Pacific Business Woman Of The Year - Jo Kerrison

‘Lost in Translation’ - That’s is how Jo Kerrison, owner of Foxie Style in Auckland, describes her first years after arriving in New Zealand in the eighties from Samoa as a small girl of 9. Known then as Jo Rose Foo Chong, Kerrison came from Samoa with her grandparents to live and attend school in central Auckland.

At the same time Jo arrived in the country, the Pacific Trust was setting up as an organisation to tackle high unemployment amongst Pacific people. It has since evolved into one that celebrates and rewards today’s business achievers and provides support for more to follow.

Last month, Jo was named Pacific Business Women of the Year at the Trust’s Jubilee celebrations marking their 25th anniversary since conception. Pacific Business Trust chief executive Peter Cordtz says, "There’s a lot to like about Jo and what she has achieved, not just in the business sense but in her ongoing commitment to the community. Any business that stays afloat for 10 years is doing well and Jo’s business has been able not just to survive but to grow and achieve broader objectives.”

So how has a Samoan girl who describes herself as being "Lost in Translation” become an inspirational role model?  "I’d always wanted to become a hairdresser, practicing on my cousins and family. When I finally left school, I trained at Cut Above and then went to work for Rodney Wayne, later becoming a Manager. Then in 2000, along with two of my colleagues, I set up my own salon,” says Jo

Her salon is uniquely Pacific Island flavoured but also comfortably mainstream in that a wide range of clients feel at ease here. Having her own business, has made Jo feel really privileged which in turn has spurred her on to help others less fortunate. Together with her staff and clients, Jo helped raise more than $3,000 for a school affected by the tsunami in Ulotogia. The money went towards educational and sports equipment and in March this year, Jo travelled with four collegues to Samoa (at their own expense) to hand the equipment over.

At the recent ‘Cut Above 40 year Celebration’ Jo was honoured with a ‘Bravo’ award for her achievements after her graduation from the Cut Above Academy. " I have experienced life on the islands from my Pacific upbringing - the simplicity, the frugality and I’ve had a desire to achieve more, I’ve always known that that was the reason I was brought here to gain independence, to be self-directed.” said Jo.