LJ'S STORY
Phase 5: Power, Influence & Making a Difference
Phase 6: Growth
Phase 1: The Farm & Family Business
LJ grew up in the
Palmerston North,
New Zealand
"Centre of
the Universe"
from the ages of 10-20 LJ was surrounded by her parents 15+ businesses
The Farm
so she decided she would
"build bigger
businesses
than her dad"
Graduated with a
from Massey University
triple major
Family Businesses
(Computer Science, Accounting & Finance, CPA)
Phase 2: The Professional Years
at Pricewaterhouse
First real job
she met
Greg Kidd
who asked her the ultimate question
& became Partner
"Do you want to build a billion dollar business?"
Phase 3: The First 1/2 Billion
so they looked at on demand courier services in New Zealand and created DMS
The Grand Adventure
LJ headed to America on the Siberian express and got to go behind the wall! (CHANGE TEXT)!!
Raising for IPO
Became the first kiwi to graduate from
Wharton Business School
Listed DMS on the NASDAQ
she was hit by a taxi cab and
broke her back
in 3 places
but almost lost EVERYTHING in
the process...
Phase 4: The Portfolio Life
found a life partner along the way
Took a Sabattical
Had achieved success.
But didn't have any of the things
that really mattered...
so she decided she would
so they started:
"do everything she wanted to do in life"
Learnt the Jellybean Formula
their family
Porthos Wines
I say so
The Global Godesses
WOW for Africa
volunteering at
The Red Cross (Bay Area Chapter)
sent out her thoughts for a new busines
was faxed a term sheet for $5m
which was the very beginning of Les Concierges
Phase 5: Power, Influence & Making a Difference
They sold both of their companies to:
Focus on Family
Take on Board Positions
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Specifically Director & Chair roles
Realised she loved boards but mostly the growth space
"Only 3% of companies have women chairs"
Founded LevelUp
Wanted to find the best way to mentor MANY Not just 1-2 founders
In person & virtual cohorts to learn from LJs mistakes and speed up their growth journey