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Traction Business Acceleration
Boost Your Business, Accelerate Your Success
Traction Business Acceleration Limited is a Christchurch-based company in beautiful New Zealand, established in 1994.
For over thirty years we have been working with the owners and managers of small and medium-sized businesses. We specialize in helping service-based businesses with their growth and development, whether they are launching a new business, or needing help to take their existing business to the next level.
Utilizing mobile, cloud-based technology, cunning business systems, and strategic business partnerships, we can work from anywhere in the world and with clients across the globe. We value long-term relationships and have clients that have been with us for over ten years, and suppliers that we have worked with for over twenty years.
So get in touch, talk to the experts, get the practical advice and help that you need, and gain some real TRACTION.
Darlene Mathieson
Marketing Strategist | Managing Director | Motorsport Champion
Darlene has been helping business owners to grow their businesses through branding, marketing, mindset and motivation for nearly thirty years. She is the owner of two businesses, and bought her first business at the age of twenty-one, with no money down.
Her in-depth knowledge of the struggles and triumphs of owning your own businesses shows through in her empathy, enthusiasm and practical advice as she works with her clients.
Our Company History
Established in 1994, the business started its life in graphic design and was initially called Design Centre. It specialised in graphic design, branding, advertising, and illustration for small to medium-sized businesses. Darlene Mathieson joined the team in 1996 as an apprentice Graphic Designer.
1994
2004
In 2004 Darlene Mathieson became the youngest member accepted into Business Mentors New Zealand.
1998
In 1998 Design Centre Graphics was under new management, but struggling. Darlene was made redundant from the business. However, she arranged with the owner to buy the business, with no money down, at the age of 21. In addition to the specialties they offered before, Darlene extended her exceptional copy writing and hand-drawn illustration skills which she is still known for.
In 2005, we rebranded the business as Dipped In Ink Limited, with a hand-drawn feather in coloured pencil. This was to reflect the specialist hand-drawn illustration and copy writing services we were best known for. In 2006 the business was incorporated as a Limited Company, and along with graphic design, marketing became a more prominent service we provided for our clients.
2005
2010
Darlene was a finalist in the 2010 Zonta Canterbury Business Women of the Year Awards.
2011
In the aftermath of the Christchurch Earthquakes in 2010 and 2011, Darlene helped as volunteer business mentor to help get businesses up and running again through Recover Canterbury and Business Mentors New Zealand.
In 2008, Darlene Mathieson became co-owner of Simply Reading, who create literacy and educational books and resources.
2008
2017
In 2017 the business was rebranded again as Traction Business Acceleration Limited. As well as offering our previous services, our emphasis was to reflect the strategic marketing and business mentoring we were now consistently helping our clients with, and to align with our passion for motorsport.