Plain.ly
PLAIN.LY | Plain and Simple Support
Plainly exists to help businesses, teams or individuals make their operations and work culture better. To bring order and clarity out of chaos and to free people up to be present with their most important work.
Contact Ilana Frost - 0211417698
EMAIL ilana@plainly.net.nz
WEBSITE www.plainly.net.nz
LINKEDIN @ilanafrost and @plainlynz
Located at Panama Square, 14 Garden Place (East Lobby, Level 2)
Ilana Frost has been a valued resident and friendly face at Panama Square since September 2021. Starting off as a contractor/consultant for James People, she took the plunge in May 2023 to launch her own business, Plain.ly. James People continues to be a valued client of Plain.ly. Ilana answers some questions for us:
How many people in your team?
Just myself.
In one sentence, tell us what you do.
Plain.ly exists to help businesses, teams or individuals make their operations and work culture better. To bring order and clarity out of chaos and to free people up to be present with their most important work.
My work takes many forms as I support leaders, boards and trusts with whatever needs to be done – researching, getting the ball rolling, digging into issues and resolving them, day to day executive assistant type duties, HR duties and advising.
How long have you been a Panama resident?
I have proudly been a resident for two years now.
Favourite co-working perk?
There are many perks to being in a co-working environment. The main perk is to be able to work within a community. I have built friendships within this space – we have coffees together, lend listening ears and chat business. Panama in particular is a great option because of the events, the facilities and how central it is. For people like myself who work alone, this is also great option to have a healthy divide between work and home.
What is your favourite kind of work/ project?
I thrive in chaos – show me your chaos and I’ll love getting it sorted for you. I love being able to work with not for profits and businesses with big dreams and great ethics.
Favourite place to holiday?
I love heading down to the Taupo Holiday Resort during summer – this is our go-to. My dad lives in mooloolaba in Aussie, so that is always a good spot.
What was your first job?
Delivering the Waikato Times around the Western Heights area.
If you had to change industry, what job would you choose?
Something science or health related. I have toyed with the idea of becoming a counsellor or a paramedic, but its on the to-think-about list for the future.
Biggest life lesson so far?
By far the biggest lesson I’ve learnt is how to develop a healthy, growth mindset. Being careful about how I speak to myself, growing and developing, becoming resilient and challenging beliefs and biases.
Any recommended reads?
My most recent reads I would recommend are:
- ‘Humble Pi: a comedy of maths errors’ by Matt Parker
- ‘Plays well with others: the suprising science behind why everything you know about relationships is mostly wrong’ by Eric Barker
- ‘Barking up the wrong tree: the suprising science behind why everything you know about success is mostly wrong’ by Eric Barker
- ‘Midnight Library’ by Matt Haig.
What do you love most about Hamilton?
I love the people! I find Hamiltonians’ generally really friendly and open. I also love the new parts of Hamilton, the new eateries and places like the Riverbank Lane/Victoria on the River.
Favourite place to eat out in Hamilton?
Chilli house, Mexico, Mr. Pickles, Cream, and the Lookout.
Do you have any hidden talents or secret hobbies?
They won’t be hidden or secret anymore if I tell you, will they? 😊
Are you a morning person or a night owl?
Mornings all the way – and a zombie from 9pm onwards.
Someone who inspires you?
I’m not someone that generally idolises famous people, but it’s the day to day people who inspire me the most. Seeing people act in integrity, compassion and kindness in the day to day when things are tough, no matter who they are, is inspiring to me. One of my favourite quotes is from Ralph Waldo Emerson, where he says “In my walks, every man I meet is in my superior in some way, and in that I learn from him.” We are able to learn from and be inspired by a huge amount of people, if only we keep our eyes open, and be willing to learn. I am also hugely grateful for two managers that have had such a great impact in my life: Andrew Nicol and James Grafas.
What are you passionate about?
I’m passionate about many things, one of them is volunteering at the Waikato Emergency Department. Its an amazing service that St Johns provides and really makes a difference to those that need it.
I’m also very passionate about community as it is so incredibly important for mental health and general health outcomes. I hope to see a world where people are included into communities…I see too many people that have no one to call to let them know they are in hospital.
If you had to move anywhere in the world where would it be and why?
Hawaii or somewhere by the beach that is close to the equator.