A vision to help those less fortunate

Andrew Schick, founder and director of Data Lock. Photo / Janna Dixon

While many businesses are preparing for the worst, Rotorua entrepreneur Andrew Schick believes New Zealanders are still better off than most and wants to use his business to help those less fortunate.

Schick, the founder and director of Data Lock, a company designing computer data back-up systems, says he always wanted to form a business that did more than just generate profit for its shareholders.

"It gives me a sense of purpose and helps me stay sane in a money-driven world."

Data Lock is a realisation of Schick's passion to run a successful business that uses its profits to benefit children in need.

He has pledged to give 100 per cent of the profits from a new sector of his technology company to World Vision, with the goal of supporting a village of children in need.

"Our long-term goal is to gift $155,000 to sponsorship each year, which would equate to more than 300 children being sponsored."

Schick aims to maintain a 20 per cent profit margin in Data Lock Home Backup that can be gifted to World Vision. "Feeding the profits back to the people who need help most is my idea of success," he says.

Schick's passion to help children came about after years of working as a youth-based social worker, which opened his eyes to the plight of disadvantaged kids around the world.

In order to fund his volunteer work, Schick established several information technology businesses.

He soon realised that he could use the profits of his businesses to help under-funded organisations.

Schick says the real impact will not be in his company's contribution, but in the number of businesses they encourage to get on board and start giving as well.

The Data Lock home system will be audited by World Vision so people can be assured their money is reaching the needy.