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Shane and Vanessa were born and bred Kiwis who took a life detour
to Australia. While in Oz, Shane managed meat departments of a major
supermarket chain, while Vanessa managed a vet practice.
By the time they were thirty, these keen DIYers had bought and renovated
three houses, racking up hands-on experience that gave them insight into
the hardware business. “We’ve always taken pleasure in turning something
rather feral into something beautiful,” Vanessa chuckles.
After 11 years the couple boomeranged back to NZ in 2011 with a lot of
retail experience, and a daughter Tahlia, now five. The family packed up –
“house, kid, horse, and dog” – and barrelled it home to Cooks Beach, where
they bought shares in Cooks Beach Timber and Hardware. They also took
over the day-to-day management.
MORE THAN JUST A HARDWARE STORE
After listening to the locals, they expanded beyond hardware and building
supplies. “We added services like dive bottle and kayak hire plus air fills,
and stocked more fishing, boating and diving gear – which proved popular.”
They doubled the floor stock and become more ‘user friendly’ to the
community with goods to cater to both holiday makers or bach owners, and
‘tradies’. (Buying power under ‘BuildLink’ has allowed them to offer very
competitive pricing to the trades.)
In 2013 they were able to gain 100% ownership and decided to expand
even more. “An increase in our deliveries to the Tairua area prompted us to
purchase the Tairua Home Hardware store,” shares Vanessa, and they are
now the proud new owners.
How do they do all this as a couple, and manage to stay sane? “Just as with
the home renovations in Oz, we keep areas of responsibility very separate,”
explains Vanessa. “And now with the two stores, we are even in separate
towns. I manage Tairua and Shane handles Cooks Beach. Of course, we do
come together to discuss and coordinate.”
“Our plan with the Tairua store, for instance, is much the same as it was with
Cooks Beach,” explains Shane. “We will rebrand this store to ‘BuildLink’,
offering a bigger and better range of supplies for not only the DIYers but
also the holiday makers and tradesman.” Both stores offer free quotes off
the plans as well as free delivery in the area.
“We have added a dive compressor and dive bottle hire to complement the
existing stock of good quality fishing and boating supplies.” They work with
Dive Zone in Whitianga to provide a full range of services including Hydro
Testing, all dive gear
repairs, and much more.
“The locals and business
owners in Tairua are super
friendly – a delight to
work alongside.”
Call in and introduce
yourself. Don’t forget to
tell Shane and Vanessa
you saw them in
Coromandel Life!
AMBITIOUS COUPLE
NOW OWNS TWO STORES
SHANE OSBORNE AND VANESSA COORY
Shane taking a break to enjoy life on their
lifestyle block with daughter Tahlia.
2 Blacksmith Lane, Whitianga •
Open 7 days
from 11.30 til late
for lunch
and dinner
or simply enjoy
scrumptious tapas or
shared plates on the
marina vista deck
Located
on the
Whitianga
Marina
07 866 5818
FOR BOOKINGS
2 Blacksmith Lane • Whitianga •
A premiere
restaurant at a
great waterfront
location...
offering exquisite
contemporary
European cuisine
using fresh seasonal
local produce
2
includes food & beverage
Wedding packages
to suit any
number of guests
an idyllic venue for
your special day Weddings...our specialty
Salt’s Wedding Package
37
07-866 4595
23 Captain Cook Rd • Cooks Beach 3591
Open seven days all year with longer hours over summer
See our fine selection of NZ wines, beers and spirits,
plus unique gifts for all occasions
Cooks Beach Liquor Store
A GREAT LIQUOR STORE AND MORE!
Furniture & side pieces • Artwork • Barbeque sauces & vinegrettes
Stylish ferry trolleys • Ashdene fine china • NZ-made mugs & dishes
Greeting cards • Holiday gifts for sending overseas • Ornaments
Linen & cushions
Merino gloves & socks
NZ-made fragrances & lotions
for men and women