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Business, Members

Gail’s Flowers Joins NZ Business Connect: A Lifetime of Passion and Excellence in Floristry

It is a pleasure to introduce Gail Jones, founder of Gail’s Flowers, as a new member of NZ Business Connect. Gail’s journey in floristry began in 1963 when, at just 18 years old, she opened her own florist shop after being told she was “overqualified” for employment. Determined to follow her dream of working with flowers, Gail built her own path and has spent over six decades creating arrangements that bring beauty and meaning to life’s most important moments. From weddings and funerals to family milestones, births, and celebrations, Gail’s Flowers provides floral arrangements for every occasion. The business also offers corsages and buttonholes for school balls, gift baskets, house plants, and a growing range of dried flowers. With a central Hamilton store filled year-round with blooms and gifts, along with an online ordering system and an active social media presence on Facebook, TikTok, YouTube and Instagram, Gail’s Flowers is both a trusted local florist and a modern, forward-looking business. What sets Gail apart is her rare combination of qualifications, international experience, and creative flair. Holding a Diploma with the New Zealand Professional Florists Association, membership with the American Institute of Floral Designers, and recognition as a Professional Floral Communicators International member, Gail has earned a reputation for excellence worldwide. Her achievements include placing second in the prestigious Interflora World Cup and serving as Manager Head Referee for the 2012 Interflora World Cup in China. For customers, this means every arrangement comes with the assurance of quality design, expert craftsmanship, and a personal touch. Gail’s wealth of experience also allows her to meet special requests, from unique and unusual designs to bespoke floral creations tailored for each client. At the heart of Gail’s Flowers are the values of honesty, design, service, and customer value. With over 60 years of dedication to her craft, Gail remains committed to offering her community not just flowers, but thoughtful creations that mark life’s most treasured occasions. NZ Business Connect is proud to welcome Gail’s Flowers, a business built on passion, experience, and a lifelong love of floristry. Contact Gails Flowers 07 839 0988 gailjones@gails.co.nz https://gails.co.nz Contact NZ Business Connect 027 458 7724 phillip@nzbusinessconnect.co.nz

Food, Members

Sweet Success and Community Spirit – Izzy Hughes from The Girl On The Swing Joins NZ Business Connect

We’re excited to welcome Izzy Hughes, owner of The Girl On The Swing, to the NZ Business Connect network. A familiar name in Hamilton, The Girl On The Swing is a cake shop known for its stunning custom cakes, cupcakes, cookies and personalised treats that add a special touch to any occasion. From corporate gifts and weddings to school fundraisers and community events, Izzy and his team deliver with care and creativity. Izzy took over the business two and a half years ago, building on its strong legacy and expanding its offerings. What was once focused mainly on buttercream cakes has grown into a hub of cake artistry, now including detailed fondant and royal icing designs. With Fernando, a highly skilled cake decorator with nearly 20 years’ experience, by his side, Izzy has elevated the standard of custom cakes in the Waikato. Community is at the heart of everything The Girl On The Swing does. Izzy is a strong believer in giving back, regularly supporting local schools, charities and events. From judging school bake sales and speaking to food tech classes to donating cupcakes for charity fundraisers, he shows time and again that his business is about more than profit. Looking ahead, Izzy is launching a new section of the website to offer cake decorating supplies to customers across New Zealand. He’s also planning to grow the business by offering wholesale options to other cake shops and home bakers, with a vision to create a thriving online store and eventually refit the shop for even better customer experience. The Girl On The Swing has become a trusted choice for a wide range of customers, from busy mums and engaged couples to home bakers and corporate clients looking to treat their teams or impress stakeholders. Whether you’re after a show-stopping cake, branded cupcakes for a business event, or thoughtful treats delivered across Hamilton, Izzy and his team bring creativity, care, and a personal touch to every order. To place an order or find out more, visit thegirlontheswing.co.nz or contact Izzy through the website. 07 855 4107 Info@thegirlontheswing.co.nz Contact NZ Business Connect 027 458 7724 phillip@nzbusinessconnect.co.nz

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