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Empire of Japan

Women Worldwide : Putting your right Foot Forward with ShadowMove

Following her dream was a no brainer for Yeojin, founder of Shadowmove, a shoe brand that will guarantee to boost your self esteem and make you feel like a million dollars. Inspired by Jim Carey. Yeojin is living her dream life, with a passion for design that shines through, it was no surprise that she would make a success of this business. Here, we spent some time with her to find out more…

Tell us about the story that lead you to launching ShadowMove

I wanted to choose what I liked as my lifelong job. From 10 to 19 years old, I did Korean dance. For the first time in my life, I aimed at what I really liked. However, it was inevitable to have to give up that goal because it wasn’t sustainable long term.

Shoes were an item I liked when I was young when I was doing Korean dance. Wearing good shoes creates confidence. After dancing for a long time, my feet hurt a lot, so I wanted to wear comfortable and stylish shoes that fit my sensitive feet.

I thought about it a lot and then I just did it, I launched my own shoe brand. In the course of designing, it became a brand. In fact, the inner meaning of the brand is the expression of ‘I’ walking in shoes with the movement of the shadow.

What sets you apart from other shoe designers?

It is sincere communication with our customers.Through that communication, a 1:1 custom-made method was applied, and thanks to that communication, most of the customers who came to us continue to purchase from our brand, we have a really loyal customer base.

In addition, we create initiatives where customers can directly participate in the brand, giving customers a sense of belonging and fun.

How do you want women to feel when they wear your shoes?

“I want to increase your presence.”

You are special, loveable and charming. Shoes are another way to express yourself.I want to increase my self-esteem through it and also that of the wearer..
Be bold and wear cool shoes right away.

You will definitely want to go out every day.

Since launching the brand, what has been your proudest moment?

“The shoes of this brand are art.

It feels good every time I wear it. It shows how much a designer loves shoes.”

I was happy to hear that. I want you to be happy and increase your self-esteem when you wear my shoes.

When lacking motivation, what quote do you like to read to pick you back up?

“If you write it, then it will come true .”

I sometimes take out and read the authors like Henriette Anne Klauser’s books.

This book is the driving force behind my 20-year-old dream. In this book, the story of actor Jim Carey appears. I was impressed by Jim Carrey’s strong will and passion for his dreams, and I still read Jim Carrey’s quotes.

His passion and conviction excite me. Enough to want to resemble him.

For any aspiring shoe designers wanting to launch their own brand, what advice would you offer?

You have to endure to the end. Just by challenging your dreams, you have already started to succeed. But sooner or later, difficulties will follow. You will doubt your choices, be conscious and afraid of your surroundings, hungry, lonely and stand on the edge of a cliff.

But you have to hold on. You will have to overcome difficult moments regardless of means and methods.

Above all, the economic aspect was too difficult. I was afraid, but I had to put up with it because I didn’t want to give up. In the process, you can find solutions for the future. If you believe in yourself and don’t give up, you will eventually have good changes and opportunities.

Focus on only one dream.

How much did Covid affect your company and what have you had to do to survive?

Sales declined, but nothing more.

I have suffered more than this in the past. That’s when my mental powers got stronger.

“We have to turn crisis into opportunity.”

Now the whole world is difficult. But if you stay still, shadowmove will disappear next year. So it’s moving more and more busily. Thanks to this, more than half of the year-end orders and next year plans are already being filled.

This is what makes crisis an opportunity. When everyone is not moving I move and look for many opportunities. You have to move. Only then can you seize the opportunity.

What does the future have in store for your brand?

I want to remain a brand that people around the world remember and pursue. I am a designer. I am not interested in management. As a designer, I want to design to my heart’s content, and as a designer I want to go towards the end of my life doing the thing I love.

Talk us through an average day in your life?

Not ordinary. I work in the showroom all week. But I don’t think it’s work.

The only time I am healed and inspired is dawn. During this time, I have a relaxing time listening to music while drinking beer, seeing past travel photos, and discovering various artists from all over the world. Film artist, musician, artist. These days I am immersed in classical art. This moment is the happiest and most inspiring for me.

What has been your career highlight?

I would like to say that building the Shadow Move brand is my biggest career success.

This is because ‘me’ is made into ‘brand’.

What does self care mean to you?

I value mental stability. No matter how hard it is, I look in the mirror every morning and say with a smile. “I have no choice but to succeed” and I train myself. There are many more reasons to be successful than to not succeed. I have to trust myself.

Find out more…

www.shadowmove.kr

@shadowmove_official

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Girl Bosses

Girlbosses of Great Britain : The One That Does Epic Events with Jenny Staniforth

Jenny Staniforth is the founder of JS Events, a company that she founded after years of experience in the industry and to further her love for seeing the reactions of her clients when she delivered an awe inspiring event. She plans luxury weddings and events throughout the UK and is a true creative.

At JS Events they take the stress away from you and can plan the ultimate event, right down to the finer detail. With Jennifer at the helm, there is nothing that is impossible. We spent some time with her to find out more…

Tell us the story that led you to launching your brand, JS Events…
JS Events has always been my end goal. I had always planned on starting my own luxury wedding and events agency so I had been working on my company products, vision and values for what seems like forever.
I knew the events industry was the field I wanted to work in from a young age, in reality however I knew that without gaining some valuable experience I wouldn’t know how to start an events company, so that’s exactly what I did, I went to university and after graduating swiftly moved to London where I gained 7 years of valuable experience. My husband and I then decided to move out of London and move closer to our families in the midlands, this move gave me the perfect opportunity to start my own company, whereas before I had always been pursuing my career within other agencies it suddenly felt like the right time to go solo.

Although this has been a somewhat daunting decision it is one that I have been preparing for, for years with the reward of working with individuals and facilitating my clients as I see fit and to my high standards. It is a decision I am glad I made!

Looking back since launching the brand, is there anything you would do differently?
Not really, it has been my dream for a long time and I was just waiting for the opportune moment to branch out on my own, it feels good to have finally done it, I am sure in years to come I will look back and be able to recount a million things I would have done differently but right now I am just proud that I have taken that leap and that it is working.

To date, what has been your proudest event and why?
I think my proudest event is actually an early event that I ran around the Monaco Grand Prix. My agency decided to go bigger and better in the second year of me running the event and I have to say I was insanely proud of myself for pulling off the race weekend. It really cemented the fact that I was in the right field as it didn’t feel like work, I just loved it. Of course there were stressful hair raising moments but a solution was always found and we pushed on. It was great!

Where do you get your creative ideas from and how do you stay on trend?
I stay on trend by researching, reading blogs and seeing what my suppliers are posting on social media. These ideas then spark me and together with my suppliers I create something very personal for my couples/clients. It is very rewarding when everything comes together on the day and you see the vision that we all had in our heads come to life.

Talk us through an average day in your life?
I don’t have set hours, I am on call for my clients 24 hours a day so an average day in my world ranges quite dramatically, however I would say that I spend the majority of my time negotiating, talking and meeting with suppliers. I like to be out and about so where I can I will go to the venue or supplier to discuss a client’s needs. I also spend time with my clients on site visits, food tastings etc. The rest of my time is ideally spent outside walking our dog or with my husband.

The events industry was hit hard due to Covid, how did you pivot to make sure you survived?
Having recently launched JS Events prior to COVID, COVID was a bit of a tough blow, however it did allow me to spend quality time on my website, social media and brand presence in general. I also spent a lot of time creating a strong marketing strategy to ensure that I could hit the ground running once we returned to a sense of normality, ensuring that I could recoup the costs that I had lost in the postponed & cancelled events that I had committed to in 2020. This appears to have worked with enquiries, weddings and events now picking up. 2021 and 2022 look like they are going to be very busy!

What motivational quote do you like to read when you are lacking motivation?
I don’t really have a motivational quote that I read, but if I am feeling low I like to think about all the positive things in my life, of which I am very lucky and there are many. This normally picks me back up again and relights my motivation.

How do you see the business evolving over the next 5 years?
In the next 5 years I would hope that JS Events is a highly trusted and award winning agency that has cemented itself within the industry both nationally and internationally.

What does self care mean to you?
Having suffered with mental health in the past, self care is very important to me. To me self care means finding time for yourself, switching off and de-stressing, putting down your phone and any other distractions and relaxing, spending time with loved ones and making sure you actually make the time to do the things you enjoy. if you can establish a good work/life balance, then hopefully happiness will follow.

Find out more and follow JS Events who can be found at the following places:

W: www.jenniferstaniforthevents.co.uk Instagram@jenniferstaniforthevents FB: JS Events LI: JS Events

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Girl Bosses

Women Worldwide : The one that captures unique moments with Cotton Stories

Caroline is the founder of Cotton Stories, a brand that was created when she was pregnant and had a scan of her belly to see if the little baby was well, which it thankfully was. In all the excitement over the good news, she forgot to ask to get the picture from the scan. Now sitting by the window looking out, the only thing occupying her thoughts was the beautiful silhouette she had seen on the screen. A healthy bouncing little baby with a strong heartbeat. It was an emotional meeting with her, yet unknown, daughter to be. A memory she wanted to last for a lifetime.

It was this special moment that encouraged her to launch Cotton Stories, where she creates unique paintings for unique moments. Each painting is one of a kind and crafted by hand, down to the very last brush stroke. The painting is embossed to guarantee that is a genuine Cotton Stories artwork, and it receives a hand-signed label as a final touch from the artist herself.

We were inspired by her story and went to find out more…

Tell us about the journey that lead you to launching Cotton Stories…

After my scan, I grabbed my paintbrush and tore off a piece of paper from the nearest sketch pad, and started to draw a mental picture of the very first meeting with my yet unknown daughter to be. And that’s where it all began, although I didn’t know it then, but when the requests for my sonogram paintings increased I decided to go all in and start my own business. It’s crazy to think that my very first painting, of my own daughter, was the birth of Cotton Stories and I now paint to people from all over the world.

What is an average day in your life like?

I would say that no day is the same. People often ask me how I can find the time to run Cotton Stories and at the same time be a mother of two. I guess the answer is, if you have a passion and want it to work, you make it work. I got pregnant with my second child just by the time Cotton Stories started to expand and bloom, so I had to work extra hard and focused. It was important to construct a solid foundation in order for the company to keep on growing even though I had less time. I’ve gone from working day and night to finding a balance and a daily structure to be a mother and a businesswoman at the same time.

What does self care mean to you?

I love learning new ways to be creative. The main thing that I always come back to is that I love experimenting with watercolors. It can be anything from blending skin tones to creating various landscapes using different techniques. Whenever I get stuck or feel like I am lacking inspiration I close the door behind me, put on my headphones, turn on some music and just start painting. Since I paint the sonograms daily, which are very detailed and tailored to perfection, it’s a great contrast to just do the complete opposite. It works every time! Before I know it, it is all there. The inspiration, the creativity, the ideas, and motivation to do what I am supposed to do. But trust me, it has not been there all along. It’s been years of searching within myself to understand who I am, as an artist, and what I need in my life to be able to stay creative.

Growing up, I was always known as “the girl who could draw” because I spend most of my time drawing on every notebook I got a hold of. As I grew older, I became aware of that producing art is something I could not be without. It was more than just a hobby, it was an essential part of me that grew bigger for each year. Today I know that I am not happy if I’m not creative. I need it to be the best version of myself and that’s probably why I decided to become an artist as a profession.

What reaction do you get from the mums that purchase your work?

This is my favorite part of creating these paintings. The response I get from mothers all over the world is amazing. I am especially humbled to those mothers who reach out to me asking if I can create a portrait of their lost child. It can be from early miscarriage or as late as stillborn at 39 weeks. I especially remember this one story where a woman lost her baby at 29 weeks. She wanted me to create a painting in memory of her child. She later got back to me to let me know that she was glad she turned her sonogram image into a painting. It helped her in the grieving process and now she looks at the sonogram painting differently. She had turned it into something beautiful, just as her baby. She wanted me to discreetly add angel wings to her image to remind her that she didn’t lose her child, it just turned into an angel that she now carried in her heart forever. Reading stories like this and to be able to be part of something that big and emotional is something I am very humbled and proud over. Since I create each painting by hand I am able to tailor each painting after the customers wishes. It is through stories like this they all become an important and natural part of our product development.

Where do you see your brand in 5 years time?

The company, Cotton Stories, is at a very exciting stage now and we’re extremely thrilled for the next few years. Already this fall or early next spring we will introduce new products, which I unfortunately can’t tell you about right now. All the products will, of course, have the obvious Cotton Stories touch of high quality and design. We are eager to take our brand to the next level and our new products will become a must have element in every nursery.

During Covid19, what changes did you have to make to your business?

All businesses around the world have been affected by this pandemic in various ways and so even we. We, at Cotton Stories, learned that in order to survive, we need to work harder and work collaboratively. I think that has a deeper meaning, not just for businesses, but for society as a whole. We only survive if we work together and support each other during tough times.

We were forced to see things from another perspective, shift focus a little bit, and cherish every small step of success. The biggest challenge we have had during this period is shipping. All the materials we use in our products are made locally in Sweden, but our customers are worldwide, so we’ve worked hard to make sure that all paintings arrive safely to the customers. During a global lockdown, there have been some huge delays, but we decided to put extra money in to ensure the customer a safe delivery, they all arrived.

How much does social media play a role in your business?

Social media is what has gotten us this far. It is a platform that allows us to communicate our brand and our products in a way which was impossible only a few years ago.

We have built Cotton Stories through instagram and close collaboration with influencers to reach people all over the world. Since every painting is unique there are so many beautiful and inspiring stories behind them. We’ve become like a community for mothers and mothers to be. We want to cheer them on and tell them how incredibly strong they are but also share the moments that aren’t picture perfect.

We believe that the love you get, is equal to the love you give. Therefore we do not pay people to collaborate with us. We work with influencers who truly love our product and cherish it as much as we do and want to share us with their audience. Sure we could climb faster if we paid people to like us. But that is not what we believe in. Our products are genuine and unique. We put down a lot of heart and soul in this company so we want the people who collaborate with us to feel the same way.

Where can people find out more?

To read more about Cotton Stories or visit the shop, go to www.cottonstories.se and follow us on Instagram @Cotton.Stories

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United States

Success Worldwide : The Kingdom of Wow!

Kingdom of Wow! is all about embracing the art of slow. That moment of transition when you get home after a hectic day at work, kick off your shoes and then slip into Kingdom of Wow! wool slippers ready to unwind. Their products invoke a feeling of homely “hygge” that allows you to enjoy a little bit of everyday luxury.

“Hygge” (pronounced hue-guh) is a Danish and Norwegian word for a mood of cosiness and comfortable pleasantness with feelings of wellness and contentment and it screams Self-Care! Here at House of Coco, we are all about that self-care life so when we stumbled across this brand, we couldn’t wait to find out more. We spent some time with their founder Godie van de Paal to discover more about their plans for the future and so much more…

Tell us about the journey that lead you to launching Kingdom of Wow…

As a diplomat in Shanghai, I dealt a lot with corporate social responsibility and the resistance that companies were facing in the supply chain when implementing this. I saw first-hand how it is nearly impossible for a small brand to influence the supply chain to implement more ethical production.

When the time came to move to Cambodia, I decided that I could use my experience and take the opportunity to create more responsible employment, while proving that responsible manufacturing is not more costly and should be the norm.

All I needed was a great product that was handmade and that I believed in. Enter our wool slippers!

Building a sustainable brand is top of your agenda, why is this important to you?

Sustainability for me is a concept of different elements: it’s about making a durable product in an environmentally friendly way, while also treating the people who make the products in a decent way.

I’m always puzzled when people applaud me for paying fair wages and offering a pleasant working environment. I’m not running Kingdom of Wow’s workshop any different than I would if located in a Western country: you treat your staff with respect, you pay them a decent wage, offer them benefits and run a compliant business.

We take pride in making high-quality products that last: I grew up in a throw-away society where everything is disposable. Nothing lasts anymore which puts a tremendous strain on the environment, on our finances, and in some cases our mental health. When I see my father drilling a hole with a 35-year-old drill, or make fresh juice at my parent’s place using the same juice press I used when I was living there over 20 years ago, I think: Yes! This is the way it should be! Products can be a bit more expensive if it means they last much longer.

As for our products, we only use top quality materials and continuously strive to improve. We recently moved away from manmade fabrics to using only natural materials such as bamboo. Our products are also biodegradable so when the time comes, they do not add to polluting this planet.

Who is your ideal customer?

Our ideal customer appreciates. They appreciate the time and dedication that goes into handmade products. They appreciate the value of paying slightly more for a well-made, durable product. They embrace the whole slow fashion ethos. For them, it’s simply not an option to buy garments at bottom prices, because vulnerable workers aren’t being paid properly.

Your company ethos is one to be admired, tell us more about the initiatives you support and how you give back…

We thought about how to approach this extensively. How can we give back in the best possible way? Being based in Cambodia there is no shortage of NGOs doing excellent work, the easy solution would’ve been to dedicate a part of our revenue to one of these. But we didn’t want to approach this from a “poverty-porn” styled marketing perspective: buy our product and an underprivileged child gets to go to school. Also, generally the revenue we make is reinvested into the business especially in the earlier years so there is little money to give. And with all the great work that is being done already, we felt we could do more by providing sustainable employment for local people.

Most businesses here in Cambodia are tourist-focused. A very unstable and seasonal market, which has sadly been proven more so in recent months. With many companies now out of business, we are one of the few still operational because we focus on export and established a stable brand. Most of our staff are the only ones left in their extended families generating an income.

As well as offering sustainable employment, we offer scholarships for staff who would like to continue to study. Our Office Manager started crocheting slippers and turned out to be great at administration. She now studies accounting part-time while gaining practical experience here. We also offer daycare for those with small children and provide small loans to purchase motorcycles and allow easier commutes.

In addition to looking after our team, we are also mindful of the environment so fund a tree nursery programme with conservation partners to help restore Cambodia’s tropical forests that have suffered from illegal logging. This is a great way for us to offset our business carbon footprint while having a very tangible impact on the country where we are based.

Do you plan on expanding the range in the future to offer other products, if so, what?

Absolutely! We’re serious about what we do and growing as a business is the best way to create more responsible employment and prove that ethical manufacturing is a good business model.

We started out making ethically handmade wool slippers and added a summer line of women’s and men’s espadrilles last year. We want to make quality products, so a lot of time goes into product development. At the moment, we are focusing more on incorporating zero waste projects into production (making brand labels from leather cut-offs for example). But in time we will add more models of footwear to our collections. And potentially venture further into the home décor with throws and other accessories. Any product that promotes well-being and adds a little bit more everyday luxury to the lives of our customers!

Looking back since launching the brand, is there anything you would do different?

Of course! Never trust anyone who says otherwise! But the key is to acknowledge what could have been done better and apply that to current operations.

As a start-up entrepreneur you basically do everything yourself. Some things you are good at, others you manage and the stuff you’re not so good at is often neglected. With hindsight, I would’ve invested in attracting expertise much sooner than I did.

Talk us through an average day in your life…

I don’t think there’s been ‘an average day’ for anyone recently. However, these days I start my day with a nice stroll through our tropical garden, followed by leisurely breakfast with my husband and two young sons. Although I’m not exactly enthused with the current home-schooling requirements, I’m loving that we can enjoy breakfast together as a family without the stress of getting everyone out the door ready for school!

Our workshop is located next door to my home, so around 7:45am staff will start to arrive, often sitting outside eating their noodle breakfast. I spend most of my days working here. This helps me to stay connected to production and the lives of our team. It’s a cosy and tranquil setting with ladies crocheting and sewing while chit-chatting; dogs sleeping lazily under office desks and local customers coming in to buy products directly. At lunchtime, the whole team enjoys a free nutritious lunch together in our outdoor dining area and then we continue work until 5pm. There will be meetings, calls and brainstorms, often extending into the evenings – one of the downsides of living in Asia and a different time zone to our sales markets.

How much has social media played a role in the success of your brand?

Social media is essential to most businesses these days. It has helped Kingdom of Wow! enormously to communicate our journey as well as our values and products to an international audience. It’s the perfect way for people to stay connected and interact with our brand.

What is your go-to quote when lacking motivation?

Elk nadeel heb z’n voordeel “There is an upside to every downside” This is a (rather bad) translation of a quote from famous Dutch football player, Johan Cruyff. Things rarely go as planned, especially as a start-up entrepreneur, but it’s key to not let it get you down, to roll with the punches and try to take advantage of whatever cards you have been dealt.

How has Covid19 impacted your business? Have you had to make any pivots to survive the pandemic?

Apart from some disruptions with logistics so far so good! We had to temporarily stop sales to some destinations as we can’t ship directly from Cambodia at present. And the costs of surviving logistical routes have increased dramatically. But we are very fortunate to not be dependent on local sales, with tourism at a standstill here in Cambodia. Also, with most of the world self-isolating in lockdown we have seen a spike in slipper sales! People perhaps embracing this slower pace and taking time to relax during these times.

The global recession will surely impact our sales negatively, which is very unfortunate especially as we plan to launch in the U.S. this autumn. But we remain positive and hope to make it through without too much damage.

What does self-care mean to you?

Well, it is essential for our well-being, but it often ends up at the bottom of our to-do list and I’m no different. Kingdom of Wow! slippers were designed with self-care in mind: to take off the restraint of footwear, allow toes to wiggle and freedom for feet to unwind. As a former diplomat running around in high heels and power suits, I know the daily strain we put on our feet and how important it is to allow these little centres of nerve endings some space! These days I mostly walk around barefoot, so that problem has been effectively solved! But many in colder climes don’t have this luxury.

Truth be told, I’m very much a product of my time and with children, work and social life, I often struggle to make time to practice yoga, go to the gym or read a book even. It’s hard to let go of the feeling that you need to be effective all the time and simply enjoy life in the moment. I can thoroughly enjoy an empty house and just sit down and appreciate the garden, allowing my thoughts to wander off. With the busy lives, we are all leading, I feel we need to be extra aware and appreciate the little things in life.

Where can people find out more?

Kingdom of Wow! | Instagram: @kingdom.of.wow | Facebook: @kingdom.of.wow

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United States

Women Worldwide : The Beauty Brand That Will Never Give up With Skull Sugar Cosmetics

Tell us about the journey that lead you to launching Skull Sugar Cosmetics…

My journey probably started as a child. I was always drawn to the beauty industry. I always had a natural eye for makeup artistry and I loved working with models and brides. I was lucky to get to work with some amazing photographers that then led to working for some top USA fashion shows. As I was back stage I was noticing how many times models were needing touch ups through the initial get ready process to the lights on, hit the catwalk moment. My idea to launch my own product stemmed from the need of having high quality cosmetics that had a good range of pigment that could stand the tests of time. In other words something that would not melt off a models face between runway and after party! So I began my work for creating amazing cosmetics with long wearing and safe ingredients. It took me about two years to find the right manufacturer and in 2013 Skull Sugar Cosmetics were born!

You’re a firm believer in natural products, why is this important to you?

I think that in today’s world cosmetic health and safety have been something consumers are more aware of. For me personally it started once I became pregnant with my second child. I did not want the things I put on my skin or in my body to be toxic. That desire for healthy products also applied to my makeup artistry. I work with many models in fashion shows and clients in my salon who were having allergic reactions to makeup and skincare products. One of the biggest client complaints were eye irritations. It was an easy choice for me to work on a product that was free from harsh chemicals and cheap fillers like talc which have been linked with cancer and can irritate the eyes.

For anyone wanting to launch a business in the beauty industry, what advice would you offer them?

My advice is to take your time, get to know your target demographic, interview them, see what they are looking for in a great product. The best success comes from being able to understand your consumers. Make sure to try several wholesalers and manufacturers for the product you need and make sure they are a good fit for you and your brand message.

What has been the biggest leaning curve since launching the business?

One of my biggest learning curves was not to try to do too many products at once. I initially thought in order to be a good brand I would have to have everything at once! This is something over time I realised I did not have to do. Launching with a few staple items would have been sufficient and certainly more cost effective!

What sets you apart from other cosmetics brands?

I think the main thing that sets me apart would be my desire to listen to my client base. I also like to feature unknown makeup artists on my print and social media instead of going after the top influencers. So many amazing and talented artists are overlooked because they don’t have enough followers. I like to give recognition to amazing talent and I don’t care if they have 3 or 300 followers! I was an underdog so I support and nurture that.

What’s you go to quote when lacking motivation?

A quote that always sticks in the back of my mind is one from Eleanor Roosevelt. “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” If I get stagnant I think back to this one. The dreamers are the ones who change the world!

Talk us through an average day in your life…

Well an average day in my life always begins with my kiddo! I do the Mom stuff like every other parent does. I get him up, cranky as he may be and get him off to school. I typically do brain storming while I am driving back to the office. Aside from Skull Sugar I also have a full time medical spa and salon which keeps me busy in itself! I do all the lasering on clients myself as well as makeup and hair clients. This keeps me in touch with what my clients need and helps me come up with new product ideas! I still do hair and makeup both for weddings too and this time of year is very busy for that!

Looking back, is there anything you would do different since launching the brand?

I would as I touched on previously have started out with a couple of staple products like lips, lashes, and contour vs trying to have them all at once. I would have been able to build slower and saved much more in manufacturing costs and probably saved myself so much un necessary stress from trying to do it all!

How much has Covid19 impacted you?

COVID has been tough for us all! Especially small businesses. I have definitely had to make some adjustments to the way we do business moving forward. Client safety has now become an even greater priority. The beauty business was impacted greatly as we were non essential and had to close our doors for 8 weeks! But during this time I have learned so much more about clients and how to ride the wave of uncertainty.

Wha’s the best piece of advice you have ever received?

Maybe it’s cliche but… NEVER GIVE UP! It has now become my motto!

You can check out Skull Sugar Cosmetics by visiting our website at www.skullsugarcosmetics.com, or following us on Instagram and Facebook.

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Girl Bosses

Women Worldwide : Why travel is her influence with Louise Heim

Here at House of Coco magazine it’s no secret that we love travel. So when we stumbled across Voya, a fashion brand heavily influenced by travel, we felt like it was a match made in heaven.

Voya is their love of travel, fashion and people combined. Using contemporary design they engineer travel orientated fashion, creating flexible pieces made to work for people on the go and to last beyond the season. Using ethical production and sustainable fabrics, they stay conscious to the world around them and aim to inspire you to do the same.

Everything about their ethos is in line with ours so we fell propelled to spend some time with the founder to find out more. Here, we chat to Louise Heim about the brand, her plans for the future and more…

Tell us about the journey that lead you to launching Voya Official…

The CEO & Founder Louise, is a world citizen, she is British born and studied fashion design in London, then worked in the Middle East for 5 years, then on to China mainland for another 5 years & finally HK, where she launched Voya. After working in fast fashion for over 10 years and visiting many different factories for production and understanding the awful reality behind fast fashion. She wanted to try to find ‘the light’ within this wasteful industry and decided to develop her own brand working directly with a family run ethical factory in partnership to launch VOYA.

The concept behind Voya came from an Asian trip she was doing with a close friend, they were meeting in Beijing in December, which is very cold as it is winter season, then on to Vietnam, which in December is abit warmer, and ended in Laos which is super hot at that time, it was a tricky trip to pack for especially as someone who cares a lot about her carbon emissions and likes to pack light. She released the need for a capsule multi-wearable wardrobe, and as a fashion designer she didn’t like traditional ’travel garments’ and craved something much more contemporary.

She started to design and plan her ideal travel capsule wardrobe – which natural fabrics to use, and which are better for which climates. She developed the initial samples, using breathable and natural fabrics, using creaseproof treatments, ideal for travelling and started to build a capsule wardrobe based on that initial journey and then tested it out on other journeys around Asia. Voya was started.

You give back to local communities and we love that you do this, tell us more…

5% of our profits go to supporting local charities. For each garment sold we donate to the local charities in the area of the production. For the garments produced in our Hangzhou factory in China 2018-2020, we donate to the Chinese based children’s charity, Educate A Child. We recently sponsored to a school building project in Guizhou province, which is one of the most impoverished areas of China.

We offset all our carbon emissions using two methods. Firstly we use the company carbonfootprint.com to help us calculate and then offset all our personal & cargo carbon emissions annually. This is calculated on our companies business and personal trips. We list all of our teams trips, commutes and our offices energy bills, & our cargo sea routes as well as our parcel air freights. To save carbon emissions we send all our stock by sea freight. Which is slower but less damaging to the environment. Then we also use Offet, which is integrated with our online store and calculates the carbon emissions on each order, so the logistics & transport of the each parcels sent from our warehouse in the UK, to our customers addresses, is also carbon neutral.

Through these companies we are able to offset our emissions mainly through tree-planting projects in the UK (and recently was able to donate to South Wales school planting project) & Deforestation projects in the Amazon Rainforest. So we are actually able to offset the carbon, plant and protect forests and biodiversity in 2 continents at the same time.

Who’s behind the brand and what are their roles?

Louise is based between UK, HK and China. – currently in UK working remotely with the China/HK team.

China/HK team – Logistics and production, with a full time staff based in the partnership factory to monitor production methods and to focus on quality control.

UK team – Digital marketing, PR, Customer Service.

Content Writers – Freelance Worldwide.

Do you plan on expanding the range in the future?

Yes we do, we are about to launch a European Summer collection (July), and currently developing our winter collection. We aren’t following a traditional fashion schedule as we are making timeless travel fashion, we will always have multi-season product on our site, so that you can buy what you need for where you are travelling at any time of the year.

Given that the brand is heavily influenced by travel, what destination is at the top of your travel bucket list?

Bora Bora – Louise was supposed to be getting married in September, as everyone else has had to we have had to postpone until next year.

Talk us through an average day in your life…

Louise : Wake up, check my emails, meditate, go for a morning run, morning emails, updates from the team – talk to China team for production and development status, talk to the UK team for customer feedback, social media content, new collections design & developments. Chinese study, I have been studying Chinese for around 3 years, so still need to practice around one hour per day. 6:30 Call my family, everyday I have been speaking to my sheltering grandparents on the telephone. Then continue working usually work most days until 9-10pm.

How much has social media played a role in the success of your brand?

It is fundamental to the brand, but as a new brand we are still developing our best strategies, so the best is still yet to come.

What is your go-to quote when lacking motivation?

水滴石穿 Water drops wear down stone – so it means, persistent efforts overcome any difficulty.

How has Covid19 impacted your business?

We are used to working remotely and working with various people all around the world, so our working way or structure hasn’t changed much. Our UK warehouse was great to respond really well to the social distancing guidelines, so we didn’t have to stop selling or take any sort of break. We kept all our commitments to our production factory and didn’t reduce or cancel any styles, following our ethos, as a slow fashion brand, that works with a permanent basic collection we design and order a small quantity for our store and simply reorder when the styles have a greater demand, to be more sustainable and less wasteful. The biggest impact was really more internal, and as a company we tried to think about all the teams mental health at this time, and provided mediation app subscriptions for all staff members.

What does self care mean to you?

Right now, I think it is more important to be kind to yourself than ever. Breathe in the outside space, walk or run in the countryside.

Take some time each day to be still.

Have you had to make any pivots to survive the pandemic?

Rethink the marketing strategy and plan, a lot of people will be taking a break from travelling, and a lot of our content is travel related, our blog is full of what to wear guides, travel destination guides, so we have been using them as a self care tool, to inspire a sense of wanderlust, letting your mind wander to brighter, happier places.

Where can people find out more?

www.voyaofficial.com

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France

Women Worldwide : The Sustainable Swimwear brand Changing the World

Sinipesa Swim is a California-based sustainable swimwear brand, founded by Spanish designer Lucía Gómez, the ultimate girl boss with her finger very much on the pulse. An all-female team, they create timeless designs with a French touch that flatter different body types and help women feel confident while also protecting the planet. Here at House of Coco, we fell in love with this brand and their core values, one being their desire to be sustainable, something very close to our hearts. Anyone who wears their pieces will feel powerful, just like their founder, who we spent some time with to find out more.

Here’s what Lucia had to say…

Tell us about the journey that led you to launching Sinipesa Swim?

My journey began when I moved from my hometown of Madrid to live by the water in the French Riviera for a couple of years. French culture shaped my personality and changed the way I see life. While in France, I was modelling for some big swimwear brands, and I realised how far the swimwear is from being sustainable. I love the ocean, and after learning how much the fashion industry is damaging our planet, I was inspired to make a decision that would change my life– beginning Sinipesa Swim.

I left Europe to follow “the American dream” and attempt to create beautiful swimsuits in California, while also keeping that French spirit that I loved. Even though I didn’t have a background in design or sewing, that didn’t stop me. I taught myself how to sew and then created the first prototype by hand. That’s how Sinipesa Swim started: as a passion project deeply rooted in love and appreciation for the ocean, the Earth, and the women living in it.

What does self-care mean to you?

Self-care to me is a balance between my body, mind, and spirit. It’s essential to living a happy life. By taking care of yourself, you’ll feel more empowered and confident, and ultimately, you’ll be able to pass along that energy to everyone else around you.

Your brand is sustainable and eco-friendly which issomething we champion so much. Why is that important toyou?

Sustainability is the core value of my brand. From design to packaging, I worked really hard to find the best partners to create a brand that is completely eco-friendly. Our oceans are sick, and we can see that through data every day. There are two great

documentaries that I would recommend to your readers. One is “The True Cost of Fast Fashion” and the other is “Planet Blue.” It is very concerning to see the massive quantities of plastic found in the ocean, killing it’s life and polluting everything. Our swimsuits are made out of Econyl, which is a fibre that is created by gathering those plastics from the ocean and transforming it into fabric. Using Econyl is our attempt to make the world a little more sustainable and a lot more ethical.

Who is your ideal customer?

Our customer is a woman who cares about the planet as much as we do. She has a strong opinion about life and is never belittled by men. She loves art, is minimalistic, traveling, and appreciates the little things in life. She appreciates her own beauty and has learned to love every curve– and is not afraid to show some skin. She is proud of herself, and so are we.

How do you want women to feel when they wear your designs?

As a brand that is built by women, it is especially concerning to witness the body stigma that has been damaging our confidence levels for years. That stigma that we feel, unfortunately, to look a certain way or that we will never be “good enough.” That’s why we want women to feel powerful, sexy, and comfortable in our swimwear. We hope our girls are in love with their own beauty, which are enhanced by our cute designs. We also want them to feel proud for choosing the path of sustainability, and we want to let them know that they’re one of us– our Sinipesa Swim community– and that we listen to what they have to say. Always.

With Covid19, what impact has that had on your business and how have you pivoted?

We were supposed to launch Sinipesa Swim on April 1st, but due to Covid-19, we had to postpone our launch. Instead of being sad or frustrated, I chose to see it as more of an opportunity. An opportunity to learn more about my customers and hoping to be there for them during this strange time. We created a weekly IGTV series during quarantine called “When Life Gives You Lemons,” where we have episodes where friends come in and help us learn to cook something yummy, meditate, workout at home, and much more. When life gives us women lemons, we know how to adapt quickly and make the best out of every situation.

Looking back, since launching the brand, is there anything you would do differently?

Not at all! It has been so much fun. I’ve learned so much, mostly thanks to my mistakes, so I wouldn’t change that.

When lacking motivation, what quote do you like to read?

When I lack motivation, what inspires me is nature itself. I go for a walk to the top of a little hill close by my house where I can see the whole city of LA and the ocean. That beauty gives me energy to move on.

Tell us about your latest girl boss moment…

What comes to mind is when I had to figure out the logistics of putting together this IGTV series “When Life Gives You Lemons.” Even though this is a hard time for everyone and we all lack motivation sometimes, I was eager to get this going and try to connect with people remotely through my platform. When I saw how people loved it, I felt like a girl boss for managing to stay strong, original, and fun during a pandemic.

What are your plans for the brand in the future…

Increasing sizing is my biggest priority for the future. I want every woman to be a part of Sinipesa Swim. I also want to incorporate beachwear in future collections, and of course another priority is striving to reduce our carbon footprint and improve our sustainability approach in general.

How much does social media play a role in your business?

I spend most of my time on social media actually, especially lately. It’s the way I connect and interact with my customers. I want them to see who is behind the brand so that if they have any concern they can talk to me like a friend. Thanks to social media I can do that, and it is amazing! I also love being able to share pictures of our campaigns, all inspired by the Mediterranean way of life and the South of France. That’s something that differentiates us from other swimwear brands– the warmth from our Mediterranean aesthetic.

Where can people find out more…

You can find out more about who we are by reading our blog posts on our website at www.sinipesaswim.com. We share wonderful information on women, travel, our swimsuits, and the planet. You can also find us on Instagram @SinipesaSwim.

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Japan

Women Worldwide : Going Full Circle with the Doughnut Project

Leslie Polizotto is the founder of The Doughnut Project, a brand that knows all about the benefits of going viral when they had some major coverage that elevated them overnight.

Leslie is a former attorney focused on the business side of The Doughnut Project. She handles marketing, sales, strategy, human resources, and social media. She also handles growth, collaborations and licensing opportunities. Nonetheless, she can still be found having fun pulling shots and serving doughnuts most days in the shop and her positive attitude keeps her team upbeat and excited about working for her brand.

What began as mad science meets culinary venture is now known as The Doughnut Project. In a world that is stuffed to the gills with sweet shops and fad foods they wanted to go beyond sprinkles and cream cheese frosting. They like to amp things up with fresh, seasonal ingredients and a menu that beckons you to ask, “And all that’s on a doughnut?!” To which they reply, yes, it certainly IS all on a doughnut.

We fell in love with this brand during a late night Instagram binge when we fell down the rabbit hole and drooled over their feed. Here, we spent time with Leslie to find out more…

Tell us about the journey that lead you to launching The Doughnut Project…

The decision to launch The Doughnut Project was actually a situation where the stars aligned. I was practicing law in Los Angeles my husband Gino and I were traveling back-and-forth between LA and New York a lot. When in NYC, we would love to go to Eataly and sit at the bar at the restaurant called Manzo. It is there where I met my future business partner Troy Neal. He was a bartender and was super charismatic and lots of fun. We instantly hit it off. He told me that he wanted to open a doughnut shop. I pulled out my phone and showed him all the pictures that I had taken of doughnuts when they would be brought into the law firm I was working and how happy they would make me feel. I told him that I was going to be moving to NYC and I wanted to be involved somehow. I think he thought I just wanted to be an investor, but little did he know I was going change my entire life to make The Doughnut Project a reality.

After moving to NYC, I took and passed the NY Bar Exam and was going down the path to continue practicing law. The law firm I worked for in LA did not have enough work to bring me on as an associate in their NY Office. In late 2013, I started meeting with Troy to write a business plan for the doughnut shop concept. During that process, my old law firm reached out with a position, but I turned it down. Over the next year and a half, we finalised the plan and in addition to our own capital, raised capital from friends and family investors. After a 6-month renovation to the space we leased, we finally opened The Doughnut Project on October 15, 2015.

You left a career as an attorney to launch this business, we love that pivot. Looking back, is there anything you would do differently?

I truly believe if we would have known how difficult launching a food brand in NYC, we probably would not have done it. Being naïve was definitely an advantage. Nonetheless, I would like to have implemented more knowledge of the procedures and processes from my corporate life from the start. We were so overwhelmed just running the business day-to-day that I wasn’t as quick utilise the skills and knowledge from my previous careers.

What is your mission with the brand?

We are passionate about creating amazing custom doughnuts using fresh, unique, and seasonal ingredients. We take inspiration from food and cocktails to create our flavours and always strive to push the envelope on what a doughnut can be. My mission for our brand is to continue leading in creativity and originality and grow our brand to other locations throughout the United States and abroad.

How do you want people to feel when they eat your doughnuts…

Happy! We want our shop to be an experience that will give you a smile on your face when you you leave. When I worked as an attorney, a lot of my day was focused on lawsuits which is a negative thing. I used to get so much joy when someone would bring doughnuts into the office. That is one of the reasons I got involved to start this business. When doughnuts are brought to work, it changes the whole dynamic. People gather to look and choose which doughnut they will eat. Conversations start and the mood lightens. I used to experience this firsthand and just want our doughnuts to make people happy like they made me happy.

What support did you have when taking the plunge to launch the company?

My husband was extremely supportive of the idea. He was the person who actually encouraged me to take the risk and leave practicing law to become an entrepreneur. He has owned his own business for over twelve years and thought I would be good at running my own business. I am sure other people, such as legal colleagues, thought I had gone insane!

What are your plans for the brand in 2020?

We are continuing to work on amazing projects with international brands to create custom doughnuts for special events and launches. We are participating in the Hankyu New York Fair in Osaka, Japan in mid-May. This is the 10th anniversary of the fair in which the Hankyu Department Store hosts many New York City food brands and artists for a week-long fair.

We have been working with a consultant who is helping us grow domestically to other states. We are getting close in a city in the southeast and have our eye on 2-3 other cities. We license our intellectual property (name, logo, recipes, technique and “know-how,” etc.) and already have a licensee location in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. We are also working on a licensing agreement for another geographical region for multiple “The Doughnut Project” locations to open later this year.

Who’s your dream customer?

We love every customer, but my dream customer is the “corporate client.” We have been fortunate enough to work with many top brands such as Disney, Estée Lauder, Marvel, Valspar Paint, Freeform, and many food and alcohol brands where we create a custom doughnut for a product launch, movie release or special event. I will work with a PR team from these brands for months beforehand to determine the custom doughnut, custom boxes, media drops, etc. In the future, I would love to work on projects with brands such as Nike, Netflix, Adidas, Supreme and Kith.

When you moved into the world of entrepreneurship, how did this change you?

I had always worked in an office environment with checklists and to do lists. I got great satisfaction from checking the boxes and being in control of my own success. As an entrepreneur with a business such as mine, you depend on a lot of people because you alone cannot do everything. I find this difficult at times because I have high expectations and not everyone shares my Type A personality. I have always preferred doing things for myself. We have worked hard to find the right employees who are committed to our brand. I am slowly but surely learning to delegate and to trust others to get the job done.

Now that I am in this new entrepreneurial environment, I would never go back to the office life where you keep an eye on the clock and dread Mondays. My business is fully integrated into my personal life. I am happy to work on my business no matter what day it is. I do this by choice because I love what I do and I am motivated to make the business a success.

Outside of the brand, what do you do for fun?

I am a foodie and my favourite thing to do is to go out to lunch. Not dinner, but lunch complete with wine and the great food that NYC has to offer. It sounds crazy, but I love the dining experience and it is my entertainment.

Our readers love to travel, what destination is at the top of your bucket list?

My husband and I visit England often. We just love going to London and then driving out to the Somerset to be in the country. My bucket list for upcoming travel is visiting Ireland and to someday go on an African Safari.

What does self-care mean to you?

Self-care means taking time for yourself to focus on health and beauty. I work out every single day by doing either HIIT training, Cardio or Barre. Being in shape makes me feel strong and able to tackle anything. I also get routine facials and treatments such as microdermabrasion. Anytime I travel, I always include a spa treatment such as massages or body scrubs to make the trip even more special.

How much does social media play a role in the success of your company?

Social media is extremely important to our business and we would not likely still be in business if it wasn’t for social media, specifically Instagram. Four months after we opened, we had an influencer visit our shop to taste a new doughnut we were releasing; The Everything Doughnut. The influencer posted a picture of it on his Instagram feed FoodbabyNY. Later that day a reporter from Gothamist called our shop and my business partner and I did a 15-minute interview on the phone discussing The Everything Doughnut. The reporter had seen the post from FoodbabyNY and wanted to get the details on the new doughnut flavour. Within an hour she had written a story and posted it on their website Gothamist.com. We were so excited and couldn’t believe that we were actually getting our name out in the press. The next day we were at the shop contemplating whether The Everything Doughnut was too “out there” for people to want and the phone started ringing off the hook. ABC News, NBC news, the Wall Street Journal, everyone wanted to know the details on The Everything Doughnut.

For the next month, that doughnut appeared on every day-time television show and had hundreds of articles from all over the world written about the doughnut. (Just Google The Everything Doughnut!!!) It literally changed our life overnight.

Today, social media is a little more difficult to garner attention, since the platforms want you to pay to get your posts in front of your followers. At the moment, we have 121k followers on Instagram and they comprise of people from all over the world who visit our shops when they visit NYC. We communicate our Weekend Specials, collaborations and special events though social media. It is our way to connect to our customers on a daily basis.

What has been your proudest moment?

I am most proud of our collaborations. We work with many local, national and international brands, creating unique, one-of-a-kind doughnuts for a limited time and limited supply. These creations are extremely popular. People love getting the latest and most unique doughnuts in NYC.

We also create doughnuts for events and product launches. We’ve worked with Valspar, Scribd, Estée Lauder, Cartoon Network, Marvel and Crayola among others. These collaborations provide great revenues to the shops and increase awareness of our brand thanks to the PR Teams working on the events.

Tell us your go to motivational quote…

“It’s never too late.” – I worked for global construction management firm straight out of high school and moved up the ranks for 18 years. I could have easily stayed complacent and not challenged myself to change my life. I graduated from UCLA at the age of 36 and then from Pepperdine University School of Law at the age of 40. I practiced law for 4 years. Becoming an entrepreneur and opening The Doughnut Project is my 3rd career. It is never too late to start a new journey in life.

For any aspiring entrepreneurs wanting to launch in the food industry, what advice would you offer?

The food industry is notoriously difficult to find lasting success. I have three tips that have been crucial to my success as an entrepreneur in this industry.

First, you have to love the concept and product that you are selling. Starting a business is an everyday endeavour which becomes a part of your life. You do not turn off business thoughts and contemplation just because you are at home making dinner, out with friends, or on a vacation. So you REALLY need to like what your business is about. I love doughnuts and what our brand has become. It makes me happy to think about our journey and planning on where we are going.

Second, you need to partner with people who has skills that you do not. That makes for a more well-rounded team who can all bring something to the table. If Troy and I were both like him, our business would have failed. If Troy and I were both like me, our business would have failed.

Third, you need to have the support of your spouse, partner, family member, or significant other because without their positivity and encouragement, it will only add stress and pressure to a situation already overwhelming. My husband is a sounding board and hears not only about our successes, but also my complaints, fears and worries. He offers his advice as a business owner himself. It is good to have that source of “therapy” to release negative feelings so you can move on to more positive solutions.

Where can people find out more…

Check out our website at www.thedoughnutproject.com and follow us on our social platforms:

Instagram – thedoughnutproject

Facebook – thedoughnutproject

Twitter – @TDP_NYC

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Egypt

Women Worldwide : Architect turned Jewellery designer with MINTON

MINTON has been seven years in the making and finally Emily Minton Ratzlaff brought it to life.

At MINTON, they stand for modernity, minimalism, and the unexpected. MINTON is a premium architectural jewellery label that uses 3D modelling software and a digital fabrication process to tailor and create each design. Emily is a real girl boss, she knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to go out and get it, which is evident in the amount of success she has had with MINTON so far.

We spent some time with her to find out more…

Tell us about the journey that lead you to launching Minton…

I am an Architect turned jewellery designer, and starting at a young age, I knew I wanted to be an architect and pursued it 100%. However, I always had an underlying love for fashion that grew while I was in architecture school. While attending graduate school at the University of South Florida in Tampa, I decided to create jewellery as my architectural thesis project. I made jewellery out of concrete and resin beginning with a digital fabrication process. To me, every piece I designed was always first a piece of architecture, and that is still how I approach jewellery design. I developed another layer to who I am as a designer, not just an architect. I see each piece that I have made as an architectural idea or gesture – it is jewellery, but it is also a possibility of what architecture can be. My thesis year I felt as though I was uncovering something within myself and I knew without a doubt that this would be my destiny and I would turn it into a business. Five years later, while living in Baltimore and practicing architecture full-time, I launched MINTON.

You use 3D modelling software, can you talk us through the process?

I design each piece of jewellery within a computer program called Rhino. I rarely ever sketch and prefer to go straight from my mind into the computer. Once I have a prototype that I would like to test out, I take the digital file and 3D print the piece. I utilise a Formlabs 3D printer which uses a laser to harden liquid resin. These prototypes are essential to my design process because I can test the size and scale of each piece, and go back into the computer and 3D print again as many times as needed until I feel I have the final piece. Once complete, I then send my digital file to my manufacturer in NYC, and they utilise their own 3D printer to print the initial piece and then transition into typical casting methods to produce the finished product.

What item has been you best seller?

MINTON’s most popular ring is the Spiral Stair Ring, which is a small homage to architecture. MINTON’s most popular necklace is the Custom Signature Pendant, which allows for custom text or numbers on all four sides of the pendant. I love seeing the different baby names and birth dates and knowing that the necklace will have personal meaning to my customer. I first designed that piece as a gift for a friend of mine that was pregnant with her second child.

How often do you add new pieces to your collection?

I typically release a new collection every 6 months. My mind is always thinking of new pieces, and I envision releasing more individual pieces or mini collections throughout the year in the near future. I want to always keep bringing new energy and new ideas to life within the brand. I am currently working on the release of some jewellery pieces in 3D printed plastic which will come in at a lower price point and engage my customers with pieces that also showcase my 3D printing design process.

How do you want people to feel when they wear your designs?

Unique, special, and empowered. MINTON pieces aren’t like typical jewellery, and I want people to know and feel the difference. I always get the comment that my pieces look like weapons, and I want them to evoke a sense of power.

What would an average day (pre Covid19) look like for you?

Pre-Covid19, I was practicing architecture during the day, while running MINTON during my nights and weekends. My day always started within meditation first-thing in the morning and then knocking out a few jewellery to-do items before transitioning to architecture during the day. The majority of the day would consist of meetings, and plenty of phone calls and emails coordinating with clients and consultants. In the evening, I would start catching up on jewellery emails while making my vegan dinner and drinking some good Pinot Noir and ending the night processing orders. My weekends were always dedicated to photography and creating new pieces or imagery.

Outside of work, what are your passions?

I’m passionate about meditation and continually learning about the supernatural abilities of human potential. Self-evolution and self-improvement drive me. I believe that we have the ability to create our own lives, and my passion for that mentality stemmed from feeling powerless at certain points in my life. It pushed me to dig deeper and feel determined change that belief and to approach life knowing that I can create the life that I desire. I want my customers to feel empowered wearing my jewellery, therefore I need to feel empowered creating it.

For anyone wanting to launch a jewellery business, what advice would you offer?

Don’t wait. Don’t wait for answers, don’t wait to have enough money, and don’t wait to be happy. Start right now with what you have and do what you can. I had to develop a belief that we always have whatever it is we need. Forget about having the perfect circumstances and simply put your energy into what you love, and the rest will sort itself out. I was just reminding myself of this lesson earlier this week!

What’s your favourite quote to read when you are lacking motivation?

I am inspired by the work of Dr. Joe Dispenza and am always left feeling mind-blown by his overarching message that we are powerful, and anything is possible. When I am in a negative headspace or lacking motivation, I will pick up one of his books, or watch an interview of his, or just jump to his Instagram. It instantly helps me shift my mindset and my energy. I also like to go into meditation and sit with myself long enough to understand what belief I have about myself or life that might be causing that lack of motivation or negative perspective, and then I focus on how I do want to feel and what I do want to think and put my energy into those thoughts and emotions.

Our readers love to travel, what destination is at the top of you bucket list?

Oh gosh this is easy – Egypt! I would love to see the pyramids of Egypt in person. I have a fascination with them visually, but I feel that they also have an element of mystery. I am completely obsessed with the colour scheme of the desert. The combination of the forms of the pyramids, the minimalist desert setting, and the colour scheme is just everything to me.

Looking back since launching the brand, is there anything you would do differently?

I would have stopped waiting at certain points along the way and pushed forward when I felt that my conditions should have been different, which ties into my lesson for another else starting a business. Just do it!

Where can people find out more?

People can follow MINTON on Instagram @shopminton or check out shopminton.com and shop online!

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Arts

Creative Spotlight with Kathy Leeds

Here at House of Coco, getting lost in art is more important to us now than ever. With everything that is going on in the world, we all need some escapism. Whether that’s day dreaming about what destination you will escape to (when we can) or checking out the latest works of your favourite artist.

With the latter, we recently stumbled across Kathy Leeds. Not only did I love her surname (I’m from Leeds, call me biased) but her work mesmerised me. Kathy Leeds began painting when she envisioned a particular painting for her own home and decided to do it herself. The piece is an image of her own wooden bowl filled with red apples that symbolized the essence of home to her. Kathy currently works in her home studio in Los Angeles, which she shares with her husband, the sculptor, David Leeds.

We spent some time with her to find out more…

Tell us about the journey that lead you to launching your career

I was an interior and architectural designer for a number of years. I decided to do a painting for my own home, which was a bowl of apples. I never looked back or stopped painting since then. Bowls of fruit have been a recurring theme in my work.

Your Husband is a sculptor, making you a very creative couple. Do you ever collaborate?

No collaboration but we do critique each other’s work in progress and help solve perceived problems when stuck with a piece. My husband serves a very important role for me, which is to stop me from overworking a painting, which is crucial.

Over the years your work has gone through a transition, can you tell me more about this?

I think most artists transition during their career, to keep exploring, to keep things fresh, to spark your creativity. After many years of “magical realism” inspired by my love of Latin American art, I started painting directly from life. Previously, all my narrative compositions were painted from images in my head. However, I did always keep returning to still life, in various forms, which is a reflection of my somewhat introverted personality, I think. I’ve now incorporated both styles. I start with specific reference objects than make compositions from my head, not looking at any object directly, while painting.

Talk us through the average day in your life?

I wake up very early, often take a hike in the Santa Monica mountains with my husband and our dogs, come home and work. We go out to lunch daily to the Brentwood Country Mart, which is close to our home, we know the shopkeepers, have some interaction with people, which is important for people who work in a solitary way. We both love to wander in our local bookstore there after lunch.

Our readers love to travel, what destination is at the top of your bucket list?

I’ve traveled fairly extensively, and have already done my bucket list trip which was an incredible journey with my husband to East Africa. I always dream about going back. We both love swimming in the ocean. Lately, we go to Capri every summer, which we will miss this year, obviously, but I’m already looking forward to our summer visit in 2021.

What do you do when you’re lacking creativity?

I take some time off, try not to pressure myself, and often change medium. Most recently I turned to collage, which then led to the style of work I’m currently doing.

What does self care mean to you?

Many people view creating art as a hobby, not a career.
I’d say setting boundaries and not having qualms about saying “no, I can’t”. I need to be diligent about the hours a day I put into my work, and being in my studio. This is something I’ve worked on for years, and not just for my art.

Looking back over your career, which moment stands out as a highlight?

I turned to abstract painting about eight years ago to shake things up in my work. I created a series of paintings that were shown at Art Basel, Miami, which was very exciting. However, I never painted another abstract painting after that.

For any aspiring artists and painters, what advice would you offer them in order to building a successful and profitable brand?

To stay true to yourself, and to not think about “what’s saleable” when painting. It rarely works, and it inhibits the artist’s inner self, from coming through in their work. Also, do not be afraid to fail. All artists, no matter how accomplished, do many pieces that just don’t work.

How much does social media play a role in your company?

The art world has changed. Brick and mortar galleries are closing at rapid rate. Although I do “show” with Runaway Art, which is an online art gallery in the UK, I sell the majority of my work on Instagram. So social media is huge.

Outside of work, what do you do for fun?

Being with my family and friends, hiking, biking, cooking, and reading.

With the current pandemic, the world needs more art. How has Covid19 affected your day to day business?

In hard economic times, art sales are one of the first things to be dropped, which I understand. It’s a luxury. One of the reasons my work sells well, is that I avoid a middle man, and sell directly so that I can keep my price point reasonable.

Kathy, we hope you continue to flourish and creating your work to inspire us all. Be sure to follow her here www.kathyleeds.com

Photo credit : Jeffrey Sklan

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