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From humble beginnings and a lack of publishing experience, Karen rose to success with the creation of Tots to Teens magazine. Tots to Teens is a free-to-parent magazine for families with children aged 0 – 12 years. With regional editions in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch, Tots to Teens offers local business access to their local market, while providing national advertisers an excellent vehicle to reach parents across the main centres of New Zealand.

Born in New Zealand, Karen spent fifteen years overseas, returning as a single Mum with two small children. With no job, no money, but a drive to do better for her kids, Tots to Teens was born. Without journalistic or publishing knowledge, Karen delivered the first edition to Auckland parents in August 2003.

An initial circulation of 55,000 quickly turned into 60,000 due to reader demand. In June 2004 the Wellington circulation began, and in August 2004 Christchurch jumped on the Tots to Teens wagon. The magazine now circulates no less than 130,000 copies every edition!

In May 2005, Karen bought Kids New Zealand Ltd – a parenting website and directory. At purchase the site received around 2,000 unique browsers a month – as of January 2009 it receives over 85,000 unique browsers a month and is New Zealand’s number one parenting website. In 2006 Karen sold 75% of this website to an Australian company and rebranded it to Kidspot.

In June 2005, Karen was awarded both “Most Inspirational Role Model” and “Best New Business” at the Her Business Awards.

Her family has expanded to 6 children (3 of her own and 3 ‘bonus’ children), she still runs Tots to Teens and sits of the board of Kidspot NZ.

Karen shares her journey from single Mum to Managing Director, as well as her success in business and her personal life.