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Annah Stretton & Kay Gregory

Warwick Grey of HP with his colleagues

Ladies from A J Park

Ladies from Stretton Publishing

Network Coordinators from Oamaru, Christchurch & South Rodney

Network Coordinator of the Year - Sally Connell

Dame Susan Devoy

Her Businesswoman of the Year - Jessica Aitchison

Bloom Her Businesswoman of the Year Awards 2009

June 24 at the Heritage Auckland Hotel, Hobson St CBD.

Do you have what it takes? See the Judges Criteria for the Awards.

Bloom Her Businesswoman of the Year

HER-BUSINESSWOMAN-OF-THE-YEAR-2009-Jessica-Aitchison.jpg

Jessica Aitchison - Goldlink Warehousing and Distribution

Goldlink’s sustainable business model and financial success in a very competitive industry can be attributed to a focus on customer service, leading technology and systems and a motivated team. When Jessica first came into the business she set about optimising and streamlining systems, and building a strong team around her. She has fostered a company culture that values people at all levels, innovative thinking and a consistent commitment to very high service standards.

Businesswoman of the Year Award

sponsored by:

Winner Received:
5 nights twin share in a luxurious Beachfront Bungalow at Pacific Resort in Aitutaki, two round trip airfares between Rarotonga and Aitutaki, full a-la-carte breakfast daily for two in Rapae Bay Restaurant, and complimentary use of water sport equipment.
Gift pack from Estee Lauder
Flowers by Wild Poppies

Her Business Network of the Year

Sally Connell - Coordinator for Her Wellington

Consistency is the key that saw Sally Connell trump 18 other regional networks to become Her Business Network of the Year 2009.
In just over a year, Sally has grown the Wellington network to be the largest in terms of membership and is consistently raising the bar.
Sally communicates efficiently with head office team members, sends prompt monthly meeting reports and promotes her network with tenacity and flair that resonates through the women she serves.
Sally is an example for others to follow.

Network of the Year Award

sponsored by:

Winner Received:

$500 Annah Stretton Gift Voucher from Stretton Clothing

Gift pack from Estee Lauder

Flowers by Wild Poppies

Best New Business

Cecilia Robinson - Au Pair Link

Au Pair Link brings together New Zealand host families with European au pairs to provide an affordable and quality form of home based child care. Since starting Au Pair Link, Cecilia Robinson has set the business on a strong and focussed growth path. In less than two years, Au Pair Link has established offices in four New Zealand cities, become internationally accredited, placed over 150 au pairs in New Zealand and succeeded in becoming approved by the Ministry of Education.

Best New Business Award

sponsored by:

Winner Received:

$2000 voucher for business services from AJ Park

A bottle of Moet champagne

Gift pack from Estee Lauder

Flowers by Wild Poppies

Best Micro Business

Casey Martin - Eagars Funeral Services

Taranaki based, Eagars Funeral Services is owned by Casey Martin. Casey joined the family company in 1992 and bought it in 2007. Casey describes the business as one of event management, specialising in Grande Finales. Like all successful businesses, financial sustainability is built on excellent customer service. Under Casey’s ownership, customers applaud Eagars flawless and empathetic service which they say is delivered as if they were the only people Eagars ever had to deal with.

Best Mico Business Award

sponsored by:

Winner Received:

Full page advertorial in Her Magazine worth $2540 from Stretton Publishing

Gift pack from Estee Lauder

Flowers by Wild Poppies

Best SME Business

Sharon Newton - Liquorland Taupo and Napier

With her husband, who works part time in the business, Sharon Newton owns Liquorland Taupo and more recently, in 2009, Liquorland Napier. From taking over a brand new business in 2004, Sharon has been devoted to ensuring the business was financially successful. In doing so, Sharon has set up systems and procedures to ensure that the business is independent of her and therefore sustainable in the longer term. To her credit, year on year over the last four years Sharon has exceeded the financial goals set for the business. She is on track to do the same in 2009.

Best SME Business Award

sponsored by:

Winner Received:

A two hour business review with a Westpac Business Banking consultant

Westpac merchandise

Gift pack from Estee Lauder

& Flowers by Wild Poppies

Most Inspirational Role Model

Jessica Aitchison - Goldlink Warehousing and Distribution

Goldlink is a freight forwarding company, whose financial success has been built around the niche market of providing an overnight trucking service from Auckland to the South Island. Jessica took over the family business 2 years ago determined to make Goldlink a market leader. To achieve this she has focused on customer satisfaction, optimising systems and motivating those around her. Jessica fosters a company culture which recognises teamwork at every level - even if that means she has to get in her car herself and do a delivery.

Most Inspirational Role Model Award

sponsored by:

Winner Received:

HP mini 2140 Notebook PC from Hewlett Packard

Gift pack from Estee Lauder

Flowers by Wild Poppies

Most Outstanding Business Leader

Chris Dolman - Waiariki Institute of Technology

Chris Dolman is Regional Development Manager for Waiariki Institute of Technology, one of the largest tertiary institutes outside the university centres. Chris is an energetic, positive and motivating individual who has a ready ability to lead and foster collaborative business and community relationships. This is no better demonstrated than through her various other roles as President of the Taupo Chamber of Commerce, Chairperson of the Taupo Youth Arts Trust and as a member of the Taupo Economic Advisory Board.

Most Outstanding Business Leader Award

sponsored by:

Winner Received:

A two hour Exceptional Enterprise consulting session led by Melanie Beattie from Ernst and Young

Gift pack from Estee Lauder

Flowers by Wild Poppies

Most Sustainable Business

Yolande Ellis - Clean Corp

Cleancorp is franchise company which offers cleaning services to businesses in the Auckland region. Yolande Ellis established the company seven years ago and since then it has grown to 471 customers and 147 franchisees. The company’s solid trading result over this time at both the revenue and operating profit level is testament to its financial success. Under Yolande’s stewardship Cleancorp has also demonstrated a commitment to both environmental sustainability and to giving back to the community through its various sponsorships.

Most Sustainable Business Award

sponsored by:

Winner Received:

A one-day module from Massey Universities leadership development programme worth $1700

Gift pack from Estee Lauder

Flowers by Wild Poppies

Outstanding Business Citizenship

Terri Foley - Jabiru Enterprises Ltd

Jabiru, owned by Terri Foley, helps businesses reach their full potential through business health checks, mentoring and strategic planning amongst many other services. While running a business full time, Terri has immersed herself in the community to a level which is hard to rival. For the past 30 years, Terri has given of her time and her business advisory skills freely in numerous community roles as a board director, trustee, advisor, co-ordinator, judge and supporter. Terri’s commitment and devotion to the local and business community is outstanding.

Outstanding Business Leadership Award

sponsored by:

Winner Received:

A Full Page Advertorial in Her Magazine worth $2540 from Stretton Publishing

Gift pack from Estee Lauder

Flowers by Wild Poppies

Bloom Her Businesswoman of the Year Awards 2009

to be held June 24 & 25 at

Proudly Sponsored by:

Meet the Judges

Lynn Walker (left) and Corinne Blumsky

Corinne Blumsky

Intellectual Property Lawyer specialising in trade marks and branding.

Corinne is a partner at New Zealand’s leading IP firm, A J Park, where she advises people - from start up ventures, to individuals and small to medium enterprises - on everything from how to create a winning brand to protecting and enforcing their IP rights. She also specialises in Fair Trading Act issues, franchise agreements and advertising laws in New Zealand.

Corinne regularly presents to clients and industry groups on various trade mark and branding issues. She also writes regular articles on trade marks, branding, domain names and copyright for a variety of publications, including Her Magazine.

Corinne is a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Patent Attorneys and also serves on their Council. She is part of the technical focus group that works with the Intellectual Property Office on trade mark matters. She is a member of the Asian Patent Attorneys Association and the International Trademark Association. Corinne is also a member of the New Zealand Textile Institute and a Trustee of Footnote Dance Company and Enterprise New Zealand Trust.

Lynn Walker

BMS (Hons First Class)(Senior Manager, Corporate Business)

Lynn started with Westpac Institutional Bank (WIB) in Auckland in 1990. Lynn joined WIB, from Barclays Bank, as part of the Corporate Advisory team involved in tax effective transactions and company valuations. Before moving to the Waikato in 2001, Lynn was a Relationship Manager in Auckland for WIB in Financial Institutions managing Westpac's relationship with a corporate portfolio of the major life companies and other non-bank financial institutions. Lynn currently manages a relationship portfolio in the Waikato of significant corporates, local bodies and government entities.

Award Categories - Judging Criteria

A maximum of two categories may be entered. All entrants will be nominated for the Her Businesswoman of the Year Award

Her Businesswoman of the Year

The coveted Her Businesswoman of the Year Award celebrates a women who has demonstrated unmatched commitment, passion and drive in the business sector. Judges will be looking for someone with a clear vision, strong growth and an ability to recognise new opportunities in the market.

Network of the Year

The Her Business Network of the Year reflects the effort of the governing network coordinator. Her Business Network Coordinators are measured on enthusiasm, passion and dedication that ensure well-run, successful meetings and a high membership level. The winning coordinator must also show organizational skills and produce timely reports to H/O regularly.

Best New Business

Not only is it a great accomplishment to keep an already stable business afloat in these irresolute economic times, but a greater triumph to get a new business up and running and make it a success. This category recognises a business with an innovative new service or product which is attaining impressive growth in the market. Businesses must be in operation for more than six months and less than 2 years at May 22, 2009.

Best Micro Business (1-5) employees

This category recognises a business that has shown the discipline required to succeed with a minimal amount of employees. While making a conscious effort to provide the highest quality of service to its customers, this highly systematised business is continually making and reaching performance goals.

Best SME (small to medium business, employing 6+)

The Best SME recognises excellence in business operation with 6+ employees.

Businesses will be scored on products and services, well-defined goals, supportive organisational structure and behaviour as well as professionality in the SME sector.

Most inspirational Role Model

True role models are those who possess the qualities that we would like to have and those who have affected us in a way that makes us want to be better. This category recognises a woman who has overcome trials and challenges while displaying a level of commitment to business that is truly inspiring.

Outstanding Business Citizenship

This category celebrates a business which has shown a high level of commitment to its staff and its community. Entrants must have consistently demonstrated an avid effort to support charities and community groups, as well as the welfare of its staff.

Outstanding Business Leader

This category is open to any CEO, MD or General Manager working full time in an organisation with 10 or more full time staff, who demonstrates outstanding leadership and involvement in their business.

Most Sustainable Business

The growing trend of increasing New Zealand’s ‘clean, green’ image is something that more and more businesses are catching on to. This category celebrates a business that has excelled in eco-friendly initiatives in their workplace. Judges will also be looking for an ongoing commitment to improve sustainability.