2inspire Inspirational Woman: Louise Davies, Founder of Eighteen Rabbit

Meet the founder of ethical retail business, Eighteen Rabbit, Louise Davies and be inspired to change the world from wherever you are!

Please tell us what is a typical business day for you?

The shop opens at 9.30am so I'm lucky that I can have a leisurely start to the day. I'm usually up at 7.30 and check my emails, over a cup of Grumpy Mule fairtrade coffee. I’ll then print any postage details for any online orders that have come in over the last 24 hours. I try to get to the store early and drive the mile or so from my rural house in my hybrid car. I like to make sure it's clean and tidy and stock is replenished before the doors open. Then it's a hopefully busy day in the shop, chatting to customers and explaining the stories behind our unique products. I also keep on top of our social media, place orders for new stock or check in with our supplier organisations, and keep our website up to date.

What made you start the business and how did you get started?

The retail business is a sort of evolution of sustainable business that began in 2006. After spending a year in Mexico and Central America, I decided I needed to do something that had a positive impact on the world. This started by using my expertise in event management, and creating an events agency that focussed on delivering environmentally friendly events. When this peaked in 2012, I wanted to do something with a focus on people, and that's where the idea of a shop supporting fair trade producers started. It tied in with a desire to leave London and get a better work life balance. My husband and I moved to the fantastic book town of Hay-on-Wye, which is packed with interesting, creative people, and it seemed like the perfect spot to try out our new retail idea.

What would you say has been your greatest accomplishment in the business world to date?

Opening the doors to our 'high street' store last summer. We'd spent a couple of years building the brand from a pop up shop, to a more permanent offering in a poor location, and the move to a great spot in the heart of a wonderful town really proved that we'd hit on something good.

It has also been a brilliant experience becoming part of the community here in Hay-on-Wye. I’ve been involved in a number of charitable projects, including Hay2Timbuktu and Fairtrade Hay which has helped me meet new people and do something worthwhile. I also DJ now and then at local gigs, and with two amazing festivals on our doorstep (Hay Literature Festival and Green Man) there’s really never a dull moment here! 

What has been your biggest challenge in business so far?

 The big move from London to rural Wales was a challenge in many ways - a complete life change, leaving a successful business for a new venture, and not knowing what lay ahead. But I gave it my all, and dived in to the new business and community head first, and haven't looked back.

What are your future plans for the business?

I would love for fair trade to not exist to be honest! Wouldn't it be great if all those involved in making the products we buy were treated fairly as a matter of course? Sadly, that's unlikely to happen in the near future, so I want to spread the message of fair trade far and wide. We plan to build up our online business and have just started selling internationally. I'd also love to open a second store in Bristol or Glasgow, and hope to have a handful of shops on British high streets by 2021.

If you had to do it all over again, what would you do differently?

It's hard to say - I'm not one for regrets. Arguably, the slow, organic development of the shop may have hampered our growth, and perhaps spending more time developing the brand and stock range and launching with a bang would have been a quicker route to success.

Why is it so important to inspire young women in particular to follow their dreams?

 Sadly, even in 2016, there are still many barriers facing women whatever career path they follow. Seeing women in a variety of roles - from politics, to business, or the creative industries - should hopefully help those lacking support or confidence feel that there are opportunities and a need for their skills.

What advice would you give to somebody who wants to start a business in your industry?

I see myself as straddling two industries - ethical business and retail. I'd say absolutely go for it with an ethical business, this area will only grow and there are so many opportunities to grab hold of. And of course all the people in this industry are absolutely wonderful! Retail, however, is a tougher space right now. I would say start online to test your idea and keep your overheads low. We really need innovative retail to start reviving our high streets, but what we really need is investment from the Government - both from Westminster and locally - to make that a possibility.

What or who inspires you in business and why?

 I'm genuinely inspired by the suppliers we work with on a daily basis. Whether it's UK based jewellery designers commissioning amazing pieces from their partners in India, or workers directly in Cambodia crafting beautiful accessories, working from home and suffering from HIV. It's inspiring to see the dedication and artistry and it gets me out of bed every morning to know that my business is helping to improve their lives.

What is your favourite inspirational quote?

 "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead

http://eighteenrabbit.co.uk

email: hello@eighteenrabbit.co.uk 

Twitter: @18rabbitshop

Facebook: www.facebook.com/18rabbitshop

2inspire Inspirational Woman: Artist Debbi Mason

BORN in 1957, Debbi quit her fashion design degree to become a buyer for Joseph, and she worked on Chelsea’s King’s Road at the height of the punk era, when Malcolm McLaren and Vivienne Westwood ruled the roost.  She entered journalism via the London Evening Standard and Harpers & Queen, then helped launch Elle, before contributing to many magazines, including Marie Claire, Arena and The Face. After having the first of two children, she was headhunted to join US Vogue’s younger sister, Mademoiselle. From there, she moved to Vogue to work with the infamous Anna Wintour as Fashion Editor. The two did not see eye-to-eye and, eventually, Debbi went freelance – she worked with Oprah Winfrey on O Magazine and dressed Julia Roberts in vintage Valentino when Roberts won her Oscar for Erin Brokovitch (the first vintage dress ever worn to the Oscars). Roberts always told Debbi: ‘I want to look like you!’ Debbi set up her own clothing label and had her second child. She narrowly escaped the Twin Towers collapse and decided to move back to England, where she took some time off before meeting her artist partner, David McAdam Freud, son of acclaimed artist Lucian Freud. She has led an incredible life! Be inspired by her interview.

Please tell us what is a typical business day for you?
Since I have become an artist, there is no such thing as a typical day. Much of the work I produce is the final part of a long research process. Consequently, I can be going to see an exhibition, taking photographs, making notes, painting, looking at images online or in books, doing some embroidery or walking my dogs on the beach whilst in contemplation. One of the biggest challenges is removing myself from everyday distractions.

What made you start the business and how did you get started?
I had a long and successful career as a stylist. I decided I wanted to spend more time with my children so took a leap of faith and decided to walk away from the fashion business. Becoming an artist took some time and a period of building my confidence towards making that decision. The breakthrough came when I collaborated with my partner, David Freud on an exhibition. He was already an established artist.

What would you say has been your greatest accomplishment in the business world to date?

When I was a stylist, being a founder member of Elle magazine, working with Julia Roberts and dressing her in vintage Valentino for the Oscar she won for Erin Brokovitch, working with Oprah Winfrey. Being brave enough to become an artist, selling my work and surviving whilst following my heart.

What has been your biggest challenge in business so far? Deciding to walk away from a business which paid me handsomely and in which I had achieved wide recognition. I was in need of a fresh challenge and stimulation. I am still not sure whether that was an act of courage and principle or just a little foolish.

What are your future plans for the business? To continue working as an artist, seek new venues to exhibit and continue to sell my art. I am currently working on our next Freud&Mason exhibition entitled 'Our Nature, from poetic to grotesque which is opening at Worthing Museum and Art Gallery early September 2016.

If you had to do it all over again, what would you do differently? I wouldn't change a thing. Whilst I didn't plan my career path as a stylist, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I am lucky to have the opportunity to reinvent myself, have a change of direction and a second career.

Why is it so important to inspire young women in particular to follow their dreams? Women will always face prejudice in the commercial world, as most of them will, at some point be juggling their career and family. It is difficult for women to compete with men on that basis.

What advice would you give to somebody who wants to start a business in your industry? My advice would be the same, whatever the business. Identify your passion and stimulus, follow it with commitment and dedication.

What or who inspires you in business and why? Ai Weiwei is a massive inspiration. Not only is he a hugely talented artist, he has also become successful against all odds. He manages to have a political voice and make send meaningful messages to his audience through his art.

What is your favourite inspirational quote? Marie Curie: 'Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing must be attained.'

https://www.facebook.com/freudandmason/

2inspire Inspirational Woman: Greta Lamfel, Co-Founder of Creed Entertainment and Blogger

Greta Lamfel is a Freelancer, Co-Founder of a Hip Hop entertainment company and Blogger,  with an Honors degree in Internal Audit. She has worn many different hats in her career and is excited to use all the experience obtained to create her own brand.

She has always felt a deep inclination to inspire and to motivate others, and hopefully this interview will motivate you.

Please tell us what is a typical business day for you?

A typical business day involves:

1.    Getting up early in the morning,

2.    Practising my personal development,

3.    Reviewing my schedule for the day

4.    Responding to emails,

5.    Sourcing clients via social media and the internet,

6.    Writing blog posts for current client base,

7.    Writing blog posts for my own blog,

8.    Managing the finances of Creed Entertainment

What made you start the business and how did you get started?

I own two businesses. The first one is a motivational and inspirational blog called According to Greta. I started this blog because I have always wanted to inspire and to motivate others through my words. Having being a closet writer all my life, I thought I should start spreading my messages online through the written word.

The second business is an entertainment company called Creed Entertainment. The company focuses on empowering choreographers and dancers in South Africa, and ultimately the world. I have two partners, both who have been in the industry for over a decade. What inspired this idea was that we realised the gap in the dance industry in South Africa. There are many talented dancers in the country who are just not given the right exposure. Dance in South Africa is not widely known and we aim to change that.

What would you say has been your greatest accomplishment in the business world to date?

For Creed Entertainment we received an opportunity with the Department of Arts and Culture to be involved with youth dance development. This is basically a project to empower the disadvantaged youth to learn dance where if not for this, they would never be able to.

What has been your biggest challenge in business so far?

The biggest challenge is funding. Starting a business like ours requires enough funds for start-up, property and administration.

What are your future plans for the business?

We are currently in construction of our dance academy. This will be the main operation of our business in future. We plan to build a dance academy that has never before been seen in the country.

If you had to do it all over again, what would you do differently?

Nothing, because I don’t believe in regrets in life. I believe that everything that was meant to happen has happened, and that it has all propelled us to the next level of success.

Why is it so important to inspire young women in particular to follow their dreams?

The African idea of a woman is still predominantly traditional. Many women still believe that their place is within the household and not in business. Having met women from all walks of life, I feel that the African woman needs to be inspired to be better and do better.

I believe in inspiring women when they are young because we are shaped by our thinking, and thinking is developed at an early age. Our circumstances, mindset and environment all impact our thinking. If we have someone inspiring us at a young age we change our thinking to success.

What advice would you give to somebody who wants to start a business in your industry?

Research, research and research! You need to find out where the gap in the industry is and look to fill it. Your business can only be successful if there is a demand for it.

What or who inspires you in business and why?

I am inspired by the words of Richard Branson and Napoleon Hill. These two men have defined the way to a successful business and their work is an inspiration to anyone who wants to build a successful brand.

What is your favourite inspirational quote?

A quote I developed myself, “If there is good and bad in all of us; yin and yang, then shouldn’t forgiveness be the key?”

So many people live their lives in bitterness and unforgiveness, but if they only looked within themselves they would realise that they too have hurt other people. We need to make allowances for people's’ weaknesses. Of course, this does not mean being naive, but it means forgiving and moving on so that you can be free.

@gretalamfel: www.healthyliving894.com e: gretalamfel@gmail.com