Famous athletes’ entrepreneurial spirit continues in their daughters
Ann Kohlmeyer of Jupiter, the former owner of Writes & Invites in North Palm Beach, said she and her best friend, Nan Nicklaus O’Leary of North Palm Beach were talking about opening a fine gift and accessories shop when all their kids were in college.
But when Ashley Frederickson of Jupiter began talking to the two friends, they decided to forge ahead and open The Back Porch last December on U. S. 1 in North Palm Beach.
“We were really excited. As we started talking about it, the three of us were like magpies, saying ‘we’ve got to do this,'” said O’Leary, the daughter of golfing great Jack Nicklaus and his wife, Barbara.
“Dad has been in a couple of times, and mom has given us ideas, such as expanding the merchandise to include things for men,” O’Leary said. “Some people thought it was the wrong time to open a shop like this. But we thought that despite these lovely economic times, whether it was parents or friends who said we were crazy, if you wait until people say to do it, then you never do it at all.”
Barbara Nicklaus said, “It was probably her father who said she was out of her mind. But Ann is one of the most creative people I know, Nan is organized and Ashley is fun and has young ideas, so they are having a good time.”
