The O2 Project is tops

O2 Project is simplistic, rustic, funky, very 'Naki, and also a winner in Top Shop.
John and Dian Woodward's Stratford bike shop, which opened 16 months ago, took top prize in the Lifestyle and Leisure section of the TSB Bank 2007 Top Shop. When the couple was at the awards they thought they did not have a chance against some of the big finalists like Air New Zealand.
"We'll try to get a commended next year," they said.
However, to their surprise and delight, they were also named as a finalist, and then went on to win their section. "The win has given us a huge profile and more motivation to do better," said John.
At the time of the Top Shop competition, Dian was at home having just given birth to Caden. The O2 Project was also in the middle of a sale.
"I was flying solo which was probably not the best time to be in a competition, where you have five mystery shoppers come in to test your service and shop (environment)."
Dian said, despite what was going on, it was nice to know that their customer service was what they had set out for it to be.
"Our customers are first and profits are secondary, although we know you have to make a profit to stay in business," said Dian.
O2 Project was a dream for the Eltham couple who returned home from Hamilton. Dian was a former pharmacy technician and John, a policeman. But they wanted to run their own business to set themselves up for when their family arrived. Having their own business gave them flexibility to bring Caden to work, when Dian returned from maternity leave.
"John is already teaching Caden about being a bike technician," said Dian. "He will know technical terms as a second language."
And their interesting shop name, what does it mean? "O2 for oxygen, and Project is for aims and aspirations. It took us a while to arrive at, and it's a name that shows we do things differently."