| 13 ATR Decorators Sue Russell Stellar journey for firm ATR Decorators was nominated in two categories of the Westpac Auckland Business Awards. WESTPAC AUCKLAND BUSINESS AWARDS Kaitlyn Balle and Adam Te Rangi operate ATR Decorators, based out of Pukekohe. They’re both tremendously proud to have established their own company and to be forging ahead building up business. Kaitlyn explains that sense of achievement runs deeper for them than simply surface success. “I am so proud of what Adam, as a Māori business owner has achieved. He is a really great example of not letting your environment dictate what your life can become and I know it sets an achievement for others to follow,” Kaitlyn says. The couple met five years ago and began talking about starting their own business which came into being in August 2020, right in the midst of COVID and with a great deal of uncertainty affecting the business sector generally. “We really wanted to change up the perception of what being a proud and skilled tradesperson is really all about. We feel painting as a trade profession generally has been not given the recognition it deserves, as a highly skilful professional job, which offers a good life, if you’re prepared to work hard,” Kaitlyn says. The initial boost to step out on their own was supported by Adam’s former boss Hayden Eagle (Elite Decorators) who was very supportive. Both Kaitlyn and Adam have lived in Pukekohe for many years and have established friends and connections in the construction sector. It’s through connections such as this that a solid amount of ongoing work has come their way. “A friend of Adam’s, who also works in the trade sector locally, recommended ATR Decorators to his client, which lead to us securing our first contract and meant ongoing work for us while we were just starting out. One job often leads into another through connections Adam makes while onsite,” says Kaitlyn. And building relationships with builders was another important step towards building critical mass. Today, ATR Decorators has three full-time staff working on the tools and plenty of work booked. One of the achievements Kaitlyn and Adam are most proud of is the fact that they have enabled their team to gain qualifications, setting them up on their own career pathway in time, should they choose so. “We’ve retained all our staff and our goals for the next five years are to consolidate what has been achieved to date and build from that strong base. We’re not in a hurry to grow really big, but just want to take it step by step seizing opportunities as these come along. We see this as an opportunity to focus on our customer service delivery and to establish our place in the market”. Kaitlyn says they are also big on work/ life balance as young people, knowing that long-term balance in life is the most important thing. As if to prove its been a stellar journey to date, ATR Decorators has been nominated in two categories of the Westpac Auckland Business Awards) – The Excellence in Customer Service Delivery and People’s Choice sections. “We’re absolutely thrilled to have been recognised in these awards.” An anonymous customer put forward their nomination and the couple decided, when contacted by the awards administrator, that it was worth putting in the time to present a business case. They saw it very much as a learning opportunity and couldn’t wait to attend the gala awards night. “It’s going to be such a special night celebrating our achievements with the team. And Adam as he grew up with full immersion Te Reo Māori schooling, meant that it was important to him that ATR Decorators business culture and practices sit within the tikanga and values that are so important to us both and our employees.” “We want to encourage and support our employees to thrive both in their careers and personal lives, so we try to implement things like attending the local gym as a crew to help achieve this”. ATR Decorators is part of Amotai, an organisation that promotes Māori and Pasifika businesses to network and thrive, helping connect buyers with suppliers particular in the public sector of works. CURTAINS & BLINDS PAINT WALLPAPER FLOORING | | | Proudly supporting ATR Decorators Limited Pukekohe 16cWrightsonWay | Pukekohe | Auckland 2120 Inspiration starts here. ∙ Residential ∙ All new builds ∙ Renovation ∙ Pole sheds 027 426 2878 healeybuild@gmail.com Mitre 10 MEGA 12 Wrightson Way, Pukekohe 09 238 5559 www.mitre10.co.nz Opening Hours Monday - Friday: 7am - 6pm Saturday/Sunday: 8am - 5pm Public Holidays: 8am - 5pm
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