The Rural Press Article
Founder of winning company Cosy Toes, Tracey Topp, 
wants other rural women to seek similar success.
After five years overcoming obstacles posed by running a small business from a rural location, Topp's innovation and drive helped her win the South Island prize in the RWNZ Enterprising Rural Women Award 2010.
RWNZ National President says the award is a wonderful opportunity for rural women entrepreneurs to boost their business profile.
This will be the third year the competition has been run and is open to small businesses with 10 staff or less that have been operating for at least two years. Women must be an active partner of 50% or more in in business with a male partner.
Main award sponsors are Telecom and Access Homehealth Limited. There are prizes of $1000 for each of the North and South Island winners and a further $1000 for the Supreme winner.
This year's winners will be announced at RWNZ's national conference in Auckland in May.
Tracey Topp's Cosy Toes company specialises in producing merino wool socks for babies and children. It also stocks a range of merino clothing.
Topp says the company has gone from strength to strength since taking out the South Island RWNZ Enterprising Rural Women Award winner for 2010. It has committed merino sock and clothing manufacturers firmly in place with both situated in New Zealand.
"Winning the award really woke me up to what my story is, where this all began and what is behind this business - wool. I can now tell people my story and that story has given strength to the business.
I still really appreciate that the judges at the time of the awards recognised this passion and story."
wants other rural women to seek similar success.
After five years overcoming obstacles posed by running a small business from a rural location, Topp's innovation and drive helped her win the South Island prize in the RWNZ Enterprising Rural Women Award 2010.
RWNZ National President says the award is a wonderful opportunity for rural women entrepreneurs to boost their business profile.
This will be the third year the competition has been run and is open to small businesses with 10 staff or less that have been operating for at least two years. Women must be an active partner of 50% or more in in business with a male partner.
Main award sponsors are Telecom and Access Homehealth Limited. There are prizes of $1000 for each of the North and South Island winners and a further $1000 for the Supreme winner.
This year's winners will be announced at RWNZ's national conference in Auckland in May.
Tracey Topp's Cosy Toes company specialises in producing merino wool socks for babies and children. It also stocks a range of merino clothing.
Topp says the company has gone from strength to strength since taking out the South Island RWNZ Enterprising Rural Women Award winner for 2010. It has committed merino sock and clothing manufacturers firmly in place with both situated in New Zealand.
"Winning the award really woke me up to what my story is, where this all began and what is behind this business - wool. I can now tell people my story and that story has given strength to the business.
I still really appreciate that the judges at the time of the awards recognised this passion and story."