BOARD Q&A: Donna Upton

admin51097
May 26
2 min read

Updated: 2 days ago

Business name? CPC Fencing Limited.

Based in? Northland.

In the fencing industry since: 2000.

How did the business come about? My husband started it when he returned from America.

Who is in the team? Phil, Donna, Harrison, Glen, Orlando and Cuatro.

What style of fence is your favourite to build or what do you specialise in? I’m not a fencer so I can’t build it, but Selflock speaks to me.

What's the best thing about being a fencer? Again, not a fencer, but I’m told that seeing what you have achieved at the end of the day/week/year is pretty satisfying.

What project are you most proud of or have most enjoyed? My input into the industry training and career pathway. Seeing people and businesses be BETTER – business-wise, health and safety-wise, and mentally more positive.

What project has been the most challenging? Coordinating fencers around the country, who want training and basically want someone else to do it for them, ha ha.

What has been the hardest part of running a business? In recent years, navigating pandemics and technical recessions.

What keeps you sane as a business owner? (Apps, tools, tricks, people) Horses and alcohol.

If you could use one wish to make any part of your business better, what would you wish for? A lotto win, to be debt-free.

What's one thing you would tell someone new to running a fencing business? Don’t undersell yourself, make sure you’re at the forefront of mind and have good marketing before you need it.

Why do you belong to FCANZ? I belong to FCANZ, because in the time I have been involved, I have met some of the best people around, likeminded and phenomenal. There are some not so cool ones as well, but the good definitely outweigh the bad.

What's for lunch? Today I had half a homemade burrito.

Marmite or Vegemite? Vegemite.

Ranger or Hilux? RAM.

Favourite tool? Husband.

What do you listen to at work? (Podcast or music) Country music or talkback.

Favourite song or podcast? The good ones - Gabby Barret.