For International Women’s Day, as well as speaking to inspiring influencers we love (read here), we also wanted to speak to some of the inspirational women that make up Team Monsoon! We found out what they are inspired by, what motivates them and about some of their biggest achievements…

 

Louisa Webb

Head of Trade & Customer Relation Manager

 

What does International Women’s Day mean to you? 

For me, it means a few things; a celebration of the collective successes of women all over the world. A reminder of how far we have come in terms of equality. A moment to reflect and be proud of other women’s achievements; famous, friends or colleagues. And finally, to remember it doesn’t stop here, the fight isn’t over, and we must keep striving for more! 

 

What women inspire you in your life and why? 

My mum, who sadly isn’t with us anymore. She was a fighter and stoic to the end, if I could show any of the courage, values and love that she did in my lifetime, I would be proud. 

 

Tell us a little about your job and what advice would you give to young women trying to get into your industry?

I am Head of Trade & CRM in the Digital Department of Monsoon; working with an amazing team of people who make our website operate, our customer emails land in your inbox and our direct mail arrives on your doorstep (and much more).  

When I left university, I knew I wanted to work in Marketing & Retail, I applied for so many jobs and was beginning to think maybe it wasn’t going to happen. Someone had said to me to maybe start applying for other industries and roles, but I knew I didn’t want to do anything else. So, I persevered and eventually landed my first marketing role. My advice would be if you know what you want to do, don’t give up, keep going! 

 

What women in the public eye are you inspired by and recommend the work of? E.g. painter, author, speaker etc

Whitney Wolfe Herd – her story makes me smile!  The world’s youngest female self-made billionaire – starting a business catering to women, led by women. She has ‘Be the CEO your parents always wanted you to marry’ on her office wall. 

 

To celebrate International Women’s Day, we’d love to hear about an achievement in your work or personal life that you’re proud of?

Losing my mum was an extremely difficult period of my life. You never fully move on from grief, but I am proud of finding ways to cope and process it where I struggled for a long time, and for taking the courage to ask for help when I needed it most. 

 

Claire Wain

Chief Financial Officer

 

What does International Women’s Day mean to you? 

For me, it’s a day to celebrate and promote the successes and incredible hard work of women across the globe, as well as support and remember those less fortunate than we are in this country, who don’t enjoy the rights and privileges that we do.

I feel lucky to be born in a generation where I can feel equal to men in society, that’s quite a recent situation really but the reality for some is still quite different to that and there is more work to do.

 

What women inspire you in your life and why?   

Anyone who either stands up and has a voice to drive positive change or those unsung heroes close to me, who just get on quietly and cope with multiple challenges thrown at them.  For example, my Mum who was a working single parent and gave so many years of her life to raising my sister and I, and funding us through university. Or several of my friends who are currently working into the small hours of the morning to juggle home-schooling and running the household on top of demanding jobs.

 

Tell us a little about your job and what advice would you give to young women trying to get into your industry?

As a CFO I have to understand how all parts of the business work and what performance drivers we have to grow sales and profit, as well as managing the purse strings and controls, and I love getting involved with so many areas of the business.  My advice – anyone who enjoys and is good with numbers can work in Finance, no need for special qualifications before you start.  Firstly, have a clear goal, and make sure you always have the confidence to believe you can achieve that.  Get as much breadth of experience as you can early in your career in different roles.  And finally – be brave, take risks.  Never turn down an opportunity which you think is too big for you.  Failure and managing difficult situations are what makes us stronger and wiser to achieve more in the longer term.

 

What women in the public eye are you inspired by and recommend the work of? E.g. painter, author, speaker etc. 

Maya Angelou, an author who published many works including her autobiography set out across 5 books.  I read the first of these at school and was blown away by the power of her writing but more so her battles through adversity (as a black female born in Missouri in 1928), and her resilience and successes in the face of all the challenges.

 

To celebrate International Women’s Day, we’d love to hear about an achievement in your work or personal life that you’re proud of?

My career has always been a big part of my life and my dream was to become Finance Director of a fashion brand, so I feel proud of achieving my goal which took a lot of hard work!  Particularly so as, while things are changing, the majority of FDs or CFOs are still men, so it’s great to fly the flag for women.

 

 

Zara Gentles

Customer Engagement Manager

 

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

I like to think of International Women’s Day as a day for all women to unite, to support and be there for each other and for our voices to be heard louder!

 

What women inspire you in your life and why?

There are 3 women in my life who really inspire me, my mum and my two grandmas.  My grandmas both immigrated to the UK back in the 50s and 60s one from Canada and one from Spain. To think of the move they both did, the different way of life they adapted to and to carry on raising a family and running a household in a new country makes me think that they were strong women for the time. My mum also inspires me as, at the age of 50, she decided to change her career from retail to nursing and now she’s in her 60s and works in a hospital looking after people suffering from dementia.

 

Tell us a little about your job and what advice would you give to young women trying to get into your industry?

My role within the business is to look after the customer service proposition that we provide our customers. I have been with Monsoon Accessorize for 21 years working my way from the shop floor. My advice for anyone trying to get into a Retail Customer Engagement role would be to start from a shop floor and integrate with the public. When moving to an office environment I was advised to submerse myself within each department, building relationships so you really get to know the business you work for.

 

What women in the public eye are you inspired by and recommend the work of? E.g. painter, author, speaker etc.

I really admire strong women and one woman in the public eye who I admire would be our Queen. I am always amazed at all the vast volume of historic events she has lived through and when times are tough, she is always such a calm and supportive figure to the public. Despite her role she is always seen as the key figure within her family as well, we all know that every family has their problems, but she still is the main piece that keeps everyone together.

 

To celebrate International Women’s Day, we’d love to hear about an achievement in your work or personal life that you’re proud of?

A recent achievement I am proud of is my gardening. I got into gardening a few years ago when I decided to clear a lot of bushes and brambles in the garden and start growing my own vegetables. At the time I did get few laughs as I had never done anything like that, but once I got started, I certainly caught the ‘grow your own’ bug and grow quite a few different vegetables each year! Now the garden has extended to a veg patch, greenhouse and polytunnel as well as numerous flower beds.

 

 

Dawn Pine 

Group Supply Chain Director

 

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

I doubt that many people know that International Women’s Day had been in place for over a century and every year it seems to get bigger and bigger which is fantastic. To me, it’s about celebrating, supporting, encouraging, and raising awareness of all things Woman. I like to send a small token and an uplifting message to the women in my life. I also love that as a Trustee for the Monsoon Accessorize Trust, I can make a difference as we are actively involved in projects that directly support women and girls. 

 

What women inspire you in your life and why?

This is a tricky one as there are so many women that inspire me. I love working for brands that have so many women and often see that working together we can generate idea’s and build on them; we also challenge each other and that helps us all to grow. In my personal life, my friends and family inspire me all the time, some are very creative, others have so much perseverance it amazes me.

 

Tell us a little about your job and what advice would you give to young women trying to get into your industry?  

My role is the Group Supply Chain Director, it’s a very broad role that gives a great overview of the entire business. This involves people, process and planning to enable the effective movement of stock from origin to whichever channel it’s intended for, which could be stores, web customers, marketplaces etc.

This is still a male-dominated sector that is getting better with groups like Women in Logistics, chaired by Ruth Waring FCILT, another inspirational woman. They also have a web site linked to the CILT (Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport) which is a great resource. 

My advice would be to seek a Mentor who can support you and offer advice but above all, never be afraid to ask questions, remember the “5 whys” which is a great tool for root cause analysis and process improvement. 

CILT – Women In Logistics (ciltuk.org.uk)

Women in Logistics UK: Overview | LinkedIn

 

What women in the public eye are you inspired by and recommend the work of? E.g. painter, author, speaker etc.

One of the women who has influenced me was Penny Ferguson who is so inspiring, she totally changed her life at the age of 50 and that taught me that it’s never too late to go for it and not to let limiting beliefs stop you. I was lucky enough to have attended the Living Leader, Personal Leadership programme some years ago and it really stayed with me in both my career and personal life. I would recommend reading her book to anyone.

I also need to call out everyone that works in the NHS, this year more than ever we truly see what heroes they really are, I wonder what Florence Nightingale would make of that.

 

To celebrate International Women’s Day, we’d love to hear about an achievement in your work or personal life that you’re proud of?

I’m proud that I have helped and developed so many people over the years, it’s great to see them grow and progress.

 

 

 

 

It’s International Women’s Day, a day dedicated to celebrating all the influential women who inspire us around the globe!

To mark the occasion, we spoke to three influencers we love, to find out what the day means to them, where they get their inspiration from and what they feel their biggest achievements are – while also giving us advice and insight into their chosen careers, including modelling, consulting, content creating, science and art.

 

Simone Charles

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

To me, International Women’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate all the achievements that women before us have made, and how they have paved the way for us. There was a time where we weren’t even allowed to vote and look at us now – we are Prime Ministers, and we are in the White House! It’s also an opportunity for us to reflect on the women of the future and how we can continue to pave the way for them.

 

What women inspire you in your life and why?

I’m inspired by so many women. I’m inspired by Girlbosses like Jamelia Donaldson who founded the Black Hair Subscription Box ‘Treasuretress’, to models such as Precious Lee who is paving the way for black, plus size women in high fashion. Of course, keeping it close to home I’m also inspired by my Mum and my Grandma who continue to have such a positive impact on the woman I am today.

 

Tell us a little about your job and what advice would you give to young women trying to get into your industry?

I have two jobs – publicly I am a content creator and model, and privately I am a Senior Consultant, so I certainly keep myself busy! The advice I would give to someone wanting to enter the world of social media is to be yourself and use it to your advantage. Don’t try to be anyone else as it won’t be genuine! Authenticity is always key. Also – have fun with it 🙂

 

What women in the public eye are you inspired by and recommend the work of? E.g. painter, author, speaker etc.

I would highly recommend following some Black fashion designers who are breaking into high fashion such as Melissa’s Wardrobe who is an amazing stylist and Fisayo Longe who owns the brand Kai collective. They put both their highs and lows on social media and really give a realistic portrayal of working in the industry. Their content is also incredible and so inspiring!

 

To celebrate International Women’s Day, we’d love to hear about an achievement in your work or personal life that you’re proud of?

I’m most proud of all the campaigns I’ve booked in the last 12 months alongside my 9-5 – particularly my latest Boux Avenue campaign. I’ve appeared in shop windows all over the UK including Oxford Circus! It was a surreal moment and something I am endlessly proud of.

 

Mimi Labesa

 

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

Women’s day means justice and hope to me. Justice for women who have to endure discrimination because of their gender, for the dreams and aspirations that were lost in their fight for equality. Hope that the next generation of women all around the world would not have to fight to receive equal rights and opportunity.

 

What women inspire you in your life and why?

My mother has inspired me the most in my life. She is the most fearless, independent and kind person I have ever known. She is a single parent who worked so hard to raise 6 children against all odds. She raised her children showing us the possibilities before us and that the world is our oyster. She found her way in life through sheer force of will power after losing her husband at a young age. 

 

Tell us a little about your job and what advice would you give to young women trying to get into your industry?

I have only recently quit my job as a Chemist after 8 years in the personal and healthcare industry to be a full-time content creator and blogger. As a Chemical Analyst, I worked in a skincare lab where I tested the chemical competent of skincare products to ensure they were within acceptable quantity and fit for purpose. I also researched and analysed radio-pharmaceutical products that were used in clinical trials of neurological diseases.  Now a blogger and content creator, I hope to use my science knowledge to offer advice on skincare to my audience.

As a woman in science, I am aware that women are under-represented in STEM-related fields and this is due to gender stereotypes steering girls and women away from science-related fields.

My advice for young women trying to get into science is to not believe the narrative that science is hard, boring and better suited for men. I had so much fun as a scientist and I want to integrate it into my content. Do not let the fear of the unknown keep you from your greatness. There is magic in every one of us.

 

What women in the public eye are you inspired by and recommend the work of? E.g. painter, author, speaker etc.

Oprah Winfrey is a woman that has greatly influenced me. She was the first woman in television I knew. As a young girl, I remember watching her on TV and thinking I could do that. I would gather my friends and pretend I was a talk host, and they were my audience. She is confident, ambitious and self-driven. She went to a place where there was no path for black women and created a path. She continues to inspire me with the way she continues to encourage and empower young girls and women.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is an amazing writer and speaker that has also inspired me. Her stories are inspired by Nigerian history and tragedies. As a Nigerian, I admire her work as a storyteller especially with stories that a lot of black women and I can relate to.

Sade Adu is a singer-songwriter who has inspired me with her songs. Her voice soothes, it communicates pain and joy and these songs have helped me through some difficult times. She always gives off an understated elegance and simplicity that I aspire to embody.

 

To celebrate International Women’s Day, we’d love to hear about an achievement in your work or personal life that you’re proud of?

Quitting my day job to start and focus on my brand is something I am super proud of. It is a boss move and I hope to inspire other women to pursue their dreams fearlessly.

 

Emily McSevich

 

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

To me, International Women’s Day is about empowering women by building them up to realise they can achieve anything if they chase their dreams. My absolute favourite saying is that “great things can happen when women support each other”. Be a cheerleader to other women to go further, think outside the box and push harder to achieve the things they want.

 

What women inspire you in your life and why?

I spend a lot of my time on Instagram for my job and I have a great support system of amazing women on there. They inspire me to keep going on the days that are hard and we cheer each other on when we accomplish great things. It’s so inspiring to see women achieving their goals and ambitions daily! Another female influence I have in my life is my best friend. She’s always 100% beside me with a calm and kind outlook on life. I think the world needs more of that.

 

Tell us a little about your job and what advice would you give to young women trying to get into your industry?

One of the things I love about my job as an international artist is that I get to talk to people from all over the world. When I create a bespoke piece of art for a customer, I get a little window into their life and what inspires them to feel something when they look at art. Being able to create something that sparks joy in someone’s home makes me so happy! If I were to offer a single piece of advice to an aspiring artist, it would be to trust the timing of things. Where you are right now on your art journey is exactly where you should be. Don’t focus on what others are doing or where they are because it will swallow you whole. It’ll all come together when It’s supposed to, just as long as you don’t give up!

 

What women in the public eye you are inspired by and recommend the work of? E.g. painter, author, speaker etc.

Some women in the public eye that I am inspired by are the writers of the “Good night stories for Rebel Girls” books Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo. These amazing ladies recognised the lack of female role models in children’s literature and wrote books about inspirational women past and present. They then commissioned artists from all around the world to illustrate the books. My 11-year-old daughter loves history but was feeling disheartened at how unequally women have been treated throughout history. After reading these books cover to cover multiple times, she realised heroines don’t need rescuing!

 

To celebrate International Women’s Day, we’d love to hear about an achievement in your work or personal life that you’re proud of?

My greatest achievement has been creating a life I thought only lived in my dreams. I started with nothing but some paint supplies and an empty Instagram page and I’ve built it to be a steady, rewarding business full of amazing friends and customers.