#EmbraceEquity - International Women's Day 2023

Let's talk International Women's Day, a celebration of all the amazing women in our lives, but also a chance to kickstart important conversations on how we can support, grow and bring greater attention to women’s rights and gender equality every day of the year. 

This year’s theme is #EmbraceEquity, with an aim to talk about why equal opportunities aren’t enough, instead we need to work on equity – essentially recognising that not everyone starts out in the same place or needs the same things – so we need to work hard to give everyone the opportunity to be successful.

Proudly female founded (and led by a predominantly female team!) we spoke to our founder Tiffany about all things women in beauty, supporting and growing a team and how all of us can help make an impact in our own sphere of influence.

What does IWD mean to you?

International Women’s Day for me is all about celebrating women and what we can achieve. It’s such a great way to kick-start conversations that the world is in some serious need of having, reminding us to think about what we can do all year round to help make change happen.

How can leaders empower women within their organizations to rise to the top, while also making room for more women to join the ranks?

Over the past almost 4 years now, I’ve been building our brand division from scratch and have employed a team of amazing women in both junior and more senior roles.  I’ve been proud to see multiple members of my team develop and progress as my brands have grown, seeing them take on more responsibility and move into even more senior roles.

I want to bring women on at those varying levels and then help take the next steps in their careers, bringing on their skillset to help make them feel confident, empowered, and listened to. I want them to have a heard voice at the table, inviting them to directly share their ideas and present their wins to the rest of the board. Their wins aren’t filtered through me, instead I give each of my team members their own chance to shine, and opportunities to own their wins.

How can more women be encouraged to pursue entrepreneurship or senior leadership roles in their career? What advice would you give?

Ask questions, you might be afraid of looking silly or draft but how else will you learn? Speaking up, being curious, asking questions - that’s how you build knowledge.

Don’t be afraid to use your voice! Especially if you’re sat in a room full of men, it can feel quite intimidating to speak up. But, if you feel like you have a different opinion, a fresh idea, can do something better or bring something else to the table, then bring it.

Be Kind. There’s this misconception you have to always be a badass to succeed in business, but you don’t. I think it’s so so important to be kind. Whether that’s to your peers, your boss, or someone you manage, be kind to them, help them, empower them. You’ll never know when you might need that too.

What does ‘good’ leadership look like?

Lead by example and be real. I’m open about my own vulnerabilities and failings, because literally everyone goes through trials and tribulations, no-one is right all the time, and it doesn’t always come easy.  I want my team to see when I struggle and when I need help, so that they know they too can ask for support. Just because you make mistakes along the way, it doesn’t mean you won’t succeed.

In the same way I think a good leader is never afraid to ask questions. You’re never going to learn anything if you don’t ask. Put yourself out there, even if it makes you feel stupid because no-one knows absolutely everything. I’ve made a point of surrounding myself with people who know more than I do in their fields - incredibly talented formulation chemists, the very best graphic designers and so on. As a Creative Director and Brand Founder I know my strengths, but do I know the most about PPC? No, but my team do.

It’s also important to celebrate the strengths and wins of your team members. Communication with a senior member of staff shouldn’t be when there’s an issue or ‘crisis.’ I work really hard to give recognition, speak positively of everyone’s successes and share their accomplishments to the wider team.

Come chat with us over on social @scientiabeauty & hear what the team have to say about International Women's Day.