Tara Kim, Co-Founder and Director of OLIVIA, On Her Inspirations

I’d name my autobiography…
Dreamer.

I’m always dreaming about my future and visualising my next plans. It’s important to dream, even if it seems unrealistic, because I believe every journey to success begins with a dream.

Best advice I’ve been given…
My husband usually gives me the most advice regarding my work. One of the best advice he gave me was, “Always be yourself and don’t let anyone make decisions for you.”

I made my first dollar:
My business first started at the Takapuna Sunday Market where I sold earrings and necklaces at a small stall. Looking back, it was a difficult time but I’m grateful I had the experience as I gained valuable skills like sales, communication as well as stronger discipline for myself.

The most rewarding part of my job…
Seeing other women wearing my designs and looking beautiful. It’s also very rewarding to get positive feedback from customers who compliment my designs.

My goals for the next 12 months are… To develop a stronger brand presence for OLIVIA within NZ. Our focus has shifted more online as our goal is to gain more online exposure and strengthen our brand awareness.

The women who inspire me: My grandmother was a business woman in the fashion industry all her life and she influenced me to be who I am today. Although she is no longer with us, her strong career-driven mindset and commitment to her work still inspires me to this day.

The gender stereotype I can’t stand: The mindset that women have to do the housework while men have to go out and work. I think it should be equal and depend on the situation.

The main challenge for women in business is…
Balancing responsibilities between business and family life can be difficult. Sometimes I feel as if I’m not devoting enough time to both responsibilities. I think finding ways to manage your time and setting priorities is key for achieving a work-life balance.