Female-Founded Companies You NEED to Know About This International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day comes round every year as part of Women’s History Month, and this year, the theme is #InspiringInclusion.
Now that’s a pretty huge topic, but one that is so needed and relevant at this point in time. It can be a huge challenge, finding businesses you want to support, those that champion women all of the time, not just on one day of the year.
So I’ve done a roundup, here:
Brand Champions
Brand Champions is a dynamic and adaptable marketing consultancy, founded by Fiona Wylie, who recognised the need for flexibility in the workplace after her own journey returning to work after maternity leave. She couldn’t find a way of balancing her work with her family life where she was, so she started her own business where family is at the heart of their work, and business. She now manages to run an incredible company and still has the entire summer and Christmas off with her kids.
With over four years of operational excellence and a diverse team boasting a cumulative 200 years of client-side experience within the Travel and Pharmaceutical sectors, Brand Champions is uniquely positioned to tackle complex marketing challenges
Renowned for their “SOS” support, Brand Champions offers flexible marketing assistance with a quick turnaround, precisely tailored to the evolving needs of their clients. They have a strong focus on developing effective marketing strategies, dedicated to elevating brands, building trust and driving growth.
Dedicated to supporting mental health, Brand Champions actively contributes to the cause. They passionately address women’s mental health issues, and in their commitment to social impact, support charities like Eve Appeal and Digilearning. Additionally, they extend their support to men’s mental health through their involvement with Man Club, a men’s mental health charity.
For more information please visit https://thebrandchampions.co.uk/home
Etan Rum
Étän Rum is more than just an award-winning golden spiced rum. It is the culmination of the passion and dedication of five sisters, Laura, Briget, Noella, Caroline, and Kareen, who drew inspiration from their family roots in Cameroon, West Africa. The name Étän means “five” in Mungaka, their parents’ dialect, reflecting the sisters’ commitment to family and togetherness.
Through months of tasting, testing, and debating, the sisters created a unique and flavourful rum that is a reflection of the melting pot of ethnic cultures in Cameroon. The regal look and feel of the brand, combined with its fun and sophisticated flair, is a reflection of the influence of Bali, a town and commune in Cameroon known for its palace and regular festivals.
Étän Rum is proof that five heads are better than one. The sisters’ passion for a great spiced rum has led them on a journey of discovery and creation, resulting in a truly special and award-winning product. Their commitment to family, heritage, and quality is evident in every bottle of Étän Rum. Their story is an inspiration to anyone who dreams of turning their passion into reality.
For more information please visit https://www.etanrum.co.uk/
Goho
Goho is a female led agency specialising in Events, Marketing and PR. The Founder and Managing Director, Stacey-Rebekka Karlsson started the boutique agency in March 2019 with just a laptop, and a shed-load of positive energy.
She literally was the Girl On Her Own (that’s where the name Goho originates), but Goho has grown to become an award winning team of 12. Goho helps businesses and organisations bring their brand to life. Be it through social media, content or live events, Goho helps them tell their story.
Famous for their slogan, “we don’t work with dickheads”, Goho proudly works with passion in everything they do, ensuring their clients are a perfect fit for them.
Stacey Karlsson, the founder of Goho says “Like most companies, Covid-19 made business very difficult for us, but it also forced me to look at things differently, to pivot the business, to look for gaps in the market, and to streamline our services and offering. I haven’t looked back. Goho is going from strength to strength, we now have a really strong team, more clients than we’ve ever had and a waiting list for our services”.
For more information please visit https://www.thisisgoho.com
Out & Wild
Out & Wild Festival is the UK’s first wellness festival designed specifically for queer, questioning, and curious women and non-binary individuals.
Launched in 2022, the event takes place in June, during Pride Month, and offers a diverse range of experiences and activities, including music and comedy, wellness, spoken word, sports, and workshops. Evening events include live acts, silent disco, and campfire talks. The team behind Out & Wild has a wealth of experience in running festivals and creating LGBTQ+ events.
Out & Wild Co-founder, Polly Shute, stresses, “We made Out & Wild to be a festival that brings the community together through shared experiences. Our audience told us they wanted a space to meet like-minded others and focus on their overall wellbeing. In 2023, we doubled in numbers and are expecting almost 1000 attendees for Out & Wild 2024.”
The festival focuses on creating a welcoming, safe, and supportive space for all LGBTQIA women and non-binary individuals and strives to reflect diversity in its acts and artists. Additionally, Out & Wild is committed to making the festival as accessible as possible for those with disabilities or accessibility needs.
Out & Wild’s mission is to connect people through shared experiences and to celebrate the community. The festival works with local charities and organisations to offer bursary tickets and chooses a charity partner each year.
Polly’s dedication goes beyond the festival dates, engaging the community year-round with mini-weekends, regional meet-ups, the Pride Swim series, and a Pride in Wellness virtual event week, starting on January 15th. For Out & Wild tickets or more information about the festival and other events, visit www.outandwild.co.uk.
Tickets for Out & Wild’s phase two tickets are currently available at https://www.outandwild.co.uk/book-tickets
hhac
hhac, is a non-profit charitable organisation, founded by Saffron Sumner. The organisation launched last year to make a difference in the lives of individuals and animals. hhac hosts fundraising events to raise money for charity work.
They are partnering with small charities to work together on charity work, campaigning, resources & volunteering.
In the first half of the year alone, hhac has 3 fundraiser events planned, with one more on the way.
Saffron says, “I’ve learnt so much from the corporate world. PR, Marketing, Events, Project Management… I want to use it to help others. I want to make a difference in the lives of those who struggle. We’re making fundraising fun. We will put a lot of money and time into helping others. I’m super excited.”
The main causes hhac supports are: health, homeless, animals & children.