So Weekly | March 12, 2021

So celebrates: International Women's Day - The women behind the brand

Part two of this trilogy, created partly in honor of International Women's Day, but also to applaud the female entrepreneurs we get to work with on a daily basis. A succession of different So brands and their female leaders, a collection of different women, powerful women, diverse women. We asked these female entrepreneurs the same question: what does entrepreneurship mean to you as a woman in 2021?

Following up with women who have the same thing in common: they are inextricably linked to their own brand.

Simone van Trojen founder, board member & co-owner & Esther van Bezooijen board member & co-owner Ladress
“The fact that we’re women doesn’t really make a difference in our every day running the business. Maybe one change over the past years: we learned to stay close to ourselves, our goals, our gut feeling. Listen to advice and follow your own path. Our challenge for 2021: be more like Rey: step into the light, be you, be like a Jedi knight and get yourself a BB8 ;-).”

Maria-Nane Malki founder Maria Malki Cosmetics
“For me it means being able to express my passion. It's about recognizing opportunities and generating innovative, creative ideas. The ability to make a difference, impact the world in a positive way is amazing. It’s hard work but that comes with a lot of freedom on the other hand. You have to embrace some obstacles and challenges but I love to turn my vision into reality, despite the odds.”

Michelle de Hoogh founder Miccy’s
“entrepreneurship /ɒntrəprəˈnəːʃɪp/ noun

the activity of setting up a business or businesses, taking on financial risks in the hope of profit.

But it’s so much more than this, isn’t it? It’s about passion, about recognizing opportunities and creative ideas. I believe success is defined by who you are and the person you aspire to be. Being successful means the achievement of desired visions and planned goals. I have always been inspired by the surroundings I find myself in.

Whether I would be roaming the streets of Italy or find myself in the busy cities of London or Paris. I have always been driven by art and design around me. I’m not afraid of the unusual, why not wear a flamingo, big lemon or bag of popcorn in your ear? To me being a ‘business’ woman in 2021, means exploring yourself, and letting yourself grow and just be. It’s being an example and a role model for others, it’s about looking further than your own success and learning from others. It’s about working together instead of against each other. Here we come 2021!”

Loïs van Werkum founder Zaya Jewellery
“Entrepreneurship gives me the possibility to express my dreams and creativity in my business. And by doing so, I’m also helping other women expressing themselves by wearing what makes them feel confident.”

Brigitte Hamers founder Proluca
“Behind every successful woman is a tribe of other successful women, who have her back. Entrepreneurship is something I've actually been doing for a long time. In the past twenty years one moment was more intensive than the next, but now with a son who graduated and a son who is going to primary school, that gives me the opportunity to boost my own passion and career again. That means a lot of multitasking. That is a challenge: although the hours spent together may be less, this will be mindful quality time. To me, being entrepreneurial means always taking on new opportunities.”