Styling You a Telstra Business Awards winner

Nikki Parkinson Life 165 Comments

Write a speech they said.

Be prepared they said.

I always do as I’m told.

If you’re reading this then tonight my blog business – Styling You – has been judged the winner of the Queensland Telstra Business Awards (micro business category).

Styling You is the first blogging business to have won a Telstra Business Award – a recognition for the blogging industry as a whole.

Kim – my right-hand virtual woman – was on hand to press publish and pop up a photo on this post while I celebrate with Mr SY and two other members of the SY team at Sofitel Brisbane (Kim, I will make it up to you on the celebratory-Champagne front).

Styling You wins QLD Telstra Business Awards micro business category

 

Styling You wins Telstra Business Award (QLD - micro business)

Below is my short speech. The one I prepared, not knowing if I’d even get to give it:

Every morning on my blog – Styling You – I start a conversation.

(Anyone who knows me knows I LOVE chat.)

I get to chat in an AWESOME supportive and judgement-free online space that I CREATED from nothing.

Styling You champions the invisible woman in fashion and beauty marketing.

We may no longer be sweet young things – but just because we’re over 30, 40, 50 or 60 or beyond does not mean we’re not interested in looking and feeling the best we can.

My message is a simple one. I want EVERY woman to feel confident in her personal style.

Seven years ago I left the relative safety of a being a journalist to start my own business.

That business idea looks very different from what it is today but thanks to an accidental decision to have my business website built on a blogging platform, I found myself in the box seat to become one of Australia’s pioneering professional bloggers.

From those early days of convincing a few friends and family to read the blog – long before smart phones and tablets – Styling You has grown to reach more than 100 thousand readers each month with amplification across all major social media channels.

Business-wise, bloggers are still very much a curiosity.

Whenever I’m asked what I do, THE VERY NEXT QUESTION is “how to do you make money?”

In a nutshell, increasingly bloggers and online influencers are being engaged by brands and companies – big and small – because of the strong and influential connection we have with our readers, readers who match those brands’ target demographics.

Bloggers can provide an amplified version of word-of-mouth marketing with a trackable return on our clients’ marketing investment.

Our readers trust what we recommend. Importantly, I’ve built my business based on making commercial sponsorship and ambassadorship decisions that don’t break that trust.

In accepting this award, I thank each and every woman in the Styling You community. You inspire me every day and you are the reason I log on each day.

I also thank my small (micro) team, my agency, The Remarkables Group, my fabulous clients, my fellow bloggers and my husband and family for their support and for no longer complaining when I make them wait to eat before I’ve photographed our food for Instagram or insist on a selfie.

I’m truly honoured to accept this award – to even make it as a finalist (there were 400 entrants in my category in Queensland alone) was a huge achievement. I could not have done it without each and every one of you.

Now it’s on to the NATIONALS in Sydney on August 20.

As Aussie muso Paul Kelly wrote and sung so well … From little things … big things can grow.

PS. Here’s what I wore:

Sacha Drake gown | Chanel bag | Swarovski bracelet | Dinosaur Designs ring | Mimco earrings

Sacha Drake gown (on loan) | Chanel bag | Swarovski bracelet | Dinosaur Designs ring | Mimco earrings

Support messages screened on the night

Thanks to everyone who sent in messages of support … loved seeing these pop up on the big screen x

A big shout out to Nikki from Styling You for her amazing blog, great styling advice (and travel tips) & for being so giving of her time to her great community!  – Leanne, Getaway Guru

Best of luck to you Nikki, what an amazing recognition of all of your hard work this nomination is! – Kim

Cheering you on from the other side of the fence! – Veg

Congrats Nikki! Hopefully your example will inspire others to live their dream and build a successful business that will contribute to the wellbeing of many!  – Paul Hubbard

Congrats to Nikki on being nominated! Such an inspiration to us all. Good luck!  – Norlin

Congrats to the smartest most selfless businesswoman I know! – Beth Macdonald

Congratulations Nikki, you are already a winner, thanks for sharing your style, enthusiasm and inspiration by being a leader in authenticity – Carol Quin

Congratulations Nikki on making it to the finals. Could not think of a more deserving winner. Go Nikki! – Amanda Tuckey

Congratulations Nikki! Very inspiring and well deserved! – Leanne Mundt

Congratulations on a well-deserved nomination Nikki! – Marion

Congratulations on your nomination Nikki! You are one of the most gracious & stylish ladies I have ever met – a consummate professional! – Anna Wu

Fingers and toes crossed Nikki. I’m an avid reader of your blog and love your honest and helpful advice. I constantly reach for your book when I draw a blank. x – Dianne Dorich

Fingers crossed for you, Nikki. So proud of you already. You make so many people feel good about themselves daily! – Wendy Parkinson

Go Nikki! You deserve all the awards in the world for being such an amazing ambassador of women, body positivity and empowerment. Love you to bits!  – Smags

Good luck Nikki! Win or lose you are still my everyday inspiration, thank you!  – Jodi Verboon

Helping women all over the world to feel confident in their own skin! – Kayte Murphy

I’m so thrilled to discover you on this list. You’ve been my inspiration, my mentor and my friend and I don’t know anyone that deserves this more than you! – Rachel, Redcliffe Style

Inspiration is your middle name. You are so deserving of this award, your shining light has connected small business and national brands Australia wide!  – Maria Faulder, Suite Three Hair

Love your blog. Fun, friendly & inspiring. – Katie

Nikki I really hope you win, my life changed when I found your blog, your words of wisdom and kindness to women of all ages is so inspiring, thank you!  – Lisa Mckenzie

Nikki you’re a trail blazer! You’ve not only turned a passion into a business, but you invest your time and knowledge into helping others do the same. Good luck! – Jo Bartley

Nikki, I’m so thrilled and excited for you! You are a professional, authentic, hardworking and  true pioneer. Wishing you all the very best for this journey! – Sonia Bavistock

Nikki, you are nothing short of amazing, congratulations on becoming a state finalist for QLD! – Karren O’shea

Nikki, you deserve this!  You’re a trailblazer in the blogging world, but also beyond it given the way you created something so rewarding from the ground up! – Tamara Simoneau

Nikki’s nomination is no surprise to her loyal readers. She manages to inspire us all to get up and get going! – Deb Moran

Proud of you, beautiful daughter, my love! My thoughts and best wishes are with you. Go girl! – Bill Parkinson

Thank you Nikki Parkinson, you are an inspiration! – Debra

PPS. My former newspaper did a story with me about the win.

Comments 165

  2. I did read this days ago but didn’t get around to saying a huge CONGRATULATIONS!!! Way to go. That is fantastic you clever little cookie. You nailed your speech too. I think you need a Japanese Slipper next week as a big cheers. Well done. x

    Reply

    1. Nikki, When I see how you have grown your business I get goosebumps. I’m proud to be there at the beginning! And I’ll see you next week if I can see you over all the fans want to pick your brain! xxx

      Reply

  20. Big congratulations Nikki – fantastic news – so very well deserved. And thank you for creating such a wonderful – and warm site. Love all your tips, tricks, insight & inspo. All the best for the Nationals x

    Reply

  21. Hi Nikki,

    I’ve just caught up on this weeks blog posts via Reeder.

    O.M.G. congratulations, that’s such wonderful & inspiring news for you and aussie bloggers. A very well deserved award.

    Lia xxx

    Reply

  23. Congratulations! Couldn’t have gone to a more deserving person than yourself, well done. I love that I’ve had the privilege to follow your journey and will certainly be around for years to come.

    Reply

  26. Congratulations Nikki, it is encouraging to see women change career ‘mid life’ and not only do well, but be recognised for it too.

    Reply

  27. Big congratulations, Nikki, extremely well-deserved. Your response to your readers and interaction within your community is fantastic.

    Reply

  28. Congratulations! So much deserved! You really do help fill a huge void in the fashion/ beauty industry and you do so with such an authentic honest voice.

    Reply

  30. Congratulations Nikki. You are an inspiration and so very stylish. I love the way you connect with your followers no matter what age. Look forward to the Nationals with confidence.

    Reply

  31. Hi Nikki
    It’s my first time commenting on your blog but ever since subscribing to Styling You, I’ve learnt so much and I really enjoy reading it. Congratulations to you! What you do is really is making a difference to women, building inner and outer confidence. x

    Reply

  32. Congrats Nikki, you are certainly an inspiration and such a deserving winner! Keep doing what you do best I love your work! Xx

    Reply

  34. Congratulations Nikki! It’s SO well deserved & I’m so happy for you. You really are an inspiration – not just to me but to so many! xE

    Reply

  35. Congratulations Nikki! It’s SO well deserved & I’m so happy for you. You really are an inspiration – not just to me but to so many! xE

    Reply

  36. Congratulations Nikki! It’s SO well deserved & I’m so happy for you. You really are an inspiration – not just to me but to so many! xE

    Reply

  40. Congratulations Nikki. An outstanding reward for your never ending hard work. I always look forward to your daily emails. I have my style but with your advice, I can enhance it and make changes with your suggestions. Many a purchase has been made by your recommendations, including a stunning Camilla & Marc kaftan (expensive yes, but so worth it!) that I would never have considered. I look forward to hearing of your next success. XXX

    Reply

  47. Congratulations Nikki, I’m really happy for you. I’ve been following since the beginning and have really admired your natural business growth. It comes easily, because you relate to people easily I think. Congratulations! x

    Reply

  48. Wow that’s awesome Nikki what a fabulous achievement! I read your blog/fb/instagram all the time and it was you who encouraged me to wear beautiful skirts and dresses a couple of years ago at the ‘young’ age of 53 – haven’t stopped wearing them since! I am really embracing my age and feeling fantastic and a lot of that is because of your inspiration and passion. Congratulations again and go get em in the Nationals!!! PS you looked gorgeous, but then you always look fabulous xx

    Reply

  49. Wow that’s awesome Nikki what a fabulous achievement! I read your blog/fb/instagram all the time and it was you who encouraged me to wear beautiful skirts and dresses a couple of years ago at the ‘young’ age of 53 – haven’t stopped wearing them since! I am really embracing my age and feeling fantastic and a lot of that is because of your inspiration and passion. Congratulations again and go get em in the Nationals!!! PS you looked gorgeous, but then you always look fabulous xx

    Reply

  53. Congratulations Nikki! So well deserved. Your passion and commitment is rewarded each and every day by the wonderful community you have built. I’m so happy for you.

    Reply

  59. Woohoo! Mega congrats Nikki. You’ll do us proud in the nationals. Better get another speech ready 🙂 Great to see the investment in the Chanel bag is paying off! Love your work. Anita x

    Reply

  61. Congrats I love reading your blog and following along with the rest of the SY community! It is very well deserved x

    Reply

  65. Yay! Yay! I am so happy and proud Nikki. You have created such a happy and caring network which makes me so happy and click on everyday. You are my inspiration and my mentor. A huge congratulations lovely lady. A huge hug for you. V xoxo

    Reply

  66. Congratulations Nikki! I checked IG this morning before I got up to see if you had won. Had a sneaky (and proud) feeling you would. You looked beautiful, what a lovely dress. I love your blog, I log on each morning with a coffee. Kathryn x

    Reply

  67. Well huge congratulations Nikki! Well deserved. What a huge validation for that big decision to start your own blog all those years ago. (Side note: how can we make ‘blog’ sound a bit fancier now, haha.) You make it all sound cosy, lovely and easy breezy, (which is what it feels like our end)… but I know that there is a lot of hard work going on behind the scenes of your daily blogs, multiple social media posts and gracious replies. Congratulations again to you and your team. x

    Reply

  68. Well done Nikki! So deserving of a hard working woman and team. You are a true inspiration to ladies everywhere making a go at what they love! x

    Reply

  69. That’s fantastic! Many congrats and you looked absolutely amazing when collecting your well deserved award. Can I just mention, that not only have you created a fantastic community on your blog and on other social media platforms BUT you have also inspired some fantastic new ‘real’ friendships within the community too! Now get on and drink that fizz 🙂

    Reply

  72. Fabulous news Nikki! You continually inspire me to be the best version of myself – I love your down to earth, approachable style and that none of us feels anonymous in the SY world x

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  73. I KNEW you would win! I could feel it in my soul when I saw you in your dress on Facebook. I am so happy for you Nikki! I have goosebumps! You are so incredibly worthy of the win. Bring on Sydney. Thank you for being such a major pioneer in the blogging world for us littlies. I just can’t stop smiling!! xx

    Reply

  74. Savour this moment Beautiful girl – you truly deserve it! Don’t forget to take a quiet moment to reflect your inspirational awesomeness. Most of us newbie bloggers would not be here without your wonderful encouragement and ongoing support xx

    Reply

  77. Wonderful news Nikki! Congratulations to you.

    I love that you carried your wonderful new Chanel bag: it’s getting a great workout already and the fist per wear must be diving already.

    Reply

  80. Congratulations Nikki! We still haven’t met (which is ridiculous since we’re both in Brisbane) but I feel so proud and you should be so proud of yourself. What an achievement! Woohoo! AND…you look stunning! xo

    Reply

  81. Congrats nikki. Your hard work, dedication and innovation is so apparent in what you have created. A true pioneer and worthy winner. Xx

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  82. bloody awesome and very inspiring! kick your heels up and enjoy some bubbles and the love. Pop that new bag somewhere safe though when you’re dancing, she doesn’t belong on the floor 🙂

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  83. bloody awesome and very inspiring! kick your heels up and enjoy some bubbles and the love. Pop that new bag somewhere safe though when you’re dancing, she doesn’t belong on the floor 🙂

    Reply

  84. bloody awesome and very inspiring! kick your heels up and enjoy some bubbles and the love. Pop that new bag somewhere safe though when you’re dancing, she doesn’t belong on the floor 🙂

    Reply

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