5 "P's" for shopping with a New Zealand Small Business

I saw the photo above a while ago and it really struck a chord with me. We are so passionate about our New Zealand designed and made products as well as shopping local because it is what we live and breath everyday. Little Monkey NZ started as a side hustle, slowly morphing into Lynley's full time job, working around our growing family. After working in an office that didn't align with our values, I made the decision to move into working for Little Monkey NZ full time. In hindsight, this is one of the best decisions we have made as a family. It doesn't necessarily make the day to day any easier, and we still have stresses, but the benefits far outweigh the negatives.

So, why support NZ Made?

Pride

We are proudly NZ designed and made. Every email, message, design and product is ours. Which also means every stuff up is ours too! We take pride in all of our work, which means it doesn't leave on the courier unless we are 100% happy with the product!

Personal

We love adding the personal touch to our packing of orders with little notes and sweet treats. We truly value every single customer, whether it is their first order or 101st (Yes! We have some remarkable customers!). We also love the unique and personalised nature of what we do. Whether it is a name puzzle for a first birthday present or a custom cake topper for a wedding or birthday, to make the special, one off items is truly a joy.

Profit

Yes, we are a business, so we need to make money. But that money, returns to the local economy. It buys shoes for the kids, pays for hockey and touch fees. It is spent at the local op-shops for our clothes and we buy from the local supermarket and dairies. You aren't supporting another CEO in their Lamborghini buy another beach house, you are allowing a family with a Toyota Aqua, to drive our kids to their after school activities and trips to see grandparents.

Price

By buying NZ made, you are supporting us in the battle against the big players. We know we can't compete on price with the big overseas companies that spam your social feeds. So we ensure that every product is our absolute best. That's also why we don't have many sales or promotions. We try to keep our prices as low and as competitive as possible all year round. We know times are tough and buying for immediate and wider families are a challenge. So we keep our prices in the range that we would spend on nieces and nephews (Because with over 10 of these... Christmas and birthdays really add up!)

Present

As I sit in the workshop today, I can reflect on the hockey games. touch games, school trips and assemblies that I have been able to be present at in the last 6 months. Truly present. No on-calls, no demands for emails to be answered or replies to be given on internal message boards. I'm happier, the family is happier, and it allows me to be a better father and husband. When we are creating your unique presents, your order allows me to be present with the family at school and kindy drop offs, after school chats and dinner time around the table together. It doesn't get any better than that.

From our family, to yours.

Joel