It's International Women's Day 2025 on March 8th + we're sharing words of wisdom from women who inspire us.
The theme for IWD this year is #marchforward - and while we don't believe there is only ONE day to celebrate women (that's a 365 day a year joy) we are definitely here for marching forward. We're grateful to know so many inspiring, clever + driven women - this is a small selection in our happy orbit.
Sometimes the world can feel dark + divided, and tapping into our creativity, our community, our capacity for collaboration can be the balm we need. We hope you enjoy discovering these stories + gain some wisdom or inspiration from their words.
Jess Brohier
Photographer + Creative Director, Founder Alt-House
Q: How do you stay creatively plugged in - be it to the zeitgeist or your inner well of inspiration - while running a business?
A: By rest/tapping out and my personal relationships. My business brain and my creative brain are certainly 2 different beasts, operating in opposite ways, sometimes at the same time.The only way, after all these years of working in a lead role for both - often simultaneously - is to make sure I prioritise my health and personal downtime.
Creativity, including the very act of 'being inspired' is a resource, and one that cannot be lush and fruitful without the garden being watered - regularly and with intention. Business brain loves to dry out the plants.>
I make sure to prioritise time away from work whenever possible (both agency or photo) to enjoy self-care, browse favourite magazines with 0 expectation, visit new bars and restaurants for visual inspiration, and spend time with friends, many of whom are creatives themselves, resulting in our conversations more often than not leading to light bulb moments of inspiration.
I would actually say, these days, the incredible company I keep is my secret to staying creatively plugged in, amidst the busyness of my schedule.
People say you are who you surround yourself with, and honestly these people have been my saving grace.
Erika Geraerts
Founder, Fluff
Q: Can you share with us some thoughts on being a woman in business (and life)?
A: A woman is a story, one of many chapters, written over time, waiting to be told. I think the greatest gift a woman can give herself is that of curiosity and self awareness. The courage to ask why and the patience to sit with the answers, despite how uncomfortable they are.
Emma Hakansson
Founder, Collective Fashion Justice
Q: How do you stay optimistic + driven, working in a field that is often met with resistance and/or ignorance?
A:I stay optimistic firstly, as a matter of principle. If we cannot envision a better future — one in which the fashion industry prioritises the life and wellbeing of people, our fellow animals and the planet ahead of profit — then we cannot achieve it. In that sense I think optimism is a practice, and one you strengthen not through naive well wishing but tangible action to create the change we need.
Every win Collective Fashion Justice has achieved towards total ethics fashion, alongside our allies, fuels my optimism even amongst such immense exploitation and destruction (the current norm of the industry).
In the few years since we formed, we have helped London Fashion Week to ban fur and wild animal skins, Copenhagen, Berlin and Melbourne Fashion Weeks to go totally wildlife free by also banning wild bird feathers, we’ve seen luxury watchmaker Breitling add an acknowledgement of animal rights to its ESG policy and commit to reducing animal-derived leather use, helped passed laws, the list goes on.
We need to collectively work and create our own reasons to have hope and optimism for a kinder future. We need to see ignorance and resistance as reasons to push harder, not to crumble.
Sophie Vander
Founder, Curatorial + Co.
Q: How do you stay creatively plugged in while running a multi-faceted gallery and art consultancy business?
A: Connecting to creative people outside the gallery space is so important. Going to public talks to hear from those working in other creative disciplines share their stories about their practice or business really helps to get outside your own head.
You realise we all have the same struggles!
In Sydney we are members of the Arts Matter program – they put on amazing visual and performing arts experiences that our whole team can attend. You meet artists, poets, musicians, designers and creative business people.
Community is key!
Estelle Michaelides
Founder + Designer, Saint Stella M
Q: You're a fountain of creativity + spirit - can you share some words of wisdom on keeping that drive energised?
A: I grew up with my dad always saying to me, ‘Estelle, remember—I become what I think.’ Long before I even knew the word manifestation, I understood its power. This isn’t just a cliché or some new-age buzzword—it’s real. So guard your thoughts, repeat those words, and let them be the anchor to your dreamboat!
Courtney Rae
Founder, Daily Blooms
Q: What advice would you give your younger self re being a business founder, mum, florist extraordinaire?
A: I know it might sound a bit old fashioned, but I often tell my 8 and 10 year olds that it’s good to do hard things. I truly believe that much of my success - in both business and life - stems from resilience. Every day, by embracing (or, more accurately, enduring) challenges and uncomfortable things, I become a little stronger and wiser.
Whether it’s a tough conversation with a colleague or waking up a bit earlier for a workout, every challenging moment - no matter how small - helps me grow into a more capable version of myself. And once you’ve conquered the challenge, be sure to take a moment or two to enjoy the victory.
Kirsty Barros
Stylist + Founder, Post Hunk
Q: Your creative cup runneth over, Kirsty. What are some of your favourite quotes in creativity + life?
A: "Life, is a farce if a person does not serve truth”. - Hilme Af Klint
"Humans please be kind to all bush creatures and don't pull flowers up by the roots”. - May Gibbs
Hayley Worley,
Founder, Sheet Society
Q: How do you stay creatively plugged in while running a business + being a busy mum?
A: Creative work can be such a welcome reprieve from the relentless endeavour of motherhood. At least - that’s how I feel on a good day.
The inspirational, free spirited nature of creativity requires approaching the work with an optimistic, energised and inspired outlook. But, on the days that’s not there, or there’s no more left to give - working in a creative role feels almost debilitating.
I often wonder - have my ideas dried up or do I just need a nap? How can I plug into the zeitgeist when all I can hear in my head is Cocomelon?
It’s not lost on me that showing up creatively is very similar to what’s required to show up to my kids. That same level of energy and free spirited thinking.
What I’ve realised lately is that the link between both of these polar opposite personas - work and motherhood - is me.
I’ve found carving out pockets of time and space for me - where I get to break down all fronts, show up and release - is the glue that holds both worlds together. I find it’s the silent space in between the chaos when the solutions to creative problems come to me, and when I have my most valuable ideas.
So this IWD that’s what I’m celebrating, and setting as my intention. Soften, hold space and follow more intuitive creative paths rather than forcing creativity by endless scrolling and searching for answers. As women, we’re able to intuitively birth life and I genuinely believe that same birthright applies to creative ideas.
