6 minutes and 6 questions with Nicole Fitzgerald, Director at 66UBS Services
Showcasing like-minded business owners who love gemstones and appreciate great design!
Here’s Nicole Fitzgerald, Director at 66UBS Services
Tell me a little about your business and what its purpose is
My business is a small Management Consulting Business with a focus on Financial Modelling and Commercial Advisory for Infrastructure, Outsourcing and Technology transactions. The key purpose is to provide specialised transactional based services to clients who do not need to retain these specialist skills as permanent staff.
Where did your passion for your business come from?
I have always loved numbers and puzzles - even when I was little. In my business I use my love of numbers and my problem solving to support clients in their businesses and transactions. I love the challenge of fully understanding the transaction/business opportunity and ensuring that the numbers stack up in terms of profitability and risk. In my work it is imperative that I understand every number in the financial model and how it links to the operation and the commercial reality of the underlying contractual arrangements.
How have you adapted your business to the current climate?
The advisory through this period has been more focused on adhoc client requirements rather than supporting large scale projects and transactions. Clients tend to want short, intense pieces of work completed and most assignments have been about supporting operational change in light of new requirements for COVID 19.
What top three tips would you give to someone looking to start their own business right now?
Know your market - is there a demand for the product/service (especially in light of the expected changes in discretionary spend), who are the competition (how do you differ - what is your unique selling point)
Working capital - you always need more than you expect. Do not underestimate the time it will take to "get cash in the door" - the longer your cash runway the higher the chance of success.
People will always tell you "working for yourself must be great" - it is and I love it. It's also a lot of hard work and perseverance. Expect to work long, intense hours – especially at the start!
What kind of jewellery do you wear?
I like simple jewellery and tend to go for beautiful stones with a simple chain so that the stone can be the feature of the piece. My two favourite pieces have both been gifted to me by my husband! The first piece is a mix of different stones and he gave that to me for our first Christmas together – here I am wearing it a few years ago as we watched the sunset at Bondi Beach.
The second piece is a beautiful Aquamarine that my husband commissioned from Jade. In the picture on the right you can see me wearing this on our trip to Japan last year for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
Do you have a jewellery wish list? Perhaps a board on Pinterest?!
Not really - I have a few classic pieces that I love and I am guilty of wearing the same pieces over again …
… Thanks Nicole! I love the term ‘cash runway’ it is a really clear and visual way of describing those important set-up costs!
And thank you so much for the lovely photographs and their locations - Particularly as we can’t travel at the moment.
Nicole Fitzgerald, Director at 66UBS Services
email: nicole@66ubs.com
