My life was pretty darn good….

Or at least that’s what I’d convinced myself…

For more than 30 years, I’ve been deep in the trenches of the business world, from managing a laboratory to running multiple businesses, and navigating both high-pressure corporate environments and the challenges of small, family-owned enterprises. I’ve seen it all — the highs, the lows, and everything in between. I’ve built businesses from the ground up, weathered economic crises, and led sales teams to new heights.

My real passion is helping others unlock their potential and create a business and life they genuinely love.

I grew up immersed in business. My parents were entrepreneurs who ran multiple ventures in rural Taranaki, and some of my earliest memories are of listening to them talk business around the kitchen table. I learned firsthand the value of hard work, resilience, and a bit of creative problem-solving. This was where my love for business began, a passion that would carry me through my entire career.

Armed with a Diploma in Food Science and Microbiology, I launched my career in the food industry, where I quickly rose from Lab Technician to Operational Laboratory Manager for major brands like Tegel Poultry and Wattie’s Prepared Foods. Here, I developed a knack for systems, processes, and financial management — essential skills that would serve me well in my future ventures. I soon discovered a talent for bringing out the best in people and leading teams to exceed their potential.

Over the next two decades, I diversified my experience, moving into sales management and business development while also running my own businesses — from dairy farming to owning a dog food franchise, a hair salon, and a dairy management company. I’ve faced the realities of high inflation in the 1980s, the Global Financial Crisis in 2008, and the impact of COVID-19. These experiences taught me not just to survive but to thrive and adapt to the most challenging circumstances.

The turning point…

But despite all of this success, something was missing. In my 40s, I reached a point where I felt disconnected from my work. I had achieved so much, yet I felt unfulfilled, like I was living someone else's version of success. My marriage ended, my kids moved out, and I knew something had to change.

That change began with a very unlikely teacher — my horse, Shelby.

Through natural horsemanship, I learned more about myself than I ever expected. It was at a clinic with Warwick Schiller, a horse trainer who specialises in coaching the rider, that I had a breakthrough. I realized that everything "wrong" in my life was a reflection of my thoughts, actions, and mindset.

I was self-sabotaging and needed to take control of my narrative.

I took Warwick’s “12 principles of training” and applied them to my life, and in doing so, I found the values I had lost:

authenticity

celebrating uniqueness

finding pleasure in the journey

nurturing curiosity

and creating meaningful work experiences

I knew I needed to make a shift and align my career with my newfound purpose.

I found my calling in coaching, recognizing the incredible potential I had to help other business owners transform their lives. I became a Certified Business Coach with ActionCOACH, where I found a powerful platform to combine my decades of experience with proven systems, strategies, and tools. Now, I help family-owned businesses and SMBs navigate their unique challenges, find clarity in their direction, and achieve real, sustainable growth.

What do I bring to the table?:

A wealth of experience, a genuine understanding of the struggles business owners face, and a commitment to helping my clients achieve their goals faster and more effectively. I’m not just a coach; I’m a partner who’s been there, who understands the frustration and uncertainty of trying to do it all, and who’s ready to guide you to where you want to be.

I’ve learned that business isn’t just about profit and loss — it’s about people, passion, and purpose. And that’s what I’m here to help you find: a business and a life that reflect who you truly are. Because when you’re in alignment with your values, everything else falls into place

When I’m not coaching, you’ll find me spending time in my garden, playing indoor bowls, and being actively involved in my local community. As a founding member of the Balclutha Lions and a Trustee of the Clutha Valley Tuapeka Heritage Trust, I enjoy giving back and fostering connections. You might also find me taking a quiet moment with a good book, enjoying the great outdoors on my horse or with my dogs, or sharing an adventure with my two grand daughters.

Shelby -

to whom I am forever grateful for always reflecting my imperfections.