Interview with Nikiesha from Barefoot and Salty
We sat down with Nikiesha from Barefoot and Salty and talked all things business and mamahood. Here are some of our favourite takeaways:
Why "Barefoot and Salty"?
I’m one of those people who walk barefoot everywhere and live for the beach. I honestly could not think of any better way to be, so I named my business after my lifestyle.
What or who are your greatest design inspirations?
I draw inspiration from the love I have for all things surf and boho. I’ve never been a fan of the style of clothing you get in store for children, I just wished they made adult surfy clothes in baby/kids sizes. I believe clothes are an expression of who you are, you shouldn’t be put into a ‘type’. I wanted my daughter to wear clothes that don’t restrict her identity, I know many parents feel the same. So I decided to create my own style.
What has been your greatest biz challenge so far?
I had 5 boxes of stock go missing at the start of this year. It really hurt the growth of my business, so much I still have not recovered from it. I was meant to receive 5 boxes in February, luckily over the space of three months 4 out of 5 boxes came back. The last box was recovered but was left outside and couldn’t be saved due to mould. I cried nearly every day over this, it was so draining. I was incredibly lucky that my summer stock still sold well during winter, so from the support of my amazing customers I managed to keep my head above water.
What advice would you give to someone wanting to start a baby product business on the Coast?
Just go for it! Make a plan and take the leap. They say if you aren’t embarrassed by your first product you started too late. There will never be the ‘right’ timing and you will never be ready enough so you may as well start now. Also make a business plan, if you aren’t willing to sit down and spend time on a business plan you shouldn’t start a business. I look back at mine nearly every day, it helps you stay to your grass roots.
What is the best advice you were given as a new parent?
When the baby sleeps it's YOUR time. Not time to clean, not time to sort out what you haven’t done. If you want to sit on your phone and do nothing, do it. We allow ourselves to have a break in a regular job so how is this different. Let the house be messy, it will be clean eventually.
Oh, and trust your gut instinct, you’re never wrong!
Best parenting purchase?
Don’t bother buying a baby bath. Head to bunnings and get yourself an oblong flexi tub ($5). They are much wider and don’t tip. They are also great for beach/pool trips with a newborn, you can put bub in it without them getting sandy. We still use it in the shower, and Aria is 2 ½.
Go-to 5 min dinner recipe?
Lazy tuna
½ cup of cooked brown rice (I always have some in the freezer, but you can use the microwave ones)
Tin of tuna (sundried tomato is her fav)
½ cup of frozen veg
Butter
Cheese – my daughter will eat anything with cheese
Boil veges drain once cooked. Add rice, tuna and butter and cheese and heat till cheese is melted. Done.
This has to be my most lazy yet guilt free dish. It's packed full of protein, veg and the carbs they need.
Do you have a quote that you live your life by?
Once you become personally responsible for your own actions, it is only then you will become successful. Everything you do is YOUR responsibly. This quote is on my wallet and written on a piece of paper that is stuck to the wall in front of me when I’m on my computer. It reminds me everyday that only I can create my success.
Barefoot + Salty have a beautiful range of Australian designed children’s clothing and can be found at www.barefootandsalty.com.au