In the wake of International Women’s Day on Saturday the 8th of May, the idea of how the role of women in business has changed over time is at the forefront of our celebration of women, female empowerment and broader notions of equality.
Not only is it important to understand how this has changed over time, but it’s arguably more important to receive direct feedback from business women on what their personal experiences have been like and what they’ve learnt.
That way, we can gain insight into the lived experiences of hardworking professional women and use the lessons they’ve learnt to help and motivate aspiring female entrepreneurs. After all, who’s best suited to providing women with business advice than fellow females who have both experience and have achieved in the professional world?
It’s all about women uplifting other women, by means of general professional advice and support in the workplace as well as more specific guidance on how to deal with issues that may only affect females. With so many industries still completely male-dominated, this gender-specific advice can be invaluable.
From industries including PR and real estate to sustainability and charity, we spoke to a group of 18 inspiring female entrepreneurs and business professionals from across the UK and Europe to gather their advice for aspiring female entrepreneurs.
Our Experts
- Laura Dowling: Founder and CEO of fab脺
- Carol Driver: Journalist, PR Expert and Founder of Carol Driver PR
- Olivia Conlon: Founder of StagerBoss and Founder and CEO of Property Stagers
- Kelly Lundberg: Personal Brand Strategist, TedX Speaker and Author
- Sarah Abel: Director of TNB Skills Training
- Lucy McCarraher: Entrepreneur, Author and Host of “Mission Magic”
- Fiona Wylie:聽Founder and CEO of Brand Champions
- Caroline Miller: Founder and Managing Director at Indigo Pearl
- Janice MacLennan: CEO and Founder at Nmblr
- Rebecca Oatley: Founder of Cherish PR and The Wilful Group
- Samantha Lancashire: Founder of Creating Lightbulb Moments
- Hayley Knight: Founder of聽BE YELLOW
- Claire Crompton: Founder and Commercial Director of TAL Agency
- Rachel Delacour: CEO and Co-Founder of Sweep
- Irra Ariella Khi: Founder聽of聽Sunflower Relief
- Sophie King: Founder of SOKI London
- Cheney Hamilton: CEO of The Find Your Flex Group
- Kirstie Penk: Co-Founder of The Legal Director
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Laura Dowling,聽Founder and CEO of fab脺
As a female founder in a male-dominated industry and a highly competitive market, I had to find innovative ways to market my brand, fab脺, while establishing myself as a trusted expert in women’s health. When I launched fab脺 in June 2022, I knew that standing out required more than just great products鈥擨 had to create conversations that no one else was having. This led me to develop聽Viva la Vulva, a groundbreaking wellness show dedicated to female genital and pelvic health, covering topics like pelvic organ prolapse, sexual dysfunction, urinary incontinence, and vaginal health. The show toured Ireland to sold-out audiences and recently completed two shows at the National Concert Hall in Dublin, with over 2,000 women attending.
I believe female founders thrive through collaboration, not competition. By sharing knowledge, stories, and, most importantly, failures, we create a stronger network where everyone benefits. There鈥檚 always room at the table, and when we lift each other up, we all rise together. This ethos extends to my podcast,聽The Laura Dowling Experience, where I invite other female founders to discuss their journeys, challenges, and successes. By fostering open conversations, we empower more women to succeed in business.
Carol Driver, Journalist, PR Expert and Founder of Carol Driver PR
Olivia Conlon, Founder of StagerBoss and Founder and CEO of Property Stagers
鈥淵ou don鈥檛 have to be great to get started, but you do have to get started to become great.
鈥淎 decade in on my entrepreneurial career now, I wish I could encompass my newbie energy: you鈥檙e slightly naive, totally green and lack inhibitions – this may feel like your biggest weakness, but it鈥檚 truly your superpower.
As a new entrepreneur, you’re fearless, willing to take risk and unafraid to try things that seasoned entrepreneurs might hesitate to do. With more experience often comes baggage, doubt and caution. But when you’re just starting out, you have a unique advantage 鈥� the freedom to go for it without overthinking every step. Embrace that energy and document your journey as you go.
Don鈥檛 wait for the perfect moment; just jump in, make mistakes, and learn fast. It鈥檚 in those unpolished, fearless moments that you鈥檒l grow the quickest and lay the foundation for real success.鈥�
Kelly Lundberg, Personal Brand Strategist, TedX Speaker and Author
Having launched a personal styling brand, and now running a thriving personal branding company, one of the key lessons I’ve learned is that starting a business is an evolving journey. Your initial idea will likely adapt as you discover what your audience and the market truly need – so stay flexible and open to change.
Another important lesson is that people buy from people. Your business might offer the perfect solution, but it’s YOU, your personal brand who builds trust and opens doors. Visibility is key – don鈥檛 be afraid to put yourself out there. Not everyone will be your client, but they might refer you to someone who is. My TedX opportunity came through the wife of a friend I played sports with for years – you never know who鈥檚 talking about you in a positive light!
Keep investing in yourself. It鈥檚 impossible to have all the answers, so if you want to grow faster, learn from those who鈥檝e done it before you. Mentorship, courses or networking can be game-changers.
鈥淔inally, document your journey. Capture content early – even if your first speaking gig has only three attendees. Your future brand will thank you!鈥�
Sarah Abel,聽Director of TNB Skills Training
鈥淪tarting a business is exciting, but it鈥檚 not just about passion – it鈥檚 about resilience, adaptability and knowing when to pivot. If I could go back, I鈥檇 tell myself three things:
1. Start before you feel ready. Perfectionism can be a dream killer. You鈥檒l learn more by doing than by over-planning.
2. Get comfortable with discomfort. Growth happens outside your comfort zone, whether it鈥檚 pitching, hiring or making tough decisions.
3. Funding is out there – use it! Many female founders don鈥檛 realise how much government funding and grants exist to support business growth. I built my business using these resources and now I help others do the same.
Most importantly, remember that challenges aren鈥檛 roadblocks – they鈥檙e redirections. Stay focused, surround yourself with the right people, and keep pushing forward. You鈥檝e got this!鈥�
Lucy McCarraher, Entrepreneur,聽Author and Host of “Mission Magic”
“When I launched several of my businesses, I wish I had been more aware that I had been subtly positioned as having a 鈥榖ehind the scenes鈥�, 鈥榖ackup鈥� role by my co-founders who were generally more extravert to my introvert. When on more than one occasion it became obvious that I was just as much an 鈥榚xpert鈥� as the other person and was also good at being a 鈥榝ront person鈥�, it caused some friction that was uncomfortable to deal with. This has happened with both women and men business partners/co-founders. If you鈥檙e the quieter of two partners, and also good at holding the back office together, make sure from the start that this is not a role you are relegated to 鈥� unless that鈥檚 how you like it.
An important lesson I鈥檝e learned when working in a team of mostly men, and with male co-founders, is that although women generally have to balance being seen as 鈥榓greeable鈥� with being assertive, sometimes you have to let go of your own need to be liked by everyone and to make everything right for everyone else. Pick your battles, and the way you choose to fight them, but when you do need to make a stand, remember that being unpopular in the moment will pass and lead to more respect for you in the long term. And if it doesn鈥檛, you鈥檙e in the wrong place with the wrong people.”
Fiona Wylie: Founder and CEO of Brand Champions
“The best advice I can give to aspiring female entrepreneurs is to stay true to yourself鈥攏ever compromise on your values or vision. One of the most important lessons I鈥檝e learned is the power of saying no. It鈥檚 okay to set boundaries, trust your instincts, and stand firm in your decisions. In a male-dominated world, self-doubt can creep in, but staying authentic and believing in yourself is key to success. Strength comes from knowing your worth and not allowing others to dictate your path. Surround yourself with supportive women who uplift and empower you. You鈥檝e got this!”
Caroline Miller, Founder and Managing Director at Indigo Pearl
“As a female founder, one of the biggest lessons I鈥檝e learned is to block out the guilt. There鈥檚
no shortage of think pieces in magazines, radio debates, and unsolicited opinions telling
women what they聽should聽or聽shouldn鈥檛聽do, whether it鈥檚 staying at home, working, having kids,
not having kids, wearing makeup, not wearing makeup鈥he list is endless.
The truth is that women aren鈥檛 a monolith. We all want different things, and what feels right
for one person won鈥檛 be right for another, sometimes even for ourselves at different points in
life. The key is making sure you鈥檙e doing what鈥檚 right for you, not what others think you
should be doing.
You might run out of hours in the day, but you鈥檒l never run out of other people鈥檚 opinions.
Block them out, trust yourself, and crack on, you鈥檒l be criticised no matter what, so you might
as well do what makes you happy.”
Janice MacLennan, CEO and Founder, Nmblr
When I began my startup, Nmblr, a strategy platform for healthcare businesses, the biggest challenge wasn鈥檛 just turning an idea into a business; it was learning to scale my vision beyond myself.
Any founder knows their business is personal. I鈥檝e always been clear on Nmblr鈥檚 vision and knew there was a real business need for it. Research showed poor functional alignment delays nearly one in five pharma product launches. I had a solution to change that.
But no matter how strong your vision is, success isn鈥檛 a solo effort.
I wish I had realised earlier the power of building the right team鈥攏ot just skilled professionals, but those who align with your purpose and push your business forward. Real momentum happens when you surround yourself with people who challenge you, complement your strengths, and take ownership.
Letting go of the need to control everything and trusting others to execute my vision was when Nmblr truly took shape.
So, to anyone stepping into the startup space: Invest in people who believe in what you鈥檙e building. Your business will be stronger because of it.
Rebecca Oatley, Founder of Cherish PR and The Wilful Group
“One of the most important lessons I鈥檝e learned as a female founder is the power of networking and staying connected. So many of my agencies鈥� successes have come from building and maintaining relationships over time. Relationships are built on trust and that means honesty and good solid work. Women will help women, but you must put yourself out there – attend events, reach out to female founders, and share your story and your great work. The time you invest in your network will always be paid back.
I also wish I had known that sometimes you just have to give yourself permission to trust your instincts and push forward even when things feel a bit uncertain. Don鈥檛 wait because of doubt. There is no perfect time to start a business. If you have an idea, pursue it and adapt it along the way.
Above all, keep learning. Read, listen, and absorb as much wisdom as you can. There鈥檚 always something new to discover that could change the way you grow your business.”
Samantha Lancashire, Founder of Creating Lightbulb Moments
“Trust yourself, even when the world may make you feel doubt!
When I launched my business, I thought success meant having it all figured out. Spoiler: No one does. The biggest lesson I鈥檝e learned?
Take imperfect action.聽
Waiting for the 鈥減erfect鈥� moment, plan, or pitch will hold you back. Start, adapt, and refine as you go. Do the first thing first.
As a female founder in a male-dominated tech-world, I鈥檝e also learned that our ability to build relationships and foster collaboration is powerful. Where others compete – connect. Turn networks into opportunities and challenges into partnerships. Lean into your strengths, and never apologise for leading authentically.
Remember you don鈥檛 have to do it alone!
Women supporting women is a game-changer in business. Find your tribe, lean on coaches and mentors, and pay it forward when you can.
You belong in the room. You deserve success. Go do your thing.”
Hayley Knight, Founder of BE YELLOW
It’s also important to set clear boundaries and don鈥檛 be afraid to challenge the status quo. If something isn鈥檛 working, create your own way forward. That鈥檚 what entrepreneurship is about. Jump off the cliff and build the parachute on the way down.
Finally, don鈥檛 wait for perfection. Many women hesitate to launch until everything feels “ready,” but progress beats perfection every time. Start now, learn as you go, and adapt along the way.”
Claire Crompton: Founder and Commercial Director of TAL Agency聽
鈥淣ever underestimate the power of a strong support network early on in your entrepreneurial journey. I started my agency with two under two, so surrounding myself with mentors, peers and advisers from both a professional and personal perspective – people who understood my vision and goals – made all the difference. It鈥檚 so easy to become isolated, but having advice and collaboration from others from the get-go is invaluable.
鈥淢arketing as a profession may be female-dominated, but in terms of running an agency, it鈥檚 extremely male-dominated. One of the most important lessons I鈥檝e learned is to trust my instincts, and to never apologise for my ambition. It鈥檚 easy to second guess yourself when you鈥檙e constantly coming up against barriers to break, but it鈥檚 key to have confidence in your decisions. Own your voice, be assertive, and advocate for yourself every chance you get.鈥�
Rachel Delacour, CEO and Co-Founder of Sweep
“Entrepreneurship doesn鈥檛 come with a guidebook, and my journey from finding my first company to then launching Sweep is proof. Navigating new industries and challenging traditional ways of working often proved to be the most innovative solutions.
This is especially true for female聽tech entrepreneurs. The fact is,聽there鈥檚聽a聽higher proportion of men than women in our industry, and there can be a tendency for people to think women have less to offer . However, the business world is changing, and skills once dismissed as peripheral, such as sustainability and communication, are increasingly being seen as strategic advantages. As climate concerns take centre stage in boardrooms, these聽very聽skills are opening new pathways to leadership.
Entrepreneurship of course comes with challenges, but building something new has its own power.聽Without legacy systems and processes holding you back, you can shape your business into something that is diverse, forward-thinking and built for the future.
And when it comes to investment, I say 鈥渂e bold鈥�. More investors now recognise that backing women-led companies is a smart business decision, bringing previously under-represented, and therefore fresh perspectives into play. The narrative around success is shifting, and women鈥檚 perspective isn鈥檛 just valuable鈥攊t鈥檚 essential.”
Sophie King, Founder of SOKI London
“When I launched my business, I wish I had truly understood the power of my own voice. As women, we sometimes hesitate to take up space, but the truth is鈥攐ur ideas, our creativity, and our vision are just as valuable as anyone else鈥檚. One of the most important lessons I鈥檝e learned is that confidence isn鈥檛 something you wait for; it鈥檚 something you build by showing up, taking risks, and trusting yourself.
The business world can be tough, especially in male-dominated industries, but resilience and authenticity will always set you apart. Don鈥檛 be afraid to ask for what you deserve, celebrate your wins, and uplift other women along the way. Success is never a solo journey鈥攕urround yourself with those who inspire and support you. The more women who step forward, the more we change the landscape for the future. Believe in your vision and never dim your light for anyone.”
Irra Ariella Khi, Founder of Sunflower Relief
“The best advice I can give? Don鈥檛 fall into the trap of thinking you have to be the smartest person in the room. If you are, you鈥檙e in the wrong room. Success comes from surrounding yourself with people who are better than you鈥攚hether that鈥檚 your team, your investors, or your advisors. The real skill isn鈥檛 knowing everything; it鈥檚 knowing how to bring the right people together and let them shine.
And be willing to make the tough calls. We once scrapped a two-year project because it wasn鈥檛 the right direction. It was painful, but the worst thing you can do as a founder is cling to something just because you鈥檝e invested time and money in it. Adaptability is everything. The businesses that thrive aren鈥檛 the ones that never make mistakes鈥攖hey鈥檙e the ones that learn and move forward faster than anyone else.”
Cheney Hamilton, CEO of The Find Your Flex Group
“I wish I had known that success isn鈥檛 about working harder, it鈥檚 about working smarter. When I started, I thought I had to do everything myself, proving my worth by sheer effort and working 17hr days with a new baby and it was hell! After eight years in business, now I know true growth comes when you focus on outcomes, delegate wisely, and trust your instincts. Building a business should not mean burning out; it should be about designing a model that works for you and your life.
As a female founder in a male-dominated world I鈥檝e learned that we don鈥檛 have to play by outdated rules to win. The corporate world often values presenteeism over productivity, but as women, we bring a different perspective, one that values efficiency, flexibility, and impact over just “hours worked.” By challenging traditional work models and leading with confidence, we can redefine success on our own terms.
To any aspiring female entrepreneur please don鈥檛 shrink yourself to fit someone else鈥檚 version of success, own your vision, build with purpose, and lift others as you rise.”
Kirstie Penk: Co-Founder of The Legal Director
鈥淏uild your business with people who lift you up and share your values. If you have business partners, make sure you鈥檙e on the same page about the big vision and the everyday realities like financial goals, how hard you are prepared to work and how fast you want to grow. Surrounding yourself with women at a similar stage in life can bring balance, understanding and strength to the journey.
As a female founder in a world that sadly still too often underestimates women, trust your instincts and take up space. Believe in yourself even when others don鈥檛. Be brave, take risks and go after what you want, because some of those risks will open doors that you might never imagined. It鈥檚 scary, but amazing. Hard work is part of it, but so is making space to pause, reflect and enjoy what you are building, both personal and with your team. Your success is yours, but it also shows other women what is possible. Keep lifting others up as you climb, and always take time to celebrate how far you have come.鈥�
