Last Updated: September 8, 2023

I met recently with Melinda Charlesworth owner of Nest Emporium for the past 3 and a half years and asked her some questions about her homewares business established for over 15 years in Thirroul.

Your background? After a successful corporate career including a bachelor of Commerce and a Masters of Logistics, I decided it was time to work for myself when my third child was born in 2008. I had a successful management consulting business where I helped medium to large business owners to improve their processes to be more successful. I love the process of creating a new start-up business, so I became a bit of a serial entrepreneur. I worked as a professional speaker, a management trainer, started a skincare company, published several books and ran several small online businesses. In fact, when I bought Nest Emporium, I was running five different businesses. I needed one business that would keep me busy enough so I wouldn’t feel the need to start anything new. So far, it’s worked!

What inspired you to take over this business? I was looking for a challenge. I knew a lot about business, and I was passionate about design and style trends. And of course, I love to shop!  Who wouldn’t want to work in such a lovely space? I get to be surrounded by beautiful things all day, spending time with interesting people and I source new and interesting products from all over the world!

Best describe your business? Nest Emporium literally has something for everyone, gifts from new-born to Grandpa and everyone in between as well as beautiful homewares and furniture to suit any style. We pride ourselves in having things you won’t necessarily find anywhere else.

Summary of services offered; We offer free in-house styling advice. Bring in photos of your space, and we will happily help you to find the right cushions, artwork, furniture etc. depending on your needs and style. We also have a free sourcing service, sometimes we may not have exactly what you have in mind, but we have access to an extensive range of suppliers many of whom don’t deal with the general public so we can find exactly what you are looking for and order it in for you. So if you have an idea in mind but can’t find what you are looking for, always ask as we can often help to find the perfect piece.

Summary of products sold; Nest Emporium is a true Emporium as the name suggests, there is an eclectic mix of unique products from all over the world. I often tell people they need to do at least 2 laps of the store, the first to see what we’ve got, and the second to see all the things they missed the first time!
 
Do you live locally to your business? I live with my husband and four children near the beach in Woonona.

More information: Nest Emporium Thirroul

Read more about author: Thirroul Guru

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