From hand-made dresses and terrazzo, to jewelry and candles, there’s not a lot a girl can’t do. The current pandemic has been a challenging time for many, especially small businesses. As a finale to Women’s Month, we wanted to put the spotlight on 5 boss-babes making big moves.
In 2004, Alice Rivers-Cripps started Posh Totty Designs after living in Mexico. Alice had just finished university and only had $60 in her pocket when she found work with a group of local Mayan jewellers. Today, the hand-stamped personalized jewelry company has stores in both London and Brighton. Her all-girl team describes her as “outgoing, creative, whirlwind, fearless and fun!”
We had the chance to learn more about Alice’s journey and the story of Posh Totty Designs.
What led you to start your business?
Alice: I started Posh Totty Designs in in 2004 after returning from living in Mexico. With little more than a yoga mat for a bed and the stars for a ceiling, I managed to find work with a group of local Mayan jewellers. They taught the basics of jewellery making, which planted the seed for my future career. After nearly two years I finally earned enough money to pay for a flight back home to the UK. When I arrived back I was full of inspiration, so I decided to further develop my new skills and dedicated all my spare time to learning and making jewellery - initially, working from a tiny cupboard under the stairs! I started to experiment with alphabet steel stamps, a random purchase I’d made whilst rummaging in a junk shop one weekend. I started out by stamping my own name onto tin cans until I finally refined the process enough to stamp onto silver. It was an unconventional process that had never been done
What has been the biggest challenge in building your business?
Alice: There has been so many challenges on every level in the last 17 years! Possibly the biggest challenge has been the last 12 months. We had to adapt every aspect of our business incredibly quickly to ensure we could keep creating and selling our jewellery whilst ensuring we were keeping everyone – colleagues and customers- safe and well.
What has inspired you to hand stamp all your pieces?
Alice: I am a big believer in forever not fast or throwaway fashion pieces. I wanted the jewellery to mean something and for each piece to be treasured and not just worn. With the hand stamping technique every jeweller has their own style which ensures each piece is unique; We can add any personalisation the customer wants from the date they got engaged to their best friend's name or a favourite song lyric! We have also developed other ways of personalising jewellery from fine engraving to adding birthstones as ways of creating a piece that is individual to the wearer.
How would you describe your brand’s style?
Alice: Style led, eco conscious, meaningful, unique, forever not fleeting. And always handmade with love!
Is there a specific part of femininity that you keep in mind when designing your pieces?
Alice: Our uniqueness and an inner confidence when you wear the pieces.
How do you want your pieces to make women feel?
Alice: Confident, special and loved. We are so lucky that we get to capture people's special loves, moments and milestones and create something really special for them. For example in Lockdown we have had lots of people gift their loved ones pieces which let them know how much they truly care, and we genuinely feel very privileged to help facilitate that.
What is the best piece of advice you have for women building businesses right now?
Alice: Once you have an idea you truly believe in then be brave and go for it. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it but trust your gut instincts. That is so important. Plan where you want to be and how to get there but accept you might need to adapt along the way.
What female energy or female role models have inspired you throughout this journey?
Alice: So many! Holly Tucker the founder of Not on the High Street is a ball of energy and ideas and we have worked together right from when we both started our brands and have supported each other through our journeys. She is a big cheerleader for our brand and a campaigner for many other British small businesses. We also work with female focused charities such as Women for Women International, and locally the Brighton Women’s Centre – the dedication and focus of the women who work within these organisations is inspirational. We are incredibly proud to work alongside them.
Do you drink tea? What part does tea play in your day (i.e. what is your tea ritual)?
Alice: We are an all-female team of jewellers so yes, all day every day! And true to the Posh Totty Designs brand we all like different blends tea made in our own very specific and unique way . Some of us (not mentioning names) even insist on specific cups or mugs. We have a chalk board with reminder for whomever is doing the ‘tea run’ . Making tea for each other is a lovely way to keep connected and bonded. And an absolutely brilliant excuse to down tools and have a chat!
By now you must have heard of MØLBY THE LABEL. Praise for the ‘handmade to order slow fashion brand’ has quickly spread through social media and into the wardrobes of models and fashion bloggers.
Karina Molby has always had a passion for sewing and designing dresses for family and friends. She describes herself as “creative, positive, and determined”, and we feel so lucky to hear her story.
What led you to start your business?
Karina: When I was 18, I started selling my own printed T-shirts on ASOS Marketplace so this gave me an idea about setting up my own business. From then on, I was constantly designing collections and making handmade clothes for people and I just knew this was what I wanted to do full time.
What has been the biggest challenge in building your business?
Karina: The biggest challenge I have faced running a small business has been the effects of Brexit. This has caused fabric delays so meant some styles took a little longer to make! We definitely have a handle on this now and have overcome any issues we faced.
What has inspired you to hand make all your pieces?
Karina: My aim is create styles which flatter the female shape, any shape and any size. I believe hand making the dresses allows me to be do this and appeal to everyone.
How would you describe your brand’s style?
Karina: I would describe my brands style as three words; Fun, Feminine and Colourful.
Is there a specific part of femininity that you keep in mind when designing your pieces?
Karina: Our designs and prints are super girly. We aspire to make women feel more confident and we celebrate women of all shapes and sizes.
How do you want your pieces to make women feel?
Karina: I want my dresses to make women feel empowered, feminine and happy in their own skin.
What is the best piece of advice you have for women building businesses right now?
Karina: One small piece of advice I would give would of course be to never give up and to believe in yourself. Nothing worth having ever came easy. Keep going! The setbacks will only make you stronger.
What female energy or female role models have inspired you throughout this journey?
Karina: My female role models would most definitely be Haim. I absolutely love the band and their music! They are super cool girls, I love how unique they are and how they are not afraid to stand out.
Do you drink tea? What part does tea play in your day (i.e. what is your tea ritual)?
Karina: I actually do not drink any hot drinks but I would love to get into drinking tea so if you have any samples, send them my way!!!
NOTE: We have sent Karina some Offblak brews and will keep you updated on whether or not we have converted her!!
At Offblak, we love to see women helping women. That’s why one of our favorite stories this month is the tale of Holly and Hannah! Two best friends from Australia who have created Siren Store UK. Their fantastic aesthetic candles and cards have become incredibly popular—just check their instagram!
Tell us about yourself (describe yourself in three words, what are your interests, what were you doing before your business)
Holly & Hannah: We’re Hol & Han, two best friends from Australia. We’re pretty much the exact same person and love mythology, the sims, long walks in nature and hot chips lol. Before Siren, Hol was working as a video editor/2d animator and Han was working a 9-5, doing events management on the side.
What led you to start your business?
Holly & Hannah: Siren came about just after we both moved to the UK. We were both in non-creative temp roles and desperately wanted to find a creative outlet that could hopefully support us. One day we made a list of all of our favourite things/things we were passionate about (spirituality, feminism, sustainability, body positivity etc) and tried to work out how we could combine them into one project that would be relatively easy and affordable to start. And so Siren was born! We’ve always known this will end up being much more than just candles and cards but you gotta start somewhere!!
What has been the biggest challenge in building your business?
Holly & Hannah: The biggest challenge for us so far was when Han had to move back to Aus on 2 days notice at the start of COVID! We were separated for 6 months, just at a time where we were experiencing significant growth and a huge increase in demand. We had to very quickly learn how to navigate production with just one person, operating from different time zones and opposite sides of the world, as well as everything else that came with going into global lockdown!
What has inspired you to hand make all your pieces?
Holly & Hannah: The biggest inspiration/motivation for handmaking everything is simply that it's the most sustainable option for us. Handmaking everything gives us complete control of the production process and enables us to make sure everything is as ethical and sustainable as possible. There's also something super special about receiving an item that has been handmade with so much love and care!
How would you describe your brand’s style?
Holly & Hannah: It's a bit of a mix, to be honest! Visually we're a mix between poppy colours/pastels, and then more earthy elements - using whatever we have around the studio for props, etc. Our style will always be influenced by our want to be sustainable, so we never lean too heavily on buying new props. It's more about how we can use things we already have/how we can repurpose things!
Is there a specific part of femininity that you keep in mind when designing your pieces?
Holly & Hannah: Not necessarily, but we do try to be as inclusive as possible. It's taken both of us a very long time to start to accept ourselves and our bodies. When we started this, we wanted to create pieces that people could see themselves in - that we could see ourselves in. Representation has helped us the most in learning to love our bodies.
How do you want your pieces to make women feel?
Holly & Hannah: Empowered and seen.
What is the best piece of advice you have for women building businesses right now?
Holly & Hannah: There are so many little bits and pieces we've found valuable over the last two years, like 'find your niche', 'if you don't ask, you don't get', but the most important thing right now that everyone can do, is to implement as many sustainable practices into their business as possible. It's 2021 and there are sooo many plastic-free packaging options and alternatives available to businesses!! Instead of plastic sleeves, use cornstarch sleeves, etc. It's really easy to do, but so, so important!
What female energy or female role models have inspired you throughout this journey?
Holly & Hannah: We're both surrounded by so many incredible, strong women. Both of our mums are back in Aus, but they've been instrumental in getting us through the last 12 months!
Do you drink tea? What part does tea play in your day (i.e. what is your tea ritual)?
Holly & Hannah: Yes! We usually start off with a classic English breakfast to go alongside our morning bagel. Have another before lunch, and a cheeky peppermint tea in the afternoon! Depending on the day and the stress levels, it usually ends with a chamomile tea in bed!
NOTE: Holly and Hannah are currently in love with our Nicely Spicey, Cranberry and Cinnamon Tea
Maisie Penn is the founder and designer of MAZA. If you haven’t seen her sustainable and handcrafted goods in Cosmopolitan or Vogue, you most likely have one of her designs in your interior inspo Pinterest board. Here’s what we learned from the lovely Maisie!
Tell us about yourself (describe yourself in three words, what are your interests, what were you doing before your business)
Maisie: Hmm. I'd say... Creative, intuitive and daring.I love travelling (who doesn't), cooking (and eating!) and anything and everything interior-design. I was working in beauty PR before I started Maza but was made redundant during the first lockdown.
What led you to start your business?
Maisie: After I was made redundant, I had a lot of time on my hands to really think about what I wanted to do next. I knew I didn't want to go back into a 'serious' office job and always wanted to be self-employed and self-sufficient but wasn't sure how to get there. I started making candles out of boredom and they turned out far better than I expected, so I thought I'd try my hand at selling a few. Initially, I had no idea how popular they'd be, or that it would end up being my full-time gig!
What has been the biggest challenge in building your business?
Maisie: I started off as a one-woman show, and still am a one-woman show! I quite literally am the CEO & the intern, the account executive and the logistics manager, the web designer and the customer services rep. It really is one big spinning plates show and it can be really difficult to find the time to fulfil all the tasks that need to be done in a day with nobody else to share the workload. However, I was unemployed and we were in lockdown, so I had nothing but time on my hands when I first launched Maza. If I was still working full time, I'd never have been able to do it. It definitely felt like one of those 'everything happens for a reason' moments. I'm still learning how to switch off, and it can be really hard!
What has inspired you to hand make all your pieces?
Maisie: I've always been creative and have always loved designing and making things. For me there wasn't another option than making them myself and I feel so lucky that people want to buy things that I've made!
How would you describe your brand’s style?
Maisie: I'd say Maza is contemporary, playful and vibrant. I love modern Scandinavian style mixed and 70s architecture and I'm definitely inspired by art, sculpture and design.
How do you want your pieces to make women feel?
Maisie: Joy!! I want my pieces to bring joy. My candles are for people who want to add fun and colour to their homes without completely breaking the bank. They aren't serious or necessities - but they are definitely fun and I hope they brighten up the homes that they end up in.
What is the best piece of advice you have for women building businesses right now?
Maisie: Show up for your business, believe in yourself and know your worth.
What female energy or female role models have inspired you throughout this journey?
Maisie: I am surrounded by strong females and always have been. I worked in the fashion & beauty industry before I started Maza, which has a predominantly female workforce - so I was naturally surrounded by strong women in business.
Do you drink tea? What part does tea play in your day (i.e. what is your tea ritual)?
Maisie: To be honest - anything with caffeine! So the Earl Gray & Rose Black Tea is perfect for me! Since working for myself, I don't set an alarm anymore and generally wake up between 8-9am. I really value the slow starts to my day - I take my time in the morning, making a coffee (or tea!) and enjoy it. I could never do this before, I used to have an alarm wake me up whilst it's still dark and I'd be on the central line tube before I'd even blinked! I'd drink caffeine to wake me up, whereas now, I can really enjoy it and it genuinely is my favourite part of the day. Some people love that type of routine, but it wasn't for me and I'm so much more productive now.
At Offblak, we prioritize sustainability and eco-friendly initiatives. That’s why Emma Preston has been a big inspiration to us. Em and the terrazo is a fresh and fun new wave of home decor. We had the opportunity to learn more about the one-woman show who runs it!
Tell us about yourself (describe yourself in three words, what are your interests, what were you doing before your business)
Emma: In three words, I’d describe myself as creative, focused, passionate. I love all things home decor and interior design. For years I’ve loved browsing Pinterest and creating interior decor boards, dreaming of working within this realm but never really grasping it could become a reality. Before starting Em and the Terrazzo, I was a barista and assistant manager at an independent cafe in my home town. Since finishing A-Levels I was floating around trying to navigate what I wanted to pursue as a career. I knew university wasn’t for me, it felt restrictive choosing one degree when I craved a job with lots of different aspects, where I could really feel free creatively. I’m currently 21 and I’ve finally figured out what I want to do for a living.
What led you to start your business?
Emma: During the first lockdown in May 2020, I started to experiment with terrazzo design. I loved the idea of experimenting with colour and modern design with an art form that has been popular for over a century. Initially, I created an Instagram account to simply share my creations with the few followers I originally had. I never even dreamt that this would be the start of my own business, or that in the next few months I would have the opportunity to leave my full-time job and become self-employed.
What has been the biggest challenge in building your business?
Emma: The biggest challenge for me in building my business has been balancing all of the roles I need to fulfil in order to run my company. For example, in one day for I can be switching from running my social media, to customer service, to managing wholesale orders and hand making all of my creations - the biggest and most time consuming job of all. Even though this was initially tricky to manage whilst also working on growing my business and brand identity, its now my favourite aspect of running my own business. Not one day is the same and this creative freedom is something I always wished for.
What has inspired you to hand make all your pieces?
Emma: I think there’s something really special about handmade creations. The processes that go on behind the scenes to make one item is extensive. I love the fact that because everything is handmade by me from start to finish, no two items are the same. Every coaster, pot or vase is original and beautiful in its own way.
How would you describe your brand’s style?
Emma: I’d describe my brand style as pastel danish design meets modern eclectic interior design.
Is there a specific part of femininity that you keep in mind when designing your pieces?
Emma: For me, there are many aspects of femininity I keep in mind whilst designing and making my terrazzo home decor pieces. I see my creations as soft yet bold, with an eclectic spin. I use a range of colours and like to experiment mixing traditionally feminine colours with those not so stereotypical, my current favourite is pink and orange, a bold colour statement that still somehow feels powerfully feminine.
How do you want your pieces to make women feel?
Emma: I want my terrazzo creations to allow women to express their style and character through interior design. I think now, more than ever, as we spend so much time at home, its important to be surrounded by home decor that inspires us and uplifts our environment and consequently our mood. Homeware is a great accessory for injecting personality into our home surroundings.
What is the best piece of advice you have for women building businesses right now?
Emma: Be your own biggest cheerleader. Not everyone will understand your vision or identity, you need to have a strong sense of self-worth for both yourself and your work, if you have this you can achieve anything!
What female energy or female role models have inspired you throughout this journey?
Emma: My mum has been one of my biggest inspirations, she’s always been so supportive of my small business venture and taught me from a young age to trust my intuition and know my self worth. I now realise this has played an essential role in running my business. Virtually, online I make the conscious effort to follow lots of woman-owned small businesses, surrounding myself and my social media feeds with these business owners has been truly insightful and inspirational.
Do you drink tea? What part does tea play in your day (i.e. what is your tea ritual)?
Emma: I’m always sipping on some sort of herbal tea throughout the day. My favourite tea of the day is the one I drink right before I go to sleep at night. This is a ritual I do every day, so much so that now when I have my night-time tea my body knows its time to start winding down, put down my phone and let the day go. Owning a small business and working from home means it can be very hard to differentiate between work and home, this tea signals that its now time to let work be and relax.
NOTE: Emma's favorite Offblak tea is the It's All Peachy, Raspbery and Peach Green Tea!
Offblak would like to thank Alice, Karina, Holly, Hannah, Maisie, and Emma for taking the time to inspire us and share their journeys. Each of these women prove the creativity, resilience, and strength of female energy. As women’s month comes to a close, we hope you remember that being a girl boss never stops, it’s something all you ladies can be, and it’s something all you women already are!
