July 18, 2014
Ariane Fricke, Doris Nyx
Bio The path that led her to this point
After having worked in the corporate world managing large projects in different parts of the world for years I decided I was going to change things with my move to Australia in 2007.
Instead of a rapid change it was more a gradual development that led me from launching new products and businesses in the online space for others to having the courage to start my own business.
Adult products had not been my focus.
When I looked at emerging business trends that were shaping the international market in my previous job - I saw an opportunity to take adult toys for women and couples to the mainstream in Australia in a stylish, fun way.
A challenge that particularly drives me is breaking the taboo and stigma that is associated with products that can create so much pleasure.
Q&A Insider advice & tips
What's been your greatest achievement to date?
What I am very proud of is getting people excited by my idea and actively joining me to make Doris Nyx happen.
I have an amazing team of people who are working with me. The amount of personal commitment they put in at this early stage and how closely they identify with the business really blows me away.
What's been your biggest challenge so far?
Selling products which have so much stigma attached to them creates a lot of different reactions in people around me.
Friends and family have been very supportive, but a few are struggling with the industry I am working in. Some just deal with these issues internally, others are more challenged by being associated with me in my business context.
Best lesson you've learned along the way?
It is important to go out and talk with people and actively network and not be too protective of your idea.
If somebody wants to copy your concept, they will anyway.
Engaging with other people allows you to see other aspects that you might have missed and the chance to find support that you never expected.
A website, book or resource that has helped you in your business or inspired you and why?
My most loved business resource is actually my network.
I know so many amazing, smart and knowledgeable people including a wide range of personal friends, business leaders, IT specialists and serial entrepreneurs.
Depending on the questions or challenges I am facing I try to get some time to discuss things with them.
Which person or brand do you most admire and why?
My grandmother!
She faced the challenges in her life head on and overcame them successfully and in style. She had a mind of her own, but was extremely supportive and inspirational to everyone around here.
In critical situations she would dress to the nines and come up with a clever plan. A true inspiration for my personal and business life!
What advice would you give someone starting an independent business in your industry?
Follow your passion and your dream! You don’t have to do everything on your own, go out and find the people and skills to make it happen.
You will need to put in some hard yards and no one can guarantee the outcome, but every small success will give you an amazing feeling that is hard to explain.
Finish this sentence
Everything changed for me when…
I found out that penguins can only have one orgasm a year. How lucky are we, that we actually have the possibility to have a little bit more fun in every year of our life!
For me another life changing moment was taking the leap of faith and trusting and believing in myself and in my ideas. And every time I question myself there are things that happen that confirm me in my journey forward.
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