Meg + Me in the centre of town has been a part of the community for a long time now and is definitely a favourite with the locals and tourists alike.
What are you most proud of when it comes to your business?
Thanks! It’s true that after 12 years, we really have become a recognisable fixture in the local business landscape! Anyone that knows me well, knows that talking about our achievements over the years doesn’t come naturally to me; however there are some aspects of the business that make me super proud and I am very happy to share them with you here.
One of the key things that makes me very proud, is my relationship with my team, especially Meg, who has been with the business longer than I have.
When I purchased Meg + Me just over 10 years ago, I met Meg for the very first time and clicked immediately with her. Over the years, our mutual respect for each other has deepened, and we have supported each other through both massive growth and change in the business, as well as through personal triumphs and challenges.
We are a small team, but we are a close team and it shows; half the time people think the business is actually owned by Meg, which I take as the biggest compliment as an employer! The second thing I am proud of is our resilience when it comes to the peaks and troughs that all small businesses face, and over the past decade we’ve had our fair share of those.
Working alongside my husband Ant has allowed me to share the “mental load” when it comes to the business, as he is there on the ground with me and understands when adjustments need to be made.
Adding our espresso bar to our boutique space was a stroke of genius, creating diversity in our product offering, allowing access to the espresso bar 7 days week, while not impacting our retail space. Plus, there’s the added benefit of having your husband hand deliver you a delish coffee each morning, I mean really, is there any better way to start the day?!
Let’s go back to the beginning, where did your vision for Meg + Me come from?
The answer to this one isn’t very glamorous. I needed a job!
As the story goes, I didn’t get the job, but I bought the business. Ant and I are both from Tassie originally, and I must say that a touch over 10 years ago, the retail scene in Port wasn’t quite as inspiring and diverse as it is now.
So once I’d invested in the business, it was time to get a vision, and my vision was really to try and bring a little of my hometown’s boutique-ness to Port Macquarie. So following quite a bit of trial and error, the concept of the Meg + Me people know and love today was born.
Let’s talk a little about you, other than your business (of course) What are your interests outside of the store and what do you love about living in Port Macquarie?
When I’m not in “the shop” you will most likely find me in my garden! Ant and I both have a passion for gardening, and ensuring that our home is the haven that we both want to retreat to at the end of a big day or week.
Ant is especially good with his veggies and edibles, but I prefer the landscaping and design aspect of the garden. Curating the colours, sizes and shapes of plants to create a welcoming outdoor oasis. With this in mind, the thing we love most about Port is the climate and how conducive it is when it comes to growing a successful garden, that is of course when we’re not flooding, or in drought!
Owning a retail business nowadays is definitely a lot different to 10-15 years ago. What have been some of the biggest changes/challenges you have seen and how have you adapted?
There certainly has been some changes! I remember when we first started, you were doing well if you had an email database and sent an email out every 3 months or so. Today, with social media as big for business as it is, you really do need to be a constant content creator, as well as connecting with your database weekly, not quarterly like we used to!
Technology, manufacturing, shipping/freight, COVID, interest rates, inflation, droughts, bushfires, flooding, cyclones, you name it there’s been some challenges. But that’s life and we all make it through together, that’s what small communities do!
When it comes to adding new products to your store what do you look for and how do you get your inspiration?
I’ve always found I get the best inspiration for our spaces when I am travelling. So, unfortunately there’s been a bit of a drought in that area the last few years!
Having said that, because of the internet, there’s no end to the inspiration you can get right there on your computer. This year, all the Trade Only events are resuming, so getting back in front of suppliers, sourcing unique products and speaking with other business owners will also encourage more inspiration to flow.
Watch this space Port People! What does being a Woman In Business mean to you?
If I didn’t own Meg + Me, there is absolutely no chance I would have met and connected with, learned from, shared laughter and at times tears with, the most amazing women. Those who have walked through our doors over the past 10 years both as customers and staff.
For me, being a Woman in Business… means being here for the Women!
