In a world where profit and traditional business models are seen as the ‘goal’ and the only form of success I think it is important to celebrate people and businesses that stand for more than just profit.
Let me be clear here – there is nothing wrong with earning money, growing a profitable business, or choosing to focus on your business finances, but there is more to life and there really should be more to business, especially these days.
It often seems like the world is fall apart around us at the moment and I firmly believe that the ‘traditional’, profit-focused, exploitative ways of ‘doing business’ are a big part of the problem. As small business owners and entrepreneurs we can chose to do things differently.
This list is of some awesome women who are doing just that. Some of them are people I know, some of them are people who simply inspire me. Some of them are local to my area (Devon, England), others are not. All of them stand for something in their businesses, and that has tangible effects on those around them – changing things for the better bit-by-bit.
I’m going to try to keep this post short and sweet. If you are interested in any of the women or businesses I mention, please do follow them on socials, sign up for their newsletters and think about buying from them in the future. All of the titles in this blog posts are hyperlinks to each person’s online presence.
Rosie Johnson Illustrates
An illustrator who is based in Devon, UK she creates wonderful pieces of art, cards and much more that express how many of us are feeling about the world today. I personally love her pins (and have a few), and also her Natter Matters cards which are designed to help children learn to express themselves.
I also love her Instagram account as a commentary on the states of UK politics right now. She says it like it is and that is awesome!
Good Copy
Created and run by Lo Constantinou, the Good Copy write CVs and Cover Letters for people who need support with employment challenges including discriminatory practices that many mums face. I first came across her work via a shared post with the words; “this is why we hire men.” I won’t tell you the story behind that one, head over to her website or socials to find out for yourself.
Although I’ve never met Lo her content and work seems to be all about Women helping Women and I love it. Check out the Good Copy Instagram and support her Pay It Forward scheme if you can.
Watch This Sp_ce
I was lucky enough to attend some free online diversity training that Mo Kanjilal from Watch This Sp_ce ran through BIPC Devon and it was so incredibly useful and accessible, as well as being practical for me and my business. The training was recorded and can (probably) be accessed via the BIPC Devon website if you sign up for a free membership.
Watch This Sp_ce support people and businesses to harness diversity and inclusion effectively. Set up and run by Allegra Chapmen, Mo Kanjilal, and Rachel Pearson. As a starting place on this topic, I would recommend their super helpful resources on their website – your business will thank you.
The Tribe Coworking in Totnes
Founded and run by Stacey Shepard, The Tribe is a small community-driven coworking space in the South Hams (Devon, England) that caters to creative, growth-oriented female entrepreneurs by providing an inspiring working environment designed to foster collaboration, connection, and support.
It is by no means an exaggeration to say that Stacey and The Tribe kept me and my business going through the last few years. Stacey is a rockstar of a human, who supports other women in starting and growing their businesses day in, day out whilst running another business as well. If you live locally do yourself a favour and book in for a day. It’s probably worth the trip if you live a bit further a field too, especially if you are missing the company of colleagues as a freelancer, or if you need a space to feel safe and understood as a female business owner.
Le Weekend
A concept store aimed at helping us all to slow down and reclaim our weekends. This little place of magic and delight is the brainchild of Nicolette Lafonessca who also runs a blog on slow creative living called Archie & The Rug.
A big part of what I love about Nic, and her work is just how much she embodies her brand values and how transparent she is about them. She endeavors to be accountable for all elements of being a retail brand and you can read about how she does that here. Her online store is absolutely worth a visit next time you are looking for cards, stationary, or gifts. Her work is beautiful.
Sancho’s Shop and Owni
Sancho’s is an Exeter based indie shop and community that focuses on ethical and sustainable products. Owni (previously Shwap) is an AI powered digital catalogue designed to make reselling, repairing and recycling our clothes easier.
Kalkidan Legesse Mekuria is behind both of these amazing businesses and is quite simply a leader that you should be listening to. This is especially true if you are working in sustainable fashion or intersectional environmentalism. Support her work via her Patreon here.
(P.S. Another wonderful and inspiring human working in circular design is Katie Treggiden).
Get The Lowdown
The Lowdown is a review platform for contraception. They also offer advice and prescriptions, making informed choices about contraceptives possible in ways that I personally have not ever experienced when visiting my usual medical providers. Many of us have been so used to being told to take whatever type or brand of contraception is on offer and to simply put up with side effects that realizing what women’s health care can be when it is delivered well is staggering. If you want to be put in control of your own contraception, then their Instagram is a good place to start.
(P.S. if once you start exploring this you also realize that we as women also usually get a raw deal when it comes to sex education and understanding our own pleasure then you might want to check out Ruby Rare, Emily Morse, The Vagina Museum, and Rosie Rees.)
Louise Henry
The most down to earth and practical online business entrepreneur that I have come across. Loise supports people in starting, organizing and growing the online parts of their businesses, and she does it without a lot of the noise and pressure that permeate some other parts of the online business world. Her Uplevel With Asana (this one is an affiliate link) course was a game changer for me in working out how I wanted to work, and how to make that a practical reality. She is also building her business to fund the establishment of a program for people with autism, as she believes that is what her brother would benefit from.
Digital Nomad Girls
Run by the fabulous Jenny, DNG is a wonderful community that supports women in so many ways. I particularly loved this blog post by Jenny Lachs. As a member of her community The Lab I enjoy the way she sees things and makes space for others without losing her own thoughts and beliefs. I have to be honest, I don’t engage in the community anywhere near as much as I want to, so I probably don’t even know about a lot of the wonderful things that happen in there, but even just dipping my toe into to the space that Jenny has created is wonderful. If you want the freedom and flexibility of nomad life but aren’t all that keen on some of the other loud and obnoxious things that seem to be a part of the world, then head over the DNG Instagram and see how nomad life is being reimagined.
Lauren Currie and Upfront
Lauren Currie is the founder of Upfront Global and the ex-chair of Pregnant then Screwed. Her work supports women in many different ways. Pregnant then Screwed is a charity and campaign group for mums – they have an employment rights advice line in their Instagram bio if you need support.
Upfront is all about changing confidence for women. Just think how much the women you know could change with a little bit more confidence. They also offer discounts for charities, students, and teams, and free places on their courses for women on maternity leave and women who live in no-income households. Plus, you can gift a place to someone else and they have a pay it forward scheme.
Ok, so that was a few more than 10 but *shrug*. While I’m at it maybe take a look at the Radical Tea Towel Company too, their products, ethos, and newsletter are all awesome.
That’s all for now – a post on ways to give back in business will be coming shortly.
xxx
