What inspires you? 

Nature and architecture are a great inspiration when it comes to my design process. I'm equally inspired by people, conversations, and the energy that can come from those interactions.  

And what annoys you? 

Social media and how it can impact how you see yourself and your work. I wish it wasn't such a vital tool for business these days. I feel like I have to put more energy into that than I do designing and making jewellery. I remind myself that my worth and value isn't tied up in views and data but I'm not sure it helps some days.  

Can you recommend a book, a film, and an album (or song)? 

Book: I read a lot and bounce between light-hearted love stories and thriller murder mysteries. I just finished Normal People by Sally Rooney and it was fantastic but how can she leave me hanging like that! 

Film: The Darjeeling Limited is a standout. Such a beautifully shot film.  

Album/song: The Moana soundtrack is on high rotation in our house at the moment. It's hard to choose. Music is so mood dependent. I am loving Andrew Bird’s new album with Madison Cunningham, Cunningham Bird.  

What’s the most important thing that you’ve learnt? 

You can't allow the silent expectations you have of people effect you, be open and have conversations so you're not building up a story in your head that doesn't exist.  

Who do you admire? 

I have a huge amount of respect and admiration for other creative women in business. Being a small business is unbelievably challenging, being a creative small business even more so, especially in this current economic climate.  

What do you love about where you live? 

Dunedin is so lucky to have some of the most beautiful beaches and walks. I wish we had the climate to match. It is such a creative city, there are a lot of people doing some incredible things.  

What do you most enjoy doing? 

I am not what you'd call an outdoor adventurer but my happy place is nature. We spend a lot of our free time in Waitati and the Otago Peninsula. Walking the Orokonui Loop track and exploring the ecosanctuary. Spending time in and by the water at Broad Bay and exploring the Future Forest. We also have a garden that I love; nothing beats growing your own produce and seeing your child snacking on fresh vege and getting excited about where her food comes from.  

When (other than now) was the best time of your life? 

I'm not sure anything could ever top the birth of our daughter. One day I'm just Holly, and then next I'm someone's world. There isn't a single day that goes by that I don't think of how lucky I am to have had her.  

What are you looking forward to? 

Our family holiday in Bannockburn, it's just out of Cromwell in Central Otago. Two weeks of sunshine (hopefully) and adventures. Christmas hits different with kids too so I'm pretty excited about creating some magic for our daughter.  

I think everybody should… at least once in their life. 

Turn a dream into reality. To have the opportunity and courage to pursue something that they have always dreamed of doing. Of course privilege plays a massive role in that. But it would be a beautiful thing to live a life following your dreams.