March 8 marks International Women’s Day, an opportunity to celebrate and support the achievements of women across all facets of society.
This year’s 2021 theme is #ChooseToChallenge and encourages people to ask, how will I choose to challenge the status quo and forge a gender equal world?
We spoke to a few of our Chamber Members who own their own business and work alongside their partner to get an insight into how they run a business that complements and champions gender equality.
Sam & Mercedes Ackerman – Ackermerc
A literal fusion of their names, Ackermerc is also a 50-50 blend of Sam and Mercedes’ skillsets.
Tell us a bit about your respective backgrounds in business:
MERCEDES: In a nutshell, I started off in graphic design which led me down the path to motion graphics in advertising, to character animator on Nickelodeon’s Emmy Award winning TV Series ‘The Penguins of Madagascar’ seasons 2 and 3.
I was also given the opportunity to create the Givealittle brand, as well as driving a variety of projects at TV3 programming.
My focus at Ackermerc is providing our clients with on point branding/logo/design and brand strategy, overseeing project management and social media.
SAM: I’ve worked in the media for the last 20 years, working across radio, TV, magazines and online. Two years ago I left my role as Head of Sport at Newshub and we moved to Tauranga, where I work as a communications specialist, freelance journalist, producer and presenter, as well as running media and presentation training from individuals to multinationals, crisis management and government/iwi relations.
How long have you been working together?
MERCEDES: Since February 2020 however we had previously worked together and on various projects from time to time over the past decade.
Why did you decide to start a business together? How did it come about?
MERCEDES: I started the business in 2005 and focused it around branding, and motion and graphic design. I knew the potential that with the two skillsets we have we’d make a great team in our careers when the time came. In February 2020 we joined forces and a little over a month later we found ourselves in lockdown helping clients find their feet when we had only just touched ours down. It was an exciting catapult into business together.
SAM: I have always been in awe of what Mercedes can create from nothing and have been so proud what she’s achieved in her career. It’s been the best career move of my life. Sharing professional success together has been so rewarding.
How do your skills complement each other?
MERCEDES: We are yin and yang. Sam takes care of Ackermerc’s comms, media training, writing and presentation. I take care of visuals, branding, project managing and social media. While our expertise lie in different parts of projects, we both know each others working style inside and out – which means we naturally know what the other needs. Sam knows exactly how to express my concepts, he’s an amazing writer and communicator. He’s my creative thought translator and our clients love it!
SAM: Making visual and verbal sing from the same song sheet isn’t always easy – but Mercedes usually knows what I’m trying to say before I’ve even finished saying it.
My expertise is in storytelling, finding the right approach for the audience or client. There’s a tonne of collaboration, but no double up or overlap. Our roles at Ackermerc are clearly defined but complementary. Much like at home in the kitchen, she’s the best chef I know; I’m on dishes and rubbish bins. The other way around doesn’t work so smoothly…
What do you enjoy about working together and being a couple?
MERCEDES: Challenging each other to be better versions of ourselves, the banter and having an employee who knows exactly how I take my coffee!
SAM: And exactly when to offer the coffee to avoid a cranky boss! When we disagree, we don’t have to sugar coat it or worry about someone taking it up with HR – we fight clean (most of the time) and are open to each other’s ideas. There’s honestly no one I’d rather spend my time with.
What are some of the challenges of this?
MERCEDES: Work epiphanies at 3am.
SAM: Convincing the boss to give me a day off! Family/work life balance is tough for everyone with kids – but we always make it work.
What is some advice you have for couples thinking of starting a business together?
MERCEDES: Know your roles.
SAM: Run (Kidding!) Go in with eyes wide open. It’s not for everyone, but if you have that respect for each other’s skills and are on the same page with what you want to achieve, it’s a blast.
Jaclyn & Gavin – Thrive Business Consulting
Our newest members of the Chamber have been working together for a little over six months, but are enjoying all facets of being business owners.
They are as passionate about reaching their goals as they are helping other business owners reach theirs.
Tell us a bit about your respective backgrounds in business:
JACLYN: I have more than 10 years corporate experience in the recruitment, accounting and I.T. industry as well as seven years’ experience as a college teacher. I have a BA Language Practitioners degree, Post Graduate Diploma in Teaching and completed the ConsultX business consulting training. I have a passion for teaching and championing others, and see the best potential in everyone. It is my goal to help Kiwi business owners excel and surpass their goals.
GAVIN: I am a qualified technician, who worked in the motor trade for more than 20 years. During this time. I had various roles from mechanic/technician to workshop manager and having my own car servicing workshop. In addition to my trade qualifications, I have completed training in ConsultX, the market leading, business consulting software that has been developed over the past 16 years, right here in New Zealand. I have also completed a Business Leadership and Management Diploma. I am a very positive person who knows how to get things done, and really passionate about helping people make their business a success.
How long have you been working together?
JACLYN: We have been working together for just over six months. It is early days, but we love it.
Why did you decide to start a business together? How did it come about?
We both felt like it was time to grow. We loved our careers, but wanted the opportunity to earn a bit more and spend more time with our children.
How do your skills complement each other?
Gavin is a positive ray of sunshine. He always says things are going to work out and is a real ‘doer’ – he gets things done. I am more of a thinker, so tend to analyse situations. Together we have the best of both worlds.
What do you enjoy about working together and being a couple?
We enjoy one another’s company and it is great to be able to share work stories, bounce ideas off one another and discuss in depth how things are going in the business. It really has brought us closer together. We have similar values and share our passion and priorities, so things work out really well. We love to laugh and see the lighter side of life so most days are a lot of fun.
What are some of the challenges of this?
It is challenging to not let work become our every conversation. This business is something we really love and it is still fairly new, so it has a way of being at the top of our minds a lot.
We overcome this by sticking to working hours as much as possible. Saturdays are reserved for church and family time, and every Saturday evening, once the little ones are asleep, we will spend time together, watch a movie, relax and enjoy one another’s company.
What is some advice you have for couples thinking of starting a business together?
Start with your personal vision as a couple. Ask how you want your lives and daily routines to look once your business is running.
Talk about what each of you sees yourself doing in the business. Get someone to help you create a comprehensive business plan so that nothing is left to guesswork.
Most of our conflict in relationships is caused by unmet expectations due to a lack of communication so planning, talking, listening and compromising will ensure you go from strength to strength.
Anything else you’d like to add.
We would love to hear from anyone who needs business advice. We offer up to five hours of free consulting to help potential clients unpack their business.
We would be happy to do a free diagnostic session of any business with the ConsultX software, which identifies exactly where profit leakage is occurring in the business. It is not enough to just earn more and work harder, as profits will still be leaking from the business. We aim to ensure that every business is maximising their profit margin.
Maria & Philipp – Computastyle Signs
Computastyle Signs began in a large garage at the back of a residence in Matamata in the late 1970s. Originally named Matamata Signs & Designs, the husband and wife team of Stephen and Jenny Woolley established the company using the skill of hand signwriting.
In 2018, after 39 successful years, Stephen and Jenny decided the time had come to take life easier and so they handed the business over to another husband and wife team: Philipp and Maria Wilkens (pictured).
Tell us a bit about your respective backgrounds in business:
PHILIPP: Maria is the creative one; her degree is as a printing engineer, but she can do so much more. Thanks to her experience in photography, design and web design, she makes sure that the signage we produce looks absolutely fantastic.
MARIA: Philipp has a degree in international finance, but his real passion is people: From nailing the perfect corporate branding, to a last-minute rush-job, he makes sure that our valued clients get exactly what they need and all with a smile!
How long have you been working together?
Three years.
Why did you decide to start a business together? How did it come about?
MARIA: We have always dreamt of living in Tauranga and when the opportunity presented itself we took it without hesitation. Philipp’s parents ran a business together for 44 years, so we knew what we were getting ourselves into and couldn’t wait to get started.
How do your skills complement each other?
PHILIPP: Maria is the visionary with a keen eye for design, and I look after the daily business and our fantastic clients. We are a fantastic team and love working together!
What do you enjoy about working together and being a couple?
MARIA: Good communication is the foundation for a great relationship and a great business. Being able to combine the two seems like a natural fit. We enjoy seeing each other all day long and taking on challenges together, it’s a fantastic feeling!
What are some of the challenges of this?
PHILIPP: Working together means that you never run out of things to talk about, but very often they will be work-related.
It can be hard to carve out some non-work time together, but at the same time we are in charge of our lives and get to decide how we spend our time: from pulling an all-nighter for a big project to a family trip, we do it all together.
What is some advice you have for couples thinking of starting a business together?
MARIA: Really think about who will do what, a lot of potential problems can be avoided by careful planning. Like this, everyone has their own ‘realm’ while still moving things forward as a team.
Working together should be a source of joy rather than a source of conflict – if you think this is for you, then just go for it and give it a try!
Anything else you’d like to add.
PHILIPP: Our latest challenge is also our biggest joy – six months ago we welcomed little Dylan into this world.
Not having Maria at work is difficult, but fortunately we have found a brilliant replacement so that Maria can focus on our little sunshine while still maintaining a keen interest in the business.
