Smoothie operators eye overseas market
Mango Madness is a smoothies business focused on providing healthier drink options. After five years they are looking to now expand overseas.
New Zealand owned smoothies business Mango Madness is looking to expand into the overseas market, after five years of operation.
Auckland husband and wife duo Sam and Allana Kaipo started their business in 2010 as students. Now busy parents of two children they run a successful food stall operation with seven different smoothie flavours, where Mango Madness is their most popular drink.
“There’s been a big shift of health and well-being in society and I want to be a part of that,” said Sam Kaipo. “The idea of healthy foods, eating good and less sugar.”
They were at Fieldays this week, and their smoothies can also be found from Wednesday to Saturday at night markets at Botany Downs, Onehunga, Henderson, Papatoetoe, Pakuranga and Hamilton.
They sell their drinks at corporate functions as well as events such as Pasifika, Womad and Auckland Lantern festivals.
Mango Madness employs about 10 to 15 workers and sells anywhere between 1500 to 3000 drinks a week.
On what it takes to make it as an entrepreneur, Kaipo said: “If there’s a need and you have an idea, don’t give up. Find people with experience and ask for help.”
Kaipo’s optimism, hard work and mentor support from the Pacific Business Trust in Auckland has helped him connect with other businesses to grow his business.
To endure in a competitive food market Kaipo believes his business has tried to put our own mark on who they are. “We’ve tried to make a brand, anyone can make a smoothie, but it’s about creating an entity on its own.”
