Sometimes the best ideas begin with one person, one conversation, and one purpose.

For us, that person was Chenin Madden.

A Queenstown-based award-winning wellbeing coach, author, and founder of Cre8ting Balance, Chenin has dedicated her life to helping women live healthier, more empowered lives. After overcoming her own journey with chronic fatigue, she wrote You Are Your Purpose – Processing Past Emotions for an Empowered Life and began creating her next book, Women in Wellbeing Aotearoa — a collection of stories celebrating women who have devoted their lives to supporting the health and wellbeing of others.

I was incredibly honoured to be invited as one of the Marlborough wāhine to contribute to the book.

But what truly touched me wasn't just the book itself — it was the heart behind it. Chenin wasn't creating it for recognition or profit. Every dollar from book sales would be donated to Women's Refuge NZ, supporting women and families who need it most.

Her compassion, generosity, and unwavering commitment to helping women who are navigating incredibly difficult circumstances was inspiring. It reminded us of the incredible things that can happen when women come together with a shared purpose.

And that's how Women Who Lunch 2024 came to life.

Sponsors, business owners, and supporters generously donated funding, goodie bag gifts, auction items, raffle prizes, and their time. It became a beautiful example of what happens when a community rallies behind something bigger than itself.

The afternoon was filled with heartfelt 10-minute stories from an incredible lineup of local women. They spoke openly about courage, resilience, transformation, finances, life's unexpected twists, and the lessons that have shaped them. There was laughter, there were tears, and there were countless moments that reminded us we're never alone in our journeys.

It felt a little like Chicken Soup for the Soul — the kind of afternoon that fills your cup, leaves your heart a little fuller, and reminds you of the strength found in sharing our stories.

Together, we raised funds for Women's Refuge NZ through the generosity of our sponsors, guests, and supporters, along with proceeds from Chenin's book. More importantly, we created a space where women could connect, encourage one another, and celebrate the extraordinary impact we can have when we lift each other up.

As the afternoon came to an end, there was one question on everyone's lips...