12 female founders share the joys + challenges of being a woman in business
Mustard Made was made by women. That's something we're proud of, especially given that we make furniture (no gender stereotypes around here!)
Even today, when Mustard is so much bigger than just the two of us, it's powered by a team that's largely female.
The theme for International Women's Day this year is 'Count Her In: Invest in Women. Accelerate Progress.' When it comes to investing in women, our first thought is of all the brave and passionate women stocking Mustard in their independent businesses around the world.
So, we asked some of our stockists to share their experiences as women in business. There were a few familiar themes, like the pressure we put on ourselves, the lack of time for self care and the total joy of working with other women. Mostly, we were bowled over by their honesty and passion.
We'll let them tell you in their own words, but we think Rike, founder of rikiki. Grafik and Out of Alltag, summed it up pretty well: "Despite battling through systemic hurdles, women have dazzled with their resilience and success in countless fields. If we can do all that with a few roadblocks in our way, just imagine the unstoppable force we'd be with a level playing field."
Let's meet some amazing women!
Batlló Concept
Founder Naiara Rodriguez, based in Spain's San Sebastian, created her interior design and furniture store as an extension of her interior design studio. She loves the freedom of running her own business, despite the challenges.
What is the best part of working with women?
I think that women in general are very hard-working and have greater sensitivity, and this in my profession is very important. I love being my own boss and working for myself, I consider my store like another child. I work on what I like and that is fabulous.
Rikiki Grafik + Out of Alltag
Founder Rike has a lot on her plate. She's the creator of not one but two beautiful stores in Dusseldorf, design concept store rikiki. Grafik and interiors, furniture and homewares store Out of Alltag.
If you could, what's one thing you would change for women?
Imagine the potential for growth and innovation if women were really afforded the same opportunities, pay, respect, chances, and free time as their male counterparts. Despite battling through systemic hurdles, women have dazzled with their resilience and success in countless fields. If we can do all that with a few roadblocks in our way, just imagine the unstoppable force we'd be with a level playing field.
Little Loves
Little Loves is run by not one but two powerhouse women, Amber and Ash! As mums, they both love being able to create flexibility for their families.
What's your favourite thing about being a woman in business?
Ash: I think it's really cool for our kids to see us create and run multiple businesses.
Amber: I think we are very lucky to be women in business at all, and for us to have created something that we enjoy so much. We love that we can raise our families alongside our work but a lot of women in the world are not as fortunate.
Bøde Living
Founder Jen had no intention of starting a business, until she went for a Sunday afternoon stroll in her local seaside town with friends. She spotted the perfect little storefront, and the rest is history!
What's the best part of working with women?
My pursuit of balance has led me to encourage a business that prioritises flexibility for us all. Working alongside women means that we each understand the importance of family occasions, the need to spend a weekend away to recharge, or simply clocking off an hour early to enjoy a longer evening. It is all about mutual respect and I believe that we all work better for it.
Starship For Littles
Heather knows a thing or two about investing in women – she launched Starship For Littles in 2015 with a $3000 credit card debt. But backing herself paid off, and she's heading into her ninth year of business!
What's your favourite thing about being a woman in business?
I love that I can choose how far I'll go by how much effort I put into my business. No one can hold me back from growing except myself.
Heyhappypuff
Priscilla is the founder of Singapore's lifestyle concept store, Heyhappypuff, which must be contender for the cutest shop name we've ever heard!
How do you invest in yourself?
As a solopreneur with a never-ending to-do list, I have to admit that investing in myself falls low in my list of priorities. This year, I am making a conscious effort to start taking charge of my own health — going for more walks, whipping up veggie-packed meals and reducing doomscrolling on the phone!
Woodend General & Little General Kids
Lou and Ange aren't just co-founders – they're sisters, too! No wonder we're such fans.
What's your favourite thing about being a woman in business?
We love running this business together, as sisters, and employing and empowering other women. All of our employees are mums and it's really important to us to be supportive of them and their lives holistically and not just in their 'work life'. As a mum or parent there is rarely any work life balance, and this is always in our thinking when working as a team. We wish equal parental leave was universal for both genders and the caregiving responsibility of children not automatically defaulting to the mother.
Norsu Interiors
Nat and Kristy, founders of Norsu, met at a local mother's group in 2011. So, it's no surprise that they are passionate about creating space for the ever-elusive work/life balance!
If you could, what's one thing you would change for women?
The belief that they can't run a business because of family. We really want to shout from the rooftops that "you can have it all!" Trust your instincts and skills — things like being natural multi-taskers and networkers lead to opportunities that only grow over time. We'd love to instill the belief that they don't need to choose between being a parent and having a career. We won't lie and say mum guilt doesn't exist, but we love being role models for our children, and how we operate as families with working parents is a joy because we have consciously made it that way.
Francis Henri
Francis Henri was created to for families of all kinds – founder Katherine loves serving "growing families, first time moms, seasoned parents, grandparents, new aunts & uncles, fashionable dads, and so many people in between!"
What's your favourite thing about being a woman in business?
I have such a big place in my heart for moms with babies and little kids, having had three kids in four years myself – which was as big of a joy as it was an incredible challenge. Anything I can do to support women in those early years of childhood (which I'm still in myself), I am here for.
