I thought this week I would try something a little different and interview a successful woman in business.

Tina Jones
Managing Director
Design Boutique
www.designboutique.co.nz
Our stunning on-line store offers a sumptuous array of designer homewares and gifts.

Welcome Tina,
Can you please tell the Venus Network a little about your business?
Design Boutique is all about taking the time, effort and energy out of shopping for designer homewares and gifts and making life that little bit easier. Our online store has it all from robes, candle holders, glasses and decanters to towels, vases and home decor accessories. All our clients have to do is visit our website, make their selection and we’ll take care of the rest – no more driving to the shops, finding a park and feeding the meter!

I have purchased a couple of absolute treasures from your online store and I love them. Sometimes we just need to spoil ourselves a little and I feel so pampered when I drink from my gorgeous wine glasses or snuggle with the fleece blanket (that was meant to be a gift for my sister but never quite made it).
Tina, what’s unique about your business?
In the mass world of internet retailing we are unique in that we are ‘boutique’ in every sense of the word. I personally select the product featured on our webstore and only offer 100 – 300 products at any time to maintain our boutique status. The difference between Design Boutique and others is that our clients are not a name and number in a vast sea of Internet shopping. Each and every one of our clients is treated on a personal boutique level from the minute they submit their order to the time their purchase arrives on the doorstep. That’s my personal promise!

I have heard such amazing testimonies from some of the Venus Network about how they felt so special when buying from you. What do you love about being in business for yourself?
I’m a very self sufficient, self reliant person and I love being self employed as I can set my own course and then be fully responsible for navigating to achieve my desired outcomes. There are special, wonderful, hard-to-put-into-words benefits that manifest themselves – thriving, challenging, achieving, creating, enjoying!

I agree, that is why I love spending time with women entrepreneurs… the experience of being in business for oneself is quite unlike anything. What challenges have you come across in business?
One of the big challenges I come up against time after time is becoming too immersed in my business and not taking the time to lift my head and celebrate my successes and/or to obtain support in areas where I need advice, expertise and guidance. I am so used to being all things to all people in my business that I find it extremely challenging to operate in a different manner. I’m working hard on changing this though!

True, it is very easy to bury our heads in work. It is lovely having you be a part of the Seaside Venus Club, no doubt an opportunity to lift your head every fortnight. Do you have a couple of business tips to share?

• Prepare a business plan so that you know what you want, how to go about it and then be brave and bold enough to make it happen
• Always speak positively and passionately about your business to others, even if you’re having a bad day
• Treat every client, not matter how large or small, like they are a guest in your home – make them feel welcome, comfortable and special

Fabulous tips, thank you. What has been the greatest win for you so far in business?
I have had other businesses in the past which I have loved and which have been highly successful. The greatest win for me each and every time is to take an idea and turn it into reality. That’s so exciting, challenging and inspiring!

What can we look forward to seeing this year from Design Boutique?
Where do I start – new products, new marketing initiatives, innovative website shopping ideas. The list is long but I always balance continuous improvement with client delight – its just doesn’t work to have fantastic innovation without having stunningly satisfied clients to go with it!

Thank you Tina, the Venus Network wish you all the best for the coming year.
Vanessa

Venus Group Limited.