Creative whiz Nikki Buckland
Meet the woman behind two incredibly successful businesses
THE founder of a thriving community of imaginative children, Nikki Buckland is the woman behind Meet Make Create that provides inspirational creative workshops for children.
Born in Newcastle, Nikki lives with her husband Todd and three children Maison, 21, Riley, 16, and 11-year-old Isla in Bangalow.
The inspiration for Meet Make Create came when Nikki was looking for an after-school activity for her youngest daughter,
Isla. When she couldn’t find a class that ticked all the boxes, like any good entrepreneur, she created her own.
Meet Make Create has now evolved to offer a myriad of creative workshops for pre-school and school-aged children, as well as catering for birthday parties and collaborating with like-minded businesses.
Using her 20 years of experience in the corporate and law field, as well as building and managing Paper Runway Magazine and events, Nikki has built yet another thriving business that has seen more than 3500 children participate in the workshops since 2015.
So what does a mother of three and busy entrepreneur’s average day look like?
“No two days are the same,” says Nikki.
“Some days don’t start until 9pm because of the kids. Other days, the kids are out the door by 8am, meetings are finished by 11am, website alterations, planning classes, school’s out and the mess begins!
“Running my own business means that I am the strategist, the marketing manager, the business consultant, the social media expert, website developer, photographer, videographer, and the list continues.
“But I firmly believe that being creative opens our heart and the doors to our mind.
“It brings us to hidden parts of ourselves that allows recognition of our uniqueness and identity. ”
What is your favourite look?
If it’s a MMC class day then it’s a Rowie jumpsuit, a white t-shirt, Converse or Adidas runners or a mid length Bassike dress. I’m definitely more of a jeans/pants girl. If I’m out and about, I love Johansen linen pieces.
What are your favourite fashion labels?
We are so spoilt for choice in the Byron Bay area as there are so many amazing fashion labels here, Spell, Zulu and Zephyr, Rowie to name a few. At the moment though I am in love with Mister Zimi’s new collection, Island House. I also love a bit of op shopping for classic vintage pieces too.
What was your most stylish buy?
I recently bought a pair of knee-high 70s leather boots from a garage sale and I love them. And probably jeans – you can’t go past a good pair of jeans, you know the ones that just fit in all the right places.
What was your worst buy?
I grew up in the 80s so I’m not sure if you have enough room for my answer to this question, although the perm I had is a notable one – big mistake! I was also fond of the bubble skirt –cringe! It may or may not still be hanging in my wardrobe, shhh…