Locals graduate from PopUp Business School

Published on 28 February 2018

28 February 2018

A graduation ceremony in the Whanganui District Council Chambers provided a special opportunity recently for around 30 aspiring local entrepreneurs to celebrate their participation in a recent free PopUp Business School.

The popular 10-day course offered a mix of practical workshops and guest speakers and included a trade show for participants at UCOL.

It was brought to Whanganui by Whanganui & Partners, in partnership with Māori business network, Te Manu Atatu and sponsor, Xero and was hosted at the new Innovation Quarter in St Hill Street.

Te Manu Atatū Network Facilitator, Lisa Chase, says the trade show offered a safe learning space where business school attendees could physically set up a stall or display space and sell their ideas and products.

She says, “It was a great opportunity for them to practice pitching their ideas, interacting with customers and potentially partnering with others for better results.

“UCOL is a learning space, so it provided an ideal platform for these newbies to launch their business ideas in a safe and supportive space.”

Whanganui & Partners, Strategic Lead, Innovation, Rene Olmos, says, the Pop-up Business School has provided a range of skills for a cross-section of the community that might not normally have exposure to this level of personal development.

“It was a great opportunity and confidence builder for the participants. They have spent 10 days in 20 workshops, including the trade show, taking their learning out of the classroom into real life.

“The attendees were supported by each other and plan to stay connected and keep each other accountable post the school. Whanganui & Partners, Te Mana Atatu and the wider group has also identified a number of support systems they can access as they work to grow and develop their businesses.”