Online relations burn bright

By ELLEN READ

Two small Auckland businesses - both with international client lists - have embarked on a million-dollar online joint venture.

Mind, body and spirit author Rebeckh Burns and businesswoman Jenny Hannah of Jenniferann.com have signed a deal for Hannah to manage the marketing and distribution of Burns' products online.

Several years ago Burns was looking for some new-age, inspirational music.

Unable to find anything appealing to her as a young modern woman who didn't necessarily want to spend her days in the lotus position, she decided to produce her own.

She had already registered her company name - Burns Enterprises - because after working for a small snowboarding company in Australia she knew she wanted a future in business.

Intensive market and customer research, Biz Info business courses and a lot of planning followed, resulting in the Flame brand and website Flameproducts which she uses to market the music and literature.

She secured a large order with a major retailer but hit a snag when the CD manufacturer wanted the money upfront. A trip to a supportive bank manager, along with confirmation of the order, helped her to get bridging finance and she was off.

Having covered the New Zealand market in a matter of months - she describes her product as niche - Burns needed to expand to Australia.

Her products are now distributed around the world via her website.

"There is so much potential with my website. I get large quantities of orders from all over the world with a very simple site that has not been marketed to its full potential.

"With Jenniferann's skills and expertise in this area, we both agreed it would be very profitable and successful for us to pool our resources," Burns said.

Her business has gone from strength to strength. She is moving into new product ranges, including aromatherapy, diet and health products as well as negotiating a high-profile licensing deal in the US.

Hannah's business is also growing and she plans to move into online marketing of travel, dating and other areas. She is also setting up distribution sites around the world for the products she sells online.

Jenniferann has an annual turnover of more than $6 million, with a database of 1.5 million clients.

When Burns and Hannah first met they said they immediately felt a synergy between their businesses and themselves.