‘YOU JUST HAVE TO
BE CLEVER ABOUT
IT, COMMITTED
AND WILLING TO
PUT YOURSELF
OUT THERE’
two decades in, rural or urban, online or
in-person. She wanted there to be a place
for women to go where no question was too
stupid. “It frustrated me that there wasn’t
something for women on the lowest rung
of the business ladder, those who aren’t
con dent enough to get out there and
network yet.”
The support group, which rebranded to
She Owns It last year, turned out to be a
runaway success, with nearly 12,000
members on social media. Rachel is
regularly approached by experienced
businesswomen who want to help with the
growing movement. At the end of 2017,
she launched a paid membership for those
who wanted to attend face-to-face meet-
ups and take advantage of access to
resources such as online master classes.
But She Owns It isn’t just about the
nuts and bolts. Women reach out not just
when they want recommendations for a
good accountant, designer, copywriter
or insurance broker, they also post when
they’re struggling with their business,
whether that’s dealing with the death of
a parent or handling a dif cult client.
The group encourages women to help
each other by giving their expertise
generously, with connections and business
evolving naturally.
“We really want to encourage the idea
of balance in business. Technology is
changing everything and that balance is
more attainable than ever,” Rachel says.
“We can create this incredible lifestyle
through social media, technology and
entrepreneurship and can build six- or
seven- gure businesses working part-time
from home and being a mum. You just
have to be clever about it, committed and
willing to put yourself out there. We want
women to build businesses and a lifestyle
they love and really learn to capitalise on
the online opportunity. It’s not as hard as
it looks – I’m a smalltown Kiwi girl, if I
can do it, anyone can!” »
SEPTEMBER 2019 / NEXT 69
WOMEN WE LOVE