It’s All About Us this IWD 2020!

Has there been a woman in your life who inspired and encouraged you?

“My mum – she always encouraged me to follow what I want to do and allow and support me to give things a try and go for it. And if it doesn’t work out, to get up again and try something new. She simply encouraged me to follow my heart and find out what I want to do in life and what I want from my life.” – Sarah, founder of Naya

“Denise is an excellent example of an empowered woman by using her platform and status to champion sisterhood and help fellow fempreneurs build their brands.” – Theresa, founder of Skin Alchemists

“I’m very inspired by Margot Noel from what was Gaia Refills but they are about to get a new name.. @refillswithabettername is the temporary name! Margot has been pushing forward with a project to deliver entirely zero waste skincare from a hand picked selection of natural brands. She is a fierce Parisan with a beautiful aesthetic sense, and a determined attitude for change when it comes to leading the design of her beautiful re -usable & washable containers that have an infinite life.” – Sarah, founder of Love Absolute

“It almost sounds cliched but, my mum showed my sister and I that it was very possible to create something from nothing. If you could imagine it,  then you could do it. She was very industrious and often had little side hustles going on in addition to her main career to enable her to support us growing up. Whether it was buying and selling fabrics to saving up to invest in land back home in Nigeria. Sometimes the risks paid off, sometimes they didn’t. But for me the greatest lesson I learned was that there will always be opportunity. However, we must have the courage, patience and faith in our creativity to pursue it.” – Ibi, founder of the Afro Hair & Skin Co. 

Share your favourite quote from an inspirational woman that you often refer to:

Opportunities don’t often come along. So, when they do, you have to grab them.” – Audrey Hepburn – Sarah, Founder of Naya

One of my favourite quotes is “Empowered women empower women” because I really believe in the power of sisterhood and uplifting each other, which is why I am so proud to be part of the Wow Beauty shop. –  Theresa, founder of Skin Alchemists

Quote from Margot Noel “Why exchange e-mails when you can grab a coffee? Why make money when you can change the world?” Sarah, founder of Love Absolute

One of my fave inspirational women is Miki Agrawal, a serial entrepreneur who builds culture shifting brands that give back. She has founded 4 incredible businesses and one of her mantras is “Eliminate the depletes – the people who complain or hold you back” – Ibi, founder of The Afro Hair & Skin Co

What does International Women’s Day mean to me? 

“International Women’s Day is an opportunity to honour the women who have been at the forefront of fighting for gender equality across a range of topics and focus on what further actions are still required. It is for us to reflect and be grateful for all these fearless women from the past and celebrate those in the present that will continue to make a difference in the future.” – Sarah, founder of Naya

“For me International Women’s day is a day to celebrate female empowerment, to recognise the women who have paved the way for us to have rights,  to have a voice, those who have nurtured us and those who have broken barriers and instilled hope and desire in us.” – Theresa, founder of Skin Alchemists

“I feel International Woman’s Day should be a time to reflect and celebrate all the female led independent beauty brands, who created a competitive landscape for personal care products like beauty and skincare, taking things back to natural, and leading the way to change.  

The average consumer now have a vast sea of healthy products to choose from as the big brands have had to compete with the little guys.” – Sarah, founder of Love Absolute

“You won’t know unless you try. If you have an idea, then you owe it to yourself to try it out. Rather than imagine what could go wrong, think of all the things that could go right.” – Ibi, Founder of The Afro Hair & Skin Co