Navi Singh Aujla

Representing the levels and forms of aroha that can be found throughout our lives across our many communities. We acknowledge the wide range of obstacles and the journey it takes to overcoming everything that stands in our way to expressing aroha within.

Ko wai koe? What are your strengths/weakness?

Kia orana ki a tātou katoa toa te rā. My name is Navi Singh Aujla, and I am a Business Advisor at WE Mana. WE Mana is an accounting and advisory firm that was established about 13 years ago. We have grown into a consortium of businesses, with our accounting arm focusing on compliance, which is our bread and butter and what we started with. 

In the advisory space, where I work as a Business Advisor, I help strategize with businesses, and I love doing it.  

We also have an outsourcing team in Samoa that handles New Zealand accounting for New Zealand firms. Additionally, we have WE Connect, our charitable trust that gives back to the communities. 

Our overriding principle and purpose is to enhance the lives of Māori and Pacifika people, and our vision is to impact the lives of 10 million individuals. 

I would say that my strengths in my role are very customer-centric and people-centric. As a Business Advisor, I believe it’s essential to meet business owners where they are in their journey, both on a personal and professional level. Often, it’s not just about the business itself. 

Companies, technologies, strategies, marketing, planning, and all that kind of stuff are important, but we also need to focus on mindset. I believe that to grow a business, we must grow the leader and the individual, which is a crucial part of personal development.   

My strengths definitely lie in communication. I love to converse, network, and take a genuine interest in people. 

And that’s what it’s all about. You know, it’s about connection. I prioritize relationships with stakeholders and clients because I believe that collective success is better than individual accomplishments. It’s really about having conversations on how we can achieve the best outcomes for both parties and everyone involved.  

I’d also say that problem-solving is one of my strong strengths as an Advisor. I come from a business background myself, having worked in the hospitality industry for about five years.  

Really moving on the fly, you have to be agile. You need to consider the different options and routes you can take because very rarely does everything go 100% as planned. So, being able to adapt is essential.  

Be very practical and define the problems and issues as they arise, then propose any solutions you can work with. That’s a strong strength of mine.  

I would also say that a macro view of mine, which is definitely a strength, involves strategy and planning.   

This means looking at both the macro and micro perspectives. You need to take a step back to ensure we are on the right path and to consider what the next three to five years will look like. What will the next 90 days in business look like? And looping back to the personal element, what does life look like for you in three years? What do you want to achieve? I truly believe that our business should serve as a vehicle for us, and we shouldn’t always be serving our business.  

The strategy and planning element is crucial for looking at the bigger picture and really breaking down how to get from A to B while living your version of success. But that’s another topic. 

Seeking guidance from our kaitiaki Hiwa-i-te-rangi, we take a journey through our different aspirations, goals and dreams. This tohu acknowledges hard work, wisdom, the reach of ones goals and the desire that comes from this mahi.

What were/are your career aspirations leading into your chosen career path?​ 

It’s a bit of a funny story. My journey has been all over the place, but my aspirations have always been clear. Ever since a young age, I knew I wanted to do something entrepreneurial and own my own business. I wanted to create an impact and work on my own terms, focusing on what is important to me.  

In school, I always aimed for something entrepreneurial.  

After finishing school, I went to university and studied Sport and Recreation Marketing. It was great, and I enjoyed it, but I wouldn’t say it was my calling.  

About two years into my studies, I opened my business, Ika Bowl, and I ran that for about five years. I think that really shaped my journey and how I came to be where I am now.  

Throughout my experience in business, I’ve learned that it varies greatly. People often think that business is linear, but it’s actually full of ups, downs, sideways movements, and even setbacks.  

Our journey began in late 2017, and we ended up closing shop in 2022.  

Throughout my journey, I realized that my passion lies in helping people. I was talking to my neighbors, friends, and network about how we could mutually benefit from each other and share knowledge. It was all about collaboration and support.  

Where’s the problem? How can we get through it or overcome it? And how can we do that together? The power lies in relationships as well.  

Helping people has always been a huge passion and aspiration of mine. I realized that through the knowledge I shared, I found something I was truly passionate about. This has translated into how I approach my work.  

Another aspiration of mine is a strong passion for personal development. This has always been a key focus for me from a young age. As I mentioned earlier, you have to grow the business, but you also need to grow the leader. You can only grow as much as the knowledge, networks, and connections you have gained. It’s about fostering a culture of continuous improvement. 

And that’s how you can use that knowledge to pass it on and apply it to other businesses to help them get unstuck. 

With adventure comes challenges as well as obstacles to overcome. We stand proud as we overcome these obstacles. This tohu draws inspiration from the Niho Taniwha and Aramoana patterns. We acknowledge reaching our destination and preparing ourselves for the many new adventures ahead.

How wīwī wāwā has your career adventure been?​ 

I started by studying Sport and Recreation, and then I did a complete 180. It was like, “Oh yeah, let’s open a business!” 

Yeah, it’s been a pretty funny journey!   

Prior to that, my first job was labouring in my dad’s factory when I was about 14 or 15 years old, just over the school break. I realized at a young age that if you want something better or if you want to pursue your goals, you have to go out and chase those things.   

You can’t wait for them to come to you. So, we ended up doing that, and it’s been a bit all over the place. I started at Ika Bowl, where I ran my own business until about April 2022, and then I began working at WE Mana Accounting in August 2022. 

These patterns represent bravery and being strong in the face of adversity. We strive to be persistent and positively challenge anything that threatens to alter, restrict, and put a barrier in the way of our desired pathway.

What was your defining moment?  What words of wisdom or change in heart, changed your stars?​ 

I don’t think there is a single defining moment, but one of the most important moments for me was definitely during the period of closing Ika Bowl. I had given my all to the business for five years, and we fought tooth and nail just to stay afloat during COVID.   

When we had to close up shop because the numbers weren’t looking good, it became clear that it wasn’t viable and didn’t align with our personal values or goals. 

I went through a tough time during those months and experienced a bit of depression. I had conversations with my partner, who is now my wife, and with the people around me. I realized that I had been blaming others—like the government, COVID, or lack of funding—while denying my own behavior and actions.  

I excused myself from taking responsibility for how I could make things better, and I was very pessimistic.  

That was a pivotal moment for me. Finding WE Mana has really shaped who I am now, as there is a strong alignment of values. I’ve always loved helping people, and now I’m part of an accounting and advisory firm that allows me to do just that. 

I’m all about enhancing the lives of Māori and Pacific people, so there’s perfect alignment. I’ve grown so much, both personally and professionally.   

I would say that those few months of deep introspection were crucial. I really looked into myself to ask, “Who am I? What am I here to do? Where do I want to be?” Then I figured out how to go out and achieve that. 

Here we are drawing inspiration from the Pūhoro pattern.  The pūhoro is used here to represent the strength, speed and agility needed to move forward and accomplish ones goals.

What future actions/recommendations do you have for those who want to be in a career like yours?​ 

The future actions or recommendations I would suggest for those wanting a career in business advisory or helping businesses grow and strategize are to really focus on and double down on your personal development.  

You need to do things that make you uncomfortable—start that course, try out a new business, apply for that job, give a presentation, or speak in front of people. Those are huge steps! 

At its core, this is about cultivating a culture of continuous improvement. If you want to excel, you can’t keep doing ordinary tasks or choosing the easy route, because nothing comes from the easy option. Growth doesn’t happen in the comfort zone.    

Harness that friction and utilize it. Realize that you grow from it, and the more you grow as a person, the more you can help others holistically.  

Studying business is always an option, but we often say that experience trumps theory. We teach from experience, not from a textbook. The theories are great and all, but when you enter the business realm, it’s about having that empathetic understanding of the situation.   

Really doubling down on personal development is key, whether it’s through boot camps, courses, or diplomas in business, which can provide a solid theoretical foundation. However, as I mentioned before, experience always trumps theory. So, did that answer the question? Alright! 

Success, best mentioned in the whakatauki “Tūwhitia te hopo, mairangatia te angitū!” Feel the fear and do it anyway!

What are some the failures/challenges in your life that have helped with your chosen career path? What are some memorable wins for your chosen path?​ 

Some challenges I’ve faced in my life include the COVID era of business. As I mentioned earlier, people often think that businesses start at point A and then smoothly progress, but there are so many ups and downs. COVID was a huge spanner in the works for us. 

When your back is against the wall and you feel like you have no options, you really have to look everywhere and try everything to pivot and adapt. 

And that’s translated. Not only did to my career, but just personally overall, you know, you have to be willing to go out and do the hard thing and go and fight for that sale or go and challenge the status quo. “You don’t ask, you don’t receive”. 

There’s that overarching principle of giving it your all. You can’t have failed if you’ve given it your all. That’s the pinnacle, because you have given it your all. 

That was a huge challenge, especially during COVID when sales dropped by over 60 to 70%. We had about 30 staff members, and if we didn’t pivot and increase our sales, we wouldn’t be able to pay our wages or support the people who depend on us, whom we consider family, our whanau.  

This challenge weighed heavily on us. 

I would say this was the biggest challenge that shaped my chosen path.  

Some memorable wins, especially owning and operating my business. We made some great progress and were passionate not just about revenue and metrics, but about changing the narrative—that you can achieve whatever you set your mind to. 

In my first year as a business advisor, we delivered advisory services to 75 businesses across the motu. It was amazing to help and share knowledge and insights.  

Another highlight has been running and facilitating workshops throughout the regions. What I love most about those is witnessing the lightbulb moments when something clicks for a business owner. You help lift some of the weight off their shoulders by providing direction and an action plan to follow. 

While I celebrate my own wins, I’m even more passionate about my clients’ successes. When they achieve their goals, reach their sales targets, win business awards, or secure funding, it’s incredibly fulfilling. It’s about the impact they can make—like being able to take a vacation with their young family or live life on their own terms. That’s what it’s all about for me. 

I love it! This initiative is truly significant. I remember being in school and thinking, “Oh no, I can’t do that,” because I didn’t see people who looked like us in that industry. But there are trailblazers out there, and you can draw inspiration from them and take pride in that. I’d love to share it once it’s live on LinkedIn or wherever.