GNZ Bioscience is the brainchild of two extraordinary women—Suki Harding and Leanne Harris.
GNZ, which stands for “Genuine New Zealand,” is more than just a brand; it's a commitment to quality, purity, and community impact. Here, we speak to Suki to find out more about the brand.
As co-founders with diverse professional backgrounds, how do you complement each other's skills and expertise in running GNZ Bioscience?
Leanne and I are passionate about 100% natural products, New Zealand-grown ingredients, and making a real difference in the lives of our customers and their pets. Our mission is to enhance the skin health and vitality of people and pets all over the world, one person and one pet at a time, and that says it all. We complement each other in so many ways. I develop our science-backed skin health formulations, and Leanne creates holistic health and vitality products for people and pets.
I call Leanne the 'Queen of Sales,' as that's one of her many talents! She loves the retail sector, while I focus on e-commerce. I run our business engine and specialise in getting things done. We have a dedicated team across New Zealand, Taiwan, and Sri Lanka, ensuring that our customers and partners receive excellent care.
Leanne and I have decades of international business experience between us, and we are working to take GNZ Bioscience global, with a little help from New Zealand Trade & Enterprise.
What has been the most rewarding part of your journey with GNZ Bioscience so far?
Seeing how our products make a huge difference to our customers’ and their pets’ skin health, vitality, and wellbeing has been truly rewarding. We’ve received numerous testimonials from people across New Zealand, which has really helped in spreading the word.
One of the reasons Leanne and I became partners was to combine our passion for business and philanthropy. That’s why we developed the brand prefix SEWA, meaning ‘selfless service’ in Sanskrit. Our Kindness Hub initiative supports both people and animals. Some of our products are packed by disabled Kiwis in Marlborough, providing not only job opportunities but also invaluable life skills. We give free products to people over 90 and pets over 16, and we support several animal shelters and rescue initiatives. For the past 11 years, I’ve been supporting a home for destitute children in Sri Lanka.
How do you see the role of natural health products evolving in the future, and what role do you envision GNZ Bioscience playing in that landscape?
The regulatory environment for natural health products is changing rapidly. The proposed Therapeutic Products Act 2023 is expected to be repealed by the end of 2024. This is great news for New Zealand manufacturers like GNZ Bioscience. These changes will allow us to continue bringing a wide range of 100% natural, high-efficacy, and competitively priced products to our customers.
Tell us what you love most about the Vital Burst and what inspired its creation.
We wanted to develop a 100% natural power food to support energy and wellness in people of all ages, and that’s how Vital Burst (VB) was born. It’s made with eight powerful superfood ingredients: blackcurrant, kiwifruit, beetroot, broccoli sprout powder, ginger, cinnamon, turmeric, and pepper.
We love VB because it works so quickly! Both Leanne and I no longer experience afternoon energy slumps, and the gym enthusiasts in our families rave about its benefits for exercise recovery.
What does self-care and wellness mean to you?
Self-care is about remembering to take care of ourselves every day. This includes eating nutritious meals, staying hydrated, spending time with loved ones (including our 3 dogs and 3 cats), and getting daily exercise. I aim for 10,000 steps a day, often while answering emails or talking on the phone. Both Leanne and I have daily shots of Vital Burst and Cocoma for health and strength.
Leanne loves going out on her boat with her husband, while I enjoy beach walks and brunch with family and friends.
What’s the best thing about Spring, and what do you enjoy doing to "spring back" from Winter?
We are both looking forward to the sunny spring weather! Leanne loves spending time in the garden, while I’m focusing on a bit of spring cleaning. We’re both ready to welcome the season with clear and beautiful skin, thanks to our functional skin health balms. Leanne uses Clarity Balm on her face daily, and I use XmaCalm balm.
The GNZ Bioscience VB-8 Vital Burst Sample + Elixir Duo is included in MyTreat's September 2024 'Spring Zing' Wellness Box amongst other treats. Subscribe now.