Linda and Ian had owned a sweets and ice-cream business in Tirau for eight months before signing up for the INCUBATE Programme.

Their shop La More Sweets sells range of international sweets, old time favourites and a growing range of artisan sweets.

“Information about the INCUBATE programme was sent to me by email. It interested me as I was new to retail and was unsure how to approach the many ideas I have. I wanted some peace of mind that we were running the business correctly. I also thought that meeting other people in a similar position would be inspiring.

I have a wide and varied past that includes nursing, dental, motherhood, early childcare, farming, and home schooling. We ended up in New Zealand from Zimbabwe 17 years ago with three teenage children five suitcases and a strong will to survive.

We bought the business in Tirau for something for our retirement years. Our accountant told us is wasn’t a good idea and we should just get jobs. But working in a boring job wasn’t for me. This business has bought me back to life. It’s wonderful.

INCUBATE has really shown me what was lacking in the first place. It was all hazy, vague ideas. Doing this course has focussed our attention dramatically. We have a great big growth mindset now.

Ice-cream is great, but the sweets are a bigger story and have so much more to offer. We have expanded our range enormously. My passion is creation and being creative, and we are focusing on making our own.

Our range has grown but our space hasn’t so we have purchased a building with a commercial kitchen, so we can try new recipes and grow, with the big goal of a factory in the future.

This course has lifted the veil to show us endless possibilities.”

Find out more on Firestation’s business training programmes.