Women who made an idea work

"This is the book that I wanted to be able to buy when I first went into business and wasn't brave enough to ask the questions," says Jacqui Thomas of her recently published book Go Girl Go.

It celebrates the achievements of 15 New Zealand women who have set up businesses around the country. It doesn't tell you how to succeed, it simply shares the experiences of some women who have.

Stories include that of Mary Murray, who took on the cafe her husband had been starting when their marriage fell apart, to Jeni Pearce, one of the first dietitians in New Zealand to set up a full-time private practice and Judi Sneddon, a solo mother who decided to embark on a career at the age of 35.

"I was actually searching for diversity," says Ms Thomas. "The 15 women who are in Go Girl Go are each as vastly different as possible and that's what I was searching for."

"So I've tried to cover all sorts of geographical locations, all sorts of businesses, age groups, different ethnic groups, different social backgrounds, different levels of education," she says.

However, one central theme is the passion and determination of the women.

"For many people I think what you want is not a 'how to' book," says Ms Thomas. "What you want is real people sharing their experiences."