What turning point in your career do you consider your ābig breakā?
Starting Fourth St. Thereās nothing more fulfilling than enjoying what youāre doing every day, which for me meant starting something of my own. When I started Fourth St, I had moved back to New Zealand and wanted to work in interiors, but
couldnāt seem to get a job to make the shift. Fourth St started as a way to monetise my natural interests of collecting and creating, but also as a result of not getting my way.
What advice do you have for striking a work/life balance?
I am social by nature but also crave solitude. Too much of either and Iām out of balance. Social interactions give me energy, but too much can also deplete me. Itās important to say no if you need to focus. I believe if you need to go underground for a few weeks to get something done, do. True friends will understand and will always be there.
What anxieties, if any, do you hold about your life/career? And how do you deal with them?
The unknown is scary but also motivating. Have a plan of what you want to achieve in the coming months and donāt forget to take note of your growth and where youāve come from.
How has the current COVID-19 situation affected your industry, and your work personally? How have you dealt with it?
When we went in to lockdown, I felt a rush of inspiration and knew I had to be proactive. I prepared detailed forecasts with my accountant. I really thought about what I wanted to focus on in terms of direction, products and goals. As well as this, I doubled my marketing as I knew I needed increased reach to generate more sales.
