Hear from 3 business leaders who have taken the brave step of reinventing their life to pursue their passion. Listen to their stories and understand the barriers they have had to overcome both mentally and physically to create businesses that allow them to do what they are really passionate about.

Inspiring Stories from exceptional Women

Some of the best lessons we can learn are those we are taught through the experience of others.

With so many inspirational female leaders in our community join us to be inspired by their stories.

Megan Compain | Founder of EightyOneX | Former Basketball player, double Olympian

Megan is the founder of EightyOneX and a former professional basketball player, a double Olympian and the first, and still only, New Zealand woman to play in the WNBA.  After a professional career of 18 years working for global brands such as AND1, adidas and New Zealand Rugby, she left in 2020 to embark on a completely new career and started the sports marketing division of advertising agency EightyOne in Wellington.

Celest Skachill | Founder and Creative Director of StudioC Design 

Celeste is one half of StudioC (a Wellington based creative studio) and an expert in delivering design for communities.

Co-design, which is all about actively involving key stakeholders in the design process, is Celeste’s passion. She believes great design improves people’s lives in some way - and that’s always her end goal. 

 Viv d’Or | Employment Lawyer Founder and Managing Solicitor of Resolve! Legal | Founder of We Love Tradies HR

Viv had dreamed of becoming a lawyer since she was 12 years old, but childhood fears, lack of confidence, and financial constraints held her back. When she almost died from a rare lung fungus, she sought intensive counselling to overcome her fears before contacting Waikato Law School to inquire if they accepted old ladies. At the age of 53, she began law school two weeks later and loved it.

Despite living in a garage, cleaning toilets, and surviving on a meagre diet of eggs, baked beans, and diet coke, Viv graduated with honours three years later. She then moved to Wellington to complete her professionals, was admitted to the bar, and landed her dream job. She resigned five weeks later after discovering her integrity standards were incompatible with her employer's. She was fired during her notice period, but her personal grievance settlement allowed her to buy a small employment law advocacy business.

When | Wednesday, 21 June 2023

Time | 9:00am - 11:00am

Where | Boulcott Farm, 33 Military Road, Boulcott

Cost | Members: $40.00+GST, Non Members: $50.00+GST

Sponsored | Platinum Partner NZME