Retail entrepreneur Suzie Johnson will administer a ‘shot in the arm’ for the local retail sector later this month, via a series of events organised by the Whakatāne District Council.
In association with the Eastern Bay Chamber of Commerce, Whakatāne’s Retail Promotions Group and the Zest young professionals group, Ms Johnson will deliver an inspiring message about how one couple’s determination, courage and imagination have created a growing boutique retail chain and (so far) revitalised two provincial town centres.
Variously described as ‘crazy’, ADHD, dynamic, entrepreneurial and unstoppable, Suzie Johnson is a true character, in the great New Zealand tradition. The mother of five children under 11 years old, she is also the owner – with husband Kiwi – of eight retail outlets and a clothing factory, and yet still finds time to be a radio DJ, author, jewellery designer, stand-up comic and sought-after public speaker.
That chapter of her story began just six years ago when, against all advice, Suzie and Kiwi Johnson bought a disused shop in Shannon. Despite having virtually no working capital, sheer willpower, tenacity and dollops of talent have seen the development of the successful retail brand ‘OOSH’ – and turned a ‘backwater’ Horowhenua town into the shopping destination also known as ‘Shanfrancisco’. The same recipe has seen the creation of ‘Holly Woodville’ and Suzie Johnson’s stated aim is to revitalise 20 New Zealand towns in the next 10 years.
Ms Johnson will be the special guest at an evening function for Whakatāne District retailers on 29 October, and will also host a breakfast seminar for Zest members and other young businesspeople on 30 October, to be followed by an afternoon workshop for Retail Promotion Group members.
Mayor Tony Bonne says that after seeing Ms Johnson’s presentation to the recent LGNZ conference, bringing her to Whakatāne was ‘a must’. “Suzie is a fantastic speaker and her story is genuinely inspirational. I think she’s just the tonic we need to inject some new ideas and enthusiasm into our CBD areas.”
Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Gerard Casey says his organisation is looking forward to hearing about Suzie’s experiences and “exploring how her ideas can help build vibrant retail and business areas that locals and visitors will enjoy”.
The ‘Shot in the arm’ events have been generously sponsored by the Beacon Business and Leisure Show and Whakatāne New World. Anyone who wants to be involved in potential ways to invigorate the retail sector is advised to make a reservation. Places at all three events are strictly limited.