Tell me about you and your family, and where you live...

I live in Holyport, I'm married to Paul – who has put up with me for 29 long years now
– and we have three children, Amy, 18, James, 15, and Lucy, 12. I also have two fur babies,
Buster and Bonnie.

 

What do you like about the area?

I love Holyport! The village has a real community spirit about it with an annual summer fayre, carols on the green at Christmas, Carters Steam Fair twice a year and a lovely bunch of locals.
The pubs are great and in walking distance, serving fabulous food and wine, and they overlook
the village pond and green. We also have some fabulous walks right on our doorstep. I can
be in the fields within two minutes of leaving our home on my daily dog walk.

 

Tell me about your business...

I run two businesses that compliment each other and I run them side by side. The first is called Just Because (JB for short) – this is one-sized Italian ladies clothes that you won't find on the high street. The entire rail is £30 and under, and consists of beautiful silks, linens and unusual items that you wont see loads of other women wearing. I've had JB for eight years now, and have a wonderful dedicated band of ladies who shop with me regularly. I run this business from home and have a dedicated room where the rails are set up so ladies can shop in peace with a cup of coffee and no pressure to buy! I also sell a range of long necklaces to compliment the clothes and a few scarves and bags too.

   The other business I'm part of is Tropic. Tropic is a skincare, make-up and bodycare company. The products are freshly handmade in the UK using only plant derivatives, so there are no nasty toxins, preservatives or parabens in any of them. They are also completely cruelty free and vegan verified and multi-award winning (and still most people have never heard about the range!). I've been selling Tropic for 18 months now, and have built a team of over 60 ladies. I have an endless amount of fun and have won some amazing incentives, including a trip to Lapland and more recently Mauritius. I also sell this from home but do many events and home parties where I bring everything to you…

 

What did you do before? Why did you decide to do this?

I had always been in sales, starting with computer consumables at 18 and moving to Dun & Bradstreet when I was 25, selling business information. I left there to have Amy when I was 28, and have done my own thing ever since.

   I've tried my hand at network marketing before with another jewellery company and a card company, so have always has an interest, but decided eight years ago to have a go myself with JB and have loved building up the business and being totally in control of what I buy, where I get it from and the hours
I work. However, it was quite lonely just working for me, which I why I joined Tropic too. Tropic gives me a whole bunch of other ladies to train with, share ideas with and some amazing incentives to aim for also and I find the two businesses work really well together as most ladies love clothes, skin care and make-up, and I can offer advice on all three areas... The best feeling is getting a message from a happy customer saying she's had so many compliments wearing her new top or a lady saying her skin has never felt/looked better.

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Did you have to do any training? 
With JB, no, but there is monthly training in my downline with Tropic (non compulsory). We cover facials, make-up training, tanning etc… My up-line runs these every month, and I also have team training and team get-togethers.

 

Who inspires you?

Susie Ma (founder of Tropic) – she's a truly remarkable lady with such passion and dedication, and
came from very humble beginnings... Pure, Honest and Effective are the three tag works she uses
and I adore her.

 

What are the good and bad parts to your job?

The best part is working when I want and not having to answer to anyone – also seeing some of my Tropic ladies flourish with their own amazing businesses... The worst part – there isn't one apart from the tax return!!

 

Favourite product?

I always sell what I wear, but I have a top I call the magic top at the moment – it looks amazing on everyone who tries it. It has a silk outer with floaty open sleeves with an attached vest underneath,
and a long stretchy waistband so can be worn longer or ruched up.

 

What are your goals?

With JB, to keep doing what I'm doing, grow my customer base and utilise my office/at-home shop more. With Tropic, I want to reach the very top and encourage more women to be using chemical and cruelty- free products. 

 

What else don't we know about you? 

I left school with no qualifications but have a good work hard/play hard ethic. I owned my first property at 17 and worked from the day I left school... Think big, dream bigger and never let an opportunity pass you by!

 

Visit  www.tropicskincare.co.uk/shop/nikkiblunden    www.facebook.com/justbecausejewellery

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Love clothes...? Host a Just Because! Party and receive 10% of sales to spend across the range!

www.facebook.com/justbecausejewellery

 

Love natural, freshly made in the UK skincare and make-up, vegan approved and totally cruelty free....

www.tropicskincare.co.uk/shop/nikkiblunden