When I bought my first house in London with my husband-to-be, our surveyor said: "Nicki, you're paying top dollar, but it's not an investment," and I said: "But we're buying a home, not an investment."

I applied for three jobs in record companies and was offered all of them. I took the most glamorous-sounding job in the promotions department and it began my love affair with the music industry.

People think I get this free wardrobe but, sadly, that's not the case. I sometimes sell my unwanted clothes and shoes at car-boots so I can buy more - that's my guilty secret.

My first part-time job gave me the smell of earning money when I worked in a village chemist aged 14. I loved helping the pharmacist with prescriptions and on the shop floor, with its glamorous make-up aisle.

My parents explained: "You can either have a big Christmas and birthday present or we'll go abroad." We'd say: "Let's go abroad!" We had a lovely childhood.

Thirty-nine was the best year of my life earnings-wise. I paid off my mortgage and felt a massive sense of achievement.

If you get up every morning and smile, it's a good place to be.