News

Precious Collaborative is a start-up business [September 2023] creating high end clothing using renowned NZ designers to support a unique business model. It is the supporting business over Precious Collection and Precious Coat.

Precious Collection is a line of high-end clothing, in wool and hemp, with a focus on all products and manufacturing processes within NZ and with a circular product format. To bring the Collection to the regular public, the product needs to be subsidised. This is done via Precious Coats. This is a line of coats, designed by NZ designers, the patterns gifted to Precious Collaborative (who manufacture in NZ using bespoke, hand woven fabric from McLean & Co in Oamaru) and sold to those who can afford to buy better and who would like to help the everyday customer who doesn't have as much choice in their purchases.

The owner, Claire O’Connell, reached out to the Otago Regional Business Partner network [ORBP] for support. The ORBP Growth Advisor connected Claire with access to information including marketing support, government tools, sustainability, exporting and doing business online.

She was also connected to Business Mentors, Start-up Queenstown, and Callaghan Innovations to navigate further support and capture help where possible. Claire and her manager have also received subsidised training support from RBP [management capability fund] for marketing foundations on a one-to-one training basis and classroom workshops in business communication skills and leadership academy.

Claire has found the ORBP support and access to information, people, and training of considerable value [“invaluable!”]  in her start up journey.