Shoot for the top, don’t settle for the middle
RACHEL TAULELEI is disappointed to hear more women aspire to be middle managers than the boss.
From her Oriental Bay office, with clean white walls decorated with carefully selected maritime pieces – a paddle here, a fishing photo there – the 39-year-old founder and managing director of Yellow Brick Road says women need to constantly aim for the top.
After working for Trade and Enterprise for 10 years, she saw a gap in the market and started the fishmonger business supplying fresh seafood to restaurants in 2006.
She is also a co-founder of City Market, chairwoman of the successful food festival Wellington on a Plate and, most importantly, mother of Lilly, 8.
She hopes her daughter wants to be a boss one day.
‘‘I would hope that she’d shoot for the top . . . if you shoot for the top and you miss somewhat, it’s infinitely better than shooting for the middle and achieving.’’
Having built her business, she now wants to grow it and build on the sustainability message it promotes, while also
I’m really happy to provide Lilly with a workingmother role model, because that’s life.
building on her governance roles and work with children and young people.
The key to reaching successful heights in both business and life is to refresh your aspirations constantly and avoid becoming complacent, she says. For women, that means aiming high – and celebrating those who reach the top, so that it’s easier for more women to follow.
‘‘If we highlight the activities of these women and show that it’s just so eminently possible, I think it makes that path a bit more possible for women.’’
There is often a perception that women have to choose between family and work – but it’s really about achieving the balance that works for you, she says.
‘‘I’m really happy to provide Lilly with a working-mother role model, because that’s life. I’m a much better mother for working.’’
For Kiwi women, there is no one-size-fits-all mould for career and family, but women need to aspire for what’s best for them and make sure they’re challenging themselves, Ms Taulelei says.
‘‘It’s a pretty interesting and exciting time to be a woman.’’
Rachel Taulelei