Every great idea starts with a moment.
Doug Bell has been building and running businesses since the age of 17, when he managed his family's supermarket, and then started Doug's Discount at 18. At 25, he founded a clothing business that grew over a decade to wholesale up to 25,000 women's garments per week across New Zealand - all made locally.
In 1997, a simple barcode on a 7 Up can sparked a big question: What if people could scan a code, acknowledge a brand, and be rewarded for it? The technology wasn't ready then, but the idea stayed alive. In 2000, Doug met Nate at a technology trade show, and their collaboration eventually led to founding Kiwi Online, New Zealand's last dial-up ISP, growing to 30,000 customers before being sold to Orcon.
Nate is particularly suited to business applications involving building online community and social networks through Internet technologies. His involvement in the creation of electronic user communities pre-dates the web - when he built online communities for dial-up services. Netvillage.com is his current business, and is the technology currently powering the NitroClub. The vision is to provide deep engagement with customers through various social networking and gamification methods, making a strong customer bond that will be difficult for competitors to break.
Doug then spent a couple of years in the loyalty business, learning what worked - and what could be done better. In 2015, he launched The Hot Rod Show on Sky TV, which ran for six years and reached 30,000 homes per week, building a passionate audience of automotive enthusiasts.
And that brings us to now: The Nitro Club.
The Nitro Club exists to support local businesses, local events, and people who share a passion for cars, community, and connection. At the heart of the club are Nitro Credits - our official club currency. Members earn Nitro Credits by supporting member businesses and can redeem them for up to 50% off every item in The Nitro Store or trade them with other members. Nitro Credits keep value moving inside the community, rewarding engagement and building lasting connections.
Our members also enjoy exclusive Nitro Club apparel, custom-printed merchandise, and ongoing experiences designed to celebrate automotive culture. And just like our members, our business partners are part of the club too, meaning every purchase, visit, or voucher supports the broader Nitro ecosystem.
This is only the beginning. Coming soon is The Nitro Show on Sky TV Channel 83, featuring the cars, lives, and businesses of Nitro Club members. Every episode, every interaction, and every Nitro moment moves the club forward - together.
Follow Us
Follow Us online, join our conversations, engage with other hotrodders around the world!