Fiona Tomlinson's story stands out as a testament to resilience and determination and in FMCG, where success often hinges on innovation and adaptability her determination was evident.
Following a health scare that left her grappling with a rare condition affecting her vision, Tomlinson realised the importance of diversifying her professional pursuits. With her vision compromised, her career as a commercial photographer ended abruptly.
However, inspiration can sometimes arise from unexpected circumstances, and Tomlinson decided to diversify.
"I realised how vulnerable I was being the worker and the brand, so I looked for something that didn't need me to do all the work," said Tomlinson.
"I bought a little macaron business from a woman heading overseas, and the business grew quickly".
"Macarons NZ grew into a great wee business, and we needed to scale production significantly to service the volume of customers required to make the economies work," said Tomlinson.
Tomlinson's next project was co-founding Sidekick Soda in 2022 to create better options for consumers in the food and beverage space. Sidekick Sodas are all-natural, honey-sweetened, and gluten-free, targeting health-conscious consumers.
"Finding inspiration within the industry and great mentors has benefited business growth."
"If I were to give one piece of advice to someone embarking on the FMCG journey, it would be to work for a company you admire first and learn from them.
"Think about the gaps in the market—aim for the 80% familiar rule and 20% innovative rule. And never think you have to do things like everyone else does."
Amidst the challenges and achievements, Tomlinson remains driven by her commitment to offering better-for-you options in the food and beverage space.
From scaling production to securing partnerships with renowned retailers like Erewhon in California, she remains steadfast in her mission to revolutionise consumer choices and promote healthier lifestyles.
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