Pig and Whistle and Capers Cafe owner Gregg Brown says a lifetime of learning is the key to success.
Mr Brown was named Red Stag Timber Business Person of the Year at the 2017 Westpac Rotorua Business Excellence Awards on Saturday night. An award, he says, that came as an absolute surprise.
"Obviously my wife knew because she had to get me there but I didn't have a clue. I must say her poker face has improved a lot over the years," he joked.
"And even when they announced the award my mind wasn't really focused on what was going on, I'm not sure at what point I realised I could be in the running."
Mr Brown said he was still in shock when he made his way to the stage.