TO CELEBRATE THE LAUNCH OF OUR COLLABORATION MINI TOTE WITH NOTE TO SELF, WE MET WITH THREE INSPIRING FEMALE ENTREPRENEURS TO TALK ALL THINGS GROWING AND GLOWING.
MEET MERCEDES BENSON
Mercedes Benson is the self-described Renaissance woman who is a DJ, social entrepreneur and the founder of SocialFixt.
WHAT DOES SELF LOVE MEAN TO YOU?
Self love means really just accepting who you are and loving that regardless. A lot of the time we see images online, we see people around us and we always try to conform who we are and our identity to what we see and I think it’s about taking a step back and really just appreciating who you are as a person, knowing what your core values are and not compromising that for anyone or anything.
WHAT HELPS YOU TO STAY FOCUSSED?
I actually pray - that is my form of meditation. Praying and listening to gospel music. There’s something about gospel music and even just meditation music that calms me down, especially in the morning when you open your phone and there’s bare emails and you’re like, “Woah! I can’t do this!” So just taking time out to listen to calming music really kinda gets me through the day.
WHAT MOTIVATES YOU?
What motivates me to keep going would have to be my mum and then also remembering my humble beginnings. Being able to work super hard to change your lifestyle and to kind of just want the best for yourself and your family is something that keeps me going and just never stops really.
HOW DO YOU EXPRESS YOURSELF?
I express myself through the music I listen to and the clothes that I wear. I definitely am a very moody person, so if my mood is up then the music I am listening to is up tempo and vibes. How I want to dress is going to be out there, it is going to be statement. When I am feeling low I might just put on a hoodie and just kinda keep it moving.
WHAT MOTO DO YOU LIVE BY?
Purpose over popularity.
I came across that saying on Tumblr about 6/7 years ago and it’s just so relevant in the era we are in right now. Social media is such a big thing and sometimes you need to remind yourself that it’s really not about the numbers, it’s literally about your purpose and what you’ve been called to do here on this earth, and that’s it.
MEET MONA GHAFOORI
Mona Ghafoori is the founder of two businesses, PR agency Wave Publicity and acrylic accessories brand Tort.
WHY DID YOU START TORT?
I had just started going freelance because I had worked for other businesses for almost 10 years and I just wanted to work for myself. I think the freedom of working for myself is what really motivates me to do what I do. I wanted to find a gap in the market that I could actually relate to and something that appeals to people who are like me. So I started Tort off the back of that.
Self love means to me doing something that you love and actually just being confident in what you are doing. I also think that it is important to take time out for yourself which can be quite hard when you own your own business but for me, for example, I try and go to the gym every day to get out of the house, even if it’s just for 20 minutes to have a clear mind as well as a passion for what you do.
WHO AND WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
I’m inspired by people round me, so my parents, my family, my friends. I’m inspired by people who work hard. I think I’ve always been attracted to people who have a similar work mindset to me and passion. I like people who are driven and I like people who know what they want. I don’t really get on with people who don’t know themselves. In general what inspires me is just people doing what they love and being successful with it, because I started Tort just 2 months before I launched it, with just an idea that I had with my best friend and within 2 months I launched the brand and I pretty much did everything myself with the help of a few people. So, I just think, being inspired to do what you actually want to do and knowing yourself!
MEET KESANG BALL
Kesang Ball is the co-founder of Trippin, the new generation travel platform and community focussed on connecting cultures around the world.
HOW DO YOU EXPRESS YOURSELF?
I think I express myself through a multitude of different things. I love expressing myself through art and connecting with people, I think relationships are really important and definitely through Trippin.
WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO KEEP GOING?
I think when you start up your own business you have that installed within you. I think perseverance is one of my main qualities because there’s only so many times you can get told no until it finally works out.
WHAT DOES SELF LOVE MEAN TO YOU?
Self love to me is being able to look at yourself from a bird’s eye view and to be able to tap into a consciousness the can be diluted in the world that we live in sometimes and so it’s taking the time to just process how you are and who you are and be your own best friend - that’s self love to me.
WHAT DO YOU DO TO KEEP YOURSELF GROUNDED?
To keep myself grounded and focussed I just have a good network of people around me. I think that’s my number one rule, to have people that bring out the best in you, teach you and help you grow. Other times I think I just read a lot and just get as much knowledge as possible because that’s kind of what keeps me grounded, just knowing that you can see through the other stuff.
WHAT MOTO DO YOU LIVE BY?
Fall fast and fall forward.
I feel like you should always try anything that your gut tells you to do and if it doesn’t work you’ll have a lesson learnt from it, for me that’s growth.
Another is - there’s always two ways to say the same thing - which is what my mum taught me, I just apply that to whoever I’m talking to.
The Growing + Glowing Mini Tote is made-to-order and available exclusively on www.marlowlondon.com. Note To Self is the self-development lifestyle brand and creative network founded by celebrity stylist and creative consultant Alizé Demange, bringing together women in creative business. This limited edition piece celebrates personal growth, self-love and female empowerment.
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