PG.
But I decided to take control of my future really,
you know, rather than being told we're to go.
Speaker 2 (04:52):
So and how did that start?
Speaker 4 (04:56):
Well?
Speaker 3 (04:56):
I started with me and my partner Hailey. We bought
a dairy and Nino and we've made that our home
for the last three years. We did really well out
there and because of that, we've got some attension and
shut up on Malcolm stores it one day and here
we are.
Speaker 2 (05:15):
So do you see you've been that third major player
in the supermarket train? I mean, I mean you're with
Malcolm behind you. You any the world's your oyster, isn't it?
Speaker 3 (05:24):
Well, you know it's a it's three weeks in, so
it's kind of it's gonna be harter to compete with
the big two in just three weeks. But I wouldn't never,
never say never, but tell it.
Speaker 2 (05:37):
Compare your supermarket just so we all know. Have you
been to it?
Speaker 3 (05:40):
Sir?
Speaker 2 (05:40):
No? No, m M me too. And I'm going to
I'm going to go this weekend. I'm definitely going to go.
Tell me, what's different. What's the size? Give us a
little bit of a feel of it.
Speaker 3 (05:51):
Yeah, so it's fourteen hundred square meters.
Speaker 2 (05:54):
Give will take a few So how would that compared
to a small New World? It would be a.
Speaker 3 (05:59):
Little bit bigger than a small New World and probably
just a little bit bigger than your average countdown.
Speaker 2 (06:04):
Okay, it's big, it's quite big.
Speaker 3 (06:06):
It's full service. We put a big emphasis on fresh produce,
obviously since you saw the nine cent onions, and we
put have a really unique partnership with eminem Muster Butcher's
out of Capiti and they provide us with for the
range of fresh meat, which has proven to be very popular.
(06:29):
And the biggest compliment I get is about our baby
back ribs, which we struggle to keep up with in honesty.
And then outside of that, you know, we have probably
the cheapest hot chicken in the Hut Valley. We've got
a really extensive confectionery range. Is probably probably the most
dangerous aisle in the whole shop, is what I've been told,
because given that we're small, independent, we can be quite
(06:51):
a nimble when we can actually deal with everyone. If
it's got a barcode and it's got the right labels,
we can sell it.
Speaker 2 (06:59):
Wow. I want to come back to you about that,
because you know, there's always talk about how people can
you know, if you're going to set up against the
big two as you call them, you can't get you
can't buy the produce, you can't buy the product. So
I'm going to come back to you on that. But Sarah,
I want to ask you that exactly the same question,
because you know, how do you go up against the
big boys? How do you actually compete against the big
recruiting companies that have got twenty or thirty staff hustling
(07:22):
for business every day. Oh?
Speaker 4 (07:24):
Look, it's competitive. It's definitely competitive, and when things are quiet,
it gets even more competitive. But I actually think in
my situation it's been an advantage because the businesses I
work with, they know they're working with me. There'll never
be a number on a white board, there'll never be
a name on a consultant's desk. To me, they're really
(07:44):
important as opposed to if they work with a big company,
you know they're one of a number of businesses.
Speaker 2 (07:51):
I'm sure we're going to get to it eventually, but
I'm going to ask you right now I mean, is
it difficult to find people to jobs? I mean, do
you have people knocking you on your door saying can
you find me a job? Does it work that way
or does it you have to have the job and
they come and apply to.
Speaker 4 (08:05):
It's a bit of both. I do get people and
I get a lot of people referred to me that
don't have jobs, and they always get top priority with me.
If they don't have work, I try really hard for them.
But my business comes from companies saying to me, look
we need X, y Z. It might be an electrical engineer,
(08:26):
it might be an estimator for an engineering company, and
that has to be my focus because that's business. Yes,
But at the moment, just to give you a bit
of context, I'm advertising a role in Auckland. I've had
three hundred people apply and I've probably interviewed six and
I've put forward one. So it's still very very difficult
(08:48):
finding highly skilled people. We still do have a shortage.
Speaker 2 (08:52):
Of getting the right people. Because I give the example
to people in it or so listen, we've had a
manager in hospitality, but we've had a general managers or
operations manager's position, very well paid advertised for seven weeks
and I don't think I've had one interview one person
that was qualified to be interviewed, you know, through the
normal channels of you know, seek.
Speaker 4 (09:14):
I need a good recruitment consultant. Mack No, but it
is it's hard, and I think people forget we're a
really tiny island nation. And I've been doing this now
for twenty three years and it's always been a challenge
as it all always and I know no one everyone
(09:35):
likes to employ locally first, but if New Zealand businesses
could find the skills they wanted and needed locally, they
wouldn't go offshore. But sometimes you just have to. And
every year I probably bring in at least half a
dozen people from the Philippines or South Africa because they
(09:57):
have skills we simply cannot find here.
Speaker 2 (10:00):
And that's such a risk because you don't know whether
they'll adapt to New Zealand, they love it or not
love it, and it's just such a risk. We'll take
it very very short break and be back with Sarah
Wilson and Henry Hudson. Oh, this is so exciting for
me because you know, one is an established business person
that's had it, and one's a brand new, three weeks
old supermarket. Yes, there's a supermarket that's not a countdown
(10:23):
or a wool worse or a new world, and it's
right here in our area. So if you really want to,
you can go to it. Business panel. We do it
every second Monday. And with today we've got Henry Hudson
and Sarah Wilson and Sarah's a recruiter. Henry has opened
a private supermarket in Brewtown. I mean, Henry, I've got
(10:45):
to come to you, and I'm not forgetting about you, Sarah,
so you hold me out here. But this is quite
big news to have a brand new, private owned supermarket
in our region. The cost of this setup would be millions. Yeah,
So are you feeling all right? Do you do cast
when you've done your cash flows? You've had had a
successful smaller operation going before, so you know how to
(11:06):
do cash flows and stuff. Tell me how what are
your cash flows looking three weeks? And you probably do
them every day?
Speaker 3 (11:11):
Yeah, and I look at it every day. You have
to have to at that early stage. But you know,
we're we're ahead of what I thought we'd do, and
that comes down to the unreal support that have been
given from the locals. It's been humbling, to be honest,
it's been really really emotional sometimes of course, and me
(11:36):
and the management team there were just quite taken aback
about the unreal support we're getting.
Speaker 2 (11:41):
Can I read you a text that someone sent sent
and because I think it's important to show some context here,
Good morning Nick. My daughter has been to the new
supermarket in Upper Heart. She says, the customer service is
one of the best staff. We're amazing, so helpful. She's
sold on the food and the service, says Tests and
now Test knows a bit about food and stuff, so
(12:02):
it's pretty good to get. We're getting people texting it
and saying it's pretty good.
Speaker 3 (12:06):
Yeah, we actually getting quite a bit of that. And
I put that down to the really exceptional young local
people that we've brought on. So we've got about a
team of forty and a lot of those young local
Chemi kids and I have just been absolutely blown away
by just every aspect that they've been bringing. It's been remarkable.
Speaker 2 (12:31):
So from where you are now and you're above your
cash flow, and this is quite important for our listeners.
I believe in the site that you're in on a
percentage basis, what can you grow from there? Could you
do another thirty or forty or fifty percent in the
same shop.
Speaker 3 (12:46):
Yeah, I could. As the running joke with my team
at the moment that we probably haven't built it big
enough given the level of support we're getting in scenario.
So you know, industry standard for produced share of turnover
is about ten on a good shot, twelve and a
really really good one he's sitting at she was twenty yesterday,
(13:08):
so and my meat chair is really high as well.
So I'm looking about thirty percent of my turnovers from
meeting Vigie because we've priced it right.
Speaker 2 (13:16):
And how are you getting supplies? If I want to
come and get a fancy toothbrush or toothpaste and stuff,
can I get it there? Can you get all that
stuff on it?
Speaker 3 (13:23):
That's proving to be a bit more challenging.
Speaker 2 (13:26):
So Coldgate would say, no, you're not one of the
big ones. We're not going to supply you.
Speaker 3 (13:31):
In Colgate's defense, we actually didn't reach out to them.
Someone from that company as she showed up last week
and handed us a card. So we'll see what comes.
But you know, there's been a few disappointing outcomes from
some of those bigger suppliers, some really big local Kiwi
ones as well as foreign owned ones.
Speaker 2 (13:49):
I just said, no, we're not going to deal with you.
Speaker 3 (13:51):
Yeah, no, we're not going to deal with you. And
then you know, one of them was no, we're not
going to deal with you unless you do this. Then
I said no, and then they gave me a process
and then that prices was fifty percent high of the market.
So free between the lines there, but teething issues. We'll
get there.
Speaker 2 (14:10):
Yeah, good on you, Good on you for doing it.
I'm excited for you. Sarah. Back to you. Let's start
talking about Lahart. You're on the chamber, so tell me.
There's been a new mayor and Upper hut a new
mayor and La Hutte new councils. Anything changing, anything feel different?
Speaker 4 (14:29):
Not yet, but I think so far both mayors have
shown their willing and keen to engage with the business community.
So the thing is, we know if the city's prospering, it's
good for you, for everyone. So Ken has definitely said
he wants to engage the business community. But it's pretty
early days yet, but I think the Heart Valley Chamber
(14:50):
of Commerce enjoys a really positive relationship with both the
Hot City Council and the Upper Hut City Council, So
I'm sure that will continue.
Speaker 2 (14:57):
Do you think And I've got my own opinion, but
I'll reserve it to myself. Do you think they're actually
doing business in lah Hutte and Upper Heart But Tony's
actually better than doing business in town. It's easy, it's free,
people care want to help. I mean, you're part You're
on the Hut Valley Chamber of Commerce, so there must
be something you're doing well.
Speaker 4 (15:19):
Absolutely, I think it's just a lot more collaborative. We
had a situation post COVID where supply chain it was
a real issue for a lot of companies, and we
did walk around tours of different businesses and we'd have
situations where someone would say, oh, you know, we stuck
for this part. We can't get the sun for love
nor money, and someone else within the group would say,
(15:39):
I can make that for you, you know, And they
were kind of competitors, but not really. And we've seen
a huge amount of this collaboration through the chamber, just
through introducing different people to each other. And yeah, it's fantastic.
Speaker 2 (15:53):
What's the mood.
Speaker 4 (15:55):
I think it's really positive. We had a business awards
on Friday night and it was sold out. We had
five hundred people and heaps of innovation, heaps of businesses
doing really really well, and it was positive. Everyone I
spoke to in that room was positive that they were busy,
they were optimistic.
Speaker 2 (16:17):
Yeah, it seems to be a vibe that's coming through.
And Henry, you've nodded your head when I asked if
it's easier doing business out of the hut that it
is and have you had experience where you've tried to
come into one and we why did you? You were
pretty your head was going yeah.
Speaker 3 (16:32):
I just I have personally found that the support from
locals and lower Hut nine e upper Hut is something
that I haven't been able to witness in any of
the other areas that I've put in. It's just yes,
been while drive the past three and a bit years,
But I just put it down to the locals supporting
(16:53):
local businesses.
Speaker 2 (16:54):
So they actually go out of their way to make
sure that they are thinking about because I mean, the
retail head of retail this morning was saying, by local
don't buy overseas coming up to Christmas? Is this another
signal of what we're seeing of actually doing business within
your own area.
Speaker 3 (17:11):
Absolutely, I think so yeah, I'm doing co leabs with
other local businesses myself. It's an ongoing trend. I think.
Speaker 2 (17:20):
Are you seeing it too, Serra?
Speaker 4 (17:21):
Absolutely, And I think it's really important, especially coming up
to Christmas. If you've got a choice and you're looking
at what to buy for Christmas, take a bit of time,
make a bit of an effort and look locally. You know,
if it's a cafe that sells relish or I think
I was thinking dough bakery, or a voucher for a
restaurant or a cafe or bar. That way, it all
(17:43):
stays here.
Speaker 2 (17:44):
And it has I mean, Hot Valley's just found its
own self, hasn't it. I Mean it's definitely. I lived
in Kelson in a different life and it was almost
like we were the second part of the city. We
were like not part of the city, but now you're
your own city.
Speaker 4 (18:03):
Absolutely. And the innovation and the technology in the hut.
The Patrick, who's the CEO of the Chamber, he often
refers to, you know, behind the roll of doors, there
are all these incredible businesses that are tacked away down
little side streets and they're doing incredible things and they're
exporting globally and there Hunt.
Speaker 2 (18:22):
Can you give us a couple of instance of that?
What are you on the spot? No?
Speaker 4 (18:25):
No, well, I think the two that spring to mind
so Rotech who won the Supreme Award. They're incredible and
I have to to make sure I get this right.
I think they make protein for medicines and they're exporting
millions of dollars worth of product. Open Star Technologies, they're
(18:46):
developing fusion power. They can't do this in the States.
We're way ahead of the grid. There are some engineering
companies doing incredible things and it's all in the hut.
Speaker 2 (18:58):
Yeah, and we don't talk about it enough to Another
text came in from Mary. Well done, Henry and your
team went into Pleady Foods on the weekend and absolutely
first class. The meat selection was amazing. I have never
seen anything like it. That's time for a break. We're
praising him too much, aren't I can't take the credit.
We're building him up too much. You know, Sarah and
(19:20):
I are going to go out there on the weekend
and just check it out and make sure it's as
good as what they say it is. Henry Hudson and
Sarah Wilson on the Business panel, will take a short break,
have some headlines from Max and be back. Got lots
to ask them about the actual vibe of business around
at the moment. A business panel was Henry Hudson and
Sarah Wilson. I want to know whether you think we've
(19:43):
bottomed down. I mean, everyone keeps talking about green shoots
and things are coming right right. Have we turned the
core its corner? Sarah? Tell me what you're feeling. And
you're talking to people in business. You're trying to find
them people to work for them, and that's your gig.
Have we have we bottomed out?
Speaker 1 (20:01):
Look?
Speaker 4 (20:02):
I think it's looking really positive. I was talking to
someone this morning from the commercial construction side of things,
and they're flowing effect. When commercial construction is doing well
and Wellington is massive and they've just started to pick
up and now you know they're getting busy again, which
is really really positive because that has a flow on effect.
(20:22):
There's still a degree of waiting. It's sort of waiting
for confirmation of a couple of big things, but things
have started to move and hopefully that will do.
Speaker 2 (20:31):
You think they moved significantly or is it just such
a little move that the sun shining. We always feel
better when the sun shining. Do you think it's significant
or do you think it might be just a little blip.
Speaker 4 (20:43):
I wouldn't call it significant, but I think there's definitely
a more positive feeling among the people I'm talking to.
Some of the businesses I've been working with, they've been
flat out the whole time, and then some of their
competitors are really struggling.
Speaker 2 (20:57):
Can I talk to you about the ones that are
really struggling because we read all the time about businesses
having to close up and close down, and receivership number up,
liquidation numbers are up. I mean you must have seen
those as your commerce stuff. You must have seen some
very sad stories in that as well.
Speaker 4 (21:13):
A lot and the analogy always give us. When I
first started in recruitment, it was two thousand and two
and I worked solely for the printing and packaging industries,
So that was only twenty years ago. But ninety percent
of the businesses I worked for have gone. And that's
not because they were badly run. It's just how technology
(21:34):
has changed. You know, we receive things on a PDF now,
we don't buy as many magazines. We don't fill informs
like we're used to. So things change and that effects businesses.
And the businesses that change and adapt and are nimble
they survive and.
Speaker 2 (21:51):
The others don't.
Speaker 4 (21:53):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (21:53):
Have you seen good businesses go close up? Though? Have
you seen businesses that you thought shouldn't have closed up?
But they've had two because the times we're just too
tough for them.
Speaker 4 (22:01):
I think COVID closed a few businesses that would never
have closed otherwise.
Speaker 2 (22:05):
And the results of the recession after it, So they
got through COVID and they managed to.
Speaker 4 (22:09):
Yeah, and I think you know, you put the Trump
tariffs we're wore on the Ukraine we had COVID. That's
a pretty hefty trifector all things affecting businesses, And sometimes
it's timing. You know, if someone goes into des and
they invest in new machinery and then there's a COVID lockdown,
you can't plan for that. The most resilient business can't
(22:33):
carry that through COVID.
Speaker 2 (22:35):
You've still got to eat, though, Henry A. So you
know you're pretty lucky, aren't you. I mean, do you
think we've bottomed out? I mean, you know, as a businessman,
You've taken a huge risk. You've built this thing. You know,
you're the star of the show at the moment because
you know, not too many people are taking nate risk
and going out and building from scratch right now, that's
exactly what you've done. Are you banking on the fact
(22:57):
that we're bottomed out or are you banking up the
fact that people want to still support someone other than
the big ones?
Speaker 3 (23:03):
But are both To be honest, it was pretty It
was pretty brutal last six months, if I'm being transparent,
But I'm starting to see some growth especially no, no,
too early for me to.
Speaker 2 (23:17):
Tell you still kept your shop in nine O game.
Speaker 3 (23:20):
You've got a great team out here, they're looking at
looking after it for us.
Speaker 2 (23:25):
But you've had it tough over the last six months.
Speaker 3 (23:27):
Definitely, yeah, definitely noticed it, have you.
Speaker 2 (23:30):
I mean people say food, you know food, you don't
notice it?
Speaker 3 (23:34):
Well, yeah, there might be the case and some of
those guys that are you know, in the big yellows
that can afford to do comfort food super whereas nine
hours more of a convenience you stork. So yeah, discretionary
spinning was obviously down, but I'm starting to see a lift.
Speaker 2 (23:52):
Right, So you think we've bottomed out, give me, give me,
give me your honest store.
Speaker 3 (23:55):
Yeah. I think we have. Yeah, that's my opinion. But
outside of that, I think people want to support local, local,
and support independent and that that's a big, big factor
of it.
Speaker 2 (24:09):
Business Panel with Sarah and Henry. Look, Sarah, do you
think that, if you were putting a crystal ball around,
that New Zealand is going to be a better place
when we come through all of this? Do you think
we will be a better nation? Will we be skeptical
and worried and conservative?
Speaker 4 (24:27):
Gosh, that's a very deep question. I well, I would
like to think so, honestly, who who knows? I think
disasters tend to bring out the best and the worst
in people, and I think COVID definitely did. I think
the christ earthquake definitely did as well. And hopefully this
(24:47):
little this period of tough times, hopefully we'll all come
out of this.
Speaker 2 (24:53):
Is it the toughest time you've known in business?
Speaker 3 (24:55):
No?
Speaker 4 (24:55):
The GFC was awful, was it?
Speaker 2 (24:57):
No?
Speaker 4 (24:58):
I mean I thankfully I was actually employed through the GFC,
and I was so grateful because the only calls I
got were from my clients saying I've just laid off
ten staff. Can you find them a job? It was awful,
Literally everything just stopped.
Speaker 2 (25:13):
Henry, What do you think? Do you think that you
know you've taken an almighty risk. Do you think that
when we come out of it and we get back
on our feed and we're starting to be buoyant, that
will be as gun ho a country as we used
to be, or will we be careful?
Speaker 3 (25:30):
I think I think we will always be who we are.
I think I think going back to the traditional Kiwi
things you've been gung homes deffinitely. I don't think that's
being a nation of sceptics is in our future, to
be honest, I don't think that's who we are.
Speaker 2 (25:46):
You don't know. Do you think it's harder now, Sarah
than it was twenty years ago? If you were starting
out now, would you still be doing it? Would?
Speaker 4 (25:54):
I think there are always highs and lows, it's just
the same.
Speaker 2 (25:58):
This is a pretty big low though for a long
period of time. First we closed up by COVID, then
we got the recession, and now we've got a government
trying to clean everything up and get us back on track.
So it's almost a three prong is it's been a
triple three punch knocking.
Speaker 4 (26:15):
It has. But look, I don't think business has ever
been easy. You know, if you go back in time,
there have always been challenges, and they could be global,
they could be domestic. And if we sit here analyzing
and worrying and things are really tough and it's never
been tougher, it becomes self perpetuating. I just put my
(26:35):
head down and keep working.
Speaker 2 (26:37):
Henry is a business person with a high risk tolerance. Obviously,
if you're going to give people advice right now about
starting something up and taking your risk right now, that
what would that be of advice be? After three weeks
of doing something pretty big? Do it?
Speaker 3 (26:52):
Just go do it. But before you do it, make
sure you know what you do.
Speaker 2 (26:58):
How much work did you just put into it? How
much did you actually Because I'm the polar opposite to you,
I see a little place and I just go and
open it and don't give a damn, don't do any research,
don't do any case flow, just have a crap, probably
to my detriment. How much work did you put into it?
And how much was the dream? How much was the
year ago? And how much was it clever science.
Speaker 3 (27:15):
Oh there was a pretty amount of extensive due diligence done. Yeah,
to be honest, but I did first sign the lease
in October twenty three. That's how long it's taken me
to open this. But yeah, I went on cashflow forecast
and looked at the census and looked at the developments
(27:35):
in the future, and there's a gap in the market
for independence, and there's never been a bit of time
than now to do it.
Speaker 2 (27:43):
So did you come in under budget?
Speaker 3 (27:47):
No? No, you knows. The problem is when you start
developing a building and it takes you two years, you know,
some of those quotes get more expensive as time goes on. Nothing, shiarah.
Speaker 2 (28:01):
What advice would you give to somebody now sitting with
an idea? I was around a dinner tall last night.
Three people had ideas of businesses, and I kept looking
at them and going, well, why aren't you doing it?
Why aren't you doing it? Why aren't you doing it?
What advice do you give to those people that have
got a great idea, a dream, but sitting on their
hands because they know we've been through what we've been through.
Speaker 4 (28:22):
Oh, look, just do it. There's never a perfect time
it's not when people say, oh, we want to start
a family, but we're going to buy a house first.
Are we're doing this or we're doing that? But do
you due diligence plan? Make sure you've got the money
and the support.
Speaker 2 (28:37):
What happens if you haven't got the money.
Speaker 4 (28:39):
See if you can borrow it, but you know, find
the cooperative le Yeah, you know it's a difference between
the dreamers and the doers, isn't it.
Speaker 2 (28:49):
Yes? And that's always been the same, isn't it.
Speaker 4 (28:51):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (28:53):
What do we need to do ourselves as individuals and
business rather than always looking to the council or to
the government to fix it. I mean that's the big
question I have always in my mind. What can we
do our elves to make society and our business is better.
That's not reliant on anything the government does, or not
reliant on anything the council does.
Speaker 3 (29:14):
Henry, It's really simple for me. That would be buying
and supporting locals. And there's a testament to that. I've
got local suppliers in plenty of foods of the local
florists and a flask from the wire rapper, the local bakery,
another local baking from the warrapper. Just support locals would
(29:35):
be it?
Speaker 2 (29:35):
So you don't have your own bakery out there, you
bring in your bakery, you bring in your meat, you bring.
Speaker 3 (29:39):
In your That's how I managed to get to make
it happens. All the meat and all the baked goods
are done off site and brought in daily.
Speaker 2 (29:48):
Sarah, what advice would you give to that person?
Speaker 4 (29:50):
Absolutely with Henry and this just local, support local.
Speaker 2 (29:55):
The trouble is, I mean, it's all very well to
say support local, and I'm not having a crackey. I'm
just saying I'm just bringing the discussion in. But if
I could go and buy a Scope fridge for seven
five hundred, and I've been in this situation myself. Scope
is a great New Zealand company, or I can buy
a Chinese import for twenty five hundred, which way am
I going to go?
Speaker 4 (30:15):
Oh, there's definitely some economies that you need to look at,
but I think where you can and where you can
and it's a conscious choice. And also to the support
doesn't have to be about buying from them. It could
be supporting them. It could be through networking, it could
be by introducing a supplier or a possible client making.
Speaker 3 (30:36):
Introduction sharing their social media things like that, you know,
and I would say to that scope thing, it depends
what you could offer with it. If you're bought in
a cheap import to service the locals at a cheaper rate,
then why wouldn't you.
Speaker 2 (30:52):
Yeah, Okay, thank you. I feel a bit better. I
think I think I feel a bit better. I don't
feel so cheap. It is twelve minutes to twelve when
we come back. I'm going to ask my two guests
if someone special arrived in Wellington and they picked them
up at the airport around lunchtime. Never been to new
never been to Wellington before. I haven't been for twenty
five thirty years, and you're going to take them out
(31:14):
show off Wellington on your first sort of like welcome
to Wellington trip? What would they do? Business panel with
Henry Hudson and Sarah Wilson. Henry, someone special comes to town,
what are you going to do with them?
Speaker 3 (31:26):
It depends on weather really, Okay, if it's nice, a
sunny and be first and chips on the beach and
a coffee. But if it's miserablet might be a hot
curry and a few drinks.
Speaker 2 (31:34):
All right, whereabouts are you going to take them Upperhart?
Where are you going to take them upper hand?
Speaker 3 (31:39):
If it's the Curry, probably go to Rouchie and Patney
and then maybe maybe up to the Brewtown Complex for
a few beers. Shameless plug, famous plug. That's all right,
show them at the supermarket. Sarah, what are you going
to do with that special person that comes into town?
Speaker 4 (31:54):
Well, if the special person has kids, and I think
we'd go up to Brutown, We're going to have burgers
and beers and they can go go casting and run around.
Adults do a lap around for Tony shops. There may
be a drink at the Spread and Fern or a
leper in Wellington Waterfront, College Street, Cuba Street.
Speaker 2 (32:13):
Great, fabulous, Thank you both for coming in our hot
Gully special Henry Hudson, who's opened Plenty of Foods a
new supermarket in Brutown, and Sarah Wilson, who owns sw Recruitment,
have a great afternoon both, and thanks for both of you,
and thanks for coming in.
Speaker 3 (32:30):
Thanks for having me.
Speaker 1 (32:32):
For more from Wellington Mornings with Nick Mills, listen live
to news Talks It'd be Wellington from nine am weekdays,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio,
You're listening to the Wellington Mornings podcast with Nick Mills
from News Talk said, b every.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Couple of weeks we bring in a couple of Wellington
business people and have a bit of a chat. We
choose a fat about doing business, how it is, what
we can do to improve it, and how tough it
is if it is tough, for how good it is
if it's good. Today we've gone to the Hut Valley.
We've gone Hut Valley Special. We'll call it our Hut
Valley Special. Henry Hudson, who's the owner of Plenty Foods,
(00:36):
the new independent supermarket at Brewtown Upper Hut. I mean
everyone's talking about it. Everyone's talking about it. Apparently you
had characs at eight cents each, Henry or something something.
You did something really crazy when you're open, But it
seems to be the buzz of the city. Welcome to
the show. How are you feeling? How's it going?
Speaker 3 (00:57):
Thanks for having me? Feeling good?
Speaker 2 (00:59):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (00:59):
Feeling good? All positive?
Speaker 2 (01:01):
Were you terrified?
Speaker 3 (01:04):
No nice?
Speaker 2 (01:05):
Where to get all your money from? You? Young guy?
Speaker 3 (01:07):
I had a pretty supportive landlord is probably the way
to put that. And Malcolm really stepped up and invested
a lot into it. He's he's probably the main reason
this has happened.
Speaker 2 (01:20):
Are you still feeling as buoyant? It's an exciting after
a two months.
Speaker 3 (01:24):
And it's been three weeks.
Speaker 2 (01:25):
Three weeks, it feels like ages.
Speaker 3 (01:28):
Know that three weeks and yeah, I still jump out
a bit every day.
Speaker 2 (01:33):
Do you do you go? You are? You can? I
just ask this question because you're a young guy and
business and I loved I think back to when I
was young, which is a long long time ago. Do
you go to be it excited waiting to wake up
in the morning?
Speaker 3 (01:44):
Yep?
Speaker 2 (01:45):
Isn't that a great feeling? That is? And Sarah Wilson now,
Sarah is the founder of our own successful Lower Hut
recruitment agency. It's called s W Recruitment. She's had about
twenty years in the game and now she's a board
member of the Hut Valley Chamber of Commerce. Sarah, those
are good days, isn't it. Isn't it good a good
day when you hop into bed and all you want
(02:06):
to do is wake up in the morning, have a
shower and go to work.
Speaker 4 (02:10):
Absolutely, I do. I love it. It's it's fantastic.
Speaker 2 (02:13):
Yeah, I mean, that's what being in business is all
about people say, oh, how do you handle the stress?
And how do you handle all the ups and downs
of it? But it's the dream that always comes through,
isn't it.
Speaker 4 (02:25):
Absolutely? And when people ring me, I always they say,
how are you sating on us? I'm fabulous, absolutely fabulous,
And it's true.
Speaker 2 (02:34):
What makes you different to a normal recruiter?
Speaker 4 (02:37):
It's well, it's my business. I'm not one person.
Speaker 2 (02:41):
Yeah, but there's a lot of recruiters that are in
their own business.
Speaker 4 (02:43):
True, that's an excellent question. I think I just enjoy it.
And I've always got really invested with the businesses I
work with. I know them really, really well, so we
have long conversations about the personality type that will fit
in the team. And I know the team so I
can say, look, I think this time around we need
(03:05):
someone quiet, need another big personality. So I'm really involved.
I'm right in there.
Speaker 2 (03:11):
Well, tell us give us our listeners a little bit
of an insight into your business. How many people work
with you out? Where are you situated? What's the deal?
Speaker 4 (03:18):
So I'm based out in the huts and I've been
a business for myself now for nearly eight years. And
before that I worked for recruitment companies. So it's been
twenty three years in total. And I've always worked in manufacturing, printing,
packaging and trades because I love the tangible. All the
businesses I work with make something or supply something. I've
(03:43):
always recruited nationwide and the last couple of years I've
even done work in Australia for some of my New
Zealand based clients as well.
Speaker 2 (03:52):
Oh fabulous, Henry. Tell us about what you're where you
came from, what you do now. I know because a
little birdie told me that you started as a checkout
operator at one of the main one of the big boys.
Speaker 3 (04:04):
I started two thousand and seven in a pack and
saving capity, started as a check out operator and found
myself there was a new role every couple of years,
worked my way through it and I've done everything but
cut meat. I've done every wrong I've done. Worked at
four major supermarkets in the Monton region in the last
(04:26):
seventeen years.
Speaker 2 (04:27):
Why did you not take the path that normal people
take with that organization? As you know, and I know
what happens. You go and do a course and suddenly
you own your own supermarket. You didn't want to see
that path or you didn't see that pathway?
Speaker 3 (04:39):
Yeah, that's a that's a very good question and it's
probably pretty loaded, so I'll mate, I'll keep it PG.
But I decided to take control of my future really,
you know, rather than being told we're to go.
Speaker 2 (04:52):
So and how did that start?
Speaker 4 (04:56):
Well?
Speaker 3 (04:56):
I started with me and my partner Hailey. We bought
a dairy and Nino and we've made that our home
for the last three years. We did really well out
there and because of that, we've got some attension and
shut up on Malcolm stores it one day and here
we are.
Speaker 2 (05:15):
So do you see you've been that third major player
in the supermarket train? I mean, I mean you're with
Malcolm behind you. You any the world's your oyster, isn't it?
Speaker 3 (05:24):
Well, you know it's a it's three weeks in, so
it's kind of it's gonna be harter to compete with
the big two in just three weeks. But I wouldn't never,
never say never, but tell it.
Speaker 2 (05:37):
Compare your supermarket just so we all know. Have you
been to it?
Speaker 3 (05:40):
Sir?
Speaker 2 (05:40):
No? No, m M me too. And I'm going to
I'm going to go this weekend. I'm definitely going to go.
Tell me, what's different. What's the size? Give us a
little bit of a feel of it.
Speaker 3 (05:51):
Yeah, so it's fourteen hundred square meters.
Speaker 2 (05:54):
Give will take a few So how would that compared
to a small New World? It would be a.
Speaker 3 (05:59):
Little bit bigger than a small New World and probably
just a little bit bigger than your average countdown.
Speaker 2 (06:04):
Okay, it's big, it's quite big.
Speaker 3 (06:06):
It's full service. We put a big emphasis on fresh produce,
obviously since you saw the nine cent onions, and we
put have a really unique partnership with eminem Muster Butcher's
out of Capiti and they provide us with for the
range of fresh meat, which has proven to be very popular.
(06:29):
And the biggest compliment I get is about our baby
back ribs, which we struggle to keep up with in honesty.
And then outside of that, you know, we have probably
the cheapest hot chicken in the Hut Valley. We've got
a really extensive confectionery range. Is probably probably the most
dangerous aisle in the whole shop, is what I've been told,
because given that we're small, independent, we can be quite
(06:51):
a nimble when we can actually deal with everyone. If
it's got a barcode and it's got the right labels,
we can sell it.
Speaker 2 (06:59):
Wow. I want to come back to you about that,
because you know, there's always talk about how people can
you know, if you're going to set up against the
big two as you call them, you can't get you
can't buy the produce, you can't buy the product. So
I'm going to come back to you on that. But Sarah,
I want to ask you that exactly the same question,
because you know, how do you go up against the
big boys? How do you actually compete against the big
recruiting companies that have got twenty or thirty staff hustling
(07:22):
for business every day. Oh?
Speaker 4 (07:24):
Look, it's competitive. It's definitely competitive, and when things are quiet,
it gets even more competitive. But I actually think in
my situation it's been an advantage because the businesses I
work with, they know they're working with me. There'll never
be a number on a white board, there'll never be
a name on a consultant's desk. To me, they're really
(07:44):
important as opposed to if they work with a big company,
you know they're one of a number of businesses.
Speaker 2 (07:51):
I'm sure we're going to get to it eventually, but
I'm going to ask you right now I mean, is
it difficult to find people to jobs? I mean, do
you have people knocking you on your door saying can
you find me a job? Does it work that way
or does it you have to have the job and
they come and apply to.
Speaker 4 (08:05):
It's a bit of both. I do get people and
I get a lot of people referred to me that
don't have jobs, and they always get top priority with me.
If they don't have work, I try really hard for them.
But my business comes from companies saying to me, look
we need X, y Z. It might be an electrical engineer,
(08:26):
it might be an estimator for an engineering company, and
that has to be my focus because that's business. Yes,
But at the moment, just to give you a bit
of context, I'm advertising a role in Auckland. I've had
three hundred people apply and I've probably interviewed six and
I've put forward one. So it's still very very difficult
(08:48):
finding highly skilled people. We still do have a shortage.
Speaker 2 (08:52):
Of getting the right people. Because I give the example
to people in it or so listen, we've had a
manager in hospitality, but we've had a general managers or
operations manager's position, very well paid advertised for seven weeks
and I don't think I've had one interview one person
that was qualified to be interviewed, you know, through the
normal channels of you know, seek.
Speaker 4 (09:14):
I need a good recruitment consultant. Mack No, but it
is it's hard, and I think people forget we're a
really tiny island nation. And I've been doing this now
for twenty three years and it's always been a challenge
as it all always and I know no one everyone
(09:35):
likes to employ locally first, but if New Zealand businesses
could find the skills they wanted and needed locally, they
wouldn't go offshore. But sometimes you just have to. And
every year I probably bring in at least half a
dozen people from the Philippines or South Africa because they
(09:57):
have skills we simply cannot find here.
Speaker 2 (10:00):
And that's such a risk because you don't know whether
they'll adapt to New Zealand, they love it or not
love it, and it's just such a risk. We'll take
it very very short break and be back with Sarah
Wilson and Henry Hudson. Oh, this is so exciting for
me because you know, one is an established business person
that's had it, and one's a brand new, three weeks
old supermarket. Yes, there's a supermarket that's not a countdown
(10:23):
or a wool worse or a new world, and it's
right here in our area. So if you really want to,
you can go to it. Business panel. We do it
every second Monday. And with today we've got Henry Hudson
and Sarah Wilson and Sarah's a recruiter. Henry has opened
a private supermarket in Brewtown. I mean, Henry, I've got
(10:45):
to come to you, and I'm not forgetting about you, Sarah,
so you hold me out here. But this is quite
big news to have a brand new, private owned supermarket
in our region. The cost of this setup would be millions. Yeah,
So are you feeling all right? Do you do cast
when you've done your cash flows? You've had had a
successful smaller operation going before, so you know how to
(11:06):
do cash flows and stuff. Tell me how what are
your cash flows looking three weeks? And you probably do
them every day?
Speaker 3 (11:11):
Yeah, and I look at it every day. You have
to have to at that early stage. But you know,
we're we're ahead of what I thought we'd do, and
that comes down to the unreal support that have been
given from the locals. It's been humbling, to be honest,
it's been really really emotional sometimes of course, and me
(11:36):
and the management team there were just quite taken aback
about the unreal support we're getting.
Speaker 2 (11:41):
Can I read you a text that someone sent sent
and because I think it's important to show some context here,
Good morning Nick. My daughter has been to the new
supermarket in Upper Heart. She says, the customer service is
one of the best staff. We're amazing, so helpful. She's
sold on the food and the service, says Tests and
now Test knows a bit about food and stuff, so
(12:02):
it's pretty good to get. We're getting people texting it
and saying it's pretty good.
Speaker 3 (12:06):
Yeah, we actually getting quite a bit of that. And
I put that down to the really exceptional young local
people that we've brought on. So we've got about a
team of forty and a lot of those young local
Chemi kids and I have just been absolutely blown away
by just every aspect that they've been bringing. It's been remarkable.
Speaker 2 (12:31):
So from where you are now and you're above your
cash flow, and this is quite important for our listeners.
I believe in the site that you're in on a
percentage basis, what can you grow from there? Could you
do another thirty or forty or fifty percent in the
same shop.
Speaker 3 (12:46):
Yeah, I could. As the running joke with my team
at the moment that we probably haven't built it big
enough given the level of support we're getting in scenario.
So you know, industry standard for produced share of turnover
is about ten on a good shot, twelve and a
really really good one he's sitting at she was twenty yesterday,
(13:08):
so and my meat chair is really high as well.
So I'm looking about thirty percent of my turnovers from
meeting Vigie because we've priced it right.
Speaker 2 (13:16):
And how are you getting supplies? If I want to
come and get a fancy toothbrush or toothpaste and stuff,
can I get it there? Can you get all that
stuff on it?
Speaker 3 (13:23):
That's proving to be a bit more challenging.
Speaker 2 (13:26):
So Coldgate would say, no, you're not one of the
big ones. We're not going to supply you.
Speaker 3 (13:31):
In Colgate's defense, we actually didn't reach out to them.
Someone from that company as she showed up last week
and handed us a card. So we'll see what comes.
But you know, there's been a few disappointing outcomes from
some of those bigger suppliers, some really big local Kiwi
ones as well as foreign owned ones.
Speaker 2 (13:49):
I just said, no, we're not going to deal with you.
Speaker 3 (13:51):
Yeah, no, we're not going to deal with you. And
then you know, one of them was no, we're not
going to deal with you unless you do this. Then
I said no, and then they gave me a process
and then that prices was fifty percent high of the market.
So free between the lines there, but teething issues. We'll
get there.
Speaker 2 (14:10):
Yeah, good on you, Good on you for doing it.
I'm excited for you. Sarah. Back to you. Let's start
talking about Lahart. You're on the chamber, so tell me.
There's been a new mayor and Upper hut a new
mayor and La Hutte new councils. Anything changing, anything feel different?
Speaker 4 (14:29):
Not yet, but I think so far both mayors have
shown their willing and keen to engage with the business community.
So the thing is, we know if the city's prospering, it's
good for you, for everyone. So Ken has definitely said
he wants to engage the business community. But it's pretty
early days yet, but I think the Heart Valley Chamber
(14:50):
of Commerce enjoys a really positive relationship with both the
Hot City Council and the Upper Hut City Council, So
I'm sure that will continue.
Speaker 2 (14:57):
Do you think And I've got my own opinion, but
I'll reserve it to myself. Do you think they're actually
doing business in lah Hutte and Upper Heart But Tony's
actually better than doing business in town. It's easy, it's free,
people care want to help. I mean, you're part You're
on the Hut Valley Chamber of Commerce, so there must
be something you're doing well.
Speaker 4 (15:19):
Absolutely, I think it's just a lot more collaborative. We
had a situation post COVID where supply chain it was
a real issue for a lot of companies, and we
did walk around tours of different businesses and we'd have
situations where someone would say, oh, you know, we stuck
for this part. We can't get the sun for love
nor money, and someone else within the group would say,
(15:39):
I can make that for you, you know, And they
were kind of competitors, but not really. And we've seen
a huge amount of this collaboration through the chamber, just
through introducing different people to each other. And yeah, it's fantastic.
Speaker 2 (15:53):
What's the mood.
Speaker 4 (15:55):
I think it's really positive. We had a business awards
on Friday night and it was sold out. We had
five hundred people and heaps of innovation, heaps of businesses
doing really really well, and it was positive. Everyone I
spoke to in that room was positive that they were busy,
they were optimistic.
Speaker 2 (16:17):
Yeah, it seems to be a vibe that's coming through.
And Henry, you've nodded your head when I asked if
it's easier doing business out of the hut that it
is and have you had experience where you've tried to
come into one and we why did you? You were
pretty your head was going yeah.
Speaker 3 (16:32):
I just I have personally found that the support from
locals and lower Hut nine e upper Hut is something
that I haven't been able to witness in any of
the other areas that I've put in. It's just yes,
been while drive the past three and a bit years,
But I just put it down to the locals supporting
(16:53):
local businesses.
Speaker 2 (16:54):
So they actually go out of their way to make
sure that they are thinking about because I mean, the
retail head of retail this morning was saying, by local
don't buy overseas coming up to Christmas? Is this another
signal of what we're seeing of actually doing business within
your own area.
Speaker 3 (17:11):
Absolutely, I think so yeah, I'm doing co leabs with
other local businesses myself. It's an ongoing trend. I think.
Speaker 2 (17:20):
Are you seeing it too, Serra?
Speaker 4 (17:21):
Absolutely, And I think it's really important, especially coming up
to Christmas. If you've got a choice and you're looking
at what to buy for Christmas, take a bit of time,
make a bit of an effort and look locally. You know,
if it's a cafe that sells relish or I think
I was thinking dough bakery, or a voucher for a
restaurant or a cafe or bar. That way, it all
(17:43):
stays here.
Speaker 2 (17:44):
And it has I mean, Hot Valley's just found its
own self, hasn't it. I Mean it's definitely. I lived
in Kelson in a different life and it was almost
like we were the second part of the city. We
were like not part of the city, but now you're
your own city.
Speaker 4 (18:03):
Absolutely. And the innovation and the technology in the hut.
The Patrick, who's the CEO of the Chamber, he often
refers to, you know, behind the roll of doors, there
are all these incredible businesses that are tacked away down
little side streets and they're doing incredible things and they're
exporting globally and there Hunt.
Speaker 2 (18:22):
Can you give us a couple of instance of that?
What are you on the spot? No?
Speaker 4 (18:25):
No, well, I think the two that spring to mind
so Rotech who won the Supreme Award. They're incredible and
I have to to make sure I get this right.
I think they make protein for medicines and they're exporting
millions of dollars worth of product. Open Star Technologies, they're
(18:46):
developing fusion power. They can't do this in the States.
We're way ahead of the grid. There are some engineering
companies doing incredible things and it's all in the hut.
Speaker 2 (18:58):
Yeah, and we don't talk about it enough to Another
text came in from Mary. Well done, Henry and your
team went into Pleady Foods on the weekend and absolutely
first class. The meat selection was amazing. I have never
seen anything like it. That's time for a break. We're
praising him too much, aren't I can't take the credit.
We're building him up too much. You know, Sarah and
(19:20):
I are going to go out there on the weekend
and just check it out and make sure it's as
good as what they say it is. Henry Hudson and
Sarah Wilson on the Business panel, will take a short break,
have some headlines from Max and be back. Got lots
to ask them about the actual vibe of business around
at the moment. A business panel was Henry Hudson and
Sarah Wilson. I want to know whether you think we've
(19:43):
bottomed down. I mean, everyone keeps talking about green shoots
and things are coming right right. Have we turned the
core its corner? Sarah? Tell me what you're feeling. And
you're talking to people in business. You're trying to find
them people to work for them, and that's your gig.
Have we have we bottomed out?
Speaker 1 (20:01):
Look?
Speaker 4 (20:02):
I think it's looking really positive. I was talking to
someone this morning from the commercial construction side of things,
and they're flowing effect. When commercial construction is doing well
and Wellington is massive and they've just started to pick
up and now you know they're getting busy again, which
is really really positive because that has a flow on effect.
(20:22):
There's still a degree of waiting. It's sort of waiting
for confirmation of a couple of big things, but things
have started to move and hopefully that will do.
Speaker 2 (20:31):
You think they moved significantly or is it just such
a little move that the sun shining. We always feel
better when the sun shining. Do you think it's significant
or do you think it might be just a little blip.
Speaker 4 (20:43):
I wouldn't call it significant, but I think there's definitely
a more positive feeling among the people I'm talking to.
Some of the businesses I've been working with, they've been
flat out the whole time, and then some of their
competitors are really struggling.
Speaker 2 (20:57):
Can I talk to you about the ones that are
really struggling because we read all the time about businesses
having to close up and close down, and receivership number up,
liquidation numbers are up. I mean you must have seen
those as your commerce stuff. You must have seen some
very sad stories in that as well.
Speaker 4 (21:13):
A lot and the analogy always give us. When I
first started in recruitment, it was two thousand and two
and I worked solely for the printing and packaging industries,
So that was only twenty years ago. But ninety percent
of the businesses I worked for have gone. And that's
not because they were badly run. It's just how technology
(21:34):
has changed. You know, we receive things on a PDF now,
we don't buy as many magazines. We don't fill informs
like we're used to. So things change and that effects businesses.
And the businesses that change and adapt and are nimble
they survive and.
Speaker 2 (21:51):
The others don't.
Speaker 4 (21:53):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (21:53):
Have you seen good businesses go close up? Though? Have
you seen businesses that you thought shouldn't have closed up?
But they've had two because the times we're just too
tough for them.
Speaker 4 (22:01):
I think COVID closed a few businesses that would never
have closed otherwise.
Speaker 2 (22:05):
And the results of the recession after it, So they
got through COVID and they managed to.
Speaker 4 (22:09):
Yeah, and I think you know, you put the Trump
tariffs we're wore on the Ukraine we had COVID. That's
a pretty hefty trifector all things affecting businesses, And sometimes
it's timing. You know, if someone goes into des and
they invest in new machinery and then there's a COVID lockdown,
you can't plan for that. The most resilient business can't
(22:33):
carry that through COVID.
Speaker 2 (22:35):
You've still got to eat, though, Henry A. So you
know you're pretty lucky, aren't you. I mean, do you
think we've bottomed out? I mean, you know, as a businessman,
You've taken a huge risk. You've built this thing. You know,
you're the star of the show at the moment because
you know, not too many people are taking nate risk
and going out and building from scratch right now, that's
exactly what you've done. Are you banking on the fact
(22:57):
that we're bottomed out or are you banking up the
fact that people want to still support someone other than
the big ones?
Speaker 3 (23:03):
But are both To be honest, it was pretty It
was pretty brutal last six months, if I'm being transparent,
But I'm starting to see some growth especially no, no,
too early for me to.
Speaker 2 (23:17):
Tell you still kept your shop in nine O game.
Speaker 3 (23:20):
You've got a great team out here, they're looking at
looking after it for us.
Speaker 2 (23:25):
But you've had it tough over the last six months.
Speaker 3 (23:27):
Definitely, yeah, definitely noticed it, have you.
Speaker 2 (23:30):
I mean people say food, you know food, you don't
notice it?
Speaker 3 (23:34):
Well, yeah, there might be the case and some of
those guys that are you know, in the big yellows
that can afford to do comfort food super whereas nine
hours more of a convenience you stork. So yeah, discretionary
spinning was obviously down, but I'm starting to see a lift.
Speaker 2 (23:52):
Right, So you think we've bottomed out, give me, give me,
give me your honest store.
Speaker 3 (23:55):
Yeah. I think we have. Yeah, that's my opinion. But
outside of that, I think people want to support local, local,
and support independent and that that's a big, big factor
of it.
Speaker 2 (24:09):
Business Panel with Sarah and Henry. Look, Sarah, do you
think that, if you were putting a crystal ball around,
that New Zealand is going to be a better place
when we come through all of this? Do you think
we will be a better nation? Will we be skeptical
and worried and conservative?
Speaker 4 (24:27):
Gosh, that's a very deep question. I well, I would
like to think so, honestly, who who knows? I think
disasters tend to bring out the best and the worst
in people, and I think COVID definitely did. I think
the christ earthquake definitely did as well. And hopefully this
(24:47):
little this period of tough times, hopefully we'll all come
out of this.
Speaker 2 (24:53):
Is it the toughest time you've known in business?
Speaker 3 (24:55):
No?
Speaker 4 (24:55):
The GFC was awful, was it?
Speaker 2 (24:57):
No?
Speaker 4 (24:58):
I mean I thankfully I was actually employed through the GFC,
and I was so grateful because the only calls I
got were from my clients saying I've just laid off
ten staff. Can you find them a job? It was awful,
Literally everything just stopped.
Speaker 2 (25:13):
Henry, What do you think? Do you think that you
know you've taken an almighty risk. Do you think that
when we come out of it and we get back
on our feed and we're starting to be buoyant, that
will be as gun ho a country as we used
to be, or will we be careful?
Speaker 3 (25:30):
I think I think we will always be who we are.
I think I think going back to the traditional Kiwi
things you've been gung homes deffinitely. I don't think that's
being a nation of sceptics is in our future, to
be honest, I don't think that's who we are.
Speaker 2 (25:46):
You don't know. Do you think it's harder now, Sarah
than it was twenty years ago? If you were starting
out now, would you still be doing it? Would?
Speaker 4 (25:54):
I think there are always highs and lows, it's just
the same.
Speaker 2 (25:58):
This is a pretty big low though for a long
period of time. First we closed up by COVID, then
we got the recession, and now we've got a government
trying to clean everything up and get us back on track.
So it's almost a three prong is it's been a
triple three punch knocking.
Speaker 4 (26:15):
It has. But look, I don't think business has ever
been easy. You know, if you go back in time,
there have always been challenges, and they could be global,
they could be domestic. And if we sit here analyzing
and worrying and things are really tough and it's never
been tougher, it becomes self perpetuating. I just put my
(26:35):
head down and keep working.
Speaker 2 (26:37):
Henry is a business person with a high risk tolerance. Obviously,
if you're going to give people advice right now about
starting something up and taking your risk right now, that
what would that be of advice be? After three weeks
of doing something pretty big? Do it?
Speaker 3 (26:52):
Just go do it. But before you do it, make
sure you know what you do.
Speaker 2 (26:58):
How much work did you just put into it? How
much did you actually Because I'm the polar opposite to you,
I see a little place and I just go and
open it and don't give a damn, don't do any research,
don't do any case flow, just have a crap, probably
to my detriment. How much work did you put into it?
And how much was the dream? How much was the
year ago? And how much was it clever science.
Speaker 3 (27:15):
Oh there was a pretty amount of extensive due diligence done. Yeah,
to be honest, but I did first sign the lease
in October twenty three. That's how long it's taken me
to open this. But yeah, I went on cashflow forecast
and looked at the census and looked at the developments
(27:35):
in the future, and there's a gap in the market
for independence, and there's never been a bit of time
than now to do it.
Speaker 2 (27:43):
So did you come in under budget?
Speaker 3 (27:47):
No? No, you knows. The problem is when you start
developing a building and it takes you two years, you know,
some of those quotes get more expensive as time goes on. Nothing, shiarah.
Speaker 2 (28:01):
What advice would you give to somebody now sitting with
an idea? I was around a dinner tall last night.
Three people had ideas of businesses, and I kept looking
at them and going, well, why aren't you doing it?
Why aren't you doing it? Why aren't you doing it?
What advice do you give to those people that have
got a great idea, a dream, but sitting on their
hands because they know we've been through what we've been through.
Speaker 4 (28:22):
Oh, look, just do it. There's never a perfect time
it's not when people say, oh, we want to start
a family, but we're going to buy a house first.
Are we're doing this or we're doing that? But do
you due diligence plan? Make sure you've got the money
and the support.
Speaker 2 (28:37):
What happens if you haven't got the money.
Speaker 4 (28:39):
See if you can borrow it, but you know, find
the cooperative le Yeah, you know it's a difference between
the dreamers and the doers, isn't it.
Speaker 2 (28:49):
Yes? And that's always been the same, isn't it.
Speaker 4 (28:51):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (28:53):
What do we need to do ourselves as individuals and
business rather than always looking to the council or to
the government to fix it. I mean that's the big
question I have always in my mind. What can we
do our elves to make society and our business is better.
That's not reliant on anything the government does, or not
reliant on anything the council does.
Speaker 3 (29:14):
Henry, It's really simple for me. That would be buying
and supporting locals. And there's a testament to that. I've
got local suppliers in plenty of foods of the local
florists and a flask from the wire rapper, the local bakery,
another local baking from the warrapper. Just support locals would
(29:35):
be it?
Speaker 2 (29:35):
So you don't have your own bakery out there, you
bring in your bakery, you bring in your meat, you bring.
Speaker 3 (29:39):
In your That's how I managed to get to make
it happens. All the meat and all the baked goods
are done off site and brought in daily.
Speaker 2 (29:48):
Sarah, what advice would you give to that person?
Speaker 4 (29:50):
Absolutely with Henry and this just local, support local.
Speaker 2 (29:55):
The trouble is, I mean, it's all very well to
say support local, and I'm not having a crackey. I'm
just saying I'm just bringing the discussion in. But if
I could go and buy a Scope fridge for seven
five hundred, and I've been in this situation myself. Scope
is a great New Zealand company, or I can buy
a Chinese import for twenty five hundred, which way am
I going to go?
Speaker 4 (30:15):
Oh, there's definitely some economies that you need to look at,
but I think where you can and where you can
and it's a conscious choice. And also to the support
doesn't have to be about buying from them. It could
be supporting them. It could be through networking, it could
be by introducing a supplier or a possible client making.
Speaker 3 (30:36):
Introduction sharing their social media things like that, you know,
and I would say to that scope thing, it depends
what you could offer with it. If you're bought in
a cheap import to service the locals at a cheaper rate,
then why wouldn't you.
Speaker 2 (30:52):
Yeah, Okay, thank you. I feel a bit better. I
think I think I feel a bit better. I don't
feel so cheap. It is twelve minutes to twelve when
we come back. I'm going to ask my two guests
if someone special arrived in Wellington and they picked them
up at the airport around lunchtime. Never been to new
never been to Wellington before. I haven't been for twenty
five thirty years, and you're going to take them out
(31:14):
show off Wellington on your first sort of like welcome
to Wellington trip? What would they do? Business panel with
Henry Hudson and Sarah Wilson. Henry, someone special comes to town,
what are you going to do with them?
Speaker 3 (31:26):
It depends on weather really, Okay, if it's nice, a
sunny and be first and chips on the beach and
a coffee. But if it's miserablet might be a hot
curry and a few drinks.
Speaker 2 (31:34):
All right, whereabouts are you going to take them Upperhart?
Where are you going to take them upper hand?
Speaker 3 (31:39):
If it's the Curry, probably go to Rouchie and Patney
and then maybe maybe up to the Brewtown Complex for
a few beers. Shameless plug, famous plug. That's all right,
show them at the supermarket. Sarah, what are you going
to do with that special person that comes into town?
Speaker 4 (31:54):
Well, if the special person has kids, and I think
we'd go up to Brutown, We're going to have burgers
and beers and they can go go casting and run around.
Adults do a lap around for Tony shops. There may
be a drink at the Spread and Fern or a
leper in Wellington Waterfront, College Street, Cuba Street.
Speaker 2 (32:13):
Great, fabulous, Thank you both for coming in our hot
Gully special Henry Hudson, who's opened Plenty of Foods a
new supermarket in Brutown, and Sarah Wilson, who owns sw Recruitment,
have a great afternoon both, and thanks for both of you,
and thanks for coming in.
Speaker 3 (32:30):
Thanks for having me.
Speaker 1 (32:32):
For more from Wellington Mornings with Nick Mills, listen live
to news Talks It'd be Wellington from nine am weekdays,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio,
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