The Engine of The New New Zealand

Striking Oil

After studying accountancy at Massey, Sarah travelled and worked her way through Hong Kong, South Africa and London. When she returned home to New Zealand, she worked with her father in a business exporting 'raw' rosehip oil.

Until one day, the lightbulb went on. After a trip to the UK, she and her sister realised that despite the emergence of a trend for natural beauty products in Europe and the UK, there were slim pickings in New Zealand.

She saw how adding value to the 'wonder oil' to create a new brand could be a global phenomenon. And it is.

Find out more about a career in business

Join the business world!

If you want to follow in Sarah’s footsteps or just want to learn more about what she does all day, check out our Area of Interest page for Business.

There you’ll learn more relating to what business is really all about, what kinds of careers you can get in that field, and how Massey University can help you get started down that path – just like Sarah.

Sarah Gibbs

Co-founder of Trilogy

Bachelor of Business Studies (Accountancy)
Massey University 1992

Three's company

How Trilogy came about, and Sarah Gibbs’ tips on starting up a business to be successful internationally.

Doing business globally

International Implications

Sarah didn’t know heaps about chemistry, or marketing, or distribution, or producing a beauty product. But she says having a successful business isn’t about that, it’s about having a good product, some good base business skills, using your common sense, and getting expert advice.

In fact, Trilogy‘s business model relies on the expertise of others. Sarah and her sister developed the brand, and manage it. They are the face of the company and keep everything running smoothly and make strategic decisions on expansion, product and brand. The manufacturing of the products is managed by experts in cosmetics, distribution is managed by international distribution experts, their lunch is made by the local pie shop etc etc – you get the idea.

In the end, the absolutely vital ingredient for any business owner is to know you are selling a great product that really works.

Despite the seemingly obvious connection between New Zealand’s clean, green reputation and a natural beauty product, Sarah says this isn’t actually a major factor in the brand or sales ‘pitch’ for Trilogy.

‘You’re not going to get into Vogue Paris just because the product is from New Zealand. It has to be a product that works, that does what it says it will, and it has to have good credentials for its natural ingredients. The fact it is from New Zealand is usually mentioned in any articles that are written about Trilogy, and it does help reinforce the natural brand aspect. But it’s not the primary reason why most people buy it.’

But the Kiwi personality is still a key factor in the product line’s success. Sarah says that from a trade perspective being a New Zealand company has been a bonus. People know that New Zealand companies are straight-forward and hard-working, and they are really keen to work with them.

‘Reputation plays a huge part in getting a business off the ground and getting the word out through distribution networks. Being a Kiwi you really have a head start.”