Jane Quinn Professional Services

Five years on: From Doubt to Confidence

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 02:08:05 GMT

Five years ago, I took a leap and went out on my own. Like many people who step into the unknown, I carried with me a quiet sense of imposter syndrome—a lingering question of whether I was truly “good enough.”

Looking back now, I can see that doubt for what it was: not a reflection of my ability, but simply the uncertainty that comes with change.

Over the past five years, I’ve had the privilege of working with an incredibly diverse range of clients—from a self-employed hairdresser, to a charity close to my heart, to supporting a lawyer in Auckland’s CBD, whilst also stepping into project management roles. Each experience has reinforced something I didn’t fully appreciate at the beginning:

I had far more to offer than I realised.

It’s a funny thing—skills built over 30 years don’t always feel extraordinary when you’re living them day to day. It’s only when you stop, reflect, and start writing them down that you truly see the breadth and strength of what you’ve gained. Experience has a way of quietly building expertise, resilience, and adaptability.

Recently, I had the honour of organising a lunch in the beautiful Legislative Chambers in Parliament on behalf of the Tara Trust and the Irish Business Network of New Zealand. Bringing together 100 business people to support a meaningful cause was no small feat—but it was a powerful reminder of how far I’ve come.

The planning, coordination, and attention to detail required to make the event a success drew on years of experience—skills that, at one time, I may have taken for granted. This time, I recognised them for what they are: valuable, hard-earned, and impactful.

Five years on, I no longer question whether I belong in the room. Instead, I focus on the value I bring to it.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: don’t underestimate your own story. Take the time to reflect, to acknowledge your journey, and to recognise your worth. You might just surprise yourself.

Irish Celebrations

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 02:45:30 GMT

I was deeply honoured to have been named Grand Marshal for the Auckland 2026 St Patrick’s Day Parade.

For over 30 years, I’ve simply said “yes” to some wonderful opportunities in our Irish community.

I’ve had the privilege of serving our Irish community in many roles — from National Coordinator of Friends of Ireland, to President of the Irish Society, committee member of IBNNZ, secretary and committee member of Auckland GAA and founding member of Mná na hÉireann, which celebrates and connects Irish women in NZ.

Each chapter has been driven by a simple belief: that the Irish community in NZ matters, and our Irish heritage is something we nurture and celebrate together.

This recognition feels less like a personal milestone and more like a celebration of a collective effort. I’m grateful to everyone who has worked alongside me — and to those who have trusted me with leadership along the way. I never imagined those years of involvement would lead to this moment

It is a privilege to represent our Irish community in this way, to meet esteemed Minister Noel Grealish and have Ambassador Jane Connolly alongside was truly a wonderful event. I am sincerely appreciative.

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The Entrepreneurial Journey: Owning Your Own Business

Sat, 08 Jun 2024 18:20:51 GMT

In a world buzzing with innovation and opportunity, the dream of owning one’s own business shines bright like a beacon of autonomy and creativity.

Whether you’re driven by the desire to bring a unique product to market, provide a service that fills a gap, or simply to be your own boss, the journey of entrepreneurship is both exhilarating and challenging. But for those brave souls who dare to embark on this path, the rewards can be immeasurable.

The Vision Takes Shape

Every successful venture begins with a vision – a spark of inspiration that ignites the entrepreneurial spirit. It might be a solution to a problem that’s been nagging at you for years, a passion you can’t shake, or an innovative twist on an existing idea. Whatever it is, nurturing that vision is the first step towards bringing it to life.

But turning a vision into reality requires more than just dreams; it demands planning, research, and a solid strategy. This is where many aspiring entrepreneurs stumble, as they navigate the complexities of market analysis, financial projections, and legal considerations. Yet, it’s also where the foundation for success is laid – in the meticulous attention to detail and the unwavering commitment to seeing the vision through.

The Rollercoaster Ride of Execution

With a plan in hand, the real work begins. Building a business is like riding a rollercoaster – exhilarating highs and stomach-churning lows are all part of the journey. From securing funding and finding the right team to developing a product or service and acquiring customers, each milestone brings its own set of challenges and triumphs.

There will be moments of doubt, when the odds seem insurmountable and the road ahead feels endless. But it’s in these moments that true entrepreneurs are forged – through resilience, adaptability, and an unwavering belief in the vision that propels them forward.

The Joys of Independence

One of the greatest rewards of owning your own business is the freedom it affords. No longer shackled to the constraints of a traditional 9-to-5 job, entrepreneurs have the flexibility to chart their own course, pursue their passions, and shape their own destiny.

But with great freedom comes great responsibility. As the captain of your own ship, every decision falls squarely on your shoulders – from hiring and firing to setting strategic direction and managing finances. It’s a daunting prospect, to be sure, but it’s also incredibly empowering.

The Legacy You Leave Behind

Ultimately, the true measure of success lies not in the balance sheet or the number of accolades amassed, but in the impact you have on the world around you. Whether it’s creating jobs in your community, revolutionizing an industry, or simply bringing joy to your customers’ lives, the legacy of entrepreneurship extends far beyond the confines of the business itself.

And while not every venture will end in wild success, every entrepreneur who dares to dream and dares to try leaves behind a legacy of courage, determination, and resilience – qualities that inspire others to follow in their footsteps and continue the journey of innovation and discovery.

Conclusion: Embracing the Entrepreneurial Spirit

Owning your own business is not for the faint of heart. It requires dedication, perseverance, and an unshakeable belief in yourself and your vision. But for those who are willing to take the leap, the rewards are boundless – both personally and professionally.

So, if you’ve been harboring dreams of entrepreneurship, I urge you to take that first step. Embrace the challenges, celebrate the victories, and never lose sight of the vision that set you on this path in the first place. For in the journey of owning your own business lies not just the promise of success, but the opportunity to leave an indelible mark on the world.

Two years in and still loving my own business

Tue, 07 Mar 2023 18:25:59 GMT

Running my own business over the last 2 years has been an educational experience. The work I do for people is varied, exciting, and sometimes just normal day to day stuff too.

In my first year, I never said no to business, when you don’t know how much work you will get you just have to take everything. To that end, I was working too much in the first year and I am pleased I did, it gave me my income and introduced me to the clients I have today. I have seven amazing clients that I work for, and I am so grateful to them all for keeping me in work.

Learning new programs and apps has been great, I have learned so many new things. Every new thing has a feeling of satisfaction around it, it makes getting up in the morning worthwhile and rewarding at the same time.

Going into my third year I decided I did not want to work 40 hours, 5 days a week, for much longer, so the aim is to reduce the days of work to 3.5 so that I have 3.5 days off. I am a firm believer in work life balance.

3 Reasons to enjoy working for yourself

Mon, 07 Feb 2022 18:38:31 GMT

Bullying is no longer an issue or fear you have to deal with in the workplace.

Being bullied constantly over a long period of time is both physically and mentally crippling. The intimidation makes you question everything you thought you knew about yourself. You second guess all your decision-making skills to the point you really are unsure of what you are doing. Having Pink Shirt Day in NZ to highlight bullying, frankly is not enough. 1 in 10 employees in NZ experience bullying. That is a staggering figure, yet nothing seems to be done to the bullies. They go on about their day wielding their power and intimidating people they believe are beneath them. I worry where it will all end. How far does the bully get before someone stands up and says enough?

Pick and choose your own hours

After working 40+ hours a week for most of my working life, I am enjoying the flexibility of hours I am working now. Averaging between 28-32 hours a week means I am rewarded with a 3 day weekend. I am so relieved to have the extra day at the weekend to catch up with the things I enjoy outside of working. My voluntary work can now be done on my day off which allows me to have my evenings back. All positives for me.

I decide who to work for

This is the most empowering part of working for yourself. I choose who to work for and what jobs I want. In my previous role, although I only reported to one person, everyone else thought I worked for them. This led to confusion about what I did and for whom. There is no such confusion now.

My First Major Event

Thu, 19 Aug 2021 19:02:07 GMT

What an honour it was to be asked to organise the luncheon for the newly appointed Queens Counsel (Silks) in Auckland. The event itself was held at Northern Club in Princes Street, Auckland.

A formal gathering of Judges, Sirs, Dames, and Silks from all over Auckland.

The luncheon is held each year for the new silks prior to their swearing in Ceremony in the High Court of Auckland, this was an amazing experience thank you Laura O’Gorman QC for inviting me to attend your swearing in ceremony.

135 invitations were sent around Auckland, I don’t mind saying without the assistance of my dear friend Simon Foote, I would not have got all the honorific’s correct for the different judges sitting in the different courts. (Thank you so much Simon). It was a great event to organise and the feedback has been great. Sarah at the Northern Club was amazing to deal with and made this event so easy to organise.

My next 2 big events are book launches. I am so looking forward to these.

In between all these events, I am still working doing lots of things, looking after people that do not need or want a full timer on their books, yet still need administrative assistance.

I could not be happier with the first few weeks of my new venture.

Doing Business in COVID

Tue, 17 Aug 2021 18:46:38 GMT

Just when you thought you were up and running and everything was going great, lockdown hits.

Lockdown is different this time around, I am working for myself now. No guaranteed income, even if it was only 80%, it appeared each fortnight in my account. That meant there was one less thing to be concerned about.

This time though, my first thought was, will I get enough work to sustain me through this period, will my clients need me in lockdown? For many people losing 20% or more of their salary is a major loss, having bills to pay is why we work. When your income is affected, it creates a multitude of stress factors on people. Being able to work creates a sense of accomplishment and assures you that you are a valued member of society, yes, the money is important, but your self-worth is also very important. I have never not worked.

The opportunity to approach my business in a different way through COVID was presenting itself to me, now, I had to figure out how to achieve success in a COVID world. Being able to still assist with swearing of Affidavits virtually has certainly kept me busy over these last few weeks. Certifying documents in a contactless manner has also been surprising, people are still applying for KiwiSaver and other things that require certified proof of identity. Surely in this technological age we can verify someone’s identity without a certified document.

So far, the work has kept pouring in, I feel very fortunate to have the clients I have, thank you for trusting me. I see us being here for a while, we need to make the best of a bad situation. We are still the luckiest people in my humble opinion.

My First 2 Weeks

Thu, 15 Jul 2021 19:08:17 GMT

I have now been in business for myself for two weeks, the journey to start-up a new business has been an exciting yet challenging experience. This is something I have always wanted to do but the fear of failure has held me back. No more fear, I have well and truly jumped in feet first.

I have had so many people encourage and support me, that has given me the courage to move forward. My wonderful husband who tells me daily that I can be successful at this, and that he has faith in my ability. Sometimes this is all you need to hear in order to succeed, or at the very least try. Don’t under-estimate the power of affirmation from others.

My talented son who built my website with his friend Fil, thank you so much. My amazing daughter who tells me everyday that I am a strong, independent woman who can do anything. These people are biased, I know that, but wow, it is great to hear that in the first few weeks of starting out.

I am grateful to my first clients who have put their faith in me. Thank you to the barrister who has given me my first major project.

I thought this would be a part-time job, however, I may to have to rethink that model. I suppose you just never know where work will come from when you are working for yourself.

To anyone thinking of starting a business I offer you these 3 bits of advice:

Do your research – COVID has changed the business landscape, make sure you know what you are getting yourself into
Use your bank and IRD resources – they are amazing
Back yourself – if it is something you are passionate about give it your all and don’t be afraid to fail

The Decision

Thu, 01 Jul 2021 15:09:27 GMT

The decision is made, I am going out on my own, I am going to be working for myself, be my own boss, make my own hours. I am going to make the decisions I want, to achieve what I dream, then I am going make it a reality. (scary stuff!!!)

The start-up list is so long.

There are so many things to do that I just did not think off. Thank you to everyone who helped point me in the right direction. The information is there when you know where to look. I found the IRD website to be a great information tool.

Things I am told I need, but not all at once.

A logo, email address, Terms & Conditions’, GST number (who knew that was just your IRD number), Xero subscription, NZBN (New Zealand Business Number), business bank account, an accountant, the list goes on, but the biggest is a website. What do I put on a website? Who builds them? How much do they cost? Who maintains this? All new things to learn and understand, I have had so much fun these past 2 weeks deciding on colours, fonts, layouts. Is it arrogant to ask people to say something about you on your website?

I have them all and I am ready to get started. All I need now is clients and of course jobs, I need these to prove that I can do this.