BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//ChamberMaster//Event Calendar 2.0//EN METHOD:PUBLISH X-PUBLISHED-TTL:P3D REFRESH-INTERVAL:P3D CALSCALE:GREGORIAN BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART:20251105T040000Z DTEND:20251105T053000Z X-MICROSOFT-CDO-ALLDAYEVENT:FALSE SUMMARY:Inspire: Mighty Waikato Products - Stories of Local Success DESCRIPTION:Join us for an engaging evening of conversation as we shine a spotlight on a selection of Waikato's inspiring food and product innovators. Hear firsthand from the passionate leaders behind Raglan Food Co\, Volare Bread\, and Little Honey as they share their journeys from humble beginnings to becoming household names.\n\nThrough a candid panel Q&A\, you'll discover the challenges they faced\, the milestones they celebrated\, and the lessons learned along the way. This is your chance to gain insight into the resilience\, creativity\, and community spirit that makes the Mighty Waikato such a thriving hub for local enterprise.\n\nCome along to be inspired\, connect with fellow business leaders\, and celebrate the incredible stories behind these much-loved Waikato brands.\n\n\n\n\n\nRaglan Food Co - From humble beginnings in a Raglan kitchen to one of Aotearoa's most recognised plant-based food companies\, Raglan Food Co has stayed true to its roots creating coconut yoghurt and kefir known for their no-compromise taste and texture. Founded by Seb & Tesh after Seb went dairy-free\, what started as kitchen experiments soon became a thriving purpose-led business. Today\, a dedicated team crafts their plant-based goodness from a purpose-built factory on the outskirts of Raglan. Certified B Corp\, Climate Positive and proudly made in the mighty Waikato\, Raglan Food Co is driven by a mission to do business for good.\n\n\n\nVolare Bread - Volare was created in 2009 by two school friends Ed and Ryan with the dream of creating a traditional bakery and the highest quality baked goods. So\, with a vintage oven\, a tired mixer and a beat-up old van\, the dream began.\n\nRyan is a fifth-generation baker and Ed (with a background in engineering) is more passionate about the business side\, so they have very clear lanes and have always balanced one-another out. They're passionate about supporting local and helping to uplift other Waikato businesses.\n\nNow well recognised as an award-winning artisan bakery\, Volare distributes to cafes\, restaurants and good food stores all throughout the North Island\, as well as operating five brick and mortar stores in the Waikato.\n\n\n\nLittle Honey - Created in New Zealand for Busy Bodies that don't have time to wait for Self Tanning products to dry. Our Flawless Bronzing Mist is non-sticky with a 10 second drying time\, little to no transfer and a natural olive finish. Little Honey is owned by two sisters that are passionate about empowering ALL busy bodies to look good and feel great about themselves!\n\n\n\nPanelists\n\nDana Gray - Raglan Food Co\n\nDana leads Sustainability and Culture at Raglan Food Co\, where purpose and people sit at the heart of doing business for good. With a background spanning the innovation and social enterprise sectors\, she's passionate about bridging sustainability\, business\, and community to create meaningful impact. At Raglan Food Co\, Dana drives initiatives that strengthen the company's B Corp and Climate Positive commitments\, while nurturing a culture that celebrates creativity\, collaboration\, and conscious growth - proving that business success and positive change can go hand in hand.\n\n\n\nRyan Simmons - Volare Bread\n\nA fifth-generation baker\, Ryan brings both heritage and innovation to Volare. What began as a passion project during his student days - baking loaves for the local farmers markets - has grown into one of the Waikato's most respected artisan bakeries. Guided by time-honoured techniques\, Ryan leads the baking team with a focus on craftsmanship\, quality ingredients\, and consistency. He's driven by the process\, not the trends\, and is deeply committed to training the next generation of bakers while continuing to refine the art of handcrafted bread.\n\n\n\nBriar Farrar - Little Honey\n\nBack in 2022\, after running another successful business in the Waikato\, I found myself ready for something new a challenge that would push me out of my comfort zone and bring a bit of joy along the way. That's when the opportunity to purchase Little Honey came up\, and I instantly knew it was the right fit. I'd never worked in the beauty industry before\, and manufacturing my own products was completely new territory\, but that was part of the excitement. Even better\, my sister was also looking for a fresh adventure\, so we decided to dive in together.\n\nThe past few years have been a whirlwind fun\, busy\, and at times\, a little crazy! We've given Little Honey a fresh new look\, developed new products\, and grown our distribution. It's been challenging\, but incredibly rewarding to see how far we've come and how much joy our products bring to others and we are only just getting started!\n\n\n\n\n\nEvent sponsored by Vision Complete Earthworks \n\n\n\nSpeaker gifts are provided by Wild River & Co\n\n\n\nCatering is provided by Hazel Hayes\n\n\n\nFor enquiries or to cancel your registration email events@waikatochamber.co.nz.\n\n\n\nView our terms and conditions here. X-ALT-DESC;FMTTYPE=text/html:

Join us for an engaging evening of conversation as we shine a spotlight on a selection of Waikato&rsquo\;s inspiring food and product innovators. Hear firsthand from the passionate leaders behind Raglan Food Co\, Volare Bread\, and Little Honey \;as they share their journeys from humble beginnings to becoming household names.

\n\n

Through a candid panel Q&\;A\, you&rsquo\;ll discover the challenges they faced\, the milestones they celebrated\, and the lessons learned along the way. This is your chance to gain insight into the resilience\, creativity\, and community spirit that makes the Mighty Waikato such a thriving hub for local enterprise.

\n\n

Come along to be inspired\, connect with fellow business leaders\, and celebrate the incredible stories behind these much-loved Waikato brands.
\n
\n
\nRaglan Food Co - \;From humble beginnings in a Raglan kitchen to one of Aotearoa&rsquo\;s most recognised plant-based food companies\, Raglan Food Co has stayed true to its roots &mdash\; creating coconut yoghurt and kefir known for their no-compromise taste and texture. Founded by Seb &\; Tesh after Seb went dairy-free\, what started as kitchen experiments soon became a thriving purpose-led business. Today\, a dedicated team crafts their plant-based goodness from a purpose-built factory on the outskirts of Raglan. Certified B Corp\, Climate Positive and proudly made in the mighty Waikato\, Raglan Food Co is driven by a mission to do business for good.
\n
\nVolare Bread \;- \;Volare was created in 2009 by two school friends &ndash\; Ed and Ryan &ndash\; with the dream of creating a traditional bakery and the highest quality baked goods. So\, with a vintage oven\, a tired mixer and a beat-up old van\, the dream began.
\nRyan is a fifth-generation baker and Ed (with a background in engineering) is more passionate about the business side\, so they have very clear lanes and have always balanced one-another out. They'\;re passionate about supporting local and helping to uplift other Waikato businesses.
\nNow well recognised as an award-winning artisan bakery\, Volare distributes to cafes\, restaurants and good food stores all throughout the North Island\, as well as operating five brick and mortar stores in the Waikato.
\n
\nLittle Honey - \;Created in New Zealand for Busy Bodies that don&rsquo\;t have time to wait for Self Tanning products to dry. Our Flawless Bronzing Mist is non-sticky with a 10 second drying time\, little to no transfer and a natural olive finish. Little Honey is owned by two sisters that are passionate about empowering ALL busy bodies to look good and feel great about themselves!
\n
\nPanelists
\nDana Gray - Raglan Food Co
\nDana leads Sustainability and Culture at Raglan Food Co\, where purpose and people sit at the heart of doing business for good. With a background spanning the innovation and social enterprise sectors\, she'\;s passionate about bridging sustainability\, business\, and community to create meaningful impact. At Raglan Food Co\, Dana drives initiatives that strengthen the company'\;s B Corp and Climate Positive commitments\, while nurturing a culture that celebrates creativity\, collaboration\, and conscious growth - proving that business success and positive change can go hand in hand.
\n
\nRyan Simmons - Volare Bread
\nA fifth-generation baker\, Ryan brings both heritage and innovation to Volare. What began as a passion project during his student days - baking loaves for the local farmers markets - has grown into one of the Waikato'\;s most respected artisan bakeries. Guided by time-honoured techniques\, Ryan leads the baking team with a focus on craftsmanship\, quality ingredients\, and consistency. He'\;s driven by the process\, not the trends\, and is deeply committed to training the next generation of bakers while continuing to refine the art of handcrafted bread.
\n
\nBriar Farrar - Little Honey
\nBack in 2022\, after running another successful business in the Waikato\, I found myself ready for something new&mdash\;a challenge that would push me out of my comfort zone and bring a bit of joy along the way. That&rsquo\;s when the opportunity to purchase Little Honey came up\, and I instantly knew it was the right fit. \;I&rsquo\;d never worked in the beauty industry before\, and manufacturing my own products was completely new territory\, but that was part of the excitement. Even better\, my sister was also looking for a fresh adventure\, so we decided to dive in together.
\nThe past few years have been a whirlwind&mdash\;fun\, busy\, and at times\, a little crazy! We&rsquo\;ve given Little Honey a fresh new look\, developed new products\, and grown our distribution. It&rsquo\;s been challenging\, but incredibly rewarding to see how far we&rsquo\;ve come and how much joy our products bring to others and we are only just getting started!
\n
\n
\nEvent sponsored by \;Vision Complete Earthworks \;
\n
\nSpeaker gifts are provided by Wild River &\; Co
\n
\nCatering is provided by Hazel Hayes
\n
\nFor enquiries or to cancel your registration email events@waikatochamber.co.nz.
\n
\nView our terms and conditions here.

\n LOCATION:Venue: Events Room 1\, Wintec CBD View the Wintec CBD Map here. UID:e.2751.5127 SEQUENCE:3 DTSTAMP:20260506T015908Z URL:https://business.waikatochamber.co.nz/events/details/inspire-mighty-waikato-products-stories-of-local-success-5127 END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR