Mum in Business: Nitya of Nature Body NZ

 Nitya Nixon has a passion for 100% natural products and zero waste. When her eldest daughter was born, she struggled to find affordable natural products for her to use. This led to Nitya making her own natural body-care and home cleaning products at home. Friends and family soon found out and wanted them as well, leading to Nitya creating Nature Body! Overtime, Nature Body has evolved into the amazing online store specialising in 100% natural products and zero waste shipping it is today! We chatted with Nitya to learn more about her journey into eCommerce success and how she's balanced being a Mum with being a business owner!

What made you decide to start a business?

It was demand for my products from friends and family that started our business actually. It just kinda grew from strength to strength and evolved into what it is today, while we bumbled along behind, quickly learning how to keep up 😊

Why did you choose your specific business?

I loved creating the products and it was something I’m passionate about. I made the products for our family so it was a natural evolution to expand on that and create Nature Body.

Tell us more about your business.

Nature Body NZ is our home business. We create Earth-conscious natural home and body care products. We make 100% natural products in either cardboard, glass or tin and ship 100% zero waste, even our sticky tape is made from paper! Our favourite products are our probiotic deodorants, magnesium body mousse, turmeric and charcoal toothpastes & toothpowders, probiotic charcoal face mask, moisturisers and zero waste for home.

What were the biggest challenges you faced when starting your business?

Learning how to cover all bases. I love creating products, but I’m not an accountant, marketer, social media guru, website builder, etc. and yet, all these roles had to be filled by either myself or hubby Kyle. It was a steep learning curve and still at times!

What did you do to overcome these challenges?

We asked for help in the end after trying to work it out ourselves (true Kiwi style!). Northland Inc were fantastic help offering advice, contacts, even a wholesale pricing excel worksheet, phew!

And then help from our accountant, plus a marketing trainer helped pull in all the loose ends and make our processes so much easier and faster.

What are the hardest things about being a Mum and running a business?

Trying to balance it all! Our kids are the priority, but the business needs my time also, and trying to find time for myself in the mix is very tricky! It’s a constant juggling act and at times I just have to say enough and leave business lists for another time. Our girls are only young for such a short time, I’d rather cherish that time with them than miss it.

How did you first start selling your products or services to people?

I built a little website myself and created a Facebook page which slowly ticked over and grew through word of mouth.  Starting real advertising & proper SEO kick-started more regular sales and it grew from there.

What made you decide to get a website?

I felt it was a necessity! Your sales funnel needs to be as quick, easy and efficient as possible to help customers. If it’s remotely difficult or too time-consuming, most people will pull out. Plus being available online these days is a must.

What made you choose Website World as the one to build your website with?

I had heard great recommendations actually! And then saw all the advice and help that Reuben offered on the NZ Business Network FB page.

So when I wanted to update our original little website, and move to a NZ based company (so handy to be able to call quickly if needed!), Website World was definitely my first option.  The pricing was great, services fantastic and support even better.

How have you found using Website World to run your business website with?

There is a great array of options, so it was a little confusing at first because I came from a very simplified DIY website builder.  But with some help from the support team, I got the hang of it quickly. Now it’s great, easy to use, lots of content etc. I am very happy with everything about Website World and recommend to lots of people.

If you could give a Mum wanting to start up her own business one piece of advice, what would it be?

Follow your passion, keep your vision in mind or on the wall, ask for help when needed, have a laugh and get outside in nature as often as possible to rebalance.

Have you found networking online with other business owners useful in helping you grow your business? 

I’m still working on this. I’ve found a joint giveaway on Facebook to be helpful at times. And influencers or bloggers are sometimes helpful. More than anything, having the support of other women to ask advice or just bounce ideas off has been the most helpful.

To learn more about Nitya and her brilliant natural product business Nature Body, make sure to check out her online store today!