Manzana. Creative Entrepreneurship Community

By Ché Zara Blomfield

video

PledgeMe.Project

Community,



NZ $5,287 pledged


64 people pledged


Closed


NZ $5,000 minimum target


100 100% Complete

This campaign was successful and closed on 10/02/2022 at 8:00 PM.

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About

Manzana. Creative Entrepreneurship Community

Project 2021-12-24 14:22:43 +1300

Why support us? 

The pandemic had many people reevaluate their purpose, along with how important their jobs were. Many of us have struggled with work from home, and many of us are seeking meaningful connections especially with those who are purpose-driven to create a better world in the face of… don’t look up… climate change.

 

How will your pledge help?

Your pledge will help us supply relevant workshops such as accounting, time management, website building, and wellbeing. It will also help us create networking events and talks that give insight into technologies such as blockchain. We also plan to pay a clinical phycologist to have sessions with our residents, and generally provide a holistically safe, sound, and supportive environment for emerging entrepreneurs to develop their business ideas. 

 

Who are we?

Enter Manzana, a multicultural group of three entrepreneurial women sick of the status quo, wanting to make a change, and not waiting for anyone else to make the changes they want to see in the world.

 

The Manzana kaitiaki are Dil Khosa, Ché Zara Blomfield, and Rachael Peri who each have diverse international experiences and came together to co-create a “Creative Entrepreneurship Community” – as a response to the male-dominated start-up environment as well as the lack of progress on climate, and missing infrastructure and support and community for female business owners and other underrepresented individuals.

 

Bootstrapping their way from nothing to over $40k of investment during a lockdown is impressive enough, and they are offering over three-quarters of that value to diverse individuals wanting to develop their purpose-driven businesses. 

 

How? 

Manzana is offering free deskspace, mentorship, networking, events, and even a stipend for the overpriced transport and/or public parking (as well as coffee from Pink Neon Sign!).

 

Where? 

Manzana is in the city because it’s important to be around other people. A major inspiration for Manzana has been Get Off the Grass: Kickstarting New Zealand’s Innovation Economy by Shaun Hendy and Paul Callaghan, which identified NZ as being behind economically due to a lack of knowledge-sharing and how bringing people together equates to economic growth. This is mentioned on their PledgeMe campaign which hopes to raise at least $5,000 of their $50,000 goal by the 10th of February by offering unique objects made by local creatives in sustainable ways.

 

We need a community for us, by us. 

Since initiating this project we have had an astounding response, including 100% of applicants saying they are seeking “Co-working with other purpose-driven entrepreneurs” and over 90% stating they hope to find a “supportive community” through Manzana. 

 

After lockdown, when many of us lost our jobs, it meant freelancing or bootstrapping from home… it’s not exactly the most conducive environment for knowledge sharing and supporting one another. 

 

That’s why being in the City Centre is important. Not only is it where the largest number of people in NZ congregate, but it is also near the universities, other businesses, and transport links.

 

Additionally. We know it is important to diversify this space because only 8% of NZX 50 CEOs are women, yet “companies, where women held more than 30% of board seats, outperformed their peers in 11 of 15 sectors. Companies with at least 30% non-white directors saw year on year revenue grow by 4%. Those with less racially diverse boards had a revenue decline.” (Source: boardready.io/report-july-2021) 

 

So what are we doing? 

We are offering 10 individual emerging entrepreneurs free deskspace for six weeks as well as basic transport and sustenance costs covered, access to relevant networks and mentors who can help them develop their idea, and potentially even investors, as well as hosting formal and informal events with influential guest speakers.

 

Beyond the 10 sponsored spaces, there is the opportunity to join us casually. By donating a minimum of $25 via PledgeMe, individuals will be able to join for a day (about ½ the going daily hot-desking rate), to meet and work with the community, as well as attend events, share networks and knowledge. To join us forward your Pledge receipt to [email protected] with the day and time you want to come in.

 

The backstory? 

In June 2020 we had an idea. Now Manzana has a location, 47 High St in Auckland City Centre, and over $40,000 worth of support. This mainly consists of free rent from Meka Management, and initial funds from Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau: Auckland City Council’s Place Activation Development Programme, free signage, and donated time.

 

We have also received signage sponsored by Big Ideas, and are in discussion with some exciting partners about other generous donations. Will you help us with the next round?

 

Next steps: It’s this simple: we need to bring the space to life. We need help to furnish our incredible city-centre office space as well as a little bit more support to cover essential costs, like admin, a vacuum cleaner, chairs and tables!

 

It’s crunch time! We are seeking a minimum of $5,000 toward our total $50,000 funding goal by the 10th of February 2022!

 

We offer full transparency. This (linked below) is how we have spent the budget so far and how plan to spend any future budget: 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Qi5QA9KWlSyHOgp1Ah824yh8WW99EULWJe9igsOlYtg/edit?usp=sharing

 

Will you help us provide an art and design-led environment where innovative and diverse creative entrepreneurs feel comfortable, inspired and motivated to build their projects that help change the world for the better?

 

Who are we?

Dil Khosa, Founder of Athena X, a digital incubator, organiser of Women Tech Founders Aotearoa and Startup Genome NZ Ambassador: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dilkhosa/

 

Rachael Peri (Ngāti Awa, Tūhoe), Founder of Being Studio, a digital agency for people, projects, and businesses catalysing positive change: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachael-peri/

 

Ché Zara Blomfield, Founder of Mañana Today, a holistic communications organisation and The Composing Rooms, a contemporary art gallery: https://www.linkedin.com/in/czblomfield/

 

What is the name? 

Manzana (man-za-na) means apple in Spanish. It’s a nod to Apple’s personal computer which diversified access to creative tools and networking. Jobs says the company’s name is "fun, spirited and not intimidating." Manzana is a feminine noun, we like it.

 

Bite the apple! 

Manzana’s goal is to create a supportive network for those who don’t have one of this kind. So it’s important we make the space comfortable and inspiring!

 

For this reason, we have collaborated with makers we love to fill the space, and by supporting us you can acquire a unique object too (all made on demand and to be delivered at the end of February 2022).

 

Join the family and grow Manzana!

Give back to the community, help grow the economy through innovation and invest in our exciting community of artists and diverse entrepreneurs who challenge the status quo, are driven by purpose and have ideas that’ll change the world! 

 

THANKS SO MUCH TO THE SUPPORT OF BARBARA HOLLOWAY OF AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL, AIMEE OF TATTY’S, ROSIE OF PINK NEON SIGN, THE TEAM AT HOMESTEAD PICTURE FRAMERS, THE TEAM AT EL FRAMO, CATHY AND KEVIN AT MEKA, THE TEAM AT BIG IDEAS SIGNAGE, JOSEPHINE OF METHOD RECYCLING, AND EVERYONE ELSE WHO HAS SUPPORTED US SO FAR! 

 

HOW CAN YOU JOIN THE COMMUNITY AND SUPPORT US? 

 

One way is to buy beautiful, consciously created, locally made design objects!

Scroll down to see more info to your right ➡➡➡



THANK YOU!

 

manzana.org.nz

 

If you’re interested in being supported by Manzana register your interest for the next round or submit your art to exhibit: 

 

Manzana Open Call: Emerging Entrepreneurs

https://forms.gle/umeq76LdEAsbJuLE9

 

Manzana Open Call: Artists and Creatives

https://forms.gle/2X3XXxFf6rxcDjjYA

 

Kia ora,

 

Manzana Kaitiaki 

Ché + Dil + Rachael

 

Comments

Updates 2

WE ARE SO CLOSE! THANK YOUUUU

10/02/2022 at 1:08 PM

Kia ora, thanks so much for your support!

This has been a journey we are glad you're on with us! We have had 50 pledgers with 7 hours to go... "wowzers!" 

This is the last email from us before we make it (because we know we will).

Since our last email we have sold a cushion by Hannah-Lee Jade and a vase by Soraa Glass pledged, totalling another $750. Along with another few smaller donations that bring us to a current total of $3,842. That means there is $1,158 to go... and counting.

If each of you found just one person to pledge another $25 we will cross the finish line with some money to pay the PledgeMe success fee on top!

We have just posted some updates on our social media (links below) for you to share. If you're able to help us in these final few hours we are soooo grateful!

 

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/manzanaorgnz

 

Instagram:

https://twitter.com/manzanaorgnz

 

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/manzanaorgnz/

 

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/manzana.org.nz

 

Muchisimo amor,

Manzana 

 

 

 

The final countdown

08/02/2022 at 8:22 PM

Kia ora everyone!

 

It's the final countdown. Thanks so much for helping us get this far. [Insert Bernie Sanders meme] we feel close... it's creeping up. We have a total of $2,932 pledged from 47 people... but only 2 days left to reach our $5,000 minimum. That is if we don't make another $2,068 in the next 40 hours... we don't get anything.

 

It's not impossible but we could do with your help. Please share with your friends, whānau, colleagues, neighbours!? We have all these beautiful objects barely anyone has bought that we spent hours negotiating, creating images for, and sharing... your support will go even further and you'll get a beautiful, consciously made object at the normal retail price. 

 

Objects include a lovely mirror made by Riverside Reloved for $400, an upcycled cushion by Hannah-Lee Jade for $150, and some awesome furniture, lamps, and even a stunning hand-blown vase by Soraa Glass. 

 

Hope you all had a restful weekend. We enjoyed some time off after an eventful and busy first few weeks setting up Manzana. 

 

Things are really coming along but we have literally run out of our startup budget now so we would REALLY REALLY appreciate some last-minute pledges, especially for the items mentioned above... 

 

I know some of you wanted to know what our residents are doing, well we signed an NDA with each of them because they are, after all, emerging entrepreneurs but their ideas are AMAZING, SUSTAINABLE, GAME-CHANGING, so they (and we) aren't ready to share those stories yet, but we will do in good time.

 

In the meantime, we have some interviews with contributing artists and creatives along with some images of the space on our fancy new website where you can also find links to all our social media accounts: https://manzana.org.nz/

 

Please get in touch if you feel like you can contribute in a way other than monetary because really, there is a lot to do!

 

Thanks again for all your love and support, it's been pretty incredible what we have achieved thus far with so much donated and discounted time and stuff!

 

The Manzana Team 

 

    Pledgers 64

    Paris Kirby
    06/01/2022 at 3:57pm

    "Wishing you a successful campaign <3 "

    Anonymous pledger
    06/01/2022 at 2:54pm

    "Great initiative deserves good support. Happy to help see this project flourish ♾"

    Carlos Cordero
    06/01/2022 at 1:30pm

    "Manzana is a wonderful initiative and I am proud to contribute to it. "

    Anonymous pledger
    06/01/2022 at 1:06pm

    "LOVE THE PROJECT "

    Followers 4

    Followers of Manzana. Creative Entrepreneurship Community

    Manzana. Creative Entrepreneurship Community

    Project 2021-12-24 14:22:43 +1300

    Why support us? 

    The pandemic had many people reevaluate their purpose, along with how important their jobs were. Many of us have struggled with work from home, and many of us are seeking meaningful connections especially with those who are purpose-driven to create a better world in the face of… don’t look up… climate change.

     

    How will your pledge help?

    Your pledge will help us supply relevant workshops such as accounting, time management, website building, and wellbeing. It will also help us create networking events and talks that give insight into technologies such as blockchain. We also plan to pay a clinical phycologist to have sessions with our residents, and generally provide a holistically safe, sound, and supportive environment for emerging entrepreneurs to develop their business ideas. 

     

    Who are we?

    Enter Manzana, a multicultural group of three entrepreneurial women sick of the status quo, wanting to make a change, and not waiting for anyone else to make the changes they want to see in the world.

     

    The Manzana kaitiaki are Dil Khosa, Ché Zara Blomfield, and Rachael Peri who each have diverse international experiences and came together to co-create a “Creative Entrepreneurship Community” – as a response to the male-dominated start-up environment as well as the lack of progress on climate, and missing infrastructure and support and community for female business owners and other underrepresented individuals.

     

    Bootstrapping their way from nothing to over $40k of investment during a lockdown is impressive enough, and they are offering over three-quarters of that value to diverse individuals wanting to develop their purpose-driven businesses. 

     

    How? 

    Manzana is offering free deskspace, mentorship, networking, events, and even a stipend for the overpriced transport and/or public parking (as well as coffee from Pink Neon Sign!).

     

    Where? 

    Manzana is in the city because it’s important to be around other people. A major inspiration for Manzana has been Get Off the Grass: Kickstarting New Zealand’s Innovation Economy by Shaun Hendy and Paul Callaghan, which identified NZ as being behind economically due to a lack of knowledge-sharing and how bringing people together equates to economic growth. This is mentioned on their PledgeMe campaign which hopes to raise at least $5,000 of their $50,000 goal by the 10th of February by offering unique objects made by local creatives in sustainable ways.

     

    We need a community for us, by us. 

    Since initiating this project we have had an astounding response, including 100% of applicants saying they are seeking “Co-working with other purpose-driven entrepreneurs” and over 90% stating they hope to find a “supportive community” through Manzana. 

     

    After lockdown, when many of us lost our jobs, it meant freelancing or bootstrapping from home… it’s not exactly the most conducive environment for knowledge sharing and supporting one another. 

     

    That’s why being in the City Centre is important. Not only is it where the largest number of people in NZ congregate, but it is also near the universities, other businesses, and transport links.

     

    Additionally. We know it is important to diversify this space because only 8% of NZX 50 CEOs are women, yet “companies, where women held more than 30% of board seats, outperformed their peers in 11 of 15 sectors. Companies with at least 30% non-white directors saw year on year revenue grow by 4%. Those with less racially diverse boards had a revenue decline.” (Source: boardready.io/report-july-2021) 

     

    So what are we doing? 

    We are offering 10 individual emerging entrepreneurs free deskspace for six weeks as well as basic transport and sustenance costs covered, access to relevant networks and mentors who can help them develop their idea, and potentially even investors, as well as hosting formal and informal events with influential guest speakers.

     

    Beyond the 10 sponsored spaces, there is the opportunity to join us casually. By donating a minimum of $25 via PledgeMe, individuals will be able to join for a day (about ½ the going daily hot-desking rate), to meet and work with the community, as well as attend events, share networks and knowledge. To join us forward your Pledge receipt to [email protected] with the day and time you want to come in.

     

    The backstory? 

    In June 2020 we had an idea. Now Manzana has a location, 47 High St in Auckland City Centre, and over $40,000 worth of support. This mainly consists of free rent from Meka Management, and initial funds from Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau: Auckland City Council’s Place Activation Development Programme, free signage, and donated time.

     

    We have also received signage sponsored by Big Ideas, and are in discussion with some exciting partners about other generous donations. Will you help us with the next round?

     

    Next steps: It’s this simple: we need to bring the space to life. We need help to furnish our incredible city-centre office space as well as a little bit more support to cover essential costs, like admin, a vacuum cleaner, chairs and tables!

     

    It’s crunch time! We are seeking a minimum of $5,000 toward our total $50,000 funding goal by the 10th of February 2022!

     

    We offer full transparency. This (linked below) is how we have spent the budget so far and how plan to spend any future budget: 

    https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Qi5QA9KWlSyHOgp1Ah824yh8WW99EULWJe9igsOlYtg/edit?usp=sharing

     

    Will you help us provide an art and design-led environment where innovative and diverse creative entrepreneurs feel comfortable, inspired and motivated to build their projects that help change the world for the better?

     

    Who are we?

    Dil Khosa, Founder of Athena X, a digital incubator, organiser of Women Tech Founders Aotearoa and Startup Genome NZ Ambassador: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dilkhosa/

     

    Rachael Peri (Ngāti Awa, Tūhoe), Founder of Being Studio, a digital agency for people, projects, and businesses catalysing positive change: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachael-peri/

     

    Ché Zara Blomfield, Founder of Mañana Today, a holistic communications organisation and The Composing Rooms, a contemporary art gallery: https://www.linkedin.com/in/czblomfield/

     

    What is the name? 

    Manzana (man-za-na) means apple in Spanish. It’s a nod to Apple’s personal computer which diversified access to creative tools and networking. Jobs says the company’s name is "fun, spirited and not intimidating." Manzana is a feminine noun, we like it.

     

    Bite the apple! 

    Manzana’s goal is to create a supportive network for those who don’t have one of this kind. So it’s important we make the space comfortable and inspiring!

     

    For this reason, we have collaborated with makers we love to fill the space, and by supporting us you can acquire a unique object too (all made on demand and to be delivered at the end of February 2022).

     

    Join the family and grow Manzana!

    Give back to the community, help grow the economy through innovation and invest in our exciting community of artists and diverse entrepreneurs who challenge the status quo, are driven by purpose and have ideas that’ll change the world! 

     

    THANKS SO MUCH TO THE SUPPORT OF BARBARA HOLLOWAY OF AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL, AIMEE OF TATTY’S, ROSIE OF PINK NEON SIGN, THE TEAM AT HOMESTEAD PICTURE FRAMERS, THE TEAM AT EL FRAMO, CATHY AND KEVIN AT MEKA, THE TEAM AT BIG IDEAS SIGNAGE, JOSEPHINE OF METHOD RECYCLING, AND EVERYONE ELSE WHO HAS SUPPORTED US SO FAR! 

     

    HOW CAN YOU JOIN THE COMMUNITY AND SUPPORT US? 

     

    One way is to buy beautiful, consciously created, locally made design objects!

    Scroll down to see more info to your right ➡➡➡



    THANK YOU!

     

    manzana.org.nz

     

    If you’re interested in being supported by Manzana register your interest for the next round or submit your art to exhibit: 

     

    Manzana Open Call: Emerging Entrepreneurs

    https://forms.gle/umeq76LdEAsbJuLE9

     

    Manzana Open Call: Artists and Creatives

    https://forms.gle/2X3XXxFf6rxcDjjYA

     

    Kia ora,

     

    Manzana Kaitiaki 

    Ché + Dil + Rachael

     

    Comments

    WE ARE SO CLOSE! THANK YOUUUU

    10/02/2022 at 1:08 PM

    Kia ora, thanks so much for your support!

    This has been a journey we are glad you're on with us! We have had 50 pledgers with 7 hours to go... "wowzers!" 

    This is the last email from us before we make it (because we know we will).

    Since our last email we have sold a cushion by Hannah-Lee Jade and a vase by Soraa Glass pledged, totalling another $750. Along with another few smaller donations that bring us to a current total of $3,842. That means there is $1,158 to go... and counting.

    If each of you found just one person to pledge another $25 we will cross the finish line with some money to pay the PledgeMe success fee on top!

    We have just posted some updates on our social media (links below) for you to share. If you're able to help us in these final few hours we are soooo grateful!

     

    Twitter:

    https://twitter.com/manzanaorgnz

     

    Instagram:

    https://twitter.com/manzanaorgnz

     

    LinkedIn:

    https://www.linkedin.com/company/manzanaorgnz/

     

    Facebook:

    https://www.facebook.com/manzana.org.nz

     

    Muchisimo amor,

    Manzana 

     

     

     

    The final countdown

    08/02/2022 at 8:22 PM

    Kia ora everyone!

     

    It's the final countdown. Thanks so much for helping us get this far. [Insert Bernie Sanders meme] we feel close... it's creeping up. We have a total of $2,932 pledged from 47 people... but only 2 days left to reach our $5,000 minimum. That is if we don't make another $2,068 in the next 40 hours... we don't get anything.

     

    It's not impossible but we could do with your help. Please share with your friends, whānau, colleagues, neighbours!? We have all these beautiful objects barely anyone has bought that we spent hours negotiating, creating images for, and sharing... your support will go even further and you'll get a beautiful, consciously made object at the normal retail price. 

     

    Objects include a lovely mirror made by Riverside Reloved for $400, an upcycled cushion by Hannah-Lee Jade for $150, and some awesome furniture, lamps, and even a stunning hand-blown vase by Soraa Glass. 

     

    Hope you all had a restful weekend. We enjoyed some time off after an eventful and busy first few weeks setting up Manzana. 

     

    Things are really coming along but we have literally run out of our startup budget now so we would REALLY REALLY appreciate some last-minute pledges, especially for the items mentioned above... 

     

    I know some of you wanted to know what our residents are doing, well we signed an NDA with each of them because they are, after all, emerging entrepreneurs but their ideas are AMAZING, SUSTAINABLE, GAME-CHANGING, so they (and we) aren't ready to share those stories yet, but we will do in good time.

     

    In the meantime, we have some interviews with contributing artists and creatives along with some images of the space on our fancy new website where you can also find links to all our social media accounts: https://manzana.org.nz/

     

    Please get in touch if you feel like you can contribute in a way other than monetary because really, there is a lot to do!

     

    Thanks again for all your love and support, it's been pretty incredible what we have achieved thus far with so much donated and discounted time and stuff!

     

    The Manzana Team 

     

      Paris Kirby
      06/01/2022 at 3:57pm

      "Wishing you a successful campaign <3 "

      Anonymous pledger
      06/01/2022 at 2:54pm

      "Great initiative deserves good support. Happy to help see this project flourish ♾"

      Carlos Cordero
      06/01/2022 at 1:30pm

      "Manzana is a wonderful initiative and I am proud to contribute to it. "

      Anonymous pledger
      06/01/2022 at 1:06pm

      "LOVE THE PROJECT "

      Followers of Manzana. Creative Entrepreneurship Community

      This campaign was successful and got its funding on 10/02/2022 at 8:00 PM.
      A Neighbour Who Shares Their Harvest.
      A Friend Who’ll Get You A Coffee And Have A Chat.
      That Cool Cousin Who Gives You Useful Gifts :: One Day Hot-Desking At Manzana.
      The Sibling Offering Practical Support :: Two Days Hot-Desking At Manzana.
      The Parent Willing To Invest In Their Child’s Idea :: One Week Hot-Desking At Manzana.
      Hannah-Lee Jade Upcycled Cushion.
      Folding Stool By Art-Design Duo Wallace McKinnon.
      Upcycled Chair In Various Colours By Goat Loft.
      Enzo Mari Inspired Pallet Chair Made By Braden White.
      Tall Waves Mirror By Riverside Reloved.
      Soraa Glass Unique Handblown Dappled Vase By Jark Pane.
      Upcycled Droog Design Chair Made With Unsold Second Hand Garments By Hannah-Lee Jade.
      Timber Veneer Lamp With Prismatic Perforations And Reflective Inner Shade By Ashley Turner.