The School of Business visited Moxx, a New Zealand-owned and operated company that designs and manufactures modern, award-winning consumer brands, including Everblue, Restor, and Maison & Muse. The company’s mission is to create sustainably minded premium brands that are accessible, while making a positive impact on people, communities, partners, and the environment.

During the visit, we gained valuable insight into how marketing strategies are used when launching products into different target markets, particularly in highly competitive industries such as hair, body, and home care. We learnt how important branding and consumer appeal are in standing out within these markets.

The Chief Executive Officer, Renee Stuart, spoke to us about the growth of Moxx and how many of their successful products evolved through trial, testing, and learning from failed ideas. She also highlighted the importance of marketing in today’s business world, explaining that much of their customer engagement comes from collaborating with influencers and promoting products through social media platforms such as TikTok. Renee’s quote, “Take opportunities, they may not mean much now, but they could mean a lot in the future”, made me rethink how I should look at opportunities that are presented to me. She also emphasised that we should “be realistic and enjoy the path as there is no rush” when progressing on our career path.

One of Moxx’s strongest unique selling points is its commitment to sustainability. Renee explained that for every product purchased, the company aims to give back more to the environment than it takes, with 120% being returned through their environmental initiatives. This reflects the company’s wider philosophy: “We design our brands with people and the planet in mind.” Their focus on reducing plastic waste and creating climate-positive beauty products demonstrated how businesses can combine profitability with environmental responsibility.

A particularly memorable moment from the trip was when Mr Cicchini asked Renee what advice she would give to her 17-year-old self. Her response was, “There’s enough time. There’s no need to rush anything — ten years is a lot longer than everyone thinks. You don’t have to have your whole life decided by twenty-one.” This message strongly resonated with many students and reminded us that success takes time, patience, and persistence.

Overall, this visit demonstrated how even the smallest decisions within a business — from marketing strategies to sustainability initiatives — can have a significant impact on a company’s success and reputation.