Women in Business

Behind many Franklin businesses there are dynamic women including:

Michelle Constello:

General Manager, Jennian Homes Franklin
Ph 09 238 6156 | www.jennian.co.nz
Email michelle.costello@jennian.co.nz

Building a home is such a personal experience. A house is all about the family that lives inside it, how they interact, what they do on a daily basis and how they like to have fun and relax together or alone.

But It’s not just about getting the spaces you want, it’s about how they all flow together. Even if this is your first home, a build partner should understand your lifestyle and how you want your home to be specifically for you – which spaces need to be where and how they connect.

This should be a journey of discovery, thinking about today and the future and how your new home can adapt to your changing needs.

There is a lot of pressure to make a fast decision, but building should be about trusting who you will work with, meeting the entire team that will create your home, not just the salesperson at the front end.

Sharleen Buchanan

Regional Manager, Pukekohe and North Waikato, Bayleys
Ph 021 404 871 | Email sharleen.buchanan@bayleys.co.nz
www.bayleys.co.nz

Being a woman in the fast-paced world of real estate for many years, I have learned that leadership isn’t about having all the answers. Instead, it’s about creating opportunities to empower others to discover their potential, supporting them to create solutions and watching them thrive on their success.

In real estate, our role extends far beyond marketing and selling property. We help families make important life decisions, support local businesses, and contribute to our vibrant, thriving community. The quality of that support starts with the quality of the people delivering it.

That’s why I believe investing in people is one of the most important responsibilities of any
leader. When teams feel valued, empowered, and connected to a shared purpose, they
build stronger relationships, deliver better results, and that creates a positive ripple effect
throughout the communities they serve.

At Bayleys, we are proudly local; deeply connected to our community and committed to helping it thrive, one relationship at a time.

Sharnie Thompson

Owner-Operator, McKenzie Manor
Email info@mckenziemanor.co.nz
@mckenzie_manor

One of the greatest lessons I’ve learnt in business has come from working with dogs.

It’s easy to group customers, clients, or in our case, dogs, into categories. But real success comes when we stop treating individuals as part of a process and start understanding what
makes them unique.

No two dogs arriving at McKenzie Manor are the same. Some thrive in a busy social setting, while others need space, patience and reassurance. The best outcomes don’t come from applying the same approach to every guest – they come from recognising who is standing in front of you and adapting accordingly.

I believe this extends far beyond the dog care industry. Whether you lead a team, run a business or serve customers, taking the time to genuinely understand the individual builds trust, stronger relationships and ultimately better results. You can get in touch with me via email at info@mckenziemanor.co.nz.

Jessica Yeoman

Embalmer – Funeral Director, Grahams Funeral Services
Ph 09 236 8919 | Email jessica@grahamsfunerals.co.nz
www.grahamsfunerals.co.nz

For many years, funeral directing was viewed as a male-dominated profession, but that is steadily changing. Jess is proud to be part of a new generation of women shaping the future of this meaningful work. A qualified embalmer currently completing her Diploma in
Funeral Directing, she has spent the past five years at Grahams Funerals under the leadership of a strong female manager.

Jess says this guidance has shown her that women bring a unique strength to the industry – one grounded in compassion, attention to detail, trust, and genuine care for families during their hardest moments.

Working in the Franklin district and serving a close knit community is a privilege. For Jess,
supporting families through grief is not just about arranging a service; it is about listening,
understanding, and ensuring every farewell truly reflects the life being honoured.

Kirsty Bullen

CA, Director Advisory Services, Campbell Tyson
Ph 09 238 9219 | Email k.bullen@ct.co.nz
www.ct.co.nz

“I’m so busy.” It’s a phrase I’ve heard from many business owners recently. In fact, I’ve probably said it myself a few times. The obvious explanation is that there is never a shortage of things competing for a leader’s attention. Team issues, customer demands, operational challenges, and future opportunities all seem to arrive at once.

But I suspect something else is often at play. As businesses grow, leadership roles need to evolve. Yet many owners continue spending time on the same activities that helped get the business to its current size. The result? More people, more decisions and greater complexity, but little change in how time is spent. Growth often requires leaders to let go
of work they are good at so they can focus on work only they can do.

The question is not always, “How do I find more time?” A better question might be: “Has
my role changed, but the way I spend my time hasn’t?”

So instead of adding another task to the to-do list, maybe it’s time to start a stop-doing list.

Claire McArthur

Financial Adviser, SHARE NZ – The Advisory Ltd
Ph 021 02000 177 | Email claire.mcarthur@sharenz.com
www.clairemcarthur.co.nz

Rates are on the rise, don’t just look at the percentage.

Last time I shared how proud I am to support Franklin families with their lending, and this month, there’s something worth talking about. After more than three years, the Reserve Bank has lifted the Official Cash Rate, and the major banks have already followed with
higher floating rates.

Here’s my tip: don’t get caught up in the percentage alone. This 0.25 per cent is the first of a few increases expected, but what matters just as much is what it means in real dollars for your household. Two families on identical rates can feel a rise very differently depending
on their loan size, structure, and budget.

If your fixed rate is coming up for renewal, now is the time to seek advice, not just chase the lowest rate. The right structure can save you more than the rate itself.

As always, I’m here as your lending wing woman and would love to review your current home loan for you.