I’m not the best at reflecting. It’s probably why I only seldomly appear in our blogosphere! I get caught up in the movement, the progress, the growth, the next step. But on Thursday evening last week, I allowed myself to rest and reflect. Reflect on what has probably been my favourite PledgeMe day yet.
Early alarm for an early flight from Welly to Hammy. Myself and Kaye-Maree from Māori Women’s Development Inc – two bleary-eyed shadows of humans. But the welcome and energy from Christina, Ceara, Ian and the Kōkiri Accelerator teams was infectious. We shared with them our Tā Koha plans, and in return we dove deep together to explore the barriers to funding that they face as entrepreneurs and how crowdfunding can work best for their companies. We happily bathed in their insights!
No better way to follow up our session than with a tale from someone who’s deep in his crowdfunding prep at the moment. Panapa Ehau, founder of Hikurangi Cannabis, took the mic to inspire his captivated crowd. Their upcoming equity campaign aiming to empower their local community to collectively create economic, social and health impact for the many. Caring for the people and caring for the land.
While all this was going on, a Little Bird was busily counting down the moments til their big equity crowdfunding campaign took flight. Eight years in the making and three since their crowd provided a little help. Anna G and PledgeMe team waiting in the wings to ensure no unnecessary turbulence.
I’m back at Hamilton airport and the laptop unfolded just in time for 5…4…3…2…1…we have lift off.
Excited mid-flight call from Leonard, Little Bird’s CEO. Apologies Air New Zealand. I could have sworn it was on flight mode!
Head back out of the clouds, feet firmly on the ground and moving swiftly back to PledgeMe HQ to present Tā Koha alongside MWDI’s Linda, to Angel HQ. Deep discussion with the crowd, and great conversation with a big crowdfunding supporter, Charles Hett.
So what is that magic that I feel being a part of PledgeMe community? I think that something special comes from empowering others. When we have success, it’s shared. Shared with those hardworking campaigners who are putting their stamp on the world. Shared with their crowds who’ve inked their stamp. Shared and celebrated by our sometimes-dispersed but always-there-for-each-other team.
That feeling won’t stop after today burns into tomorrow. It’ll resurface the next time I wander into the Little Bird’s Unbakery. It’ll reignite when I congratulate Panapa on changing the lives of his people. It’ll burst out when the first of our newfound whānau of inspiring Māori entrepreneurs fund their plans through Tā Koha. Knowing that, together with the changemakers at MWDI, we’ve had a meaningful impact by enabling others to realise theirs.
I’m grateful that I’m able to experience that feeling. And it’s a privilege to be sharing this journey with you all.
