REAL Landlord Insurance NZ: Niche insurer

Diane Nelson of REAL Landlord Insurance NZ didn't hold back after receiving the Konica Minolta Excellence in Business Owner Operator (1-3 fulltime employees).

"Twelve months ago, I wanted to sell and get out," she told the audience. "Insightful" business coaching had turned the business around along with finding the ideal employee, Teish Paton, to pick up the role of customer services manager, she said.

After the awards, she said she had felt tired and flat a year ago, and so had the business, after she had spent eight months mostly in Auckland where her husband (now well) was undergoing chemotherapy.

"I was ready to sell, but a Whangarei business coach helped me invigorate the business and get my head round what needed to be done.

"He gave me a different perspective and this was a turning point. Having someone to talk things through with was brilliant because as a sole operator, you don't have that. Hiring Teish gave me the support I needed and brought vitality back into the business."

Mrs Nelson occupies a niche market which sees her travelling around New Zealand training property managers in REAL Landlord Insurance policy coverage. The managers in turn explain the policies to their clients.

There is no direct selling to the public and REAL Landlord Insurance is the only company in New Zealand providing the service. The service is solely for professionally-managed properties.

"So it's a niche within a niche - but we see that as an advantage," she says.