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Wednesday February 23, 2011
Lindsay
Women in
Susan Oakden
Profiling Marlborough Business Women
Business
Language Teaching Services Susan works with adults from overseas wanting to improve their English and also with people keen to learn German or Dutch as a Foreign Language. Susan has a degree in Modern Languages and speaks German and Dutch fluently and so she is able to explain how these languages are structured. She also has an ESOL (English as a Second Language) qualification and many years of language teaching experience. She has lived and worked overseas herself and is very aware of the challenges of learning another language. The courses Susan teaches are tailored to each person’s needs, for example language used in social situations, for travel or work or IELTS
The Sun
examinations. Many visitors and migrants to Blenheim are surprised to find that Kiwi English is not the same as the English they have learned at home, and so her ESOL courses are designed to make it easier to function in our culture. Susan aims to create a professional, friendly environment to help improve your language skills in English, German or Dutch. A free consultation is available to discuss your requirements.
Lindsay
Tricia Pike
Tricia Pike opened Lagoons Unique Gifts & Homeware in Havelock towards the end of 2010. When setting up Lagoons, it was paramount for Tricia not just to have gifts and homeware, but to also incorporate art, jewellery, accessories and some clothing into the shop. Lagoons offer the chance to browse and relax in a comfortable environment and for you to create your own stylish, warm and welcoming surroundings for your own home. The jewellery and fashion items are inspired by classic and contemporary design, some of the silver jewellery is actually hand-made by Tricia. Lagoons has taken it’s inspiration from the
surrounds of its location, the beautiful Marlborough Sounds. With the emphasis being on affordability, but with the added bonus of a touch of luxury to help inspire you to create your own artistic harmony. Tricia is currently working towards setting up Lagoons online shopping site which she hopes will be online in about a month: www.lagoons.co.nz
60 Main Road Havelock 7100 Ph 03 574 1071 e-mail: tricia@lagoons.co.nz web: www.lagoons.co.nz
Please phone Susan for more information and bookings on: (03) 579 4805 or Mobile: 021 0499 226 Email: susan.oakden@gmail.com
Lindsay
Chris Downs
“Making a difference” encompasses Christobel Downs’s approach to workplace health monitoring. With a background of A&E/Ambulance nursing, it was a natural progression to become involved in the prevention and education side of workplace accidents. In 1996 Chris established “Safety & Health Services” working part-time on her business as well as being Wairau Hospital’s Occupational H&S Adviser, a role she left in 2010. A Registered Nurse, her many qualifications include a Post Graduate Diploma in Occupational Health Practice from Otago University. Chris’s main area of focus is workplace health monitoring including hearing, respiratory, chemical exposure, lifestyle health checks, pre-employment assessments and Drug Testing. Passionate about the importance of education she always explains results in user friendly terminology and produces comprehensive reports to the client firms. The second focus area is ergonomics (fitting the man
to the work environment). She undertakes workplace assessments on factory production lines as well as computer workstations. Her holistic approach ensures the client is aware of “fitness for work” as well as work environment safety. Chris also runs in-house training sessions, including manual handling. Finally, a focus on practical H&S Plan writing for businesses – the more worn the folder the more she likes it! Chris works from home as well as visiting her client firms over Marlborough and Nelson and can be contacted on 021 140 2828.
Safety & Health Services
Lindsay
Amber-Louise Connor
Blenheim born makeup artist Amber-Louise Connor is very passionate about her artistic approach to her business, ALC Makeup Design. Amber-Louise not only specialises in wedding and formal makeup, but she is also very talented in the area of costume and special effects makeup, and detailed body painting. “Recently I did an Audrey Hepburn makeover which looked fantastic and really realistic. I also do Halloween makeup and anything to do with special effects, it’s a really fun and exciting area to work in,” she says. Amber-Louise completed her training at the Christchurch Design and Arts College where she qualified as a professional makeup artist. She went on to begin her business, ALC Makeup Design in December 2010 and has received a great response since.
Amber-Louise Connor Professional Makeup Artist Ph: 021 027 90368
Chris Downs - Occupational Health Nurse-Consultant
PO Box 5234, Springlands, Blenheim 7241 email: downs.cms@xtra.co.nz • www.safetyandhealthservices.co.nz
Lindsay
Bronwyn Mir
When asked what makes her proud to be a woman in business, Marlborough Computers and Networks manager Bronwyn Mir simply replies; “because of the fantastic people I meet and work with every day.” “It is people that I am passionate about and I love the day to day contact with those who come through our doors, it is very rewarding being in business,” she smiles. MCN was first established in 2003 by Bronwyn’s husband Azher and his former business partner. Late last year the couple purchased the entire business. “It has been a steep learning curve,” she laughs. “Because in a small business you are doing everything from marketing, sales, reception work through to finances and managing the team. Located on High Street, the MCN team provides
a wide range of computer services to small and medium sized businesses as well as home users. More recently, the business has undergone a transformation, changing focus to a proactive ‘managed service’ model where clients pay a fixed monthly price and MCN cares for all their IT needs. This is done through a number of methods including 24 hr monitoring. “This means clients can focus on the smooth running of their business while we take care of their IT,” she says.
64-66 High Street, Blenheim 03 577 9099 www.mcn.co.nz support@mcn.co.nz
“I have done a mixture of weddings and formal occasions so far as well as themed parties where people dress up as their favourite character. “The body painting side of the business is definitely growing and I am always looking for more models,” she adds. “I am willing to travel anywhere in Marlborough, even going as far as Nelson.” In addition to makeup, Amber-Louise also offers hairstyling services. For more information you can email amber-louise@windowslive.com
Email: Amber-Louise@windowslive.com
Lindsay
Carol Taylor
“You can’t just be a marriage celebrant, you have to be passionate and enthusiastic with a genuine love for people,” marriage celebrant Carol Taylor says. Organising a wedding takes time and commitment so choosing the right marriage celebrant to help guide couples through the process is vital, says Carol. “My priority is taking care of the couple to ensure that they are happy and that the ceremony is unique, sincere and tailored to their wishes. Carol pursued her dream of becoming a marriage celebrant after spending more than 20-years in the industry - a dream she realised in 2007. “I’ve done everything else including owning bridal shops and wedding planning, so the next step for me was to become a celebrant,
Phone: 03 572 5323 Email: carolmet@xtra.co.nz
I couldn’t think of anything else I would rather be doing,” she smiles. In addition to her services, Carol has teamed up with her husband Phil to offer a wireless sound system which can be used in any location including beaches and vineyards, even mountain tops! “The microphone and sound system allows everyone to hear me conduct the ceremony while Phil co-ordinates the music, we offer the complete package,” she says. Carol is now in the process of creating a workshop aimed at couples planning to marry. Watch this space.
Mob: 021 399 649 Web: www.nzweddingvows.co.nz