Celebrating International Women's Day 2021 🙌

 

 

CELEBRATING INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

With International Women's Day just around the corner, it's been a great time to reflect on the journey I've been on over the last 10 years. I am so incredibly grateful to all the women who have both supported and inspired me since I first had the idea to start Make Me Iconic. From my very first market, to being stocked internationally -  there has been many many up's and down's along the way! I am always in awe of all the amazing women in this world, juggling family and business and also success. Strong women lift each other up, so today, in the lead up to International Women's Day I wanted to share with you two inspiring Women who have had such a wonderful contribution to my business #IWD2021

 

 

Sarah Domantay @willadomantay

Not only is Sarah a mother extraordinaire but she is also a high powered modelling agent for her super star daughter Willa and a stylist guru. We have worked with Sarah & Willa on a number of projects over the years and each time we feel more than impressed with her professionalism and high standards. Sarah juggles motherhood and work-life like it's a gym class she has done over-and-over. Sarah is an active contributor to our Blog and photography direction. We interviewed Sarah and asked her a few in-depth questions.....

 

 

Question: How important is it for women to lift each other up and what does that mean to you?

Answer by Sarah: Having witnessed both my grandmothers outliving their husbands and continue to live fulfilled lives, the importance having role models to inspire was instilled from an early age. I have surrounded myself with strong women throughout my life, so it was a no brainer to be blessed with such a  strong-willed Mini-me. For me, there is no better feeling than receiving a compliment, but more importantly to accept it for just that; a compliment.

 

 

 

Question: What is one piece of advice to all women who are juggling between home and work?

Answer by Sarah: The easy thing to say on a question like this is “balance “, “be kind to yourself “ or simply “ You can’t have it all,” but I disagree. I believe you can have it all; you just have to work smarter, not harder.  Being super organized for the day makes a huge difference and using notebooks to prioritize the jobs that needs to be done, everything else can wait. Remember that 10 minutes here and there browsing on social media or the internet, or that longer lunch break than needed could be used for a side hustle. Just remember to do a little bit of what you love every day, so you remember why the ‘juggle’ is all worth it.  

 

 

Question: What advice would you give your 20-year-old self?

Answer by Sarah: Know your worth! This is such an important statement overlooked when you read it but do not hear the words. Know that you are worthy of achieving anything you put your mind to, you just need make a decision and stick to it. Believe that you are worthy of greatness and that you were chosen for this moment right now. Know your worth to everyone you meet and if they do not see it, move on.

I always knew I was destined to do something in the creative space. I come from a long line of creators, builders and entrepreneurs.  Growing up in England, my parents were photographers who showed me how to make a living by doing what you love and creating happiness. Everything  captured on camera can be treasured and adored, even as time passes. The moments and feelings in time forever captured. To me this is pretty special.

 

 

 

 

 

Jacinta   @twolittleducklings   twolittleducklings.com.au

Jacinta runs a super successful business called Two Little Ducklings from home and also juggles three beautiful kids. You probably have some of her awesome flash cards at home already; and if you don’t, you have probably seen them all over Instagram. Jacinta also does design work for us and is one of our freelance graphic artist's creating some of our awesome projects. Not only is Jacinta quick to respond to one of our design briefs but she also delivers her work to an A+ standard. She works hard and never goes to bed and still provides what she needs for her growing family. We also interviewed Jacinta and asked her a few in-depth questions about her life that you can read here.....

 

 

Question: Do you have an International Women's Day message?

Answer by Jacinta: It should make no difference whether you are female or male, we can all achieve what we want to, with hard work and a love for what we do. Push barriers down, in life and business you will make mistakes, but mistakes make you learn, let these learnings make you grow.

Question: What does International Women's Day mean to you?

Answer by Jacinta: Highlighting that we as women deserve equality, we are not lesser, we too can achieve greatness.

Question: What is one piece of advice to all women who are juggling between home and work?

Answer by Jacinta: You will never be able to strike the right balance, but do what you can when you can, be there for your family when they need you, try not to stretch yourself too thin, because that is when things start to fall down. When things get too much, step away, take a breather and remember what makes you happy.

Question: What advice would you give your 20-year-old self?

Answer by Jacinta: Life will completely turn upside down when you have kids, this isn’t a bad thing, it is just a different kind of love and happiness, so let you hair down, have fun and be safe!

 

 

Question: Do you feel that you have achieved what you wanted to?

Answer by Jacinta: In life, I feel pretty blessed, I have a supportive husband, and three beautiful kids (two girls and a boy), we have taken our kids overseas, and explored parts of Australia, we encourage our kids to try new things and to be independent, our family love cup is full. In work, when starting Two Little Ducklings, I had no real ambition in mind, it was a hobby that grew, so in that case I have achieved way more than I expected, looking back I feel pretty proud of where I have taken this brand. Ideas that I had on a whim, that people love and come back for. Getting messages of support and encouragement really make all of the hard work worth it, seeing and hearing of other kids loving our cards is a massive compliment. Getting to work with other brands such as Acorn Kids, Make Me Iconic, Seasons of Mama and Frankie Gusti is just the icing on the cake! 

 

Question: How important is it for women to lift each other up and what does that mean to you?

Answer by Jacinta: With Two Little Ducklings, I mostly work with other women, from clients, to stockists to friends I have made through my business. I love having these women in my life, to bounce things off, to lean on for support, to work with. With this, I find it so important to give words of encouragement, to point things out, to give honest opinions to help out when you can, to offer advice. I love having these women on hand to call on when I need help with something, or to run an idea past one of them. My own mother, my big sister and my two daughters are some of my biggest supporters, I find using encouraging words with my daughters can really lift them up and to spur them on, I hope that they strive to be all that they can in life. I love reading them books on women who have achieved different things in their lifetimes, from Mother Teresa to Coco Chanel, showing them that women can do anything is really important to me.