Hive is the dream that Vanessa Wilson has for bringing New Zealanders together.

The serial entrepreneur is convinced there’s a market for connecting people who have valuable skills to share and she’s creating Hive to realise that belief.

Hive is the next evolution of her OddJobs business that put busy people in touch with locals able to do odd jobs around the house.

Hive is one of eight teams that make up business accelerator Lightning Labs first ever XX programme for female-led startups.

Together with co-founders Charlie Coppinger and Jacqui Hastie, Wilson envisages a community of people who recognise and value each other's’ skills.

“We believe that people want to help each other out, from helping someone in their garden to teaching piano to driving someone to their Doctor’s appointment, we all have some skills or know-how that we can share”

The problem is it’s too hard to find these people.If your family aren’t close by, who can you call on?

Hive is a platform to connect opportunities - we want to help people find a market for their own skills, or find the help they need from others.”

“At the heart of Hive is the idea that trust is valuable, that communities can build trust, and that Hive can make it really easy to find a trustworthy person who’ll do a great job for you.”

Wilson admits it was a big call to move away from a vertical market, like house cleaning or gardening, and instead focus on a horizontal slice. “Our customers want to be part of a community - where you put the kettle on for the cleaner when you leave. And the person doing the work is the sort of person people who goes the extra mile - they care about the work and they care about building a relationship.”

It almost sounds like Hive is helping put people into work while promoting community happiness. “You could say that,” agrees Wilson. “Why shouldn’t you be able to use the skills you have, for someone who values them, in a community that cares, and get paid?. It’s the dream isn’t it?”

Wilson and her team are finding the Lightning Lab XX programme incredibly motivating. The combination of expert advice, working with like minded people, and a dedicated space have helped them move far faster than Wilson thought possible and they’re optimistic about the momentum the Lab is helping them build towards their demo day in mid May.

To join the Hive buzz email hello@hiveapp.co.nz

That sense of satisfaction, the sense that you’ve helped make someone’s day - that is what Nearby is all about.

When I first started the Facebook group Odd Jobb, I never expected it to become a ‘thing’. I was running three businesses from home, caring for two children and trying to keep on top of my housework. Weeding the garden was last on my list of priorities. I could have gone and employed a gardener but I didn’t want someone regular, I just wanted someone to come in while I had a lot on my plate and help me out.

So I posted an advertisement on Facebook and, as cliché as it sounds- the rest is history. Odd Jobb quickly grew into a 3000-strong community.

The feedback was phenomenal. Hearing stories like ‘I was able to use the money to feed my kids that night’, or ‘being in a clean house just gave me the boost I needed to get out of bed for the day,’ really gave me an insight into what I wanted this business to be. To me, Nearby had to be more than just exchanging money for services. As one member put it, ‘it’s like you’re bringing communities back to what they used to be’.

That really spoke to me. When I applied for Lightning Lab (a prestigious business accelerator programme specifically for women), I knew that this was something that our community needed. This was something that was so much more than just a Facebook group.

To say it wasn’t easy is an understatement. I had to leave my husband, daughters and business in Whangarei to spend four months in Wellington. But I have a belief that when you reach a state of financial independence, or find yourself in place of authority- you have an opportunity to serve others, not have others serve you.

This was my chance to serve others. Nearby was a platform I could create to help our community become a better place. Sacrificing my time was the least I could do.

My goal? To drive social change. To empower our community to not only reach out to help others, but to seek help when they are in need.“

Hi, I’m Vanessa Wilson. I’m a mother, entrepreneur, CEO and proud Northlander. I’ve worked in corporate environments both nationally and internationally- but my passion lies in working with local communities.

Being of Ngapuhi and Tuhoe descent, I  have witnessed those close to me struggle to see other lives for themselves- to really feel like they’re useful to someone.

I believe our most valuable asset is time. So I’ve createdNearby.nz. A business helping to link those who need help with those who have the time to help. Stemming from an "odd jobs” site on social media, the need for this model has grown dramatically. Enough for it to have caught the interest of the Lightning Lab XX, the country’s only female orientated business accelerator programme.

Now, with the help of business mentors, investors and start up funds, my focus is to develop nearby.nz to be a fully sustainable business and to create a community where no strangers exist and where we see people purely as people.

Vanessa Wilson is Northland’s only participant in the sought after Lightning Lab XX accelerator programme. She has a Bachelor of Business from Massey University, where she majored in communications and marketing. 

Following this, she worked in online marketing roles for eight years firstly with BankDirect/ASB and Lloyds TSB in London. Her last corporate role was Communications Manager for Northpower, one of Northland’s largest companies.

When she’s not changing the world, she runs a popular Whangarei cattery and enjoys spending time with her husband and two young children.