Celebrate Female Entrepreneurs on International Women’s Day

Today, I want to celebrate female entrepreneurs everywhere to mark International Women’s Day (which takes place today – March 8th)

As you know, I have recently launched a new business to coach women to live the life of their dreams, and in order to inspire and motivate you, I started this series about inspiring women of all ages and in all walks of life who have walked the road before you and who have gone on this journey.

March is Women’s History Month, and I’m delighted to highlight and celebrate just a few inspiring female entrepreneurs, who have identified problems, created solutions to those problems and stepped up to help and serve others.

I hope their stories of creativity, courage and perseverance in the face of difficulties will motivate you, and maybe even inspire you to start your own entrepreneur journey.

Celebrate Female Entrepreneurs

Here are some inspiring women who paved the entrepreneurial road, so let’s celebrate female entrepreneurs and some of their amazing achievements!

Hilary MacMillan : Hilary MacMillan

I want to start off this feature with Hilary MacMillan, a cruelty-free, size-inclusive contemporary womenswear brand based out of Canada, and founded by Hilary MacMillan.

Hilary MacMillan is a Canadian fashion designer and the creator of the Hilary MacMillan clothing line. She founded the eponymous brand in 2013 and is widely known for leading the affordable cruelty-free and size inclusive contemporary womenswear space. Hilary’s designs notably feature tailored fits, edited each season to reflect seasonality, trend and fabric choices. Hilary MacMillan’s signature pieces are trench coats, bomber jackets and high waisted separates.

In the 00’s Hilary MacMillan attended UBC for college and as a post-graduate attended the Blanche MacDonald Fashion School where she trained, honed and develop the necessary skills to be a technical womenswear designer. She is deeply passionate about animal welfare and women’s issues and both of these values are integral to the fabric of her brand. 

The brand was founded in 2013 and is renowned for offering versatile contemporary pieces in timeless silhouettes. The brand focuses on using high-quality, cruelty-free fabrics to design ready-to-wear pieces in bold colours and textures with the modern-day consumer in mind.
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As of 2020 the brand is thrilled to offer extended sizing, now stocking select styles in size ranges US 2- 28 or UK 6-32 and XS – 4X. 

Throughout the evolution of the brand, Hilary herself is really invested in finding sustainable solutions for cruelty-free fabrics (like bio and waterborne leathers that refrain from any chemical use, are recyclable and other fabrics that are fully 100% biodegradable which helps both sustainable production and end-of-life by way of helping feed the environment.

They launched a Varsity Capsule on Monday March 1, in celebration of International Women’s Day, and partnered with artist Sara Tadayyon, on all the tissue and packaging. 15% of all sales from the Varsity Jacket Collection are donated to Up With Women and 100% of all proceeds from the Equal Pay Jacket are donated to Black Women In Motion 

Anne-Laure Mais : Musier Paris

Musier Paris was created in March 2018 by Anne-Laure Mais who is also the artistic director. Anne-Laure grew up in the South West of France and she was very influenced by the surf culture and the vibrant culture of Spain.

Passionate about vintage since her childhood, she draws her inspiration from archives, memories and from all her muses and friends who are part of her daily life.

Anne-Laure likes to play with details to create timeless and unique pieces that are designed to be worn and re-worn endlessly without ever falling out of fashion.

In the world of today, it is essential to us not to encourage over-consumption, that’s why they offer small collections and quality pieces that will follow you over the years.

You are my muse, Musier is our story

Anne-Laure Mais

They are also very conscious of the impact of manufacturing on the environment and limit their carbon footprint by working with local manufacturers and aiming for 100% French production. Most of their models are made in their Parisian workshops, using natural fibres (silk, cotton, viscose) from the best European weavers.

Susanne Reich: Alp N Rock

Alp N Rock started with four sketches, a cleared out garage, and one woman’s mission of launching a company that would make a global impact – to provide girls in developing countries with the lifelong gift of an education.

Raised between Canada, Denmark, and Switzerland, Susanne Reich’s unique global perspective laid the foundation for her business. She took her passion for the outdoors and coupled it with a mission to give back – creating a line of elevated fashion that would impact both the lives of its customers and girls in need. In the past 10 years, Susanne and the Alp N Rock team have done just that, taking the brand to new heights and getting closer to their initial goal of funding education for 1,000 girls in developing countries.  

They’ve grown this vision into an internationally-recognized sport fashion brand, whose line draws inspiration from some of the most beautiful places in the world, and offers a new take on outdoor style to socially-conscious adventurers. Sourcing only the highest quality fabrics and materials and applying carefully-created details, Alp N Rock is committed to creating timeless pieces that couple modern design with the classic spirit of the mountains. 

Their material is ethically-sourced and supports their ethos that animal-rights don’t have to be compromised to deliver a product of the highest quality. All Alp N Rock garments are put through rigorous quality tests, assuring each piece will maintain its gold standard level of quality over time. All stitching, embroidery, and patches are carefully constructed, a testament to Alp N Rock’s superior craftsmanship.

Alp N Rock is dedicated to empowering the next generation of women by funding the education of girls in developing countries. Their funding provides the lifelong gift of education, supporting girls that will go on to become leaders as they are given the tools to create progress and change in their communities. With every purchase, Alp N Rock donates up to 10% of profits to Room to Read. 

Kanyinsola Onalaja : Onalaja

Onalaja is a contemporary women’s-wear brand experimenting with demi-couture elements.

The brand presents an imaginative concept blending the designer’s Nigerian heritage, Italian design aesthetics and a contemporary appreciation of beauty through its highly crafted pieces.

Kanyinsola Onalaja was born in Nigeria but educated in London, where she studied BA Fashion Design at Instituto Marangoni. Upon Graduation, she was awarded best student of the year 2014 and best fashion collection of the academic year 2013 – 2014 and as a result given a scholarship to study a master’s degree in womenswear design (which she completed in July 2017).

The BA collection was shown at Graduate Fashion week and Africa Fashion week in London. During her BA and master’s studies she worked with brands such as Christopher Kane and Giles Deacon Couture.

Her love for colour and textiles grew, leading her to experiment with different mediums and ways to create works of art that used fashion as a means to showcase it. Her MA collection was also successfully picked up by Moda Operandi, and was selected as “Vogue Talents 2017, Ones to Watch”

Her latest capsule collection “Into the Wild” embodies the symbolism behind the leopard : a wild cat that symbolizes the beauty and boldness that one possesses. Exuding confidence in one’s life journey, this collection embraces freedom and fearlessness. In Yoruba culture the leopard is the epitome of wisdom, survival and bravery.

This vivid composition is further juxtaposed with the infusion of 70s disco glam that mimics the metallic elements and beaded sparkles all intertwined to recreate the traditional leopard print pattern. Culture and tradition are authentically immersed through the means of both three-dimensional and surface decoration, incised, relieved, woven, imprinted, beaded, and carved all in the echo of the Africa we know.

Onalaja is inspired by traditional craft techniques and works with local artisans that create stories with their hands. Every piece gets the attention befitting of the discerning wearer, a cosmopolitan woman with an appreciation for intricately made items

Selected pieces are now stocked on Farfetch and The folklore.

Stephany Sensi: SensiStudio

SensiStudio™ was launched in 2010 as a design and product lab. The collections include: genuine panama hats, hand woven handbags, and other accessories; which are all completely hand made. In 2014 the brand launched a line of Ready to Wear focusing on summer embroidered dresses.

Designer Stephany Sensi studied Fashion Design at Instituto Marangoni in Milan, and later earned her master’s degree in Brand Management in the same institution (2006). She then worked alongside Tomas Maier for his eponymous brand, based in Miami (2006-2010).

Their products are all manufactured in Ecuador with an artisanal concept yet current approach and design aesthetic for a fashion savvy clientele. Currently they are present in more than 15 countries.

They work in a close environment of social responsibility with the artisans and their craft and are proud to be working with woman artisans in the Andean region.

All of their customers and brand supporters help the artisan community throughout the Andes region in Ecuador, providing work and a continuation of this millenary weaving craft. Their main goal in the elaboration of these products is to give creative work opportunities for the artisans, where they can show off their craft and abilities and at the same time help to maintain the millenary craft of weaving Toquilla Straw.

Kate Wasserbach: Abel Honor New York

Abel Honor New York is a fashion label with designs for the now and tomorrow.  A young brand that reestablishes the definition of classy glamour with an edge. Originated in New York City, Abel Honor embodies the current downtown culture in a sophisticated manner.   

The brand was founded by Kate Wasserbach, who rapidly started her own creative company after graduating from Parsons the New School for Design (BFA Fashion Design) in 2013.

This field consisted in creating personal work, under all types of mediums—from album covers, to red carpet gowns. Kate started her own creative business to make some quick money while waiting for an opportunity as a Designer. There were many jobs offered to Kate in the interim, but she wanted to wait for a job that would best prepare her for eventually starting her own company. She went under the name Kate Wasserbach Designs for 9 months.

This enterprise promoted her name and aesthetic within the creative industry, and in June 2014, she came across the opportunity she had been waiting for; a design position at Michael Kors. While at Michael Kors, Kate obtained great design skills, contacts, and market knowledge allowing her to follow her dream of having her own women/menswear clothing company.

All of the skill sets she acquired at Michael Kors led to her starting Abel Honor New York, where she overlooks Design, Sales, Production, and Marketing!

Fueled by individuality, the brand has a no-nonsense approach to fashion.  All products are inspired by the rebellious streetwear culture while maintaining its sartorial craft.  There is a unique identity defined with an understated sex appeal, making women and men exhale a different image of the current culture.

Collaborating with the current generation of creatives from photographers, artists, designers, and musicians, AHNY defies conventions which contribute to its authenticity and attitude. The result is quality, style, and uniqueness which adapts from season to season.

Dania Shinkar : DANIA SHINKAR

Founded by Dania Shinkar in 2019, the namesake brand, DANIA SHINKAR, is a Saudi/ Ireland-based contemporary and sustainable bag brand with an experimental approach to design. 

DANIA SHINKAR was born out of a desire to create unique eye-catching pieces that stand out from mass-produced fashion. Their goal is to reimagine the familiar aesthetics of a bag into wearable objects d’artes with unexpected details that beg a closer look – in the most sustainable way possible.

The founder and creative director, Dania Shinkar, is a Saudi Arabian fashion designer who hails from a textile print design background. In 2017, Dania graduated with a BA specialism in Fashion Textile Print Design from London College of Fashion. She was selected to showcase her graduate collection in the BA 2017 London College of Fashion catwalk / press show. Invited by Vancouver Fashion Week, Dania has also showcased her Spring/ Summer 2018 collection on the runway at Vancouver Fashion Week in Vancouver, Canada.

In 2019, Dania completed her MA degree in Fashion Entrepreneurship and Innovation at London College of Fashion. Her Master’s studies inspired her to explore another realm of fashion, so she pursued a course in Bag Design also taught at London College of Fashion. It was after this course that Dania decided to merge her expertise in textiles with her newfound love for handbag design – which she has sought to share with the world by launching DANIA SHINKAR.

By merging unconventional shapes and eccentric accents with quality materials and Italian craftsmanship, DANIA SHINKAR is the epitome of playful luxury. Innovation being at the heart of the brand alongside sustainability, DANIA SHINKAR offers ethically crafted unique handbags with accessible price points.

They value artisanal craftsmanship – and their bags are crafted by skilled artisans in three small family-owned factories across Italy’s Tuscany, Marche, and Lombardy regions. They source high quality and top grain leathers from the finest Italian tanneries, and go above and beyond to keep their handbags 100% Italian made by sourcing all of their components, from leathers to hardware to lining, in Italy.

They believe nature and art are synonymous which is why sustainability is one of their core brand values, and they take pride in their commitment to being environmentally responsible in the sourcing, production and packaging of their bags.

“DANIA SHINKAR presents a curated collection designed for confident, bold, and forward thinking women”.

Catherine Poulain: Cath Paname

Born in Milan, Catherine Poulain is an international model known throughout Europe. She is also a DJ, and her taste for music and art in general, have made her an icon for a whole generation of Italians.

An emblematic figure of European nights, and a must-have at parades, her creativity is limitless, and it is the strength of this atypical journey that she wanted this year to express her fashion desires, by creating a ready-to-wear brand to wear by a free-spirited, strong, independent woman with a Rock soul.

This brand is CATH PANAME, whose 1st collection became available in November 2020. This collection comprised around twenty models, and the brand will offer its customers a new collection every 2 months, at the rate of the seasons and inter-seasons but also according to the creative cadence of its founder, Cath Poulain.

CATH PANAME secures the services of the best French ateliers for the majority of its styles, so that each collection released is an unmissable event.

Melissa Bayanzadeh: MÉRV

Entrepreneur Melissa Bayanzadeh worked in the pharmaceutical industry for over four years where she loved working in the lab and creating formulations. While earning her MBA from University of British Columbia, she noticed that her skin was suffering from the stress of going to school while maintaining a career. Melissa started experimenting with plant-based formulations for her skin and found her true calling.

In August 2020 Melissa founded MÉRV, a socially and environmentally conscious skincare line that reflects her respect for the planet. Every single product from MÉRV is handcrafted and formulated with the highest quality natural ingredients to give you a healthy, glowing skin.

MÉRV was born out of the desire to provide effective and ethical natural products that nourish & replenish your skin, while reducing environmental harm.

Our skin is our largest organ and it plays a vital role in protecting our body and keeping us healthy, therefore Mérv make sure to only use superior quality natural ingredients in their skincare products. Their products are made with; Botanicals, Essential Fatty Acids, Herbal Extracts, Essential Oils, Vitamin E and many more wonderful ingredients that give you a beautiful, healthy-looking skin!

All their products are made using only natural and sustainable ingredients, and they are all created from plant-based ingredients and are cruelty-free, and you can get a FREE mini oil of your choice with every purchase.

Tara Bernerd: Tara Bernerd & Partners

Internationally renowned designer Tara Bernerd is the founder of the interior architectural practice, Tara Bernerd & Partners. Based in London’s Belgravia, the practice works on a global platform and prides itself on its intelligent approach to interior space-planning and design.

Though each project is unique, Tara Bernerd & Partners’ handsome signature style is one of approachable luxury with an industrial edge and each space possesses a timeless elegance.

Tara Bernerd and Partners’ projects span the globe, with properties in New York, Miami, LA, London, Hong Kong and beyond. Key clients include Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, Four Seasons, Fort Partners, Harilela Hotels, Equinox Hotels, Thompson Hotels, the Berkeley Group, Couture Homes, Asia Standard, Palace Hotel Group and more. 

Tara and her team have recently undertaken the design work for The Hari Hong Kong, her second collaboration with the Harilela Hotels following the success of The Hari London. Located in the vibrant, up and coming area of Wan Chai, The Hari Hong Kong is designed for ‘those in the know’.

Offering much more than simply accommodation, The Hari Hong Kong’s mission is to reacquaint locals with the vibrant and historic Wan Chai district and fully immerse more discerning travellers with all the neighbourhood has to offer. 

Reiko McNish Sato : AMATERAS JAPAN

The founder and designer of AMATERAS JAPAN, Reiko McNish Sato, was born and raised in Japan until the age of 10 before moving to Canada with her family. Reiko returned to Japan for her studies and started her first career as a model while also working in the retail industry.

However, while at university, born of a strong desire to proudly embrace her cultural identity, her vision to combine modern-day fashion with traditional Japanese culture was born.

In 2018 Reiko launched AMATERAS JAPAN, whose name refers to the Japanese Goddess of the sun, Amaterasu. Two years into business, Reiko has successfully been able to create a fashion label which highlights traditional Japanese styles, such as the Kimono, and encourages finding beauty within one’s own culture.

The name AMATERAS was founded with the hope and vision that every woman wearing it can have a strong sense of identity and an unwavering sense of self that illuminates through every situation. The word Amateras comes from the Japanese mythological goddess of the Sun, who shines brighter than all others; it is their wish that you will shine this bright too.

From the design to the fabrication, Amateras Japan uses a blend of Western and Japanese elements to bring their customer the best of both worlds. Each piece brings its wearer a strong sense of identity and allows them to shine.  

Dorothy Ogwuru :House of RG

With initials standing for Regal Gold, House of RG takes the decadence, embellishments and all-around glamour of the Designer’s Nigerian culture and fuses it with sharp, bold, western luxury garments made for men and women.

Established in 2017, House Of RG is a London based, luxury contemporary fashion house founded by Designer, Dorothy Ogwuru.

Dorothy’s desire to put the spotlight and attention on people making waves and smashing goals is a reflection of her creations which showcase their confidence, achievements and ultimate status for them to shine in their journey to success.

Her creations will always meet the same brief; A timeless, creation showcasing opulence as the statement. Each piece is hand-beaded, elegantly cut, and custom-crafted. 

Plush velvets from Turkey, imported Austrian crystals and embellishment are used for House Of RG garments: sourcing the best fabrics and embellishments for all designs is paramount for the finish and overall feel and look of the garment to exude opulence. On average it can take 560 hours to complete just 1 design as everything is handcrafted by artisans.

Priding themselves on encouraging individuality and creating for clients who want the ultimate wow factor, House of RG custom pieces are produced in limited runs, thus ensuring they give their clients exclusivity.

Today’s 21st century women are a force to reckon with and Dorothy’s creations are inspired to showcase their power and celebrate their lives on their terms.

“A House Of RG woman, self made boss, an entrepreneur, she is a go getter with influence, and knows what she wants and is driving at full force for it. She is always evolving and growing to new heights, setting the bar and taking her dreams and vision to the next level. She is sexy, classic yet powerful”

House of RG

House of RG garments are designed to put the spotlight on you, make your confidence beam and give you a feeling of opulence and status.

Abigail Stavrand: Lemonade Pursuits

Lemonade Pursuits was created by Abigail with the mission to positively harness the mental energy that causes anxiety and help others take care of their mental health.

Abigail’s story is one of determination to overcome a mental health diagnosis that left her feeling vulnerable and ashamed but also relieved, as she was no longer suffering in silence, trying to minimize her anxiety.

She decided to approach her diagnosis just as she would a physical illness, identifying things that helped and things that hurt and she quickly realized that puzzles made her feel great, as the act of doing a puzzle slowed down the buzzing in her brain. And, solving a smaller puzzle gave her the confidence to take on the challenges that life presents.

That’s when she decided to start Lemonade Pursuits.

While we’re spending so much time at home, we might all be feeling more stress and anxiety, and what better way to calm your mind than a puzzle!

Lemonade Pursuits are designed to help you unwind and enter a more mindful state, with artwork created by women all over the world! Every puzzle is made in the USA from recycled materials and 10% of every dollar supports female artists. Learn more at lemonadepuzzles.com.

Don’t forget to check out our previously featured female owned businesses too.

You can see the interview with Ashley Piszek from Miss Swiss here, with Kate Schade from Kate’s Real Food here and with Lizzy Klein from mazi +zo here.

Take the next step

Now that you’ve had a chance to read about all these amazing female business owners, you may be feeling motivated to launch your own business or to embark on a new venture, and by aiming high and working hard and with the right support, you can achieve your dreams.

It’s time to create your dream life. You know that you want more and that you have more to give.  You want to become the best version of yourself and live your life to your true potential. 

And while I have been writing about all these amazing female business owners here, I am delighted to share that I have actually had my own feature as an Inspirational Female Founder on The Successful Founder, and you can find my top tips for entrepreneurial success there!

I inspire women to think about who and what they want to be and why and show them that they can achieve anything they set their minds to. I coach women in life & business to help them go from where they are to where they truly want to be, whilst enjoying the journey! 

Applications are now open for the next session of the “Create your Ideal Life” group coaching program, which starts June 1st 2021, preparing you to launch yourself into the second half of the year stronger, more resilient, and better equipped to succeed than ever before.  You can find out more, see testimonials from our current participants and apply here.

I hope you enjoyed this post about Inspiring Women, and join me next Monday for our interview with Jasika Nicole, star of “The Good Doctor” and “Punky Brewster”.