Successful women in business

Successful women in business Q&A – recently showcased in the Marlborough Weekly, see their full Q&A here and join us in celebrating Marlborough women shaping Marlborough’s business landscape!

Heavens Above / Registered Celebrant - Darlene Keenan

What do you love most about your job and working in Marlborough?
I love and appreciate what Marlborough has to offer and the people I meet.

What or who inspires you most?
The people in our community have always inspired me and driven my passion to share resolutions and hope with the challenges of our ever-changing modern world.

What’s your biggest achievement – professionally and personally?Having the choice to include spirituality and offer spiritual practices with others along with Heavens Above celebrating 20 years in business. Amongst many community awards, receiving the Order of Australia for my commitment to young people and the community whilst working as Youth Development Officer in Sydney.

What sentence best describes you?
I'm passionate about helping people finding solutions and honouring our spiritual lineage. Balance and justice is important to me as a Libran.

What’s your favourite idle moment?
A quiet place by water and nature.

What’s next on your bucket list?
Leisurely travel around the beautiful South Island.

Most embarrassing moment on the job?
Wrapping and decorating a special gift and leaving the price on it.

If you would like to find out more about what I do, visit my website: https://www.facebook.com/HeavensAboveBlenheim/

Annu Jat - Watery Mouth Cafe

What do you love most about your job and working in Marlborough?
Honestly? The caffeine supply helps. But I love the people — Marlborough’s home, I grew up here, so being able to run our family café and start my own coffee cart feels pretty cool. It’s chaotic some days, but seeing locals, tourists, and half-asleep coffee hunters show up — that’s the best part.

What or who inspires you most?
Big dreamers. The ones who start with an idea, maybe no clue how it’ll work, but go for it anyway. That whole “figure it out as you go” energy — I live for it. Also, women in business who are ambitious, bold, and don’t apologise for it — that’s the vibe I’m aiming for.

What’s your biggest achievement — professionally and personally?
Professionally, launching my own coffee cart — stepping out and building something from the ground up is a whole different level of proud. Personally, learning to back myself, even when things feel uncertain. That mindset’s helped me in business, but also in life.

What sentence best describes you?
Fueled by caffeine, stubbornness, and “I’ll figure it out” energy.

What’s your favourite idle moment?
A good coffee in hand, walking along the beach with my puppy causing chaos, or catching up with friends and family — those little moments when life slows down for a second. Pure bliss.

What’s next on your bucket list?
Making my coffee cart the place everyone talks about — for good coffee, not because I tripped over something again. And maybe a proper holiday… somewhere with beach views and zero alarms.

Most embarrassing moment on the job?
There’s a long list — but serving coffee with no actual coffee in it probably takes the cake… or the scone, depending on the day. Let’s just say, caffeine before service is essential.

If you would like to find out more about what I do, visit my website: https://waterymouthcafe.co.nz/

Gabriel 'Gabe' Bertogg - Peanut Butter Vibes Photography

What do you love most about your job and working in Marlborough?
The people. Especially the colourful, creative, spicy ones. I live for those moments when a music night comes alive and the room transforms. Those are the nights that remind me why I’m here.

What or who inspires you most?
Art as a tool for change. That’s what keeps me going. My lens is always drawn to stories that matter; sustainable businesses, artists, musicians, and grassroots change makersIf you’re building something meaningful I want to help you tell the world about it!

What’s your biggest achievement – professionally and personally? Building a life powered by creativity as a neurodivergent wahine which has been both wild and deeply rewarding. Surrounding myself with wildly talented, loving, and encouraging humans! That’s the soul of everything!! Co-founding House of Pluto, a charitable arts collective transforming unexpected spaces in Wairau into vibrant, live music venues. I’m also a trustee for Pride Wairau, Marlborough’s newest and boldest festival celebrating the Rainbow community. Visibility and celebration in a small town takes heart and I’m proud to help lead that mahi. Oh....and photographing Gandalf in his London flat. Yes, Sir Ian McKellen. Iconic!

What sentence best describes you?
Love is Love, Always. In art, in work, in life. What’s your favourite idle moment? I like to disconnect at our whanau bach down the Marlborough Sounds, even better - in the fire bath!!

What’s next on your bucket list?
To build a tiny home village with a community garden and a shared music space. Also to continue my Te Reo Māori journey, embedding it more into my life and work. Most embarrassing moment on the job? I don’t really get embarrassed, I just get creative. I love solving problems on the fly, thinking sideways, and making magic out of mayhem.

Meet Gabe – Creative Storyteller, Connector & Community Builder
Kia ora, ko Gabe tōku ingoa. I’m a Photographer, Videographer, and all-round creative wahine with a deep love for people, place, and purpose. I’ve spent over a decade self-employed, working with passionate individuals and businesses, especially those doing good for the planet and their communities. My lens is always drawn to stories that matter, sustainable businesses, artists, musicians, and grassroots change makers. If you’re building something meaningful I want to help you tell the world about it! I co-founded House of Pluto, a charitable arts collective that’s been transforming unexpected spaces in Wairau into vibrant live music venues. Our dream? A dedicated space where creativity and connection are always flowing. I’m also a trustee for Pride Wairau, Marlborough’s newest and boldest festival celebrating the Rainbow community. Visibility and celebration in a small town takes heart and I’m proud to help lead that mahi.

If you would like to find out more about what I do, visit my website: https://www.peanutbuttervibesphotography.com/

Anna Bensemann - Baseline Group Marlborough

What do you love most about your job and working in Marlborough?
It takes all sorts of people build a community, and Marlborough has some real characters. I get a kick out of working with them on their land development projects and having the interesting and colourful conversations that go with understanding resource consents.

What or who inspires you most?
I have the privilege of working with Marlborough’s local professionals - architects, surveyors, engineers, housing companies, and lawyers. Watching how these professionals work inspires me. Also, my Mum. She’s the most down-to-earth, honest person I know!

What’s your biggest achievement – professionally and personally?
Professionally, becoming accredited as a Commissioner and now being able to assist Councils with decision making on resource consent and plan change hearings.

Personally, there are two key milestones: building a mud brick adobe house with my husband and doing the physical labour and construction ourselves. There’s nothing like a clay face mask to clean the pores! The second, having a beautiful small person call me Mum!

What sentence best describes you?
“I’m crazy about planning” and I have the shirt to prove it.

Most embarrassing moment on the job?
Getting to work and realising I had to assist with an onsite engineering inspection and I’m wearing a dress. I had to put on steel cap boots and a hard hat with the dress and carry on. The looks I got from the builders and construction crews as I was inspecting sewer pipes in a dress!

If you would like to find out more about what I do, visit my website: https://blg.nz/about-us/marlborough

Rachel Marfell - Broadbridge Transport and RM Admin

What do you love most about your job and working in Marlborough?Working for my family business is knowing that everything I do contributes to our long-standing legacy. Working for myself means I can work from home around family life. The Marlborough region provides great weather (except the wind) and delicious wine.

What or who inspires you most?
My dad Weir, still working in the office in dispatch, full of energy even though he's a few years past retirement! He's always on call to grab the grandchildren or do a chore for the family without hesitation.

What’s your biggest achievement – professionally and personally?
I have managed to continue working while raising three children (our youngest is two months old), it is a real juggling act, but we're grateful for the support from my 'village'!

What sentence best describes you?
One word – organised! Constantly making lists and ensuring everything and everyone is catered for.

What’s your favourite idle moment?
I love hitting the gym or going for a walk.

What’s next on your bucket list?
Booking a family holiday in sunshine, creating travel memories for our children is special.

If you would like to find out more about what I do, visit my website: https://www.facebook.com/p/Broadbridge-Transport-Limited-100063920714478/

Rosa Tate - Bayleys Marlborough

What do you love most about your job and working in Marlborough?
What’s not to love? I get to connect with people and help them through some of the most exciting, and sometimes emotional, moments of their lives. That’s a real privilege. I’m surrounded by a supportive, high-energy team, and we live and work in Marlborough, which honestly feels like a dream. The community here is incredible and the scenery is breathtaking. It’s more than a job, it’s a joy.

What or who inspires you most?
I’m inspired by being around successful, driven people who lift others up but my biggest inspiration will always be my dad. He believed in me like no one else, and even though he passed just over a year ago, his encouragement and faith continue to guide me every day. I carry his memory with me as I keep learning, growing, and striving to be my best.

What’s your biggest achievement – professionally and personally?
Personally, it’s my family. My husband Bob is a true inspiration. He’s dedicated his career to supporting people with disabilities and brings so much heart to everything he does and our two daughters, Zoe and Tess, make us proud every day. Later this year, Zoe will represent Marlborough Equestrian at the National Special Olympics in Christchurch. Tess has twice represented Top of the South at the National Gymnastics Championships and is now giving back by helping coach the next generation of competitive gymnasts. It’s incredible watching them both shine and grow into kind, committed young women.

Professionally, it’s been about growth. Training to become a real estate agent while balancing work, study, and family life was a big challenge, but such a rewarding one. I’m proud to be part of an incredible company and to keep learning, evolving, and pushing myself to be better every day. For me, it’s about showing up with purpose, building trust, and making a positive difference, one client at a time.

What sentence best describes you?
“Strive to be 1% better every day.” That mindset really resonates with me. I believe it’s the little ; the small improvements, the extra effort, the genuine connections, that build something great over time. I show up each day with a positive attitude, a willingness to grow, and a real love for helping people. That’s what keeps me moving forward.

What’s your favourite idle moment?
I love hanging out with my family. Life gets pretty busy for all of us, so a real idle moment is when we’re all together; sharing food, watching a good movie, and just enjoying each other’s company. It’s those quiet, cozy moments that really fill my cup.

What’s next on your bucket list?
By the end of 2026, both of our girls will have finished school, so we’re planning a big family adventure to Scandinavia! Seeing the Northern Lights is high on the list, along with husky sleigh rides through the snow. Our daughter Zoe is a firm believer in Santa Claus, so a visit to Santa’s Village is definitely happening and we’re hoping to wrap it all up with a family Christmas in the UK.

If you would like to find out more about what I do, visit my website: Rosa Tate - Licensed Real Estate Agent - Marlborough | Bayleys Real Estate

Katie Robinson - Prisma Print

What do you love most about your job and working in Marlborough?
I love that being the sole employee I get to know my customers personally and we develop more than your usual business relationship. It gives me the confidence to use my initiative and personalise my service to suit each individual/business. Marlborough is a great town, large enough to keep me busy but small enough that I can rely on a good reputation to make me even busier.

What or who inspires you most?
I am inspired most by the belief that there is good in everything. I strive to find the positive in all people and all situations and so far, I have rarely been let down. I also feel inspired by those who have the confidence to unapologetically be themselves which allows them to be open and honest.

What’s your biggest achievement – professionally and personally?
Professionally I am most proud of running my business in such a way that I am able to support so many charities. There are many people doing good in our community and it feels great to be able to help them.

Personally, I am most proud of trusting my gut when raising my children and ignoring society’s expectations of the right and wrong ways to parent. Now that they are (mostly) adults, I can see the benefits of letting them be themselves and I pat myself on the back regularly that I did it my way.

What sentence best describes you?
I am loyal, flexible, adaptable and compassionate, sometimes to my own detriment, in which case I use ‘just keep swimming, just keep swimming’.

What’s your favourite idle moment?
Put me in the bush on my own. Nothing beats the feeling of soaking up my surroundings and appreciating the sounds and smells of nature.

What’s next on your bucket list?
I would love to expand the business a little so that I can take on an employee and have a day off!

Most embarrassing moment on the job?
When you work alone you get very relaxed and comfortable in your surroundings. If you’ve gotta fart, you just let it go and move on. Except one day a customer walked in at exactly the wrong moment! Oh the shame!

If you would like to find out more about what I do, visit my website: https://www.prismaprint.co.nz/

Diana Orchard - Paper House Design

What do you love most about your job and working in Marlborough?Marlborough has an expansive community filled with a lot incredible people from all walks of life. Personally, I love hearing my clients' stories and learning about the way they live so I can cleverly craft a functional design to match.

What or who inspires you most?
I am a big believer in surrounding yourself with the people who inspire you. For me, I am privileged to be surrounded by a lot of entrepreneurial and ambitious people doing really cool things and breaking the mould.

What sentence best describes you?
I asked for feedback from those who know me on this one... "A driven, resilient, ambitious, and adventurous person with a vibrant and witty personality"

What’s next on your bucket list?
Traveling to Nepal and reaching Everest Base Camp.

Most embarrassing moment on the job?
Well... I'm still waiting for my epic embarrassing moment... though I'm sure when it happens, it'll be something minuscule with a humorous storyline.

If you would like to find out more about what I do, visit my website: https://www.paperhousedesign.co.nz/