Research key to business success

It has been a crazy few weeks in the world of Spongedrop. We had our first wedding cakes of the season, many cake and cupcake orders for birthdays, anniversaries and celebrations, new staff, a photo shoot for a national food magazine and the indulge Speaker Collective event where I was onstage in front of about 400 Tauranga locals.

Usually speaking in front of that many people would terrify me but I was lucky enough to be speaking alongside two of my good friends and the lovely Annemarie Quill, editor of indulge, who very much eased my nerves.

I was invited to be a part of this event as a local businesswoman who has turned her passion into a career. I know I'm not alone in that - Tauranga is full of inspirational business owners. One of the nicest surprises I found when I moved back to Tauranga from overseas was the huge community of creative, talented, motivated people here chasing their dreams, creating their own opportunities and just going all in.

One question I was asked at the Speakers Collective event was: how did I know it was the right time for me to take Spongedrop from a market stall to a fulltime retail space? My response? I didn't know but I had to take the leap.

When I signed the lease it was after two years of building up my business at The Little Big Markets and online. During this time, I met so many kind and supportive people who are now regulars at Spongedrop and without them I wouldn't be where I am. I was able to ask their thoughts and feedback on my products and our future plans - and often I'd get asked "when are you opening a shop?!"

Starting your own business isn't a walk in the park. There are incredible days where you achieve so much and you feel buoyed and fantastic, then you have days when the smallest thing can knock the wind out of you. But, if it's something you love, believe in and you believe (ideally through research and planning!) that people will respond to, then take the leap. You can't guarantee success but one thing is for sure, if you don't at least try you won't have the chance to succeed.