Small business: Export markets

Richard Prout of 1791 Diamonds.

More inspiring export stories for you this week, from an organic skincare company in Nelson - Plantae, to an online diamond retailer - 1791 Diamonds.

What's interesting about most of these stories is that start ups have been exporting almost since the first day of trading which shows they have a high quality product and they've found a way to get word out about their brand internationally.

Two jewellers - 1791 Diamonds and Kaji tell their export stories which are fluorishing and only just beginning.

Organic skincare business Plantæ had people knocking on their door from the UK and Canada. They are working with an export specialist, Katabolt, which helps companies identify the export markets that are best suited for them.

Allpress Espresso's general manager Alistair Sedcole spoke last week at the University of Auckland Business School Entrepreneurs' Challenge about how the company changed its advisers when taking Allpress to the UK. He felt he needed to take on more internationally savvy lawyers and accountants for this big market and they have helped him in other markets such as Japan too. Read about that in his column this week.

Meanwhile for some discussion on managing currency risk after another rocky week of international markets, Ross Peat, CEO of KlickEx, an expert on web-based foreign exchange, has some interesting insights on when small businesses should be taking a more organised approach to currency management.

Lastly BDO's Simon Peacocke gives some food for thought on how to enter a new market, looking at taxes, regulations and hiring among other topics.

Next week, we take a look at the kind of flexible working arrangments SME owners are offering their staff and themselves in the current market. Surely a perk of running your own business is an opportunity to have more freedom on how you work and when and you should be offering this to your staff too. Tell us your stories.