Jenene Crossan is a renowned tech entrepreneur and social justice advocate from Aotearoa New Zealand. She is proud of her Ngai Tahu heritage.
From a young age, Jenene demonstrated her passion and determination. At the tender age of 20 in the year 2000, Jenene launched her first business, nzgirl, one of the world's first online magazines. The venture achieved remarkable success, earning her prestigious awards, including the e-business of the year, and personal recognition as a finalist for Marketer of the Year and the Veuve Clicquot Award. The pinnacle of her achievements in ad-land came with a Gold Lion from the Cannes Advertising Festival in France and Best in Show at the NZ Axis Awards.
Taking what she had learned about marketing, in 2004 Jenene co-founded 18 Ltd, a youth research company, which she successfully sold to Research International in 2006.
In 2010, Jenene embarked on her fifth start-up journey with the launch of flossie.com, which later transformed into Powered by Flossie (PBF) in 2018. PBF is a cutting-edge global software company that operates in the USA, EU, and UK, collaborating with industry giants like L’Oréal and Estée Lauder. PBF is at the forefront of beauty tech for the hair services industry, digitising the relationship between international hair product companies and their extensive networks of independently owned salons, along with their software systems. Their mission is to revolutionise how hair companies interact with their salon partners, driving growth and fostering mutual success.
The company's exponential growth has been recognized, and it is backed by an impressive list of investors, including Sir Stephen Tindall and Theresa Gattung, prominent figures in the business and investment community.
Beyond her entrepreneurial endeavours, Jenene is a strong advocate for social justice causes. After contracting COVID-19 in early 2020 and experiencing "Long Covid," she became a leading voice and founder of the non-profit organisation, Long Covid Support Aotearoa (LCSA). Additionally, she serves as a co-investigator and founder of the University of Auckland's Long Covid Registry/Matauranga Raranga research project.
Jenene actively mentors and engages in public speaking, inspiring others to achieve their goals. With a deep sense of cultural pride, Jenene collaborates as a Ropu Maori member (advisory boards) for both research projects across the motu, including Victoria University and University of Auckland.
Her commitment to community extends to her home in Piha, where she played a key role in the recovery and rebuilding efforts after Cyclone Gabrielle. She created the Piha Matariki Festival and continues to support and fundraise for displaced families.
Driven by her passion for change, innovation and service, Jenene Crossan's entrepreneurial journey and advocacy continue to leave a lasting impact on both the tech industry and society at large.
Talking Points
Consumer Marketing
In this engaging presentation, your audience will leave full of ideas and inspiration, including:Consumer Marketing
1. How Jenene founded some of New Zealand’s most well-known digital brands turned them into beloved consumer brands (including Simplicity KiwiSaver as a founding director)
2. Her award-winning marketing strategies that propelled created international recognition.
3. The importance of understanding and connecting with the target audience to build successful consumer brands.
Digital / Technology
A fantastic keynote full of key take aways on the Digital and Technology landscape. Your audience will leave with insights on:Digital / Technology
1. The journey from web development to founding a global software company, Powered by Flossie.
2. Innovating technology solutions for enterprise hair and beauty product brands, like L’Oréal and Estée Lauder.
3. Navigating the digital landscape and staying ahead of industry trends.
4. The role of technology in shaping the future of businesses and society.
Future Trends
In this in-demand topic, Jenene shares how you can thrive in change:Future Trends
1. Identifying emerging trends and adapting business strategies accordingly.
2. Insights on the future of e-commerce, services, and consumer behaviour.
3. Leveraging technology to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving market.
4. The impact of changing trends on social and economic landscapes.
Entrepreneurship
An inspiring story of an entrepreneur! In this presentation, Jenene will share:Entrepreneurship
1. Her journey from high-school drop out to becoming a serial tech entrepreneur.
2. Overcoming challenges and obstacles faced while building successful ventures.
3. The importance of taking risks and embracing failure as part of the entrepreneurial journey.
4. Tips and advice for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to start their own ventures.
Inspiration
Jenene shares her inspiring journey through the ups and downs of her personal experiences. A moving and motivating presentation!Inspiration
1. Drawing inspiration from personal experiences and challenges.
2. The power of resilience and tenacity in achieving goals.
3. Motivating others to pursue their passions and dreams.
4. Inspiring women and underrepresented communities to break barriers and excel in their chosen fields.
Management
The perfect presentation for all leaders! Jenene will share her insights on:Management
1. Building and leading diverse and high-performing teams.
2. Her approach to fostering a positive and innovative work culture.
3. Effective management strategies for scaling businesses globally.
4. Balancing leadership responsibilities while being actively involved in social causes.
Women in Business
In this inspiring and thought-provoking presentation, your audience will learn:Women in Business
1. Insights on Jenene's journey as a successful woman entrepreneur in the tech industry.
2. Advocating for gender equality and empowering women in leadership roles.
3. Challenges faced by women in business and strategies to overcome them.
4. The importance of mentorship and supporting women's career advancement.
Jenene was absolutely fantastic. Our audience were very responsive to her delivery, her honesty and her sense of humour. She did a great job of entertaining our guests, whilst still delive ... keep reading Newmarket Business Association
