Uplifting, empowering, inclusive.

This International Women's Day we want to celebrate the women of strength that surround us, so we've interviewed a series of powerful women who lead, manage and inspire; who embrace equality and influence in business, and are proud to celebrate their achievements.

Lara Fells of ST. AGNI

First in the series is the Co-Founder and Creative Director of luxury, lifesyle brand (and one of our favioute lables) St. Agni. Lara is a mother, business women, designer and a sweet & humble human.

Lara (pictured right) with Head Designer Erika.

What does International Women's Day mean to you?

International Women’s Day is a celebration of the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of Women – it’s also an important day to recognise the ongoing issues that Women and girls across the globe face and how we can use our voices and platforms to speak out, to work together towards an equal future.

We're fortunate to be a part of a community where women in business are not only prevalent but inclusive and welcoming what is your advice for women entrepreneurs? 

My advice is to stay passionate and honest, to be proud of who you are and to carry your values into your business. 

What is one ritual that you contribute to your ongoing success?

Enjoying what you do, alongside people you enjoy working with is so important. If you love what you do, it doesn’t feel like work - this is very true. Allowing yourself creative capacity is also an important ritual to keep your mind open and optimistic.   

How do you empower and celebrate women in business?

Each year on International Women’s Day we donate 100% of online proceeds to UN Women. This year we are also featuring one of our dear friends Bronwyn Bate on our Journal. Bron and her sister Alesha have built a not-for-profit organisation called Mettle. Mettle is an ethical gift delivery service employing women who experience homelessness due to domestic and family violence. They equip survivors of domestic and family violence with the skills, confidence, and financial security required to secure and maintain employment, and in turn, safe and stable housing. It's important to me to use our platform to bring awareness to organisations we really believe in and to support them however we can.

Bec Nolan & Cass Moase of Velvet Canyon

Bec & Cass are sisters, best friends and are two of the three co-founders of Velvet Canyon, an eyewear label known to be high-quality & effortlessly cool (Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid are big fans).

Most importantly - They're not only cool, but kind, fiercely believing in positive change, diversity, and equal opportunity for all.

 Bec and Cass residing in Paris.

What does International Women's Day mean to you?

It’s a great excuse to share our stories, educate and be educated. Change happens every day, but assigning a date brings important conversations to the forefront. So many women worldwide are still fighting for recognition and equality, there is still so much work to be done. 

We're fortunate to be a part of a community where women in business are not only prevalent but inclusive and welcoming - what is your advice for women entrepreneurs?

It can be so helpful to team up with other likeminded people and businesses, whether to work on projects together or just to cheer each other on from the sidelines. Don’t underestimate the need for support, even if it’s just emotional. You might be able to do it all on your own, but you probably don’t have to.

What is one ritual that you contribute to your ongoing success?

Just put in the time. Of course, take time off when you need it, but I see so many businesses fail because people just don’t give a business the love it needs to thrive, and don’t stick it out. 

How do you empower and celebrate women in business?

We give 1% of our online sales to the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, who work with groups like SisterWorks to support women refugees and immigrants. It’s incredibly important to us that we use a diverse range of models for our photoshoots, and this is something we’re really proud of and are always working on. 

Bec & Cass are also our dear friends and we work really closely together as we share the same values in business and life - This resulted in the Flash Jewellery X Velvet Canyon Showroom a retail space that we opened together in Byron Bay... (Watch this space).

Bianca Gregg of Del Rainbow

Next in our series is the powerhouse that is Bianca Gregg, the Co-founder & Global Sales Director at Del Rainbow. B is a warm, positive beam of light, she's strong and intuitive, is an extended part of the Flash Jewellery Team and represents some of the best & biggest fashion labels worldwide. 

 Bianca in her office

What does International Women's Day mean to you?

Celebration and Power. Celebrating all women and how each individual harnesses their power and offers leadership in all walks of life. We are mothers, friends, business owners, makers, creators and nurturers. We are so powerful and that is something to celebrate and come together in honour of.

We're fortunate to be a part of a community where women in business are not only prevalent but inclusive and welcoming - what is your advice for women entrepreneurs?

No-one is you and that is your power. Work collaboratively, follow your gut instinct and be unapologetically you. You will attract the likeminded community you deserve, and together — you will grow into something very special.

What is one ritual that you contribute to your ongoing success?
Connecting with my higher self and always trusting my inner knowingness. This is my ritual, but we all have this within us — the power to follow your intuition in the moment. Caring and connecting with others and allowing yourself to be a true extension of their story.

How do you empower and celebrate women in business?
On all levels, in business, but also partners, colleagues, teammates and friends, seeing women for exactly who they are and honouring this. It is important to celebrate their greatness and unique power. I love to call this out to people and acknowledge how amazing they are, always. I like to encourage, love and support everyone and watch them be their best selves every single day. 

Susie McIntosh of ​C​omma Spaces

Susie is the founder of Comma Spaces, a unique and modern relaxation space-based in Byron Bay and Melbourne. She’s determined with a strong vision resulting in creating spaces like no other...

Susie in Comma, Byron Bay 

What does International Women's Day mean to you?

I’m lucky enough to work in a workplace where I’m surrounded by amazing women all day everyday. This day means we get to celebrate all women, in all roles and all backgrounds. I love seeing our achievements - from boardrooms to babies there’s no limit to what we can do!

We're fortunate to be a part of a community where women business owners/managers are not only prevalent but inclusive and welcoming - what is your advice for women entrepreneurs?

Don’t take no for an answer and just keep going. Last year we’d just finished building our new space in Melbourne and the pandemic hit and someone said to me, “well, you’ll probably be bankrupt after this. You should just sell.” It was probably just what I needed to hear to keep persevering and come out the other side.

What is one ritual that you contribute to your ongoing success?

I try to find the time to exercise most days - whether it’s a walk, pilates class or even plonking in the ocean. If I’ve moved in the morning I feel like I’m armed to get through anything (well, most things) the day serves up. And girlfriends - call them, check in with them, they’re my greatest asset and support network.

How do you empower and celebrate women in business?

We work in a very egalitarian environment where no idea or suggestion isn’t heard. We’re collaborative and everyone plays a part in achieving our goals. I really like to know something about everyone we work with - what makes them tick. It’s not just about their skills in the workplace but rather knowing them on a personal level and understanding what drives and motivates them can really empower women. 

Nina Gordon of Flash Jewellery

And lastly in the series, our own Nina. Nina is the Founder and Creative Director of Flash Jewellery ~ She's passionate, funny and a metalworker - turned jewellery designer, who's been creating jewellery for over 10 years with the intention to empower the wearer.

Nina in the Byron Bay Showroom

What does International Women's Day mean to you?

To me, it's a day to recognise, celebrate and lift up other women. But also to acknowledge the work that needs to be done (together) to reach true equality.

We're fortunate to be a part of a community where women in business are not only prevalent but inclusive and welcoming - what is your advice for women entrepreneurs?

To not be discouraged. What I've learnt is sometimes when things go wrong, or if you miss an opportunity, (or if someone just says 'no to something you really wanted) - there will be another, better, more suited opportunity on the horizon. It's hard to see it when you're in the thick of it, but stay resilient and passionate.

What is one ritual that you contribute to your ongoing success?

Loving what I do and working with amazing, likeminded humans. These two aspects allow me to think clearer and beyond 'work', enabling me to be creative and focus on every aspect of the craft. 

How do you empower and celebrate women in business?  

Besides creating styles to enable these feelings, we are working on our own production line, by producing styles that will provide more work to the departments where women are. The women in our production line specialise in pearl and beadwork, they drill, weave and thread every individual piece and we are creating more styles like this so we can upskill more women.