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WOMEN IN BUSINESS
with CATH FOWLER
C
PAM WILLIAMS NIK & SHE
F R O M T H E D I G I TA L L A N E W AY
an you tell us a little bit I had many trips to help her with the babies. about your business? Which did add some challenges in running Nik & She is a leading the business. fashion boutique stocking Now over a decade later we have overcome Australian and international so much. Together with my daughter Shelley labels. We’ve been open for and our amazing full time marketing/sales girl 18 years now. Which I think is amazing for a Jayde the business is pretty much known all small business. over Australia online and in store. But it hasn’t always been easy street. What’s your favourite part of the work When we first opened we were upstairs in you do? the Palms Shopping My lovely customers Centre. Then we moved are definitely at the top downstairs for a number of the list. Some days What I have of years, which is where it’s very social in the the business grew shop. Cups of tea, lots found the most considerably. But the of chats. Especially on a beneficial for me is to rents were terribly high. Sunday. have a good hold of My husband, I also love going my business finances Lawrence, later to Sydney with my as cash flow is often purchased a small shop daughter Shelley. We one of the biggest across the road. Which is go on a buying trip to challenges small where we remain today. seek out new pieces for businesses face. We had to downsize our collections. It gives as the shop was much us some time together smaller. So it took a few which I value so much. years to get the stock levels right, which is Who is your greatest influence in always hard when running a retail store. business? After quite a few stressful years with my Definitely my husband Lawrence Williams. husband being very ill and needing a liver He gave us the confidence and space to keep transplant which he got, things got back to going and we really wanted to make him normal and trade was great. proud of us. If he was here today he would Unfortunately my husband passed away in have a smile from ear to ear. He was such an 2011. Which was the same year my daughter inspiration to everyone who knew him. Nikki was living in Noosa and had triplets. So Have you always lived on the Coffs 88 COFFS COAST
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Coast? Yes I’m a born and bred local. Having lived here my whole life. After an early career in nursing I feel so grateful to live in such a beautiful part of Australia where I’ve been able to have the chance to follow my dream. The shop is a passion of mine that I’ve had for such a long time. What piece of advice would you give women making their way in the business world? Follow your passion but with caution, as business ownership is not always easy. What I have found the most beneficial for me is to have a good hold of my business finances as cash flow is often one of the biggest challenges small businesses face. I like to ensure I keep money in the bank for peace of mind, as you never know what’s ahead of you. It’s great to have a huge year and think you have lots of money to spend. But after all these years I have learnt you want to always try and keep money aside for the next season. During these hard times with Covid it’s so important. I also recommend having a good accountant to keep you in line. I have Melanie Zander from MJ Accountants who helps me do just that. Where can people find out more about your business? nikandshe.com.au @nikandshe @nikandshe2450
