"That was how we fell into business," she said. "But it wasn't long before we realised how lacking we were in knowledge about how to run a business."
That kicked off what became a passion for small business. Ms Palmer began doing courses, starting off with a part-time extramural diploma in small business management at Massey University, and has continued to add to her professional skills.
The interest in business turned her on to a new path and she joined the business sales arm of Associated Realty. She spent about four years with Associated Realty then moved to Colliers business sales division, where she remained until becoming a shareholder and partner in Tabak Business Sales in 2002.
She has now amassed three decades of experience in buying and selling small businesses. Late last year she sold her shareholding in Tabak in order to focus on her other business interests, but still consults to the company on valuations and proposals.
However, during her time at Tabak, she moved into a new level of business through her involvement in Surtees Boats. The company, which makes aluminum and alloy boats for recreational users, was started by Neil Surtees in 1992 in its present location near Whakatane. In 2005 he decided to sell and Tabak was brought in to advise on the sale. Ultimately, Mr Surtees decided to remain a shareholder and Ms Palmer decided to invest in the company, along with Phil Sheaff, who serves as managing director, his brother Dave Sheaff, and a silent partner. All the owners are based in Tauranga or Whakatane.
Since investing in the company the team has seen export sales grow, staff numbers go up from 18 to 43, and the company win multiple awards. They included becoming the first company to take out the Emerging Exporter of the Year, and the Exporter of the Year awards in consecutive years in the BNZ Bay of Plenty Export NZ Awards 25 year history, in 2013 and 2014.
"The business is going very well," she says. "Australia is very good for us and offers an opportunity to extend our market share quite a bit."
Ms Palmer says her role at Surtees meant she has had to increase her understanding of governance, and she has done a number of courses with the Institute of Directors (IOD) in that area.
"From the time we took it over, I took on a governance role as chair of the board," she says.
"I used IOD courses to upskill myself in governance because that was a new area for me. I needed to change my thinking away from operations to governance, so I used the courses to achieve that change of mind-set."
Tabak founding partner Kevin Kerr says he has noticed a big step up in Ms Palmer's expertise since she has taken on the Surtees role.
"Purchasing that business certainly lifted her whole focus on business and gave her a more complete understanding," Mr Kerr says.
"Toni brings the total package of business attributes, systems and processes. She's able to put that across all businesses, whether she's involved in Surtees or valuing businesses or mentoring she has an extensive knowledge of what is required."
Ms Palmer is also a mentor for Business Mentors New Zealand, working with a number of local companies.
Shane Woolley, general manager of ComputaStyle Signs, says Ms Palmer's mentoring of the family-owned company has helped by bringing an outsider's view.
"She brings expertise in different businesses she's been involved with and helps apply that to our business," says Mr Woolley. "She gives a fresh light and perspective on how we can do our business, encourages us and is very positive in keeping us moving."
One of the key roles Ms Palmer has inherited in recent months has been stepping in as acting chief executive of the Tauranga Chamber of Commerce, following the resignation of Dave Burnett earlier this year. The chamber is currently short-listing candidates, and Ms Palmer says she expected to continue in the role for another couple of months, then will work with the new chief executive on the handover. Ms Palmer is also a former vice president and long-time board member of the chamber.
Paul Bowker, chair of Tourism Bay of Plenty, who worked closely with her when he was president of the chamber, says Ms Palmer is reliable and a great person to have on board.
"She's very capable, very supportive and added value to the work we did in the chamber," he says.
"She's certainly a positive influence in every sphere I've worked with her and very committed."
Being a woman no hindrance
Toni Palmer has never seen her gender as a challenge during her business career.
"Some people talk about being disadvantaged as a woman, but I've never found that at all," she says. "Primarily, I've worked in areas where there are few women, but that's never been a disadvantage."
Ms Palmer is a former chairwoman of the Business Women's Network, but has stepped down from the network during her term as acting chief executive of the Tauranga Chamber of Commerce to avoid any potential conflicts.
She is also a former judge for the Westpac Tauranga Business Awards.
"The challenges for me personally have been in continuing to educate myself to keep up my skills to meet what's changing in the business world," she says.
"I went through a stage where I would do a new course each year. And I'd think, what direction am I going in, and what do I need to do to learn to accommodate this direction I'm going in?"
"I've played a lot of sport over the years and it all takes a toll on your body," she says. "I find golf a relaxing way to unwind and have a nice walk outside in convivial company."
She has two grown children, daughter Abbie Clark who works in marketing for local company Blue Lab, and son Reuben Palmer, recently returned from Australia, who is setting up his own business as an electrician.
"He's my new mentoring client," she says.
Golf great way to unwind
Toni Palmer's key recreation is golf, where she plays a 30 handicap but hopes to get better when she has more time.
"I've played a lot of sport over the years and it all takes a toll on your body," she says. "I find golf a relaxing way to unwind and have a nice walk outside in convivial company."
She has two grown children, daughter Abbie Clark who works in marketing for local company Blue Lab, and son Reuben Palmer, recently returned from Australia, who is setting up his own business as an electrician.
"He's my new mentoring client," she says.
Toni Palmer
Role - Chairwoman and director, Surtees Boats and Tauranga Chamber of Commerce interim chief executive
Born - AucklandAge - 56
First job - Insurance company administrative assistant
