At 62-years-old, Terry Glenister decided it wasn’t too late to expand on his business knowledge and resources. So, in 2020 he enrolled to study business at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa.

Terry completed a Certificate in Small Business and Project Management and two years on has grown his business to a place where he didn’t think was once possible.

“The proof is in the pudding, I started off as a small business and now I’m looking at going into a stage where I may need to employ someone to keep it ticking at full service,” says Terry who runs a health and safety business.

The Te Awamutu local admits that he wasn’t the best when it came to the technology side of things but since completing his study he is now far more confident.

“The fact that I’m able to use XERO (accounting software) and understand it, meet with my accountant and understand the terms he’s using and not be so afraid of doing something financial on my banking app, it’s great.”

Terry studied at TWoA’s Mangakōtukutuku campus in Hamilton with kaiako (teacher), Donna Robinson, in what he described as friendly, relaxed and fruitful environment.

For Donna, it’s important to create a comfortable learning environment for tauira (students) in order for them to build the confidence they need to grow their business.

“I aim to draw out confidence in people and let them know that they have potential. It’s about relatabilty too, they realise I’m just like them and we all just have to start somewhere,” says Donna who is a business owner herself.

With a Master of Business Administration and a Masters in Financial Capability for Indigenous, Donna is a well versed kaiako who is passionate about teaching and sharing her knowledge.

“I love my kaupapa (programme) and seeing tauira evolve and transform over the year of study. As an adult you get to experience education in an entirely different light. It’s about pulling on life experiences and wisdom learnt over the years and applying that into the programme,” she says.

Donna believes the programme is a great opportunity for those who want to provide an income for themselves and their whānau and go forward with confidence in their business.

“If you’ve got an inkling of why you want to be in business, then let us show you the how because it’s going to be transformational.”

Find out more or enrol in our business programmes at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa.