puff 144 Kent Lavender

Click Here!
Lavender Business Chosen For SME E-Business Pilot
Dannevirke business Kent Lodge Lavender now have a sophisticated new Internet presence thanks to its participation in a new initiative for businesses that want to sell more online and offshore.
The Comet Launchpad Accelerator Program is a joint pilot involving the Government, e-regions, Dunedin based web specialist e-Media, Telecom, NZ Post, the University of Otago and tertiary institute UCOL. The program has the target of eventually giving over 2000 New Zealand businesses the tools and support they need to increase turnover and earn foreign exchange. The Government has approved over $500,000 of funding for the Accelerator Program, building on a commitment of several million dollars from Comet’s corporate partners.
As one of only 30 small businesses that have been selected for the Accelerator Program from across New Zealand, Kent Lodge Lavender will receive a web site, technical support, high speed Internet service, sales and marketing advice, e-commerce training and mentoring.
“This initiative is exactly the sort of assistance that our business needs and it has come along at the perfect time for us,” says Kent Lodge Lavender partner Malcolm Smith. “We are at the stage where we are looking to expand our horizons in terms of selling offshore and this program makes it so much easier for us. We know that we have quality products – the feedback from our customers confirms that. Accelerator not only gives us the tools that will help us expose our products to a worldwide audience but, more importantly, it gives us access to a huge knowledge base and mentoring network. It’s just the sort of boost that could turn our business from a part-time enterprise into a successful full-time business.”
Malcolm and his wife Judith first began growing Lavender in 2000 with the first planting of 600 Lavandula X Intermedia “Grosso” cuttings. Plant numbers at Kent Lodge in High Street, Dannevirke have since grown to 1400 with an extra 350 plants being grown by friends in Masterton. The flower heads and stems are harvested by hand in early to mid-February each year and the lavender essential oil is extracted using steam distillation. The oil is then stored and allowed to mature before being used in the manufacture of Kent Lodge Lavender’s range of 100% natural, handmade lavender products. The range includes soap, liquid soap, body lotion, linen water, lip balm, fizzy milk bath and hand cream.
“All of our products are 100% natural and most importantly do not contain any of the parabens found in some similar products with a synthetic base. We fail to see the logic in growing a natural product such as lavender essential oil only to combine it with a synthetic, chemical base.”
Malcolm and Judith spend a large amount of time travelling in the North Island to promote their products at Expos and Craft Fairs. “We try to maintain a local profile by attending The Dannevirke Garden Expo, but we also have shows coming up in Wellington, Haumoana, Feilding, Ashhurst and two in Masterton – all in the 2 months leading up to Christmas. We probably attend 20 to 25 shows a year and find them to be an excellent way of maintaining relationships with our customers. We get to know them and they get to know us.”
Kent Lodge Lavender products are available from several retailers including the Hokowhitu Post Shop in Palmerston North, The Barn in Norsewood, The Country Café on State Highway 2 at Matamau, and CraftWorld in Porirua. The company also takes orders by phone, fax or e-mail or orders can be placed directly at Kent Lodge Lavender’s new website at http://www.kentlodge.co.nz/.