Women share enterprises
A special “ladies’ afternoon” was a fun, free way for women in Dannevirke to spend a Sunday afternoon.
With more than 50 women attending the event at the Dannevirke Services and Citizens Club, manager Joanne Jones had hit on a ideal event.
Entrepreneurs Stampin’ Up’s Fiona Carson and Scrub Collab’s Stephanie Buckeridge demonstrated their products and skills, before the line dancers took to the stage, encouraging audience members to join them, as exercise is a great way to deal with arthritis and other aches and pains.
Fiona was celebrating the 30th birthday of Stampin’ Up this month. The company began in the US by two sisters who couldn’t find what they wanted in card material.
For Fiona, it was a privilege to come to Dannevirke and start her business four years ago and her success earned her an all-expensespaid cruise around the Greek Islands and she’s taking her son to celebrate his 21st birthday.
“I love to craft and I think that’s why my business has been so successful,” she said.
And the recipe for success? “Craft and chocolate biscuits. “You can’t craft without chocolate,” Fiona said.
With free card-making for those at the event and discounted, homemade Christmas cards for $2, Fiona admitted she loves Christmas.
“It’s awesome and my Christmas tree is going up this afternoon,” she said.
Card making is not just about what is made.
It’s a bunch of women getting together to be creative and socialise, Fiona said. And it’s social media which is turning people on to her Stampin’ Up business.
“Without social media I wouldn’t be successful,” she said. “And without this community supporting people like me I wouldn’t be supportive either. For some reason it’s really hard in New Zealand for network marketing, so please support our Dannevirke businesses. They are amazing.”
Successful young entrepreneur Stephanie Buckeridge updated the women on the skincare range, she markets through her award-winning business Scrub Collab, and introduced them to her latest venture, Tupperware.
Last year, while on Facebook, Stephanie discovered the Innovate competition, which helps people turn ideas into reality, while rewarding the winner with a solid business model, a mentor network and $10,000 cash.
Run by BCC (Building Clever Companies), with the Tararua District Council one of the sponsors, Stephanie took the plunge, filled in the entry form and expected to hear nothing more.
But after a gruelling process and the entries were down to just six, on finals night Stephanie was awarded a CQ Scholarship, entitling her to membership of a community of professionals, entrepreneurs and business leaders from across New Zealand. This exclusive two-year membership is valued at $4000. But that wasn’t all, Stephanie was given a $1000 Mark Sainsbury Award.
And Stephanie, who works at For Homes For Farms, continues to make her skincare range in her kitchen at home.
“I’m working on improving the environment with improved compostable packaging,” she said.
Stephanie’s business is self-funded. It’s not easy, she said.
“But my sales are steadily increasing in New Zealand.”
Stephanie has spoken as one of five Young Gun to 60 Year 12-13 secondary students at the NZ Business Week in July and she is also on the judging panel for this year’s Innovate Challenge.
“I’m also mentoring 10-year-old Ruby who has developed a grip jar opener,” she said.
But it’s also time to concentrate on her Christmas sales.
“Christmas orders are about to go crazy and I’ve already had enquiries from Auckland,” she said.
But if her life was already busy, in February Stephanie began selling tupperware.