Fiona Laryn’s Path with SQL: Building a Thriving Business & Network
Fiona Laryn is a founder, business owner and osteopath based in Queenstown. She has a master’s degree in osteopathy and in 2017 founded Laryn Allied Health, which offers osteopathy, acupuncture and other therapies in clinics in Frankton and Wanaka.
She recently got involved with Startup Queenstown Lakes’ 10-week Startup Booster course, which aims to develop participants’ entrepreneurial skills.
Picture: Fiona Laryn in the classroom with Startup Booster Cohort of 2024.
SQL: Why did you sign up for Startup Booster?
Fiona: I really liked the idea of learning more about all aspects of startups. Despite the fact that I’ve been in business for years, I always think that you can improve on what you know.
It’s really interesting and beneficial, even for existing business owners, to go on an intensive, deep dive into every aspect of starting up a company, business or new project. You get to see others’ perspectives and stay up-to-date with current trends and business practices. And you meet fabulous people!
SQL: How has your experience at Startup Booster impacted you?
Fiona: The programme was phenomenal. I love learning, and I appreciate a challenge. The opportunity to sponge from so many experts who work at a high level in their fields and learn from them was incredible.
You wouldn’t normally have access to experts like these – not without years and years of networking – so to be able to connect and learn from them is both humbling and fantastic.
Picture: Fiona Laryn (5th from left) with the Startup Booster Cohort of 2024.
SQL: What’s next for you?
Fiona: I’m already applying some of the skills I have learned to my current business. It’s always nice to develop new things and new ideas, even when they’re tied to your existing business. But I hope to be able to use all the skills I’ve learned on a future project, too.
SQL: Why did you decide to found your business in the Queenstown Lakes? Are there benefits to being in the area?
Fiona: To be honest, the main reason I’m here is because I love the mountains! There is nowhere else in New Zealand that I would personally choose to live.
However, the reason I chose to start my business here is because it is a growing economy. There is an incredibly diverse community here, with lots of international people and many creative and highly intelligent minds. So I think it’s a perfect hub for a woman like me to have the best possible start when it comes to running her own business.
The group of people I met at the Startup Booster exemplifies this. We were all very different people; it highlighted for me again the diversity Queenstown has. And we were all connected through this shared passion we had for working on our projects. We’re all still in contact, and many of us, coaches included, have become friends. It’s like a little community, a team, has been created. That’s important because founding a business can feel lonely – but with Startup Queenstown Lakes, there’s a supportive community there.
SQL: Can you describe SQL in one word?
Fiona: I’m torn between ‘humbling’ and ‘empowering’.
I’d also like to add one final thing: I’d like to say a massive thank you to the coaches for all their hard work. To let them know that their hard work does pay off and makes a really big difference.
Story written by Startup Queenstown Lakes