Women in Wine: Jane Forrest Waghorn
Jane Forrest Waghorn speaks to Sophie Preece about an unexpected family business.
"This is the fourth year we have run the Enterprising Rural Women Awards, which have been very successful in uncovering some exciting businesses run by women in rural areas," says Liz Evans, RWNZ national president.
The wide variety of businesses has seen past winners include an animal homeopathy business, a farm walk and homestay enterprise, a forestry trucking company, a children's merino sock producer and a traditional-style cheese maker.
This year there are three award categories – the Telecom North Island Award, the Access Homehealth South Island Award, and a new category, the Fly Buys Online Business Award, recognising the growth of internet-based businesses. Each category winner will receive $1,000.
The supreme winner of the RWNZ Enterprising Rural Women Award 2012 will be chosen from the three category winners, and will receive a trophy and another $1000.
Last year's supreme winner, cheesemaker extraordinaire Lisa Harper of Sherrington Grange Limited, says her win has brought extensive media attention. As well as the welcome publicity boost, she says winning the supreme award affirmed her business decisions, whilst working in the relative isolation of the outer Marlborough Sounds.
"Winning the Enterprising Rural Women Award 2011 was a real confidence boost that I was on the right track, and that meant more to me than anything else," says Harper.
The RWNZ Enterprising Rural Women Awards 2012 are open to small businesses with 10 staff or less, that have been operating for at least two years. Women must be an active partner of fifty percent or more. Past entrants are welcome to re-enter.
Entry forms and further information can be found on the Rural Women New Zealand website www.ruralwomen.org.nz.
