Angie Atkinson, National Sales Manager for Prophet’s Rock Wines, Talks Inspiration
I’d name my autobiography:
When in doubt, add more wine.
To me success means:
Balance. I juggle spending time with my two children, a full-time job, my writing, time with my partner and friends, and working towards my goals for the future. For me, balancing all of the above equals success.
Best advice I’ve been given:
Just be yourself. Being authentic and true to yourself is the best way to live. If people don’t like you, that’s fine. Haters gonna hate.
I made my first dollar:
Opening and closing lighthouse curtains in Wairoa when I was thirteen years old. I rode my bike every morning to close them and every evening to open them, I’m terribly uncoordinated so not a great bike rider and I still have a few scars to prove it!
Life motto:
If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again. It’s a salespersons mantra, haha!
Favourite book:
Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff and it’s All Small Stuff by Richard Carlson. Life is stressful, but worrying about things that are out of your control or that don’t really matter is counterproductive and a waste of time and energy.
My goals for 2019 are:
To keep moving forward. Professionally, I would like to learn about governance at a board level and grow my business network. Personally, I want to take my girls on an island holiday, sort out my wardrobe (it’s crazy in there!) and drag my butt to the gym more often.
The gender stereotype I can’t stand:
That because I’m blonde and wear high heels, I don’t know anything. It is slowly getting better as I get older, but people still ask me why I completed my Certified Sommelier and WSET Diploma. Why wouldn’t I? I don’t see any of my male peers being asked that question…
The main challenge for women in business is:
Being given the same opportunities as men. Give us a chance to show you how awesome we are!
We need pay equality because:
A wage should be based on a role, not the gender of the person in that role. I think it’s ridiculous that this is even an issue.
I advocate for change by:
Being the best person I can be. I’m supportive of the women in my life, encouraging them to be confident in their abilities and if things don’t work out, which happens, to keep going.
