A WOMAN who overcame the trauma of being brutally attacked while on a night out in Colchester has spoken about how the ordeal inspired her to launch her own business. 

Nikki Collier was just 18 when she was punched in the face during an incident in the city centre. 

Her attacker was never prosecuted despite appeals by the police and the case being covered by BBC's Crimewatch. 

Now 33, Nikki has spoken to the Gazette about how her life has turned around. 

For almost a year after the incident, Nikki suffered from constant back pain, which sometimes required the use of a wheelchair.

She said: “That experience took a lot out of me. It wasn’t just the physical pain—it was the emotional toll of it all.”

Despite these challenges, Nikki has emerged stronger.

“The things I went through made me the person I am today. I realised that empathy is at the core of everything I do," she said. 

"It’s important to understand people’s needs and meet them where they are, whether that’s with my children or with the families I will work with.”

Nikki, who grew up in Colchester, is now a mum to son Joseph, aged seven, and a daughter Sara, aged four. 

Her son is autistic, and Nikki’s top priority is being present for him and her younger child.

“Everything I do is for my children,” Nikki explains.

“Being a mum is the most important job I have, and I wanted a career that allowed me to be there for them, especially during school breaks.”

After years of working in telecoms, Nikki realised that her career wasn’t fitting in with her family life.

So, earlier this year, she took a brave step and launched Belle Abodes—a business that offers home staging, luxury cleaning, professional organizing, and clearances, all with a personal touch.

Her work helps people do everything from get their homes tidy similar to Stacey Solomon's TV show Sort Your Life Out to preparing their homes for photographs for estate agents. 

One of the unique aspects of Belle Abodes is Nikki’s deep understanding of ASD, ADHD, OCD, and hoarding.

Drawing on her personal experience raising her autistic son and her extensive knowledge of these conditions, Nikki tailors her services to meet the specific needs of families facing diverse challenges.

She said: “I know how overwhelming it can feel when things pile up. Decluttering a home can be a life-changing experience, it helps bring families closer together."

In launching Belle Abodes, Nikki has found a way to combine her love for home renovation, her organisational skills, and her desire to help others.

After losing her mum to brain cancer at a young age and going through her own traumatic experience, Nikki went on a transformative journey.

She saved diligently to buy her first home, renovated it, and moved into her second home with a low mortgage.

Now, she is ready to help others like herself.

“I believe in putting the beautiful back into your home,” she says.

“When a space is inviting and organized, families naturally spend more time together.”

Nikki’s supportive family, including her partner Phil, has been a rock throughout her journey.

“Phil and my children have been incredible,” Nikki says. “They’ve given me the strength and confidence to start this business and to build something that really helps people.” 

With Belle Abodes, Nikki, who now lives in Hadleigh, hopes to receive support from the Essex community as she grows her business.

“I want people to know that even when life gets tough, it’s possible to turn things around and create something beautiful,” she said.

For more information or to contact Nikki for home staging, professional organizing, or luxury cleaning, visit [www.bellabodes.co.uk](http://www.bellabodes.co.uk).