When Sarah’s husband decided to start his own plumbing business, she was proud of him. He had the skills, the drive, and the vision. But very quickly, she found herself at the kitchen table late at night, surrounded by invoices, booking jobs, chasing payments, and making sure the tax paperwork was up to date.

What began as “helping out” became a full-time commitment. Before long, Sarah was essentially running the business behind the scenes — while raising two young children and putting her own plans for study and career on the backburner.

Sarah’s story isn’t unique. Across Aotearoa, many women step into the role of silent business manager for their partner’s trade dreams. They keep the wheels turning, often without recognition, while their own aspirations get pushed further down the list.

For many wāhine, the arrival of children makes the juggle even harder. Nap times are swapped for reconciling accounts, and school pick-ups dictate the shape of the working day. Dreams of launching their own venture, upskilling, or even just having time to explore what they want are quietly shelved.

But here’s what’s powerful: those dreams don’t disappear. They wait. They wait for a season when you’re ready to remember yourself.

Taking Small Steps Back to You

Reclaiming your path doesn’t have to mean walking away from the business or whānau you’ve invested in. It’s about carving out space — even in the smallest ways — to reconnect with your own purpose.

Permission – Give yourself permission to dream again. It’s not selfish; it’s essential.

Learning – A workshop, a podcast, or a short course can spark new confidence and remind you of your capability.

Connection – Surround yourself with wāhine who understand the juggle. There’s strength in knowing you’re not alone.

Small wins – Celebrate progress, even if it’s as simple as setting aside one hour a week just for your growth.

Vision – Start sketching out what your future could look like. A dream written down becomes a plan.

You’re Not Alone

At Te Ara Wāhine: Women in Trade, Women in Business, we know these stories because we’ve lived them. This kaupapa was created as a pipeline for courage, confidence, and connection — a place where wāhine can step out from behind the admin desk, pause, and invest in themselves.

Because yes, you can support someone else’s vision. But you also deserve the chance to live your own.