About LKH Consulting.
LKH stands for Laura Keil-Hall (that's me!), the Founder & Principal Consultant of LKH Consulting. A business I started (by name only) in September 2018 after being made redundant from my job but have only recently (as in May 2019) made some progress with.
I have a genuine interest and passion for sharing knowledge and helping people to develop and grow.
With 10 plus years experience in retail finance and banking industry in New Zealand and in dealing with people from all walks of life and backgrounds, I know a thing or two about the financial struggles people face in their daily lives.
From this experience (including my own personal struggles), I believe that some of the issues faced by our communities today is because of the 'lack of' knowledge, understanding and education with 'managing money and finances'.
When it comes down to it, the systems that are in place fail to identify the underlying reasons why they are failing our communities in addressing issues, whether it's Health, Education, Social Services etc.
The way I see it, we need to go back to basics and focus on our basic needs .i.e. food/water, shelter & clothing.
These basic needs require 'money' and this is the very reason why I believe 'financial literacy' is very important. Our communities need education in managing their money and finances appropriately to enable them to make informed decisions and this needs to be put into practise from a very young age.
Think about it...having the 'lack of' or 'no money' ultimately dictates the decisions we make.
A couple of examples;
With Health
When you get sick or someone in your family gets sick and you have no money or not enough, you will not go see the doctor because not only does it cost to see the doctor but also the means to get there too, whether it's your own car (need petrol) or public transport (need fare).
With Education
If you have no money or not enough, you will not send your kid[s] to school because you cannot afford to buy their lunch or put gas in your car to take them to school or for a fare for public transport.
While also working within the banking industry, I got the opportunity to work with small businesses as a Business Manager. It was from here I learnt and understood the challenges small businesses face to make ends meet (the same challenges I faced when establishing SBN Inc). It was also during this time I had a keen interest to find out more about Pacific businesses.
Because there was very little information available on Pacific businesses in New Zealand and seeing a gap in the market for Pacific business support and networks, I set out to develop some initiatives to get more information and insights into business operations of businesses owned and operated by Pacifc Peoples.
Being of Samoan heritage, first of those initiatives was co-establishing the Samoa Business Network Inc. (SBN Inc.) in 2012. This work led to establishing SBN Waikato that later became the Waikato Pacific Business Network.
In establishing the business networks it was always my intention to establish similar networks for the other Pacific island nations.
In September 2018, I helped with the establishment of the Tonga Business Network. There is also now a Niue Business Network.
My vision has been to establish a 'Pacific Business Network' which will be spearheaded by leaders of each of these ethnic specific business networks.
Many a time over the years since establishing SBN, I was always asked the question why I didn't look to form a Pacific Business Network instead. I know I could have but I didn't want to venture into a territory that I knew nothing about. I didn't know how other Pacific islands work or operate. I would rather start with what I know, being who I am as a Samoan hence I started with Samoa with the hope to eventually start a Pacific one.
In addition to running LKH Consulting and the Samoa Business Network Inc., I am in the process of establishing 'the Pacific Business Hub'. - I've left this here (and in italics) because this is what I initially wrote at the time I was working on this website, and establishing the Pacific Business Hub was only a dream.
The dream of establishing The Pacific Business Hub was realised on 1 February 2019. A privately owned entity operating as a social enterprise to provide a space to enable and empower businesses owned and operated by people of Pacific island heritage with the hope of contributing to the economic development and wellbeing of Pacific peoples, not only in New Zealand but the Pacific islands and abroad. This initiative brings together the work I have been doing over the last 8 years in gathering insights into Pacific businesses.
LKH Consulting is an extension of my work to compliment the work of The Pacific Business Hub.
The Pacific Business Hub provides the 'enabling' space, LKH Consulting provides the 'empowering' piece and in working together (the two + you), the end result is to 'enrich' all of our lives..yours, mine and everyone else.
There is still a few many things that I want to achieve to live a purposeful life.
I believe each and everyone of us has the power to create, the power to change our fate and our circumstances.
Faith has played a big part in my journey of self discovery, of achieving the things I have set out to do to follow my bliss. I can only say this and it is up to you to believe...is that through self belief, through finding confidence and by having faith and belief in GOD, ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!
Everyday we wake up, is a blessing. A blessing, to learn from the mistakes of yesterday. A blessing, to start again. A second chance to be whatever we want to be. A second chance to be whoever we want to be. The only thing that is stopping us achieve greatness...is us!
I have a genuine interest and passion for sharing knowledge and helping people to develop and grow.
With 10 plus years experience in retail finance and banking industry in New Zealand and in dealing with people from all walks of life and backgrounds, I know a thing or two about the financial struggles people face in their daily lives.
From this experience (including my own personal struggles), I believe that some of the issues faced by our communities today is because of the 'lack of' knowledge, understanding and education with 'managing money and finances'.
When it comes down to it, the systems that are in place fail to identify the underlying reasons why they are failing our communities in addressing issues, whether it's Health, Education, Social Services etc.
The way I see it, we need to go back to basics and focus on our basic needs .i.e. food/water, shelter & clothing.
These basic needs require 'money' and this is the very reason why I believe 'financial literacy' is very important. Our communities need education in managing their money and finances appropriately to enable them to make informed decisions and this needs to be put into practise from a very young age.
Think about it...having the 'lack of' or 'no money' ultimately dictates the decisions we make.
A couple of examples;
With Health
When you get sick or someone in your family gets sick and you have no money or not enough, you will not go see the doctor because not only does it cost to see the doctor but also the means to get there too, whether it's your own car (need petrol) or public transport (need fare).
With Education
If you have no money or not enough, you will not send your kid[s] to school because you cannot afford to buy their lunch or put gas in your car to take them to school or for a fare for public transport.
While also working within the banking industry, I got the opportunity to work with small businesses as a Business Manager. It was from here I learnt and understood the challenges small businesses face to make ends meet (the same challenges I faced when establishing SBN Inc). It was also during this time I had a keen interest to find out more about Pacific businesses.
Because there was very little information available on Pacific businesses in New Zealand and seeing a gap in the market for Pacific business support and networks, I set out to develop some initiatives to get more information and insights into business operations of businesses owned and operated by Pacifc Peoples.
Being of Samoan heritage, first of those initiatives was co-establishing the Samoa Business Network Inc. (SBN Inc.) in 2012. This work led to establishing SBN Waikato that later became the Waikato Pacific Business Network.
In establishing the business networks it was always my intention to establish similar networks for the other Pacific island nations.
In September 2018, I helped with the establishment of the Tonga Business Network. There is also now a Niue Business Network.
My vision has been to establish a 'Pacific Business Network' which will be spearheaded by leaders of each of these ethnic specific business networks.
Many a time over the years since establishing SBN, I was always asked the question why I didn't look to form a Pacific Business Network instead. I know I could have but I didn't want to venture into a territory that I knew nothing about. I didn't know how other Pacific islands work or operate. I would rather start with what I know, being who I am as a Samoan hence I started with Samoa with the hope to eventually start a Pacific one.
In addition to running LKH Consulting and the Samoa Business Network Inc., I am in the process of establishing 'the Pacific Business Hub'. - I've left this here (and in italics) because this is what I initially wrote at the time I was working on this website, and establishing the Pacific Business Hub was only a dream.
The dream of establishing The Pacific Business Hub was realised on 1 February 2019. A privately owned entity operating as a social enterprise to provide a space to enable and empower businesses owned and operated by people of Pacific island heritage with the hope of contributing to the economic development and wellbeing of Pacific peoples, not only in New Zealand but the Pacific islands and abroad. This initiative brings together the work I have been doing over the last 8 years in gathering insights into Pacific businesses.
LKH Consulting is an extension of my work to compliment the work of The Pacific Business Hub.
The Pacific Business Hub provides the 'enabling' space, LKH Consulting provides the 'empowering' piece and in working together (the two + you), the end result is to 'enrich' all of our lives..yours, mine and everyone else.
There is still a few many things that I want to achieve to live a purposeful life.
I believe each and everyone of us has the power to create, the power to change our fate and our circumstances.
Faith has played a big part in my journey of self discovery, of achieving the things I have set out to do to follow my bliss. I can only say this and it is up to you to believe...is that through self belief, through finding confidence and by having faith and belief in GOD, ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!
Everyday we wake up, is a blessing. A blessing, to learn from the mistakes of yesterday. A blessing, to start again. A second chance to be whatever we want to be. A second chance to be whoever we want to be. The only thing that is stopping us achieve greatness...is us!
Let me help you to achieve your goals and dreams and 'follow your bliss'
- LKH