Over 66% of the brands featured on More This were founded by women. So, in our opinion it’s fair to say that women are paving the way when it comes to positive impact, questioning how we shop and encouraging us to think about how we can do more with less.
We wanted to put together a special piece on this year’s International Women’s Day to celebrate the achievements of the women around us, and who better to speak to than the founders that make up our forward-thinking community.
This year’s theme Balance for Better, focuses on issues around work-life balance, mental health and the challenges women face juggling responsibilities at work and home. People are coming together, across the world, to demand action that drives gender balance in workplaces.
Many of the brands featured on More This were not only founded by women, they also make a point of supporting other women through the decisions they make as a business. The way they run their businesses means women are actively supported and encouraged in their working lives.
We spoke to a few of the women who work for these brands as well as the founders themselves, here’s what they had to say…
“As women who often have multiple areas of responsibilities – looking after children, caring for other members of the family that need our support, cooking, cleaning, and often in addition to having a paid job, being part of something so creative, that gives a sense of belonging, promotes and creates change, and is progressively working to eliminate very real barriers has been amazing. I have learned to celebrate my skills and value the contribution that I do make to Juta, which has had a huge impact on my confidence and translated to others and in life in so many ways'
- Makers of Juta Shoes
“This would not have happened if it wasn’t for Juta, it’s not just a job or work, but my contribution to society one day and shoe at a time”
‘I’ve learned that one of the most important things is collaboration and perseverance. To achieve transparency and to ensure our products reflect our ethos, we consistently have to ask questions and analyse every decision we make. It is definitely tough starting a business, there are a lot of hidden and challenging tasks, but it is crucial to build a strong team around you and hire people that are both passionate about their roles and have a positive impact on the rest of the team. I feel strongly about listening to everyone’s opinion, as more diverse opinions around the table leads to a better product and better solutions’
- Riley Uggla, founder of Riley Studios
“Starting an ethical business has shown me how much women can achieve together, both in business, and through friendship and moral support”
‘From the artisans I work with in the highlands of Mexico to the fellow entrepreneurs I have met here in London, starting an ethical business has shown me how much women can achieve together, both in business, and through friendship and moral support’
- Olivia Campus, founder of Nido Collective
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