Fashion guru inspires locals

BY KATIE FARMAN

Passion, integrity and a positive attitude are what makes New Zealand business entrepreneur Annah Stretton tick.

"I've never doubted myself. That's the key to our success. If you don't love what you do, get out," she told more than 160 women at last week's Bubbles & Inspiration networking event in Masterton.

Ms Stretton shared her inspirational professional and personal life journey with an enthusiastic crowd. She talked about going from waitress to accountant, entrepreneur to serial philanthropist and being the New Zealand recipient of the Veuve Clicquot Award, a global tribute that acknowledges female achievers in business and industry.

"Business is business, it's never personal," she said matter of factly.

Ms Stretton founded her fashion empire, Stretton Clothing Company, in 1992 on the rural Waikato dairy farm she and her husband owned. Within a year, she made $1 million with 50 per cent profitability.

Originally her label Annah S was sold into other stores, but a few years later Ms Stretton began opening her own boutiques in Waikato. Today it's a multi-million dollar business that sells internationally and has stores throughout the country.

She also publishes Her Business and Pink magazines and enjoys sharing her business experiences with budding entrepreneurs and other business people. Next month her new book titled Wild Heart will reveal 10 of her top business success tips.

Last week's event was jointly organised by local businesswomen Sara Orsborn, head of sales and marketing company Scoop Enterprises, and Carissa Fairbrother of local financial planning business RIVAL Wealth and Marketing. It marked a two-year celebration.

"We started Bubbles & Inspiration in September 2008 and every speaker has been pure inspiration for Wairarapa women," says Ms Orsborn.

"The attendance grows every time, and it has certainly exceeded our expectation."

The series, designed to provide Wairarapa women with an informal atmosphere to make new business contacts and friends, has also received rave reviews.

"We receive amazing feedback. A lot of women treat this evening as their night out for the month, leave the kids and husband at home, and head out for a glass of bubbles and some inspiration, and sometimes stay on for dinner with friends.

"Ladies use it as their staff team get-together and some ladies bring their mother, daughter and even grandmother along," Ms Orsborn said.

"We receive many emails saying how motivating and inspiring the speaker was."

Bubbles & Inspiration has previously attracted guest speakers such as Theresa Gattung, chair of Wool Partners International; Jenny Yule, founder and managing director of PORSE In-Home Childcare; Georgie Falloon, of Willow Shoes; Christine Kernohan, Gladstone's chief winemaker and chief executive; and Wellington Mayor Kerry Prendergast.

Ms Orsborn says she has more exciting guest speakers planned and will continue to explore other ideas for the series.

One of these includes a three-hour workshop with Olympian Barbara Kendall.

to be added to the Bubbles & Inspiration database email info@bubblesandinspiration.co.nz

- Wairarapa News