Here at Whitelaw Weber we take great pride in supporting our clients. Knowing that our clients are achieving goals, smashing glass ceilings & paving their way forward is very inspiring. For a long time (over seventy years!) we’ve been behind our clients supporting them, and every day we count ourselves lucky. To celebrate the fact that we get to work with such epic Northland businesses, we have bought back our client profiles so that we can share these businesses & their adventures with you. It makes us very proud to be able to share the great things our clients do across industries. 

We’ve been working with Kate Mounter and Amber Shaw separately for years. Kate runs a dairy farm with husband Jeremy, and Amber runs The Hunters Club with camera-man husband Dave. Both are very driven, practical women, whose families love the outdoors - hunting, hiking and farming on any given day. Whilst working behind the scenes on The Hunters Club and South Seas Spearo television shows, Amber discovered that the team were having difficulty finding first aid kits that were actually fit for purpose. A qualified pharmacist, Amber began creating the ultimate First Aid kit for New Zealand adventurers. Paired with Kate’s hands-on experience in teaching, childcare, farming and her travels around the world, Parachute First Aid was born.

Parachute First Aid is on a mission to optimize every aspect of first aid kits. With first aid kits from the Wilderness First Aid Kit, the Family Essentials, the Puppy First Aid Kit, even a kit for a lone worker, Kate and Amber are revolutionising first aid and how we approach keeping ourselves safe and administering first aid. They’re also supporting other Kiwi businesses with WoolAid Plasters; breathable, biodegrable and made from NZ wool; and Goodbye Ouch Manuka Balm available to purchase.

Having been featured in Kia Ora Magazine, the Natural Parent Magazine and more, we spoke to Kate. Here’s what she had to say about their business.

Who are you, & what do you do?

We are Parachute First Aid. We have designed and curated premium first aid kits, packed full with quality products.

What was your biggest challenge in starting a business, & how did you overcome it?

Biggest challenge is still trying to get through to people that cheaper is not necessarily better, especially when it comes to first aid. It's tough for small businesses like ours to compete with giant retailers like Temu. It's frustrating to try and convince people that cheap first aid supplies may not be the best investment in the long run. Quality and reliability are actually more important.

What’s your favourite part about running a business in Northland?

Weekly business meetings at the Plough & Feather!

What’s your proudest moment of 2024 so far?

Hearing firsthand stories of how our first aid kits have helped people in need is incredibly gratifying. It's a reminder of the positive impact our business has.

We’re proud of every sale we make - that we have created something that someone wants to spend their hard earned money on.

Can you offer any advice for someone wanting to start a business? 

First, figure out what you love and what you're good at. 

Do some digging to see if there's a market for it. 

Make a plan, get your ducks in a row, and don't be afraid to ask for help.

Be authentic, real, and humble.

Times can get tough, but persevere and adapt, and if you stick with it you can make it happen!

How has working with Whitelaw Weber helped you & your business?

Whitelaw Weber's advice and accessibility has been invaluable as we've navigated the complexities of starting and growing our business.

What’s one piece of business software that you can’t live without?

Have actually got 3; Shopify, Xero and Google. With just two of us at Parachute First Aid, our business is a whirlwind of multitasking and wearing multiple hats. But thankfully we've got Google to keep us from losing our heads. It's our virtual assistant, our encyclopedia, our advertising expert, our calculator, our shipping expert and so much more.

Kate & Amber are changing how families do first aid with Parachute First Aid. If you would like to purchase a first aid kit you can shop Parachute First Aid here. And, if you live in Kerikeri, you get free delivery! Use the code KERIKERI at checkout.

We’ll be back with another client feature for you next month!