Last week, students from the School of Business at Waitākere College were fortunate to welcome an extraordinary entrepreneur: Laura Heynike, the Founder and Creative Director of Pocketspace Interiors. Laura’s talk was more than a business case study, it was a burst of inspiration, determination, and heartfelt advice that included life experiences.Laura captivated the students with the story of how Pocketspace Interiors began from humble origins. She described how she started with just $3,000 cash and no car. Taking the bus to complete the design of her initial clients and the struggle to gain clients. Laura said anything is possible with drive, determination and a belief in your product and yourself.Today, Pocketspace Interiors is a successful design company renowned for its ingenuity in maximising space across residential and commercial projects. What added to Laura’s visit being memorable was not simply her recounting of success, but her openness about navigating life alongside it. 

Throughout the session, students were engaged, asking questions and reflecting on how Laura’s experiences might shape their own futures.  Laura encouraged students to discover what truly excites them and pursue it with intention. Surround yourself with people who complement your weaknesses, she advised, especially those who fill gaps in your skillset, because no one achieves success alone.

For the students of Waitākere College, Laura Heynike’s story was more than a business lesson,  it was encouragement to dream big and act with purpose.