Feature - Women in Business - May 2019 by Ashburton Guardian

WOMEN IN BUSINESS 2019

home, passion

redecorating, the reality of me is not as easy as it sounds!

ows so mers. chat , he ons

ation s ocess.

m, they

L to R: Kelly Gordon, Jo Skilling

“Everyone wants their space to be a pleasure to live, work or play in, and that’s what we aim for every time. We want to create interiors that you’ll never want to leave. Whether it’s a single room-lot of curtains and cushions, a simple colour scheme or a full home design, we take on every job with energy and enthusiasm. There’s nothing more rewarding to us than seeing our clients thrilled with their end result.”

Feeling inspired? For expert interior design advice, as well as a free consultation and quote, call in and meet the Colourplus team today.

SHOWCASING OVER

90 WOMEN

Celebrating our

women and what they do.

Women in business 2019 www.guardianonline.co.nz

18 Ashburton Guardian

CONTENTS 18

Ashburton Guardian welcome Ashburton Mayor Donna Favel

Mathieson Chartered Accountants Ltd

Ashburton Stihl Shop

WELCOME

From Sue, Desme and Emma

Ashburton Guardian

Westside Hire (2017) Ltd 21

Compliance Partners

JFM Creatives

Ashburton Trust Event Centre Rothbury Insurance Brokers

Grant Hood Contracting Creative Acupuncture

Body ‘n’ Beauty Worx Day Spa

Emmily Harmer Photography

Silk Estate SKIP-2-IT Flooring Xtra

Burnett Street Dental Plains Irrigators

Tavendale and Partners

Forsyth Barr

Agstaﬀ and Canstaﬀ Argyle Welsh Finnigan (AWF)

Real Estate New Zealand Talbot Security Group

Rushton Marketing

Greg Donaldson Contracting (GDC)

Memory Funerals

t has been an absolute privilege to share the stories of so many of the women who are working in businesses across Ashburton. Some of those women were business owners, others were women who were the public face of that business, but every one was passionate about what she did and the industry in which she worked. Many were juggling families and work but each woman was committed

to the business she worked in or owned. The women who owned a business were always quick to point out that they could not do what they did without a great team behind them. Those people all played vital roles in making their business a success. In the Ashburton District it is clear that gender has absolutely nothing to do with how successful you are at your job. The opportunities are there for the taking.

Canterbury Chiropractic 36

Bayleys Style Footwear Ltd

The China Shop and Kitchen Kapers

Essential Physiotherapy

Curves Terrace View Retirement Village

Rosebank Residential Care

ASHBURTON MAYOR

DONNA FAVEL

Crisp Apple Web Design 41

House of Travel

EA Networks

The ToolShed Ashburton Russell Moon & Fail Lawyers (RMF)

Allenton School

Mid Canterbury Rugby Union - MCRU

Isagenix Independent Associate Unisex Haircuts Lilyﬁelds Mt Somers Adelle Nails It A1 Lawns & Gardens Ltd Bridge To Beauty Heritage Lifecare Pure Skin

Devon Tavern Samantha Rose Flowers Ashburton Engravers & Etching AMTax Solutions Ltd 128 Victoria The Celebrants Association of New Zealand (INC) Intimo Independent Bra Fit Specialist Clothe

Colourplus Ashburton

My professional career has been filled with many unique and exciting employment opportunities, primarily in the fields of hospitality, training, marketing, sales and team building. I believe that equality is not about women being put first; it is about equality for all, regardless of gender, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or physical attributes. Women are leaders in our community in so many ways – writing our news, leading our hospital and being the top judge in the District. There are many unsung women leaders – those involved with PTAs, sports teams, clubs, and theatre productions, to name a few. These women are having a positive impact in our community. Here at council, I see women in leadership roles who are articulate and disciplined, with a great focus on teamwork and collaboration. Success in their chosen fields and gaining the respect of their peers allows for effective teamwork, a necessity in this organisation. Becoming Ashburton’s first female mayor was a great honour. It is my understanding that I am the first former Ashburton College and Ashburton Intermediate pupil to become mayor (I am unable to confirm if I have been the first ex-Tinwald School pupil). This history acknowledges my personal local roots in our district and demonstrates the opportunities one can achieve. When I was first elected as a councillor in 2010, I was one of three women in a council of 13. When the

nation celebrated the 125th year of suffrage in 2018, the Monarch, the Governor-General, the Prime Minister and the Mayor of Ashburton were positions all held by females. But the gender balance around many councils in New Zealand hasn’t changed quickly, with only 14 female mayors in 78 councils throughout New Zealand. I might consider the challenges as mayor to be as others in the role before me have, but with the added self-expectation that as the district’s first female mayor I must set a good example for those who may follow. As mayor I have recognised that I cannot do it all by myself and I may not achieve perfection, I work long and hard to achieve as close to 100 percent as possible for our community. I can relate what truly drives me, to my baseball background–“the measure of success are the runs on the board”. And I would like to see more runs on the board in everything we do at council. There are, and will continue to be, many opportunities to pause, reflect and celebrate the wins in this district. As females we have a tendency to be hardworking and understated, trusting others will notice our achievements. I’ve been told that you can get a lot done in politics if you don’t care who takes the credit. To all the Women in Business, learn from those who have gone before, enjoy the fruits of the present, embrace all the opportunities available to you, and plan for the future. It is difficult to reach your goal, if you don’t know where you are heading.

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Woman in business 2019

Ashburton Guardian 19

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Lynda Mathieson Mathieson Chartered Accountants Ltd Employment relations consultant If Lynda Mathieson had her way she’d never spend a day in mediation or in the Employment Court. As a Employment Relations and employment law advisor she says it’s her job to ensure every one of her employer clients has a best practice workplace that ensures a working environment where all boxes on the Employment Relations chart are ticked. In practice, however, that does not happen and when issues arise between employer and employee she’s called in to find a way through any dispute. “The best way to describe how I help Employers, is that I provide support around Employment Relations Compliance, Recruitment, Risk Management and developing of solutions that best fit the individual business requirements. I guide businesses on how they should manage their Employment Relations and when it gets tricky, then I’ll step in.” Often a client will call wanting reassurance that they’re handling a situation the correct way but just as often that reveals a need to take a closer look at what they’re doing around their legal requirements, she said. Lynda sees her job as finding good

• • •

outcomes for both employer and employee. “I live and breathe employment law; we’re solutions focused. We’re not about creating disputes, we’re about ensuring they don’t occur,” she said. Lynda’s clients are businesses and employers rather than employees. “I’d say a lot of small businesses think they understand employment law, so in their minds what they’re doing seems to be fine and done with good intentions, but their area of expertise is their business, not Employment Relations. There are a lot of intricacies in employment law that you won’t know until it hits you.” It’s her goal never to let a dispute get to the Employment Court. That’s an expensive place that no one wants to go, she said.

Increasing business cashflows Growing business turnover Boosting business profit

• • •

“It’s negative being in a dispute where you’re fighting for what you believe is right. Mediation is better but I try to avoid all of that by resolving disputes amicably and fairly. It’s better if it’s not about winners and losers.” A good workplace in terms of Employment Relations is one where the relationships were such that if something went wrong the two parties could talk and not become adversarial, Lynda said. “Most employers want to be fair and they think they’re doing the right thing but often get caught out.” During the Canterbury earthquakes Lynda was HR manager for construction company Hawkins. She was faced with recruiting 230 Rebuild Solution Managers and quantity surveyors within a four-month period. They came from across New Zealand as well as England and Ireland. For many, working with people in extreme distress was very difficult ,she said. “They took a lot on their shoulders, they saw a lot of sad situations that were beyond their control.” That was both a challenging and rewarding time. Today she works in her own practice

and also with accountant husband David’s clients. “I absolutely love what I do,” she said. Lynda came to New Zealand 22 years ago, initially for work, then on holiday and finally to stay. She originally worked for an upmarket travel company, Elegant Resorts, that saw her travel the world staying in top-end accommodation and then going home to talk to clients about her experience. One of those was New Zealand’s Huka Lodge. “Of all the places around the world, I fell in love with New Zealand. I loved the scenery but it was the people who drew me in,” she said. She returned home, took a three month break, came back to New Zealand and decided she didn’t want to leave. Her first application for residency was declined and she was within one day of leaving when she received a letter saying her second application had been successful. “Except for the birth of my daughter and marrying Dave, it was the third best day of my life.” Today she’s established a business that counts its clients as both local and national companies.

Helping to protect what you have worked for Developing business and farming succession plans Providing employment relations expertise and advice

CONTACT MATHIESON CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS LTD TODAY Phone 03 307 6455

Email info@myca.co.nz

Address 123 Burnett Street, Ashburton

Website www.myca.co.nz

Women in business 2019 20 Ashburton Guardian

www.guardianonline.co.nz

Saturday, May 25, 2019

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Kylie Burrowes Westside Hire (2017) Ltd

Chantal Steiner-Garner, Rachel Trotter and Kerry Marshall Ashburton Stihl Shop

Business co-owner

Sales manager, office manager and business co-owner

When Kylie Burrowes and husband Darryl bought Westside Hire in August 2017, she swapped a day spent with pre-schoolers to a day spent in the world of diggers, trailers and assorted machinery. And over the past 20 months, while she’s loved the challenge, loved learning new things, at heart she misses working with children. “I’m basically the office lady who owns the business I’ve gone from preschoolers to swearing men and that’s been a pretty big change,” she said. Kylie and Darryl already owned Allen’s Liquid Waste Disposal and that’s Darryl’s domain. Kylie’s focus has been growing and expanding the hire business. Today she’s confident the hard work, juggling a new business, relieving at a preschool and looking after children Josh and Ella has paid off. “I am very lucky to have great staff who do the hard yards now, so I can concentrate on all the other things going on in my life as well as Westside Hire. “At the start I had no idea what a lot of things in the business were, but now I know and can help with everything around the place, except the heavy lifting,” Kylie said. One of the highlights has been

Chainsaws, hedge trimmers, ride-on I know what I’m talking about,” Chantal mowers, they might be labelled tools for said. ‘blue’ jobs in many homes, but when it She’s used most products in the shop comes to knowing what’s best and how and, with every sale, checks it over and it works and when it comes to Stihl prod- makes sure it’s ticking over as it should ucts, in Ashburton it pays to ask a girl. be, Jeff and Kerry bought the Stihl Shop That girl is Chantal Steiner-Garner. four years ago as an add-on to their moShe’s the knowledge bank for Kerry and torbike business and while chainsaws are Jeff Marshall’s business and her product the heart of the business, they also sell knowledge is huge. a range of trimmers, cutters and ride-on Growing up on a farm Chantal said she lawn mowers. was familiar with and used a wide range And of course Chantal is the go-to perof farm equipment and tools, but as a son for that other machinery as well. teenager had never imagined she’d be “I’ll put the mowers on a trailer and go making her living advising men what to out and demonstrate those,” she said. buy and why. While many people did a lot of reShe’s been the shop’s Stihl expert for search online, it was important to come more than four years and admits she into the shop to find out what you really reads everything she can and takes on needed, she said. product training whenever it’s offered. “It’s important that I ask the right “When I took this on I wanted to chalquestions so people get the right prodlenge myself, to do something different,” uct.” she said. Ashburton’s Stihl shop is very much a The reaction of men when they ask to female affair with Chantal running the talk to someone about a chainsaw and floor, Kerry as manager and Rachel TrotSTIHL GHE GHE 105 105ter running the office. NEW she turns up, is often interesti ng. STIHL GARDEN SHREDDER NEW GARDEN SHREDDER “They’re a bit standoffish at the start Rachel said she was used to men ringand you can see they want to deal with ing up and asking to speak PB SHEARS PB 10 10 PRUNING PRUNING SHEARS to the wee PB 10 PRUNING SHEARS (WORTH (WORTH $90) $90) (WORTH $90) Jeff, but they come round when they see girl in the Stihl shop.

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the camaraderie and friendship that develops with regular customers. Kylie has recently introduced a new party hire range and said there is now a large enough stock of equipment to cater for most reasonably large events. The hire business is open seven days and that means family time is often hard to come by. Sundays Kylie and Darryl both work, but Saturday is her “me” day. Life in the Burrowes house is often held together by notes or text messages. “We’re a bit like passing ships sometimes.” Kylie has a busy social media presence and enjoys the marketing side of the business, coming up with entertaining posts and ads. “We always have a bit of fun; they come in for a bit of banter and a laugh.” And it’s that fun, that keeps the customers coming, she said. In her down time, Kylie enjoys being a part of the local theatre company Variety Theatre Ashburton. The current production of Sister Act is in full swing and you will ﬁnd her and her daughter, Ella, backstage organising all the props. “It’s an amazing thing to be a part of and everyone has a great time, it’s my happy place. (That and I can’t sing or dance to save myself LOL).”

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Woman in business 2019

Ashburton Guardian 21

(From left) Jessica Letham, Gill Pidgeon, Andrea Kinley, Antonia Riordan, Jane Fowles

Jane Fowles Compliance Partners

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Health and safety geek

You might consider that commitment to health and safety has been a matter of good luck rather than good planning for some farmers and businesses, but the team at Ashburton’s Compliance Partners is working on changing that. It’s their job to work with small-tomedium businesses (farming included!) as health and safety and HR advisers, and Jane Fowles said they’re forging some great relationships in Mid Canterbury. As a qualified practitioner, she saw a gap in the market five years ago and set up Compliance Partners. Her background is in health and safety and human resources across the tertiary, private and public sectors. To many people health and safety legislation is an easily procrastinated task, but for Jane it’s a passion. “I just love health and safety, and anything to do with how we manage our people, and I could, and do, talk about it till the cows come home!” Passion doesn’t always mean it’s easy, however, when you are trying to convince people that health and safety is important, she said. “I spend every day taking five steps forward, but there are some days that

I take a few steps back too. It breaks my heart every time I see a headline of a death at work in New Zealand, it’s almost like a part of me has failed at my job. For the two self-confessed health and safety geeks, Jane and Gill, it’s not about preparing a folder, handing it to a client and walking away, hoping they’ll read the blurb and take the messages on board.

“We partner with them rather than just handing over the information and saying, ‘get on with it, have a nice life. We are like their business adviser or their accountant, we build a relationship; we’re really just another adviser in their toolbox,” she said. “It’s our job to provide good guidance and to interpret the regulations to make it practical for a business owner,” she said.

Most had neither the time nor the desire to read through huge amounts of paperwork, they’d rather be told what they needed to do, how and why. “Our job is to make it simple. They know their business, and we know health and safety, so together we make the perfect team to find the perfect solution. “We don’t pay lip service to health and safety. Everyone has an opportunity to stop something unsafe and to change it.” Compliance Partners’ occupational health side of the business is an important fit into their offering to their clients. Andrea and Antonia, both registered nurses, provide occupational health screening covering hearing, lung, vision and drug screening, as well as wellness checks, blood tests and flu vaccines. They also offer mental health workshops. “Those checks can save a life and, in our experience, having these in the workplace can instil real employee loyalty. Jane also offers her HR services to clients, assisting with anything to do with people management.

We are inviting your team to come on board with Influenza Vaccinations at your workplace this winter season to help protect your staff against the flu.

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Women in business 2019 22 Ashburton Guardian

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Saturday, May 25, 2019

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Jo McCloy JFM Creatives

Director of local marketing agency Does your brand inspire? Director of local marketing agency JFM Creatives, Jo McCloy, sits down with Janice McKay for a frank chat about marketing and JFM’s recent rebrand.

focused on the journey and those special customers that share a similar vision. It’s also not about being all things to all people, it’s about carving out a niche and never apologising for that.

You’ve been the creative director at JFM Creatives since 2007. Tell me more about what you do. I’m a connector of talent, to achieving marketing goals, objectives and dreams of purpose-driven entrepreneurs who are up for big things and who have a desire to make a diﬀerence in the world. My personal commitment to clients is to show them new horizons of possibility.

Do you think technology has played a part in that shift? Yes. When I first started, my clients lived between Rakaia and Rangitata - that’s all I could see as a possibility. Through referrals five to six years ago we extended further. Now we have national clients with a global focus. Technology has made a huge difference because all the channels of communication push you to be authentic. You can’t get away with presenting your business one way while your business moves in the opposite direction. That’s the power of social media – with such immediacy.

“Ultimately it’s ﬂipped my business on its head: from the business driving me, to me driving the business.” What are the key things in marketing that you’ve seen change since then? In 2007 we used to market to a target audience based on historical thinking and data but now, it’s about crafting an ideal customer avatar. It means driving forward with crystal clear thinking

You rebranded JFM recently – tell me why? The reason I rebranded is that its old school to think life and business is separate. Today, life and business are one. Particularly in business; many of us can now choose the life we want to live and that means business can merge with life choices such as raising a young family.

Your company values, service offering, and branding evolve as you evolve – and that’s what happened for me. I’ve spent the past six months on very deep personal development which has given me clarity of purpose. Ultimately it’s flipped my business on its head: from the business driving me, to me driving the business. What’s your advice to others on rebranding? If you’re honest and reflect on past business relationships and people you’ve worked with, there might be some common patterns that emerge. They look like frustrations but they are learnings often centered around misalignment of values. Everyday we work with entrepreneurs who are making a real difference - but their marketing is inconsistent to the true value they offer. What we do at JFM aligns and adds to that value and gives them a sense of personal pride. As Kiwis, we’re so understated that we’re fearful of putting our head up and saying ‘I’ve done well’, or ‘I’m proud of what we’ve done’ - but we’ve taken that too far. We want the lifestyle of our dreams but were not prepared to be

visible. That’s got to change. Why should a business rebrand? Its important to reignite where there’s passion. Where there’s desire, there’s great work to be had and great things to be achieved. Businesses are constantly evolving and so to should a business’s brand. When you seek constant alignment with who you are and the desires of your target customers, deep rooted relationships are formed. What’s your one branding tip? Taking leadership on branding is showing that we are clear about what we truly desire and delivering on that promise. It’s about holding up the mirror, being honest with yourself and saying, ‘for my ﬁre to be lit every day I need to be making a meaningful contribution’. Ask yourself, ‘does my brand inspire me to do that’? • Follow Jo’s inspiring journey on Linkedin and Instagram @ jomccloythinks • See the JFM rebrand unfold on LinkedIn, Facebook @jfm.nz and Instagram @jfmcreatives

Women in business 2019 www.guardianonline.co.nz

Woman in business 2019

Casey Rose Ashburton Trust Event Centre

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Functions and Marketing Manager For seven years Casey Rose has been part of the fabric that makes the Ashburton Trust Event Centre tick. Over this time she was the Bar and Catering Manager before becoming the Functions and Marketing Manager. It’s her job to help ensure business is booming across the venue. It’s a job she loves, one she can’t imagine leaving. She tried once, but less than a month down the track she was back. “It’s an awesome job. It’s not like coming to work, it’s like coming to see your friends. We have a lot of laughs and a lot of fun and I think this is what helps this place run the way it does” Casey said. In a nutshell her job is to market shows, help set up and co-ordinate functions and events. As well as, making sure there are staﬀ rostered on and the bars and kitchen are upkept. This means every day is different, from a large funeral one day to a major show the next. “There’s so much variety, it’s awesome. My goal is to see the event centre used to its maximum. I hate days when it’s sitting unused, but then there can be two or three functions on in one day.” Casey enjoys working behind the bar along with catering, having come from parents who were both publicans and

her first home being the Bishopdale Tavern, hospitality is in her blood. She spent up until the age of 17 living in different hotels and pubs before moving to Ashburton. Casey said her job means she’s had the opportunity to meet many well-known entertainers and event organisers, and counts that as a privilege. While shows arrive as a self-contained package and their main dealings are with the centre’s technical crew, when it comes to conferences, meeting and funerals, Casey is front line. “We’ll do anything and everything that’s needed,” she said. She’s part of a small team made up of five full timers, a number of part time staff and a great bunch of volunteers. Casey encourages the staff to watch a wide range of shows. “It’s important for them to see what people are watching and understand what the events are about,” she said. Casey’s goal is for every show to be a sell-out show. Experience has taught her, however, that it’s never easy to judge the big sellers. Casey’s goal is to work closely with Management and heads of departments to ensure the Event Centre grows and is used to it’s full potential as it really is a great asset for the town.

Ashburton Guardian 23

Maria Jamison Rothbury Insurance Brokers

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Commercial broker

Insurance broker Maria Jamison said the insurance industry is a great place in which young women can carve out a career. She started as support for an experienced broker and when the opportunity came to move up the career ladder she grabbed it with both hands. But like many people who make their living in the insurance industry, Maria said she virtually ‘fell into her job’. She came from a background in the fitness sector and then worked in office management. “This opening came up and I decided I’d go for it.” Becoming a broker involved gaining certification and in-house training but study is ongoing to keep up-to-date with legal changes constant, Maria said. Insurance broking is all about building relationships, about understanding your client and about finding the best insurance solutions for their needs, Maria said. “This job is about being a person’s advocate as well as their broker and that’s what I love about my job – the client interface.” “We work for our clients, not the insurance company. We’re not affiliated to

any one insurer so we find the best cover for the client, what suits them best.” Maria is part of a wave of change in the industry that was traditionally a male domain, and occasionally, she said, there will be clients who’re surprised to find their broker is a younger woman. “It’s great to see more women coming into the industry and stepping out of support roles to establish a career. And it’s an exciting career because no two days are ever the same. Women can do this job and they can do it really well.” The life of a broker in a provincial town is very different to that of her city counterparts, Maria said, as they rarely leave their offices. She is as likely to be sharing a cup of tea with a client as she is sitting behind a desk. “I really believe in what we’re doing. Sometimes it takes a while to find what’s right for a client and sometimes you need to get down to the nitty-gritty and find that.” And like many career women, Maria is juggling work with raising a family. She has a 15 year old and a 9 year old and while at times she has half a dozen balls in the air it all seems to work, most of the time.

When considering Insurance requirements it’s best to use a team you can trust. ROTHBURY INSURANCE BROKERS TODAY Maria Jamison Commercial Broker DDI: 03 307 7290 M: 021 243 1386 E: maria.jamison@rothbury.co.nz Members of IBANZ 69 Tancred Street, Ashburton | www.rothbury.co.nz

Women in business 2019 24 Ashburton Guardian

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Carolyn Bond-Hood and Kate Rotch Grant Hood Contracting Business owner and office manager

Grant Hood Contracting might be an earthmoving business, but it’s a business with heart, one where family comes first. Co-Director Carolyn Bond-Hood knows just how important it is for staff to know that, in a family crisis or for an important family event, taking time off should be easy; she’s been a working mum with young children. When she, and husband Grant, started their business 17 years ago the couple had three school age children. And for Carolyn that meant adding the challenge of a new business to being a full-time mum. “This involved a lot of night work after the kids had gone to bed. It was all paper based then so the kids became very good at putting paper in envelopes.” When you’re juggling two jobs, every moment is precious and Carolyn recalls writing cheques while she was sitting pool-side waiting for the children to finish swimming lessons. “And if Grant needed anything the kids would be thrown in the truck and we’d have to head out and deliver it,” she said. Her official role today is HR, finance – and all the jobs no one else wants to do. Initially their business employed three; today it has 22 on the payroll. That growth now sees the business

working on contracts across the South Island. And that means there are many weeks when Grant is away and Carolyn adds day-to-day running of the business to her workload. She moved aside a large slice of her work five years ago when Kate Rotch joined the team as office manager. Kate takes care of payroll and a string of jobs that’s so long and varied it would struggle to fit on a sheet of A3 paper. She loves what she does, loves being part of the Grant Hood team and the challenges that come knowing that every day will be different. As Carolyn did 17 years ago, Kate juggles work with raising a young family, but she says the company philosophy of putting family first makes the juggling act much easier. Grant and Carolyn’s children, Leighton, Olivia and Joshua, are also involved in the business and that’s important in understanding that with a family business the buck stops with the entire family, Carolyn said. As a family and as business owners, she said, they are very aware of their responsibilities to staff. “We know a lot of people rely on us to pay their mortgage and to put food on the table, but most importantly to send their loved ones home safely at the end of each day.

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WINNER

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Kate Davidson Creative Acupuncture Business owner

Kate Davidson has a mission: to use acupuncture and natural medicine to help women heal themselves. She has recently opened her acupuncture business, Creative Acupuncture, in Ashburton. “People often ask ‘how does acupuncture work?” she says. “It reduces inflammation, improves circulation, and relieves pain. Acupuncture also switches the body into rest and relaxation mode, activating the parasympathetic nervous system and eliciting a healing response. The body is miraculous and knows how it heal itself. Acupuncture helps it do this. Unlike conventional medicine, acupuncture is non-invasive with minimal to no adverse side-effects”. Kate has a special interest in three key areas: gynaecology, fertility, and pregnancy (including post-partum). Most people go to see an acupuncturist for musculoskeletal injuries like tennis elbow or frozen shoulder but this limiting view leaves out a range of other conditions including endometriosis and adenomyosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), menopausal hot flushes, menopausal-induced insomnia, natural fertility, assisted reproductive technology (ART), pre-labour and postpartum care. Acupuncture can help those with endometriosis and adenomyosis by reducing chronic pain as well as decreasing inflammation which proliferates these condi-

tions. Lifestyle changes will also support the acupuncture. For those trying to conceive, acupuncture reduces stress and boosts our feel-good endorphins, regulates the menstrual cycle, and improves blood flow to the pelvic area, namely the ovaries, uterus and endometrial lining. Pre-labour care starts at approximately 36 weeks and studies have shown acupuncture can reduce the time a woman spends in labour. Kate will devise a tailored treatment plan for you focussing on three main areas: acupuncture, natural medicine (including food), and inspired action. The latter is to empower you to take control of your own health and improve your well-being in your daily life. This treatment plan is carefully monitored to ensure progress is being made. Kate grew up in Ashburton but spent several years in Australia where she completed her health science degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine. At the end of her study, she travelled to China and completed a six-week internship at an integrated Chinese medicine hospital in Chengdu. She also practiced acupuncture in Sydney in a medical centre as well as establishing her own business. Kate always had a return to Ashburton in mind and moved home where she has now established Creative Acupuncture, mark two.”

Supporting Women’s HEALTH

Acupuncture | Natural Medicine | Inspired Action

2017

Kate Davidson P: 03 308 0287 or 027 483 2712 • 192 Racecourse Rd, Ashburton www.granthoodcontracting.co.nz

BOOK your APPOINTMENT online NOW

Office 2 Upstairs Smith and Church Building 42 Moore Street Ashburton 7700 M 027 222 2996 | E info@creativeacupuncture.com Creative Acupuncture | creative_acupuncture www.creativeacupuncture.com

Women in business 2019 www.guardianonline.co.nz

Woman in business 2019

Diane Thomas Body ‘n’ Beauty Worx Day Spa

Ashburton Guardian 25

Ashburton’s Body n’ Beauty Worx Day Spa and Mirror Image team (from left) Laura Woodham, Emma Anderson, Anna Ridge, Krystal Gane with owner Di Thomas in front. PHOTO SUE NEWMAN 110419-SN-0043

Business owner

Beauty and skin care clinic business owner Di Thomas planned to establish a small business she could run part time from home; 18 years down the track she’s merged two well established businesses with a team of four staff and life has never been busier. While the relaxed life where she could paint, bake and do a little beauty therapy on the side never quite panned out as planned, Di said she still loves every minute of her work. Di says that looking back, working in the beauty industry while she and husband Steve were raising their two sons and her nephew, provided her with female time in a male dominated household. She had originally worked as a massage therapist while working in retail, and while the leap to becoming a business owner was daunting it’s a decision she’s never regretted. “I live, eat and breathe this, it’s my passion. I just love seeing my clients leave happy,” Di said. Spending time and money for beauty treatments are as much about how you feel after a pampering session as it is the visible benefits you gain, she said. Over the past 18 years Di has moved her business from home, to Ashburton’s

inner town and finally to Tancred Street where both Body n’ Beauty Worx and Mirror Image operate from a charming villa, with Di and Steve’s new home nestled neatly behind. Today she offers a wide range of treatments including facials, a spray tan room, make-up studio, massage therapy and a range of advanced skin treatments. “Everything to do with beauty we do. This industry has come a long way from when I started Back then it was really just massage, eyebrows, waxing, nails and pedicures.” She also has a number of consultants who bring their own specialised treatments to her business as required. Over the years Di has seen significant growth in the numbers of women who are prepared to invest money in making sure they look the best they can. “Our clientele increases every year as people realise how important it is to

look after themselves. Women want to look younger,” she said. Some come for something as simple as an eyebrow tint or shape but, once they gain confidence in their therapist, they’ll often look for other treatments, Di said. One thing that hasn’t changed, over the years, is Di’s commitment to using quality products and sticking with the best has earned her a platinum award from Dermalogica. For clients that means a solid guarantee that comes from a certified salon using internationally recognised products, she said. Di’s team of therapists all hold qualifications and at the moment she is training two apprentices, one of which is almost qualified. ‘This is quite new, training on the job but it works so well as they can’t get the experience at beauty school they’ll get on the job,” she said.

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Apprentices start on the absolute basics, usually with nails and build up from there, recruiting friends and family as their models as they learn new skills. It takes a year to complete the first level qualification and a further year to qualify in advanced treatments such as electrolysis and IPL. Her commitment to her businesses and her clients is total, but Di said she is also committed to having time for herself. And that includes mountain biking, walking, going to the gym and having wines with girlfriends. “Women work hard and we need to take time for ourselves, even if it’s just having an eyebrow shape.” A visit to a beauty therapist is an opportunity for a busy woman to sit back, relax, do absolutely nothing and be pampered, she said. Looking to the future, Di has no plans for expansion and she knows the day will come when she’ll need to consider selling if she wants to have more time for herself and Steve. They moved to Ashburton 25 years ago, never imagining they’d stay; today she said, they love the place they call home.

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A: 278 Tancred Street, Ashburton | P: 03 308 2266 | E: bodynbeautyworx@gmail.com | W: www.bodynbeautyworx.co.nz

STOCKISTS OF

Women in business 2019 26 Ashburton Guardian

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Saturday, May 25, 2019

Emmily Harmer Emmily Harmer Photography and Picture Framing

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Business owner

When it comes to passion, Emmily Harmer has it in spades. She’s never happier than when behind a camera, capturing images of families, individuals and people simply being themselves. From an early age Emmily was fascinated by cameras and the images they could capture but it would take marriage, a move to the country and motherhood before she turned a hobby into a business “I was a town girl who married a country boy and I kept getting told off because, when we were out on the farm, I was always taking photos rather than working,” Emmily said. Children Madilyn and Flynn, now 10 and eight, provided Emmily with captive subjects but rather than satisfying her need to capture special moments, the birth of her children fuelled her desire to do more with her camera. About six years ago she decided it was time to establish her own studio in a backroom on West Street. When the opportunity came to take over the entire building, Emmily grabbed it and her business now includes a studio, photo framing business and a street front shop.

FAMILY PHOTO TAKEN BY EMMILY

She’s self taught but has invested heavily in time and money to hone her skills from the best, attending workshops in Australia and the United States. Currently she works with an American mentor. Portraits are her first love – families, individuals, it doesn’t matter. What is important is seeing the transformation that happens when she’s behind the lens. It’s all about having fun, getting people to relax and to enjoy what should be a special time, she said. And Emmily goes out of her way to ensure her clients are relaxed. There’s a hair and make-up studio, rack after rack of clothing if people want to try different styles, and there are always nibbles and refreshments.

“For me it’s important to take the time to build a relationship with people you’re working with. The hair and the make-up, they add to the experience.” While she prefers to shoot in her studio, she’s happy to travel to locations that may be special to her clients. “ I have quite a few rural families who want photos on trucks or in crops and they’re always a lot of fun.” She also works on projects for specific events. A series for the suffrage anniversary gave her first large exhibition at the Ashburton Museum. She followed up with a Faces of Women project and has just completed a series to celebrate EA Networks gym’s fourth birthday. Those projects are challenging but they’re an incredible opportunity to get to know people, she said. The next one involves an old chair placed in her studio. She’s capturing images of anyone and everyone sitting in that chair and those photos will become the subjects of her first book. “I love what I do. When I’m behind the camera I almost feel like a different person.” While she’s passionate about portraiture, that doesn’t extend

to weddings or newborns. They’re specialist fields and Ashburton already has good photographers working in those areas, she said. “And I wouldn’t have the patience.” With her framing business Emmily becomes a one- stop-photo-shop. Currently she loves folio boxes that can contain up to 25 photos and sit on a coffee table or bookshelf. And she prefers frames to prints on canvas saying there’s no comparison when it comes to quality. “I’m quite passionate about printing. You won’t just get a USB from me, you’ll get a professionally printed photo that will last a life time. They’re not just for you, they’re for the future, they’re heirlooms. I want photos to be treasured and kept.” She admits to being impulsive and said that will see her running a seminar for business women in Ashburton in July next year as part of her Women in Business Facebook group of around 240 women. Those women have so much potential but many never go to conferences. That, Emmily said, motivated her to bring a conference to them. “I never think why not, I just do it.”

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Toni May Silk Estate

Woman in business 2019

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Business owner When it comes to her marquee and hire business Silk Estate Ltd, owner Toni May is usually the beautifully dressed front person but if needed, she could also be on the end of a jack hammer or driving a forklift. For 10 years she’s been providing top of the line marquees and hire equipment for events around Canterbury and says she loves her business as much today as she did on day one. It’s a huge commitment of time and money, but knowing you’ve played a vital role in someone’s wedding or major event comes with huge rewards, she said. Creating a business that prides itself on quality means owning and caring for every item used and that includes not just tables, chairs, cutlery and china, but also chillers, quality restrooms, a dancefloor and a stage (both sourced in America.) “I feel we’re a bespoke provider, it’s a niche market we do and we provide full support, we don’t just hire a marquee. We plan from go to whoa.” Her business is now spread over several sites, with the largest a warehouse storing every possible item needed for a wedding – large or small. Toni said people tended to book well

in advance, but inevitably there were clashes of dates. “I’ll go out of my way to make it happen I’ve had challenges and I’ve had to find solutions, but I say yes and then work out how it will happen.” She plans meticulously to avoid any last minute hiccoughs and likes to have a marquee set up with a day to spare before the wedding to avoid any stress for a bride. “We don’t cut corners and we’re usually there on the night and that means clients don’t have to worry. I want everything to be absolutely right and I feel very privileged to share in their celebration.” Over the years Toni said she has erected marquees across Canterbury and the West Coast, including some challenging locations. When a wedding is over and the last guest leaves, for Toni and her team there’s a day or two of work dismantling a site and cleaning, sterilising and packing away equipment usually for the following weekend. Quality is her byword but Toni said that doesn’t mean a wedding has to be expensive. She caters for all budgets and all tastes.

Ashburton Guardian 27

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Jen Muir SKIP-2-IT Flooring Xtra Co-owner

When one partner is happy running the shop and the other running the books, then it’s a business marriage made in heaven. Jen Muir came on board the Flooring Xtra team 20 years ago and quickly took over the financial side of the business husband Skip had started six years earlier. “We’ve got different strengths and we work quite well together but we have very defined roles. He runs the shop and the layers and my background’s in accountancy so I do the finances, management stuff and the processes on how the Offer ends shop should run,” she said. Nov. 30th Over those 20 years the couple have *Terms and conditions apply raised four children, currently 16, 14, 12 Offermonth from and 11 – five years and one ends Nov. 30th oldest to youngest. “A friend toapply me, if you’re on the *Terms andsaid conditions floor changing one nappy you may as well be changing another,” she said. Jen has spent the last 16 years working from home, balancing full-time mum with part-time business owner and volunteer. She brought a wealth of experience to their business, with four years at Leech & Partners, a stint overseas, time at Ashburton Hospital and another stint *Terms and conditions apply

at Leech & Partners. It had been Skip’s business dream to marry an accountant, but it was a few weeks into their relationship before he realised he had a chance of getting what he’d wished for, Jen said. Not working on the shop floor was a strategic advantage to the business, Jen said. “Because I don’t know the products I walk in and see it from a customer’s perspective.” Stepping away from the business was important and so was learning from others, Jen said. “Our philosophy is, someone is doing it better than us, who are they, what are they doing, why is it working and can we implement it? Everything we do is about making it easier for our customers.” In addition to the business, Jen gives time to two school boards, other sports organisations and as a sports administrator. As a business they sponsor a number of sports and events. “Part of why we run the business is we believe there’s an obligation in a small town Offer to give back. People support us ends and it’s up to us to support the commuNov. 20th nity Offer when we can.”

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Women in business 2019 28 Ashburton Guardian

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Saturday, May 25, 2019

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Minu Abraham Burnett Street Dental

Stephens Liz Stephens Plains Irrigators Irrigators Plains

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Business co-owner co-owner Business

Business owner

When she was considering a career, dentistry was the obvious choice for Minu Abraham – her parents are both dentists and now both she, her sister and her brother-in-law work in the same profession. In 2017 Minu bought Burnett Street dental after working for predecessor Peter Rumping. She trained in India and moved to New Zealand in 2006 with her husband, an IT consultant. The birth of the couple’s first child, 13 years ago, meant Minu put her career on hold, but a few years later she decided to study towards her New Zealand registration exams at Otago University. She graduated and gained a position in Christchurch in 2011. Today Minu has added to her family with daughters of four-year and one-year and that means life is exceptionally busy. Add to that her daily commute from Rolleston and she has plenty of balls in the air every day. Buying an existing practice means you’re also buying a client base, but there’s always a period where those clients are checking you out, she said. “Most have done that now and seem to think I’m all right.” While her books are open for new patients, Minu said the practice can get very busy and, with that

PHOTO SUPPLIED (From left) Marie Kennedy, Liz Stephens, and Keri Ralston

in mind, she’s considering taking on a second dentist. It’s a career she loves because it has the potential to help people. “I like being able to put a nice smile on their faces,” she said. She’s unsure whether any of her three children will become dentists but said her four-year old is currently the one who keeps asking questions about the job. While dentistry was once the domain of men, there are now plenty of women practicing, Minu said, and they have the advantage of smaller hands and, possibly, greater empathy with nervous patients. “It’s important to build up a rapport with your patients. People say they hate the dentist but I want them to have a pleasant experience. I do all I can to put them at ease.” Minu is dedicated to providing high quality dental care and commits much of her time to continuing professional development to ensure that her patients receive the best treatments available in dentistry. She is interested in all aspects of dentistry especially interested in using minimally invasive procedures that emulate the nature of patients’ teeth. She enjoys treating nervous patients and changing their often-unfavorable opinion of dental treatment.

BURNETT STREET

DENTAL

Liz Stephens Stephens isis aa sole solewoman womanworking working Liz in a male dominated environment as a as director and the Business Manager Director and the Business Manager of an irrigation company, in a male of an irrigation company. dominated environment. She has has aa background backgroundof ofnursing, nursing, She farming in Central Otago and double farming in Central Otago and aadouble degree in Sales and Marketing and degree in Sales and Marketing and Strategic Management. Management. Strategic Liz is the co-ownerof ofPlains PlainsIrrigators Irrigators Liz is the co-owner Ltd., a business started by her partner Ltd., a business started by her partner Graeme Cooper one man, one vehicle Graeme Cooper - one man, one vehicle and a toolbox, in Rangitata in 1995. and a toolbox, in Rangitata in 1995. Due to to their their vision visionof ofhow howcentre of centre Due pivot irrigation systems could change pivot irrigation systems could change Canterbury and other areas of New Canterbury and other areas of New Zealand, Plains Irrigators Ltd is now Zealand, Plains Irrigators Ltd is now a recognised leader in providing a recognised leader in providing technologically advanced advancedirrigation irrigation technologically systems throughout the South Island. systems throughout the South Island. Liz joined the business in 1998, asaa Liz joined the business in 1998, as jack of all trades, juggling work around jack of all trades, juggling work around raising teenagers. teenagers. The Thebusiness businessmoved movedto to raising Ashburton in 2001 and steadily grew. Ashburton in 2001 and steadily grew. “My first first task task was wasto tolearn learnabout about the “My Pivot & Lateral Move Irrigators, and the Pivot & Lateral Move Irrigators, all associated equipment, and then and all associated equipment, and to develop systems systems and andput putprocedures proceduresand and develop protocols in place to ensure success. protocols in place to ensure success. learned everything everythingas asIIwent wentalong, along, II learned it was a pretty steep learning curve. whilst managing the day to day needsI learned whilst managing theand day to day of the business both locally

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needs of the business both locally and internationallyand andall allthat thatisisinvolved involvedinin internationally working with a growing number ofstaff, staff, working with a growing number of which was a hard road in the beginning.” which was a hard road in the beginning.” shesaid. said. she One ofthe theLiz’s Liz’skey keyroles role has has been been One of the overall strategic management and the overall strategic management and administration of the business and over administration of the business and over the years she has had great support from the years she has had great support from other women, all working behind the other women, all working behind the scenescollating collatinginformation informationto toensure ensure scenes things run smoothly. things run smoothly. CurrentlyPlains PlainsIrrigators Irrigatorshas hasaanew new Currently team, including Marie Kennedy and Keri team, including Marie Kennedy and Keri Ralston, both of whom bring their own Ralston, both of whom bring their own businessskills skillsand andvaried variedexperience experienceto to business the table. the table. InDecember December2018 2018Plains PlainsIrrigators Irrigators In moved to a purpose-built facility onthe the moved to a purpose-built facility on North Park Industrial Estate, a great new North Park Industrial Estate, a great new spacefor forPlains long standing staff to work space staff to be based from.in.

CALL NOW 03 308 5248 FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT

Minu Abraham BDS

Now accepting NEW CUSTOMERS ■ A healthy mouth will improve your body health ■ Please don’t delay ■ Now is the time to get your dental and oral health back on track ■ Friendly talented Staff ■ Modern equipment ■ Easy payment plans

OPEN Mon, Wed, Fri – 9am - 5pm | Tues and Fri – 9am - 4pm 85 Burnett Street, Ashburton | Phone: 03 308 5248 reception@burnettstreetdental.co.nz

3 BRANCHES SERVING THE ENTIRE SOUTH ISLAND

YOU + US

REPRESENT. ALANA CRAMP TON PARTNER

ANGELA MCKAY SENIOR ASSOCIATE

As a firm we have a depth of specialist legal expertise in agribusiness, commercial, resource management and employment law. Our focus is on partnering with those GEMMA KATRINA entities that support our economy, WRAGG PALMER communities and environment. From a dairying background, Alana is well equipped when advising families and businesses around the complexities of rural and commercial acquisitions and sales, leasing and ﬁnancing. She has strong expertise in succession planning and asset protection under New Zealand’s relationship property laws.

M: 021 965 801| E: alana.crampton@tp.co.nz

ASSOCIATE

Katrina advises on both rural and residential transactions, including the sale, purchase and leasing of farming properties. Coming from a farming background, Katrina has a good understanding of the challenges clients face in this area. She also assists clients with complex residential transactions, including lifestyle block purchases and ﬁnancing related to this. M: 021 841 812| E: katrina.palmer@tp.co.nz

SARAH BAXTER SOLICITOR

Sarah’s interest lies in property law, speciﬁcally lifestyle and residential transactions. Having grown up on a local farm, she readily draws on her practical experience when advising clients in the rural sector, whether on farming, business or personal requirements.

M: 021 916 226| E: sarah.baxter@tp.co.nz

NICKY LAMONT

SENIOR LEGAL EXECU TIVE

Nicky is Senior Legal Executive who is very experienced in all matters surrounding estate planning, estates administration and providing advice on general and enduring powers of attorney. Nicky’s empathy and compassion dealing with delicate matters such as these are highly regarded. M: 021 223 6689| E: nicky.lamont@tp.co.nz

Angela acts for clients on matters relating to rural and commercial property transactions, and joint venture opportunities within the rural sector. Angela also assists her colleagues with related matters such as succession planning.

M: 021 994 611| E: angela.mckay@tp.co.nz

SENIOR SOLICITOR

Gemma assists clients with their personal legal needs. She is experienced in many aspects, including succession planning and advises on rural and residential property matters, personal ﬁnancing, asset protection and trust structuring.

M: 027 318 2141| E: gemma.wragg@tp.co.nz

EMMA BUSH

SOLICITOR

Emma has a good understanding of the issues involved in day-to-day farming operations. She combines this practical knowledge to advise clients on buying and selling properties.

P: (03) 308 2574| E: emma.bush@tp.co.nz

KELLY WING

LEGAL EXECU TIVE

Kelly is a member of our private client team and acts for clients on all matters relating to the sale and purchase of property, including ﬁnance. Kelly is also experienced in trust structuring and works hard to ensure client trusts are relevant and up to date.

M: 0274 697 609| E: kelly.wing@tp.co.nz

Women in business 2019 30 Ashburton Guardian

www.guardianonline.co.nz

Saturday, May 25, 2019

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Michelle Parkin Forsyth Barr Investment Adviser

one reply, from Redmayne-Bentley. “When I completed my first exam which qualified me to be able to deal on the stock market they offered me a job once I’d completed my degree”, she said. That was in 1997 in time for the heady years of the Dot Com boom. “I’m not sure how we did that with only a couple of computers in the office. Business increased six fold and the years to follow were a sharp learning curve and certainly stood me in good stead for the major events head, including the Global Financial Crisis of 2008.” “I’d gained extensive experience managing portfolios for a wide variety of clients including individuals, family wealth, companies, trusts and charities. I also managed a large portfolio for a Quaker charity which opened up my interest in more ethical investments and led me to help other charities incorporate ethical elements into their portfolios,” she said. During her time in the UK she was also involved in television and radio interviews on Bloomberg and CNBC as a financial commentator but that was work she definitely did not enjoy. “Being a young female in what was

Local focus, global view

still a very much male dominated industry ticked all the diversity boxes, but I hated it. I always slept very little the night before due to terrible nerves.” After 20 years at Redmayne-Bentley she was approached to set up an asset management company. Knowing she would be moving to New Zealand, Michelle decided to take on what she describes as the ultimate challenge. We built Progeny Asset Management which provides integrated financial planning, legal and asset management solutions for private clients, businesses, family offices and charities and it was born out of an ambition to create the first multi-service professional platform,” Michelle said. She retained links with the company after her move to New Zealand, continuing to work remotely. “This included some very late nights speaking to the UK but provided me with the flexibility to ensure the family settled into their new lives here. Very different from commuting to the city, working long hours and home again. I could actually take the boys to school and go to school functions.” Knowing she would be moving to New

Zealand, Michelle completed her New Zealand qualifications as an Authorised Financial Adviser and his now enjoying meeting local professionals and investors. Currently a busy part of her role is offering advice to people to improve bank deposit returns while managing risk. “I’m enjoying living here so much. It’s much more laid back and there is a far better work-life balance than in the UK. I know it’ll be a slow burn here till people get to know me and trust me; I’m aware it’ll take time for business to build.” To arrange a meeting to discuss your investment objectives in confidence, call Michelle on (03) 307 9540, email michelle.parkin@forsythbarr.co.nz or visit the office at 42 Moore Street, Ashburton. This article is general in nature and should not be regarded as personalised investment advice. Disclosure Statements are available for Forsyth Barr Authorised Financial Advisers on request and free of charge.

For over 80 years, New Zealanders have put their trust in Forsyth Barr for personalised investment advice and service. Our Ashburton team of Investment Advisers are active in the markets and can help build an investment strategy that is perfect for you, whether you are an experienced investor or just starting out. If you are considering your current investment arrangements and want professional local service, backed by leading research, market data and investment experience contact us to arrange a free review in confidence. Or call in to see us at Level 1, 42 Moore Street, Ashburton.

03 307 9540 forsythbarr.co.nz Disclosure Statements for Forsyth Barr Authorised Financial Advisers are available on request and free of charge.

ASH5742-01 © Forsyth Barr Limited April 2019

When Michelle’s grandfather gave her a small parcel of British Gas and British Telecom shares in the 1980s he laid the foundation for a career that would eventually take Michelle Parkin from the UK to New Zealand. Michelle joined Forsyth Barr Ashburton as an Investment Adviser in February, bringing with her 23 years experience with Leeds based Redmayne-Bentley and Progeny Asset Management. Relocation to Ashburton had always been on the radar for Michelle and Kiwi husband Scott, and the couple and their two sons are now settled at Lake Hood. Eighteen months after their arrival, Michelle decided it was time to return to the workforce. “Knowing we would move to Ashburton, I had been in contact with Forsyth Barr for many years. One of my colleagues from Redmayne-Bentley moved to New Zealand 13 years ago and being a small world ended up working for Forsyth Barr in Ashburton,” she said. She studied at the University of Manchester and realising she needed work experience, wrote to all the Stockbrokers in Yorkshire offering to work for free in her holidays. She got

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Woman in business 2019

Ashburton Guardian 31

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Emma Taylor and Jane Argyle-Reed Argyle Welsh Finnigan (AWF)

Tracey Jones Agstaff and Canstaff

Partners

Business co-owner

In 2001 Tracey Jones and husband Matt started what was a small local recruitment business focused on agricultural staffing. At the time Matt was working as a shepherd with a team of dogs and found he was so busy he was turning work away. Tracey said from there the idea was sparked that there was a potential business that could be developed by employing other shepherds on contract. Tracey then began developing the model of creating opportunities at both ends – for farmers seeking good staff and employees looking for placements on farms. So Agstaff was born. As Agstaff grew so too did Tracey’s knowledge of the industry, which eventually led to a new opportunity which was the creation of an addition company. This time Canstaff was developed as a sister recruitment company with a focus on manufacturing and trade services. “What we learned from watching Agstaff grow gave us the confidence to apply the same model to a different space in recruitment,” Tracey said. As both companies grew to capacity locally Tracey began to expand, with an initial phase, through Canterbury which now sees Agstaff offices nationwide as far as Pukekohe.

Canstaff has also grown, with international offices in Australia, Philippines, Canada, Switzerland and, recently, a first office in the UK with London opening earlier this year. As the businesses have grown from small local operations into international brands Tracey has been leading all areas of the companies’ growth and drives those processes as operations manager. “Every time a new office is opened or an expansion of capability takes place I assess and implement the necessary infrastructure, including scouting locations, recruitment of our own staff and accounting for our marketing and sponsorships to connect with a new audience or potential clients and candidates,” Tracey said. Tracey’s worklife is shared between the Ashburton and Christchurch offices, with homelife centred in Kirwee with Matt and three girls (aged 12, 14, and 16). Tracey still has a local life while running an international business operation and says it’s possible through a strong management network of key people who drive the business initiatives set out in Tracey’s management plans. From a single candidate placed on a single farm, both Agstaff and Canstaff continue to grow with well over 500 candidates actively in roles around the country at any given time.

Jane Argyle-Reed and Emma Taylor are more than partners in Ashburton legal firm Argyle Welsh Finnigan (AWF) they’re friends, committed lawyers and mothers who share a deep commitment to their chosen profession. Jane studied law at Otago University, Emma at Canterbury, both practised elsewhere and neither had moving (in Jane’s case, returning home) to Ashburton as a top priority. The opportunities presented themselves and first Jane and then Emma joined the AWF firm. They’re the only two females among a partnership team of five with Jane’s father Alister the company’s senior partner. Jane was working for a large law firm in Christchurch in litigation, part of a team acting for large companies. “The kind of work I was doing I never saw people. I felt like I spent my day dealing with corporates so I chose to come to and practice law in Ashburton,” she said. Her specialist field is employment and relationship property while Emma specialises in estates and trusts. She began practising in the rural department of a firm in Invercargill before relocating to Ashburton. Both women say the interaction with clients is one of the most satisfying parts of their work, knowing they’re

helping them resolve often complex issues. They strive to make that interaction as comfortable and easy as possible. “I have a lot of elderly clients and it’s very important for them to feel comfortable, and if they’re not comfortable in our environment we’ll go to them,” Emma said. The two partners said they and the firm are committed to making the workplace as easy as possible for staff with young family commitments but this must always mean it is seamless for clients in terms of the flow of information and services. They’re also supportive of older staff who may want to reduce their hours. “It’s about meeting staff needs without compromising client service because we don’t want to lose knowledge, experience and relationships,” Jane said. Jane has two children aged five and seven years and Emma three, aged two, four and seven years and both say they’d encourage their children into law – if that’s what they wanted. As a firm, Jane said AWF was very community focused and acted for a large number of community groups and one of its strengths was that all its more than 30 staff are part of the Mid Canterbury community.

recruiting GLOBALLY FOR the NEW ZEALAND primary sector. CULTIVATING AGRICULTURAL CAREERS SINCE 2001.

AGRI SCIENCE AGRONOMY MANAGEMENT MANUFACTURING SALES SEASONAL STAFF

Our expertise is diverse and some of our core areas of practice includes: Rural Corporate and commercial Wills, succession planning, trusts and estate

Home Purchases and Sales Relationship Property Subdivisions Employment

Contact Argyle Welsh Finnigan - Trust them to help you, your business and your families.

0800

www.agstaff.co.nz

Westburn Courts, 201 West Street, Ashburton | Phone 03 308 8228 Fax: 03 308 8656 | Email: email@awlegal.co.nz Web: www.argylewelsh.co.nz

Women in business 2019 32 Ashburton Guardian

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Saturday, May 25, 2019

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PHOTO SUE NEWMAN

Julie Srhoy, Deborah Roberts and Tracey Henderson

Real Estate New Zealand Real estate salespeople

Julie Srhoy, Deborah Roberts and Tracey Henderson are flying the flag for women, selling homes for Real Estate New Zealand. The trio are part of a four-woman sales team and say that, while they work in a competitive industry, they’re always there to support one another. They’re firm believers in women who are also mums having an edge when it comes to juggling the many balls that are often in the air when you’re negotiating a house sale. “As mums we’re doing this all the time, Tracey said. While her children are now adults, she said they still take a bit of time and work”. She also fits in her position as president of Hampstead’s rugby section. “When I’m not selling houses or at rugby, I do try to spend a bit of time with my family – and cook.” Julie has two children, aged 16 and 13, and both are competitive mountainbikers. For her that means fitting in a heavy schedule of events and travelling with her children around the demands of her work. For Deborah, there’s a seven-year-old’s needs that are part of her juggling act.

Lucia Talbot Talbot Security Group Business co-owner

When she’s not working she’ll trail bike ride or ski with her family. For all three busy mums, it means covering for one another at open homes, but with a bit of give and take it all seems to work relatively seamlessly, they said. “That juggling is something women seem to do naturally,” Tracey said. They love what they do, love the challenges that come with finding the right buyers for the right homes and, while that can be challenging at times, it’s also immensely rewarding, particularly when you hand over the keys to a first-home buyer, they said. It’s always a thrill seeing how excited they were and knowing you’d been part of that journey, Julie said. Matching people to homes was all about reading people and understanding what they were looking for in a home, she said. Dealing with a wide range of people and personalities makes real estate an industry that’s filled with variety, Tracey said. “It’s all about people and helping people.” And part of that is getting out, meeting people and making contacts, Deborah said.

As co-owner of a security business, together most nights. Lucia Talbot says she’s happy to be the “Acceptance of how your lives need to administration arm of the business she work with your business is important,” owns with husband Dean, rather than Lucia said. being part of the large team of officers Since she moved her work into the out on patrol. businesses office, Lucia said she’s been Talbot Security has been part of careful to separate her home and Ashburton for many years, and for many business life. She draws a line under of those years Lucia juggled child raising work when she walks out of the office. and administration work around the Lucia handles the invoicing of clients dining room table. and payment processing, which leaves “Dean’s dad did a lot of the Dean to do what he does best – working administration work till he retired and with clients, she said. then it made sense that I took over and Lucia says she’s never had concerns my hours have gradually increased as about Dean’s safety when he’s working the business gets bigger and bigger,” she on patrol. said. “I know he’ll always make the best She works mainly school hours as decisions for himself and his staff.” the couple are determined one parent Lucia has a range of interests she’d should always be available for after love to indulge more than she currently school care and to attend school events. has time for, from keeping fit, to catching “We’ve always said that’s important up with friends over a glass of wine. to us. Dean works a lot at night, we each However, with children - Amelia, eight do what’s needed and our partnership and Finn, six, after school hours are works well with that. It’s something we pretty full. Welcome toLooking Talbot ahead, Security Group. We are both accept. Lucia has booked some very proud to showcase the men and And yes, there are family time time off work with Dean and thewomen kids. who makeOver up our organisation. sacrifices that come with a business the outstanding longer term, Lucia nurtures Find out who we are, what weout do,into and what where a large slice of work is after dark, a dream of branching a small we mean when weofsay, but the family usually manages dinner business her Talbot own. Security Group

exists to provide “Total Security Solutions”.

Busy mums get it done and we are no exception. Making the minutes count, we give our clients the best service, helping them sell or buy properties.

Professional Security Services • • • • • •

03-308 6173 www.realestatenewzealand.net.nz

• • • • • •

Staff Welfare Checks Self Defence Training Home Minder Services Special Event Security Document shredding Security Officer Training

P: 03 307 2409 M: 021 256 8263 E: operations@talbotsecurity.co.nz A: PO Box 5049 Ashburton

Professional Security Alarms Professional Security Services

Call us today if you are buying or selling properties 191 Burnett Street, Ashburton

Mobile Patrols Mail Collections Close Protection Cash Collections Alarm Response Static site officers

365

• • • • • •

• Installation and Servicing 24h Mobile Patrols service •24h Alarm Monitoring Alarm Response •24h Agility 3 Wireless Alarms Home Minder Services •24h IP lockout and GPRS Alarms service Staff Welfare Checks Static site officers

• • •• ••

Domestic and Commercial Cash Collections Alarm Response Document shredding BOSCH Installers SpecialAlarm Event Security

• Security Officer Training • Self Defence Training • Key Cutting

192 Wills Street Ashburton

hours www.talbotsecurity.co.nz P - 03 3072409 days a year

E - tsgltd@xtra.co.nz

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Woman in business 2019

Ashburton Guardian 33

Rushton Marketing’s team (from left) Cheri Wills, Ashleigh Rushton and Sara Stephens.

Ashleigh Rushton Rushton Marketing

PHOTO SUPPLIED

Business owner

Almost five years ago Ashleigh Rushton decided to toss in her guaranteed weekly pay cheque, take the plunge and set up her own business. It was a leap of faith, one that came with no guarantees but one that almost five years down the track has paid off in spades. After three years as an advertising consultant with the Ashburton Guardian, Ashleigh realised many small businesses struggled to understand how to promote their business. “These were the small mum and dad businesses, the owner operated business who didn’t know what to do about marketing,” she said. There was a clear gap in the market, Ashleigh knew the time was right to take the plunge, walk away from security and step out on her own. “I set this up more than four years ago and in the beginning I thought, if I could survive for five years I’d be happy. We’re almost there and we’re flying,” she said. “It was exciting rather than scary and I thought, what’s the worst that can happen? Now it’s probably more nerve wrecking because I’m responsible for two kids and two staff.” Over those years Rushton Marketing

has grown from sole operator to a three woman business. Cheri Wills takes care of social media while Sara Stephens is contracted for web design. “I go out, meet clients and work with them to identify their needs. To do this we need to know what makes their business tick, how it works. We find their target audience and then go away and develop a strategy for them,” she said.

MARKETING m a d e e a sy .

Number one priority is building good, strong and positive relationships with her clients. “We’re real people who live in the real world and we’re genuinely interested in their business.” For Ashleigh that means keeping grounded. She’s not interested in a large street front office, running her business from home and a spare office in husband Dan’s business, AIS. “We operate at a relatable level. We’re doing just what our clients are doing, making a living for our families.” While they provide marketing solutions across all media, the majority of inquiries are around social media. “It’s such a foreign concept for a lot of businesses. They might use it at home, but they’re not sure how it works for a business, There’s always a huge sense of relief for them in knowing someone is taking the whole marketing package and making it work. They don’t have to deal with anyone other than us.” Those clients range from sole operators to those with many staff. Ashleigh juggles two children, two year old Max and seven month old Poppy, while Sara juggles four – Zac, 10, Lachlan nine, Hannah, seven and

Florence seven months. Sara works from home and said she’s built strong relationships with her clients. “A lot of my clients have become friends. You’re invested in their business and you want that business to grow as much as they do,” she said. Cheri works on social media on their clients’ behalf, while Ashleigh spends most of her time working as an off-site marketing manager for clients. That two of the team are mothers with young children means they can connect with many of their clients who are also juggling multiple tasks, Ashleigh said. “It’s important to us to connect with people, to strike a chord. If our clients are winning, then we’re winning.” On a personal level, Ashleigh said she is motivated to help other women to work while still meeting their family commitments and she’s driven to help young women to set goals, to aim high and to give things a go. For both Ashleigh and Sara, it’s important they set good examples for their children, for their children to understand that with hard work anything is possible.

Rushton Marketing • Marketing Management

• Marketing Strategies

• Facebook Management

• Instagram Management

• Websites

• Branding

• Digital Marketing

• Graphic Design

www.rushtonmarketing.nz

03 307 7274

Women in business 2019 34 Ashburton Guardian

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Saturday, May 25, 2019

Diane Booth Greg Donaldson Contracting (GDC)

GDC’s girl power (from left) Amy Adams, Kaye Donaldson, Diane Booth and Karlie McQueen. PHOTO SUE NEWMAN 010419-SN-0028

Office manager

Working in a male dominated industry doesn’t faze the women at Greg Donaldson Contracting (GDC), they are all down to earth, practical people who bring a female perspective to the work environment. Diane was the only woman at GDC for many years, doing everything admin and helping the company grow from 18 staff to a staff now 45 strong.Karlie, Amy and Kaye have joined the team within the last 12-18 months. Karlie and Kaye assisting with administration and Amy running operations / customer service. Diane is the office manager and has a background in commercial finance.She has recently completed NZQA Level 4 qualification in management and works hard at keeping up with legislative, compliance, health and safety, and HR for the company. Amy is a competent digger operator out on the digger.She was recently seen and worked for many years running and out on a roller helping compact down completing jobs on her own. Having some material in the yard next door! this practical background experience has “Having to juggle jobs and staff can be really helped her in the operations role very challenging at times”, she said. as she understands what has to happen Karlie is the administration manager out in the field.She has come into the and Diane likes to call her the manager office management environment as of first impressions as she is the first operations / customer services manager point of contact for whoever comes 1 5/10/19 9:22 AM to furtherGREGDONALD her skills,40019 but[5981].pdf still loves to get into the office. She is very bubbly and

cheerful and usually has a comment to make you smile. She loads all the jobs into the system, processes the payroll and does the many other tasks that keeps the business running. Karlie has a background in the helicopter industry. Kaye is the workshop administrator and has been setting up new systems for the workshop jobs.

She is based in the workshop office and helps to keep the guys on track with their paperwork. Having a large fleet to service and keeping on top of the paper can be quite a challenge at times and this is where Kaye is invaluable to the team. All four women bring different skills to the company and say it doesn’t matter what gender you are, you can achieve whatever you want.

“Do it Once, Do it Right” C

CMY

● Foundations ● Driveways ● Trenching ● Cable laying ● Shingle supplies ● Root raking ● Farm work ● Mulching ● Siteworks ● Water & Sewer connections ● Demolition ● Hi-ab Hire ● Lime Capping

Office 308 8479 Mob 027 433 8003 Web www.gdc.net.nz Email office@gdcgroup.nz

Women in business 2019 www.guardianonline.co.nz

Woman in business 2019

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Jo Metcalf Memory Funerals Business owner

Making your final wishes known might sound morbid, but for grieving families, that knowledge takes a great deal of stress out of a very emotional occasion, says funeral director Jo Metcalf. She’s been in the industry for 10 years, working in Temuka and Geraldine and established Memory Funerals in Ashburton two years ago. “I feel very comfortable in this industry. The more I did the more I liked it, not just looking after the deceased but their families as well,” she said. Funerals had changed quite dramatically, Jo said and were no longer always solemn occasions with organ music and hymns. “Now we’re very creative, we talk a lot about the person. It’s their life we’re celebrating and that all helps the grieving process,” she said. They could be any style and could be held virtually anywhere and the more knowledge a family had the better the event could reflect the life of the person who had died, Jo said. Making your wishes known could also avoid things being done and said you would not have wanted.

Nicole Elliot Canterbury Chiropractic

Ashburton Guardian 35

PHOTO SUE NEWMAN 080319-SN-0008

Business owner “If you’ve always said ‘I wouldn’t be seen dead in that dress’ make sure someone knows so you’re not wearing it at your funeral.” Jo talks to many community groups and organisations. “It’s about getting people talking. It’s about making it easier for your family, it’s not morbid. I’ll do as much as we can to accommodate their wishes right up to the moment the service starts,” she said. She has a small on-site chapel but will travel to where ever a family wishes a service to be held and she believes holding a service of some kind is an important part of the grieving process. While a funeral director was a professional, there were times when they too were affected by grief of others and it was very important to do their job with compassion, she said. “If you’re walking a casket out of a venue and you hear children crying it can be pretty hard to hold it together. Her children are unfazed by having a mother who is a funeral director and it sometimes becomes a family affair as they hand out service sheets, run music and power point displays if needed.

With every patient who walks through the door of Nicole Elliot’s health care studio, her aim is to help them gain a body where every part works in unison. As a chiropractor, Nicole’s patients arrive with a range of aches and pains. To treat those problems and gain long term results involves ensuring her patients have a healthy, functioning spine. The seeds of her career were sown early after her experience as a child receiving treatment from a chiropractor that inspired her to make a career working with the body. A year studying health science and four years at Auckland’s Chiropractic College and she knew she’d made the perfect choice. Today, after working in Dunedin, Tauranga and Timaru, Nicole has set up business in Ashburton. A chiropractor’s job is to look at the whole body, to get it functioning as it should and when that occurs the pain will go, Nicole said. “We look at the overall function of your body. People come in with specific pain, but we’ll look at the whole body because it’s all connected. Everything comes from the spine.”

Treatment can be carried out in several ways from traditional manipulation with hands to the use of an instrument called an Activator which is is very low force. My main goal is for people to feel comfortable and happy with the adjustment. Education is a key element in a chiropractor’s work. “We live in our bodies without understanding how they work. My job is to educate people on how and why it is important to keep their body moving the way it should move. Your spine and joints should all work in certain ways,” Nicole said. She takes a whole of body approach to health care and said it’s important people understand how good their body can feel. The pain associated with a body that is not functioning properly does not arrive overnight. It’s a bit like failing to clean your teeth, a cavity won’t form overnight, she said. “It’s the same with your spine. If you don’t look after it, you may run into problems and pain.” “It’s the same with your spine. If you don’t look after it, it’ll hurt. It’s about the way you’ve treated your body but you don’t have to hurt.”

CALL TO BOOK NOW OR BOOK ONLINE My family caring for your family.

Small enough to care, big enough to deliver 18-22 Moore Street, Ashburton Free Phone 0800 263 6679 - Mobile 027 637 1229 www.memoryfunerals.nz

Common issue we see are neck pain, headaches and back pain. We also see babies and children.

@canterburychiro

Hours Monday 1.30 - 6 pm Wednesday 7 - 11.30am and 2.30 - 6pm Friday 7 - 11.30am

03-307 4938 246 Havelock Street, Ashburton www.canterburychiro.co.nz

@cantabchiro

ACC Registered

Women in business 2019 36 Ashburton Guardian

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Saturday, May 25, 2019

PHOTO SUE NEWMAN 140519-SN-0009

Style Footwear’s team Melissa Shimmin (left) and Trudy Dalton.

Jenny Gray and Sarah Everist Bayleys

Melissa Shimmin Style Footwear Ltd

It’s a privilege to sell people the dream of a new home, say Bayleys salespeople Jenny Gray and Sarah Everist. The pair are part of a three-woman sales team at the real estate company that includes Eliza Waszczak and together they say they’re part of an industry they love, an industry where women are now a strong force. But it wasn’t always like that, Jenny says. She’s been in the industry 37 years and for many of those years real estate was very much a male-dominated industry. And like many who entered the industry it was at someone else’s prodding. She’d bought a house in town when she received a call from Colin McLeod wanting a woman on his team. Jenny was surprised, as she knew little about the real estate industry. In the farming community where she had spent most of her life, farmers hardly ever sold land, and if they bought, it was often a deal with a neighbour. In the early days you needed a large car as the purchasers came with you, you could be out showing properties most of the day, it was a free-for-all! No sole agencies then!

If you love shoes, then making your living as a owner of a fashion footwear business means every day is a good day at work, says Style Footwear owner Melissa Shimmin She has been in the business of putting stylish, comfortable footwear on feet for 6 years and says it still gives her pleasure to see customers buy shoes that put a smile on their face. Melissa & husband Brian brought long established Ashburton shoe business Smiths Shoes in 2013, bringing to the business a solid background of over 20 years in retail.“I have always wanted to own my own business, this came on the market and I thought, why not. I love shoes and it was the opportunity I had been waiting for” she said. Over the past six years Melissa has grown the business to include a number of new brands. But the Ziera brand is still the heart of the business. Melissa has always been guided by her personal shoe philosophy – comfort and style must go hand-in-hand.Specialising in providing orthotic footwear and wide to extra wide fittings and also stocking larger sizes as well as Intermediate and College approved shoes.“Bigger feet, or

PHOTO SUE NEWMAN 070319-SN-0043

Business owner

Real estate salespeople

A radio telephone in your vehicle kept you in touch with the office, the receptionist would phone the vendors to arrange appointments for you. She remembers holding Ashburton’s first open home on Chalmers Avenue – no-one came except the neighbour. Thirty-seven years down the track Jenny loves meeting and working with people. Relationships are what property sales are all about, she said. Sarah is an industry newcomer, with just five months on the Bayleys team. Buying her first home started her thinking about a career change and realising real estate was something she could do. Five months down the track she’s loving sales. “I love the variety, I love meeting so many different people and the thrill of other people getting into their first home,” she said. Both women see themselves as solution finders, finding ways to resolve issues that could be stumbling blocks to a purchase. They say that understanding your client and having empathy are key in building the relationships that have the best chance of clinching a sale.

feet that need orthotics, it doesn’t mean you cant have stylish shoes” she said. “We try to accommodate every request and we can usually make things work so everyone has shoes that are great to look at and are comfortable to wear.” Melissa has now expanded her range to include handbags, scarves and jewellery. She also carries an extensive range of shoe care products including old style Dubbin which she says is hard to beat as a waterproofing tool.“If you look after your shoes, they’ll last for a long time” Melissa and long term part-timer staff member Trudy Dalton take care of front of shop as well as buying each season’s range. “Buying is fu n but when you’re buying you have to buy for all tastes, not just your own, however, we feel we know what our customers want”, Melissa said. When it comes to her own footwear she loves boots, patent leather & slippers Her business now includes online customers from across New Zealand with a growing number of clients in Australia.

ALTOGETHER

IN A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN

range instore now

We are extremely proud of our talented women in business. Knowledgeable, efficient, friendly and with the ability to provide guidance to help our clients make the best decisions.

Come to the store today and try our beautiful shoes.

Listing or buying property? We’ll help you on your journey.

Bayleys Ashburton 03 307 7377 ashburton@bayleys.co.nz Jenny Gray 027 452 2888

Eliza Waszczak 021 039 1770

Sarah Everist 021 082 85816

A LT O G E T H E R B E T T E R

Residential /

Commercial

/ Rural / Lifestyle

WHALAN & PARTNERS LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

Style Footwear Ltd 177 Burnett Street, Ashburton || Phone 03 308 7620 || www.stylefootwear.co.nz

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Woman in business 2019

PHOTO SUPPLIED

Angela Farr The China Shop

Rachael Redmond Kitchen Kapers

Manager

Passion, for Rachael Redmond and Angela Farr comes not just in selling their customers beautiful items, but in knowing those customers will cherish and use those items for years. Rachael owns both Ashburton’s China Shop and Kitchen Kapers, Angela is her right-hand woman and for the pair those businesses are very much who they are as women. When they were established by Rachael’s mother-in-law Shirley about 40 years ago, they were ahead of their time, but they were the right businesses in the right place, with a commitment to quality products. And today, while, customers may have changed, Rachael said the fundamentals of selling good-quality items that will stand the test of time, has not. Both Rachael and Angela have been part of the two businesses for about 20 years and say they’ve never lost their passion and enthusiasm for the beautiful, yet functional items they sell. For them, however, there is far more to selling than the actual sale. They go to great lengths to educate their customers about the item they’ve bought, its use, how to care for it and often the process that has been part of

Ashburton Guardian 37

Business owner

its creation. “It’s important people have a pleasant shopping experience, so that they can share our passion for our products. We are much more than a cash-and-wrap business,” Rachael said. Over the years brands have come and gone from both shops, but there is a core of products and brands that are still as sought after today as they were when Shirley Redmond started each shop. What has changed is that some products have adapted to modern tastes and consumer demands. “The China Shop is not a little old ladies shop today, it has a huge range of

items and not everything is expensive,” Angela said. People were still collecting china and crystal, and that includes younger people. “People who have lovely things around make a home and that’s what we’re about, making a home,” she said. There are always new fads, new trends in kitchen+related items, but Rachael said she is driven by practicality rather than fashion. And she’s not about encouraging people to buy things they do not need. “We don’t sell things just because they’re a trend, we need to believe in what we sell. You don’t need to have everything,” Rachael said. That practical approach, she said, is one of the keys to Kitchen Kapers’ success. Greater environmental awareness was also showing up in products stocked in store and Rachael supports that. She believes in the value of paying a little more at the outset for a product that will last many years rather than paying several times for the same product of lesser quality, that lasts a short time, and is then thrown away. “We’re very mindful of what we buy,

we’re honest and truly believe what we’re selling is good.” Whatever a person bought they should buy to use, rather than store in a cupboard, Rachael said. “People like to have nice things to use on special occasions. But we tell them every day is special and to use their quality items every day and enjoy them. If things look nice, you feel good and we want people to feel good.” Glass and china did not have to be kept in a kitchen, those products could be happily at home in a bedroom or bathroom, Rachael said. “I’ve seen a home where a crystal decanter was used to keep mouthwash. It looked great.” Both shops run wedding registers – with a difference. “We get the bride and groom in our stores, talk with them and advise them about the things they will need. We make it a very personal occasion.” They’ll wrap and deliver wedding gifts across Kitchen Kapers, the China Shop and the Swarovski store. Their stores have an online presence and Facebook and Instagram are well used for both product promotion and education.

Women in business 2019 38 Ashburton Guardian

www.guardianonline.co.nz

Saturday, May 25, 2019

“I just want people to feel better.”

PHOTO SUE NEWMAN 140519-SN-0005

Lesley Coffey Essential Physiotherapy Business owner

Lesley Coffey’s mission is to ensure every woman has the opportunity to have good pelvic health. The trained physiotherapist’s specialty is helping women regain strength and health in their pelvic floor. Those women could be pregnant mums or women for whom childbirth is a long time in the past. Many, she says, simply put up with issues such as stress incontinence, prolapse or general pelvic floor dysfunction, accepting that is their lot in life. It’s not, Lesley said. “My clinic is about all the things that can go wrong for women in their pelvic health, for women to understand that it’s not just part of childbirth. Don’t ignore your problem, there are things you can do about it.” The comments Lesley most often hears from clients is that they were so relieved to find there are things they could do to improve pelvic floor weakness. When Lesley started her classes and clinics for women she had two clients; within two weeks she was fully booked. Most people come through referrals from friends or through Facebook.

Lesley designs her exercise programmes around the individual needs of each woman. “It has to be an individual approach, even with classes. I like people to come in ﬁrst for a one-on-one as that’s the only way I can make sure they’re breathing properly.” It was also important to understand what each woman’s goals were post-delivery. Some might want to run a marathon or get back to netball while others might just want to work on their mummy tummy, she said. She oﬀers a range of options from pre and post-natal classes, to pilates and general physio treatments. She’s talked to GPs and practice nurses and said referrals are now coming from these areas. “And I get a lot of women coming saying ‘my friend has been to you’.” Her classes are limited to eight women so she can work individually with each and can encourage them where needed. “If you want me to kick your arse I will, but if you want to have a chilled session then you can.”

Many of the exercises in her pre-natal classes were based around the movements a mother would make every day – picking up and carrying a baby or a washing basket, swivelling in a car to a child in a rear seat. “In pregnancy you’re training for the biggest event of your life, then there’s the birth and you’re injured to some degree and then it’s about recovery and getting back to full fitness.” And that doesn’t happen overnight, Lesley said. “It’s very much an individual journey and a lot of people are surprised this is not a quick fix.” Not every issue can be fixed through physio and Lesley will always recommend a client seeks another opinion if the problem is something that’s outside her area of expertise. “I just want people to feel better.” Strengthening your pelvic floor won’t happen quickly and it won’t happen without some hard work, she said. “If you don’t take responsibility and accept you’re the one who has to do the work, it won’t get any better.”

Women’s Health complaints? Have you tried physio? Pregnancy & Post Natal

Bowel Issues

Stress related urinary incontinence

Pelvic pain

Urinary urgency, frequency and incontinence

General physiotherapy conditions including ACC, private and sports physio

Pelvic organ prolapse

CONTACT LESLEY TODAY FOR A PRIVATE CONSULTATION Essential Physiotherapy 86 East Street, Ashburton Call 021 911 973 or book online essentialphysiotherapy.com

Some take control of their own health, exercising at home instead of coming to class, but for others the small group exercise classes become part of their social network. It’s fabulously rewarding work, Lesley said, when she sees women who have had pelvic pain, bladder leakage, stress incontinence, frequency urination problems notice the changes start to happen. While her current focus is on pre and post-natal classes and physio, she plans to start working in the area of pre and postmenopause to help older women regain or maintain pelvic health into their older years. Lesley is a mother of one, with a large family of animals as well and some days she ﬁnds herself juggling childcare and client needs, but she’s happy to put in the hours in her studio to ensure women with pelvic health issues can start their journey back to health. The ﬁrst step for many – seeking help – was often the hardest step, but Lesley said she does everything possible to help people feel at ease.

Women in business 2019 www.guardianonline.co.nz

Woman in business 2019

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Viv Williams Curves

Ashburton Guardian 39

Donna Coxshall and Cathy Salcedo Terrace View Retirement Village

Business owner

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Facility manager and clinical nurse manager

Thirteen years ago Viv Williams had a dream – to make wellness accessible for all women. She had been a member of Curves women’s gym in Hastings and with a move to Canterbury on the horizon, found herself wondering whether she had the courage to take the Curves idea with her. She bit the bullet, bought the franchise and moved to Ashburton. Then she took her first look at the building she planned to use and wondered how she could ever turn an old restaurant and bar into a place that would welcome women who wanted to change their lives. ‘It was painted dark brown and black and the carpet was so bad your shoes stuck to it,” she said. In March 2006 she opened the gym’s doors; 13 years down the track she’s still happy to be changing women’s lives, helping them achieve wellness and fitness goals. “The potential to change lives overwhelmed me then and it still overwhelms me today. Some of the women who come here wouldn’t go anywhere else, it opens up opportunities that a lot of women find manageable.” There’s no judgement at Curves,

there are no mirrors in the gym area and members wear whatever they’re comfortable exercising in. The environment is welcoming, definitely not overwhelming. “It’s a safe environment for women who may not feel as strong or confident about their appearance as they have in the past. I get a real buzz out of the way Curves changes lives positively.” For many members Curves becomes a community place where they make friends and where staff know members and work with them on the circuit. “Our aim is simple, it’s to make a difference in their health and fitness, lessening health risks through strength training.” Members range in age from 16 to 82 and Curves takes pride in its membership retention. Most members have a monthly consultation that helps them set goals for the coming month – and they’re not just vague goals, each has to be specific with details around how they will be achieved. She accepts that motivation is the greatest hurdle most women have to overcome particularly around exercise. “It’s not easy, but being unwell is not easy either.”

Donna Coxshall and Cathy Salcedo say they have the perfect jobs. The pair lead the Terrace View Retirement Village team with Donna taking care of the business side of things as facility manager and Cathy the frontline with residents as clinical nurse manager. It’s a partnership that works perfectly and plays to their individual strengths and training. Donna has been involved in the aged care sector for many years, always in management positions and says it’s an industry she loves and feels privileged to be a part of. She has a strong back ground in community care. Cathy came to New Zealand from the Philippines nine years ago, bringing with her several years experience working as a registered nurse. Like most overseas trained nurses, she had to undergo competency training to ensure she was working at an appropriate level for New Zealand and this was completed at Burwood Hospital. Prior to coming to Terrace View she also worked as a registered nurse in aged care facilities and said that’s now the area of work where her heart is. “I just love the elderly, I have a real

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affinity with them,” she said. Nursing Culture is a lot different in New Zealand than the Philippines, Cathy said. “There we only deal with acute health care, long term care is generally done at home,” she said. In the Philippines Cathy worked as a company nurse in the construction industry. She came to New Zealand for career opportunities and says she’s found exactly what she’d been looking for. Donna and Cathy both started working at Terrace View three years ago and say they’ve formed a great team. “Our two sets of skills are part of what makes the partnership work well in an industry that is always changing to meet the needs of the residents. Our model is good and very workable,” Donna said. But it’s not just the team at the top that makes Terrace View a great place to work, it’s the staff and residents who are really the heart of the village, she said. Everyone on staff is committed to a care philosophy that puts residents first, front and foremost in everything that is done, every day, Donna said. “It’s such a privilege to have the opportunity to care for someone else’s loved ones.”

RETIREMENT VILLAGE

www.terraceview.co.nz

Women in business 2019 40 Ashburton Guardian

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Saturday, May 25, 2019

Sue Prowse Rosebank Residential Care

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Manager

Being part of a team of people caring for the elderly is a huge privilege says Rosebank manager Sue Prowse. She’s been leading that team for 14 years, arriving in Ashburton with a wealth of experience as an intensive care nurse, in palliative care, as a district health board manager and in the aged-care sector. Early in her career, aged-care and Ashburton were as far off her career radar as they could be but, today, Sue says she loves her job and enjoys working with the 80 people who are on her staff. After her Palmerston North training, she spent several years working overseas as an intensive care nurse. “That work sparked my love of travel and seeing other ways of life. Intensive care was very pressured and there was a lot of responsibility but I enjoyed it and the opportunities it gave me,” she said. When she returned to New Zealand Sue studied, became qualified in palliative care and worked in the Wellington community for several years. Management was never something she’d considered, but she was encour-

Sarah Crispin and Meg Appleby Crisp Apple Web Design

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Business owners

aged to apply for a position with a district health board. She was successful and started down a new career path, one that would ultimately lead to Ashburton. “I never thought I’d come to the South Island to live, but I came for this job 14 years ago and I still very much enjoy the community and the role. It’s a real privilege looking after people at the end of their life, a vulnerable part of their lives.” Management for Sue is not just about the people in care, it’s also about her staff. “They’re very much a part of everything I do.” In terms of quality care for the aged, respect is key, both for residents and with staff for one another, she said. Rosebank is one of the few privately owned care facilities in New Zealand. That it has thrived over its 28 year life has been down to changing and adapting to meet new expectations within the sector, Sue said. It was important a care facility remained an active part of its community and Rosebank’s involvement comes in sponsoring events.

Sarah Crispin and Meg Appleby are business partners separated by thousands of kilometres, but it’s a business relationship that works to perfection. The two women, Sarah a graphic designer and Meg a developer are the brains behind Crisp Apple, a website design and development company. It’s a business that neatly marries their two skill sets and one that transcends geographical boundaries. Seven years ago the pair were running (and still run) their own businesses, decided they had complementary skills that could form the heart of a joint venture and Crisp Apple was born. Their focus is working with businesses of all sizes to provide them with a website that not only looks good, but creates a functional and eﬀective user experience, all while meeting their online needs. “Like your business, your website needs to evolve,” Meg said. They also update existing websites for clients. Their clients range from larger companies with extensive websites to small one-man businesses who want a simple and eﬀective web presence. Knowing that many smaller businesses understand the value of a website, but

don’t often know how to make it happen, Sarah and Meg are releasing a new package to serve the trade market, they’re calling it ‘The Toolbox - Websites for Tradies’. They are a series of entry level website packages that are 100% responsive, easy to update, function well and meet the trade customers individual needs. “We’ll make designing, writing and launching a website for their business as easy as tightening a loose washer”. Sarah said. While the package is entry level, it still oﬀers options that ensures every website is unique. It’s all about making it as easy as possible for every tradie to have a website that works for them and their customers. Meg’s background is in languages, she speaks Russian and Spanish. Learning code, she said was similar to learning a language. She lives in Auckland with her sister and between them they home school their six children. Sarah is the creative director of local business Crispin Design, her team of talented designers provide; branding, marketing and signage design solutions to companies in Ashburton and nationwide.

A community A community built around people.

built around people SERVICED APARTMENTS OPENING SOON Don’t miss out on your opportunity to join the Rosebank village community.

Learn moreLearn about our lifestyle care our options contact Sue Prowse 03 308contact 0111 or sue@rosebankhosp.co.nz more about lifestyle care options

Sue Prowse 03 308 0111 or sue@rosebankhosp.co.nz 77 Walnut Ave, Ashburton www.rosebankvillage.co.nz

77 Walnut Ave, Ashburton

www.rosebankvillage.co.nz

Women in business 2019 www.guardianonline.co.nz

Woman in business 2019

Ashburton Guardian 41

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Maxine Whiting House of Travel Business owner

Maxine Whiting is just as passionate about the travel industry now as she was when she started her first afterschool job with Mt Cook Travel in Methven. Decades down the track the Ashburton House of Travel owner said that from day one she has loved nothing more than helping people book overseas trips that for many are the fulfilment of long held dreams. Maxine spent two years working in Christchurch for Mt Cook Travel before returning home to what was then Dalgety Travel, working alongside Kay Haines. When Kay decided to set up her own business, Maxine took the plunge with her. “It was a bold move, a huge step for Kay and me, but I believe it worked because the business was owneroperated and Kay was well known.” House of Travel was born in 1987 with Ashburton becoming the fifth to trade under the national umbrella. And that owner operator model has been the key to House of Travel’s long life in the industry, Maxine said. Her ultimate dream was always to be owner rather than employee but it

proved to be a dream that was a long time in the making. “I served an apprenticeship of 20 years but eventually I bought part of Kay’s shareholding and then after two years I bought the rest of her shares,” she said. Over the years travel has changed dramatically. Gone are the days when travel was seen as prestigious and people went on a six to eight week European tour when they retired. Today more people were travelling more often and opting for comfort over formality, Maxine said. She might have more than three decades helping people realise their travel dreams but she’s still passionate

about the industry and loves every moment of the job. “I never get up in the morning and think I don’t want to go to work’.” The buzz comes from knowing you’re helping clients plan very special and very personal events in their lives. “We really enjoy filling the gaps for people, looking at options and we love doing the research when people want to go somewhere different.” She has a huge base of loyal customers, and a team of long serving staff. “The success of this business has everything to do with my team,” she said. The internet and the ability for people to book their own holidays has had less impact on bricks and mortar travel agents than many would think, Maxine said. “Travel agents are still relevant for all sorts of reasons. We go outside the box to help and make it easy for people to travel and make bookings. Our clients come first, we make it their dream, their journey. It’s definitely a growing business, every year since I’ve owned it this business has grown.,” she said. There was a misconception that it cost

more to use a travel agent but it cost no more and had the benefit of peace of mind and convenience, Maxine said. “It’s a reassurance that the person you’re dealing with is the person you’ll see at the other end.” Over the years Maxine’s business has won many industry awards and her staff continue to win their own achievement medals. Interest in travel can be measured in attendances at her regular travel evenings. They’re about showing people the options and opportunities, about opening up the world, she said. “They are really worth doing and are so well supported by the community. We get huge numbers for a small town.” House of Travel is New Zealand owned and was started by Chris Paulsen who is still actively involved in the company. Every business has an owner operator. “That’s its strength, people trust us,” Maxine said. Maxine and husband Kerry travel frequently, with Koh Samui in Thailand and the Cook Islands top favourites. While they have travelled to all corners of the world, there are still plenty of gaps, which Maxine says they’re keen to fill.

Women in business 2019 42 Ashburton Guardian

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Saturday, May 25, 2019

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Melanie Rakete, Hailey Beevor and Harriet McLeay EA Networks Electrical Cable Jointer, Customer Service Analyst, Trainee Traffic Management Co-ordinator Three women who work at EA Networks are evidence the lines company lives up to its belief in providing opportunities to its staff to grow and tackle new careers. Harriet McLeay and Hailey Beevor started their careers right at the front of the company – behind the reception desk. Today they’re working in roles they only learned about through working for EA Networks. They’re studying, have career paths and are moving ahead. Harriet has been with the company for four years in various roles and today is a Trainee Traffic Management Coordinator. “I was looking for a change of job and more of a challenge and I was given this opportunity,” she said. Today her working life is packed with variety. She visits work sites, develops traffic management plans, sets up sites and monitors these throughout the day. The job provides a good mix of inoffice work and field work and as well she’s making time to study the New

Zealand Certificate in Electricity Supply to learn more about that side of the business. “There are unlimited opportunities here if you’re passionate about what you do and you ask questions, show an interest, show you’re motivated, they’ll help you,” Harriet said. She’s keen to develop her skills in new directions and is keen to gain knowledge in the health and safety area in the future. Hailey also started as a Receptionist, moved to customer service and today she’s on the Fibre Supply Team dealing with requests for connections, visiting sites, drawing up installation plans and occasionally working alongside installers in the field. “If you’re open minded and ready to learn, the company will help steer you in that direction,” she said. In the future she wants to gain more field experience in fibre installation, but she’s also keen to look at project management. She’s studying towards a fibre technician’s certificate to further her

installation knowledge. “I’d say to other women, if there’s something you want to do just go for it, don’t be put off by it being in a male dominated industry.” Unlike Hailey and Harriet, Melanie is still doing the job she joined the company for four years ago. She’s an Electrical Cable Jointer, one of very few females in that line of work in New Zealand. She’s two years out of her apprenticeship and said she loves the variety and challenges that every day brings. She came to EA Networks after several years working on Mt Hutt and that now seems another lifetime ago, she said. “I really enjoy physical work and being outdoors and this job gives me this but it does take a toll on your body because there’s a lot of manual labour.” Her work requires strength and it requires constantly calling on the knowledge she’s gained to solve tricky problems in the field, Melanie said.

With a smaller lines company such as EA Networks, Melanie said she gets to do a wide range of work, and looking ahead she knows the company will encourage her to grow her electrical skills. The three women say they’re fortunate to be in a workplace where there are great career opportunities. Out of the 120 employees on EA Networks’ staff, about 15 per cent are women and it is becoming more common to see women in work boots as it is behind a desk wearing shoes. Women shouldn’t be afraid to take on jobs that are usually carried out by men. It’s just a matter of following your passion and doing what you love, they say. And all three appreciate the company’s philosophy of employing internally where possible, training people in areas they’ve registered an interest or demonstrated skills and helping them achieve qualifications in their chosen careers.

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Woman in business 2019

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Nicky Horrell The Toolshed Ashburton

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Tiffany McRae Russell Moon & Fail Lawyers Partner

Co-owner

us. Our kids have thrived having Nana around.” Being part of the business, however, meant Nicky came into a working world that was light years away from her previous career as a dispensary technician and later as a medical centre receptionist. “It’s been a huge learning curve but I love it. It’s challenging, but you meet a lot of very nice people and we have some very, very dear customers coming in. But working with engineers, I’ve probably got a bit of a potty mouth now; that’s very different to the medical centre.” Nicky loves her retail space, knows every item, what it’s for, where it’s stocked and what it costs. She’s made it her business to build up a solid core of knowledge so she can feel confident offering advice. “I love to laugh and joke with my customers. It’s about being welcoming and we’ve got brilliant customers and I would never have thought tools could be as interesting as they are,” she said.

If RMF partner Tiffany McRae has any words of advice to young women focused on making it to the top in their chosen career it would be keep trying, don’t give up. She knows what that’s like first-hand. “I completed my degree in 2010 and ended up working for State Insurance after the Canterbury earthquakes because graduate law jobs were not that easy to come by,” she said. She moved to Ashburton and a job with AMI but during that time she never lost sight of her end goal, to make a career as a lawyer. An opportunity came up to join the team at RMF and in late 2012 she signed on as a legal secretary. “That gave me a really good understanding of how to practise law because they don’t teach you the practical skills at uni. By the time I came onto the team I knew how the business worked and having the opportunity to learn from experienced lawyers was invaluable,” Tiffany said. Today she’s a partner in RMF and said she loves every facet of the job. “I like the idea that law impacts on

everything you do in life and I’m keen to demystify the legal process for people. Our ethos at RMF is about community and family, about being approachable and making our service accessible. Coming to a lawyer can be intimidating and we want to be sure people feel they can come here and be relaxed and ask questions.” Dealing with your lawyer should be as easy and uncomplicated as possible, she said. “I love this work. Every day is different and you’re exposed to all kinds of different questions and issues. I love being able to explain things to people about how the law relates to them and how they can benefit.” A large part of her work is conveyancing and with first home buyers, there’s a real satisfaction in seeing them sign off on their new home, she said. “It’s exciting for them and it’s very rewarding knowing I’ve helped them get there.” She’s an absolute advocate of smaller town law firms – you’re involved across many areas of the law, rather than just one, as you can be in larger firms.

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The first thing you see when you walk into The Toolshed in Riverside are two corpulent cats; the first thing you hear is Nicky Horrell’s laugh. Minute and Sylvester are usually curled up asleep on the counter, with Nicky alongside, ready to greet customers as they walk through the door. She’s most definitely a woman in a man’s world. Virtually all of her customers are men and she says, to a person, they’re fantastic. Since she and partner Paul Rowland started The Toolshed, Nicky has been its face. The couple has owned Palmer Agri Parts since 2004 and the option to add the Toolshed in 2013 made absolute sense, Nicky said. The change of direction was the right opportunity at the right time, she added. Having both parents involved in family businesses, however, would have been impossible without her mother, Nicky said. “She’s been an absolute lifesaver. She’s wonderful to us.” “Having mum involved in our day-today life has been awesome for all of

Ashburton Guardian 43

Whether you are a ﬁrst home buyer or looking to move houses, we can help make sure your deal is a sounds one and assist you with all legal requirements. Contact us today for quality legal advice that you can trust. 132 Burnett Street West, Ashburton 03-308 3191 www.rmf.co.nz

Women in business 2019 44 Ashburton Guardian

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Saturday, May 25, 2019

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Kerrin Corcoran (Associate Principal), Janine Barker (Associate Principal), Fiona Maw (Deputy Principal)

Allenton School

Senior leadership team

Allenton School’s roll is set to reach 500 in the next five years and teacher leaders Fiona Maw, Janine Barker and Kerrin Corcoran are front and centre at the busy school. Fiona has management responsibilities as deputy principal and leads the junior syndicate (new entrants to Year 2), Janine leads the middle school (Year 3 and 4) and Kerrin leads the senior school (Year 5 and 6). The school has a staff of 45, including support staff. All three say teachers can change a life and they work hard for their students. They are rewarded by daily smiles and lightbulb moments. Their university degrees have been a platform to a profession they love and they are rarely off duty, always thinking about how to connect better with their students at school and enthusiastically responding to the past and present students they see outside school. Allenton serves a wide urban area and the school community is currently a multi-cultural mix of 400 students. A $5 million building project next year will replace the middle school’s ageing prefab classrooms with new permanent learning spaces prepared for the digital world.

The three women say staying abreast of technology is vital. And, as teachers prepare to strike around the country, all three say more government money is needed for the education sector. They say it’s harder to access special funds for students in need and they worry about attracting more highlymotivated, quick-thinking, resilient and passionate people to the job. “Sadly our wages do not often attract the all-rounders that we need in the profession,” Fiona said. “If we do get the wonderful young people we need, they often leave after a few years, disillusioned with the huge workload as well as the extra emotional work required.” Fiona still remembers a teacher advising her she would never be cognitively stimulated enough as a primary school teacher. “I am glad to say I have loved almost every hour, of every day, for the last 30 years and I am often, in fact, overstimulated in this profession.” She teaches her students and interacts with parents every day. Talking with and supporting young mums is an important aspect of her job. “When we teach a child we can’t do

so in isolation and work with the whole family for many things.” As a school leader, Fiona is involved in professional development for her teaching colleagues, as well as continuing her own thirst for knowledge. “I am a nerd and forever reading, going on courses and being part of online forums. It doesn’t ever feel like work.” She said her junior syndicate had some exceptional teachers, real experts with passion and drive, who continually tweak and improve their practice, to ensure new entrants get the best start to school as possible. Janine oversees ﬁve classes in the middle school and says there is never a dull moment. She worked in rural and city schools, including three years teaching in London, before deciding to return to the South Island. Janine has led a school-wide positive behaviour for learning project that has helped create a special culture at Allenton. When it comes to the students, she leads a team of professionals behind each youngster, helping them learn. “Seeing delight in a child’s face when

Allenton School

they have ﬁgured something out for themselves is special. There is always plenty going on to make you smile.” Teaching in the future, with changes in education practices and technology advances, will be exciting, she says. Technology is already a big part of life for Kerrin and her Year 5 and 6 students. Each student has a laptop to use at school and work can be monitored and marked in real-time. Kerrin can see documents students are working on in the classroom and provide feedback online instantly. Technology also brought the world to her classroom, from the Louvre in Paris to other parts of the planet. She came to Allenton four years ago from a small country school and has been embraced by the school community. She says the pastoral care of her students extends beyond the classroom, where she aims to develop a positive culture that reaches home and the community. Kerrin is director this year for the Mid Canterbury combined schools music festival, a mass choir event scheduled for June 12 and 13.

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Woman in business 2019

Sarah Jones, Darion Gray, Rachael Redmond and Linda Kelsall Mid Cantebury Rugby Union – MCRU The women leading local rugby Five women in Mid Canterbury Rugby Union (MCRU) play important roles in growing the game in the district. Linda Kelsall is a referee, Sarah Jones is a marketing executive, Rachael Redmond is on the governing board , Darion Gray is president at her Celtic club and Tracey Henderson is president at Hampstead. All five work in and around the game, which is an important part of the local community. Their gender has never been an issue. Linda played rugby in her native Samoa and was encouraged to take up the whistle by a friend when she moved to Ashburton. She loves the interaction with players and says having a high level of fitness means she can usually be in the right spot on field to see what is going on. Keeping up with rule changes is part of her professional development within the MCRU Referees group and Linda says the camaraderie and support is great. “You can only call what you can see, but you do have to have courage to be a referee, and confidence.” Sarah combines her part-time marketing role with being mum to a toddler. She looks after MCRU events,

marketing, grants and sponsorship. “I love the variety and pace of the role. My challenge being from Australia is not knowing all the local player names. Marketing I know inside and out, NZ rugby I am quickly building my knowledge! Rachael is the only woman on the MCRU board and oﬀers a unique perspective as mother of children who play the game and a local business owner. Her boys both wore the Allenton strip growing up, husband Chris coached and daughter Frances plays touch rugby for New Zealand. She says her goal is to have more people watching rugby at the showgrounds and for the experience to be a welcoming, inclusive one. “I love rugby. I used to watch my brothers and then watching what has been going on with rugby I started to come to the Heartland games. But sometimes I felt like a bit of an outsider.” She said creating the right atmosphere and entertainment on game days was crucial to getting more people along to games. Darion has been a central ﬁgure at the Celtic Rugby Club for 15 years. Her children Cathal and Eimear have

played the game and she started her involvement with Celtic as a team manager. “It is a job for life, really,” she says with a laugh. She then spent several years as club captain, helping the junior division ﬂourish, and is now president of the club. Under her oversight, the club had sometimes several teams in all the junior grades. She says she has always loved rugby and played it alongside basketball and hockey when she was growing up. Her role at Celtic has been a natural evolution and she says it could be the same for many women, who start out taking their children to sport and helping on the sideline. Celtic had women in many roles throughout the club and the rugby club family was richer for it. “I see our Celtic kids out and about and they always say hello. I love the interaction and people.” Tracey is the president of Hampstead Rugby Club and says she followed in the footsteps of her mum, who spent many years involved with the club at committee levels and with MCRU while her brother was playing.

Ashburton Guardian 45

PHOTO LINDA CLARKE 200519-LC-0007

“Then my boys decided it was time to play rugby, so it was only natural to get involved and help where I could. We are still both actively involved in various ways.” She is the current president and Hampstead’s JAB delegate on the Mid Canterbury JAB committee. Finding enough volunteers to help spread the workload is one of the biggest challenges in the job, Tracey said. “People seem to be a lot busier now and a trend we have noticed is that the commitment to sports isn’t what it was previously.” She said she had made many friends across the different groups, as they worked for the benefit of their kids playing rugby. “And I love watching the little ones having run on Saturday’s running around the field.” The five women concur that MCRU is an amazing place to work and they work with many other women as well as the men. MCRU has female club presidents, a board member, coaches, a captain, a full women’s team, referees and volunteers. Women are involved at all levels of the game.

Women in business 2019 46 Ashburton Guardian

www.guardianonline.co.nz

Saturday, May 25, 2019

KYLIE CARR

LEONE SHAW

Isagenix was introduced to me four years ago as a nutritional way to help manage my stress after personal grief. With a maintained 22kg weight loss and the extra business opportunity attached to this fun, evolving company, it inspires me to share these amazing nutritious products. Results you can’t get anywhere else.

I started a No-Appointment Walk-In Haircut Salon in The Triangle 9 years ago and still loving every day. Even after 33 years Hairdressing.

021 35 26 20 kickstartyurlife@yahoo.com www.isagenix.com/en-NZ

Opening Hours: Monday 10-4pm and Tuesdays to Fridays 9-4pm P 03-308 7440 A 98 Victoria St, Ashburton

WENDY P MILLICHAMP

“Lily farmer since 1995 Funeral Celebrant - Nonreligous and faith Wedding florist”

ADELLE BROWN

I was encouraged by a fellow Ashburton nail tech to also train. Over 10 years later and I am still enjoying bringing sparkle to other women. By appoirntment only P 021 048 0210 E adelle048@gmail.com Find me on Facebook

P 03-303 9743 E lilyfields@xtra.co.nz A 50 Hoods Rd, RD1 Mt Somers 7771 www.lilyfields.co.nz

SUE COOPER

Sue isn’t afraid to tackle the ‘hard work’ jobs. She particularly enjoys tree trimming and maintaining country blocks. M 027 339 6350 After hours 03-308 9257 a1lawnsgardens@gmail.com

SUE STRATFORD

Bridge to Beauty, the only place to go. It’s relaxing and warm with great prices, top service, three late nights and an excellent loyalty card.

143 Victoria Street, Ashburton 7700 Phone 03-308 5284

By Appointment Hours Mon - Fri 9 - 5pm Late nights Mon/Weds/Fri 7-9pm

Lawns & Garden Ltd

MERRYN JONES

BETH RE YNOLDS

SKIN THERAPIST & FACIALIST

Customised Facials, Peels, Microdermabrasion, Dermaplaning, LED light therapy and Dermal needling. P 03-303 8020 E manager.coldstream@hll.org.nz A 71 Park Street, Ashburton www.heritagelifecare.co.nz

P 027 885 8419 E beth@pureskin.co.nz www.pureskin.co.nz ONLINE BOOKING AVAILABLE

Women in business 2019 www.guardianonline.co.nz

Woman in business 2019

NICKY BOX

Ashburton Born Nicky has worked at the Devon For 10 years and the Ashburton Licencing Trust since 2005. She enjoys managing a local tavern with long standing customers who are a major part of the local community. A 116 Victoria Street, Ashburton P 03-380 7129 E devontavern@ashtrust.co.nz

Ashburton Guardian 47

SAMANTHA ROSE

We have just celebrated our 2nd year in business! Providing fresh flowers and gifts. Delivering local and in-between Rakaia and Rangitata rivers. P 03-307 4020 E samantha@samantharoseflowers.co.nz 179 Burnett Street, Ashburton

116 Victoria Street, Ashburton. Phone 308 7129

KAY THOMAS

Friendly efficient service Proudly owned and operated. For all your engraving needs and personalised gifts. P 027 736 5818 E Ashburton.engravers@gmail.com A 114a Victoria Street, Ashburton 7700

NICKY HORRELL

With a passion for anything crafty, I have a friendly business for nearly all your hobby needs.

P 03-308 2295 E victoria128@xtra.co.nz A 128 Victoria Street, Ashburton

LIZ MCMILLAN

Intimo bra fit specialist since 2011. Let me help you find your perfect fit.

P 021 70 80 13 E liz.mcmillan@intimo.com.au

ANDREA MAT THEWS

As a certified Xero advisor I specialise in accounting for small businesses and aim to provide outstanding support.

P 027 415 9880 E amtaxsolutionsnz@gmail.com A www. amtaxsolutionsnz.com

DIANE RAWLINSON CELEBRANT

“Your Day – Your Way” is my motto when helping a couple to plan and write their special ceremony.

Member of CANZ P 03-308 7728 or 0210 544 162 E dianzDMR@xtra.co.nz

RACHELLE STOCKDILL

Clothe was formed in 2011 and still bringing you the latest beautiful trends in fashion, homewares, and gifts. A shopping experience you will love. A 30 Forest Drive, Methven P 03-302 9314 /Clothe-151540441598234

Your beautiful home, our absolute passion While many of us enjoy day-dreaming about redecorating, the reality of designing a space you’ll love for years to come is not as easy as it sounds! Fortunately for Ashburton home owners, creating beautiful interiors is all in a day’s work for Jo Skilling and her team of design consultants at Colourplus Ashburton. New home build, renovation, or even a commercial space that needs an impressive interior, Jo and the team have the experience, passion and knowledge to ensure your project is a success. The bright, spacious Colourplus showroom features comfortable consultation pods, and hundreds of beautiful product samples within easy reach. From curtain fabric samples, operational blind, shutters and outdoor awnings displays, wallpaper inspiration, a full-service flooring department and in-store Dulux trade depot.

Jo believes the process her team follows is an integral part of the reason why so many of her clients are repeat customers. “We start with the house plans and a chat about personal style and preferences, and then we get to the fun part! In the showroom, we can layout fabric options against different wallpaper designs, look at paint and flooring samples, and show the customer how it all comes together. We also organise the installation and completion of the job as well. It’s surprisingly easy once we start the process. Jo has owned and operated Colourplus for 13 years. Along with her stylish, professional and down-to-earth team, they bring a fresh eye to every project.

L to R: Kelly Gordon, Jo Skilling

Feeling inspired? For expert interior design advice, as well as a free consultation and quote, call in and meet the Colourplus team today.

COLOURPLUS ASHBURTON 118 Tancred Street | 03 308 3973 ashburton@colourplus.co.nz www.colourplus.co.nz