Young professionals: The rising career of Lisa Rooney

Wisdom and experience come with age, but some of Tauranga's young entrepreneurs are proving age has no barrier in business. Because despite their youthfulness, young people are behind some of the Bay's most successful businesses.
Zoe Hunter profiles some of the city's young businessmen and women who are bringing a fresh perspective to the business world and a promising future.

A 6-year-old Lisa Rooney ran events for the kids in her neighbourhood growing up in Derry, Ireland.

Now, Rooney books about 60 gigs a month as area and entertainment manager for The Rising Tide in Mount Maunganui and High Tide at Our Place in Tauranga.

"It was my favourite thing to do growing up," she said.

The 31-year-old moved to the Mount almost five years ago and said she has picked the perfect job.

"My bosses gave me all of the freedom to be able to create new events, new menus for The Rising Tide. It has been really great seeing how that has had positive results."

Rooney's first promotional gig alongside business partner Alice Kay from Gun and Coco Limited sold out at The Rising Tide's sister bar in Tauranga, High Tide, on New Year's Eve.

"It was one of my proudest events," she said.

Before The Rising Tide, Rooney landed her first Kiwi job as "Head Elf" managing the Santa set at Bayfair Shopping Centre and then managed a small Thai restaurant in the Mount.

She then took on the role as bar manager at The Rising Tide and was later promoted to general manager.

When the dumpling and craft beer bar introduced live bands, Rooney took a step back from behind the bar and into the role of entertainment manager.

"I was booking about three-to-four bands a week, and about 30 a month," she said. "But when Our Place in Tauranga opened up we have been having to book about 60 bands a month."

She counts herself lucky to have had the support from her bosses Glenn and Virginia Meikle, owners of Mount Brewing Co and The Rising Tide.

She said she had worked hard in the job and "gained a lot of trust and loyalty from my employers," she said.

"They have had a lot of belief in me. They give me a lot of freedom to create events and my own ideas."

Rooney said the biggest challenge was finding a balance between her work and personal life and not being able to confide in her family back home in Ireland.

"It is a challenge when you have a bit of a hard time and all you want to do is go home to your mum's house and have a home-cooked meal and have her make you feel better," she laughed.

To recharge and find that work-life balance, Rooney walks up Mauao every day.

"That's my therapy," she said. "You just have to make a solid effort to balance out those priorities. Work is a huge priority, but so is your health and your mental health as well."

Coming from a creative family, Rooney said she had always had a soft spot for event organising.

But the best part of her job? "I get to do what I love every day. I get to wake up every day and be able to bring people together," she said.

"When you see the outcome and you seeing everyone show up it is an amazing feeling. It is a really fun job, there is never ever a dull moment."

Lisa Rooney

Age: 31
Occupation: The Rising Tide general manager
Born: Derry, Ireland

Favourite food?
Thai food

Favourite place in the Bay of Plenty?
Mauao. I have such a big love for the Mount.

Top travel spot?
Other than home, my favourite place in the whole world is New York City. It is the first place I ever went travelling on my own. I explored New York by myself at age 18.

First car?
Mazda Excella

Advice to 18-year-old self?
I wouldn't change anything. I think everything I have learned and all of the many mistakes I have made, definitely brought with them lessons learned. I don't believe in regrets.

What does the future look like?
More, bigger events. Watch this space.