Who wants to be an allrounder?
Back in school, my form tutor once wrote: “If Nikki were a cricketer, she would be called Ian Botham. One of the best allrounders we’ve ever had.” Sounds lucky, right? And yes, it’s led me down a unique and varied path with five switches of direction. But when you can go any direction, how do you choose?
Before my Creative Switch
Originally, I started with a Chemistry degree, but I couldn’t see myself in a lab coat and safety goggles. An alternative professional qualification then seemed very appealing and ‘sensible’, so following a career advisor’s suggestion, I switched to chartered accountancy. The business knowledge and experience I gained became the foundation for all my future successes but I failed the exams. I had no regrets. Deep down I knew I wasn’t destined to be an accountant and experienced an overwhelming lightness at leaving it behind, mixed with a sense of bubbling anticipation for the next switch ahead.
Nurturing Careers and Dreams
Having never even considered myself a salesperson, I took a chance on a role in finance recruitment, and discovered a knack for matching people to jobs and a successful 20-year career followed. I didn’t just put bums on seats though. I wanted to help other people find their own paths. Many would remark on how unusual it was to be interviewed by someone with a genuine interest in their goals and dreams. So I trained as a coach back when people would ask, ‘What for netball or something?’ I always got a warm and fuzzy feeling seeing my clients blossom into a more fulfilled, happier version of themselves.
A turning point
But I needed more. I’d neglected the creative part of me for too long, even though I occasionally baked some gooey brownies or sewed party dresses for my daughter. Expressing myself creatively at school had always given me so much joy, yet I had fallen into the ‘supporter’ role in both my career and as a parent. So, whilst still working in recruitment and juggling a young family, I began writing my debut novel, Pivotal. I snatched pockets of time- on the train, before bed, on holiday- and it was exhilarating to reconnect with my creativity. It took nine years to finish, which felt a bit like being pregnant, for three times as long as an elephant! But I held onto my vision of seeing my book on a shelf in a bookshop and just kept going.
Now I write novels and other things
My efforts were recognized when Pivotal became a 2020 finalist in both The People’s Book Prize and the Page Turner Awards. My writing didn’t stop there—I’ve adapted the book into a 4-part mini-series, and am working towards bringing this relationship mystery to an even broader audience on the small screen. Currently, I’m knee-deep in writing my second novel, Someone You May Know, a dual timeline love story of second chances. Fingers crossed it turns out to be as page-turning and thought-provoking as my first.
The Lost Books of Lockdown
With many book events cancelled during the pandemic, which came just after publication, I set up The Lost Books of Lockdown, a community that connected authors, like me, with readers who might have never crossed paths otherwise. I hosted 42 live online Author Showcases and 10 Business of Books interviews with publishing experts, creating a lifeline for many during challenging times. I’d discovered a creative way to combine my interviewing and performance skills – Broadcasting!
Two more turning points
When I left recruitment, I continued to support other debut writers through coaching and mentoring alongside my own writing but I always felt torn between the two activities. I just wasn’t sure where I should focus my time and who I was trying to reach. Then the penny dropped. A colleague in an entrepreneurs’ business group asked, ‘Are you here to help other writers achieve writing success or do you want to thrive an author yourself?’ It was time for me to stop hiding in my supporting role and put my own creativity first.
An exciting launch
Hungry to learn more about creativity in all its forms, I launched The Creative Switch podcast. I want to learn everything—the how, what, why, and who of creativity—whilst aiming to inspire the ‘sensibly successful’ to tap into their unexpressed creativity for a more fulfilled life. The Podcast has received praise for its insightful interviews with distinguished guests like TV Chef Theo Michaels, world-renowned soprano Nadine Benjamin MBE, and best-selling author Ruth Hogan. Our conversations illustrate the transformative power of creativity and its impact on achieving success beyond your original career path, proving just how life-changing the pursuit of creative passions can be.
My latest creative adventure
My latest creative adventure stems from a long-held dream to dance the Argentine Tango in Buenos Aires. I still can’t quite believe we took that trip and experienced an intensive week of lessons there. My husband and I have since made tango lessons a cherished part of our weekends. Who knows where our dancing feet will lead us next?
Living boldly, creating freely
For me “Living boldly” means following my instincts and trying new things, always being true to myself and my unique way of doing things. It involves being decisive, embracing the discomfort of not mastering something immediately, and stepping into visibility despite the fear of judgment. It’s about being ready to change direction when it feels right, embracing uncertainty, and allowing myself to feel vulnerable. “Creating freely” is about exploring all forms of creative expression without being confined by labels or expectations. It means working openly and resisting the pressure to conform to societal norms or boxes. This strapline represents who I am and how I live rather than what I do—always striving to be authentic and true to my inner voice.
I firmly believe that you don’t have to wait to pursue your creative dreams. I am living proof that it’s possible to achieve your ambitions, one recipe, painting, book, TV script, or aria at a time. As George Eliot famously said, ‘It’s never too late to be who you might have been.’