Our 2023/2024 cohort of entrepreneurs are jumping into the second phase of our mentoring programme as we speak. Meet the hand-picked volunteer business mentors who’ll be guiding them in the months to come.
Guy Howard-Willis, co-founder of 1-Day and Torpedo7, and founder of Manta5, will mentor Sungeni Segula, project leader for Village Solar.
Guy Howard-Willis
Co-founder, 1-Day and Torpedo7. Founder Manta5. Director, Focus 3 (current).
Location: Hamilton, New Zealand
Mentoring: Sungeni Segula, project leader for Village Solar.
Guy Howard-Willis has a legacy of turning bold ideas into thriving businesses. Starting with Restwood Beds, his furniture manufacturing business which he successfully owned for 22 years, Guy moved on to co-found Torpedo7 in 2004 with his son, a top New Zealand brand specialising in outdoor adventure gear. His next venture, 1-Day, launched in 2007, became one of the New Zealand’s most popular daily deal websites. Never one to slow down, Guy then founded Manta5, revolutionising water sports with the world’s first hydrofoil e-bike, the Hydrofoiler XE-1, now sold in 15 countries. As director of Focus 3, he continues to invest in innovative ventures. With his extensive experience in manufacturing and retail in particular, Guy is well-positioned to help Sungeni grow Village Solar in Malawi, especially as the enterprise seeks to develop its solar manufacturing and retail strategy.
Chris Williams, founder and CEO of KingSt Advertising, will mentor Becki Sardeson, project leader for Bloom Asia's Early Learning Centre (Glow).
Chris Williams
Founder and CEO, King St Advertising
Location: Hamilton, New Zealand
Mentoring: Becki Sardeson, project leader for Bloom Asia's Early Learning Centre (Glow).
With 38 years of experience in the advertising industry, including senior positions in some of New Zealand’s leading agencies, Chris has established himself as a creative leader in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty regions. For the past 25 years, he’s been at the helm of King St Advertising, guiding a team that has dominated locally while securing national accounts. Chris is also a co-owner of Porch Recording Studio and the owner of Old Rockers Inc. He's a passionate supporter of the local community and, through his business and personal activities, continues to make a contribution to a number of community organisations via governance and mentoring roles. Chris is best described as humble, curious, and creative, with a generous spirit and a strong focus on family. With advertising and marketing support being top of Becki’s list, we’re confident that Chris is a chef’s kiss mentor to help her launch Bloom Asia’s early learning centre in South East Asia.
Bo Hendgen, founder and CEO of Absolute Essential, will mentor Julia Krepska, project leader for Our Sansar's Recycling Centre.
Bo Hendgen
Founder and CEO, Absolute Essential
Location: Muriwai, New Zealand
Mentoring: Julia Krepska, project leader for Our Sansar's Recycling Centre.
Bo is a Doctor of Osteopathy and Naturopathy, and the founder of Absolute Essential, which she launched back in 1988. Her award-winning business specialises in producing its own professional prescription blends of pure, certified organic essential oils and carriers from the best of the world’s medicinal plant harvests. It ethically sources ingredients from 36 countries, including Nepal—a place close to Bo’s heart. Over the past 15 years, she’s worked with Nepalese communities to sustainably produce essential oil from wild grown harvests and certified organic cultivations, providing women especially, and the elderly, with much-needed income within the changing Nepalese cultural and agricultural landscapes. Bo’s also fundraised for earthquake relief and volunteered in orphanages and on health camps there. With her entrepreneurial spirit, dedication to sustainability, and deep knowledge of Nepal, Bo is the perfect mentor for Julia as she launches Our Sansar’s recycling centre business.