One year in business

One Year in Business

Last week marked one year in business—and what a whirlwind it’s been. When Carmi and I took the leap, there was no long build-up, no gentle transition or honeymoon phase. It was survival mode from day one, like jumping from a burning building—our former employer. The lies were constant, and the whole experience felt like something out of a Netflix documentary. Even now, thinking back gives me chills. The trauma we were both carrying, while trying to earn enough just to keep our families afloat, was something else entirely.

What we didn’t expect, though, was the incredible support we received—from friends in our personal lives, from colleagues and contacts we’d built relationships with over the years, and from our amazing clients. So many of you followed us, backed us, cheered us on, and referred others. Some of you shouted our names from the rooftops, and we are so deeply grateful.

Given how it all began, and how I’ve described this past year as chasing a boulder downhill (that boulder being our business, which took on a life of its own while I scrambled to keep pace), I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved. We’ve built a community around our little business—a place where migrants and small business owners feel seen, supported, and safe. We’ve always gone above and beyond for our clients, building real, lasting relationships. And while we’ve become known for our offshore recruitment and AEWV work, we’ve also taken on pro bono cases, worked alongside the meatworkers union to support exploited migrants, reunited families separated by war, and supported survivors of domestic violence.

I couldn’t ask for a better business partner. Carmi and I may be yin and yang when it comes to day-to-day tasks, but our core values are deeply aligned. For us, client work is never just transactional—it’s personal, it’s purposeful, and it comes from a place of empathy.

For me, running a business definitely comes with its stresses—but being able to work around my children, without having to choose between being a present mum and a capable woman in business, makes it all so worth it.

As we step into our second year, we’re entering a new phase. We’re planting deeper roots in the Selwyn community, bringing in some support (don’t worry, you’ll still hear directly from us!), and working on creating a physical space. I’m so excited to see where this next chapter takes us.