When Bookkeeping Met Optics: A Local Biz Collab Story

There’s something uniquely powerful about women in business coming together… not just to network, but to collaborate, uplift, and genuinely see each other. That’s what this story is about. It’s about local connection, trust, shared values, and mutual empowerment. It’s about two women in business doing what they love — and helping each other do it even better.

I’d love to introduce you to someone special: Pene Fox, the warm, witty, and wildly talented woman behind Bespectacled Optical Dispensary. Pene is a qualified dispensing optician with decades of experience and a serious eye for frames that make people feel like their best selves.

Our paths crossed through a local networking group, and since then, our professional relationship has grown into something deeply rewarding — for both of us. I’ve supported her behind the scenes with her bookkeeping; she’s helped me step up my glasses game (and my confidence). This is the story of that collaboration.

Building Clarity: The Journey

When Pene reached out for help, it wasn’t because things were falling apart, but like so many sole operators, she was carrying the mental weight of not knowing what was happening in her business finances. Her Xero was a bit tangled, things weren’t quite reconciling consistently, and she didn’t feel in control. And that’s such a common story.

What I admire most about Pene is that she did something about it. She said, “I want to do this better, but I need some help.” That vulnerability - and the courage to act on it - is something I don’t often enough in women business owners. We’re often wearing all the hats, juggling family life, clients, admin, marketing, operations, and trying to stay sane at the same time.

Together, we rolled up our sleeves and got stuck in. We cleaned up her Xero, put systems in place that actually fit her rhythm and how she works, and started having checking in so she felt confident reading her reports and tracking her numbers. I also connected her with a fabulous local accountant, (another amazing local woman in business!) someone who aligned with her values and could offer that next level of financial guidance.

And as we worked together, another thing became clear — Pene had a beautifully designed website, but no one had ever shown her how to use it. The developer had built it and essentially left her to figure things out alone, with no training, no documentation, and no real support. I helped her simplify the back end, understand how to make updates, and feel more confident navigating her site — so she could actually own that part of her business, instead of feeling stuck or dependent.

And here’s the beautiful part: you could see the shift in her energy almost instantly. That overwhelmed, fuzzy feeling was replaced with calm. She was back in the driver’s seat, financially, digitally, and emotionally. And you could tell she was ready to grow.

It wasn’t just about tidy books or a functional website. It was about giving her back time, mental space, and belief in her own capability.

What Makes Pene (and Bespectacled) So Different

If you haven’t met Pene yet, let me paint a picture. She’s passionate, stylish, and absolutely lit up by helping people feel good in their own skin — or more accurately, in their own specs.

At Bespectacled, she runs a home-based optical dispensary in idyllic Ti Point. It’s not a clinical, fast-paced optometry chain. It’s calm, welcoming, and entirely tailored to you. You’re not rushed through a 15-minute frame try-on while someone upsells you. You sit down, have a chat, and leave with glasses that feel like you.

One thing Pene is really passionate about is consumer empowerment. Many people don’t realise that once you’ve had your eye test with an optometrist, that prescription is yours. You’re not locked into buying glasses from the same place. And Pene wants more people to know that.

She encourages clients to bring their prescription and take the time to choose frames that fit their lifestyle, personality, and aesthetic. She stocks unique, stylish frames - including New Zealand-designed options - and guides you toward what truly suits you, not what’s “on promo”.

It’s about choice. Autonomy. Style. And not settling for something “meh” just because it’s convenient.

From Client to Collaborator... and Back Again

While I’ve been helping Pene navigate her numbers, she’s also helped me in a totally different (but equally empowering) way.

Like a lot of women juggling work and family, I’d been putting off getting new glasses. I needed something functional, but I also wanted to feel good in them… especially since I’m often meeting with clients and representing my brand.

When I finally booked in with Pene, the experience was honestly next level. She took time to understand how I use my glasses, how I want to feel in them, and what my day-to-day looks like. Then she gently nudged me toward frames I wouldn’t have picked on my own, but once I tried them on, I felt like me… but upgraded.

That’s her magic. She sees people. She gets them. And she gives you back a bit of confidence you didn’t know you were missing.

The Power of Women Empowering Women

What I love most about working with Pene is that it never felt transactional. From the beginning, it felt like a collaboration. We were both invested in each other’s success.

And I think that’s something really special that happens when women in business support one another. It’s not just “you do this for me, I’ll do this for you.” It’s deeper. It’s about shared energy, mutual encouragement, and showing up for each other - whether it’s to clean up a Xero file or find the perfect frames for a busy mum who hasn’t bought new glasses in five years.

We both know what it’s like to build a business around your values. We know how it feels to doubt ourselves, and how powerful it is when someone else reminds you that you’ve got this.

When women are collaborating - instead of competing - incredible things happen. That’s why local business relationships like this one are so important. They ripple outward into stronger communities, more sustainable businesses, and a more inclusive, empowering version of entrepreneurship.

Final Words (and a bit of a plug!)

Working with Pene has been a joyful business experience that reminded me why I do what I do. I’m not just here to crunch numbers - I’m here to help people succeed, feel supported, and grow something that truly reflects who they are.

Bespectacled Optical Dispensary

If you’re looking for incredible, confidence-boosting eyewear (or you just want someone who genuinely cares about helping you feel good) go and see Pene.

Personalised eyewear, expert advice, and fierce style.

www.bespectacled.co.nz
pene@bespectacled.co.nz
5 Laika Ave, Ti Point, Warkworth

And if you’re a business owner needing someone to help you untangle your books and build clarity, I’m always here.

Let’s keep supporting each other. Let’s keep collaborating. Because business, especially for women, is better when we build it together.