Welcome to the Black Heels and Tractor Wheels podcast, where we are sharing stories from a range of women from around New Zealand.

Welcome to the Black Heels and Tractor Wheels podcast, where we are sharing stories from a range of women from around New Zealand.

For nearly a century, Rural Women New Zealand has been dedicated to strengthening and supporting women and children to become empowered members of their communities.

For nearly a century, Rural Women New Zealand has been dedicated to strengthening and supporting women and children to become empowered members of their communities.

We hope that by hearing these stories from inspiring women all around the country, you'll feel inspired yourself.

We hope that by hearing these stories from inspiring women all around the country, you'll feel inspired yourself.

We're your hosts, Emma Higgins and Clan Williamson and would love for you to join and subscribe to our podcast so you don't miss our rural stories.

We're your hosts, Emma Higgins and Clan Williamson and would love for you to join and subscribe to our podcast so you don't miss our rural stories.

So normally McKey, when we start off these yans, we go right back to the beginning of Minnie MacKean how you got here? But I think just given in light of recent events, we are chatting to you spent a big few weeks. Would you mind just and you're from Tapoe Springs, would you mind just giving us a bit of a rundown on how are you coping at the moment and how things been over the last couple of weeks from your perspective.

So normally McKey, when we start off these yans, we go right back to the beginning of Minnie MacKean how you got here? But I think just given in light of recent events, we are chatting to you spent a big few weeks. Would you mind just and you're from Tapoe Springs, would you mind just giving us a bit of a rundown on how are you coping at the moment and how things been over the last couple of weeks from your perspective.

So that' been interesting, it's been really challenging, and it's also been really great too.

So that' been interesting, it's been really challenging, and it's also been really great too.

From a community perspective as you realize kind of howeveryone pulls together when something like this happens. But would I would say to be to be real and raw, it had been pretty depressing as well. There's been a lot of devastation, all the stories we've been hearing, and it's really hard to not let it get you a bit down to we are really fortunate where we are into springs. We're are on a hell country station, so apart from slits, fences, floodgates and things like that, we.

From a community perspective as you realize kind of howeveryone pulls together when something like this happens. But would I would say to be to be real and raw, it had been pretty depressing as well. There's been a lot of devastation, all the stories we've been hearing, and it's really hard to not let it get you a bit down to we are really fortunate where we are into springs. We're are on a hell country station, so apart from slits, fences, floodgates and things like that, we.

Don't have any great losses.

Don't have any great losses.

We don't have any great stock losses or buildings and dwellings and things. We were luckily to keep them all intact, so apart from a very heavy rain and a lot of wind, we fared pretty well compared to a lot of other people. But being without power for eight days and without any communication, like we were unable to even call one one one for to six days.

We don't have any great stock losses or buildings and dwellings and things. We were luckily to keep them all intact, so apart from a very heavy rain and a lot of wind, we fared pretty well compared to a lot of other people. But being without power for eight days and without any communication, like we were unable to even call one one one for to six days.

So being without any of that really brought a whole lot.

So being without any of that really brought a whole lot.

Of things into perspective about what's actually really important and makes you kind.

Of things into perspective about what's actually really important and makes you kind.

Of re evaluate to how you live your life up on a place like that.

Of re evaluate to how you live your life up on a place like that.

And then once once we get our communication back, can we start seeing news articles, we were actually able to watch the news or we start hearing stories of the devastation that happened for the south of US. It was pretty unreal and it was it was quite hard, actually, it was quite hard to hear all the things that people have lost and have had to overcome. And yeah, we almost get a bit of survivors girls. I guess like we went through the same thing, but for lots of people it had such it had way bigger effects and way yeah, very sad for a lot of people too, So it has been something that had.

And then once once we get our communication back, can we start seeing news articles, we were actually able to watch the news or we start hearing stories of the devastation that happened for the south of US. It was pretty unreal and it was it was quite hard, actually, it was quite hard to hear all the things that people have lost and have had to overcome. And yeah, we almost get a bit of survivors girls. I guess like we went through the same thing, but for lots of people it had such it had way bigger effects and way yeah, very sad for a lot of people too, So it has been something that had.

Been can to navigate.

Been can to navigate.

Absolutely. I think that's a big understatement.

Absolutely. I think that's a big understatement.

Really.

Really.

It's interesting you talk about survivor Girl, because there are some interviews coming out now where people are down playing some of the challenges that they're facing because you know, comparatively, there are some people out there who have really just been through hell. I wouldn't call just losing fences and slips on the property nothing, but that's certainly a challenge in itself, right that you guys will have to personally overcome. But the power for eight days as well, that must have been really impactful for your community. And I was reading some articles around I think to Puia Springs was unfortunately missed out and some of the initial recovery, and I think you talked about having to really come together as a community. Tell us about a little bit about that community journey. So how were there some good stories that came out of it around the community pulling together?

It's interesting you talk about survivor Girl, because there are some interviews coming out now where people are down playing some of the challenges that they're facing because you know, comparatively, there are some people out there who have really just been through hell. I wouldn't call just losing fences and slips on the property nothing, but that's certainly a challenge in itself, right that you guys will have to personally overcome. But the power for eight days as well, that must have been really impactful for your community. And I was reading some articles around I think to Puia Springs was unfortunately missed out and some of the initial recovery, and I think you talked about having to really come together as a community. Tell us about a little bit about that community journey. So how were there some good stories that came out of it around the community pulling together?

Unfortunately, we kind of felt like into spreads, no one really got to us or asked.

Unfortunately, we kind of felt like into spreads, no one really got to us or asked.

Anyone or even like we even had new like the news and everything or flying around and even came.

Anyone or even like we even had new like the news and everything or flying around and even came.

They came to the poet breadths, but they didn't actually go down to the fire station with a things were set up and actually ask anyone how we're doing, or stopped for very long.

They came to the poet breadths, but they didn't actually go down to the fire station with a things were set up and actually ask anyone how we're doing, or stopped for very long.

We kind of all felt like they.

We kind of all felt like they.

Were just flying around taking videos and pictures of us, but not actually us asking what was actually going on.

Were just flying around taking videos and pictures of us, but not actually us asking what was actually going on.

So and now our local store, Rachel who owns our local store, she you know, she had to just she had to just write down people's names and how much they.

So and now our local store, Rachel who owns our local store, she you know, she had to just she had to just write down people's names and how much they.

Were spending and just hope that the community pulled together to come through and pay all their teas, which most of them do and that's great, but she went, you know, a whole week with no trade and and but basically had all of our stuff to go and had no no word of any like fresh milk or bread being dropped off or to supply our community or just things like that. So yeah, our community was really great. We actually had a really really cool thing that happened where we had three private planes fly onto Puktiti station where we are full of supplies and so my father in law and my mother and or a head organized organized us and they had brought a couple of generators for us and some food that we wanted and then they flew via a portocy school and they picked up like boxes and boxes of food and supplies and it was it was amazing like that you just see the whole boost.

Were spending and just hope that the community pulled together to come through and pay all their teas, which most of them do and that's great, but she went, you know, a whole week with no trade and and but basically had all of our stuff to go and had no no word of any like fresh milk or bread being dropped off or to supply our community or just things like that. So yeah, our community was really great. We actually had a really really cool thing that happened where we had three private planes fly onto Puktiti station where we are full of supplies and so my father in law and my mother and or a head organized organized us and they had brought a couple of generators for us and some food that we wanted and then they flew via a portocy school and they picked up like boxes and boxes of food and supplies and it was it was amazing like that you just see the whole boost.

And the farm morale just like it just went up so much.

And the farm morale just like it just went up so much.

And it was after we had you know, collected the things we needed on the station and we took a whole yolt load full of food and supplies down to the fire station into Puya spring set. Was Yeah, it's just really it was really nice to have that happened for us, really and it was such it was such a boost for our for.

And it was after we had you know, collected the things we needed on the station and we took a whole yolt load full of food and supplies down to the fire station into Puya spring set. Was Yeah, it's just really it was really nice to have that happened for us, really and it was such it was such a boost for our for.

Us, Yeah, I can imagine. Gosh, that's awesome, isn't it Just it must have been an amazing feeling to see the planes come in that first particularly that first load coming through, and yeah, a little bit of sunlight contained in that plane. So just one more question than I have around just to Spring before we start focusing on you, is what does it look like for your community in terms of I guess hopefully getting more access in and out.

Us, Yeah, I can imagine. Gosh, that's awesome, isn't it Just it must have been an amazing feeling to see the planes come in that first particularly that first load coming through, and yeah, a little bit of sunlight contained in that plane. So just one more question than I have around just to Spring before we start focusing on you, is what does it look like for your community in terms of I guess hopefully getting more access in and out.

So to POEA Springs is actually just north of Tokamoto Bay and Tokmodo Bay is completely cut off that there was a town that I, you know, like I go to, my child goes to cour.

So to POEA Springs is actually just north of Tokamoto Bay and Tokmodo Bay is completely cut off that there was a town that I, you know, like I go to, my child goes to cour.

Hunger there and it's where I go to get my groceries.

Hunger there and it's where I go to get my groceries.

And so that road is completely cut off between Poe Springs and Takamoto Bay and then obviously further south between Tolliger as well.

And so that road is completely cut off between Poe Springs and Takamoto Bay and then obviously further south between Tolliger as well.

So we can actually travel north up right.

So we can actually travel north up right.

Around the East Cape and and leave that way, which is what I did to relocate the business. Well, for the first few days after the cyclone, we were also cut off north before they opened the road, but they did that pretty quickly, which was great. But yeah, they're definitely feeling it down in Takamoto Bay and it's it's been pretty.

Around the East Cape and and leave that way, which is what I did to relocate the business. Well, for the first few days after the cyclone, we were also cut off north before they opened the road, but they did that pretty quickly, which was great. But yeah, they're definitely feeling it down in Takamoto Bay and it's it's been pretty.

Tough for me. Yeah, I'm going to ask you. Sorry, I know I just talked about one more question, but you just mentioned that your daughter goes to Kia in an area that has been cut off. So how are you managing as a mum right now? Before we start about obviously it's been a big couple of days for you and you just talked about relocating your business. How are you going as a mum right now?

Tough for me. Yeah, I'm going to ask you. Sorry, I know I just talked about one more question, but you just mentioned that your daughter goes to Kia in an area that has been cut off. So how are you managing as a mum right now? Before we start about obviously it's been a big couple of days for you and you just talked about relocating your business. How are you going as a mum right now?

Yeah, it's good, Yeah, it's not too bad.

Yeah, it's good, Yeah, it's not too bad.

So my daughter goes to Cool Hunger typically a couple of days a week in Tokyo to Bay usually, but at the moment, obviously that's not happening, which is fun. I mean, I guess as a rural mum, you're you know, we're pretty used having our kids around. I'm pretty used to things like having to be flexed all the time. Anyway, And Holly is great. She just she comes to work with us, she loves it.

So my daughter goes to Cool Hunger typically a couple of days a week in Tokyo to Bay usually, but at the moment, obviously that's not happening, which is fun. I mean, I guess as a rural mum, you're you know, we're pretty used having our kids around. I'm pretty used to things like having to be flexed all the time. Anyway, And Holly is great. She just she comes to work with us, she loves it.

She loved being on the farm.

She loved being on the farm.

She's two years old, so she's she's great, and she she loves helping me unpack all my gear and things like that. So she's sometimes not really helpful, but she's she's been really good with everything that's been happening.

She's two years old, so she's she's great, and she she loves helping me unpack all my gear and things like that. So she's sometimes not really helpful, but she's she's been really good with everything that's been happening.

So that's awesome. Two year olds are the best and equally a bit challenging as well. I've got one, so I can I can relate to that. Tell us a little bit about Minnie Mickey, if we can refer to you in that kind of context. Where did you grow up? So let's just change it up a little bit, let's go right back rewind. You haven't always lived into Poeea Springs, so tell us a little bit about where you started from.

So that's awesome. Two year olds are the best and equally a bit challenging as well. I've got one, so I can I can relate to that. Tell us a little bit about Minnie Mickey, if we can refer to you in that kind of context. Where did you grow up? So let's just change it up a little bit, let's go right back rewind. You haven't always lived into Poeea Springs, so tell us a little bit about where you started from.

I grew up in Marston Well, in rural master and I spent the first five years of my life on a station out on the east coast of Martinborough.

I grew up in Marston Well, in rural master and I spent the first five years of my life on a station out on the east coast of Martinborough.

I haven't like, I didn't grow up on a family farm as such.

I haven't like, I didn't grow up on a family farm as such.

My mum and my dad managed a station when I was really little, and then then we moved off off that station, and yeah, I spent I guess I lived rurally, but I didn't. I didn't live on a farm as such, And I just spent the next I guess fifteen years of my childhood or ten years of my childhood spending lots of time with friends on their family farms working. So that was kind of I guess how you know, how I, ever, young adult got in to the idea that I wanted to go farming, and was basically through just doing.

My mum and my dad managed a station when I was really little, and then then we moved off off that station, and yeah, I spent I guess I lived rurally, but I didn't. I didn't live on a farm as such, And I just spent the next I guess fifteen years of my childhood or ten years of my childhood spending lots of time with friends on their family farms working. So that was kind of I guess how you know, how I, ever, young adult got in to the idea that I wanted to go farming, and was basically through just doing.

Like docking in the school holidays. I did a lot of rousing when I was young, So yeah, that's so I.

Like docking in the school holidays. I did a lot of rousing when I was young, So yeah, that's so I.

Guess that's what led me to my journey to leave Master and go down to study at Telford. So I did a year at Telford and then that basically gave me the tools that I needed to be a joeniorshipherd and that was one of the best years of my young adult life really in schooling.

Guess that's what led me to my journey to leave Master and go down to study at Telford. So I did a year at Telford and then that basically gave me the tools that I needed to be a joeniorshipherd and that was one of the best years of my young adult life really in schooling.

I really enjoyed that and had a great time there.

I really enjoyed that and had a great time there.

Then went on to become a junior shepherd, which which wasn't the easiest transition into my into my work life.

Then went on to become a junior shepherd, which which wasn't the easiest transition into my into my work life.

That was.

That was.

Yeah, I went through a really rough time in my early and early stages of my career, but then I came out the other side of that and worked for a really amazing family.

Yeah, I went through a really rough time in my early and early stages of my career, but then I came out the other side of that and worked for a really amazing family.

Who built me right back up and then led me to carry on in my farm and career.

Who built me right back up and then led me to carry on in my farm and career.

Can you tell us a little bit about and I'm going to come back to that point in a little bit, but can you tell us a little bit about how you meet your now husband and then you came from there to Poea Springs.

Can you tell us a little bit about and I'm going to come back to that point in a little bit, but can you tell us a little bit about how you meet your now husband and then you came from there to Poea Springs.

I had been working down south on found of the Shepherd after I left Alford, like I said, and then I had gone off overseas, gone to work in Ozzie on different different stations, and I worked on a big cattle station as well, and then I came back to New Zealand to just to have a bit of a break.

I had been working down south on found of the Shepherd after I left Alford, like I said, and then I had gone off overseas, gone to work in Ozzie on different different stations, and I worked on a big cattle station as well, and then I came back to New Zealand to just to have a bit of a break.

And before I went, was going to go back overseas. That was actually my big plan.

And before I went, was going to go back overseas. That was actually my big plan.

But then I met my husband, my now husband, Jake at It was actually at the local pub in Tanuit, just out of Moncident, So.

But then I met my husband, my now husband, Jake at It was actually at the local pub in Tanuit, just out of Moncident, So.

Yeah, we met there and just I guess, as they say, the rest was history.

Yeah, we met there and just I guess, as they say, the rest was history.

I canceled my big plans to go back overseas, decided to stay and you know, give it, give it a go, And yeah, it led to us being engaged ten months later and yeah, married within a couple of years.

I canceled my big plans to go back overseas, decided to stay and you know, give it, give it a go, And yeah, it led to us being engaged ten months later and yeah, married within a couple of years.

So yeah, that was I love it. No regrets, just good stories.

So yeah, that was I love it. No regrets, just good stories.

Yeah, no, definitely, it's the best way to be.

Yeah, no, definitely, it's the best way to be.

So it's been a massive few days for you. You've just launched your new new brand basically or your new products into the marketplace. Can you tell us a little bit about Country Me? What is it and where did the idea come from?

So it's been a massive few days for you. You've just launched your new new brand basically or your new products into the marketplace. Can you tell us a little bit about Country Me? What is it and where did the idea come from?

For the last few years, I have had this idea in the back of my mind and it's only really been in the last year that I really brought it to life. So I basically I got really could not being able to find in clothing really that that was really durable, It looked really good, and.

For the last few years, I have had this idea in the back of my mind and it's only really been in the last year that I really brought it to life. So I basically I got really could not being able to find in clothing really that that was really durable, It looked really good, and.

It was comfortable. It just lasted. It was just really kind of up to the standard of what you know, rural women go through.

It was comfortable. It just lasted. It was just really kind of up to the standard of what you know, rural women go through.

Really, so I decided that I was going to make my own, and then I thought I'd go one step better and make.

Really, so I decided that I was going to make my own, and then I thought I'd go one step better and make.

My own and then sell it to other a woman.

My own and then sell it to other a woman.

So yeah, that I really dived into that about this time last year, and it's taken me about a year to get to get to the launch, which happened last night, and it's been going really well and I'm so yeah, it's been a lot, but I'm so stoked.

So yeah, that I really dived into that about this time last year, and it's taken me about a year to get to get to the launch, which happened last night, and it's been going really well and I'm so yeah, it's been a lot, but I'm so stoked.

Have got to this point.

Have got to this point.

Yeah. Yeah, absolutely. You mentioned that you had to relocate your business as well. Yeah, as part of the last couple of weeks.

Yeah. Yeah, absolutely. You mentioned that you had to relocate your business as well. Yeah, as part of the last couple of weeks.

Yes, so I was supposed to launch a couple of weeks ago at the superest Master and Moto but then of course cycling Gabriel happened, and so I decided about maybe just over a week ago, that I would still carry on with the launch, but I would pretty much pack up my daughter and myself with my yute full of my gear and relocate the business down further down to island to where I met my in laws at the moment actually, and that's where I haven't lunched the business from.

Yes, so I was supposed to launch a couple of weeks ago at the superest Master and Moto but then of course cycling Gabriel happened, and so I decided about maybe just over a week ago, that I would still carry on with the launch, but I would pretty much pack up my daughter and myself with my yute full of my gear and relocate the business down further down to island to where I met my in laws at the moment actually, and that's where I haven't lunched the business from.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Nice, wow, Dan, and congratulations. We were going to be at ship this as well. We were really looking forward to meeting you in person, and we were proud sponsors of the muster event as well, so we are very sad about that. But for obvious reasons, it couldn't have gone. A hid your website. So I've done some some people call it stalking. I like to call it in depth research. But I've checked out your website and your socials and there was a line that really caught me. You said that you're a farmer, a mum, and an advocate for rural woman, which obviously we love here at Rural Women New Zealand. I want to go back to one of the comments that you seid around your journey. You talked about that tough time when you're a juniorship is, how did you work through what was a really challenging sounds like a really challenging period in your life, And can you just explain a little bit about that, because I love the way that you really sound. You sound really confident, you sound really sure of yourself. And there's nothing more cack ass than a woman who has seen a problem and she's solving it and she's making some money on the way. So tell us a little bit about that time when you were a junior shepherd as much as you can, and that evolution obviously that's begun.

Nice, wow, Dan, and congratulations. We were going to be at ship this as well. We were really looking forward to meeting you in person, and we were proud sponsors of the muster event as well, so we are very sad about that. But for obvious reasons, it couldn't have gone. A hid your website. So I've done some some people call it stalking. I like to call it in depth research. But I've checked out your website and your socials and there was a line that really caught me. You said that you're a farmer, a mum, and an advocate for rural woman, which obviously we love here at Rural Women New Zealand. I want to go back to one of the comments that you seid around your journey. You talked about that tough time when you're a juniorship is, how did you work through what was a really challenging sounds like a really challenging period in your life, And can you just explain a little bit about that, because I love the way that you really sound. You sound really confident, you sound really sure of yourself. And there's nothing more cack ass than a woman who has seen a problem and she's solving it and she's making some money on the way. So tell us a little bit about that time when you were a junior shepherd as much as you can, and that evolution obviously that's begun.

Basically, I left Telford and I went to.

Basically, I left Telford and I went to.

My first shipping job was a really really bad one, you know, I guess naturally I left Telford thinking I probably you don't like but it was super shepherd.

My first shipping job was a really really bad one, you know, I guess naturally I left Telford thinking I probably you don't like but it was super shepherd.

You know, I knew this.

You know, I knew this.

I knew this, and I was ready to go. And obviously I didn't know everything, but and you know, but I was. I had just I guess, I had this really get up, go attitude, came to work, can't wait, and basically that just got completely squashed until and a half months my confidence had just been completely squashed into the ground.

I knew this, and I was ready to go. And obviously I didn't know everything, but and you know, but I was. I had just I guess, I had this really get up, go attitude, came to work, can't wait, and basically that just got completely squashed until and a half months my confidence had just been completely squashed into the ground.

I didn't want to be there anymore. I didn't want to be farming.

I didn't want to be there anymore. I didn't want to be farming.

I would go home and cry on like on the phone time time every night, which was really hard for her. Being in a different island, I had this there was stigma around being around farming when you you know, you go to your first job and it's a really bad look if you don't do at least like one year at your first job, and especially being I mean, women and farming.

I would go home and cry on like on the phone time time every night, which was really hard for her. Being in a different island, I had this there was stigma around being around farming when you you know, you go to your first job and it's a really bad look if you don't do at least like one year at your first job, and especially being I mean, women and farming.

Have been amazing for many years.

Have been amazing for many years.

Now, but I feel like ten years ago when I started it, we were still going through a stage where it wasn't the fact that you're a capable woman in the industry. It was just the fact that you were a woman. It was just about your sex. So that was like a really big It was still a really big thing, and so for me, I felt so much pressure to make sure that the first job I was at when I did it for at least a year or that was like kind of the thing to be like.

Now, but I feel like ten years ago when I started it, we were still going through a stage where it wasn't the fact that you're a capable woman in the industry. It was just the fact that you were a woman. It was just about your sex. So that was like a really big It was still a really big thing, and so for me, I felt so much pressure to make sure that the first job I was at when I did it for at least a year or that was like kind of the thing to be like.

And so I was really I didn't want to leave, but.

And so I was really I didn't want to leave, but.

At the same time, I couldn't carry on because I was going through such a tough time. So I had some really really awesome people around me that supported me, told me to leave backed me up really and so I basically I left that job with nowhere to go and no job to go to. I ended up finding myself doing some casual work on a farm for these people, Blair and Joe White.

At the same time, I couldn't carry on because I was going through such a tough time. So I had some really really awesome people around me that supported me, told me to leave backed me up really and so I basically I left that job with nowhere to go and no job to go to. I ended up finding myself doing some casual work on a farm for these people, Blair and Joe White.

So they are a family in Gore.

So they are a family in Gore.

And then at the end of my first day, I just fed them off. If they're still a job going here, I would love to work here. So that was that I moved in straight away and I was put to work straight away. And I stayed there for the next sort of almost two years. And they didn't do anything special in particular. I'd say it was just more the fact that they that they welcomed me wholeheartedly into their whole family, and.

And then at the end of my first day, I just fed them off. If they're still a job going here, I would love to work here. So that was that I moved in straight away and I was put to work straight away. And I stayed there for the next sort of almost two years. And they didn't do anything special in particular. I'd say it was just more the fact that they that they welcomed me wholeheartedly into their whole family, and.

They just provided a really hard working environment. They're really hard working people. But they just taught me so much.

They just provided a really hard working environment. They're really hard working people. But they just taught me so much.

And it wasn't until it was, you know, probably a few years that I grew up a little bit more and realized actually how much they taught me and what they gave me.

And it wasn't until it was, you know, probably a few years that I grew up a little bit more and realized actually how much they taught me and what they gave me.

They gave me all my confidence back.

They gave me all my confidence back.

They sent me out to go back out into the world and start achieving things that I wanted to achieve, and being the confident young woman that I was, earlier, so.

They sent me out to go back out into the world and start achieving things that I wanted to achieve, and being the confident young woman that I was, earlier, so.

They they were really pivotal.

They they were really pivotal.

There was really pivotal moments in my shipping career, and if it wasn't for them, I still wouldn't have been farming.

There was really pivotal moments in my shipping career, and if it wasn't for them, I still wouldn't have been farming.

To this day.

To this day.

So I have a lot of Yeah, I hold a lot of love for Blair and Joe because they were just they just picked me right back up when I really needed when I really needed it.

So I have a lot of Yeah, I hold a lot of love for Blair and Joe because they were just they just picked me right back up when I really needed when I really needed it.

Yeah, that's so special. Is it's so so so important to have champions or supporters or just people who have your back. I think in any job. It's funny that you talk about like almost the self imposed pressure around just sticking it out for that first year, even you know, regardless of the conditions, And that's actually something that I struggle with as well. I don't know whether it's the fact that you know, upbringings can mean that for some of us that we've got to just stick in there. We've been told to just ride it out. It's going to be okay. You just got to do your mandatory time and then move on. So yeah, it's a real challenge. I think so well done. Obviously super confident, amazing, resilient, wonderful you now has just launched country and me tell asked a little bit about how you started down that business track. So you had this idea to create beautiful products that would be durable and like relevant for real woman. How did you make that first leap into what like how did you get material? How did you how did you like follow through with the next the next steps.

Yeah, that's so special. Is it's so so so important to have champions or supporters or just people who have your back. I think in any job. It's funny that you talk about like almost the self imposed pressure around just sticking it out for that first year, even you know, regardless of the conditions, And that's actually something that I struggle with as well. I don't know whether it's the fact that you know, upbringings can mean that for some of us that we've got to just stick in there. We've been told to just ride it out. It's going to be okay. You just got to do your mandatory time and then move on. So yeah, it's a real challenge. I think so well done. Obviously super confident, amazing, resilient, wonderful you now has just launched country and me tell asked a little bit about how you started down that business track. So you had this idea to create beautiful products that would be durable and like relevant for real woman. How did you make that first leap into what like how did you get material? How did you how did you like follow through with the next the next steps.

So obviously, like obviously I'm a farmer and not a clothing designer. So that was really hard, Like this was it was such a challenge. Those first few steps were like where do I even start?

So obviously, like obviously I'm a farmer and not a clothing designer. So that was really hard, Like this was it was such a challenge. Those first few steps were like where do I even start?

And like what do I even look for? What do I even get on Google and search for?

And like what do I even look for? What do I even get on Google and search for?

Like it was really hard, But I basically I jumped on Facebook pages, you know new dealer woman in business, they are just a hive of information and everything. So I jumped on there and came across Sally Wade, who was a product buying consultant and she and basically talked to her and so she's basically the one who I tell her what I want and she writes it all down and gets it all ready enough for me to send it away to a factory to be made. So that was sort of you know, there's a lot that it's involved with that, but long story short, I hired someone else to do the technical stuff and then pass it on to the factory and then they send it all out to me and then I carry on from there. So I got to a point where I couldn't afford to pay someone to design my website. So I was like, I'm going to have to do it myself. And I feel like I basically put myself through a web design degree.

Like it was really hard, But I basically I jumped on Facebook pages, you know new dealer woman in business, they are just a hive of information and everything. So I jumped on there and came across Sally Wade, who was a product buying consultant and she and basically talked to her and so she's basically the one who I tell her what I want and she writes it all down and gets it all ready enough for me to send it away to a factory to be made. So that was sort of you know, there's a lot that it's involved with that, but long story short, I hired someone else to do the technical stuff and then pass it on to the factory and then they send it all out to me and then I carry on from there. So I got to a point where I couldn't afford to pay someone to design my website. So I was like, I'm going to have to do it myself. And I feel like I basically put myself through a web design degree.

To do it because it was so hard. But I'm really stoked.

To do it because it was so hard. But I'm really stoked.

Actually, and I was so proud of myself for finishing it because it was I found it so hard. What would take probably a web designer like two hours took me probably a whole working week.

Actually, and I was so proud of myself for finishing it because it was I found it so hard. What would take probably a web designer like two hours took me probably a whole working week.

Yeah. Absolutely, that's so awesome that we just kind of rolled up your sleeves and got into it and loot some stuff along the way. And so I think you were one of our Royal Women Activator members as well, was that correct?

Yeah. Absolutely, that's so awesome that we just kind of rolled up your sleeves and got into it and loot some stuff along the way. And so I think you were one of our Royal Women Activator members as well, was that correct?

Yes, Yes, I did. I did the Adivate course last year.

Yes, Yes, I did. I did the Adivate course last year.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Cool. Cool, So tell us it's a little bit about that program. So for for some of our listeners, we run a course that or a program it's called the Rural Woman Activate a course and as part of that it sounds as though we've had an amazing person come through. What was your experience like it was?

Cool. Cool, So tell us it's a little bit about that program. So for for some of our listeners, we run a course that or a program it's called the Rural Woman Activate a course and as part of that it sounds as though we've had an amazing person come through. What was your experience like it was?

It was great, It was amazing. It was nothing short of that.

It was great, It was amazing. It was nothing short of that.

And I remember seeing it on Facebook and I thought that would be amazing, that something I'd love to do. And then I remember seeing the locations and then I remember thinking, oh, well, like that's just not really that possible for me, like from where I lived. And then I found out that rural women New Zealand would like, well, we're going to fly me down to Wellington? Could that being my closest location to join in? And they even you know, cover some of my feel costs to drive to the course and put you know, put us up for the night to stay and to be able to attend it and so and so that was so amazing for me to know that, you know, it made it It just basically it made it possible for me to actually do something like that, like living where I live being so isolated, so that that was awesome.

And I remember seeing it on Facebook and I thought that would be amazing, that something I'd love to do. And then I remember seeing the locations and then I remember thinking, oh, well, like that's just not really that possible for me, like from where I lived. And then I found out that rural women New Zealand would like, well, we're going to fly me down to Wellington? Could that being my closest location to join in? And they even you know, cover some of my feel costs to drive to the course and put you know, put us up for the night to stay and to be able to attend it and so and so that was so amazing for me to know that, you know, it made it It just basically it made it possible for me to actually do something like that, like living where I live being so isolated, so that that was awesome.

And then and then when I got to the activator, I.

And then and then when I got to the activator, I.

Just found it it was quite nerve wrecking because I guess it was a little bit of a It's almost like a little bit of.

Just found it it was quite nerve wrecking because I guess it was a little bit of a It's almost like a little bit of.

A shark tank situation.

A shark tank situation.

But it was amazing and the panel of women, all of them were just that was so empowering and inspiring and such strong women, and they were so so great to talk to and basically just basically tell you what you need to do and where you need to go. And it really motivated me and keep me. It made me hold myself accountable, pick you, pick it up, and just carry on moving along with the business.

But it was amazing and the panel of women, all of them were just that was so empowering and inspiring and such strong women, and they were so so great to talk to and basically just basically tell you what you need to do and where you need to go. And it really motivated me and keep me. It made me hold myself accountable, pick you, pick it up, and just carry on moving along with the business.

Yeah, that's so cool. That's so cool, and I'm so pleased to hear that was just a really helpful program for you. Tell us a little bit about in terms of country and me, what are your hope streams and aspirations for it? What do you what are you hoping will happen and say over the next twelve months for this particular brand that you've got.

Yeah, that's so cool. That's so cool, and I'm so pleased to hear that was just a really helpful program for you. Tell us a little bit about in terms of country and me, what are your hope streams and aspirations for it? What do you what are you hoping will happen and say over the next twelve months for this particular brand that you've got.

I'm in a bit of a like see where it goes type mode. But I do have I do have goals for the country and me and I I would like to grow it just a little bit more and add more products. So I do have more products on the radar that will be hopefully I.

I'm in a bit of a like see where it goes type mode. But I do have I do have goals for the country and me and I I would like to grow it just a little bit more and add more products. So I do have more products on the radar that will be hopefully I.

Can put out on social media and introduce very shortly.

Can put out on social media and introduce very shortly.

And I also I didn't only just start Country and Me as a as a clothing brand or a way to make money as such as I guess I have it open in my mind that it could.

And I also I didn't only just start Country and Me as a as a clothing brand or a way to make money as such as I guess I have it open in my mind that it could.

Go anywhere in the way that I'd like to build.

Go anywhere in the way that I'd like to build.

It up as a community of real woman really and you know, it's just something it's just for those women, and it's you know, it's not for their kids, it's not for their husbands.

It up as a community of real woman really and you know, it's just something it's just for those women, and it's you know, it's not for their kids, it's not for their husbands.

It's not for anyone else.

It's not for anyone else.

It's something that ye or just for just for us women who need, you know, a place to go, people to talk to, or even just people to like bounce ideas off.

It's something that ye or just for just for us women who need, you know, a place to go, people to talk to, or even just people to like bounce ideas off.

And I would just like to build that up into like basically a community.

And I would just like to build that up into like basically a community.

Where where we just ye support one another and just create this really awesome I guess, like family. I guess so's that's kind of somewhere where I'd love to see Country and My heading in the future.

Where where we just ye support one another and just create this really awesome I guess, like family. I guess so's that's kind of somewhere where I'd love to see Country and My heading in the future.

I think I love the fact that you're trying to make it just for women, right, because it's so important for women to have their own space.

I think I love the fact that you're trying to make it just for women, right, because it's so important for women to have their own space.

Yeah, definitely, it definitely is. And you know, it could be easy to take it in different directions. It could be easy to bring in maybe like a men's range or a kids range or something. But that's just that's not what I wanted to achieved. I did want to make it only for for real women, and I'd love to use the business one day also to support young women coming up in the industry, because I'm very passionate about young women and farming and building them up to be awesome leaders and role models in our community. So that is somewhere that in the future I would love to be taking country and me too, and maybe even being able to I don't know whether that's like sponsoring people or I'm not sure what it looks like yet, but I yeah, I'm looking forward to seeing where it goes.

Yeah, definitely, it definitely is. And you know, it could be easy to take it in different directions. It could be easy to bring in maybe like a men's range or a kids range or something. But that's just that's not what I wanted to achieved. I did want to make it only for for real women, and I'd love to use the business one day also to support young women coming up in the industry, because I'm very passionate about young women and farming and building them up to be awesome leaders and role models in our community. So that is somewhere that in the future I would love to be taking country and me too, and maybe even being able to I don't know whether that's like sponsoring people or I'm not sure what it looks like yet, but I yeah, I'm looking forward to seeing where it goes.

That is so cool. That is so cool. Just on that note, do you think that women, particularly in the sheep and beef space have I think you touched on this before. How do you think procression has gone in that space and where do you think it could go to?

That is so cool. That is so cool. Just on that note, do you think that women, particularly in the sheep and beef space have I think you touched on this before. How do you think procression has gone in that space and where do you think it could go to?

I actually think it's pretty unlimited, and I think it's getting like it's been good for a really long time, but I still think it could be better. And I like I hear of place that actually like Landcorp or Palmer as they called now, who are really really supportive of the women in their industry, and even to the point where they will actively put women into managerial roles and support their kids and support women, you know, picking up their kids from school daycare, including them bringing them on a farm, and just basically I feel like it's really easy to be a woman shepherd, and I feel like it's not so easy to be a woman's stock manager or a manager these days. But I feel like it's just starting to get better, and there are people starting to make it a lot more easier for them, and I kind of get the fact around the idea that actually it's not easy.

I actually think it's pretty unlimited, and I think it's getting like it's been good for a really long time, but I still think it could be better. And I like I hear of place that actually like Landcorp or Palmer as they called now, who are really really supportive of the women in their industry, and even to the point where they will actively put women into managerial roles and support their kids and support women, you know, picking up their kids from school daycare, including them bringing them on a farm, and just basically I feel like it's really easy to be a woman shepherd, and I feel like it's not so easy to be a woman's stock manager or a manager these days. But I feel like it's just starting to get better, and there are people starting to make it a lot more easier for them, and I kind of get the fact around the idea that actually it's not easy.

It wouldn't be easy.

It wouldn't be easy.

To be maybe a single mum or not a single mom with kids and stuff and be a farm manager because there's so many like you have to be here early, or be there and be on the phone late at night and or all these different things.

To be maybe a single mum or not a single mom with kids and stuff and be a farm manager because there's so many like you have to be here early, or be there and be on the phone late at night and or all these different things.

But I think employers that make it possible for women to do these things, I think we just end up proving everyone wrong.

But I think employers that make it possible for women to do these things, I think we just end up proving everyone wrong.

That we can do it, but we just have to do it in a different way. And it doesn't mean that it doesn't work. It just means that it looks slightly different. But I feel like we still get the job done, and it's still you know, and sometimes it can be done even better, and it's just about, yeah, just changing the way we do it instead of if you see where I see where I'm coming from.

That we can do it, but we just have to do it in a different way. And it doesn't mean that it doesn't work. It just means that it looks slightly different. But I feel like we still get the job done, and it's still you know, and sometimes it can be done even better, and it's just about, yeah, just changing the way we do it instead of if you see where I see where I'm coming from.

I do absolutely what you're saying. Is there anything as possible? We just need to look at it through a new lens, and it needs to be by design as well, So we can't just keep doing the same things and trying to squeeze woman into you know, square peg, round hole. We just have to look at it from an entirely different perspective and work out how we can support women through it. I think you make a great point as well, around we can do it, and there's other ancillary benefits around this too, like loyalty. If you know, there are you know, businesses out there, farming entities that are willing to support a woman and also her life around children. I don't know about the data around this, but I reckon you're going to it's some really good loyalty come back from that particular woman as well. So I think it can be a win win situation. We don't need to like think about it as just a zero sum game.

I do absolutely what you're saying. Is there anything as possible? We just need to look at it through a new lens, and it needs to be by design as well, So we can't just keep doing the same things and trying to squeeze woman into you know, square peg, round hole. We just have to look at it from an entirely different perspective and work out how we can support women through it. I think you make a great point as well, around we can do it, and there's other ancillary benefits around this too, like loyalty. If you know, there are you know, businesses out there, farming entities that are willing to support a woman and also her life around children. I don't know about the data around this, but I reckon you're going to it's some really good loyalty come back from that particular woman as well. So I think it can be a win win situation. We don't need to like think about it as just a zero sum game.

Yeah, it's definitely getting better, but there's always room for improvement, and we always need to be keep standing up and saying, well, actually that we can do it and we're more than capable, and just I guess keep reminding everyone.

Yeah, it's definitely getting better, but there's always room for improvement, and we always need to be keep standing up and saying, well, actually that we can do it and we're more than capable, and just I guess keep reminding everyone.

Absolutely. Yeah that's so cool. So okay, So we've got big plans for countrying me over the next twelve months, a lot of exciting things coming out, whether it's new products that are going to be really soon or whether it's even been you know, creating an even bigger community beyond that. Personally, what's the head for you, Mickey, Yeah, I don't know really.

Absolutely. Yeah that's so cool. So okay, So we've got big plans for countrying me over the next twelve months, a lot of exciting things coming out, whether it's new products that are going to be really soon or whether it's even been you know, creating an even bigger community beyond that. Personally, what's the head for you, Mickey, Yeah, I don't know really.

I probably I probably will look at extending my family in the next twelve months, so Money pleads to.

I probably I probably will look at extending my family in the next twelve months, so Money pleads to.

Hear about that. So I'm personally just a bit more family focused really, and.

Hear about that. So I'm personally just a bit more family focused really, and.

I do actually play rugby too for a local team up in Rotorious, so I have started training for that and am really looking forward to jumping into my second season playing rugby. So yeah, that's probably what's going to be happening in my personal life this year.

I do actually play rugby too for a local team up in Rotorious, so I have started training for that and am really looking forward to jumping into my second season playing rugby. So yeah, that's probably what's going to be happening in my personal life this year.

Yeah, that's awesome. It sounds like you've got lots of things brewing and we can't wait to follow your adventure and how things go as well. So all the very best for Country and Me for anyone listening. She's on socials, she's got a website, Country me, dot co dot m Z. We are so thrilled to see you as one of our graduates from the Real Woman Activator Program just out there doing it in nailing life. So thank you for your time. We can't wait to see where you go.

Yeah, that's awesome. It sounds like you've got lots of things brewing and we can't wait to follow your adventure and how things go as well. So all the very best for Country and Me for anyone listening. She's on socials, she's got a website, Country me, dot co dot m Z. We are so thrilled to see you as one of our graduates from the Real Woman Activator Program just out there doing it in nailing life. So thank you for your time. We can't wait to see where you go.

Oh awesome, Thank you so much. Now.

Oh awesome, Thank you so much. Now.

I feel so humble to be asked to be on the podcast and to be put up bex of so many other amazing women that I've listened to on this podcast, so I feel very privileged and thank you so much for having me.

I feel so humble to be asked to be on the podcast and to be put up bex of so many other amazing women that I've listened to on this podcast, so I feel very privileged and thank you so much for having me.

It's been great.

It's been great.

Right, So, if you have enjoyed this chat and the others that we've held with fantastic rural women, then please support us by joining the fold.

Right, So, if you have enjoyed this chat and the others that we've held with fantastic rural women, then please support us by joining the fold.

Just get through our website Ruralwomaninzed dot in ZED, or check out the show notes. Sign up and be part of shaping future generations for women in rural New Zealand.

Just get through our website Ruralwomaninzed dot in ZED, or check out the show notes. Sign up and be part of shaping future generations for women in rural New Zealand.