Sharon’s Global Celebrity Update

In the Media

About Sharon

Sharon with husband David

Trail-Blazer – Sharon sets the trends which others follow!

A mouth-piece for what’s happening in the community. She has regular contact with forgotten or low esteem entertainers and puts them back in the entertainment scene with her encouragement, support and marketing skills.

Being a true Canterbury person, she declined two offers from an Australian & New York television stations to do similar work in those countries.

She promotes well healed entertainers as well as budding ones- she even had an eight year old doing break-dance on her TV spot.

From New Zealand’s budding stars Hayley Westendra & Backchat to legendary Petula Clark…….

Reading articles for appeals e.g. Backchat in newspapers and helping them find the required funds to go overseas to compete internationally. Backchat is now internationally renowned – as they were further assisted by our friends, former Beach Boys their colleagues- they are now international stars. Sharon was asked by the former Beach Boys to officially announce their association with Backchat, to be first time in history as “The Beach Boys & Surfer Girls” on television.

Perry Drysdale from Snowy Peak getting the first congratulations from Sharon on television as being
The Business Woman Of The Year…………

Proud member of Zonta Christchurch – Canterbury, the National Council of Women, and Sharon does not hesitate to promote her worthwhile clubs.

Sharon believes in helping charities for the ‘good’ of the organisation and not ‘glorifying oneself’. She strongly detests this.

Sharon LIngham’s Motto is NEVER SAY NEVER

Sharon credits her success to team work – her husband David, her son Rodney, all her dedicated staff, her colleagues , friends , members of the community & the Media.

Acting as the ambassador for international & local celebrities, Sharon meets & greets them and beautiful relationship is formed and it is only instinctive for her to promote their shows there.

Ensuring that these celebrities would return to New Zealand either to perform, holiday or even invest in properties here, she is happy to show them around and is great at arranging R & R for them.

Brian Wilson, Rachel Hunter, Vengaboys, Nana Mouscouri, Charley Pride, (late) Gene Pitney, Beach Boys, Sir Edmund Hillary, Petula Clark, Dame Cleo Laine, and the (Late) Kevin Smith are just some of the names.

She’d ask them to autograph various items which would be donated for fund raising – she does not only lift the profile of the participating stars but also able to raise funds for cash strapped organizations.

At a recent Cystic Fibrosis Cricket Gala, Crown Limousine t-shirt signed by Charley Pride was bought by our very proud sports icon Andrew Mehterns.

At another, Robert Lamm (founder of Chicago band), had sent her autographed t-shirt signed by all members ,which she donated to Zonta Club of Christchurch and fetched $550.

Promoting the local events as well as helping raise funds as well as awareness of cash strapped community organizations.

Sharon pioneered the first local television breakfast show in May 2001.

Later, she was one of the contenders to purchase the local television station, CTV.

Sharon has Golden Global Award winning website and has an Oscar to prove it!

Sharon’s dedication to our community speaks for itself as Sharon, along with her husband, David spent 2004 Christmas Day (her only day off) helping the unfortunate and poor at Christchurch City Mission.
And no, she did not seek any payment! Instead, she saved the day by donating items urgently needed for this day.

She wrote her column based on her own website in a very popular glossy magazine, VIP Canterbury – which the stars loved to take home- Sharon’s Canterbury Celebrity Update.

Crown Limousines NZ Ltd has just celebrated its 10th anniversary with clients, friends including media.

Sharon founded the following unique events in New Zealand:

1. The Global Wedding Extravaganza in 2006 ( a celebration of global weddings), attracting a crowd of 7,000 people to all day non-stop entertainment ,followed by global fashion show at Victoria Square, Christchurch. The event had rave reviews which was amplified by the Deputy Mayor, Carole Evans and MP Nicky Wagner. The event was funded by her business, Crown Limousines NZ Ltd and by a limited local businesses. No government or council funding was sought. The event raised funds for the Salvation Army for its family mentoring.

2. The Global Extravaganza in 2008 ( a celebration of global cultures in Victoria Square – funding the event herself with limited business sponsorship. With volunteers, she raised profile and funds for the Ronald McDonald House. She also gave Z Club ( Avonside Girls High School )  an opportunity to profile their existance. The event was also attended by MP’s councillors, and heads of global states.

3. The first Wedding Auction to raise funds for Telethon in New Zealand in 2009. The event incorporated a bridal fashion show at the Chateau on the Park. All goods and services for the auction were donated by leading wedding professionals from Christchurch. It is now hailed as an annual event for the city!

4. Pioneered the first television breakfast show for Canterbury in 2001

Sharon’s official dress / costume designers :Sisters 3 - located at 285 Cashel Street, Christchurch.
Phone (03) 365 2505.

“Sisters 3 was started by one of the sisters, Jude Wastney,who at 50 years of age could not find a job so started making dresses instead of being on being Domestic Purpose Benefit (DPB). Shortly afterwards, two other sisters joined her.
Sisters 3 started from a garage, from one sewing machine to today several and has a large show-room. Community spirited, they also employ refugees and mentally and physically challenged people.
I love their great sense of humour,” says Sharon.

Official Costume jewellery maker: Clara Jewellery

Weaknesses: Memphis Meltdown. A sob story.

Can’t Do Without: Challenge………….. and Cadbury King Size chocolate per day. Also running out of things to say!

Sharon loves: family & friends. Uncomplicated life, positive people, honest, caring, community caring people.

Hates: Show-offs, dishonest, lazy ,rude and negative people, hypocrisy.
( She’s quick to let them know ). Also those who rip off charities.

Inspired By: Terminally ill children & Positive people.

Favourite colour/s: Red & Gold

Favourite day: Thursday

Check out Sharon’s own celebrity column in VIP Magazine ( click at the magazine cover below)

VIP CANTERBURY MAGAZINES SHARON LINGHAM

Letters to Sharon

( I get so many wonderful letters/ emails and your thoughts and encouragement mean so much to me. I am unable to post them all here but will share just a few of them with you).

Hi Sharon,

Hope you did not mind me ringing you as well. You are are just amazing at what you do- like a Goddess
breezing in and out and turning dull things into a magical spark!

There re so many ‘wannbes and divas’ demanding so much but you are so different- you walk the talk!!!!
Christchurch city needs you and we hope you do not get tempted to head for the Lala Land EVER.

Angie and Stace

To Sharon Lingham,

I heard about you from a colleague but was very interested in reading this article, so am forwarding this you from NZ Business Magazine-

Coaching from start-up
While most coaching and mentoring agencies prefer to work with businesses that have been trading from 12 to 24 months, Christchurch-based company Orlova South Ltd was an exception, largely due to the owners’ previous business experience, their $500,000 commitment to the new business, and their mentor’s taste for challenges.
Richard Sturzaker had owned a company installing ‘SolaTubes’, his wife Raewyn had been assistant hotel manager on a cruise ship, and together in 2005 they came up with the idea of running a luxury tour coach business around the South Island. They were influenced largely by the fact that people whom Raewyn had met on the cruise ship were constantly after her to organise accommodation and tour arrangements around the ‘mainland’.
To cut a long story short, it took three years before their first coach was ready for the road, and Orlova South wasn’t launched until January this year. But this is no ordinary coach – this is pure luxury on wheels for up to 12 pampered tourists, with all the ‘bells and whistles’ right down to swivelling leather seats. Go to www.orlovasouth.co.nz and see for yourself.
The Sturzakers spared no expense on design and marketing for their business, and met business mentor Sharon Lingham through a business planning course organised by the Canterbury Development Corporation (CDC). Jill Taiaroa, Mentor Co-ordinator for Business Mentors New Zealand’s Canterbury agency CDC, performed the introductions.
The fact that Orlova South wasn’t trading meant they were ineligible to attend a website design course (which they only discovered half-way through the course) and, strictly speaking, ineligible for mentoring! However, Lingham was prepared to take them on; it seemed to be the perfect match, particularly due to the fact that Lingham co-owns Crown Limousines NZ Ltd, a leading Christchurch based limousine hire company, as well as a limousine manufacturing company. The Sturzakers found their mentor invaluable for guidance and for opening doors.
“We’re in contact by email on average once a fortnight – usually looking for a response to an idea of ours,” says Raewyn. “It’s great because even though we know the ultimate decision is ours, Sharon will always provide us with all the positives and negatives.”
Lingham draws on her extensive business experience in retail, wholesale, manufacturing and marketing to guide her clients, and definitely does it “for passion, not profit.” Early on in the relationship, she was able to help the Sturzakers sort out a budget blow-out by the coach builders and a delivery schedule that had gone from nine weeks to 29 weeks.
Lingham was able to install confidence in the Sturzakers to approach the manufacturers head-on regarding the blow-out and armed with a well laid out document of facts and figures they saved themselves several thousand dollars.
“Initially Richard and Raewyn were a little apprehensive [about our mentoring arrangement], as I was also in the transport industry – but mutual trust was quickly established. They could see I was there only to help them,” recalls Lingham.
“The relationship worked mainly because right from the start they were able to realise that their situation had to change – they had invested so heavily – and I was there to offer advice. And yes, I had to prompt them from time to time – it is a two-way affair.”
Lingham says she is impressed by the Sturzakers and will continue to look out for opportunities for Orlova South. She believes mentoring partnerships work best when there is confidentiality (“all support agencies and mentors should encourage this”); mutual trust; clear two-way communication; and a willingness to take initiative and act on advice.
“And if you do not feel comfortable with a mentor, contact your co-ordinator or agency at once.”
The Sturzakers believe it’s important to secure a mentor involved in a similar industry to yours, and they hope they can continue working with Lingham for as long as possible.
In their five-year plan is another new coach (to maintain Orlova South’s Five-Star Qualmark rating) – and yes, there is an Orlova North on the drawing board.
It just goes to show that a little business support can take you a long way.
Websites applicable to this article include:
www.advantagebusiness.co.nz
www.results.co.nz
Glenn Baker is editor of NZ Business.

Dear Sharon,

We just arrived back from Aussie but had been keeping tab on your website for events and if we can still get tickets for Rockonz and Mama Mia ,we will go.

We love what you do – for us and for the celebs and everyone adores you. Your website is amazing.

Love and respect
James Hardee

Hi Sharon,

I love following your reports and watching you from a distance but was so glad I came forward to meet you yesterday.You are a great inspiration and do not hesitate to spend your time and money on those who need it most.

No wonder you are number one amongst the celebs!
- Cath Pope

Dear Sharon
I was totally blown away by all the great things I read about you in this week’s New Zealand Women’s Weekly. You are  a great inspiration for me.The magazine barely covers all the other wonderful things you have done; like being on a television breakfast show.It is not surprising- you are so beautiful and those eyes reflect so much kindness.
I am jolly glad I checked your website out- you are indeed an incredible woman.
-Jose Grant

To fabulously driven Sharon!
What a delight it was to have you share your life with us at SWAP.
I was particularly privileged to be the one to thank you once again.
Your points read like a book:
-    Never say never
-  Creating excitement
- Watch me
-    Over deliver & know your product
-   Give encouragement and inspiriration to others
Well, you certainly inspired me,as does my weekly dose of SWAP and to many other    fulfilling things. Continued joy in every venture Sharon.
- Gayel

Dear Sharon
Mercedes Benz Art for the Heart.
I am writing on the behalf of Canterbury Branch Team of the National Heart Foundation to thank you most sincerely for your generous support at the event.
We have received very positive feedback from all concerned and want to thank you for your contribution towards this success.
The event raised a profit of nearly $15,000.
Sharon, your kindness and generosity to the Heart Foundation yet again is very much   appreciated. From the artists to the buyers and all those in between this unselfish spirit has been bountiful.
- Kathy Grattan

Dear Sharon
Well done !  Your participation in Canterbury’s Biggest Morning Tea Party has helped to raise over $20,000.
A record number of 4,124 people took part in over 200 Morning Tea Parties aound the region.
On behalf of Board of Trustees, the staff and children of Cholmondely Children’s Home,thank you.
- Joanne Crichton

Dear Sharon
Firstly, many thanks for the limo rides you donated for prizes for our fair.
I recall you offered to promote our fair on your show and we would again like to take this opportunity. You obviously have a very high profile as I have seen your photo in several publications recently.
– C Poulter- St Paul’s School Fundraising Committee

Dear Sharon
I am writing to congratulate you and to say a “Big Thank you” for your input for The Mid-Winter Christmas Ball at the Civic.The success of the event allowed Tradecard NZ to present Age Concern with a cheque of $35,000. This is an exceptional figure from a charity event of this nature.
Your contribution to the Ball was recognised and very much appreciated.Interested parties have already approached me about our charity Ball next year,hoping to be involved.The Press coverage has caused a great surge of interest.
- Lyn ( Lynz Boutique Events )

Dear Sharon
First I’d like to thank you for the opportunity for promoting me on your television show.
I was very impressed with the way you came across on screen – a true tv celebrity yourself.
I am proud to say with your talent and a great business woman, it is absolutely fabulous    having you promoting.
-  Sophie Ellerm, Sophies Cafe.

Dear Sharon
We would like to take this opportunity to thank you personally and on behalf of the Cystic Fibrosis Association for your support for our Charity Cricket and Gala Day. It was another great day for all involved, including over 5000 spectators, 100 sponsors and 80 voluntary workers.
The funds raised will exceed $26,000, which is another record result.
- Bruce Dunstan

Dear Sharon
Thank you for the opportunity to appear on Crown Limousines’ Television Presentation. I enjoyed the experience and appreciated the exposer you gave the Employers’ Chamber.
I am sure it will assist us to gain more members, which is very important to us all.
- Peter Townsend CEO

Hi Sharon
Thanks so much for the time on your show. Please come out and see us one day!
- The Royal New Zealand Air Force Museum Trust

Dear Sharon
We write to thank you for inviting,Pat Colenso,to appear on your Celebrity Spot to promote our organisation, the Citizens Advisory Bureau.We have had good feedback and we appreciate this opportunity to ’spread the word’.
– Nancy Murray

Dear Sharon
On behalf of Parafed Canterbury I would like to thank you for the opportunity to talk on your show about Parafed Canterbury and the services we provide.
Your support of our organisation and now your sponsorship of this televised segment are much appreciated by us and we would like to thank you for your community spirit and foresight.
- Ken Sowden

Dear Sharon
A star is born! I enjoyed reading this article. All the best to you and David.
- Steve B, CSO

Dear Sharon
I did not talk to you at Wise Women’s meeting but I would like to say how much I enjoyed your presentation and what a warm person you are!
It was like a breath of fresh air listening to you how much you enjoy helping people and by giving the extra and not asking for money as you say it comes back to you in other ways.
– Esme Gray

Dear Sharon
If I can call you dear. Both Rita and myself wish to thank your firm and especially yourself and the chauffeur for the new experience of allowing us to feature on your show.From the feedback I have received, the outing proved to successful.
– R & D McRae

Dear Sharon
That was a fabulous article about you I read in the career page of The Press in May.I especially loved your last comment about your dream job.
Hopefully, you noted the publicity we got during President Clinton’s visit.
- L Mclellan, Untouched World

Dear Sharon
Thank you for the donation of t-shirts signed by outstanding personalities.Your idea to include these in an auction is an excellent one. We are, of course delighted to be able to acknowledge your contribution prior to and during the auction.We look forward to hearing from you on the specifics.
-D Lawrence,  Age Concern Canterbury Inc

Dear Sharon
I am most grateful to you. You gave me hope and new life when I thought my career was over.You are my mentor- I will never forget your kindness.
- G

Dear Sharon
Just caught up on my reading- found – Sharon- Celebrity Ambassador- fantastic profile-thrilled I know you.You are a true leader.
- J Lassen, Tradecard

Sharon’s Global Celebrity Update Site can Be found here.

This page has the following sub pages.

• Sharon’s Original Celebrity Update Website
• Sharon Lingham in the Media
• Sharon’s National Events and Concerts
• Sharon’s Global Celebrity Update HitWise Successes