I AM ISSUE 21 JULY. 2015 | Page 12

Born and bred in Gymea Bay, Ally Walmsley strives to help people and loves nothing more than a good chat! When the local Shire girl decided to pursue her dream of opening her own boutique, now located on the very popular Wills Road in Woolooware, her focus was on creating a space where people felt comfortable and happy. That is her life goal. Ally loves nothing more than seeing a customer leave her dream business with a smile on their face. We asked Ally Walmsley, the dreamer and creator of ‘Around In June’, Woolooware’s newest clothing boutique, a few fashionable questions on styling and her love for this massive industry. WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT FASHION? “I love that fashion can completely change the way someone approaches their day, even if it is something as simple as a small confidence boost. I love it when customer’s walk out of the boutique satisfied and completely happy with their purchase. I never want someone to feel uncomfortable in what they are wearing.” THE UGLY SIDE OF FASHION…DOES THIS ACTUALLY EXIST? “There are always two sides to a story, and there is always going to be an ugly side of fashion. One thing that I would like to see changed is standard Australia sizing. Every girl can talk to you about their range of clothing sizes in their wardrobe! It is very frustrating to walk into a shop and not know where to begin with your sizing.” ‘ALLY’ STYLE … WHAT DEFINES YOUR PERSONAL STYLE? “Comfort. I wouldn’t say that I have a set-in-stone style, however, I am absolutely loving the midi length trend at the moment! It is flattering and suits most body shapes.” FUN & FEAR! HAVING YOUR OWN BUSINESS CAN BE LIBERATING, YET CHALLENGING. HOW DO YOU GET THROUGH ‘SMALL BUSINESS OBSTACLES’? “Lists! I am a chronic list writer! I am gifted notepads at all occasions by family and friends, so I think I may talk about my love of lists a little too much. Getting everything that is swirling around in your head written down in front of you, and being able to prioritise and get things done efficiently, is essential in running a small business.” WHAT’S IN A NAME … IS THERE A MEANING BEHIND THE NAME ‘AROUND IN JUNE’? “I was very close to all of my grandparents and wanted to incorporate them into my business name. I listed all their first, middle and nicknames on a notepad and started to play around. June is my grandmother’s middle name.” BEING A LOCAL SMALL BUSINESS IT DOESN’T TAKE LONG TO REALISE WE ARE ALL IN THE SAME BOAT. IN YOUR OPINION, WHICH LOCAL SHIRE BUSINESS DESERVES YOUR PERSONAL ‘SHOUT OUT’? “Who doesn’