Rotorua local business Q&A: Jenny Meban

Jenny Meban set up Vetro Mediterranean Foods on Amohau St almost two years ago and now employs six staff. Last year, Vetro was a finalist in the emerging business category of the Rotorua Business Excellence Awards

In a nutshell, what does your business do?

Vetro Mediterranean Foods are retailers and wholesalers of Mediterranean-based foods.

What inspired you to set up your business?

Having recently moved to Rotorua, from Gisborne, I could see a gap in the market for a store that has proved very successful in Napier, Hamilton, New Plymouth and Gisborne.

What was the best business decision you have made?

Choosing my staff carefully has proved to be a very good business decision.

What was your worst business mistake (if any) and what did you learn from it?

Underestimating the cost of setting up and lack of business expertise as a retailer, has proved challenging.

What do you see as the biggest opportunity for your business in the year ahead?

We are still gaining new customers every day and continue to meet people from out of the Rotorua area who are coming to town to shop. Rotorua businesses should never disregard the fact that they have a lovely town that people enjoy coming to visit, work and play in. We need to offer the best hospitality and service that we can. We have the opportunity to expand Rotorua as a great business centre, particularly in the tourism and hospitality sector.

If you could do any other job for a day, what would that be?

I'd be back working with my lovely horses and staff at Paradise Valley Horse Trekking.

How do you maintain a healthy work/life balance?

I find it a continuous struggle to maintain balance in my life. Work becomes all-consuming. Being a newcomer to Rotorua means I don't have a lot of distractions from work, but keeping in contact with family and old friends becomes increasingly important - taking time to spend with them is a must. My husband and I have seen a whole different side to Rotorua since taking up cycling - what a great way to meet passionate people and witness first-hand the beauty of this area. My bike does tend to gather dust, though!

What's the best thing about being in business in Rotorua?

The best thing for me has been becoming part of the community. I now know so many more faces and names and am starting feel like I belong. Rotorua is such a central hub, ideally placed for business.

If you were mayor of Rotorua for one day, what one change would you make?

Discourage same-old same-old businesses and encourage interesting boutique-style shopping, run by people who are contributing to the community and the local economy.