Redefining Motherhood: Wāhine Balancing Work and Whānau

Nicole Alach, Director of Zero Administration

Jazz Barclay: Kia ora, Nicole. Can you tell us about yourself?

Nicole Alach: Sure. I am a part-Croatian māmā of two, a homeowner, and a Whangārei, Te Tai Tokerau business owner. I went to Tikipunga High School and then got into graphic design. I worked in that industry until my first child was born. As a solo mom, I had to decide how to support my daughter, and I chose to work in administration because there weren't as many deadlines and responsibilities as in graphic design, which gave me more time with my children. That’s how I got into admin and what I’ve been doing since. Now I’m the director of my business Zero Admin.

Jazz: What inspired you to start your own business? Nicole: It's extremely tough to hold a job as a single mum. No one else could pick up my daughter from school if I had to work late. That intensified even more when I had my son. He has special needs and, at the time, required up to three therapy appointments a week. 

Nicole: It was hard to make working for someone else work. To say to my employer, "Can I pop out for an hour?" or "Can I do this and that for my family?". When I was at work, I felt guilty for not being with my family, and when I was at home, I worried about work. I always felt guilty or that I was letting someone down.

What inspired me to start a business instead of being a sole trader is I wanted to help other mums. I would love to be the person who can offer a flexible and rewarding work environment that will benefit both the mum and their children.

Jazz: Could you share some of the ups and downs of running your administration business?

Nicole: Sure. It’s stressful to ensure I've got enough work for my staff. Maintaining the bills and finances is one of my biggest struggles. Staff are expensive, and I have to pay everyone on time and the correct wages. Being responsible for someone’s income is a big responsibility and can put a lot of pressure on a new business.

What I love about it is providing a service that helps other small businesses and families, as well as the flexibility of my working hours. There’s also that feeling of accomplishment at the end of the day, which makes it all worth it.

Jazz: That’s so inspiring, Nicole!

Nicole: It’s been a 20-year struggle for me. It would be amazing to help young or struggling parents escape, or altogether avoid, the struggles I had as a single mum.

Jazz: What steps did you take to start your business?

Nicole: Ah, my business was accidental.

Jazz: We love those types of stories!

Nicole: For context, I’d just moved from a terrible job to a new one (I couldn’t spend the time I wanted to with my family). I was enjoying the new job when two ex-employers contacted me to offer two part-time roles. At the time, I thought I couldn’t leave my full-time job for a part-time one. But when I was offered the second part-time job, I realised it was possible to leave my full-time job for two part-time jobs. That was the beginning of my administration business. It was like everything was pointing me in this direction. This was the universe’s way of telling me now was the time! Then, when I tried to quit the full-time job, they said, “We won’t let you quit, but we’ll be your third client.”

Jazz: Oh my god, that’s even better. You had three clients before you even started your business!

Nicole: I was so happy to be able to start my business with three clients. Little did I know that I would be so busy. Then I realised I would need staff.

Jazz: That’s so cool, Nicole. As someone who works two part-time jobs, you inspire me to do more with myself and create a business. Moving on to something else, who is your biggest inspiration?

Nicole: Other women in business. They’re amazing, like my sister-in-law, Sesha. She’s a law firm general manager, and she’s fantastic. Also, my auntie Mary. Mary has built businesses her whole life. She takes no shit from nobody. She’s an elegant, beautiful and sophisticated, professional woman.

I am surrounded by intelligent and successful women. One of my clients is Diane. She’s the type of person who wants you to achieve, and she's an amazing woman overall.

Jazz: What are your goals for the future? 

Nicole: I want to hire mums who need this kind of flexible work. I can create a space where we can work together as women because I don’t want to just be work colleagues; I want us to help each other succeed. Then, when we have personal or family crises, I can support them. For example, I can let them bring their kid to work.

Wouldn’t it be cool to have a business with excellent hourly rates, and you can do all the work when your kids are sleeping? I would even pay for things like having my employee’s car fixed. Sometimes, you work for a company, and they say, “Oh, we’re a family business.” And you think that’s cool, but it’s just their family.

My original plan was to bring other mums with children with special needs onboard. To create a business where we all work together. A comfortable space where we can all do each other’s jobs. It is like a family business, but not exclusive to strictly my family. I want a real run by whānau business!

Jazz: What was it like being a young mum?

Nicole: I’m an old mom now [laughs].

Jazz: But you were a young mom, and you’ve already been through it and succeeded. What were some of the challenges and successes?

Nicole: I had more energy to play with my kids when I was younger. I could take them to the beach, run around, play cricket, etc. I remember I was able to be creative and have fun with my daughter; that was an incredible thing about being a young mom. 

Jazz: Would you change anything about your life?

Nicole: Someone recently asked me about my most significant life mistakes. I was like, “Your mistakes are your defining features. It might seem like a mistake at the time, but you won’t view it the same in 20 years.”

Jazz: Do you have any advice for struggling mums or business entrepreneurs?

Nicole: For the mums, I say it gets easier. It's honestly the most wonderful time when you look back on it. Savour the little things, like the smell of their hair, because it's weird if I try to smell my teenage daughter's hair now. I can honestly say that I wished I’d enjoyed parenting my first child more.

For people in business, I suggest having a financial plan and sticking to it. I’d also say to save your money in the first couple of years. You know, ‘It takes time to make your millions.’ Spend carefully, save your money in the first couple of years, and build it up.

Jazz: Ngā mihi nui Nicole! That was my last pātai. Thank you so much, and best wishes to you, your whānau and your small business.

If you’re looking for administration or financial assistance in the Whangārei area, you can contact Nicole at nicole@zeroadmin.com.