Kiri Nathan says anyone starting a small business with zero budget in the middle of a recession is going to find it tough.

“I’d also chosen an industry that didn't understand why a 38-year-old mother of five could possibly think she could succeed in fashion. I got firewalls: mainstream fashion networks didn’t believe I had anything to offer.”

How wrong they were.

When Kōkiri caught up with her, Kiri had recently returned from a successful showing at London Fashion Week and was flying to Shanghai the next day for business. Over the past decade she’s won a raft of iconic Kiwi fashion awards, including the coveted Supreme Award at Westfield Style Pasifika in 2008. It was around this time Kiri decided to make a living out of her art, but having studied for a Diploma in Visual Arts at the Manukau Institute of Technology around 18 years before – she knew it was time to upskill. Kiri wanted “hands on work experience, business sensibility and a general overview of the fashion industry”. Registering for mentoring support from the Te Puni Kōkiri Māori Business Facilitation Service (MBFS), Kiri launched her own company a few years later in 2010.

“Te Puni Kōkiri was great as I had an initial contact and starting point, my company was registered correctly and information was provided around that process so for a first time, start-up business owner that advice was fantastic.”

Kiri says mentoring comes in different forms but it’s crucial for start-ups. Designer Annah Stretton’s support while very industry specific, was also “incredibly generous, inspiring and life changing”. She names British High Commissioner Vicki Treadwell, Company of Women networkers such as entrepreneur Katherine Corich and industry insiders David K Shields, Jason Nathan, Phoenix Renata as other mentors and supporters.

Her advice for anyone considering starting up a business?

“You need passion for what you do, a good work ethic, confidence in yourself and your mahi. Be realistic about going without pay and working 50-hour-plus weeks.”

She’s new to the entrepreneurial sector but loving it and is keen to see her children growing up in a family company, learning first-hand about business. Right now her work is focused on developing relationships in Europe and Asia and consolidating her label’s presence in New Zealand. The aim is a multi-million-dollar, global fashion business - owned and operated by whānau.

Through it all Kiri says her motivation and support has come from whānau particularly her late grandmother, her husband and children.

“Their support and flexibility has been paramount: I find strength and inspiration in my children every day of my life.”