Nikki Milne

Mum | Wife | Social Media, PR & Events Entrepreneur | Business Consultant |

“She is the Modern Day Mumpreneur – A multi-faceted business woman proving success comes to those who reach for it”

We’re here today to talk about “The Modern Day Woman Movement” and allowing women to embrace their multiple identities, and pursue varying passions, what are yours? 

My passion was always to help small businesses with little or no marketing budget to be exposed to a larger audience where their skills and talent can be recognised and appreciated. The Perth Collective has allowed me to do this over the last two years. I am also a Mum so I love spending time with my children and being a Small Business Owners allows me the flexibility never to miss important events with them and working from home I see more of them then I would if I worked for someone else. 

Have you always been Entreprenuerial?

 Yes, my first job was at 14 and then I also had a sideline business making handmade cards, selling them at our local service station. I have always been driven to be successful, more than wealthy. 
My Parents were small business Owners and I knew it was a challenging path being a Small Business Owner – the hours, the risk, the commitment but if anything that helped excel my drive. I’ll love new opportunities and in the last two years I have published a magazine, co-authoring a book, expanding my education offering, done 10 small business events and even spoken at Curtin Uni to their Academics. To me that is the true meaning of an Entrepreneur – someone who is always challenging themselves, diversifying and taking risks. 

What was your defining moment that inspired you to start your own business?

Pure frustration of meeting so many inspirational women who had their own small business in WA – yet no one knew about them. I wanted to share their talents as far as I could for free. 
The concept came to me very quickly one day – 60 minutes later I had mocked up a logo on an app called Over and launched it onto Instagram. In the first week it gain over 2,500 followers with one simple idea of women supporting each other’s successes via Social Media in Small Business and Creative Industries. I was fortunate with the timing as it was prior to the Girl Boss Movement – so it was really the first empowering, collective female Social Media account in WA. People embraced the idea quickly and excelled the growth of the brand. With my previous small business experience of 8 years I was able to build a successful Marketing and Small Business Education business behind it. 

How many businesses do you have? 

That makes me laugh – short answer many! I have them all running under The Perth Collective Brand – Education & Consulting, Photography, PR & Influencer Engagement and also Event Management / Brand Activation. I did toy with separating PR & Event Management to another new business name recently but I am known for the power and growth of TPC - It’s a great example to my clients how I can build a large brand and a strong community in 2 years with clever marketing ideas.  
I do have about 12 business names registered – you know, just incase I need them!  

How do you balance being a Mum and running your businesses? 

I am so fortunate my Husband is a Fire Fighter so we have flexibility and parent share. My two boys 1 and 3, are so lucky to spend so much time with their Dad and they love it! We don’t have a lot of family support in Perth as my family is still in Albany so our boys also go to daycare (we call it “Little School”) two days per week. The little one started just two months ago and I can’t tell you the difference its made to our lives.  I used to work to 1 or 2am just to get through my daily emails – having two days per week now to get ontop of my work and attend meetings, now allows Me more time to explore bigger opportunities and I am so much happier and not a tired, exhausted Mum when I’m with my children.

What is your secret to staying focused?

 The secret is I’m not focused. I have never written a business plan or looked further than 2-3 month in advance in either my Hair Salon (which I owned for 8 years in Subiaco) or with The Perth Collective. I love the fact I can be flexible in what I choose to do – each day I get the most amazing opportunities via email and I make the most of them. Its such an adventure, I have the best job!! 
I always try to exceed the expectations of my clients and I stay true to what the original core concept of The Perth Collective – giving free shoutouts and exposure to as many small WA businesses as possible through #theperthcollective hashtag system. I know my core business and the rest builds and expands around it. 

 
What is your advice for other women who are contemplating starting a new business?

Don’t over think your ideas and spend too much time planning it. Start it, share it and watch for the response of the market (your consumers) they will shape and adapt your business as you go. Jump in!!

Start your Instagram account today – even if it is just inspiration and photos of things you personally love.

Self-Educate through google and attending as many small business workshops as you can on various topics. Read business books and download free pdfs on all small business topics that might be relevant to you. There is a world of free education out there use it.  

Network face to face with other small business owners. Find your people through a business networking and social group like The Perth Collective and start introducing yourself and your idea. You will find countless, valuable support and encouragement within the group, which in turn will help you navigate your launch plus also provide wonderful exposure and connections to excel your start up growth.