SECTION
TAKING THE PLUNGE
Richard Butler
BlueBerry IT
Each month, we talk to up and coming New Zealand entrepreneurs who have set about turning their idea
into a real business. Here we speak with Richard Butler about his company - BlueBerry IT
Briefly tell us about your business. How
did you first come up with the idea?
BlueBerryIT is a full service IT Company based in Nelson
serving customers from the Top of the South Island of New
Zealand to as far away as the Netherlands.
The business came about as an idea thrown around after a
disheartening staff meeting with a previous employer. We
figured there was a better way of doing things, and then we
set about doing it.
What is the big goal for your business?
To be the best IT service provider in Nelson, not necessarily
by virtue of size but more in terms of quality and what we can
give back to the community.
We are very involved in local events and organisations, and
this is a big part of who we are - not just as a brand, but as a
team of individuals working towards a common goal.
What inspired you to take the plunge?
At the age of 37 I thought it was about time I had a go at
starting my own business, while I still had plenty of energy. I
wanted to create something that would help me to help others
- both customers and employees. I also wanted to create
something unique which could potentially be saleable in the
future. Fortunately I had three other like-minded people
who wanted to do something similar, so the timing was right.
Being in charge of my own destiny was a big draw card.
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What have you found to be the most
challenging aspect of building your
business so far?
Dealing with people, although on the flip-side it’s also the
most fun part as well! Humans are amazing animals - you
never quite know what’s going to happen next. Everything
else in business is straightforward by comparison.
What keeps you going when you feel like
giving up?
When a customer calls or emails me and tells me one of my
engineers has done a great job and I can then pass that on to
them. That is one of the greatest feelings.
What advice would you give to any people
reading this who are thinking of starting
a business?
Stop thinking and start doing. It’s never been easier to start a
business, all the tools you need to run your back end systems
are available on line for next to nothing and there is plenty of
good help and advice out there if you reach out and ask. Come
up with a good idea, find a good accountant and lawyer, talk
to your local Chamber of Commerce, make a plan then follow it.
Would like to tell our readers your own story? Get in
touch with Nick at [email protected]
Snaffle’s Carl &
Amber McNulty