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WOMEN IN BUSINESS
with CATH FOWLER
SOPHIE
BIRD
F R O M T H E D I G I TA L L A N E W AY
C
TA L L O W A N D T I D E
an you tell us a little bit imagination can expand. about your business? Who is your greatest influence in I own 3 businesses, the business? main one being Tallow & Tide, Locally it would be Pam Williams, who owns a Conscious Collective store Nik & She. Many times over the years I have in the CBD which has been walked in and asked for advice. She is always open for 6 years now. We stock all consciously so generous and open, I admire her kindness created, Australian Designed products across and longevity in business. On a national scale, Designer, Kids, Home, Lifestyle, Jewellery, probably the longest inspiration (I had my hair Vintage etc. I also bought 2 businesses in the cut like her when I was 17 haha!) has been Pip past 2 years. One being a kids’ clothing label, Edwards. She has forged an incredible career in the fashion industry and has no qualms Jagger & Bloom, and most recently Amilita about pushing the limits. Whenever I feel like the Label, a sustainable ladies’ fashion brand. I need a push to keep at The importance in it all my dreams I have a little is that we are working stalk of her accounts and against the ‘machine’ of It may sound my inner fire gets a boost. fast fashion and lifestyle trivial and Have you always lived consumables. naive, however life on the Coffs Coast? What’s your favourite is a culmination of I haven’t! I moved to part of the work you little moments and Moonee Beach from do? business is hardcore Bangalow in 2016. I love I would say and frustrating! it here because of the relationships first and way the incredible country foremost. I’m naturally meets the beautiful drawn to people’s stories. Time serving and ocean. You can go from deep bush, to open connecting with my customers is never beaches in 5 minutes. I think everyone needs boring! I also have amazing relationships with a strong connection to nature and this area my stockists and suppliers. has it in spades. I have 2 kids, and they are I step into a totally different head space blessed with an abundance of community, when I’m creating designs and ranges for natural resources and a wild and messy home the Jagger & Bloom and Amilita, I need to come back to. I am also a creature of habit music loud, tea on tap, a notepad, I need my so being able to settle into a comfortable 10 year old sketches and magazines so my 58 COFFS COAST
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routine of coffee from The Black Apple, swim in the Estuary, cocktails with my neighbours as the sun goes down… Truly life is as idyllic as it sounds! What piece of advice would you give women making their way in the business world? Kindness is key, but you are worthy. I think being kind in any aspect of life is so important, try to choose kind first. It may sound trivial and naive, however life is a culmination of little moments and business is hardcore and frustrating! You want your little moments to create a big, beautiful and interesting picture. But remain aware that you are worthy of equality, respect and to be taken seriously. I have found myself many times over the years being typecast as the ‘bubbly blonde’, ‘hot mess mum’, ‘all over the shop’ – in reality, I am all of those things in a great way haha! But I also can hold my own in a negotiation and have experience and smarts in a lotta good ways that are worth listening to. So know your worth babes! Where can people find out more about your business? Come visit! Have a cuddle at 17 Park Ave, our big beautiful new HQ! Shop online at tallowandtide.com and get social with us @tallowandtide @amilitathelabel - see you soon!
