As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit the Covid19 pandemic has generated.
With so many businesses having had to adapt, go online & in some cases completely remodel or pivot; the pandemic has taught business owners around the globe the value of flexibility.
The impact of Covid19 has been felt around the globe, but sadly it would appear that women have taken the brunt. One of the main reasons for this is that childcare & domestic duties seem to have disproportionately fallen to women. With schools having been shut & full time childcare not being available; women have not only been trying to juggle running businesses, but they have also taken on the lion share of home schooling. This has been an especially challenging time for single mothers.
However, it’s not all doom & gloom for female entrepreneurs. There has been a surge in new female-owned businesses during the pandemic. The Printing company, Print-Print, analysed hundreds of print orders received from start-up business between April & November 2020. They found that 78% of these orders were from women, which suggests that many women have taken the pandemic as an opportunity to begin working for themselves. (1)
Therefore, for this year’s IWD, Virtually Smart shines the spotlight on Entrepreneurial Women who have not only adapted their businesses throughout the pandemic, but who have seen them thrive.
Lucie Halley-Trotter – EYO
Lucie Halley-Trotter started her business EYO this year. EYO is an ethical, sustainable fashion brand, which takes recycled ocean & landfill waste & remakes it into sportswear.
As Trotter says, many people warned ‘are you sure it’s a good idea to start right now?’ However, what better time to launch an activewear company when people are turning their homes & gardens into gyms & looking to buy from businesses which are more local and ethical? (2)
Joely To – Pioneer
With extra time on her hands during lockdown, A-level student Joely To set up Pioneer. Pioneer is a non-profit company aiming to develop a passion for maths in girls aged 11 to 18.
During the long, hot lockdown summer, To partnered with ‘Girls in Data’ to hold three data challenge series & a summer school for more than 600 girls across the UK.
To built up a team of 14 Pioneer outreach officers who worked with companies including Experian, Zurich Insurance, Tableau & Chartmetric to create challenges which required girls to apply their problem-solving skills to real-world business problems in maths-related careers. (2)
“One 16-year-old got an early job offer from Experian after completing our challenge,” she said. (2)
Jasmin El-Kordi – CEO, Bluelene
Jasmin El-Kordi, the CEO of Bluelene, realized quickly at the start of the pandemic that hand sanitizer was becoming difficult to find. Through her anti-ageing skincare company she launched a moisturizing hand sanitizer that became so popular it has been permanently incorporated into Bluelene’s product line.
Instead of using spas to promote products, Bluelene has reassigned its marketing budget to advertise on online platforms. The company has taken advantage of the increased spotlight on health during the pandemic to release scientific skincare information & so grow its own visibility as a brand. (3)
Nikoleta & Vicky Lirantonakis – The Style Fílos
‘The Style Fílos’ was born after founders Nikoleta & Vicky Lirantonakis pivoted their dress rental business due to the pandemic.
Getting ready for zoom calls & virtual hangouts was part of their new normal, & since sweatpants & loungewear were part of their everyday uniform; they wanted a way to get “dressed up” again (while still being comfortable). (4)
The ‘Style Filos’ boxes are a way for customers to choose from a already pre-prepared selection of accessories or a customer can create their own bespoke box.
Nikoleta & Vicky have always felt that looking chic & luxurious didn’t need to come with a high price tag. That’s why they source quality pieces at an affordable price. (4)
Nikoleta & Vicky have not only survived the pandemic, but they have transformed their business model & flourished.
This is only a snapshot of a few successful women entrepreneurs who have survived & thrived throughout the pandemic. Despite the inherent challenges many business owners have faced; there is some hope for those forward thinking women business owners who continue to find ways to adapt & diversify in such competitive & challenging times.
Written by Katy-Jane for & on behalf of Virtually Smart Ltd
- https://www.futurelearn.com/info/blog/tips-for-female-entrepreneurs-post-covid
- https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/15/the-women-starting-businesses-in-lockdown-the-upside
- https://www.euruni.edu/blog/successful-women-owned-business-pivots/
- https://thestylefilos.com/
