Business North November 2021

| 43 Whāriki Business Network: Tippett Electrical REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Brothers creating a buzz Sue Russell Lance, Leroy and Danyon Tippett. Our commitment is to improve the wellbeing of people and communities through the mana enhancing practice of Wairuatanga, Whanaungatanga, Manaakitanga, Kaitiakitanga, Rangatiratanga, Mātauranga, Mahi Ngātahi, Te Ahi Kaa Roa and Ūkaipō For support contact us: 09 262 4533 info@mahitahi.co.nz enquiries@kaingatrust.co.nz www.mahitahi.co.nz KAUPAPA MĀORI PROVIDER OF COMMUNITY HOUSING AND MENTAL HEALTH & ADDICTIONS SERVICE 03 339 7756 info@mikegreercommercial.co.nz www.mikegreercommercial.co.nz Mike Greer Commercial has a nationwide reputation for delivering well-built, future-ready projects. Our projects are for government agencies, development companies, aged-care and retirement organisations, healthcare groups, community groups, and a variety of retail and commercial clients. Time and time again, we deliver smoothly-run projects that exceed expectations and are delivered on schedule and to budget. I t is not that common for three brothers to all be drawn to the same industry to work in and further, to work together but that’s just what Lance, Leroy and Danyon Tippett have done. Having worked for another electrical firm in Auckland Lance and Leroy felt they could make a go of setting up on their own, carrying the years of experience they had accrued in the electrical and data industries and in man- aging large and small projects. Danyon joined the company at the end of 2020. All three are proud to be working in a 100% Māori owned company and a member of the Amotai network; an organisation that gives Māori and Pasifika companies connections to buyers who wish to add social value to Māori and Pasifika communities through engage- ment at a business level. While the timing of starting their own com- pany could have been better, having handed in their notices right on lockdown, the Tippett brothers remained unperturbed; instead using the four week lockdown period to create an office at their parents home. “Bit by bit we got a few leads, with support from family and friends and once you have work it sort of generates a momentum and we were underway,” says Leroy. Tippett Electrical direct most of their work to the residential and commercial sectors. It’s an environment they are confident in. Asked about future plans to grow Leroy says they don’t have any plans to expand currently as they are still in that foundation building phase. “We have three other staff and it means we can undertake a number of jobs at any given time, or if working on a larger commercial project we amalgamate as one team to do the work.” Leroy says starting out with very little business knowledge brought intrinsic value to them as they found their way forward, with a work ethic that reflected their sense of Māori- dom and how to engage with customers in the business world. “It has become a well-rounded business. Believe me, we have really upped our game giving us a whole new lease of life.” Of the three staff, two are currently un- dertaking apprenticeships and Leroy says its great to see enthusiasm toward becoming an electrician; a trade which is continually evolv- ing and creating new opportunities for those prepared to work hard and train. For the Tippett brothers securing a relation- ship with BuiltbyHome, a development com- pany focussing on community and housing projects, has been the most valuable strategy for their business. “They do amazing things for communities. That sits really comfortably with our own val- ues and they have very good contracts going forward. We worked hard on buildng this relationship and they have kept in touch with us since we established.” Since being in control of their own work life Leroy says there’s been a complete shift in what he and his brothers value. “When I was an employee I was chasing the weekends but now I am chasing Monday to Friday and just love working.” And with the support of the Amotai network Leroy says they have secured their direction; surrounding themselves with mentors who have enabled the brothers to structure their company well for the future. “We plan over the next five years to slowly grow and with the connections and support we have I feel Tippett Electrical’s future is very positive. I certainly understand now why busi- nesses fail and why businesses succeed and that’s been invaluable for us going forward.”