Hi, I'm Ants
I'm a sucker for big ideas that can make the world a fairer, cleaner, safer place.Below is a summary of why I do what I do, how we can work together and some things I've done recently.Be in touch to explore working together!
Business as a force for good
After a short early career in creative agencies and marketing I jumped into early stage entrepreneurship in 2012. Since then I've had a hand in many projects; instigating, building, coaching, investing, supporting, convening, publishing, connecting.I have experience working with software startups, producing events, publishing books, designing and delivering accelerators and building networked organisations, fellowships and communities.I have deep conviction in the power of creativity and story to inspire action and instigate change.Whatever we are working towards, I believe the battle for hearts and minds is where the future is won and lost. Story is where the power to grow ideas lives.I believe that business must be a force that pulls our world in a positive direction. I (still) believe that the future will continue to get brighter.I'm here to work for that.
Consulting
I'm available for short term consulting projects. I can help with business growth, organisational development, storytelling and creative production. I thrive working with teams who are moving quickly through uncertainty and ambiguity,Strategic development and growth.I can help with founder / team coaching, strategic synthesis, organisational and customer growth strategy. I have experience setting up and leading marketing and content production teams. I often support with the development of new concepts, initiatives, communication strategies and short term project delivery.Nothing important should be boring.I love using writing to distill strategy, frame concepts, align people and drive action. I can help with the entire process, from creative concept development through production and final editing. This might look like developing slides, pitch narratives, discussion papers, articles, creative scripts or copywriting for web, newsletters and social.If you're working to make the world better, I can help you develop your thinking, land the right words and kickstart action. Get in touch.
Past Work
If you'd like to go further down the rabbit hole of my work history, here are some useful links.More people working on stuff that matters.Joining Enspiral in 2012 was the catalyst for my 'career' in impact focused entrepreneurship.I remain a member of the growing global network. In 2018 I instigated the production and publishing of Enspiral's first co-authored book Better Work Together and in 2022 the Doing Better Work Together global online gathering.Enspiral is entering its second decade as a global network prototyping methods for building equitable, decentralised, community led organisations. It's hard to put in few words what Enspiral does and is. Here are some reflections from 2016 (Unbundling Enspiral?) and more recently (For DAO's with Love) placing Enspiral's pioneering work building decentralised organising structures within the current Web3 wave.I remain a proud supporter of the Edmund Hillary Fellowship and contributed to this kaupapa as a core team member 2020-2022 covering strategy, comms, events, organisational development and Fellowship activation.Startups and initiatives.I've had a hand supporting many early stage ventures by building accelerators and innovation programmes in Wellington from 2014-18. In 2017 we shared the programme design and key learnings from the Low Carbon Challenge, an early stage venture development and citywide collaborative crowdfunding challenge.In 2014 I co-founded an adult community education startup Chalkle. We grew from a passionate learning community into a technology platform before evolving again into a consulting agency. Read our reflections on the next steps to reigniting Adult education in New Zealand.Other projects where I've supported include investing and growth in Mevo, Cogo (prev. Conscious Consumers), founder coaching with Dignity NZ and marketing and growth work in Inspiring Stories Trust Loomio, Enspiral Dev Academy, Greaterthan and Open Lunar.Peace is the endgame.I have deep conviction in the benefits of meditation practice. I am slowly turning a long term passion project into a meditation training programme and resource hub called Sit Down and Practice.I continue building this work while supporting other projects where I can make a positive impact.Thanks for reading!Be in touch if you want to explore working together.