The founder of Whangarei company WashBar said companies hoping to scrub up and present themselves to a global market should dive head first into international trade delegations.
After starting out as a small, home-based dog soap company, WashBar has celebrated four years in business and is glowing after a trade mission to Taiwan.
WashBar outgrew the family home, taking over spare bedrooms, the garage and a Portacom, according to founder Jules Smith. "The space has given us the room to get trucks in and out with pallets of products."
The company specialises in natural skin and coat care for horses and dogs.
The new base in Whangarei has given WashBar the flexibility to add to the team, with Ms Smith planning more new roles as the export markets grow.