Here to Help
At Sloans we know what it is to be busy. Balancing work, family, business, farming and animals...you name it!
We are here to help; our mission is to create, using smart thinking to do good business. So if it is helping you create for your home or your business...creating fixes, living solutions, new, refurbished or repaired... we are here to get into it with you!
Sloans Owners Justine and Rachael believe in "local" and love being in a business that makes life better.
We live life like you - balancing our business, family, home and pets - and we know what a difference great service from a local business can make. We are committed to No Hassle, No Fuss and want to help you solve your problem, treasure the thing that is special to you or create that 'new' look with friendly, helpful service. We love creating and love helping....so if you want to know if we can create or help you just ask!
Putting a modern twist on the iconic local Sloans "can do and will do" attitude, at Sloans we really are here to help!
Sloans Story
Sloans began 60 years ago with the Sloans Family. Neil Sloan worked in the family business from his teenage years growing the Sloans business beyond a factory into saddlery and then party hire.
Known for their creative fabrication, PVC and canvas work, marquee hire and saddlery shop Sloans, and giant horse Geldoff out front, is a local Waipukurau icon.
Neil retired in 2021, selling the business to Justine Kidd and Rachael Riddell. Justine and Rachael have worked together since 2004, first meeting at Equestrian Sports NZ where Justine was CEO and Rachael was Eventing Sport Manager. Their careers shifted to Central Hawkes Bay with the family owned BEL Group farming business before shifting again to lead the Chinese owned Theland Farm Group before deciding to work in their own business....and that leading to the purchase of Sloans.
Purchasing Sloans has created a wonderful business ownership journey. Justine and Rachael are loving the journey of creating a business the Sloans team love coming to every day and evolving the Sloans offering to create a local business, focused on NZ Owned and NZ Made, helping our customers solve for their motor trimming, upholstery and indoor/outdoor living needs.
Justine and Rachael bring a breadth of corporate experience and wanted to work in their own business, making a positive difference everyday for the people of their community. A rapid learning curve, a great team and lots of enthusiasm mixed with their tenacious attitudes is building the Sloans of today, here to help you!
Loving the challenge of learning the trade.
Free time spent hanging with her kids (and animals!).
Gets a kick out of customers loving their 'new' furniture looks!
Loving the challenge of growing new business models.
Free time spent hanging with her animals.
Gets a kick out of helping our customers create their 'looks'.
Meet the team
Shop Front Team
Our friendly Shop Front team includes:
Justine Kidd ; our 'of course we can girl' Justine is our team cheerleader. She really is here to help, loves solving problems, applies creative thinking and brings a connection to her animals that goes back to her earliest memories.
Justine has also had international equestrian experience supporting the NZ Team to the 2004 Olympics and the 2006 World Equestrian Games, is currently a National Dressage Selector as well as riding at national championship level herself.
You'll find her (and four-legged pals Nes and Heidi) in store ready to help get creative, get practical or with any pet or equine care and wellbeing questions.
Karen Hine: bringing a wealth of experience in customer and account management Karen is big on 'customer care' and loves making sure we help our customers get what they need.
Karen has worked in some big businesses, like Heinz Wattie, but traded that corporate career for the Central Hawkes Bay lifestyle....lucky for us!
Karen is also a 'big' dog person with besties the beautiful Bernese Mountain Dog 'Alfie' and the gorgeous Golden Retriever 'Reggie' who will also give you a friendly tail wag and a cuddle (if you are up for it) in store!
Living & Workshop Team
The Sloans Living and Workshop team includes:
Rachael Riddell ; not only is Rachael our systems and finance guru she also brings her design talent and flair to the Workshop and Living projects.
Rachael is officially an Industrial Textiles Apprentice and learning 'the trade' from Steve and loves a good furniture upcycle project...at one point we thought she had a 'couch' addiction...but it turns out she just loves creating new looks and exploring the latest in fabric and design trends.
Steve Bradley; we think is one of the best in the trade whether it is motor trimming, tent making or upholstery he has awesome creativity and exacting standards that mean what he produces not only looks great but it does what it is designed to do!
Steve has a real treasure trove of knowledge and experience and loves creating practical solutions, designing and patterning and creating the 'perfect' finish.
Tess Gordon; in her final year of her Industrial Textiles apprenticeship Tess is also learning the trade under Steve's watchful eye. Tess has an eye for detail and a genuine care in all of her work that creates a first class finish every time.
Tess is completing great upholstery work that enjoys rave reviews from customers and is loving growing her professional skill base across the commercial fabrication and motor trimming projects...we love having her in the team!
We would love to hear from you...
We are here to help...just drop us a line
Pop into our store or
Give us a bell....