Local Knowledge – New Plymouth

This feature blog is an interview with a local business called Be Natural soap – Run by Sarah Lucas and her family.

Be Natural soaps are naturally handcrafted using organic ingredients along with quality essential oils. This ensures a smooth silky soap resulting in pure, gentle and relaxing cleansing

All natural organic ingredients

1. So your business name is
Be Natural Soap -  Handmade in Taranaki, New Zealand.

Rose and Ylang Ylang body soap

Support local business

I have three kids, I don’t have time off!   Sometimes I escape to the Arthouse Cinema though! 

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This month I have interviewed local business owner Rebecca Struthers – The owner of CHERRY at 206 Devon Street East. She has worked really hard to set her business from the ground up. If you want to support a local business then please go have a look in her store. 

OPEN –  Monday – Friday 10:00am til 16:30, Saturday 10:00 - 14:00.

Phone:  06 7575227

or look her up on facebook http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Cherry/120201798111461

1. So your business name is ….

CHERRY. It comprises of a retail store, and the Cherry Create beading store.

2. What type of business do you run?

Retail of jewellery, gifts, homeware, and accessories…. as well as a party room and school holiday programme for
beading/jewellery classes

3. How long have you been operating/trading?

I have been working from home for 8 years, and now I have opened a retail shop at 206 Devon Street East that is only a few months old.

4. Do you have any short term or long term goals for
your business?

To meet lots of new customers, and deliver excellent quality products and service… long term, to
continue to grow and share beautiful things with beautiful people of Taranaki

5. Your perfect day/customer scenario? 

Lots of customer orders for handmade pieces of jewellery.  I love making things as one offs for special occasions. Lots of  happy happy customers!

6. Where are you originally from? 

I am born and bred in Taranaki. I have only left briefly for travel opportunities.

7. Name your favourite café/restaurant in New
Plymouth.

 I love the atmosphere of Big Wave cafe. It is ideal to sit and have a coffee and watch my girls playing down by the
river!

8. When you have time off what do you like to do?

TIME OFF?!  I love the walkway, we cycle and walk as a family, take the dog (white fluffy handbag thing that
thinks hes a farm dog!), also small excursions around the North Island. We love seeing what else is on offer in beautiful NZ.

9. If you could do anything in Taranaki for one day .What would you wish for?

I would love to skydive again, helicopter around the mountain, and I still havent been to the summit, so I must do that
too!

10. If you could fast forward into the future how would
you like New Plymouth to be?

Not much different actually, I like the pace of life, there is always something to do, but you can just sit and relax on the beach if you want to
as well.

Thank you Rebecca for letting us know all about your business. Good luck with your new shop and climbing to the summit of Taranaki! ( Its well worth the effort!)

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TESTIMONIALS FOR ROBYN ALLEN-RAVEN

We recently bought a property through Robyn Allen-Raven and found Robyn to be very
friendly, helpful and extremely patient – as it was our first time purchasing a
property outside of the UK. Many thanks for the advice and help in our house purchase here in New Plymouth.

Mr & Mrs Turner

I recently purchased a property through Urban Studio – I was extremely pleased
with the professional, helpful, friendly, and personal way I was helped to
visit and eventually buy the property that Robyn secured for me. My needs were
noted and I was thrilled to be taken to a property that was in my price bracket
and met a good many of my “must haves. I would recommend Robyn and Urban Studio
to any prospective buyer and seller.

Gay MacMurdo

We recently had the pleasure of purchasing our first home through Robyn Allen-Raven

at Urban Studio Properties Ltd. We had looked through several properties with various other agencies prior to our
purchase and found Robyn’s professionalism to far exceed that of other agents
we had dealt with. Right from the initial contact with Robyn we were impressed
with how she organised a viewing of the property on the weekend at short
notice. Being first home buyers we were a little apprehensive about the purchase
process but Robyn made sure every step was transparent to us. We found Robyn to
be an extremely genuine, honest and helpful person and we have taken every
opportunity to speak her praises to our friends, family and colleagues. We
would have no hesitation whatsoever in recommending Robyn and the Urban Studio
Properties Ltd team and we certainly would use their services in the future
should we ever decide to sell. Once again, thank you so much Robyn for the part
you played in the purchase of our wonderful home.

Jess & Daniel

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This month I am featuring two local businesses run by the same person – Amy Wade.

At the moment these businesses are internet based but Amy can take viewings by appointment to show you her garments.

A collection of clothing and accessories from the past

1. So your business names are ….

Vintage Mash & Brat Hats

2. What type of businesses do you run?

Vintage Mash is all about amazing vintage clothing and accessories, with a few new and vintage inspired pieces thrown in the mix.

Brat Hats if a funky place to find cool hats for your seriously hip kids anytime of year – Not just summer.

3. How long have you been operating/trading?

Vintage Mash has been online since December however I have been collecting vintage clothes since 1996.

Brat Hats has been underway for about a month after I found I couldn’t get a hat anywhere for my daughter in March – once summer was “officially over”, so I was told in the shops.

4. Do you have any short term or long term goals for your business?

I plan on vintage shopping for the rest of my life so as long as people continue to love what I choose for my collection, then I will continue selling it. I do have the option of hiring out my wares as well, so I hope to make that a bigger part of my operation so some of the more costume pieces can be worn over and over.

I plan on ‘Hatting’ kids all over New Zealand and for Brat Hats to go huge. I want to have the biggest and best selection there is!

5. Your perfect day/customer scenario?

My perfect day starts with a great breakfast, checking my emails full of orders, packaging them up with extra cuteness then hitting the courier to post them off then hanging out with my family for the afternoon.

6. Where are you originally from?

I was born in Timaru and was brought here by my family when I was 1 year old.

I have lived all over New Zealand but have always returned to the
mountain and sea.
7. Name your favourite café/restaurant in New Plymouth

I would have to say Lahar in Okato, the coffee is the best anywhere and there is always yummy food to choose from all cooked with free range and organic healthy goodies – YUM!

8. When you have time off – what do you like to do?

I love to hang out in my studio and get creative, making jewellery, gift cards, painting and scrapbooking my daughters’ photos.

It’s a great way to recharge and remember the greatest moments and forget the stressful ones!

9. If you could do anything in Taranaki for one day – what would you wish for?

I would love an adventure day with my hubby and friends, skydiving (I love it) snowboarding (double love it), and racing cars of some sort, preferably V8′s but Go karts will do too Then meet up with my daughter Mia and throw in some incredible food made by someone else (with no kitchen cleaning for me) and that would be AWESOME.

10. If you could fast forward into the future how would you like New Plymouth to be?

Friendlier with happy customer service workers. Everyone would be great drivers and there would be better parking. We would also have better shopping and more local focus with our region blossoming into a healthy self sustaining place.

Please click the links below to find out more about her clothing and hat lines.

https://www.facebook.com/VintageMashFashion

https://www.facebook.com/brat.hats

For more information please call Amy on: 0276 305 950.

Thank you Amy for your interview and all the best with your business ventures.

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This interview is featuring Lisa Yates from Bond & Yates – A locally owned and operated business in New Plymouth.

1. So your business name is ….

Bond & Yates – Continence & Women’s health physiotherapy.

2. What type of business do you run?

We are a specialist women’s health physiotherapy service, treating women (and men) with a variety of conditions including:

• Incontinence (leakage) of bladder or bowel
• Bladder issues such as urgency and frequency
• Constipation, difficulty emptying bowels
• Pelvic floor dysfunction including prolapse of bladder, bowel or uterus
• Chronic pelvic pain, vulval pain
• Sexual problems such as vaginismus
• Pre and post pelvic surgery advice and exercises i.e. prostatectomy, TVT
• Pregnancy related pain – pelvic, back, hip etc.

I also offer a combination of physiotherapy and personal training to assist women with:

• Personal training/weight loss
• Pregnancy exercise programmes
• Post-baby exercise advice and rehabilitation
• Pelvic floor safe exercise programmes
• Muscle imbalance/postural pain

3.How long have you been operating/Trading?

Bond & Yates has been operating in the new Greg Brien Physiotherapy complex in Strandon since
November 2011.  However, Jane and I have both been practicing individually and have combined experience of over 30 years.

4.Do you have any short term or long term goals for your business?

In the short term we hope to raise local awareness regarding pelvic health related conditions.  We would like to educate local women about
our services and empower them to come forward and seek help.  We want to reinforce the message that while many of these conditions (such as incontinence and prolapse) may be embarrassing, they are also very common and that we can help!    I would also like to begin offering educational evenings for post-natal and menopausal women, encouraging them to learn about the risk factors and prevention of these common problems.  I also want to make sure I keep a good work-life-family balance, so that my children get attention they deserve.

In the long term I would like to see well established links with a wide variety of  local health professionals, so that we can work together to offer locals holistic, multi-disciplinary, patient centred care.  Ultimately, by raising community awareness about pelvic health issues, I would like to see continence and women’s health have an established place in health-care, at both the local and national levels.  Ideally (hopefully within my lifetime) I would like to see the New Zealand government work towards establishing a National continence strategy, in line with countries such as
Australia and the UK.

5.Your perfect day/customer scenario?

That is a hard one! Well, it would begin with a brisk run, good coffee and cuddles from my well behave, adorable girls!  I would then
walk to work (in the sun) and progress through a busy, but rewarding day helping clients with their personal health and fitness goals.  My patients would all smile and all have done their prescribed exercises (of course)!
No seriously, most of my days at work are very rewarding.  There is something special about helping a women feel comfortable sharing personal concerns, and reassuring and supporting them on their road to emotional and physical recovery.   I am very passionate about my work, and it
is a privilege to help people improve the quality of their lives.

6.Where are you originally from?

I was born in a small rural town 150 km north east of Melbourne. I studied and worked in Melbourne and the UK before moving to New
Zealand with Jeff my lovely Kiwi fiancé (and soon to be husband) in October 2004.

7. Why did you pick New Plymouth as the place to live and work?

Jeff actually bought me over to meet his parents in early 2003 en route to London.  I absolutely loved the amazing greenery, the
rugged coast, the stunning mountain and the majestic Pukekura Park.  We wanted to live near family and we hoped New Plymouth would offer everything we wanted.
Seven years on, we have a wonderful (quite lively) home and love living in New Plymouth. Taranaki is abounding in raw and natural beauty, has wonderful, friendly people, lots to do and very importantly great coffee – What is not to love?! I truly believe we are blessed to be living here.

8.When you have time off – what do you like to do?

I love to play with my husband and two girls out-doors.  We love walking in the park with our dog, cycling the many tracks and of course the
stunning walkway.  We also enjoy picnics, especially during summer and the festival of the lights. In my rare “mummy time” I love going for a run or having dinner with girlfriends or reading a great book.

9. If you could do anything in Taranaki for one day – what would you wish for?

Oh this is hard – Perhaps a sleep in followed, by an invigorating run in the park.  Then a picnic brunch with my family either on the beach or in Pukekura park.   Then we would all do something adventurous and memorable – perhaps a mystery bush walk somewhere, or a horse-ride on a
beach, discovering another part of New Plymouth.  The girls would then have a well-earned nap, while Daddy has a break (baby-sitting), while Mummy has a massage at Silk Spa?  This would be followed by a long dinner for two at Andres and bed!

10.If you could fast forward a few years how would you like to see New Plymouth?

To be honest I wouldn’t change that much.  I love how there lots of great cafes and places to eat.
In a way I hope that we can keep New Plymouth a secret so that we don’t get invaded – but in other ways I want to show off this town I love.  I would like to see the wages increase to parallel Australia, but other than that I think this is a great place to live.

Please click this link to see Lisa’s website and contact details. www.naturaltherapypages.co.nz/therapist/3613

Also: www.filifit.comis her Core & the floor DVD site.

Thank you Lisa for your time and effort put into answering these questions.

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For this blog I have interviewed local owner /operators of Classic Carpets – Flooring Xtra in New Plymouth – Murray and Sandra Feek.

They both work in the business full time – Murray manages the business, the contractors and  laying staff , and also does quotes.

Sandra is in the office and show room making sure the accounts run smoothly, oversees the sales people, and ensures  customers are looked after.

Please take a look at their website for more information on getting a quote for your next flooring project!

www.flooringxtra.co.nz

Phone 067533933 Classic Carpets - Flooring Xtra

1. So your business name is ….

Classic Carpets – Flooring Xtra.

2. What type of business do you run?

We are a specialist flooring store – We supply and install carpets, vinyl, ceramic tiles, woods and laminates- We provide a vast array of flooring for all sorts of scenarios. We specialize in residential flooring, but also do a great deal of commercial work for local businesses, schools etc.

3. How long have you been operating/trading?

We have been trading as Classic Carpets for around 30 years but have recently joined the Flooring Xtra group in 2009.

4. Do you have any short term or long term goals for your business?

To continue to grow and provide service to the community.

5. Your perfect day/customer scenario?

Confirmed quotations are always good – That means we can order the product and book the tradepeople to do the job. Also to hear a good testimonial from a customer – We are all about customer service and satisfaction and love to hear that people are happy with their new floors.

6. Where are you originally from?

Both Murray and I are from New Plymouth.

7. Name your favourite café/restaurant in New Plymouth.

For more casual dining we like to go to the Tree House on Devon Street West – We sometimes hold staff funtions there and it is a great place to go for a good hearty meal. For a more sophisticated experience we like to dine at Salt on the water front.

8. When you have time off – what do you like to do?

We travel often and have recently been ticking off places like North America, South America, and Adelaide. Next on this list is Europe and some trips planned to incorporate the US Tennis Open and Wimbledon.We also love to babysit our grandchildren.

9. If you could do anything in Taranaki for one day – what would you wish for?

I think if we could land at the top of Mount Taranaki in a helicopter and have a picnic and a walk around the summit that would be fantastic. But as that is not possible probably just a ride around the mountain looking at the views would be great.

10. If you could fast forward into the future how would you like New Plymouth to be?

We would love New Plymouth to stay provincial in size but to have easier access to the outside world – Cheaper flights to the international ports and not so many road works on the main roads north and south!

Thank you Murray and Sandra for your Local Knowledge answers!

If you would like to visit their show room it is on Borrell Avenue, Westown, New Plymouth.

Phone: 06 7533933

Email :newplymouth@flooringxtra.co.nz

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You may hear certain terms in the real estate industry that relate to how you can list your property and you may not know what they really mean.

So this week I am going to take you through the different ways you can have your property listed for sale by a licensed Salesperson.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/capturedaesthetic/5976723534/in/photostream/

The type of agency agreement will state whether this is a sole agency or general agency, the date on which the agency agreements starts, when it ends, and how to end the agreement. The term of an agency agreement is negotiatable.

1. SOLE AGENCY – A sole agency means that only that agent ( and the salespersons who work for that agent) can carry out real estate agency work on the property identified in the agency agreement.

There are some things to be aware of if you are considering a sole agency:

• You should not sign another agency agreement with another agent if you already have a sole agency in place. If you do, you may have to pay all the agents a commission, regardless of which agent actually arranged the sale.
• If you have second thoughts about a sole agency after you have signed it, you can cancel the agreement by 5pm on the next working day after the day on which you receive a copy of the agreement.
• If you sign a sole agency agreement that is for a term of more than 90 days, either you or the agent can end the agreement after 90 days. This must be done in writing.

A sole agency agreement gives that particular agency the sole right to market your property. If you have someone you know that may want to buy your property privately from you, then you must talk to the listing agent prior to signing the agreement. You will need to exclude that buyer in writing with their name and details  –  The Salesperson will usually give you a time frame to work with (say two weeks). From a Salespersons perspective if they are committing all the time that it takes to set up a new listing, market the property, take buyers through and do open homes to then have it sold by you with no commission, most salespeople will not choose to market your property until this time frame is up.  

1. GENERAL AGENCY – A general agency is when you employ more than one agent to market and arrange for a sale of you property.

You can list with as many different agenies as you like, and also sell it privately if you wish – (Most Salespeople will want to list a property exclusively as the amount of work they put in will not necessarily be rewarded.)

If you choose to list a property under a general agency you will not  necessarily get the same service, as there will be no open homes or extra marketing provided by the agency. A general listing works well with sections sales, or if you have a conditional offer already with that agency ,and you are extending your listing to cover the time frame needed to get that offer to go unconditional (sold).

Remember before you sign any agreement the listing agent should make sure you have had time to seek legal advice (if you think you should need it.) and that you fully understand what you have signed. If you have any questions or are unsure about anything  make sure you speak to someone about them.

Remember you can go to the Real Estate Agents Authority (REAA) website and find out more information on this topic.

www.reaa.govt.nz

Next week I will be posting more information regarding what you will find on the LISTING AUTHORITY.

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All cakes are made from scratch and are hand crafted

Each week I feature a local New Plymouth business on my blog.

There are many small owner / operated businesses in New Plymouth, some of which you may already know about and use regularly, and some you have never heard of.

I hope you will find these business profiles informative and useful. There will be links to their web pages or facebook profiles included. Please take the time to look them up and bookmark them for the future if you think you may use their services or buy their products. 

FEATURE BUSINESS OF THE WEEK

1. So your business name is….

Lady Cupcake

2. What type of business do you run?

A boutique business specializing in artistic decorative cakes and cupcakes for weddings,
birthdays, anniversaries, and all other special occasions

3. How long have you been operating/Trading?

Just 3 months… the response has been incredible! Visit me on my Facebook Lady Cupcake
to see my work. http://www.facebook.com/ladycupcakenz

4. Do you have any short term or long term goals for your business?

I‘ve definitely found my calling as a creative cake decorator! Right now it’s
wonderful to be a small business because I can fit it in around my gorgeous
8-month- old son. Long term, if the interest and momentum that I have received
so far continues, I’ll gradually increase the amount of cakes per week and then
in a year or two when he’s older perhaps open a cute little cake shop/cafe where
you can take a coffee and cupcake while you watch cakes being decorated.

5. Your perfect day/customer scenario?

An open brief! I love it when I get to design whatever I like…surprises are the
best anyhow right?

6. Where are you originally from?

New Plymouth

7. Name your favourite café/restaurant in New Plymouth

Nice/Table Restaurant – quirky and fun – their current menu is fantastic and their artwork
diverse. Also, I can’t pass up an invite of a blue cheese soufflé and steak at
Andres, oh and lunch at Gusto, and a croissant and coffee at Piccolo Morso…

8. When you have time off – what do you like to do?

Sunbathe with a girly book or magazine – I could spend hours rotating I also
love lunches out, with a good bottle of wine (or two…)

9. If you could do anything in Taranaki for one day – what would you wish for?

Gather all my family and friends together for a big long lunch out (in sunny
weather)

10. If you could fast forward into the future how would you like New Plymouth to be?

Still small… with boutique shops& deli’s… a great cafe & restaurant culture…
continued beautiful walkways, outdoor areas & parks… and a marvellous cake
shop called LADY CUPCAKE

Lady Cupcake - New Plymouth

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If you wish to follow this blog please go to my business facebook page and like the page. http://www.facebook.com/RobynAllenRavenRealEstateNewPlymouth

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When selling a property keep your rooms simple and clean

http://www.flickr.com/photos/capturedaesthetic/6913953785/in/pool-29366593@N00/

Last week I took you through the first steps of listing your property with a licensed salesperson.

This week I will cover some of the other items that need to be included on the listing authority.

3. The listing agent should ask you if there are any defects on the title, hazards you are aware of, or there are any requistions on the property.

Do you know what this means? Before you answer their questions be sure you fully understand what you are answering. You must be honest and ensure any details you provide are factual and completely accurate.

You can leave yourself open to legal action if you knowingly provide misleading information. If you require legal advice or are unsure of any thing you are signing please see your Solicitor.

The link below is also very information and may help answer any basic questions.

http://www.conveyancing.co.nz/sellers_guide?PHPSESSID=d3eafc4c6fecaa39b52f98e9aaffd320

4. Next you need to decide what method of sale you are going to use for your property. Normally the Sales person will give you their advice on what method they think would be most beneficial and suitable to your situation. Advertised price, Negotiation, Tender or Auction are the main methods generally used.

Advertised Price – The property will be marketed in all media (paper, internet, flyers etc) with a price. You can either fix a dollar amount or you may see the following :

Offers or Offers Over ( O/O ) – If your property is marketed like this and you get an offer you must seriously consider the offer.

Expressions of Interest (EOI) – The buyer will offer you what they think your property is worth to them. You are then able to negotiate or counter sign. This does put some buyers off though as they may not feel confident that their price will be anywhere near what you the  owner is expecting.

Buyer Enquiry Over $ ( BEO) – This at least gives a ball park figure but you must be willing to consider an offer at this level.

Price by Negotiation ( PBN) -  Similar to EOI. – Usually seen on properties in the higher price brackets or unique properties that have no comparable sales.

5. Marketing – This is a very important step you need to go over in detail with your Salesperson. With the appraisal they should have outlined a marketing plan for your property advising you on how they think your property needs to be advertised. You need to sit down with them and ask for a detailed plan with publication dates, sizes, whether professional photos are needed, and what webites your property will be loaded on to. Most companys will offer a certain amount of complimentary advertising but it is normal to be expected to pay for a portion of the advertising bill.

Once you have agreed on a marketing plan you will be asked to sign on the listing authority that you consent to pay for it- If the advertising is used up prior to selling your property you must once again be asked to consent for further advertising before the Saleperson can book more. Also if the property sells before the marketing has all been used you should receive the balance back from the agency. ( Booking deadlines apply )

NEXT WEEK  -I will go over Agency agreements and what they mean.

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