International Women’s Day 2024

Like many female founders, I have met and continue to meet obstacles in growing a business within a male-dominated industry. However, the way I view these hurdles has changed over the years and I can truly say that they now only serve to spur me on. Many IWD posts on social media can feel controversial, antagonistic, overly complaining in nature. This year, I decided to write an open letter to my own daughter with a focus on the incredibly privileged position we start from compared to so many others, and all the positive ways we can channel this to make a difference in the world. The letter received a lot of love on LinkedIn and Instagram, here it is below:

To my little girl.

Oh there is so much to say, but today I’ll keep it short.

As I pushed you up the leafy hill this morning to your village hall nursery in this affluent part of SW London, I thought about how privileged and fortunate you already are.

I want you to know that and understand it.

I hope one day you use that privilege to help others less fortunate than you, others who started from a different place. I hope you acknowledge the systems that drive inequality, so that you see the penalties you will undoubtedly face as a woman or mother, but also your undeniable head start in life.

You have a father who supports and understands equality in the home, who sees unpaid labour and the mental load as things to share – and a big brother being raised with emotional intelligence and an understanding of his role in gender equality. The problem is bigger than us as individuals, but we must start with ourselves.

Amazing things are coming. I love you. I hope I’m here for all of it.