Roxy Jacenko says daughter Pixie Curtis ‘can retire at 15’
A successful entrepreneur at only 10, Pixie Curtis, daughter of PR queen Roxy Jacenko, gives a rare insight into her life and relationship with her mother in a candid and cheeky interview with Stellar.
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Welcome to the world of Pixie Curtis, the pint-sized entrepreneur, who at the age of 10 is following in mum and Sydney PR queen Roxy Jacenko’s footsteps. Between class and running a successful business, the Sydney school student joins Stellar for a photo shoot and cheeky conversation that proves the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree
What have you been doing since lockdown finished?
Pixie: The first thing I did was go to the beach with my friends. And since then, I’ve been doing a lot more school sports and activities. It’s fun.
Do you like being back at school or did you prefer homeschooling?
Pixie: Well, you don’t have to do as much at home as you do at school, but it’s good to see my friends.
Are you busy working? Because your business has a lot going on.
Pixie: Yes, [Pixie’s Pix includes] my hair-bow business [Pixie’s Bows], Pixie’s Pix [which sells toys] and I also have Pixie’s Fidgets, where we sell fidgets.
How did that come about?
Roxy: It was Pixie’s idea. She came to me one day and said, “I really think we need to start a business selling fidgets because they are so hard to find.”
Pixie: Especially good ones.
Roxy: I spoke to a few people and everyone said we were too late to this craze, but Pixie was adamant, and I believed in her. I think the difference here is that we have someone who is the same age as the customer who is actually choosing the products.
Pixie: Because the ones you choose are so, so bad.
Roxy: Yes, I’ve chosen some things that have been absolutely bad sellers, but everything she chooses has been spot-on. Maybe I should listen to the 10-year-old.
Roxy, you’ve worked with a lot of different people over your career. What’s it like having your 10-year-old daughter as a business partner?
Roxy: You know, what is the most exciting for me is the entrepreneurial spirit that she has at such a young age. I never had it, although it was drummed into me that I had to succeed. When I was 14, I got a job at McDonald’s because that’s what you did back in my day. So, I guess to me the biggest thing is her drive as an entrepreneur. Yes, I’ve enabled it, but she’s still got it, which is for me the most rewarding part.
Pixie, your mum posted your Christmas wish list on Instagram and it’s very impressive. What do you think your chances are of getting everything you’ve asked for?
Pixie: Pretty good. Mum also said if I get a good report card this year, then I can get second piercings in my ears.
And are you confident that you’ll get a good report?
Pixie: Oh, I don’t know. If I don’t, it’s because I always forget to bring back my library books, so that’s a bit of a problem.
Roxy: Have you seen the rest of her Christmas list? It’s outrageous. Her brother Hunter’s list is even worse.
Pixie: No, it’s not, he only wants four things.
Roxy: Four very expensive things. He wants a PlayStation 5 – they’re harder to track down than a Birkin bag.
What are you getting Mum for Christmas? Roxy, cover your ears.
Roxy: OK, they’re covered.
Pixie: OK, I’m going to get her some new clothes because she has no good clothes at all, and I also want to get her some real hair because she desperately needs hair extensions.
What are your plans for Christmas this year?
Pixie: OK well, I’m glad you brought that up because today my friend told me his family are going to Paris for Christmas and I think that’s just wonderful. So, I told Mum I think we should go to my favourite place, which is Fiji.
Roxy: We have a lovely lunch booked with my mum and my stepdad, my husband Ollie, and my aunty and the kids. And then in January, we’re going to Hamilton Island. And today I get a call from Pixie saying, “My friend is off to Paris, so I really think we should be fitting in a trip to Fiji.” And I told Pixie, we can if she’s paying [laughs]!
Pixie: Mum, wouldn’t you like to go to Laucala Island. That was the best holiday! Do you know Jackie O?
Yes, I know Jackie O.
Pixie: Well, her and Mum are friends, and I’m friends with her daughter Kitty. We went there for a holiday together and it was just so wonderful. We would go swimming in the pool
and because the resort was safe, Kitty and I could go for a walk on our own and get ice cream.
Roxy: I arrived at work at 7am this morning, and with Pixie’s wish list and a trip to Fiji, I’m going to have to work through the night until 7am tomorrow just to pay for everything.
Pixie, what do you think about your mum’s job and everything that she does? Do you know what PR is?
Pixie: Hmmmm, not really.
Roxy: Do I work hard?
Pixie: Yes, very hard.
Roxy: What do I always do?
Pixie: Drink caprioskas?
Roxy: [Laughs] Oh yes Pixie, that’s what I do.
When you finish school, what would you like to do?
Pixie: I have no idea yet.
Roxy: You won’t need to worry; you can retire at 15 the way you’re going.