Starting a business comes with its fair share of challenges. For small businesses, the struggle to establish a brand and connect with customers can feel like navigating a maze with no clear end. That’s where Kōwhai Creative, a Christchurch-based, women-led branding and marketing agency, comes in. With directors and senior creatives Emily Reizinger and Abby Vanner at the reins, Kōwhai Creative is helping local businesses cut through the noise with impactful, authentic branding and marketing.
The Story Behind the Name
Every great business has a story, and Kōwhai Creative’s begins with a shared passion for design and its transformative impact on businesses. Emily and Abby met while studying at Ara Institute of Canterbury and kept in touch through their respective freelance careers. Over time, the pair realised their creative synergy and decided to join forces.
“Kōwhai Creative came to life from a shared passion for the impact great design can have across businesses and organisations,” they explain. “We had both seen the success a solid brand and website can bring and wanted to help others on that journey.”
In May 2022, Kōwhai Creative was officially born, and Emily and Abby set to work creating a business that delivered not only outstanding creative outcomes but also exceptional client service. They spent their first year refining their service offerings, pricing, and processes, ensuring they could deliver high-quality projects for clients of all sizes.
Choosing the perfect name for a business is no easy task, and Abby spent six months brainstorming before landing on Kōwhai Creative.
“When Kōwhai Creative came up, it felt very meant to be,” says Abby. The name reflects their local roots and commitment to supporting small Kiwi businesses. The Kōwhai tree, with its vibrant yellow flowers, represents boldness, energy, and positivity—qualities that Kōwhai Creative brings to every project.
Why Branding Matters for Small Businesses
A well-crafted brand is more than a logo or a tagline; it’s the heart of a business’s identity. It communicates what the business stands for, its values, and the experience it promises. For small businesses, this is especially important because trust and personal connections are often their biggest assets.
“Branding is a fine balance,” Emily and Abby explain. “It needs to reflect the client’s vision and story while also connecting with the intended audience, and then to throw another spanner in there, we’re aiming to make your brand stand out in sometimes a very crowded market.”
Solution-based marketing—showing how a product or service solves a problem—is particularly effective for small businesses.
Emily and Abby emphasise the importance of brand consistency across all platforms. “We’re absolute sticklers for brand consistency!” they say. “In this day and age, a lot of trust is built by presenting a unified front across all of your touchpoints, e.g. social media, website, email marketing, paid ads. Ensuring your brand is polished and well-presented across all areas is the expected standard.”
For many small businesses, branding and marketing can be daunting and expensive. Limited budgets, lack of education, and an overwhelming number of options can make it hard to know where to start.
“Budget restraints and lack of education are two challenges that we see a lot,” Emily and Abby share. “We completely understand working on a shoestring budget when you’re just starting out, so being clever with how we deliver value to clients is essential.”
Values That Lead Every Project
Kōwhai Creative prides itself on transparency and flexibility, custom-quoting every project to ensure clients only pay for what they need. This personalised approach allows them to meet businesses where they are, regardless of size or budget.
One of the biggest pain points for small businesses working with agencies is the lack of personal connection. Kōwhai Creative goes against the grain by putting their directors front and centre in every project.
“When you work with us, you don’t just get a project manager; you get one of the lead designers and directors themselves,” they explain. “We bring our business knowledge and experience to the table alongside our creative skills.”
Kōwhai Creative’s clear values also set them apart. Their guiding principles—like “Simple is our love language” and “People come first”—are woven into every interaction, ensuring an authentic, client-centred approach.
Kōwhai Creative doesn’t just build brands—they build relationships and long-term success stories. A prime example of their work is the transformation of NZ Mortgages, a Christchurch-based business.
“We built strong foundations for them across their brand, website, print materials, and all client touchpoints,” they share. After launching an ambitious marketing campaign, NZ Mortgages became a household name in the region, achieving significant growth and even partnering with Squirrel, a nationally recognised name in the industry.
Full-Service Support for Small Business Growth
From branding and website design to photography, videography, and marketing, Kōwhai Creative offers a full suite of services. Their goal? To be a one-stop shop for small businesses, simplifying the often-complicated branding and marketing process.
“All of our projects start with an in-depth discovery session where we go over the nitty-gritty details of our client’s business,” Emily and Abby explain. This ensures every brand they create is authentic, memorable, and tailored to their clients’ goals.
As technology continues to evolve, Kōwhai Creative encourages small businesses to stay ahead of the curve by embracing trends like AI integration, authentic storytelling, and ethical practices.
“Us Kiwis really value real connections with real people,” they note. “Behind-the-scenes glimpses, customer testimonials—in a time where technology is pretty intense, showing the human side is important.
Practical Advice for New Business Owners
For businesses just starting out, Emily and Abby emphasise the importance of quality branding and website design. “Taking a DIY approach can put all of your hard work at risk if your brand isn’t communicating your value with the right audience,” they caution.
Their advice? Do your research, ask lots of questions, and focus on areas where you can add authenticity while leaving the technical work to the experts.
Kōwhai Creative is always looking to expand its offerings to serve clients better. In 2024, they launched a photography service to help businesses showcase their authentic selves. This year, they’re doubling down on digital marketing to make sure their clients thrive.
And if you’re in Christchurch, keep an eye out for their latest initiative, Kōwhai Canvas. “This allows local creatives to submit entries to display their art on our street-front windows and receive a $2000 cash prize. This created quite a buzz in the city, and we received some wonderful entries. Keep an eye out next time you drive or walk down St Asaph Street!”
Ready to take your business to the next step? Visit kowhaicreative.co.nz to book a free, no-obligation consultation.
SPONSORED
