They say it’s all about the company you keep, which is why we’re stoked when the opportunity arises for us to partner with likeminded brands and businesses. We recently caught up with Simon, co-founder and director of Huski, one of the many epic brands you’ll find on the Barkers shelves, to talk business and life. We’re all about balance here.
Q&A With Simon - Co-founder & director of Huski
BMC: For anyone who might not have heard of Huski – what’s the story behind the company?
Simon: We’re a New Zealand company focused on trying to deliver the best drinking experience possible and a big part of that is keeping drinks at the perfect temperature longer. We do this by developing innovative drinkware products that blend performance and style. We’re probably best known for our award-winning beer coolers and wine coolers.
BMC: Epic. And what does an average day at work for you involve?
Simon: It’s pretty varied and fluid, depending on priorities. A mix of marketing, operations, finance and customer service with a decent amount of product work would be any typical day. I work a few days in the office and few at home and try to give myself the opportunity to work around friends and family commitments. A good work/life balance is important.
BMC: We definitely agree on the work/life balance being key! With that, how do you unwind away from the office?
Simon: Hanging with friends and family. A bit of travel. Love a good movie or TV series. A drink or two. The bonus is that any drinking session has the bonus of doubling as product research. Nearly all our mates have been roped in to giving feedback on new products or even packing Huskis in the early days.
BMC: Drinking session turned product research? Sounds like you’re living the dream! Was there a defining moment in your life where you knew this was the career path you wanted to go down?
Simon: Not really. Meika, my wife/co-founder, and I had been keen to try to do our own thing for a while but we didn’t know what that might look like. Then when we were coming back from an extended OE in the UK we hit on the idea which would become Huski. We found ourselves back in NZ with no jobs, no house and very few responsibilities, so we decided we didn’t have much to lose and we thought we’d give it a good crack. And here we are six years later.
BMC: That’s awesome. So six years in… what’s been your biggest career highlight to date?
Simon: Seeing people using Huskis out and about is one of my favourite things. And hearing people’s good experiences with them through stories and reviews is also a blast. Sometimes if work is getting hectic I’ll jump in and read some recent reviews to try and boost motivation levels. Working with my Dad to design the Wine Cooler was also a great experience, and seeing our names together on the design patent was a particularly cool moment.
BMC: And the biggest lesson you’ve learnt this far into life of Huski?
Simon: No one big lesson stands out. But here’s a few which seem to help me. Trust your gut. Listen hard and be open to change. Enjoy the journey as it can be a bit of a rollercoaster.
BMC: Wise words indeed! What other values, alongside those ones, would you say you try to incorporate into the everyday life and culture of Huski?
Simon: We’ve basically just tried to build the ideal company that we’d want to work in that really values people, both customers and employees, and has the potential for long term success. Openness, integrity and hard work is important. As is quality, innovation and sustainability.
BMC: Sounds like you’ve created an amazing workplace environment. They say that teamwork makes the dream work, so with that being said – what do you love most about the team at Huski?
Simon: Working with good people and pushing ourselves to try and do great things.
BMC: That’s what it’s all about. Before we let you go, what piece of advice would you give to your younger self?
Simon: Enjoy the ride.
BMC: Bonus question, just because we can… if you weren’t running Huski, what do you think you’d be doing?
Simon: Probably a lot less drinking. We were fortunate we had a half decent idea, at the right time and had the opportunity to give it a decent shot and so far it’s working out. I’d like to think if we didn’t find success with Huski, we’d have had another crack with something else.
