Combining her love for interior design and real estate into a successful business model has enabled Kaiapoi-based Karen Bailey to focus on providing a complete service for her clients.

Ceramic artist Katie Jenssen works on a new piece of art at her pottery studio based in the Kaiapoi Mill complex.

A new venture which eases the stress of dealing with family members’ household contents by providing practical support, systems and solutions received a kickstart during lockdown.

Anytime Fitness Rangiora has provided job security to its personal trainers by changing their employment structure from contractors to employees in the post-lockdown environment.

Videographer Chucky Najman of Video Testimonials has grown his enterprise after securing a new studio and says that having the time to evaluate his business goals during lockdown helped him move forward.

Amid the uncertainty of lockdown, Hanmer-based Olivia Reid of Pulse Yoga, decided the best course of action was to set a date for a wellbeing festival which she had been considering for at least a year.

Waipara-based winemaker Jess Mavromatis of Ekleipsis Wine is focusing on direct customer sales to help expand her natural wine brand.

Hawarden-based Kate Brandram-Adams developed Mindfulness North Canterbury into a full-time social enterprise during lockdown.

For sports vet Sara Bagheri, delivering her first chiropractic course to international vets became an exercise in adaptability when most students had to leave New Zealand part way through their studies.

For Maria Thackwell, owner of Maria Thackwell Mortgages, the lockdown period provided an opportunity to reaffirm the human-centric values such as empathy and relatability which are at the core of her business operation.

Marty Murchison, of Murchison Homes, has focused on reviewing business processes and writing a book during lockdown.

Eco Educate owner Lesley Ottey has transformed her garage into an online classroom to deliver environmental education to students across the globe.

Rangiora business coach Matt James is committed to helping local businesses make the best decisions during difficult times.

A desire to boost physical and mental wellbeing, while helping clients maintain an exercise routine prompted Laura Organ of PT on Panckhurst to move her classes online the day before the lockdown began.

While many businesses have pressed pause on new projects, Waiau-based coach Marina Shearer accelerated the launch of her initiative Thrive13 forward a month to help Year 13 girls during uncertain times.