International women's day
Based on the idea that when women are supported and team up together, incredible things happen. We have collaborated with three brands founded by Women; Milly Grace, Leaf Envy, Window Fleur to chat about our personal experiences of creating a brand.
TATIANA KOVYLINA AND PHOEBE GREENACRE
1. What is your why?
Phoebe: My why is to inspire as many women to live outside the box we were taught to exist in. To go against the rules. To create a life that lights them up. To go against the societal norms of being the good girl. I’m so grateful that I get to work with women, create this internal freedom in their bodies and also externally with building businesses.
Tatiana: Silou is a result of my passion for embodying an active lifestyle. The majority of my modelling career in my twenties was spent between international photoshoots locations, gyms and airports so i was practically existing in activewear, yet there wasn’t anything that met my standards. My dedication to daily yoga practice came later in the picture, adding yet another reason to bring my why to life. I wanted to create a brand that had ethical principles at the core yet embodied style and class - activewear that blends with the business of a modern woman.
2. What book or podcast has inspired you recently?
Phoebe: I've just re-read Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert - definitely inspiring if you think you are blocked or not creative.
Tatiana: Factfullness by Hans Rosling
3. What is the best piece of advice you have received on your journey?
Phoebe:So many pieces of advice to share - but this one resonates with me at the moment. “Don’t take advice from someone that has not already created the life you desire.”
Tatiana: Remove all of the illusions.
4. What daily rituals do you undertake for self care?
Phoebe: Checking in with what my body needs is my first point of call. Sometimes I need movement, sometimes I need meditation, sometimes I need some breathing practices. Each day is different depending on what part of my cycle I am in - so I choose self care differently each day.
Tatiana: Pranayama, nauli kriya, dry body brushing, bamboo body tapping before I do anything in the morning.
5. What is one truth you'd like to share behind being a female founder?
Phoebe : In most entrepreneur journeys, we think we need to have everything sorted out. What I’ve learnt over the past decade is that it is ok to not know everything and it’s ok to ask for help.
Tatiana: Be grateful to your team. The people that make the exciting moments. Without them, moments like this one wouldn’t happen.
6. Share another woman who inspires you in your creative / entrepreneurial journey!
Phoebe: Most recently I’m inspired by Mel Robins entrepreneurial journey of re-inventing herself in her 50’s (listening to her podcast religiously)
Tatiana: Oprah
EMILY
1. What is your why?
My main reason why I founded Milly Grace was to create an accessible option for ethically made jewellery. Creating a brand that aligns with my values has been my why from the beginning.
2. What book or podcast has inspired you recently?
I have loved reading ‘feel the fear and do it anyway’ by Susan Jeffers. It is really actionable and so relatable, especially as a woman where I feel we can doubt our own power sometimes.
3. What is the best advice you have received on your journey?
A few things: winners and learners, you have to be outstanding to stand out and most importantly to appreciate the journey
4. What daily rituals do you undertake for self care?
For me, it's all about the little every day things. My morning coffee is everything, sat next to my little dog. I’ve started (attempting) to meditate and it has really helped to quiet yet expand my mind. I absolutely love the outdoors and cycling so I include this in my everyday.
5. What is one truth you would like to share about being a female founder?
A bias does exist although as a white cis woman I am very privileged so can’t comment on everyone’s experience. From my experience the truth is that we are so much stronger together, encouraging each other.
6. Share a woman who inspires you in your creative/entrepreneurial journey?
Probably not the most exciting answer but genuinely the women in my family, my closest friends and all the women I have worked with for Milly Grace. It’s all the little things, seeing your friends make breakthroughs, my sisters growing up to be incredible women, my mum who is the most kindhearted giving woman in my world. The list goes on. Also, I think the one person who inspires me most is myself, you have to be your own best friend and cheerlead yourself.
FRANNIE
1) What is your why?
To bring plants to people who love them but may not know enough about them to be confident enough to plant their own window box or have the time to do so. We also love to bring more plants to our cities and to allow the people living there to maximise their space by owning a windowsill garden.
I created Window Fleur together with my cousin Joe, to have something of my own that I was proud of, and to help to educate people on plants and brighten peoples homes!
2) What book or podcast has inspired you recently?
Fern Cottons’ ‘Happy Place’, and then I’ve recently read ‘Where the Crawdads Sing’ and I can’t recommend it enough!
3) What is the best piece of advice you have received on your journey?
Don’t sweat the small stuff and pick your battles. Remember to remind yourself off the little wins, and make time to step back and look back at what you have created and achieved.
4) What daily rituals do you undertake for self care?
Walking the dog, making time to properly rest, learning to say no, hot water bottles, loads of pasta, long baths with a good BBC drama, and a spoon on Nutella every now and again.
5) What is one truth you'd like to share behind being a female founder?
You will be tested every day and surprise yourself all the time, but in truth don’t under estimate how much hard work it is.You have make a to do list for every area of your life, and become an expert juggler but other areas of life will inevitably suffer/change and that’s OK!
6) Share another woman who inspires you in your creative / entrepreneurial journey!
There are too many, but to name a few Dolly Parton, Laura Jackson, and all the strong women in my life-The sisterhood!
BETH
1) What is your why?
Happiness, kindness, gratitude and love in everything I do.
2) What book or podcast has inspired you recently?
The 5 AM Club by Robin Sharma
3) What is the best piece of advice you have received on your journey?
Failure is essential for success.
4) What daily rituals do you undertake for self care?
Walks with my dog, working out, listening to audiobooks and podcasts to switch off and regular coffee breaks!
5) What is one truth you'd like to share behind being a female founder?
Unconscious bias exists, and you have to fight to switch the narrative.
6) Share another woman who inspires you in your creative / entrepreneurial journey! (i.e. Frida Kahlo, Madonna, Jane Goodall, etc)
I don't have a single role model, "people" inspire me, and I look to take the good from everyone I meet.
ON THE JOURNAL
Silou Mother's Day Gift Guide
OMEGA-3 KEDGEREE
THE SILOU GIFT GUIDE
There's an art to gift giving. It says alot about you, what you've gifted and why. Done right, you feel a sense of achievement - perhaps even a little smug. A blend of visual intelligence, years of friendship and understanding means you can recognise your loved for who they are, and most importantly - their potential. It's not essential to gift these items for a happy Christmas, but we're sure they'll be over the moon with any of these.
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