Today we’d like to introduce you to Nikky Starrett

Hi Nikky, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?

My late father was an incredible entrepreneur. He worked hard to build a business that would give him the flexibility to support his community. I was prepared to do the hard work if I could do the same. Giving back and building a system of support was always important to me.
Unfortunately I was diagnosed with a disabling neurological syndrome that left me with too little energy to pursue my ambitions. Then, after years of preparing to be a disabled parent, my spouse and I overcame infertility and the pregnancy cured me! I wasn’t aware that this was possible and informed that the odds where not in my favour. Moving forward with immense gratitude, we decided as a family that launching my own product line was the right move.
Pomp & Sass was soon set up for massive success with a community of hospitality professionals in Norther Ontario excited to work with me on custom towels. Unfortunately we experience catastrophic failure to launch on March 30th 2020 and ended up loosing more than everything. The next few years where a struggle as we experienced 5 emergency home renovations, family loss and other hardships while working from home as a parent and full time educator. Knowing that my dream was worthwhile, I rebuild the business and tried again.
Today, Pomp & Sass is a wonderful business with a strong foundation build with resilience. Towels are made ethically, sustainably and we support the Canadian Women’s Foundation. My family continues to support my ambitions. My child is thriving. Life is full of potential and hope.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?

Is there such a thing as a smooth road? I would love that map! The catastrophic failure to launch the business has been one of many challenges I faced. But instead of trauma dumping, I will share some of the things I’ve learned from overcoming my obstacles. Firstly, we all need a soft and safe place to land. My coaches Lisa Kember and Mark Rodford are that for me with the business. Knowing that when I feel overwhelmed or confused or lacking, I can talk to them about it. They will help me resolve the issues, teach me the skills I need or point me in the right direction. I move forward with confidence that when I need support to overcome challenges, I am not alone. My guides are there with me. The next thing I learned is that community really is the best! From my networking groups to the associations I’m part of and even my online community, these people are my cheerleaders. I met a woman who has been a consistent customer from me over the years. She hadn’t met me yet but has been my cheerleader for years! Dawn, if you’re reading this, you mean the world to me! The last things I’ll say about this, is that we are responsible for how we face challenges. When I finally learned this, I doubled down on my practice of gratitude. Now, when I face hardship, my knee jerk reaction is to look for what IS good and how to find peace in finding solutions. It’s very hard at times but if we work at finding joy together it’s much easier.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?

I’m a professionally trained illustrator with years of textile design (art) for interior design products. When I design custom towels for my clients, I always think about the end user. Do they want the whole product plastered with the branding? Or do they want consent so that they can choose to show the logo or not? I work hard to develop art that represents the location, service or style of my clients. As I work on new styles, I continue to learn and become better at my craft. It’s a joy that fills my cup!
I also enjoy watercolour painting, sketching and crochet. Sometimes a friend will ask me to work with them on colour theory for when they need to rebrand. It’s fun for me and I hope to one day travel the world to paint!

What makes you happy?

I named my daughter Fern after my happy place, an old forest on rolling hills (covered in ferns) with trees taller than I could understand. These quiet walks where times when I could think, heal, be mindful and centre my heart around my values. It made me feel recharged and more capable. In the same way, painting, drawing and some design work has the same effect. Being around people is a different type of joy that fills my cup. I enjoy reflecting on these experiences during my quiet time with affection. The best and more precious joyful moments is when I get to do any or all these things with my family and closest friends. I imagine that traveling and experience new places will also be a source of joy.

Pricing:

• Body towels $60 CAD
• Hand Towels $27 CAD
• Contact me for custom towel orders.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://pompandsass.ca
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pompandsass/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pompandsass/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ7Ju36dGfID2JQor4j5-vw
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@pompandsass

Image Credits
The images where all taken by me (Nikky Starrett) or gifted to Pomp & Sass from the photographer or paid for.

Daniella Falcone: Blue towel on bathtub, woman on beach, green towel closeup
Nikky Starrett: Woman in pink towel
Cathy Robb: Green towel on bed in African resort
Diana Pissarouk: Blue towel by pool
Mashpop Studio: Woman in white & Nikkys portrait
Cristina (I don’t know her last name): Donated the image full rights after her trip to the Philipines