Rotorua local business Q&A: Rachel Warrender

After working in online marketing for a number of years, Rotorua's Rachel Warrender struck out on her own to set up Dubzz Digital Marketing at the end of 2011. She now has an employee, an intern and clients in Rotorua and around New Zealand, helping them with online marketing


In simple terms, what does your business do?

Dubzz Digital Marketing helps businesses across all industries with their online presence, including website design & development, social media for business, online advertising, search engine rankings, e-newsletters, online content management, and all other aspects of online marketing.

What inspired you to set up your current business?

I was working at Polynesian Spa, looking after their online marketing, and I kept hearing of businesses struggling to get their head around how to effectively market their business online.

I saw a gap in the market with a growing industry and felt that I really could help these businesses.

I really enjoy the challenge of the fast-paced, forever changing online marketing environment, and gain daily inspiration from client success stories; saving money on ineffective advertising and gaining great results - improving the bottom line of their business.

What was the best career or business decision you have made?

Setting up my own business. It gives me the opportunity to interact with, learn about, and make a real difference in my customers' businesses on a daily basis.

What was your worst business mistake (if any) and what did you learn from it?

Designing the initial Dubzz logo myself.

The look was all wrong, it didn't portray what I was trying to achieve, and I wasted so much more time than it would have cost me to get it done right the first time.

I have learnt to stick with what you're good at - and although hiring someone to do a job costs, they will generally do it better, and in far less time than you ever could.

Hire an expert!

What do you see as the biggest opportunity for your business in the year ahead?

The online environment is growing at an unbelievable pace and businesses need to make good use of it to compete in the current climate, or risk being left behind.

If you could do any other job for a day, what would that be?

The PA of Richard Branson - the things you would see and learn from a business perspective would be priceless.

How do you maintain a healthy work/life balance?

Maintaining a healthy work/life balance can be hard when self-employed and growing a business, as there is always more to be done, but scheduling work time and personal time on a daily basis helps, along with having interests outside of your work.

What's the best thing about being in business in Rotorua?

Contributing to my home town, the fantastic community spirit and networks and the ability to walk down the street and say hello to people you know.