Celebrate International Women’s Day with us as we delve into the world of 5 influential female founders. Explore their perspectives on the strengths of being a woman in business, discover the inspirational figures that have influenced them, and gain valuable advice for aspiring female entrepreneurs shaping the business landscape of tomorrow.
The Beauty Chef Founder: Carla Oates
1. What's your favourite thing about being a woman in business?
I am really proud of creating a brand that encompasses both products and education, to help people with their gut health, their skin health and their overall wellbeing—so they can be the best, healthiest versions of themselves. Hearing from women within our community who have discovered our products and had great results—whether it be glowing skin, better digestion, energy or healthy hair—just knowing that The Beauty Chef has helped them, that’s one of my favourite things.
2. What advice do you have for women wanting to start their own brand?
Look after your gut, be gutsy and follow your gut instinct.
3. Who is a female role model you look up to & why?
It’s difficult to pick just one! Patti Smith, Jane Goodall, Oprah Winfrey and Hope Jahren are a few that I admire—incredible women who have helped inspire so many others by trailblazing, setting new precedents and embodying what womanhood can look like in the modern world.
4. Your favourite product from your brand?
GLOW® Inner Beauty Essential—it was the first product I launched back in 2009 and is the one product I think everyone should be taking 365 days of the year. I recently turned 50, so I’ve now transitioned from GLOW® to GLOW AGELESS™, which offers extra support in terms of bone health, thyroid health, hormone health and antioxidant support. It still has all the amazing benefits for your skin health, gut, energy and immunity, but with more specific ingredients for people over 50. They’re both delicious daily drinkable habits that make it so easy to get up and glow. I have 1 teaspoon every morning—that’s all you need to reap the benefits of these amazing fermented superpowders
LUMIRA Founder - Amira Armstrong
What's your favourite thing about being a woman in business?
To me the most rewarding aspect is waking up everyday and knowing that I am going to do something that I love with the constant support from my clients and customers who have been with me from the beginning. I love seeing new fragrances come to life. It’s a long and beautiful process to create scents and so when the samples finally arrive it’s so rewarding to see and smell a physical product come to fruition.
What advice do you have for women wanting to start their own brand?
You must be truly passionate about what you do because this business can be as all-consuming as it is rewarding. But my other piece of advice is to consider the bigger picture – that is, the world we live in and the challenges it’s facing. How can your business or product not only delight your customers but also support and nurture our environment? You don’t need to wait until your business is a certain size before you look for ways to give back. Today, it’s a mark of success to integrate sustainability values and goals into your business from the very start.
Who is a female role model you look up to & why?
My mum has been an immense inspiration throughout my life. She worked her way to the top throughout her career and she is a huge support to me always.
Your favourite product from your brand?
My perennial favourite product is the Tuscan Fig Perfume Oil. This scent suits any season and occasion; it has a freshness that cuts through the fig’s traditionally sweet and milky scent. Plus the Perfume Oils are so easy to throw in my handbag and apply on the go.
I also love the LUMIRA La Primavera Parfum – I love that it’s a floral scent with woody base notes that add a little twist to your traditional florals.
Vida Glow Founder- Anna Lahey
1. What's your favourite thing about being a woman in business?
To be in the position to champion other women and their successes. As a female entrepreneur, I feel that it’s my role to encourage and elevate women in the workforce. To present new career pathways for women and to support the real demands of life as a woman. Vida Glow is a 92% female-operated business, with women comprising the majority of our leadership team. I’m so proud of the culture we’ve created and am lucky to be surrounded daily by strong, intelligent women who never cease to inspire me.
2. What advice do you have for women wanting to start their own brand?
Just start. No matter what you want to achieve, take the first step. That’s the most important thing you can do. Instead of pursing for perfection, just start. You might make mistakes, but that’s how you’ll learn and evolve.
3. Who is a female role model you look up to & why?
My mother. As a mother myself, I can’t imagine the sacrifices she made to give us a better life. Migrating to Australia from Brazil. With no support or family - to give an education and opportunities to her daughters, opportunities we would have never had overseas. She worked night shift to make ends meet. She learnt English by watching Play School. When she got home from taking us to swimming lessons she would look up “be careful” in the dictionary, as that was what she would hear the other mothers saying. I attribute my grit to my mum.
4. Your favourite product from your brand?
I’m loving Collagen Liquid Advance. It’s a concentrated dose of our marine collagen, blended with antioxidants and vitamin C to boost the effectives of the collagen to firm skin and smooth lines and wrinkles. In our consumer trials, our dermatological devices were able to detect a visible reduction in the age of our participant’s skin. Some up to 7 years! It’s so easy to take, you tear the sachet and drink – no need to blend in a smoothie or water. The best part is it tastes delicious!
Glasshouse Fragrances Founder- Nicola Eckels
1. What's your favourite thing about being a woman in business?
I love creating the products and services that go to market. This way, we are creating things that woman actually LOVE and want. It is always mind blowing to me when a company has a large percentage of woman as their customer base and yet, that isn’t reflected at a management level.
2.What advice do you have for women wanting to start their own brand?
Supporting women is crucial. Going out of your way to support other women is an excellent way to contribute. Ultimately, I believe a willingness to offer help by sharing knowledge, contacts, and experiences without expecting anything in return, especially if you've already achieved success, is incredibly beneficial for women. Always prioritize your customers, quality, and the people working for you and your team. They are the most important individuals in bringing your vision to life.
3.Who is a female role model you look up to & why?
I’ve always looked up to Gabrielle Bonheur “Coco” Chanel as CHANEL was the first brand I worked with as a make-up artist and I’ve loved how she had the power to transcend the everyday as a fearless and independent woman while paving the way for other female leaders within fashion and beauty for years to follow.
4.Your favourite product from your brand?
A Tahaa Affair is definitely one of our top picks. It holds a special place in my heart because it's nostalgic and happens to be one of our first fragrances. So, it's extra meaningful to me.
WelleCo Founder: Elle Macpherson
What's your favourite thing about being a woman in business?
There are so many things! More recently I had the time to ponder this after I was honoured to receive ‘Beauty Entrepreneur of the Year’ at the Harper’s Bazaar Spain’s Women of the Year awards.
In the beginning, when I spent my days in front the camera, I was motivated to be self-determined, financially independent and free. In the decades since then, I’ve found sharing my knowledge, wisdoms and personal discoveries and realisations from my own wellness journey to be the most gratifying element.
The business of beauty, to me, is an illustration of the uniqueness, vitality, and innovation inherent in all women. We are the ultimate creators, best able to bloom when we are feeling and looking well. Enabling that power to manifest through so many women around the world has been the work of my lifetime.
What advice do you have for women wanting to start their own brand?
Use your heart as your compass and adopt a ‘give it a go’ attitude. And trust - trust your inner sense, and your ability to do what is required - life only ever presents us with what we are capable of. Whether we think you can or not, you can... or you would not be facing it in your life. This is what worked for me!
Who is a female role model you look up to and why?
I’ve had so many, and I will continue to have role models and mentors because we never stop learning and encountering the varying challenges of life. It’s a pleasure to also guide younger women as they go through all of the highs and lows that come with a meaningful life and business.
Your favourite product from your brand?
Our collection is beautifully bookended by my two current favourites. Our first, pioneering product, The Super Elixir™ (almost ten years young!) is my essential each morning — I love it for its many benefits from enhanced energy levels, improved gut health, weight maintenance, less bloating and clearer skin. Once the sun goes down, I get my nutrient hit with our latest release, The Evening Elixir. It boosts collagen formation, helps maintain the skin’s structure and protects cells from free radical damage. I’m a chocaholic so this indulgent, 13-calorie sweet treat is my favourite way to wind down and glow up!
Explore our curated edit featuring a diverse range of female-founded beauty brands. Shop now and embrace the empowerment of beauty innovation.
Celebrate International Women’s Day with us as we delve into the world of 5 influential female founders. Explore their perspectives on the strengths of being a woman in business, discover the inspirational figures that have influenced them, and gain valuable advice for aspiring female entrepreneurs shaping the business landscape of tomorrow
