BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE
Suzanne Paul
Penguin, pbk, $37
Review by V.R. Macbeth
Self-made sales maven Suzanne Paul is, just like her best-selling bronzer, back for more with her first book, which is part memoir, part self-help.
From her working-class beginnings in Wolverhampton (central England), the then Susan left school early and found her niche in selling.
In the 20 years before she moved to New Zealand, she sold everything from metal polish to oysters at travelling shows and malls around England.
En-route to Australia, a stopover in Auckland found her inspired to make her mark in New Zealand instead.
Allegedly arriving with just $18 in her pocket, at 35 she had no savings, assets, or partner, but was determined to remake her life.
Five years later, she headed a successful direct-marketing empire after selling numerous products like Natural Glow bronzer, Massage Pillow, and the Ab Rocker.
But a serious of bad investments, and the demise of both her first marriage and baby plans, saw her life unravel.
Pushing forward, her next comeback, a Polynesian-themed village aimed at the Auckland tourist market, failed after only a few months.
Determined to pay back her creditors, she began afresh, hawking products in malls around the country.
Still paying off her debts, she began writing her book, which is peppered with general motivational passages, as part of her mission to regain her former mojo and achievements.
But Wait, There's More is a glossy, cursory look over her life.
Much like a women's magazine cover story, Paul touches on a lot but delves into little.
Scattered with pages of motivational know-how, she shows the hard work behind her success, which she expects more of in the future.
A lightweight but heartfelt book, no doubt it's author will keep on surprising.
V.R. Macbeth is a Wellington writer.
