MARCH 2009
60 SECONDS WITH:
Anika Brenton from the Macleay Valley Happynings
Name: Anika Brenton
Company: Macleay Valley Happynings
Current business role: Advertising and sales consultant
Nickname: Noo and Nika, My Old Nan called me Noodle
Star Sign: Libra
Favorite part of the MRBWN:The life long friends I have met and the role models that I have learnt so much from.
Best career moment: Being in the position to negotiate my employment package at such an early point in my career.
Describe yourself in 3 words: Fun, Loud, Loved
You never leave home without: Lip gloss and my camera. ( Life's too short to not have great lips and a camera to catch life's precious moments)
Your first job: There are two that ring a bell, both about the age of 10yrs, I used to model for the FBD'S catalogues and TV commercials and I used to help my Old Nan sell watermelons out the front of her house (My first sales job trying to up sell everyone to the bigger watermelons to make an extra dollar).
The best advice you have ever been given:
Funny Story, It was My 16th birthday and I received a birthday card from my Old Nan, I opened it up and the writing was upside down, it read that Sometimes in life everything can seem upside down, but eventually it will work out the right way. I said to Old Nan, very creative idea, she laughed and said that She started to write the card without her glasses on and made the mistake or the card being upside down , she was going to throw it out but did not have another card, so kept writing.
I learnt that… It's okay to make mistakes and people can learn so much from your mistakes and its okay to grow old.
I have kept this card and I have referred back to it so many times.Long story I know.
Favorite thing to do on a day off: Go to the beach, we are so blessed here.
What is your secret to a successful business?
Treating staff and customers as you would want to be treated. And at times remembering to breath.
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FEBRUARY 2009
60 SECONDS WITH:
Liz McPherson from Northern Nursery Supplies
www.northernnursery.macleaycbd.com.au
Name: Liz McPherson
Company: Northern Nursery Supplies
Current business role: Sales, Accounts, Driver and general dog's body!!! Just like most self-employed people.
Nickname: Liz
Star Sign: Scorpio
Favourite part of the MRBWN: Our breakfast and lunch meetings.
Best career moment: Probably the Stock Exchange crash in 1987 which encouraged us to make the move from Melbourne up to the beautiful Mid North Coast.
Describe yourself in 3 words: Happy, determined, and reliable.
You never leave home without: My mobile phone.
Your first job: As a receptionist, but I can't remember who it was with. I used to change jobs on a fairly regular basis back in the old days when jobs were very easy to come by.
The best advice you have ever been given: To always have a go at anything you are offered even if you don't think you can do the job at the time, most people can do much more than they give themselves credit for.
Favourite thing to do on a day off: Relax, read, and go out for a nice lunch.
What is your secret to a successful business: Just lots of hard work and good rapport with customers.
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60 SECONDS WITH:
Geraldine Yabsley from Dunn's Cranes
Name: Geraldine Yabsley
Company: Dunn's Cranes Kempsey P/L
Current business role: Managing Director
Nickname: Gerry
Star Sign: Libra
Favourite part of the MRBWN: Meeting other business women. I have been fortunate enough to make some wonderful friends since joining the network, friends that have been there when I needed help and advice. Because we are women in business, we understand the pressures that are placed on us as women.
Best career moment: Buying Dunn's Cranes premises in Gladstone Street Kempsey. It had been a dream of mine for 20 years. Dad and I would sit in the crane in the railway yard and dream about one day owning the building. The day we moved in my Mum and Dad came down to celebrate with me,they were so proud of what I had achieved and I was thrilled that they were able to share in our dream coming true.
Describe yourself in 3 words: Reliable, Honest and Trustworthy
You never leave home without: My handbag (it has everything but the kitchen sink in it)
Your first job: Nursing which was a disaster, everyone kept dying and there were no gorgeous guys with broken legs as I was promised so I only lasted 6 months.
The best advice you have ever been given: Don't be afraid to dream, with hard work dreams do come true.
Favourite thing to do on a day off: Nothing, absolutely nothing, that is luxury.
What is your secret to a successful business: Daring to put everything on the line and give it a go. I remember coming up with an idea to make a section of the railways work better everyone told me it couldn't be done, but I went ahead and gave it a go and it was a huge success which helped to grow DCK.