Tim Calder

Last night was a great success for our new web based entrepreneurs group ‘The Distiller’ as over 40 enthusiastic web developers, designers and entrepreneurs turned up to hear what we had to say. Jason did an excellent job of running the meeting as the concept of the group looked to be clearly understood and those that attended seemed excited to hear what The Distiller planned to achieve in the coming weeks. We were very grateful for the attendance and support of Steve Bodmer from the Centre for Innovation and Ryan Priemus from Kickstart, both of whom are integral people in the development of The Distiller achieving it’s goals.

The co-founders and I came away from the meeting with several suggested ideas that our new members wanted from The Distiller. If we were to break them down roughly into three key areas I would say they would be #1 Networking, 2# Support, and #3 Promotion. It was also very encouraging to see the positive response to the suggestion of making our meetings as regular as fortnightly. As a result it was then decided that our next meeting will be on the 13th of November at 5pm at South Bar.

If you think you fit the mould of a developer, designer or entrepreneur please come down and join us for a drink and some pizza. Also, keep an eye out for our Facebook group and website which should be up and running in the next few days. This will allow for everyone to keep track of our progress and benefit from the national and international profile we wish to create for web startups in Dunedin.

New Zealand’s 50 fastest growing companies were celebrated at events around the country tonight, as the 2008 Deloitte/Unlimited Fast 50 (www.fast50.co.nz) was revealed. Masterton-based manuka honey company Watson and Son topped the 2008 list and was named the country’s fastest growing business, with outstanding revenue growth of 784% between 2006 and 2008. (Scoop)

The Fast 50 is a Deloitte initiative which operates in more than 32 countries and territories around the world. The index is produced on the basis of revenue growth (not profit). Businesses are ranked by their revenue growth over a 3-year period. This year the minimum revenue requirement in the base year (FY2006) is $250,000 and in the last year (FY2008) is $500,000. The Fast 50 ranks businesses that choose to participate and is firmly established as a key barometer of New Zealand’s emerging business market.

The Deloitte Otago Fast 50 was celebrated at the Dunedin Public Art Gallery where we saw two great Dunedin based companies make the list, #33 Straylight Studios (191.71%) and #38 Escea (164.69%). These two companies are leading the way in the Otago region with strong growth in the export market while also being responsible for some of the 1200 new jobs created by companies ranked on the list.

Storer Check balances storers’ privacy with the need for secure and profitable storage facilities.

Storer Check has been established for the sole purpose of maintaining a database for the identification and collection of information about problem storers. Storers who have defaulted on their storage agreements, storers who miss payments, storers who abandon goods, storers who threaten staff and other problem storers are able to be listed with Storer Check.

We have been fortunate at EZY STOR Self Storage to date as we have had very few bad storers. Storer Check has been an initiative of the Self Storage Association of Australasia and is included in our annual membership charge. As we expand at EZY STOR Self Storage this online software will help us keep away those storers that cause nothing but trouble and allow us to focus attention on our valued customers.

Dunedin Hairdresser Kylie Hayes has has just been crowned Oceania Grand Master at a competition held at the Auckland Hyatt Regency last week. Kylie and fiance Nelson Morrison are the founders of Dunedin’s top hairdressing company ‘Moha‘ which is located on the corner of St. Andrews and Great King Street.

Well known Web Entrepreneurs Steve Adams, Tim Norton, John Clegg and Patrick MacFie have just launched the new website ‘Made from New Zealand‘.

The project aims to increase traffic to members’ websites, make them easier to find on search engines and help like-minded businesses to get in touch. The site was kickstarted last night with a television campaign, sponsored by Telecom. (By Jacqueline Smith, NZ Herald)

Steve Adams saw the opportunity to link the thousands of Kiwi businesses with websites through a stronger online “eco-system”. The website provides up to date links to the Latest Businesses, Top Contributors, Popular Businesses, and Popular Networks.

Keep an eye out for The Distiller’s debut on the Popular Network links, as our group plans to put Dunedin on the map as a strong base to take your web business global.

Jonny has just release his debut self titled album. Click here to read what Shane Gilchirst from the Otago Daily Times writes

Thank you Jonny for the tribute to your friends who support you. We wish you all the very best and expect you to sign our burnt album copies when your next in town:)

The Carisbrook Stadium Trust has just completed their latest branding exercise which coincides with their release of a complete product range of stadium seating. The three main products available to the public are the Corporate Suites, Lounge Club, and Open Club reserve.

I have joined a group of colleagues that have purchased 100 seats in the Lounge Club right in the centre of the South Stand. We are hoping that our group will enjoy many years together where we can catch up whenever a sports game, concert or other event comes to Dunedin. It is encouraging to see that the hard work of the trust is finally paying off as everything is coming together as 1000 Lounge Club memberships look likely to be received by the 1st of February.