Here at West Carolina, we are a team of women, and there is one thing that always keeps us going - Girl Power. We are motivated in empowering ourselves, others, and our customers.
Today our team speaks about the women that inspire them, how they incorporate girl power into their everyday lives, and more!
Ana Carolina - Founder of West Carolina
What woman/feminist/female-identifying figure inspires you and why?
My grandmother. She was a very strong woman. Her dad passed away when she was young and she was a single mother so she had to make big decisions on her own, while other women in her time would get more help from men. She was ahead of her time. One of the 1st women to start driving in our town and one of the 1st to own a computer.
How have the women that inspired you changed your worldview?
My grandmother inspired me to become a fashion designer. She was an embroidery artist and teacher and she loved to dress up. She always looked impeccable.
How have the women that inspired you changed the way you approach work?
My grandma owned a homeware/ gift shop and I grew up watching her work a few jobs - like teaching courses and workshops and running the shop. She encouraged me to study and to strive to become the best in what I do. She was an early riser, very disciplined and she also worked on the weekends. She was a perfectionist and she worked on her craft every single day. Her hand embroidery work was so perfect. It looked humanly impossible to make.
How have the women that inspired you changed the way you approach work?
I run a company with a female-only team. I have an internship program focused on education and human potential. In this case, female potential. I like to show them that they're capable of doing things that they couldn't imagine. It's amazing to see the transformation when they finish the internship, way more confident. I came from a very tough university where teachers are used to tearing people down and criticize students a lot. You're told your work is never good enough until you graduate. It's important to have that kind of feedback so you can toughen up and it pushes you to become better. But it's also important to have someone in the industry telling you that you're good enough. I remember when I was an intern myself and I discovered that my work was good and it actually had space in the real world, outside my university bubble. My goal as a boss is to show girls how great they can be.
Frankie Stevens - Illustration and Graphic Design
What woman/feminist/female-identifying figure inspires you and why?
My sister, Claire. She qualified as a doctor last year despite several obstacles that were thrown her way. Over the last few months she, like thousands of other NHS workers has been on the front line of the Covid-19 pandemic. Throughout it all, she has stayed very humble and taken it all in her stride without complaining.
How have the women that inspired you changed your worldview?
Claire has taught me that in the face of adversity it is still possible to do anything you put your mind to. In a world that is full of stereotypes and stigma against female professionals, we should aspire to defy the odds.
How have the women that inspired you changed the way you approach work?
I have learnt that we should never be shy about showing off the work that we do/create. We should be proud of ourselves.
How do you incorporate girl power into your everyday life?
I surround myself with the positive thoughts and attitudes of other like-minded women. Whether that is physically, or through social media followings.
Camilla Sanni - Fashion Design
What women inspire you?
Maya Angelou and Roxanne Gay.
How has the woman that inspired you changed your worldview?
Maya Angelou inspired me to fight for what I believe while being compassionate and loving. Roxane Gay opened my eyes to the world of feminism and why we need it.
How have the women that inspired you changed the way you approach work?
I think both of them made me more confident in my work by teaching me that failure can lead to greater success.
How do you incorporate girl power into your everyday life?
I think right I am incorporating it by speaking up for myself more often.
Rebecca Weir - Digital Marketing
What women inspire you and why?
So many women inspire me! There’s Sinead Harnett, who has an amazing voice and is such a goddess! Cartia Mallan, who is spiritual and has a really out-there style, she inspires me to travel. The influencer Chessie King has such a fun personality and is amazing when she talks about body confidence. Stacey Dooley inspires me through the interesting documentaries that she makes. I love Jorja Smith - I think she’s an amazing singer and her lyrics are so powerful. Lastly, Grace Beverly, who runs three of her own businesses, has a degree from Oxford and is an all-around inspirational businesswoman.
How do you incorporate girl power into your everyday life?
By trying to love my body no matter what it looks like. I also make an effort to be conscious of my own inner misogyny and challenge it, for example by avoiding gossiping about other girls. I also try and push myself by getting out of my comfort zone and being bold.
Luaine Bianco - Content Creator
What woman inspires you and why?
I don't really have someone specific but what inspires me the most are the women who have the courage to fight for our rights. The women who support one another and help each other to achieve what they want in life. The women who inspire us every day to do better. All the women who speak up for us!
How have the women that inspired you changed your worldview?
They have mostly made me feel confident about myself, and see the world as you should not worry what others think.
How have the women that inspired you changed the way that you approach work?
Be more confident, speak up when something is not right. Use my voice for better, always find solutions, and be thankful for whatever comes your way.
How do you incorporate girl power into your everyday life?
Support my friends on social media and in private.
Marni Rose McFall - Marketing
What woman inspires you and why?
Taylor Swift. I find the way that Taylor has carved out space for herself in the music industry, having one of the most successful careers of all time, in spite of a tirade of sexist abuse from her male counterparts and the press, completely inspiring. There are very few things in this life that I am certain of, but one is that whenever I listen to her music, life feels a bit more manageable.
How have the women that inspired you changed your worldview?
They have shown me that anything is possible. In spite of what the world may think of you, and how people may try and tear you down, if you believe in yourself, you can do anything.
How have the women that inspired you changed the way that you approach work?
They have encouraged me to be confident, believe in myself, and most importantly to use my voice and speak up about what I think and feel.
How do you incorporate girl power into your everyday life?
By not being afraid to speak up, supporting my girlfriends, and calling out injustice whenever I see it.
Words by Marnie Rose McFall