News release
15 April 2008
Helping kiwis to get ahead
In tough times, some people see opportunity. Jacqui Thomas is one of those. She’s spent the past year getting on top of
more than $100,000 in debt, and, she says, anyone can do it.
Jacqui established the “millionaire mummy” project last March as a way to inspire like-minded people through her
experiences trying to get out of debt, and up to $1 million in assets. Jacqui fell short of her goal, but is far from
feeling like a failure.
“I have paid off nasty credit card debt. I no longer have to stress out about debt collectors bullying me, or that my
eftpos card is going to be declined at the supermarket. All of which is wonderful!
“I’ve invested in a couple of properties (I had no assets before), and I have a new business that I’m really excited
about.”
Jacqui says the biggest lesson from the project has been that “Knowledge is Power”. The more you learn, the better it
gets. But she has also learned that getting ahead is not an activity for the solo practitioner. The people you have
around you are all-important to achieving your goals.
“I’ve read lots of self-help books, I’ve even written one. Sure, there’s knowledge in books, but without people around
you to bounce ideas off, to keep you motivated, and to show you how, you’re really limited in what you can achieve.”
Encouragingly, Jacqui says she’s found that it isn’t money she’s needed to get ahead financially, but time. “With time,
you can increase your knowledge and networks, and this is how you make money.” However, for a single parent, time is a
scarce commodity, and proved a hurdle to achieving her goal.
“”The project was equally focused on being a great mother as becoming a millionaire, and maintaining that balance was
critical. That split my energy and focus, but I have no regrets about that.”
In fact there are no regrets at all.
Jacqui has cleared her debts and unleashed her entrepreneurial potential. She has just launched getahead.co.nz, an
online resource offering inspiration, motivation, knowledge and knowhow, networks and opportunities to help people
improve their financial situations. It combines what she considers to be the essential elements of money, mindset,
business and property.
Through her experience over the past year, Jacqui developed a valuable network of successful people, passionate about
helping others get ahead too. These partners and professional experts are the ‘brains trust’ behind the new website.
“The aim is to assist and support a community of people who want to get ahead financially,” Jacqui says. “It’s a
positive initiative, in an economic climate that’s increasingly negative.”
ENDS