Her Business magazine sold to Espy

A Rotorua publisher has sold Her Business magazine to an Auckland publisher.

The brainchild of local entrepreneur Fiona Powell, the eight- year-old enterprise Her Business Group has been a success story. The flagship publication that began in Ms Powell's Rotorua home is now being distributed throughout New Zealand and Australia.

Her Business magazine was sold for an undisclosed sum to the Espy Group, publishers of Espy, a magazine for entrepreneurs.

The sale includes other activities under the Her Business Group umbrella, all developed by Ms Powell, including the annual Businesswoman of the Year awards, the Her Business Networks throughout New Zealand (networking meetings for women in business), Her Business Club and the annual National Women in Business Week event.

Her Business has twice been a finalist in the Business Magazine of the Year award.

Ms Powell became a role model for many aspiring businesswomen and a popular speaker at conferences and networking events throughout New Zealand and Australia.

"Starting the magazine was my dream and its been a wonderful journey," she said.

"I've learned a lot about running a business and I've met some inspirational people.

"After eight years of hard work, and a lot of projects coming to fruition over the last year, I thought it was the right time to hand my baby over to someone else who can take it to another level."

The sale coincided with the departure, on maternity leave, of her only full-time Rotorua staff member.

Other part time contracted and freelance staff were not likely to be retained by Espy, which had its own staff.

Ms Powell said she would continue to publish another magazine on contract to the Human Resources Institute and her next project would be to write a book, while exploring ideas for a new business venture.


- DAILY POST (ROTORUA)