“Growth doesn’t come from comfort zones.”
That’s the mantra of Amberley’s newest business owner, Milly Henderson.

When Milly Henderson first wandered into Out of the Bleu eight years ago, she went home buzzing to her husband, James.
“I came home to James, and I said ‘I’ve just been into the most beautiful shop. If I ever got the opportunity to buy it, that would be an absolute dream come true’.”

This April, she did.
At 35, after five years in real estate and a recent season of maternity leave with daughter Chloe, Henderson stepped into ownership of the French-country gift shop behind Amberley’s iconic Blue Dairy, with the intent of carrying forward a local icon while adding her own mark.

“I wanted to keep it going,” she says. “It would’ve been detrimental to the community if it had just shut the doors.”
Former owner and founder Julie Cann “built something really special,” and Henderson’s first move has been continuity: keeping the much-loved aesthetic, an affordable price point for locals, and the welcoming, friendly feel.

“I’m very conscious of keeping it affordable,” she says. “I’m trying to have that point of difference while staying true to myself because I believe in the products that I’m selling.”

Farming’s ripple effect

Amberley’s resurgence as a weekend destination of boutique shopping, coffee, and a cheeky wine owes plenty to a reported surge in rural confidence, Henderson believes.
“Small towns like rural towns like Amberley seem to be doing quite well because of the farming community behind them.”

She’s deliberate about keeping stock unique from other local businesses in the small service town.
“I’m conscious of not stocking the same things that other stores are selling and giving customers a really good variety of shopping experiences in Amberley.”

Events have a flow-on effect too, and Henderson is hoping to make the most of upcoming regional events like the Amberley A&P Show and the Hurunui Garden Festival.
Normally open Tuesday to Saturday, she will open right through big weekends to catch the increase in visitors.
Her handmade lampshades will again feature at Saddlewood Garden during the festival, and she is taking a stall to the Hanmer Springs fête with help from her mum and aunt.

Wearing all the hats

Running a small business has meant Henderson has had to learn myriad new skills. “You’re a merchandiser, you’re a buyer, you are the accountant, you’re your own therapist, and your customer therapist sometimes.”

Social media was a steep learning curve, but she tries to “be herself.”
“I’m very shy in front of the camera. I find it very hard to put myself out there,” she admits. “I think people appreciate the realness.”

Behind the scenes, she is modernising systems and reach to navigate a challenging economic climate.
“We have brought in a point-of-sale system, and we’re building a website so we can sell from anywhere.”

It takes a village

The early makeover of the store was a family affair, and it helps to have a builder for a husband and a dad who is a professional painter.
“My husband is like a bull at a gate,” she says.

A small tidy-up over Easter quickly snowballed into more extensive changes.
“James did so much, and Dad and I were in the store painting until the evening.”
The refresh opened the front and created better room for clothing, while Henderson’s “wee side hustle,” lampshades she began during Chloe’s nap times, has slotted naturally into the mix.

The juggle is real, and the support of family and friends has been crucial.
“We’re really lucky to have the support of friends and both sets of parents to help with the sharing of life admin and taking care of Chloe.”

Being a role model for her daughter is key to Henderson’s motivation.
“The main reason that I do this is actually for Chloe,” she says. “I want her to grow up and see that her mom is working hard at something that she loves.”

Managing impostor syndrome

When curating her wares for customers, Henderson says she has learned to have confidence in her instincts.
“You have to back yourself because  the whole reason you are here is because you believe in the products you’re selling.”

Customers’ enthusiasm helps.
Regulars beeline for pieces they saw her try on online, and they send photos of lampshades and baskets “in their house.”
“They’re seeing it and they’re following our journey, which is really cool.”

For other mums on the fence

Asked what she would tell another mum with a big idea, Henderson does not hesitate, even if the timing is not perfect.
“Growth doesn’t come from comfort zones, just do it.”

For now, it is baby steps: keep the store fresh so locals always find a surprise, stay open across the big weekends, and get the website live.
“Buying this business is like a dream come true,” Henderson says. “I’m doing exactly what I’ve always dreamt of doing, I’m exactly where I should be.”

By Claire Inkson