Meet Nikki Rivas | Promotional products and gifts business owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nikki Rivas and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nikki, what habits do you feel helped you succeed?
I would definitely say that my top habit is being meticulous about providing the very best customer service I can to each of my clients!

I used to be a kindergarten teacher and I always loved each and every one of my “kids”. That is how I feel now about my clients. Each client’s needs are very different from one another, but I love working with every one of them! It especially feels very rewarding to me when my clients recognize that I go above and beyond for them.

I love meeting in person with my clients. I feel that the face to face interaction is important. I always bring a Monkey Business gift with me. Right now I have little tote bags filled with a notebook, tumbler, and gourmet popcorn, imprinted (of course) with the Monkey Business logo.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I originally was a kindergarten teacher, I always dreamed of being a kindergarten teacher, even as a young child!
My very first teaching job really was special! I taught kindergarten in Harlem, NY. I absolutely loved all of my children and because of this it was the greatest feeling to go to work every day.

Once I became a mom (another dream come true!!!) I was so fortunate that I could stay home with my two children, Sammy and Lucy. By the time my kids were school age I decided to use the experience I had from growing up in the promotional products industry (working for my parents company) and started my own. Monkey Business! This allowed me to work part time, start very small, and still be the mom I always dreamed to be.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We live in Raleigh, North Carolina and we love having family come visit and stay with us, It is a special feeling to show them all of our favorite spots! My favorite is first to have them settle in at our house, show them to the guest room, and then offer them a nice, strong cup of coffee . I love coffee! With our coffee in hand, we walk out to the deck, and and then to the backyard. I love my garden! The short stay always incorporates shopping, eating, being outdoors, and more coffee. Raleigh has lots of great restaurants, shopping, parks, and museums.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I am so very lucky to have the support and love from my family! My husband, Paco, always listens to me, and gives me advice when I need it. Paco also always encourages me to think big. He is always ready to help out in any way he can before I have a meeting, and he always wishes me good luck on my way to the meeting, and asks me how it went when I am done with the meeting!

My kids, Sammy and Lucy, are awesome support to me as well! They have helped me with social media when I have needed help, advice on products, and creative ideas on logo designs.

My parents, Peter and Jacquie, are also a huge part of my success! In fact, it is because of them that I know the promotional products industry. Throughout my whole life my parents have owned different companies in this industry, I grew up with this, and loved working for them on my school breaks at trade shows and in the office. I learned a lot from them through their companies, which gave me the confidence to start my own company. They are still my go to for industry questions and advice, even though they are retired now. I also need to thank all of my loyal clients! I love my clients so much, and I feel so appreciative for all of the business and referrals they have each given me over the years!

Website: https://monkeybusiness.espwebsite.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monkeybusinessraleigh/

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/nikki-rivas-06973847

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/monkeybusinesspro/