Ella Sargent is already making her mark in business. The co-winner of the Young Business Leader award at the Nelson Tasman Chamber of Commerce Business Awards is the founder of two ventures: Manawa Māori, a specialist Māori language partner helping organisations use te reo Māori with confidence and care, and Multi Agency, a design-led social and content agency for brands that trade in taste. With remarkable drive, focus and ambition, Ella has built both businesses before the age of 22 – here, we get to know the young entrepreneur behind the momentum.
The biggest risk I’ve ever taken...
Starting two businesses before turning 22, without a completed degree. There’s no roadmap for that, and there have absolutely been moments of doubt. But I’ve come to believe that taking on higher risk, grounded in self-belief, leads to greater rewards. I’m still figuring it out, but I’d back 18-year-old me again in a heartbeat.
I am most passionate about...
People. In both personal and professional life, it’s the connections you make that shape who you become. The family that grounds you, the clients that challenge you, and the collaborators that push your thinking. I love the idea that we set out to build something, but somewhere along the way, the people involved end up building us.
I hope in ten years Nelson will...
Be a hub for young people who choose to stay and build here, rather than feeling like they have to leave to succeed. Nelson gave me community, grounding, and opportunity, and I want to give that back by proving what’s possible from right here.
My simple pleasures are...
A good coffee, a walk with a podcast, and dare I say it, reality TV! The big goals and the small joys coexist very happily for me.
I wish more people knew...
That you can start without a plan. Early on, I believed I needed more capital, more credentials, more certainty before I could begin. You don’t. Start, and cross bridges when you come to them. The plan unfolds in the doing, not before it.
I hope in ten years I will be...
Running and investing in ventures on a global scale, while staying connected to Nelson.I don’t think ambition and roots are mutually exclusive. If anything, knowing where you come from gives you something to build toward.
I’m going out for dinner to...
Somewhere I’ve had saved on Instagram for months. Researching the best restaurants in a city before I book anything else when I travel is a non-negotiable. Good dining and travel are two of my guilty pleasures, and food is one of the best windows into a place and its people.
When I need advice, I go to...
My family, always. Growing up in Nelson surrounded by people who care about me has been my greatest foundation. There’s nothing like a couch conversation with people who knew you long before business, and they keep you honest.
My real-life superpower is...
Moving quickly. I’ve always been someone who jumps in and figures it out. Adapting and pivoting with pace is what helps you meet the ever-evolving needs of the people you serve. I believe speed with intention is one of the most powerful tools for growing a business.
Something I learnt way later than I should have...
That being young in business is an asset, not a liability. If you have an idea worth pursuing and you’re in the room, you deserve to be there. I spent too long apologising for my age, but I don’t do that anymore.
