Confidence. Courage. Community.

This International Women’s Day, we’re not just celebrating women in business - we’re celebrating the real stories behind them. 

At Caci, empowerment isn’t a campaign. It’s our foundation. 

From our founder’s original vision to the 75+ clinics across New Zealand, Caci has grown into a purpose-led franchise network built on one powerful belief: 

Everyone deserves to feel confident. 

A Vision That Started With Confidence 

At the heart of Caci is founder Jackie Smith - a Registered Nurse who saw the industry differently from the beginning. 

“From the start I thought about Caci as a business that helps women feel confident in themselves. Beauty is such a loaded word. It’s about how others observe you. Confidence is about how you feel about yourself.” 

Jackie built Caci on healthcare values - integrity, education, and genuine care. When the time came to expand, franchising wasn’t just a growth strategy. It was a deliberate decision to create: 

Over time, Caci evolved from a single clinic into a nationwide network of women supporting women, professionally and personally. 

“Confidence isn’t just given,  it’s grown.” 

From Shy 24-Year-Old to Confident Business Leader 

For Caci Taupō franchisee Rhiarna Russell, empowerment has been a journey of transformation. 

When she stepped into ownership at 24, she describes herself as shy and inexperienced in business. Seven years later, she leads a thriving, award winning clinic, and mentors her team with confidence. 

“It’s not until you take a minute to look back at where you were to where you are now that you can really be proud of the growth.” 

Through structured training, mentoring, and regional business support, Rhiarna has built: 

Her clinic culture is built on warmth, familiarity and genuine care. She greets almost every client by first name. Her team are not just colleagues, they’re close friends who support each other to be their best. 

“Every day is a good vibe in our clinic and it shows to our clients.” 

Even her “why” is refreshingly honest: 

“Going to work definitely does not feel like work. I go there for a break to be honest, I have a toddler! - and I just love seeing our clients so happy.” 

She says one of the most empowering moments each year is the annual Caci Conference - a celebration of goals achieved, lessons learned, and the collective mission of helping women feel confident in their skin. 

Her advice to other women considering entrepreneurship? 

“Just go for it. It’s going to have hard times and stresses along the way - but if it was easy, everyone would be doing it. I would rather try and fail than always wonder what if.” 

Resilience, Reinvention and Leadership 

For Caci Whakatāne franchisee Annemarie Gallagher, Caci entered her life at a deeply personal turning point. 

After supporting her young son through a three-year cancer journey, she found herself emotionally and physically exhausted and questioning who she was. 

Caci became part of her own rebuilding process. 

“Over the following year, my skin transformed — but more importantly, so did my confidence, my mindset, and my sense of self. Caci helped me feel like me again.” 

Impressed by the professionalism and standards she experienced as a client, Annemarie joined as a Registered Nurse. Today, she is not only an award-winning business owner but also a Caci Nurse Trainer, mentoring nurses across the network. 

She credits franchising for giving her the courage to step into ownership: 

“Caci is a proven business model with strong brand recognition and customer trust. That made the risk of coming into business far less stressful than starting from scratch.” 

What she values most? 

“I am part of a network of clinics with hundreds of high-achieving women. We challenge, support, compete and educate each other. It’s this amazing support network that makes Caci the powerhouse that it is.” 

Her guiding principle: 

“Kindness matters.” 

Franchising as a Vehicle for Financial Independence 

General Manager Theresa McCorkindale believes franchising can be transformative for women. 

“Confidence is built through capability. At Caci, we don’t just inspire our clinic owners, we equip them with proven systems, operational support and ongoing training so they can step into business ownership with clarity and security.” 

At Caci, no woman builds success alone. She has: 

When structure meets ambition, the results are powerful: thriving businesses, financial independence, and leaders who go on to mentor the next generation. 

A Community Bigger Than Business 

What makes Caci different isn’t just our clinical expertise or business model. 

It’s the ripple effect. 

It’s a 24-year-old finding her voice. 
It’s a mother rebuilding her confidence after unimaginable hardship. 
It’s a nurse stepping into business ownership. 
It’s women setting stretch goals — and exceeding them. 

Looking Ahead: The Next 10 Years 

As we reflect, we’re also looking forward. 

Our hope for the next decade? 

 
This International Women’s Day, we celebrate the courage to start, the resilience to continue, and the community that makes it possible.