Miki Coulston never imagined herself running a clothing business, but her new label Country & Me was born from a fruitless search for comfortable, durable but stylish leggings.
Spotting a gap in the market, and a need of her own, Miki set about building a great product around an awesome community of like-minded rural lasses, in an industry she is passionate about. The result is Country & Me – good gear for good women.
The range includes her signature leggings, fleece lined headbands and singlets, and she has plans to extend it to base layer tops and bike shorts in summer.
She and her husband manage the iconic Puketiti Station at Te Puia Springs, north of Gisborne, where they are raising their young family. Having had varied roles in the ag sector, including jobs shepherding, working on a cattle station in Australia and operating her own crutching trailer, Miki became a stay-at-home mum after the move to Puketiti. Not content with chasing a busy toddler around, she quietly set about designing her first product, purpose-built leggings, and launched the business earlier this year.
As is often the way, the road has not been smooth and on the eve of the Country & Me launch, Cyclone Gabrielle rained on her parade, literally. In typical Miki fashion, she was determined to forge on. “I didn’t want to let the cycle take that away from me.” As soon as the roads allowed, she packed up and headed to her in-laws in Upper Hutt, where she launched Country & Me as planned.
I caught up with this inspirational rural woman to find out what makes her tick.
Describe yourself in 3 words: Ambitious, outgoing, hard working.
Was there a lightbulb moment for you? I’d say it was a pivotal moment rather than a lightbulb moment, when I left my first horrible job as a junior shepherd, which knocked my confidence, and went to work for a family who really picked me up and taught me so much. It was my first real knock back in life and a hard introduction to the real world. I probably grew up a bit, realised what was important and appreciated a few more things in life. I became like their oldest kid, and they took me in as part of the family, they taught me so much as a shepherd, and about work ethic.
Best advice you’ve ever received? From my dad. Spend your time, make memories and live your life rather than building empires. While I’m ambitious, I’m also in the moment. I really like to be present, I like to make the trip, spend time with my family. Money can always be made, so spend it (within reason of course)!
What are you looking for in work wear? Something that’s durable, you get your money’s worth and don’t have to buy again after a month of thrashing it. I want something warm, comfortable and that fits well – fits a woman. You can’t go past the fact that most women, to a degree, want to look half decent too! I want something that ticks all the boxes, an all-round product that goes the distance but looks good as well.
What’s your favourite thing about rural life? Hands down being part of a cool, awesome, small (depending on where you live) community. The free-range lifestyle it brings, to live your life and bring your kids up, 100%.
Dream way to spend a day? To be honest, something like spending a really nice day with good weather at the beach or in the bush with my family. Quality time doing an outdoor activity with my family.
What are you listening to/reading? I’m a big country music fan, you can always hear me blasting country – my favourites are Luke Combs and Morgan Wallen.
I’m reading a few of the Lesley Pearse books, she’s a fantastic author, they’re fictional but based on true historical events and the main character is always a young woman.
I always, always recommend the Paullina Simons The Bronze Horseman series, and the Seven Sisters series by Lucinda Reily is also good. I’m a real bookworm.
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