When it comes to teaching students about small business and leadership, Callum Judd has plenty of first-hand experience.

After gaining his own Level 3 qualification, he spent four years in warehouse operations, stock control and customer services for a small family business, before moving into technical account management and business development. With a portfolio spanning Taranaki and extending into the mighty Waikato, Callum significantly grew the company’s sales whilst maintaining a healthy GP percentage and helping the business to achieve exponential growth in the years to follow. Not one to rest on his laurels, Callum then bought a 6ha block and began running his own small enterprise as a sole trader. Now, two-and-half years later – and in addition to working towards his Diploma in Business Level 5 – he’s investigating ways to increase land productivity and pursuing further opportunities within the property market.

“My goal as a Level 3 tutor is to help students expand on their skills and get the best out of their ideas. It’s incredibly rewarding to support students’ growth as they work through their studies. The Establishment Plans that are produced by our aspiring entrepreneurs not only give them a qualification but also a true sense of pride and belief in their own ideas and abilities, setting them up with the resources to tackle the world of small business.”

Callum’s advice? “We all possess different skills, knowledge and experiences. Focus on your skills and work on your shortfalls – personal and business success is the result of consistent self-analysis.”