eKourier Jan 2011

Spotlight on Mt Eden...

History Previously Mt Eden was an old derelict milk factory, demolished in 2007 to make way for KSS. Construction began in 2007 and by the time we moved in ready for business in January 2008, the third level units were still being completed. We experienced the usual teething problems with problematic elevators, sliding doors… and over zealous local council bureaucrats with street sign phobias. Site Features We offer a brand new purpose built fully enclosed facility with five levels of storage comprising three, soon to be four levels of units and a basement for open space parking. in the classifieds in the local Brisbane music magazines advertising ‘rooms for rehearsals’ at Virginia, Burleigh Junction, and our centre, we were only too keen to employ this initiative, not knowing of what results we’d achieve. Within days of Ed placing the advertisement in the widely circulated free street ‘Rave’ and ‘Time Off’ magazines, we were receiving a steady flow of phone calls from musicians expressing interest and curiosity about these ‘rooms for rehearsals.’ Then, in early June, these enquiries started to convert to storer’s. Firstly, with the renting out of a 13.6 sqm space by a then, up and coming young band named ‘The Last Dinosaurs.’ Soon followed were other local bands -’The Frets’, ‘Comic Sans’, ‘Princess Rodeo’, and later others, such as ‘Vasy Mollo’, ‘The Cairos’, ‘Princes Of Harlin’, to name a few.

We also have plans underway for wine storage. Located on a busy main road in Mt Eden we have a local market comprising of small business and high density housing. We have six competitors within 3km that we regularly monitor with CPA’s. We are constantly looking for ways to raise our public awareness, from visiting local business and Fish Bowl Card drops to giant air balloons on the roof. For some time now we’ve been working on a project aimed at helping us develop stronger relationships with our Real Estate Agents. We have felt the affects of a slower Auckland market, that saw us grow advertisements could muster, by telling their fellow musicians and friends about our facility. This ‘word of mouth’ has brought us further business, above and beyond what we thought we’d ever achieve. Speaking with some of these musicians, the major benefits with renting out space with us, is the relaxed environment in which they can hone their skills, freedom to access at any time in the night - due to our 24 hour access and moving instruments and other equipment before and after gigs. Also not disturbing neighbours with noise, and the affordability. Affordability has been the biggest factor, as the hiring of a recording studio can be quite exorbitant with the cost of a four hour recording session often exceeding what they’d pay for a month’s storage with us. The benefit for us is that these bands rent out substantial sized spaces, on average 15-16 sqm per band, at around $430.00 per calendar month each. We also generate further income from ‘monthly power charges’ as well as most bands getting a power point installed in their unit. The fact that we help facilitate

steadily to 50% occupancy as at February 2010 and then flatline. Momentum has returned and recently we reached 60% for the first time. Going forward the focus remains in continuing to lock down phone enquiries. Walk-ins we view as an almost given they don’t leave without a unit reserved in their name! The Team

The team consists of Shane, the Manager of Mt Eden and Feroz, Assistant Manager. Making Money Out of Music at Milton W hen Ed Hooppell from Virginia first approached us in May 2009 about putting an advertisement to ‘live the rock and roll dream’, soon became our marketing department, beyond what these magazine in crafting these young musicians talents is also a positive, many of whom may not

otherwise get the opportunity, given ‘noise restrictions’ in residential areas, timing restraints, costs elsewhere etc... After eighteen months of success

exercising this initiative, we currently have over a dozen bands storing with us, renting out a combined total of over 160 sqm, and generating us over $4000.00 a month! None of this could have been achieved without simply giving it a go! As for The Last Dinosaurs, the band mentioned earlier, they have gone on to flourish and have signed to a record label! You’ll find an acknowledgement to KSS on the inside sleeve on their recent ‘Back From The Dead’ EP. If this is an initiative you’d like to employ at your centre, and are in a zoned area to do so, feel free to contact us, or even the Virginia or Burleigh Junction crew we’d be happy to help. Kevin Mouatt - Milton

These bands, comprising of mainly late teens/early twenty all inspired

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Kennards Kourier January 2011