Let's stop doing 'business as usual' and instead use business as a tool for good.
Tesh Hearth is a visionary entrepreneur who founded Raglan Food Co in her home kitchen in 2014, a venture that now supplies over 750 stores across New Zealand and internationally.
Her leadership has expanded the brand to markets including Singapore, Hong Kong, China, the UAE, and the Pacific Islands. Committed to using business as a tool for positive change, Tesh has won several awards for her efforts in sustainability and product innovation, and Raglan Food Co holds a leading market share in dairy-free yoghurt. The company is also proudly B Corp certified, backing initiatives like the 1 Million Pieces project to encourage environmental stewardship.
Tesh is an Edmund Hillary Fellow and founding trustee of The Values Trust, with a passion for community engagement and philanthropy. She balances multiple roles, from running a glamping retreat to working as a celebrant, while also finding time for writing. Her blog led to a book deal for The To-Be List, now stocked in Whitcoulls, and she has published several children's books. Previously the editor of Arrival magazine, Tesh has contributed widely as a freelance writer.
With a background in various industries and no formal schooling, Tesh’s path to success was untraditional but highly impactful. She continues to lead Raglan Food Co with a focus on ethical practices and global growth, all while maintaining her deep connection to her hometown of Raglan.
Video
The Raglan Coconut Yoghurt Story
Seb and Tesh (Mr & Mrs Coconut) discuss the origins of how Raglan Coconut Yoghurt started, how the business has grown, and why they're nuts about their product.It was an entertaining story about starting a small business that has become successful. ... keep reading New Zealand Bookkeepers Association Incorporated
It was a no-brainer to invite Tesh to speak at our inaugural Women of Waikato event in May 2018 so that she could share her inspirational journey in business with our audience of almost 100 people. The feedback I had from the audience was that they loved Tesh's infectious enthusiasm and her entrepreneurial spirit!
You totally made their day with the yoghurt! (they are from decile 1-3 schools and would not see this type of item in their weekly shop so it was a real novelty for them and a complete delight to have you there inspiring them!). I could tell from their questions, energy and enthusiasm after a full day and hearing you after dinner, they were ecstatic and motivated. Thank you soooooo much! We loved having you at our National Youth Advisory Group camp.
Thank you for sharing your story with us! We were a room full of rural, working women totally inspired by your passion and commitment to your truth of doing what's right for people and the planet. You glossed over the incredible success you have had with writing and business ventures, which shows your modest, humble style. You were so down-to-earth (pun intended!), engaging and entertaining and I will be forever grateful that you accepted our invitation to speak.
I first met Latesha through the Edmund Hillary Fellowship where she presented to one of our schools in the Young Enterprise Scheme (YES) programme, I was blown away by how talented this lady was and her inspirational approach to business. I just knew I had to get her to speak to our whole student body to share her empowering words, her entrepreneurial journey and most of all, to inspire. And inspire she did! Latesha is a true entrepreneur, her sustainable approach to business and her philosophy of doing better for people and our planet is truly admirable. It was an absolute honour to have Mrs Coconut speak at our Waikato/King Country YES regional finals.
Thank you for speaking at our Inspired Exporting event, you had a very refreshing, honest and engaging story to hear! We've had great feedback from our varied audience and everyone was quite inspired by how you've created a business based on passion and purpose. Thank you again!
Thank you so much for an awesome session yesterday. The group were really excited to see the role of a business influencing change in such a powerful way. We loved the sense of mutual exchange (compared to help me) and the wide ripple effects that you were creating with your intelligent, simple, home-grown approach (to quote one learner!). I know it is not simple, but the clarity of your vision, values and practical skills is such a great foundation. You have certainly inspired some more exploration from the group into social enterprise and the whole question of value, and values-based practice.
