International Women's Day #LETSTALK panel

We partnered with the incredible Gry Tømte, of HÜD Skin + Body, to cost host an International Women’s Day panel and lunch for women in business on March 5th at Hobba in Prahran.

After recently meeting at a Two Evolve event, Gry and I had an instant connection. Both business owners, yet both fed up with only hearing business success stories, and never about the reality and struggles that come with it. We soon realised there were many other women like us, who wanted to find a community of women who understood the reality of running a business.

That’s why for IWD, Gry and I, rounded up 4 of our favourite female founders to join us for an open conversation about being business owners, sharing our own experiences and lessons we have learned, while navigating and building our businesses. The good, the bad and everything in between. With almost 50 female founders as guests, the conversation was collaborative between the panel and audience.

The panellists included:

Erika Geraerts: Founder Fluff, Co-Founder Frank Body, Willow & Blake and LBSS Cafe
Gry Tomte: Founder/Director HUD Skin + Body
Effie Kats: Founder Effie Kats, Bayse Brand and Dead End Lover.
Gail Asbell: Co-Founder Upstate Studios
Maeva Heim: Founder Bread Beauty Supply
Jasmine Gescheit: Founder/Creative Director Jasmine Alexa

And our wonderful event mediator, and inspiring entrepreneur in her own right, Bonnie Borland of Oliver Grace and Gather Community.

The panel touched on topics of mental health, purpose, the effects of social media, accountability, using our businesses as vehicles for change, plus more. Bonnie summed up the day beautifully.

“The language of entrepreneurship is about strength, power, leadership. Rarely do we hear terms such as empathy, vulnerability or isolation. These women believe that should change. As professionals, entrepreneurs and especially as people, we are not alone in our struggles. By fostering business environments and events that encourage true connections, particularly among women and others on the fringes, we can find support.”

The invite only event brought together female founders from all different industries, including and not limited to: Fashion, Beauty, Skin, Well-being, Science, Medicine, Law, Psychology, Technology, Sports Science, Nutrition, Design and more.

The gorgeous Hobba light filled event space, made possible by True Tribe, was filled with beautiful florals from Atelier Fleur, while guests enjoyed a drink from Brewhaha Alcoholic Kombucha and Tar & Roses wines. A nutritious grazing lunch was served by Style My Grazing Table. All guests received generous gifts from Fluff, Bread Beauty Supply, Brewhaha, Will & Bear, H ÜD Skin + Body , Jasmine Alexa and Ottway The Label.