Inspirations attract big crowd

Shaye Woolford, Rachelle Duffy, Danielle Cubis interviewed by Annemarie Quill at the indulge Speaker Collective, in association with Craigs Investment Partners. Photo / George Novak

Hundreds turned out to hear seven inspirational women speak at the indulge Speaker Collective last night.

Annemarie Quill, indulge editor, kicked off the event, run in association with Craigs Investment Partners, by interviewing local entrepreneurs Rachelle Duffy, of Little Big Events, Shaye Woolford, from On My Hand and, Danielle Cubis, of Spongedrop Cakery.

Ms Woolford turned her floral arrangement and event-styling hobby into her business and gave tips to others looking to do the same. "I would say definitely go for it but do research first.

NZME chief executive Jane Hastings.

"For me, relationships have been a really key thing to remember with business. You're really wanting to start and maintain and foster new relationships with your customers and peers," she said.

Retirement commissioner Diane Maxwell said her job was to help Kiwis build wealthy lives.

Ms Maxwell said she was not always good with money but got a wake-up call when she found herself a single parent struggling to put food on the table and realised she had not been wise with the way she spent her money in her 20s on shoes and lipsticks.

Claire Turnbull.

Saving for retirement was important because people were living longer and having fewer children. This would mean people would be on the pension longer but there would be fewer paying tax to support them.

NZME chief executive Jane Hastings spoke on how to be a successful woman in business. Her answer: It took blood, sweat, tears and passion.

From a tenacious toddler who sneaked out of the house and made it to the kindy gate three times before she was 3, to a dancer and then dance teacher - every experience helped shape her life.

Keynote speaker nutritionist Claire Turnbull gave advice on how to feel good for life.

It was important women learned to ditch the dieting mentality and focus on what was really important.

"There's a lot that we all, as nutritionists, agree on. We all agree on the importance of boosting the vegetable intake and reducing processed foods," she said. "There are lots of different ways to eat to live a long, healthy life."

It was also important to learn to only eat when hungry rather than when bored or tired or just struggling to say no, she said.

Getting enough sleep and spending time outside were also important to feeling healthy as a whole.

Bay of Plenty Times event manager Dayna Comesky said the night was a great success. "It was well received.

"We had plenty of females in the audience but also a great turn-out from men who were interested," she said.

"We had really great local speakers, and also Diane Maxwell, who was put forward by Craigs Investment Partners, who were our associate sponsors and really made the night happen."

Tickets for tomorrow's indulge Bay Model and Saturday's indulge Outlet Sale are still available at www.bayofplentytimes.co.nz.