Entries are now open for the Deloitte Fast 50, an annual list of the 50 fastest-growing companies in New Zealand.
The showcase of up-and-comers has seen household names like Trade Me, Xero and 42 Below rise through the ranks.
It's not the most glamorous of products, but making your mark in the cleaning business is no easy feat – but Earthwise's success story is a uniquely Kiwi one, competing with the big brands with an environmentally friendly recipe for a clean house.
"You need determination, you need innovation, and you need a story," says managing director Jamie Peters.
"I guess no is not a no – when you're facing large supermarket chains and stuff like that you've got to be prepared to get knocked back and keep coming back.
That attitude and perseverance saw the company grow over 1000 percent in revenue in past three years, in the process winning last year's Deloitte Fast 50 – the first time a grocery brand has won the award.
And now the Fast 50 is open again, inviting Kiwi businesses to benchmark their growth against some of the biggest and brightest in the country.
They'll be judging three key areas of strategy, capability and commitment, which Deloitte says they've seen consistently in thriving Kiwi businesses.
"We've always had this great number eight wire mentality, and see it just about every day with the businesses we work with," says Deloitte partner Bill Hale.
"We're not particularly constrained about our thinking – we think of great solutions, we're quite creative."
The Fast 50 is now in its 14th year, with Kiwi businesses from all around the country taking part.
Mr Hale says the benefits don't just come from winning, but from the contacts made by becoming a member of the Fast 50 community.
He says it's a privilege to watch the growth and development of companies like Earthwise.
"We've had some wonderful New Zealand businesses come through the program over the years and win it, and often before they go on to become a household name."
And any Kiwi businesses hoping to join those household names have until the end of July to enter.
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