WOMEN IN BUSINESS: Leanne Brown

Her friends call her "Downtown Leanne Brown" and the Mount Mainstreet manager lives and breathes her job.
"When I got the job, so many people said, 'oh my God, you are perfect for that job'. It's such a cool role," Ms Brown said.
And after 14 months in the job, she's even more passionate about Mount Maunganui.
Although Mount Mainstreet officially covers the retailers on Maunganui Rd, between Tawa St and Pacific Avenue, Ms Brown considers herself an ambassador for the whole area.
"I take the role to be bigger than that. It's about promoting the whole of Mount Maunganui - I'm just taking it that extra step further to put the Mount on the map."
Ms Brown has been pushing Mount Maunganui as a destination for people living in Waikato and other parts of the Bay of Plenty and has recently appeared on Waikato television station TV Central.
"I see more benefit promoting the Mount outside the region, when people are making the decision where to go next.
"I want to promote the Mount in the Waikato - it's just over the hill and you are here. It's just an hour away and an easy drive."
Mount Mainstreet was formed in 1993 to contribute to the ongoing marketing and promotion of the area and is controlled by a board elected each year.
It's Ms Brown's job to market the area to visitors and residents, organise events, retail promotions, the day to day operation of the shopping centre, and promote the individual character of Mount Mainstreet.
Ms Brown, who has worked for Baywave, Zespri and Palm Beach Plaza, and has organised events for Bay of Plenty Polytechnic and the launch of the Tauranga Art Gallery, says all her experience has helped with the Mount Mainstreet job.
"I look back and think I have had quite a few roles within the area and mainly with key stakeholders.
"Sometimes I reflect back on how much all of these roles have contributed to help me in this role.
"All these different roles play a key part that make this role not easy, but right.
"The only thing that would be better for me would be opening my own event management company. Maybe I'll look into that in the distant future, but right now this is perfect."
Ms Brown said she spent her first year in the job focusing on ensuring good systems and processes were in place.
Attracting cruise ship visitors into the downtown area has been a focus, and "there are definitely more [cruise ship] people around, enjoying the town.
"We want them to see the Mount and say 'we want to come back'. It's not about today, it's about the bigger picture."
The summer months were critical for Mount Maunganui retailers and Ms Brown said shoppers were still cautious with their spending.
Retailers were adopting a "wait and see" approach in the lead-up to Christmas.
"Either people are going to be really budget conscious and will do necessity spending, or they will get to the last minute and go, 'it's okay, I can afford it', and there will be an explosion of spending."
One thing is almost certain - Mount retailers will be rushed off their feet in the week between Christmas in New Year and the days after.
"We will be busy in summer anyway and people do spend more money when they are on holiday."
While it's well-known that Mount Maunganui is a fantastic summer holiday spot, Ms Brown wants to spread the word it's a year-round destination.
"We're promoting the fact that the Mount is really cool in winter - you can still walk around the Mount, go for a walk on the boardwalk, go for a hot swim. You just need a jacket, it's still a great place to come."
Also on the drawing board for 2011 are plans for two new events, which will join the already well-established Busking Festival and Christmas Parade.
Although she lives in Papamoa, Ms Brown might be Mount Maunganui's biggest cheerleader.
"I drive down to work every day along Marine Parade and think I'm so lucky to live here and work here.
"In the summer it's busy but it's relaxing. You feel like you are in Long Beach, California. It has a tropical feel, you feel like you are on holiday but you are working.
"How many people can go to work and say I love this job so much?"
Although she's passionate about her job and can sometimes find herself still at work at 7pm, Ms Brown makes time for family, friends and play.
"Balance is the key to life. There's a lot of balls you can't drop.
"There's a lot of juggling in life but if you get the balance right, life's good."
THINGS ABOUT LEANNE
She's mum to 14-year-old Emma and is engaged to Murray Holdaway.
She's a compulsive list-maker and says if she was stranded on a desert island her items of choice would be pen and paper.
She is secretary of the Tauranga Jet Speed Sport Association and was named No1 Jet Sport Person of the Year in 2004 and 2005.
Her favourite place she visited on her OE was France but says Mount Maunganui tops it.
She loves high heels and lipstick.