Live the Dream is a 9-week intensive accelerator programme for Kiwis aged 18–30. Develop your social entrepreneurship and enterprise capability, and grow your ideas for a better world.

LTD-Day3 | 2Dec15 | Week1

It was a pretty short day.

9am-12nn Reflection & Free Time

For Day 3 we started the day off with some reflection time then we had the opportunity to catch up with the work that we’ve all put off because we’ve been so busy with the first couple of days in the programme.

1- 1.30pm HOW PASSION DRIVES SUCCESS

We are passionate around change of attitude. — Michelle Sharp, CEO Kilmarnock Enterprises

Kilmarnock Enterprises Core Purpose is to employ individuals with intellectual disabilities and provide them with a supportive and connected environment where they can realise their full potential as members of our community. It was established over 55 years ago and has now developed into a successful business with over 80 staff.

One of the biggest things I took away from this was that it is always darkest before dawn (as Wayne poignantly put it). Kilmarnock Enterprises used to produce the New Zealand ANZAC Poppy and 25% of their revenue stream came from that contract. This was taken away from them in 2011 which really shook them to the core. Now they are back on track after 3 hard years of trying to recover from that and they are now stronger than ever having diversified their portfolio.

1.30PM-2.30PM KILMARNOCK ENTERPRISES TOUR

We were taken on a tour around their operation and to be quite frank, I didn’t realise just how big it actually is. I was really impressed by how this Social Enterprise is making a difference in the lives of those with intellectual disabilities. Islay Rackham, their Business Development Manager took did the tour with us an was very accommodating with our questions.

This wrapped up at around 2.30pm and it was way too hot to even do anything after that so we were let off early to enjoy the sun. We had a long couple of days and we pulled a solid 10-hour the day before because of the Launch Evening so I think we all deserved it. Also, I think at this point everyone’s brain was melting anyway and I don’t think we could have done anything productive because of the intense heat!

It was 32 degrees HOT! Summer came a day late but it is definitely here!