I never intended to become involved in a fencing business. When Shaun started Davies Fencing and Construction, I was a beach girl studying human development and human potential at university, while also heavily involved in raising our two young kids.
I never realised how much Shaun wanted me to become involved in fencing, but there were signs.
One sunny spring day he asked me, “Can you drive the tractor for me tomorrow babe?” Now, I didn’t have a good track record for driving anything, let alone a huge Massey Ferguson. I had, in the past, driven over kids’ skateboards, bikes, the neighbour’s dog (cringe), and backed into power poles, large rocks and the six foot high wooden gate at our house. Just clean didn’t see it.
“Yeah sure, I’d love to”, I replied.
That job was no better. I ripped up the client’s lawn with the tractor tyres, rode the clutch the whole time, and clipped the mirror on the way out.
Yet, this didn’t deter Shaun from wanting me involved and he kept asking me to join him on the fence line. Like the time I drove the tractor for him as he put in hundreds of bollards in a straight line along a picturesque waterfront. By the 20th bollard I was a teeny bit bored and had a wee look at Instagram, which of course is designed to be addictive (it’s not my fault Sir), and next minute there’s a bang on the window and an irate looking Shaun, which frightened me into slipping into first gear and driving forward with the rammer gear down. And not just once either. A while later I almost accidentally ran him over.
He stopped wanting me to drive the tractor, but instead began asking me to do jobs like battening off a fence or nailing off a deck or putting palings up. “It’s easy as,” he informed.
Which it was.
But I’m not fast like the other guys, and I don’t have the strength that they do. I began to wonder why he kept wanting me to work with him, and thought perhaps it was the see-through-ness of my T-shirt.
But then I worked it out.
He wasn’t wanting my skills (obviously), nor was he wanting free labour (although I’m sure that helped during some tough times).
He wanted me.
He wanted the ‘Husband and Wife’ team.
He wanted the dream.
“It was never my dream to work in the business in that way. My skills were better spent creating team culture, looking after our staff’s wellbeing (and Shaun’s), ensuring that all things flow in the business (doing intermittent admin tasks alongside our admin lady).”
But I had missed that memo. It was never my dream to work in the business in that way. My skills were better spent creating team culture, looking after our staff’s wellbeing (and Shaun’s), ensuring that all things flow in the business (doing intermittent admin tasks alongside our admin lady). I think Shaun still misses ‘The Dream’, but the reality was far from it.
These days, things are running pretty well without me. My role is to turn up to a weekly management meeting (but it’s really only to be nosey and give my two cents worth) and make food for Friday beersies. Never underestimate the importance of a good sausage roll I say, and the impact it may have on a cold, sweaty, hungry fencer.
Being involved in the business can take many shapes, and it’s important to see our value in any way we contribute.
Written by Angelena Davies
Angelena Davies is a wife and mum who happens to have a Masters degree in Social Sciences. Alongside running Davies Fencing she is also a coach, facilitator and author helping children and adults to access “flow” so their lives are easier and more fun.
Published in WIRED issue 77/June 2025 by Fencing Contractors Association NZ
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