Craig Woolhouse

Craig Woolhouse is an extremely enthusiastic E-Business Consultant and is passionate about helping his clients – in fact, his passion is known to be very contagious! Craig is based in Christchurch and is a great addition to the Zeald team.

Craig’s business background started after he finished at Burnside High School in 1994. He decided his interests lay in technology and went on to study computing at Christchurch Polytech looking to obtain a Certificate in Business Computing. After 12 months of the 2 year course, Craig decided to get into the workforce so he put his studies on hold and went to work for a freight forwarder called International Cargo Express.

Craig worked in the export air division of the company specialising in the export of perishable product, an important and time sensitive activity in which he co-ordinated with the shippers, airlines, customs, MAF etc... "It wasn't your average job" says Craig, "nobody told the fish to only get caught on business hours and not weekends!"

With Craig's background in computers he became their go-to guy for any IT questions. "I was learning more on the spot in 2 months having to fix, install and maintain things than I did during 12 months at Tech," says Craig.

After successfully implementing the Windows- based environment, Craig was further challenged when the company opened a branch in Auckland and he was given only 3 weeks to have the system running. Craig rose to the challenge and got things up and running within the time frame.

Soon after Craig left Christchurch for Perth to live with his brother and to secure a job in IT. "I had the practical experience, but unless you had completed an Australian approved qualification you couldn't even get your foot in the door," says Craig. His brother was working for himself as a Private Investigator so Craig started to tag-along with him.

After his 6 month stint in Perth, Craig returned to Christchurch and decided to work for himself as an IT/Business consultant. "I had learned that while I had an IT background, I was also from the business sector and could understand the business mentality and the IT mentality."

Craig sourced 3rd party help in each area of IT so he could become the one contact and could engage the services of whoever he chose depending on the requirements of his clients. At the same time Craig also spent a few days a week in Dunedin where he helped manage a crayfish quota.

Craig then decided to have a break from office work and try something completely different. Having always had a love for good food, Craig decided to become a chef. After spending 12 months at Christchurch Polytechnic he now has the "London and City Guilds" qualification. Craig then worked at the Grand Cafe at the Christchurch Casino for 12 months. "It was genuinely hard work and whilst I enjoyed the creative process associated with being a chef, it was really not for me."

Craig was just thinking of returning to Perth when he landed a job there. Being the only Kiwi in the office he put up with a lot of good natured banter. "I realise now that inventing Kiwi sheep jokes must be a past time for the Aussies - maybe if they spent more time practicing rugby..."

After a while at Perth Craig started to get homesick but he didn't want to give up on Australia straight away so he packed up and moved to Melbourne. He worked for an Italian freight forwarder company called Gava International for 10 months. His his role was to help clients arrange the transportation of goods from their suppliers’ door to their own.

For the last 3 years Craig has been involved in a successful E-Commerce Store selling Italian food online. Having this actual experience in the world of e-commerce has been invaluable for Craig who wanted to “practice what he preached”. Craig’s involvement has reduced as Zeald has grown dramatically in the Christchurch region. “I now provide a supporting consultative role to the company and still have my fair share of olive oil in the kitchen.”

Craig enjoys basketball, a sport he has played every year since High School. Craig also has a hobby in video editing. "I am slowly learning and wouldn't call myself that good, however I am becoming a good amateur and I really enjoy it. Maybe one day I will have my own YouTube audience!"

Craig brings to Zeald a myriad of different skills and an understanding of the online world. "I enjoy talking to people about their business goals and advising them how to succeed online. It’s a very positive process and I can't help but feel passionate about this, it is the future of marketing and the future is now..."

Contact Craig:

P. 021 240 0767
E. craig.woolhouse@zeald.com