Many of you will need no introduction to the fabulous Nikki Parkinson. Nikki is a trail blazer who started a blog that has morphed over the past ten years into the Styling You phenomenon that we know today. Styling You has a massive following of women, who have been helped and transformed by Nikki’s various offerings which continue to keep growing and developing. Nikki has turned her passion for fashion and style into a business that is fulfilling and rewarding and it’s been fantastic to watch it evolve over time. Ten years in business is no mean feat these days and we asked Nikki to share some of her journey with us.

For those that don’t know you, please tell us a little bit about you, Styling You and your business and personal achievements:

I’m a former journalist who accidentally found her way into the world of the online, long before it was an everyday part of our lives. I think it was something I’d been waiting for, a form of communication that had been missing from my previous career. It’s a privilege to start a conversation and be able continue it with like-minded people anywhere in the world. I’m fortunate that I’ve been able to grow Styling You into a sustainable business by pivoting and adapting with each new change in technology and social media. One of the main motivators for starting my own business was to have a more flexible working arrangement around my family. That’s definitely been the case – and something that’s made being in business so rewarding.

You’re now celebrating ten years as one of Australia’s leading bloggers… how does it feel to have achieved so much when you look back over this time?

It’s so strange to look back over the past 10 years, not just in regards to my business but also in regards to the entire way that we now live our lives online. I feel like I’ve been riding that wave of technological change. Ten years ago, the first iPhone was introduced, some people had Blackberries but that was it. If we accessed anything online it was via our computers. For me it’s been fun and exciting to keep changing and have a dynamic business that needs to adapt to those changes.

One of the things I love about you is that you very much ‘Keep it Real’ and stay true to your values whilst serving the ‘every day’ woman – can you share a couple of stories with us as to how you have helped others with their self-confidence?

One story from my early days still sticks with me now. At the time, it gave ME so much confidence that I was on the right track with what my aim was, that Styling You was more than just pretty clothes and lipstick. Michelle – my client – actually won a session with me via a competition at a shopping centre. She wrote me the most heartfelt note a few months afterwards. In it, she told me how our session had helped her find the confidence to go for a job outside of the family business in which she had been working. It was a step she had not felt confident in taking up until that point. She got that job and over the years our lives have over-lapped a little. Whenever I see her, her demeanour is completely different from that first meeting. While I don’t style women one-on-one any more, I do help thousands out each day, many of whom take the time to write to me to share how I’ve helped them make a change in their lives. I also offer a seasonal online style program and the women I get to work closely with in that program are just amazing. Many have also connected in real life. This is just one of my members’ thoughts about how the program has helped her: “ it’s revitalised the way I looked at my existing clothes, but more than that, seeing other members’ combinations and ideas inspired me too”.

How have you grown and developed as a person as Styling You has grown and developed?

I always knew women were complex creatures but now I really know how complex we are. At the core of that complexity lies or need for connection. That I can be a conduit for that connection has been a humbling and rewarding experience. Personally, I’m less judgemental and more accepting of others than I was 10 years ago and I think that’s come about from really understanding and connecting with a range of women of all ages, shapes, sizes and backgrounds.

You have an extremely busy life and are a Mum too – what’s your top tip to trying to maintain some sort of balance?

I don’t always feel balanced but I do try for it. Feeding my relationship with my husband and kids is my number one priority. Some weeks, the mix of work/family ends up about right; some weeks it’s a complete mess. I’ve also got better at looking after me. That’s a bit easier now that the kids are older but, mentally, regular exercise has been a huge part of my being able to keep up the juggling act.

You’re also love to share your travels – where’s the best place you have visited and why?

Oh, that’s such a difficult question to answer. I’m going to say Puglia, Italy. It was my first experience of Italy and where I fell in love with this amazing country. It’s a region only just being explored by Australians now but it was so incredibly beautiful (and not so crowded) as other areas.

We’re so excited that you’re celebrating Styling You’s 10^th birthday…. what’s next?

I’ve been working on the “what’s next” all year but mum’s the word. I can say that 2019 will be very exciting!

City or Coast?

Coast. I’m happiest near the ocean.

Do you have a favourite restaurant?

I have lots of favourites! Il Locale (Noosa); The Spaghetti House (Southbank, Brisbane); Stokehouse Q (Southbank, Brisbane); Libertine (Petrie Terrace, Brisbane); Naim (Paddington, Brisbane); Life Restaurant (Rome, Italy); Bokeria (Split, Croatia); The Slow (Canggu, Bali)  … I could go on!

Favourite make-up products?

The nature of what I do means that this list evolves all the time. I sell my three of my faves in my online store (that’s how much I love them!): Paintbox Cosmetics X-Treme Lengthening mascara; Paintbox Lip Glass in Pink Prr; and Glindawand Cosmetica cheek colour in Ophelia

For more on Styling You head to:
https://www.stylingyou.com.au/

Facebook
@StylingYou

Instagram
@stylingyou

Nikki Parkinson of Styling You. Photo by Sarah Keayes/The Photo Pitch

Prize Time!

We have an amazing prize up for grabs – a copy of Nikki’s book Unlock Your Style and a
$50.00 voucher to spend in the Styling You shop!

Unlock Your Style teaches every woman how to look good and feel confident. Let Nikki be your own personal stylist as she shows you how to:

• Work out what’s right for you and your shape
• Get your wardrobe into line
• Look great without breaking the bank
• Dress for any occasion
• Have fabulous hair and make-up in minutes

All you need to do to enter is leave a comment on this blog post, telling us what was your favourite article of clothing or accessory ten years ago and sign up to the SHINE Business Women weekly newsletter (www.shinebusinesswomen.com) so that we have your contact email address

Thank you to Nikki & the Styling You Team for this fantastic prize.

Prize will be drawn at 6pm AEST on Wed 1^st August and announced via our @SHINEBusinessWomen facebook page
*Prize is valued at $75.00, cannot be transferred for cash or refund*