Nickie Nick aka Nickie Rowley is an entrepreneur & Founder/CEO of Luxurious Web Design.
While attending college Nickie learned to code websites on a legacy version of PuTTY (SSH and telnet client for Windows OS) & a few months after, launched herself as a freelancer offering web development services. She would apply to 50+ classifieds postings per day, and with minimal responses, she did the unthinkable after 3 months of applying & relaunched herself under the representation of a company. She felt that if businesses knew they were supported by a technology infrastructure offering all-inclusive options instead of a stand-alone freelancer, they would hire her…and it worked! Businesses needed branding, websites, applications, & search engine optimization…and out of millions of suppliers, wanted to work with Luxurious Web Design.
Over the past 7 years while simultaneously earning her Bachelors + Masters degrees, obtaining 10+ technical certifications, & working as an IT Project Manager for Fortune 500 companies, such as Northrop Grumman, and BP, Nickie built & scaled Luxurious Web Design by implementing global marketing strategies, executing complex scopes of work, and driving technical expansion efforts. Her organization has serviced clients in 20+ industries internationally, consulted multi-million-dollar businesses, and currently serves as a market leader in web development.
Nickie has a brand that is literally a summary of her lifestyle… passion, creativity, entrepreneurship, and innovation.
“Create Always, and Think All Ways”
What your backstory and how did you come up with the idea?
The company was founded in 2009. I was a full-time student enrolled in college and technical competency coupled with design resonated with me. I learned to code as a part of my majors’ curriculum, which didn’t yield if even 10% of the experience I needed, but I tried to secure web development gigs anyway. When I did apply, rarely would I get responses, so curiously one day I posted a gig to test the market and I got 50+ responses. Out of the submissions only 10% were companies; the other 90% were freelancers. I began to do my research and saw that in my college city there were very few web design agencies and wanted to cater to that demand, so launched Luxurious Web Design.
The inspiration for the name comes from wanting to disassociate luxury from unaffordability and tangible products. B2B and B2C services could also encompass extravagance and without breaking the bank. It’s a premium service, that increases your value; that’s what luxury is to us.
Advice for other entrepreneurs who want to get started or are just starting out?
Don’t just focus on what you sell, make sure you learn the fundamentals of business. Understand economics (supply and demand), finance (revenue, overhead, profit margins), marketing (target market) sales (strategies), human resources (people), supply chain (distribution), and the law. A business is not products and services, but the structure that allows them to be made, disseminated, sold, and enhanced.
What traits do you like when building a team?
A high level of skill or the potential to have it is crucial, thus in this field having solid subject matter experts or lack thereof could make or break a business. I look for diversity and a balance in working styles and personalities, as culture is defined by the people who work for the company. Also, ambition is extremely attractive because I want my team to desire success individually and for our clients.
What advice would you offer someone considering the career of a web developer?
First, consider getting a degree in Computer Engineering or Information Technology/Systems, as nothing beats a 360° overview of how technology works holistically. If you can understand the infrastructure, systems, networks, and tools that “sing” together, this allows you to program better because you also understand computer architecture. Second, consider if you ‘d like to specialize such as becoming a Python (back end component) developer or a full stack developer where you do both back-end coding and front-end design (user interfacing), which is typically what I look to hire. Third, take courses and certification training on how to master your craft. Lastly, practice as much as possible. The best advice is to pick a few advanced websites and see if you can recreate them; from project hours estimation to developing user flows to the functionality build and then securing the site.
What platform/tools do you use for your business?
We love Atlassian tools – specifically JIRA for project tracking. Also, we use the Adobe Suite religiously.
What do you do to attract and retain customers?
We learn about an organization’s goals, and we offer our services as tools that coincide with achieving them. Additionally, we’re keen on educating that what we render is not a one-time service, but a working relationship where we continually maintain, market, and enhance what we’ve developed. It’s a hybrid blend of knowing what the customer initially wants while also catering to recurring needs in the future.
What challenges do you face in your work?
The #1 problem is when businesses haven’t designed the inner workings of their business model, so it makes it harder for us to develop tools that supports undefined processes. We do render business development consultation, which really helps out a lot for those that do sign up for this option.
What does designing your own life mean to you?
100% constructing a life that works for me and doing so freely and authentically. The only life I mirror is the one in mine.
How do you think modern women can be more fulfilled in their lives?
Focus on what happy means for you. Want to start that business? Do It. Don’t want to be a mom? You don’t have to. Desire to move to another country alone? Buy those tickets. There’s the preconceived notion that women are _____ (insert stereotype), now erase it. Your gender does not define your aptitude and your fulfillment starts with you identifying what works for you and brings optimal joy.
What is a skill you think all women should learn and why?
Any aspect of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). The wave of the future is vested in what we can do within these disciplines and quite often there’s an underrepresentation of women. If women are at the forefront in this space, it helps to build and secure a position for us there in the future.
![From Music to Perfume: How did your background as a music teacher influence your transition into perfumery, and how do you incorporate your musical sensibilities into creating fragrances? I’ve always thought in terms of metaphors, and music has many that can be related to perfumery! Beyond just thinking in terms of top, middle and base notes [soprano/alto/tenor in choir], I approach each fragrant idea as a composition. When documenting my ideas, song structures often come to mind. As the scent brief is visited, I meditate on what the fragrance should convey - do I want to create an accord or a “chord” of fragrance note combinations? Do I want an a capella soloist (a particular ingredient to stand out more than others?) Many of my thoughts regarding song composition transfers to my scent formulation process, with me treating each note as an intentional soliloquy at some point.
Brand Origin: What inspired you to start Pink MahogHany in 2005, and how has your vision for the brand evolved since its inception?
An avid lover of all things pleasantly scented (with slight modesty), looking back in retrospect, it’s no huge surprise that I’ve created an indie perfume house with just an idea to provide unique options for those who may be sensitive to unnecessary pungency. Initially, I just wanted to evaluate various blends to note their aroma profiles when “played” together…it wasn’t until I had friends and family asking if I knew of brands that catered to those who may be on the more olfactory sensitive side, that I really began to take my research more seriously. In the almost 20 years that Pink MahogHany has been in existence, our micro visions for the brand have evolved to larger territory. Where Pink MahogHany used to only be a personal brand, we are now also a bespoke formulation service provider to other indie brands seeking unique fragrance offerings for their products. These products range from (but are not limited to) perfumes, candles, body butters and lip balms. Ingredient Transparency: You emphasize transparency and the use of desirable ingredients in your products. How do you select your ingredients, and what challenges have you faced in maintaining this standard?
Being an indie brand often comes with a set of assumptions and misconceptions - one of them being more negative than positive as it relates to ingredients used. There is a lot of “fluff” in the industry with labeling falsification. Because fragrance formulas are a trade secret, not every molecular breakdown of a material has to be noted on the ingredient label (it would be incredibly long), but we at Pink MahogHany™️ adhere strongly to the IFRA [International Fragrance Regulatory Association] regulations that state for common and potential allergens to be listed on our ingredient label. We’ve taken this a step further to also include these ingredients listed on our website to promote further transparency, all while protecting our intellectual property. Unfortunately, we’ve had companies to unethically sell lesser expensive “dupes” of our artisan perfumes, so as a way to create a better authenticity stamp, we make it our duty to be honest about our claims. If our perfume says “Rose Bulgaria”, it is in fact just that and not a component of rose being passed off as the source material. Collaborations and Custom Scents: Can you share more about your work with private label clients? What excites you most about creating custom scent solutions for other indie brands? I could easily sum this up in one word and say “Funding.” True, there is money out there, but I’m always thinking outside the box. Having a program that has an “Each One Fund One” mentality doesn’t exist (that I’ve been made aware of). Bootstrapping can be quite the challenge, even when you’ve reached the 6-figure mark annually. Competition to be seen and set apart is extremely high, so having quality packaging and branding is a must. There are lots of factors to consider, though when desiring to make upgrades. If there were a unique, tier-geared funding operation available, it would help perfume brands offset packaging and bulk material costs in the beginning stages.
Industry Challenges: What are some of the biggest challenges you've faced as an independent fragrance house, and how have you overcome them to grow your brand? As the brand continues on the path of organic growth, I would like to expand our reach into schools, offering perfumery as an arts elective for middle and high school. I’d love to partner with botanists, farmers and horticulturists directly to grow and source raw materials for the students to work with in the creation of tinctures. My passion is getting back to nature as best as possible, as nature was my first “scent experience” as a child. We would also love to witness our fragrance creations being used to scent model homes, our focus diffuser blends being used in automobile dealerships as well as partner with Air Bnb and boutique hotels that specialize in highlighting minority, indie brands. Personal Journey: How has your personal experience, particularly as a divorced mother and someone who has experienced the loss of a child, shaped your approach to life and your work in perfumery?
Because I homeschool my twin sons, we are together a lot more than most, so one thing we all do is have moments of sharing where a neutral “floor” is laid to converse about anything. Though they are quite communicative by nature, I realize that sometimes I can be in work mode so much that it spills over into what should be our quality time. My sons see the authentic me and learn how to communicate through seeing authenticity. I’ve learned not to feel as if I have to be the epitome of perfection but allow them to see my imperfections vulnerably but with discernment. Having had two traumatic experiences pretty close together has taught me how to truly slow down and enjoy the simplicities of life - igniting a spiritual aspect that I’ve always carried but never fully explored…until Kenji’s sudden passing (2018.) Grief has a way of catapulting us into a quest for more meaningfulness in both life and business. After Kenji’s passing and my processing through the initial stages of grief, I was able to incorporate our spiritual bond into Pink MahogHany by way of essential oil diffuser blends for both focus and sleep and most recently aromatic perfume elixirs. It’s been quite the process channeling the void of his physical presence, but I also have peace knowing he can be honored in a great way through scent. I noticed once I began to be more open and receptive to spiritual signs, synchs and “winks”, more ideas began to flow. It’s been this way since his transition. Emotional Expression: Fragrance is often tied to memories and emotions. How does your personal life influence the fragrances you create, and do you have a particular scent that holds special meaning to you? My creative process is much more alchemic now, and I include Kenji by talking out loud to him, believe it or not. I’m a firm believer that when our loved ones transition from the physical plane, they are still present - just in another form. I choose to keep his memory alive by not pretending he never existed (even if for a brief period of time). I am working (slowly) on a book and accompanying fragrance, but I know it will require me to revisit some memories I’m not quite ready for, so until then, his big brothers will launch their debut fragrance, The Peaceful Tiger (they chose the name.) I’ve learned that even in what we consider “small things”, our transitioned loved ones want to be recognized and acknowledged. When the twins and I designed their fragrance label (with a designer out of the country that didn’t know anything about me personally), we had issues with the graphic - so much so that the designer asked if they could rework the design. When they sent the proof for approval, the Tiger was not only younger but sleeping, with an uncanny, angelic resemblance to baby Kenji! Becoming more aware and being more sensitive to my intention for launching a fragrance has definitely made room for more divine situations like these to occur. Healing Through Scent: In what ways has creating fragrances been a form of healing or expression for you, especially after the loss of your son, Kenji Mwamba? I know my sons may not necessarily want to be perfumers, but they definitely have an entrepreneurial heart. My desire is that whatever they decide to pursue (acting, script-writing, music or architecture), they know that anything is possible with the right amount of determination, grit, belief and immersion. One reason I chose to homeschool is so they could enjoy learning without restraint and have ample time to devote to their own separate passions and it still be fun. They know Pink MahogHany is theirs if they want it (many, many years from now - lol), and we are already discussing business structures for whatever they choose their role to be once I retire. Work-Life Balance: How do you find balance between your professional responsibilities and personal well-being, and what self-care practices do you prioritize? I’m not just a perfumer; I’m also a consumer, and self-care is huge for me. I often take salt baths to reset my energy and clear my mind after being around large groups of people or free a long day. I’m a habitual perfume sampler, and I have so many to choose from to wear as my “nightcap.” Even if just for 10-15 minutes, I cherish each moment I’m able to have some “me-time.” When time and co-parenting schedules permit, I’m definitely on a flight somewhere to indulge in some delicious food and mouth-watering mocktails!](https://www.womenontopp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/IMG_3812-1200x720.jpeg)
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