Since opening Miss Gee’s Bar & Eatery in 2019, we have been faced with many speed bumps and much uncertainty.
From Covid-19, to staff shortages, to the current cost-of-living crisis, it has been an extreme four years of learning. Having the ability to adapt and learn has really helped the success of Miss Gee’s.
I did a period of mentorship with a hospitality coach who taught me some basic, but super-important elements to build into my business, and Miss Gee’s has excelled to be where it is today.
Last year we won the Outstanding Bar award at the Bay of Plenty Hospitality Awards.
I also won Future Leader of the Year at the national Hospitality New Zealand Awards for Excellence – an award for those who had less than three years’ experience in the industry.
In June this year, we took out the award for Best Late Night / Live Entertainment Venue at the national awards again.
To win this award, especially being up against some heavy hitters in the industry, was amazing and given all the ups-and-downs over the last few years, this really feels like a great achievement.
In December 2022 I decided to join the Mainstreet Tauranga board. Being a ratepayer in the city centre, I was keen to see how I could help fellow retailers and bring change to the narrative of our struggling CBD. I was soon voted in as Chair and did not hesitate to seize the opportunity to steer the ship with some fresh ideas and guts.
I am loving being involved with Mainstreet Tauranga. There is a lot of work being done in the background that not everyone gets to see, but I am doing everything I can to relaunch our city centre to attract more businesses and create a vibrancy that our community can be proud of.
I live to help others. I have always been a team player and get real enjoyment from seeing others succeed.
I was captain of many teams throughout my school life and grew up on a farm where I had to start working at an early age, so hard work and perseverance is in my DNA.
Being in the role of Chair for Mainstreet Tauranga has helped me to really extend my capabilities and apply myself to my community.
Throughout my career, working for my community and creating experiences for other people has given me the most satisfaction and enjoyment I have ever had.
I am passionate about giving young people the confidence to put their hands up and put forward their ideas.
Related: Ashleigh Gee: The Gee Whizz
