The good the bad and the ugly of being a MUM

Six more sleeps and it’s the big day again. The one that recognises the role that all of us Mums claim to be our best ever. Easy? No. But rewarding… most of the time. It’s the only role that we women have no qualifications for, yet play out daily to the best of our ability.
There’s no possibility of resignation and we simply learn as we go. Best practice and rule books? No. It’s all about gut instinct and absolute love.
My children are older now… 23 and 21years to be exact but they were very small when I began this company of mine 20 years ago. So how did I cope? What lessons did I learn? And where are the takeaways?

When Edward was born in January 1991 I was still working in someone else's company and, foolishly I chose not to take any time off work. I think I was back the following week and, incredibly, travelling internationally after a month. So obviously breast feeding went out the window. This was my one regret but for my supposed dedication there would have been so much wonderful bonding that I could have done with my son, should I have made a different decision.
So learn from this and regardless of how entrenched you are in your work , take time out to enjoy what will be one of the most connective times in your life. I couldn't believe that I could love someone so much. Yes girls… loving a man and loving a baby are two very different feelings.
Thankfully I did decide to take eight months off when I had Sam two years earlier. And whilst initially I didn't think that I would find enough to do, the days passed quickly in a wonderful haze as I just loved being a Mum!
In 1992 when I began my company, Edward was one year old. Given the premises were on our farm it was relatively easy to manage the Mum role as well as run this operation of mine. It was simply about strong time management.
There is plenty of work time that exists outside the 8 to 5 work day that will not impact on a kids routine. Yes I did have help in the house and with the kids but why not? For me it was about a quality of time with them; not a quantity.
I can remember very few moments when I should have been there and wasn't. In fact, quite the opposite. I believe that by developing my own interests I became a better Mum. I was able to add a lot more to their life; especially from the point of schooling and sport choices. Yep, I spent many an afternoon at the poolside watching the kids train, or at Sam's ballet class but I suppose the difference between me and the other Mums was that I always had a pile of work on hand. And why not? Otherwise it simply became dead time that I, in turn, was able to make so productive given that I had very little in the way of distractions. Yep, I took work everywhere… and I still do this today! The hairdresser especially makes for a good 30 minutes of productive time especially while a colour is processing!

My own development at the helm of this company of mine has enabled me to create a stronger environment to bring up my children as I become less emotive and simply deal with the challenges at hand with the development of my leadership skills. These skills have also crossed over into my parenting role. For me, it was always about instilling strong values into the kids, creating a strong role model for them and providing them with the tools to deal with life's challenges… given that you will never be able to ascertain just what life is going to throw at you.

In 2002 Sam and Edward had to deal with the death of their step-mum and friend, Kim. She was killed in a car accident leaving behind a two-year-old daughter. No one and nothing can prepare you for this and it truly was and still is one of the hardest moments I have ever had to deal with /support my children through. Even typing this, I still feel incredibly emotional as it was a huge time for all of us.
Something like this never goes away but it does become part of your life fabric and, inadvertently provides you with another coping mechanism should you ever need to revisit this space, God forbid!

There have been so many highlights; so many moments that I have looked on with pride and huge amounts of love…
Sam's graduation: Yep, you could recognize her as she had the short white lace dress, high purple shoes, stockings that looked like suspenders and freshly dyed orange hair! It was a Bcom, not a fashion degree she was graduating with.
Her 21st birthday in Dunedin: During the speeches I discovered that she had won a wet tee shirt competition years earlier in Sydney!
Edward’s Gap year in America and the late night call when 11 of them had been kicked out of the Maine Camp: try sorting that when your son and several of his friends are facing a visa cancelation.
The call from Sam on Sept 4th, the day of the Christchurch earth quake: “Mum I don't want you to worry but I have just had a call from Edward’s friend that he was skiing with… Edward has had an accident. They are about to helicopter him off the mountain. Do not WORRY!!! How the hell do you not do that!
The laughter, the tears, the good times and the bad. It has simply been a role I have loved every damn day. It changes each year as they get older and I have embraced each and every stage. I had one objective and that was to create a balanced and empowering environment… to enable them to live a value driven life and make a difference to others as they went.
I have always wanted them to strive to be the best they can, to live their lives to the fullest and embrace risk… try stuff, taste stuff… never be afraid of failing. I have no need for them to be me, to follow in my footsteps… this is their life, their time, they must make their own decisions but I will always be right there beside them guiding and helping as they need.

Trust that you too can have both as a woman. You do not and will never have to choose. There is no guilt to be attached, to having your own vision and goals, no matter how small your children are. Never become an extension of your kids. They won't thank you for that; in fact, no one will. Live your life and accommodate them. It can only add to the life skills that you will give them and you will certainly be a lot more interesting to those around you.
It is so important that you create your own life balance first. Bringing up a family is very similar to leading a team. I am often walking a team member through a challenge to change a behavior in the same way that I would of a child of mine.
As we strive to increase diversity in the work place, especially in the leading roles that have been traditionally held by men, there has never been a better time for women to know and trust that we can have it all.
I love being a Mum. I will always be a Mum. And my two children, Sam and Edward will always be my greatest achievements!
Happy Mothers Day to all of you!

A few words on being a mum from Ann Sherry, Jenny Shipley and Phoenix Renata...

"Being a mother has been my toughest challenge and my most rewarding. You always imagine you could do your mother job better, spend more time, bake better cakes, be more tolerant of dress codes and girlfriends. At the end of the day however, having kids who are confident and caring is one of life's great achievements."
Ann Sherry

When my son Ben was asked on national TV what he thought of my being Prime Minister, he looked at the camera with some disdain and said “She's just my mum.” It was one of the great compliments of my life.

In many respects my children are my own heartbeat as I walk the high and low points of their lives with them. I am immensely proud of them both and how they now manage as fine young New Zealanders. And now I have the glorious pleasure of sharing a next generation experience with them both as our son, Ben and his wife, Chelsea have produced our first

grandchild,Otis and our daughter, Anna and her husband, Andrew are lookingn forward to becoming parents later in the year.

That sense of investment, adoration, joy, anxiety and anticipation is everything about being a mother. Of all the roles I've held in my lifetime there is none that has bought me more joy and satisfaction, rewarded me more greatly and inspired me to continue to try to shape a future from which they will benefit as a generation.

Jenny Shipley

Being a mum is hard work! Its a job that is never done, always educational and I wouldn't change it for the world.  It’s not until you have a baby yourself that you realise the lifelong committment and sacrifces it takes to be a mum. You understand what unconditional love means and finally understand what being a woman is all about. For me, Mother’s Day is not only a day to spend quality time with my daughter but to celebrate and give thanks to my mother, and grandmothers for all of the hard work, sacrifices and love they have shown to me.

Phoenix Renata

How do I love thee ... let me count the ways

With Mother's Day looming I have decided to take a lighter angle re. the blog. After all, I am first and foremost a woman and a mother, then comes the business bit and having just shared a wonderful night in Auckland with my daughter, Sam... who has forewarned me that her and Edward, my son will be together on Mother's Day,  just not with me .. arghhhhh

I have decided to look at the ways that I can invest in myself. In fact, the ways that I do invest in myself each and every week.

I am sure that many think that all I do is work which, in a lot of ways, I do as work crosses over into my life continually. I do, however hold fast to several weekly non-negotiable's that are important to me...

1. I take Ester C (Vitamin C) every day. Sometimes up to 4 capsules in a day if I'm not feeling 100.
It has kept me soooo healthy. It really does work and, given it does not stay in your system (you apparently cannot overdose) I do know it works for me as I am never or very rarely sick and certainly haven't had to hit the bed for at least 10years.

2. I have a great hairdresser. Deb is her name and I make sure I visit at least once a week to have my hair blow waved. Yep, with so much going on in my life it's a non-negotiable and cuts my morning preparation time down to nothing. Her excellent work pretty much ensures I have good hair days most days!

3. Pilates. I'm not sure that I love it but I go three times a week. It's not a maybe: it's a must. If I am around I attend. I'm convinced it must be beneficial and I still find it hard even though I have been going for 6-7 years. Three hours of bending, stretching and core work each week with Sonia has got to be good for me.

4. Flowers. I buy them for my desk and my home every week. I get my Mum who works for me to choose and arrange them. She's always wanted to be a florist and has some wonderful skills in this area. My life without flowers (and my Mum) would be very dull. I have even got Mum loving Gladioli which she never has previously... think it might have been the Dame Edna association.

5. If I'm having a glass of wine, I always makes sure it is a great NZ Pinot or Syrah. Life is too short to drink bad wine, so true...  and I work too hard so my wine cupboard or the environments I choose to eat at and socialise in always sport a good cross section of NZ reds. If they are not great then it's a bonus as I get to have an alcohol free day!

6. Organic Rosehip Oil. I love it. It is the only night cream that I use. It's non-negotiable in my life. I take off my makeup every night, cover my face in this delicious oil and look forward to the wonderful results in the morning. Tony's even adjusted to the resultant shiny dial.

7. Free Range Food. I will only ever eat food that has been farmed sustainably; not just when it is on offer. Sure it's not always easy but in the words of one of my close friends... if it has a bar code, it's not food. Extreme, yep but then look at how slim chef Ray McVinnie is and he's a huge advocate of eating fresh, seasonal and sustainable food always. Although I did see him eat a boiled lolly when we were judging! Guess we all fall off the wagon at times.

8. Wear Matching Underwear. It wasn't always easy, but it was a comment from Tony, "Honey, if you like that bra, rather than wear it so often why not buy two the same? Splash out and buy three rather than an assortment that sees you always going back to the same one." So now when I buy new underwear I find a set I like and replicate. Perfect! (No more road accident worries for me).

I'd love to hear from some of you other 'time poor' ladies as to how you invest in yourselves!

A few tips for Deborah Mundy of Caroline Eve:

I think it is important to invest in chill out time - where I do not have to think about anything - I need to clear and slow the mind down!

I do this by:

- watching a good movie

- Take a Walk on tread mill or around the farm 2 - 3 times per week

- Nails and pedicure once a fortnight

- Practise my stretching routine

- Ensure we eat the main meal of the day around the dining table, taking time to talk as a family and have some great laughs!

and once the mind is clear - if I take a long drive - it is amazing how many new ideas pop into it and I start planning once again!! Most of my thinking is done when I am driving!

A few tips from Tina Cross:

   1. My two weekly personal training sessions
   2. A Body Balance Class between 1 and 3 times a week
   3. A daily long macchiato while reading the newspaper
   4. My special egg white omelete with spinach, mushrooms and a tiny bit of onion, at least twice a week.
   5. Playing my guitar and coming up with usually half of an original song....watch this space for my singer songwriter fantasy album.

 

A few tips from Kirsti Stock, Manager Annah.S Whitianga:

Love thy self:

- Dermalogica PreCleanse - I'm in love with this product! This super fine oil gets all my makeup off & it smells all lavender-y & gorgeous. To me, using this signals the end of the day & its divine scent helps me relax & feel good. Probably one of my favourite parts of the day...

- Trim Flat White - every morning on the way to work. I'm very slow getting going without one... I've worked out which is the best in WhitiCity (& some days are better then others), but I do miss living across the road from Atomic Coffee in Kingsland. I make sure I use my Keep Cup too - it's amazing how the paper cups add up otherwise! (so I guess this is an addiction rather than pampering??)

- Nail Polish - I'm addicted to OPI nail polish. I have way too many & as a result never to get use them all before they go off. So now I've limited myself to just two or three. Having my nails painted makes me feel like I'm 'polished & finished' when it comes to dressing for work. Besides, depending on what colour you use, it's another little form of self-expression.

- Organic Unrefined Coconut Oil - this stuff is amazing! I use it in cooking (it gives an awesome flavour to stir-frys), but also slather it all over my body a few times a week. It's perfect for my dry skin & with the yummy coconut smell, I can pretend I'm on holiday somewhere tropical!!

- Eyebrow shaping - without this, I look like a complete scruff! A definite non-negotiable. And it has to be waxed - no tweezing!

Pilates - every thursday after work. There's usually only six of us to a class, so there's plenty of giggles along with the work! I've been doing pilates for about 10yrs & know that it works for me. Running works for me too, but it's much harder!

- Hello & Goodbye Kisses from Andrew - after my last relationship where I basically had to ask for a kiss, getting hello & goodbye kisses is still a treat for me 2 1/2 yrs on! Another favourite part of the day, & definitely something I couldn't live without! :)

Rosehip Oil - I've heard good things about this as a night treatment... Will give it a go once I've used up my current stuff.

I'm with you on matching underwear - when the Bendon Outlet shop has their Everything For Under $20 sale, I go nuts! Wearing daggy undies makes me feel daggy!

A few tips from Judith Collins:

1.       Give myself a manicure – every Sunday. It’s important to look smart and make an effort.

2.       Buy free range eggs and bacon for me and my family. Even if it costs more, I feel better in providing them.

3.       Do my hair – everyday. Some days are more successful than others but I always , at least try , not to have a ‘bad hair day.’

4.       Shop – I love shopping for clothes, enjoy looking at fashion magazines and take the opportunity when possible.

5.       Walk – or go to the gym. Walking in our clean New Zealand air or – if not possible- on the stair climber makes me feel very virtuous!

 

10 workplace habits of highly INEFFECTIVE people

I spend so much of my day surrounded by people. In an organization like mine it takes a huge variety of personalities to make the wheels spin and these people come from all walks of life. They are my employees, my suppliers and my customers as well as my nearest and dearest and one thing I do know is that they all behave very differently.
I have had 20 years of observing behaviours and whilst I truly do believe that, as a general population we are dealing less effectively with our challenges, it is more the way we react when they occur that I see as the problem. So here goes with the 10 workplace habits that I so often see... in ineffective people!

1: STRESS
Ineffective people stress. I don’t believe this word should enter anyone’s vocab in the workplace. Stress is self-induced and, in my opinion, can be removed by simply managing time well. FACT: you can only do so much in a day so sort out the stuff that has to happen and leave the rest. Stress comes from an inability to prioritise in a work environment. So 80/20… only 20% of the stuff needs to be done in a day… identify it and leave the 80% for another time.

2: ASSUME
I really hate this word... “Oh... I just assumed.” Really... so why didn't we check or ask so that rather than assume, we actually got it right! I have outlawed it in our work space. To me it simply represents an ineffective person that fails to check before making a decision, or effecting a task.

3: BLAME
Yep, you have heard them. It’s never their fault no matter how high up the organizational chart they are. It is always someone else that is responsible. Every time a team member of mine stuffs up, I look at what I, not they could have done to prevent this. If you manage a team you have an ongoing responsibility. So rather than blaming, look at how you can prevent scenarios re-occurring. Grow people rather than undermine them. Stuff ups happen… just get on and fix them, rather than wasting more time trying to attach blame!

4: GONNA DO’S
These people never get anything finished. They are always gonna get to it. In fact, often when it does finally get to you, you have forgotten you requested it. Their work is often incomplete, always late and never what you really wanted. So when it does arrive it becomes a process of tooing and froing to get the end result. These people often work longer hours than anyone else but are still highly ineffectual. In fact, you spend a lot of time over compensating for them. Invite them anywhere and tell them the event starts one hour earlier than it actually does, give them deadlines that are days/ weeks earlier than you actually needed and good luck !

5: GOSSIPERS
These people waste time, spread information that is often wrong and delight in the failings of others. I hate hearsay. I would much rather hear it from the horse’s mouth and when I do, it is often so very different to the version that is being bandied around. Refuse to listen to this type of talk. It is as its name suggests… gossip and highly likely to be loaded with error!

6: CRYING
What is this about??? Why when dealing with a work place challenge, do people burst into tears? Really... it does take away from what is being addressed. In fact, it distracts and has a tendency to dilute a process that is simply about getting the job done better. Please save the tears for stuff that really matters, focus on what is being addressed, absorb, communicate and then get on with doing the job.

7: CHANGE HATERS
Implement change and these people thwart; taking all those that will listen with them. They never take time to consider what is really happening or have any robust analysis around the processes. They fear change for change’s sake and become catalysts of objection in the work place. They baulk and divide teams just because they can. Great leaders embrace change. They are always looking for how we can do things better, rather than simply adhering to what was done before.

8: SELF ADVOCATES
It’s all abut me… never the about the team… I am the success story in this environment… it’s never about growing others which often results in a high churn in the team they lead. They invite very little input from others as they always know best. In fact, input is often not welcome or taken and quickly disregarded and if it is eventually implemented, it is seen as a personal infringement on their capabilities.

9: NON COMMUNICATORS
They expect their peers to be clairvoyants. They never talk to challenges, never discuss their visions and therefore are constantly delivering negative surprises in the work environment.

10: THE GRASS IS ALWAYS GREENER
These people are never happy. They will always tell you about someone who is earning more, what they have done in the past, what their life used to be, what they could have been or what they are missing out on. You can never win! These people always feel that they are perpetually leaving. They never seem settled or happy and often create unrest in a team. I am often just left waiting and wondering where or when it will all end!

My suggestion to you is never be these people. If you recognize some of the traits in yourself, work hard to change them. Become a polar opposite to what is listed above and you will become one of the highly EFFECTIVE people.

The seven deadly sins of business

It’s official! I am twenty years old in business and I know stuff that so many others don't! So it’s truly time to get everyone looking at how we can make change because we can. Running our businesses and our lives in the same way as we always have simply doesn't work in this new environment. Last night I was at a Global Women dinner in Auckland. This is one of the spaces that I love to be in the most as there is always a wonderful mix of capable minds from a huge variety of career and company bases that truly do add value to every conversation that is had and these women know their stuff! They have been highly trained and are incredibly passionate about the fields that they are in.
The question then, is how we get more people and more business into this space so that they truly do experience the rewards of success….
So here are my seven deadly sins:

1 COMMUNICATION

Your team and the people around you are not clairvoyant; you must always communicate. Not only your vision and your expectations but the highs and the lows. If you are challenged by a behaviour, talk to the perpetrator and if someone does a great job, celebrate with them. Acknowledge the special moments in their life (I give birthday presents to all of my team on their day). Have the conversations - the tough ones and the good ones. And if you are employed, the same goes for you as well - always communicate with your employer. Don't leave them to second guess what the problem may be. Most of us are not wanting a resignation, which is often the result of this non-communication. We just want you to talk to us! Try it: you will be surprised at the outcomes.

2 ACCOUNTABILITY 

Yep it is your fault! The buck stops with you. If it doesn't work or something goes horribly wrong, step up to the plate and take ownership. There is nothing wrong with stuffing up; especially if you only go there once. It’s when it happens again and again that it is a problem. So stop looking for scapegoats. Accept accountability and look at how you move on from it. Your team are not to blame and, let’s face it they can only be as good as the environment that you create. So get on and fix the problem rather than looking for someone to blame.

3 STOP WASTING TIME

Efficiency lacks from so many operations and peoples lives. I use the 80/20 rule to combat this. Only twenty percent of the stuff that happens in a day needs to happen in an immediate time frame. Identify it and action it. Don’t be one of those ‘gonna do’ businesses/ people that are always behind and always promising to get back to people. It’s a fact that we are all busy (so stop telling people it would be a problem if you weren't). Just get on and do the job. Take the piffle out of your day. Do not be distracted by the stuff that is not a priority and stop letting people and your operation down… introduce a discipline into your life.

4 NEVER STOP LOVING WHAT YOU DO

You can never be good at something if you don't love it, so if you have fallen out of love with your business/ job get out (or at least make a change). To continue on is to severely disadvantage your operation and your health. We are put on this planet for a short time so start to look for something that you love to do. You owe it to yourself as well as your operation. To continue on is to promote mediocrity and no one deserves that!

5 TAKE A RISK

Life and business are about risk… risk = growth… if you don't try you will never know. We live in a bubble in New Zealand. We continue to do what we have always done and we are so afraid of the stigma of failure. Failure is the foundation of success. News flash… IT IS OKAY TO FAIL! In fact there is no growth without failure. People and operations need to fail to grow, try something or do something differently. Our entry into the Australian Market has been fraught will challenges… so did I give up? Hell no! I have assessed, determined the problem and opened two more sites! Am I concerned about doing business in China? Of course I am. I may even lose money but if it works I stand to gain a lot more!

6 NEVER LET THE INTEGRITY DISAPPEAR FROM YOUR LIFE AND OPERATIONS

Living a great life or building a great business is about three things: Passion, Discipline and Integrity… that’s all you need.
If the integrity goes, the model erodes. I never have to worry about what people think and there will always be at least 15% of the people out there that don't agree with where I am heading. But I choose to focus on the 85 % that do and move forward. Do not let others sway your decisions and choices. Trust that you can and will make good decisions and, as long as they come from the heart they will always be made with good integrity.
So stop caring about what others think! It will be debilitating for you. Get on and live your life and run your operation… and always apply good integrity to all that you do.

7 IT’S NOT ALL ABOUT YOU… PAY IT FORWARD

Take the focus off yourself and look at how you can take the knowledge and skills that you have acquired and pay it forward. Resolve to help others evolve. To help others is simply about giving time and, in doing so there will always be lessons and opportunities that arise. Don't become so time poor that you stop looking outwards. The balance that I have achieved in my life has been through the energy that I have given to others. Sure this is not always as rewarding as it should be, but when it goes to plan it is fantastic. Yesterday I spent an hour in a busy day talking with a woman who has started a charity called Bellyfull. They essentially take a meal and a hug to capable women who have left the high powered roles they were in to have a baby; an all consuming thing as many of us know and in a territory that is so foreign. What a great initiative and there will be plenty of ways I can help and align to Bellyfull. It is exciting to think that there are still people that care so much about others that they get on and create these initiatives with no monetary reward for themselves (yep, no one is on the payroll) simply because they want to make a difference. Allowing these people into my life and giving them my time creates a wonderful balance for myself and the operations that I run.

I have covered off my seven sins and there are so many more but at least if you absorb and takeaway something from one of these change will occur… Good Luck!

Women who love too much ???

I am certainly a victim of this and I truly believe that in some cases  I love to the point of stupidity .. Just look at me night after night as I sleep pinned between two dogs, a white boxer on one side .. and as the evenings get colder she creeps closer and closer and on the other side is a Jack Russell .. stupid !!! Well its worse than that, as I get hay fever, so I often have to take a pill, just to make it through the night with my two hairy friends ... but.... I have seen statistics that say 60% of us sleep with our animals .. I wonder how many of those are women as opposed to men ??

Check out this image, it was a card that was given to me by a woman who was part of the audience at the last event I spoke at.
As I left the building I happened to be behind her and overheard her discussing with her friend in absolute amazement, that someone like me would sleep with my dogs .. ???
Hence the card  and I love it !

So lets translate this loving too much into other aspects of a woman's life, as I truly do believe that it is one of our intrinsic flaws .. When I think about my kids and perhaps as a single parent  how I may have parented a little differently. I certainly know that they had a much less lenient environment with their Dad, his expectations of contribution where a lot higher than mine ...  And this has only increased their respect of his rules and expectations and never ever diminished their love for him ???

I have learnt over the years that love is not about the flashy material gifts .. it is about one thing........

........................................................................TIME ............................................................................

This also applies to my business and the team that I employ, as well as the third parties that I endeavor to assist .. The most valuable thing that I have to give them is my time .. it is worth so much more than any money I could bestow on them  .. the money is a finite thing and  it will never enable growth or change in the way that my time and the experiences that I can now speak of, can  ... ( twenty years this Saturday)  the information I can share, is loaded with takeaways that utilized well should keep on yielding for the recipients .. I certainly know that in this over busy life that I lead, the only gift that I ever want from my kids and my partner is time ( this of course is hugely appealing to my forever poor  children )... but  I'm not sure if I want to keep on celebrating my birthday with a gift of shopping time from them i.e. my birthday and I take them shopping with my cheque book but at least we are together ???? .. arhhhh NO ! Anyway I am so... not a big shopping fan ! A long lunch at my favourite cafe is definitely a yes !

Then I must also consider the causes that I am so passionate ( to the point of obsessive ) about.
At the top of these has to be the animal ones.( I have even offered a food subsidy to convert the five boys in Edwards Dunedin flat to a free range lifestyle ).
I sat and watched SPCA rescue this week on TV-one, with tears in my eyes,  as they tended to a little puppy ( who someone had named  Pretty ) she had been shot with a slug gun three times .. incredible, what planet  are these perpetrators on .. I will never understand or forgive anyone that deals to an animal in this way .. hell I can't even imagine killing a chicken, let alone running over a bunny or a hedgehog!
I had an interesting conversation with a woman that visited me last week .. as we got around to my passion for the pigs and chickens and seeing them farmed differently, of which she whole heartily agreed, yep a big free range advocate was she .. except when eating out, she just made a natural assumption that any places she chose, given they where of a reputable standing and clever with food, would obviously be free range ..
Wrong !!! Never assume always ask and if you really want to make a change to the way we farm pigs and chickens, remember  you make a vote every time you purchase so exercise this not just when you are in the supermarket but also when you eat out,  at friends or a restaurant/cafe.
Once again.... Im just so passionate about this crusade that it truly does have an impact on my choices and my life .. I will simply not negotiate this principal to make a situation easier, as so may others do.

And finally there is this company of mine .. and yes in so many ways I do love it too much .. and given so many others have input into how we operate each day this in itself will have ongoing challenges for me.
I have however now come to the realization that no one will ever effect a task in the same way that I would and this is absolutely okay, in that in many instances they will do it so much better.
I hate to imagine how I would fare if I was ever to compete against some of our capable  retail girls and their huge love of the brand that translates into their strong selling ability.
The converse of this is that when the team stuff up, it is simply that and as long as the mistake is a new one it is all about the learning and growing process  that they will all need to go through ..
Even when I am steering down the barrel of a considerable price tag that attaches to the error, it is is simply time to breathe .. look at how we prevent this happening in the future .. and moving on .. As much as I love this brand of mine and want to protect it at the highest level .. the employment of people will alway be something that I have to factor into this love.

So with Mothers Day fast approaching,  I also reflect on the 24 years that I have been a Mum .. And as so many of us Mums would say, my kids truly are my greatest achievements, my biggest passion.. those two children of mine have been my greatest love affair as well as providing me with a total balance in my life and what more could a girl want ?

It's My Birthday And I'll Cry If I Want To ...

OMG..... Where has all the time gone, on the 14th of April, yep this Saturday to be exact I will be 20 years of age in company terms. I can still remember the day that I started out on our farm just outside of Morrinsville, in a tiny office with a phone and a fax and a second hand photocopier.

I had nothing but an absolute self belief and a love of the trade. I also had an absolute ability and a passion for doing the deal, yep, I loved to negotiate, from the purchasing of fabric to the selling of the frocks to the generic traders. I had finally found something that pushed all my buttons, sure I still had lots to learn, but if you love something as much as I did and still do, you will always do well at it ... and I suppose the rest is history. There are many people who believed in me in those early days, they took the punt, gave me the chance and in doing so set me up to become the business force that I am today. Kevyn Male of Route 66 and 3 Bears fame in New Market, he was Mr. Retail and when he spoke the other womenswear retailers listened. I became his new protégé, supplied him with his garments at great prices and he in return extolled by abilities to those that would listen and in those days they all did!

Pam the head womenswear buyer at K Mart NZ, she truly enabled me to create a very robust cash flow for my business. Gerard Gillespie at Ezibuy, a hero of the industry then and today, just by watching and having involvement with his company my learnings where always rich, I so wanted to be like him. Brenda and the team at Max Fashions, Vaughn and Snow Rainger Textiles Team where I got all the great fabrics at great prices and possibly my most poignant moment and there have been a few.... has to have been the day Farmers Trading company gave me the order for 20,000 shift dresses. We must have employed the whole Tatuanui district to sew, press and QC those frocks, but we meet our deadlines and delivered every dress ... so many memories, so many frocks. Never once have I regretted that day that I packed up my stuff and left my last employer, to start my new venture. Sure there have been some tough times, cancelled orders, cash flow challenges, employee disruptions but I have never for one moment looked back with regret. I love this company of mine; there have been so many milestones, so many great leanings. My story is such a big one now that it can never be told in one sitting... On Saturday, April 14th 2012, I am 20, company years old. Where did all this time go? This company of mine has seen my two children grow up; they are now 23 and 21. It has allowed me to work with my Mother, Vicki and my partner Tony for the last 13 years and has afforded a lifestyle that has bought so many of my dreams to fruition. I have meet and employed so many wonderful people, Ali our Head Designer, so many collections, with so many wonderful winners. Nina, our Head of Retail, went from an Annah.S store franchise owner to an employee running our retail platform.

Sharee our Operations Manager, who started her years on the farm (6 to be exact).. did her OE, then has rejoined us at our Morrinsville head office. Maggie, Shirley, Kim, Dean, Delia and Monica, working in our sewing, cutting, distribution and production areas, these people have been there for so much of the journey, I am privileged to have had their input and support on a daily basis. Then there is my retail team, longevity is not always easy to sustain, as all of the team work remotely, but there is no doubt that over the last three to four years these girls have been a big contributor to my income base, Angela in Colombo Street, what a year we have had!!! From hero to zero and back to hero, this store continues to be the number one right in the middle of earthquake torn Christchurch. Rose in the Wellington area, her steady influence on my company and the team has seen so many great sales and constant team growth and Tanya; it would be difficult to find someone that was more loyal to the brand and the outcomes we need to achieve each day. Our Australian team is not without its heroes as well. The wonderful Belinda and her absolute commitment to making this market a success has enabled me to plough on with my global vision. This list is by no means complete, I have so many that support my dream and vision daily and over the next ten years as I transition into my succession, it is all about how I develop my leadership style and create a platform of employment that is second to none. A company culture that is impossible to beat, as it is the great girls that support me, that form the lifeblood and enable the longevity of my company! So what has the last twenty years meant for me? There have been so many learnings, so many opportunities, so many successes and so many failures. I have met so many wonderful people, spoken to so many groups, travelled to a huge number of countries, had so many wonderful awards and recognitions from my peers and my country, bought a publishing company and dabbled in hospitality but most of all I have learnt how to lead well, how to apply integrity and dignity to all my dealings and to trust the decisions that I make. I have learnt to sit comfortably in my own skin and I have developed substantive and very capable networks, I have a wonderful discipline to my life, I have embraced innovation and change and learnt to never doubt myself. I sit so comfortably with failure and I have left a wonderful legacy in the two children that I have raised. The stuff that used to be important to me just isn't anymore. My focus is toady and moving forward is on how I can empower others. How I can channel success for the next generation of creatives as well as those that I interact with daily. And finally to quote Richard Branson ... "The brave may not live forever, but the cautious have not lived at all ... and I.... have had a ball!"

Why I am always looking for opportunities !!!!

Im back from China  ... yes, I arrived home on Friday at 10am .. a little nervous as to how the custom officers would react to my lotus flower tea, reflecting on a recent confiscation of global potpourri .. I declared my tea with fingers crossed.. no problem they said as they rushed it through the ex-ray machine .. arhhhh.. I get to relive my Chinese experience for  few more weeks yet, as I savour a pot of tea each night.
I love this stuff especially the ginseng one.

However with my trip over,  it is back to a frantic day at head office, a quick catch up with the ones I love in the evening  but  bed is a lot later than I originally intended, after all I had to finish the bottle of  Californian red that my new chinese friend Gary had insisted I bring home with me.

Up at 4am on Saturday, I head to the Hawke's Bay to Judge the Edible Fashion Awards in Hastings  .. I love doing this stuff,  it is these provincial events that form the fabric of  these communities as well as providing launching pads and opportunities  for some very real talent .

I arrived in the Bay with time  to spare, the new Taupo bypass has certainly made the trip a lot quicker  and I enjoyed a leisurely breakfast with my fellow Judges, Ray McVinnie ( master chef ) and Sam Wallace,  the news man for TV ones  breakfast program .. I remember his first day as he struggled with  the 6 o'clock news and  weather .. I mean how the hell does anyone follow in Jim's footsteps.

Ray McVinnie, Annah Stretton and Sam Wallace

Initial reactions, I was pleasantly surprised and believed I would enjoy these two males, as so often is not the case as I am largely lumped into judging  situations that are a little more difficult to endure ... NO this day was looking good !!!
The content of the day simply got stronger and stronger as we judged from junior to senior level and the winners became very apparent ... The day was broken with a beautiful liquid lunch .. try the Opera house cafe in Hastings, I thoroughly recommend it.. the food is some of the best I have tried in the Bay and apparently the chef was a proderget of Ray's.
The afternoon rolled into the evening,  a few more bevies shared and a quick interview for the Her digital network with Ray ( Sam manned the camera ) .. with a focus on free range , obesity in NZ ( apparently we are the 3rd fattest nation) and Master chef ( of course ) .. we dressed for the evening and headed back to complete the judging.

It is always important to remember that there can only be one winner on the night and this will always be the result of criteria and the judges preference, the results do not often match a public perception or choice (hence there is often a peoples choice award so that this voice can be heard around a capable competition )

Our choice, was a wonderful creation that was made from eggplant slices  and constructed only two hours before the show. It would have  been  perplexing for some, I mean , two hours as opposed to an outfit that takes months to create, how can a piece like this take out the main prize ?
It is so important to remember that it is always about a great idea executed well, the time to execute is and never will be taken into account and as with business ideas, the simplest  are  often the best ones.
I have seem this time and time again at WOW ( World of Wearable arts event. )
Effort expended is no measure of a winner, winning can be simply a great idea executed at the highest level .
In summary, my advice is to execute, stand back and remove .. Less will always be more.
So check out the winner I love it !!! And so did the other two judges especially  Ray !

So why would I, in what must appear an  extremely busy life, with a family that hardly ever sees me agree to judge this event  on the day after my return from China?

 I suppose for many reasons .
 One, it was in the Bay and I have a Dad in a rest home there and if I'm ever going to get the daughter of the year award, I need to visit more often and two, 'opportunities', I always look for them and they always appear.
Not only did I get a great interview with Ray but I made a new friend, I was surprised at how much I liked the man, he's a cross between my two closest male friends, a personality I don't often meet.  I'm sure we will spend time together going forward .. and Sam he was delightful, we have decided to catch up going forward as there are things that we can  help each other with, for me, a video production for the website and for Sam, some help with future projects that he has in the pipeline.



But above all that.....why not support an initiative as strong as this, that enables those creative soles to showcase their work  and possibly take it to another level .. I mean I saw outfits that could easily consider application to WOW the grandmother of all these competitions.

I have already been contacted by the creator of the winner for a meet in Morrinsville next week, so who knows where this will go.
So a great weekend all round!