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KiwiKate
KiwiKate is owned and operated by me, Carolyn Aish, a Kiwi living in Wiltshire England. (The regions above don't quite fit where I am, but it's near Gillingham, Dorset!) KiwiKate's thing is 'lovely, warm, practical wear completely and utterly Made in New Zealand' and she has possum, possum-merino and sheepskin clothing and footwear, including possum insoles which is where it all started. 'She' has two fabulous suppliers in particular, who have mentored me on my way. KiwiKate has been full-time for me for two years .. It's great meeting people who have never seen possum before, but purchase it in one form or another, and repeat business is just wonderful. KiwiKate can be seen throughout the year at game fairs, country fairs, horse trials, point to points, in lovely houses and in castles for Christmas Fairs in England and Scotland. Her homemade website www.kiwikate,co.uk, currently being completely rebuilt by the brilliant people at Zeald.com in Albany.
Po Box 3968, Warminster, Wiltshire, Ba12 7 Wx
Gillingham,
United Kingdom
+ 44 (0)7801 298365
What makes us Made From New Zealand?
KiwiKate can be regarded as a NZ company - it's just that I live in the UK and that's where my customer base is. KiwiKate is kind of an exporter - in a roundabout sort of way - as she imports to the UK from home! My two main suppliers are just the best; mentoring me as well as fantastic in the practical sense. In the UK one big thing these days is to eat local and buy local. Well, I do that. However, I also think it's important to support my homeland, of which I am immensely proud. Customers want to talk about their hols in NZ, or tell me about their son/daughter/parents/friends/... who have been/are in NZ - they want to connect again with their Kiwi holiday experience. I sell to a lot of people who have bought in NZ. I can spend an hour on the phone to individual customers, which might not have been the best use of my time but it's great for building a customer-base. People like to be remembered. When my new website gets going there may well not be as many long conversations - but I'd rather that than returns! The possum-merino socks are just the best repeat business there is. KiwiKate's only been full-time for two years and I reckon she's viable. It's all a HUGE learning curve! Having spent 23 years talking to children (who I miss terribly) KiwiKate has meant that I now speak with adults all day - and that's pretty cool as well.
