What do you want the rest of your life to look like? Are you really living the life of your dreams? Are you seeing enough role models to inspire you to take the next step? Girls are regularly being told that they can be anything they want to be, but how often are we actually showing them what it means to be a female leader or an entrepreneur.
Under-utilised and underrepresented in the boardroom, with a whopping 95% of CEO positions taken up by white men, women are still facing an upward climb inside the corporate world. Yet when it comes to entrepreneurship, women are starting 1,200 businesses a day in the U.S and a third of those are started by women of colour. In the US, women are significantly more empowered and are making a much greater impact than their UK counterparts. In the UK, one in ten women (2.7 million) want to start their own company but feel the lack of confidence to do so according to a recent study from Facebook. Identifying a lack of confidence as a key barriers, not having the right business skills, or access to finances, many women cannot identify a female role model running a similar business to the one they would like to set up.
Realising the impact of the female economy is empowering more and more women economically, socially and spiritually to pursue their dreams. Controlling $20 trillion in annual consumer spending globally, women account for 60% of a $255 billion dollar global online economy and it’s time to cash in on it. The UK is missing out on a potential £10.01 billion boost to the economy by not tackling the challenges facing women who want to start their own business. As reported in the Financial Times, “women are responsible for more than 80 per cent of purchase decisions and account for 70 per cent of business start-ups.”
Despite facing challenges from sexism and discrimination to insufficient venture capitalist funding as well as balancing work and family life, women are undeterred and the rate of women-owned businesses growing faster than the national average. By getting Bonded, it’s time to represent the power of an intersectional movement, where female entrepreneurs, leaders and investors can inspire the next generation of female-run businesses. Made by an all-female crew, every entrepreneur featured in the ‘Dream, Girl’ documentary is female, and four of the five are women of colour.
Join us on October 25th for the first ever UK screening of ‘Dream, Girl, the documentary film. We know you’ll be itching to talk about a whole load of stuff after watching the film and post-screening we’ll also be hosting a Q&A with guest British entrepreneurs who’ll be relating their experiences of launching a business as female founders.
Talking about launching a beauty brand and her work as a role model and business leader, Sharmadean Reid the founder of Wah Nails, is invested and committed to supporting future female CEO’s. With a special place in her heart for teenage girls, we’ll be asking Sharmadean about her experiences in the business world and her work promoting females in creative industries.
SHARMADEAN REID, FOUNDER OF WAH NAILS. Sharmadean Reid was named one of the “15 people who will define the future of arts in Britain” and featured as part of the “New Generation” in Vogue. In 2009 she set up WAH Nails, a salon and creative space in Dalston, soon after expanding into shows and parties at London Fashion Week. After a successful pop up salon in Selfridges, in 2010, WAH Nails opened in Topshop, Harvey Nichols, collaborated with Opening Ceremony Tokyo, and is now available in Boots. Going on to publish two books on nail art and girl culture, Sharmadean is also launching a full collection of clothing and accessories with ASOS, and FutureGirlCorp, a free 12-hour business workshop marathon for future female CEOs.
“Sleep is important. Self-care is important. Eating well. Exercise. All of these things that are fundamental to our success now and in the future. But somehow all of that gets lost in translation when you are starting your own company.” says Komal Minhas, the producer of ‘Dream, Girl’. It’s important to incorporate self-care in your life, and we’ll be talking not only about your health when starting up a business but discussing the launch of the fitness brand Frame, with Pip Black the co-founder.
PIP BLACK, CO-FOUNDER OF FRAME. Pip Black is the Co-Founder of Frame, a London-based fitness brand which pioneered the boutique pay-as-you-go studio movement in 2009. The brand has expanded and now includes 4 locations across the city. Pip, together with her business partner Joan Murphy, set out to build a brand which would encourage fit, healthy living through high energy and fun-filled classes. The entrepreneurial duo have also proven that launching and growing a startup can be successfully balanced with motherhood.
The Q&A will be curated by Nikita Chauhan and our guest female entrepreneurs will be sharing a whole lot of experiences about launching a startup in Britain.
Join us for a screening hosted by Bonded with our partners at Hoxtown. Watch the documentary while you treat yourself to complimentary SAVSE smoothies, SAUVELLE VODKA cocktails and PROPERCORN.
Tickets are on sale now on Eventbrite.
Highlights from the 1st Bonded Event - When You Cause All This Conversation
