International Day of the Girl: 18 women entrepreneurs that will inspire young girls to be their own boss

On International Day of the Girl, these are the women to inspire the next generation
1/17
Liz Connor11 October 2017

Careers for women were once expected to follow a certain trajectory, one that involved limited leadership opportunities and the expectation to fulfil domestic and maternal roles.

But these days, not only are women rising to the challenge of Britain’s top level jobs, they’re also starting their own business empires.

Today October 11 is International Day of the Girl, a day set up by the United Nations to rally people behind the idea of empowering girls from a young age and celebrate their potential.

The capital is brimming with female success stories and women who are fulfilling their potential - just the inspiration girls across the globe need.

You've heard of Stella McCartney and Natalie Massenet, but what about the new wave of London game-changers who are building their brands from the ground up? Here's our edit of inspiring women.

Alex Brownsell – Co-Founder of Bleach London

p44 p45 alex brownsell

You have Brownsell to thanks for the wave of pink, lilac and multicoloured dos that took over the capital a couple of years ago. Inspired by the colourful hairstyles of 90s bands like TLC and No Doubt, she started hairdressing at the age of 12 and set up Bleach salon in 2010. Along with co-founder Sam Teasdale, she now boasts a little black book of celebrity clients, a product line and three studios in London, including a permanent pop-up in Topshop Oxford Circus.

Sharmadean Reid – Co-Founder of Wah Nails

This girl’s world: Sharmadean Reid in her hi-tech Soho salon

Bored with the lack of fashion-forward nail designs, Reid started a revolution after setting up Dalston-based Wah Nails salon in 2009. Kicking off the nail art craze in London, she’s since built an empire on manicures with attitude - one that includes a permanent Soho flagship, a product line, a book deal and an MBE.

Pandora Lennard & Lucy Greene – Founders of Anti-Agency

The modelling agency that puts cool over beautiful was founded by friends Pandora Lennard and Lucy Greene back in 2013. They started the agency to scout models who have ‘personality, individual style and talent’ - not just clothes horses with pretty faces. Big brands like Burberry Versace and Apple have since got on board, tapping them up for fresh new faces.

Grace Wales Bonner – Fashion Designer

Fashion designer Grace Wales Bonner on the runway
Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images

This London wunderkind shot to fame after receiving the 2016 LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers. She’s now made a name for herself as ‘the heroine of womenswear’ - championing comfortable and androgynous clothes that women love to wear.

Estee Lalonde - Vlogger

Lalonde has made a career out of being the best friend you wish you had. Vlogging from her bedroom, the London-based Canadian has become a wise older sister for millions of young women everywhere - honestly discussing everything from beauty and lifestyle to feminism and relationships. She's recently ticked off launching a best-selling book, and has just announced a partnership with makeup giant Lancôme.

Louise Leolin – Founder of DinoByte Lab

Fledgling indie games company DinoByte is run by Louise Leolin, a self-confessed tech lover who’s obsessed with gaming and Kpop. As well as developing games, her company also offers consultancy on different aspects of design to help other aspiring devs to bring their dreams and projects to reality.

Caren Hartley – Founder of Hartley Cycles

Caren Hartley of Hartley Cycles
Matt Writtle

There are more women cycling in London than ever before, and that's partly down to Caren Hartley. The bespoke frame-builder creates beautiful, bespoke bikes that are designed with women in mind. “The problem a lot of female cyclists face is that the main manufacturers don’t go small enough,” she told the Evening Standard. “If a bike fits you it will be more comfortable and handle better — and you’ll feel 100 per cent more confident on the road.”

Georgia Cummings - Founder of Potage

Georgia Cummings, founder of Potage at Fare Healthy

Food lover and entrepreneur Georgia setup delivery service Potage in 2012, creating fresh, homemade meals in her kitchen and hand delivering them to her small client base by bicycle. Five years on and her business is thriving in the climate for on-demand delivery services. Not only does she have 1,500 regular customers, she also leads a team of 11 people.

10 books every feminist should read

1/11

Rosie Davies - Founder of The London Fashion Agency

Rosie Davies started her PR agency with a philanthropic goal in mind: to give independent brands a bigger platform. She has since turned the fashion PR industry on its head, winning awards and clients in the process. Rather than extortionate monthly retainers, she runs an affordable monthly subscription fee that gives young creatives the space they’re due on the pages of Britain’s biggest titles.

Amber Massie-Blomfield – Executive Director at Camden People’s Theatre

Early-career artists get a leg up at Camden People’s Theatre, and Executive Director Massie-Blomfield is the woman who can help them to get there. Under her leadership, the community-minded theatre has helped to usher in a new wave of actors and artists who have brought fresh ideas and perspectives to London’s stages.

Phoebe Lettice Thompson – Creative Director of Illustrated People

Stylist and photographer Phoebe is the creative director of East London label Illustrated People - one of the capital’s savviest young fashion brands. When she’s not busy launching seasonal collections, she’s probably Instagramming all of the things you regretted wearing in 2003, while somehow making them look great again.

Jessi Baker – Provenance CEO

CEO and tech designer Jessi Baker received £1m in funding to launch her London-based service Provenance, which helps businesses and shoppers to find out exactly where their food and clothing comes from. The aim of the ethical platform, which was listed in the Telegraph's 'Top 10 amazing science and technology innovations', is to empower brands to take steps towards greater transparency, helping them to stay connected to the origins of their products.

Niomi Smart - Vlogger

Niomi Smart has the ‘brand to watch’ on YouTube. While her peers were busy discussing makeup and hair products, she was slowly building a fitness and healthy eating empire based on her love for plant-based dishes. With millions of followers tuning into her videos, she’s now launched both a food delivery service and a healthy cookbook.

Yulia Rorstrom – Founder of Duck and Dry

Who hasn’t had their hair done at Duck and Dry? Rorstrom is credited with bringing the ‘blowdry bar’ phenomenon to the capital, launching her Kings Road flagship in 2014. Now she’s opened a second salon in central London to keep up with the demand, as well as successfully crafting her own range of home hair care products.

Alice Levine and Lauren Jackson - Founders of Jackson&Levine

Alice Levine (left) wears jumper, £270, Bella Freud at avenue32.com. Skirt, Alice’s own. Laura Jackson (right) wears top, £10, Topshop (topshop.com). Dress, £755, Isa Arfen at net-a-porter.com. Jewellery, Laura’s own
Jon Enoch

Supperclub hosts Jackson & Levine first met at a jumble sale - naturally, wearing matching bumbags. A mutual passion for food led them to set up their eponymous business, which invites groups of diners to experience intimate dinner parties at their East London warehouse. If you’ve managed to get a seat, you’re lucky - their events consistently sell out. Their debut cookbook Round To Ours comes out in May.

Katie Smyth and Terri Chandler - Founders of Worm London

Terri and Katie started Worm after having a mutual, early mid-life crisis. Now they’re smashing it with a venture that combines two of their favourite things. The idea is simple: a gifting service that delivers bespoke blooms with beautifully designed books. Expect to receive one of these in the post this year.

Hannah Rose - Owner of Palm Vaults

The most Instagrammable cafe in Hackney comes courtesy of young creative Hannah Rose. The independent venture, although less than a year old, has gained a legion of die-hard fans thanks to its veggie menu, colourful drinks, dreamy interiors and abundance of of houseplants. It’s already launched it’s own merch range. Watch this space.

Pip Black and Joan Murphy - Founders of Frame Fitness

Rebecca Reid

These two former ad execs have achieved no small feat: making exercise accessible for thousands of women in the capital. Their boutique gym Frame champions classes which are pitched at working women, regardless of age or fitness level. With six studios across the capital, they’re now setting their sights on the activewear industry - having already launched a 13-piece sportswear collection with Whistles.

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in