So you chose this crazy business life too huh?

18/11/2016

As I write this- my first blog post ever for The WE Network, I am one part excited about what’s to come, and one part ‘omg what was I thinking?!’

I have a young family. I already have a business. I am grateful to have scaled out of it but it is still my first baby and my responsibility. Here’s me on the left with my amazing business partner Karen (who is doe to have her first baby in December!) and the KiwiOz Nannies London team:

Me, Karen & the amazing team at KiwiOz Nannies London

We’re doing a renovation. I’m swimming uphill at the moment to even fit in time with my family and my friends, or to exercise. I must be seriously crazy to be taking this on as well!

But then I sit back and think about the 1400+ NZ women like you who have joined me in The WE Network over the last few months.

You are ALL busy. Many of you have much much more going on in your lives than me. Some of you have three or four children. Some of you are working full time jobs while raising families and starting a business. Some of you have overcome harrowing life experiences- or are in the throes of them- and you still want to be challenging yourselves and putting yourselves through the rigiours of entrepreneurship. One of you even attended a webinar while having contractions (no names in public- you know who you are you incredible/ crazy/ dedicated/ passionate mum and business woman!).

And it’s when I think about all that you are going through- that WE are going through, I know that this is all going to be worth it.

I started The WE Network because I work from home and I felt isolated, and frustrated. I wanted to feel connected to a community of women in business. I wanted to give back and share some of the experiences that I've had, so that your journey to scaling your business is faster and smoother than mine was!

I have already got back tenfold what I have contributed to the WE Community. I have made friends. Gathered a loyal team of supporters and advisors around me. Learnt more and more every day about community building, empathy and developing strong culture.

So the WE Community has become a facilitator for positive change for me, for you, and for NZ women in business. It has become a place where you can come and share you business problems to get quick answers from your peers. To learn from others about how to become a better entrepreneur. To collaborate and push your business to the next level.

So what now for The WE Network?

Today is the first day on a new leg of this journey. We are on this journey together you and I, and I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to you for being a part of it so far.

My dream is that The WE Network becomes the first place NZ women in business turn to get support on their business journey. No matter what stage of the journey you are at- from total newby to experienced entrepreneur, I want you to know that this is the place to find the connections and support you need to overcome that obstacle and uplevel your business.

I want to extend a warm welcome to every women in New Zealand who owns a business or is thinking about it. There is a place for you here in The WE Network, and we want to see your business- and you- thrive.

If you are in business support- a marketing or social media specialist, accountant, experienced entreprenuer, event co-ordinator, business coach or mentor please join us.

This is an entry level business platform and it is NOT a one stop shop! WE need you to help us create a thriving base for the female entrepreneurs of New Zealand. From here, NZ women in business will be able to find your service. You will be able to speak to them on a personal level, offer support to their business and help them get to know and trust you.

So let’s do this together ladies!

Let’s figure out and help each other reach our goals. There is a way forward that will work well for you and for us as women and as a community.

Together we can navigate this tricky path and make it smoother for ourselves, and for the women of the future.

Are you with me?

••••••••••••••• GIVEAWAY! ••••••••••••••••••

Do you want to be in to win FREE membership for 12 months to the The WE Members Club?

To enter comment below and tell us why you jumped on the entrepreneurial train!

**Winner drawn December 2016

38 Comments

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Maggie Gray

12/12/2016 02:28:11 pm

Fantastic to have a support network especially for women entrepreneurs – In the last year I have launched new business whilst juggling a baby, there is not 9-5 for us! To have a network available to call upon for advice and support is really something special that I would love to continue to be involved with.. good to know I am not the only one trying to swim upstream!

Rachel Lewis

12/12/2016 02:38:08 pm

Thanks Maggie for your support! You’re right it totally blows me away that so many women are starting businesses when they have so much to juggle already. It’s a juggle but here’s to making that upstream swim a little easier together!

Alison Callan

12/12/2016 02:28:51 pm

Hey Rachel, way to go! Loving being part of the WE community already.
I’m Alison and I created my Coaching Company, 3C Coaching, to support and encourage people to live a super fulfilling life. That’s just what gives me all the feels and drives me and so far it’s better than I imagined!

12/12/2016 02:38:28 pm

Awesome Alison! It’s such a cool space that you work in, I’m definitely realising the power of finding your ‘space’ at the moment and it feels so empowering! Wish I had worked with someone like you when I was starting out in business- might’ve made a few different decisions !

Gendi

12/12/2016 02:29:21 pm

I have done various entrepreneurial things over the years for the challenge and the freedom.

12/12/2016 02:38:48 pm

Hi Gendi! Thanks for the comment- you’re a bit of an inspiration, I am so not a numbers person so what you do, and in particular how approachable and supportive you are while you do it- I think it’s awesome. You have obviously picked up some great skills along the way! Thanks so much for sharing so generously within the community xx

Robyn Pelvin

12/12/2016 02:29:47 pm

Love this, have found the group very beneficial!

12/12/2016 02:39:05 pm

Aww thanks Robyn for your support x

Tara

12/12/2016 02:30:09 pm

Great post, Rachel! I took on this entrepreneur journey for a number of reasons: to help women experiencing overwhelm, to spend more time with family, to make more space for self care, to allow more flexibly and spontaneity in my life, to keep growing and learning as a person… the list goes on!

12/12/2016 02:39:20 pm

Hi Tara! Love your comment, and you’re so right. There is SO much to gain from this journey. I liken it to having a baby- a whole other world opens up to you! Such a steep learning curve, some very big challenges, but it is all so worth it. Thank you for your support xx

Shontelle Coley

12/12/2016 02:30:35 pm

This is so super exciting! I started my own business after my much loved job relocated to Auckland… I have always wanted my own little shop, now I have an online one but its just the beginning! I have turned my love of vintage and preloved into a little business I love so much! I have already got so so much out of the WE Members group and CAN’T WAIT to see where it goes in the future! Well done Rachel on this amazing thing you have going, I love supporting you supporting us – Thank you!!!

12/12/2016 02:39:33 pm

Oh thank you Shontelle! As you know I LOVE what you are doing, can’t wait to see where the journey goes and I hope I can keep contributing in my wee way. Thanks for supporting me supporting you! lol xx

Jessica

12/12/2016 02:31:04 pm

What a group! Cant wait to see where it goes!

12/12/2016 02:39:47 pm

Thanks Jessica! I think it’s going to be an exciting ride… just a little bit of pressure! But all the good kind. I feel like we are all in this together and it makes it so much easier- hence the power of peer support huh x

Rachel

12/12/2016 02:31:29 pm

Well done rachel!
Although I keep relatively quiet here – it is so undeniable the inspiration I have gotten from this group! 😊

12/12/2016 02:40:03 pm

Aw thank you Rachel! That’s awesome to hear yah x

Jumi Odumosu

12/12/2016 02:32:02 pm

Congrats Rachel for achieving your website goal. I have learnt a lot from the group. Thank you

12/12/2016 02:40:19 pm

Thanks Jumi- looking forward to seeing where the journey takes you in the next year. Exciting times ahead for you! Thank you for your support it means a lot x

Katie

12/12/2016 02:33:08 pm

I decided to turn my love of children and the importance of education into running a preschool. I wear so many hats maybe too many at times I love the idea of this group as a way to prove to me and often only me that I can do it even when I feel like crawling into a hole would be easier.

12/12/2016 02:40:36 pm

Hi Katie! Love this post, it is what the community is all about. You are doing something incredible (even if it doesn’t always feel like it!). It’s so cool to share both the ups and the downs, and become stronger together through it. Thank you for your support x

Jo Smith

12/12/2016 02:33:33 pm

I had always worked in the public sector then took time out to look after our 2 children. I wanted a change so went into a commission sales role working hours at both ends of the day around our children…..and the weekends too. Without a group of supportive women out there helping me find the people I need when I need them or ideas on how to move forward in would drown on my own at times
Thank you ladies for helping me in the next journey of my life.

12/12/2016 02:40:55 pm

Thanks for your comments Jo, makes my heart sing to hear that this community has helped you on the journey. Here’s to more support and more success in 2017! Thank you for your support and being a part of it xx

12/12/2016 02:34:09 pm

Awesome post Rachel! My business grew out of a change of circumstances with my profession while pregnant with baby number 3, my need to be creative AND my desire to be able to put my babies first. I love this community you have created. Everyone is so supportive, encouraging and so willing to share their knowledge. It’s great to have people to bounce ideas off.

12/12/2016 02:41:07 pm

Aww thanks Jo! I love your work, looking forward to getting my hands on a custom WE necklace soon hopefully! xx

Deb Rock-Evans

12/12/2016 02:34:39 pm

Exciting times Rachel! I’m here for the ride, bring it on! I started my biz for many reasons, to follow my heart, to do something creative again, to be with my baby (I birthed them both at the same time), to contribute financially to our family, to help inspiring women in business create their perfect brand and to stick my finger up at the 9-5 rat race and the elusive glass ceiling that I couldn’t bust through – glad I didn’t now as I may still be there… On the other hand – nah! I was destined to be on this ride with all these great women 👍

12/12/2016 02:41:25 pm

Love it Deb! You are doing such incredible stuff, so cool to be sharing the journey and looking forward to meeting you in person one day. Yah to turning that back on the glass ceiling huh! Thanks for your support it’s amazing xx

Becks Tosswill

12/12/2016 02:35:02 pm

Great blog post Rach. Such a great network of women with a range of skills and valuable experience. I absolutely love the approachable aspect to your developing WE brand. If I ever have itching business question that needs answering…. whilst trying to creatively work from my home studio in isolation… I immediately know where to turn! Such great support and interesting women to boot! Thanks for taking the plunge and encouraging these business brains to get together!

12/12/2016 02:41:40 pm

Yah Becks thank you! I often think of you especially when I’m writing or thinking about how we are all so isolated from each other. There must be so many NZ women working on farms/ rurally who don’t get much support. So cool to be connected with you through the group! Looking forward to seeing you in person hopefully at Christmas if you’re about- will be in touch. Thank you for your support as always xx

Charly Draper

12/12/2016 02:35:46 pm

I started my business because I was working full time in Auckland while supporting my husband who was studying. When our baby arrived we moved to rural Northland and hubby got a job at a local primary school. I loved my new life, but after 6 months things were settling down and I was getting RESTLESS. I was spending baby’s nap times online researching correspondence study options when my business idea (Beautiful Christmas NZ advent calendars) popped up. Desperate for something to keep my mind busy, I jumped on it. Now, a year later and pregnant with baby no 2, I sometimes wonder what on EARTH I was thinking… but I can’t deny that I love it!!

12/12/2016 02:41:55 pm

Hi Charly! I think so many women start out in business this way, then they realise that there is waaaaay more to it than they envisaged! Most of the time they love the challenge though. I think the problem lies in moving from that ‘ok yep I understand now’ space to actually having the know how to develop the business. But that is what this group is about, working together to build our business skills so we CAN do it and keep on having fun to boot lol. Thank you for your support! xx

Megan Guthrie

12/12/2016 02:36:12 pm

I was ready to give up on my wee business and was pointed in the direction of this group. The support is,amazing , even though I have not yet been brave enough to post. Thank you.

12/12/2016 02:42:12 pm

Hi Megan thank you SO much for your comment, it means a lot that you have said that particularly as you haven’t posted yet! There are so many others like you, well done for taking the first step (it’s a bit like Business Anonymous lol!). You are doing AMAZINGLY just to be in the group is a learning curve, and you are awesome to be stepping on the train. I will PM you so check your messages! xx Rach

Hiria

12/12/2016 02:36:37 pm

Great blog Rachel. I jumped on the train about 7 years ago now simply because of my passion to build healthier and happier community and country. My background is in public health and teaching and I knew if I wanted to make a difference I would need to come up with the money to do so, and become a millionaire. That goal had extended now and I my business has evolved. I am also starting out my new business which I love just as much. It’s all connected through my passion for health and and helping other women step up to their awesome. Super exciting stuff. I have four kids so networks such as yours excite me. Would
Love a membership. Thanks for your dedication and passion x

12/12/2016 02:42:29 pm

Hi Hiria! Love your passion behind your biz, it makes such a difference to have a bigger purpose huh?! Makes it easier to keep chugging through the tough times. Looking forward to watching your biz develop!

Amanda

12/12/2016 02:37:03 pm

Great content Rachel! Am exited about the golden little nuggets I’ll get from being a part of this group 🙂 We started our online business a year ago, it’s been an amazing experience but some days an emotional Roller Coaster! But it’s the passion I have for it that keeps me going 🙂 2 weeks ago we moved out of Auckland to Whangarei, sold our house, bought a house and I’m about to have number 2 in just over 6 weeks, at the same time we’re about to hit our high season… I think I am a little mad!! Always looking for tips and inspiration to better our business as well as personal growth 🙂 Am off to the library this week to get my hands on a couple of the books you have recommended, thank you x

12/12/2016 02:42:44 pm

!!! Amanda I have heard similar stories many times in the last few months and yes, I think you are probably a little bit mad! But absolutely awesome too. Let me know how you get on with the books- I’m pitching for a kindle for Christmas! x

Kate

12/12/2016 02:37:27 pm

Wow awesome work on the website love, it’s looking fabulous! Thanks for all your hard work in this space. It’s so good to be able to put your ideas out there and get some feedback/validation.

12/12/2016 02:43:01 pm

Aww thanks beautiful Kate!! I’m loving it, so much fun connecting with all of these amazing women. Speaking of which let’s definitely catch up before end of year!