Business Archives - SHE https://www.shemalta.com/tag/business/ Business networking for women in Malta and Gozo. Sun, 01 Aug 2021 16:53:55 +0000 en-US hourly 1 The Advantages of Using Pinterest to Help Grow Your Business https://www.shemalta.com/business/the-advantages-of-using-pinterest-to-help-grow-your-business/ Fri, 30 Jul 2021 08:44:42 +0000 https://shemalta.wpx.onl/?p=4738 Pinterest. The image sharing app we all turn to when looking for inspiration for recipes, home décor, style, DIY projects, arts and crafts, and more. Whilst many view Pinterest as another social media platform, the truth is that Pinterest is more of a visual discovery search engine – and we use it just as we would use Google search to find images of things we want to try and experience for ourselves. This concept is exactly what Pinterest wants of its users, with their mission being to bring everyone the inspiration to create a life they love.

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Pinterest. The image sharing app we all turn to when looking for inspiration for recipes, home décor, style, DIY projects, arts and crafts, and more. Whilst many view Pinterest as another social media platform, the truth is that Pinterest is more of a visual discovery search engine – and we use it just as we would use Google search to find images of things we want to try and experience for ourselves. This concept is exactly what Pinterest wants of its users, with their mission being to bring everyone the inspiration to create a life they love.

And because Pinterest acts as more of a search engine for pinners that are looking for something to do, try or buy, this presents a huge opportunity for businesses globally. In fact, many renowned businesses have run targeted campaigns on Pinterest, including the likes of Burberry, Häagen-Dazs and Fenty Beauty, to help drive sales and increase brand exposure.

Let’s look at some of the stats:

– over 90% of active pinners claim that Pinterest guides their purchasing decisions

– 78% of pinners say content from brands on the platform is helpful

– 95% of the top searches on Pinterest are unbranded (meaning pinners are open to discovering new products and ideas)

– 2 billion searches are performed on Pinterest every month (remember that Pinterest consider themselves a search engine, and not a social network)

Despite there being over 100 billion pinned images and over 400 million international annual users, many brands fail to utilise Pinterest to its full potential as they don’t see how it could help them to grow, or add value to, their business. If you are a business owner, think of it this way; Pinterest is still a platform in its infancy, and is not yet as widely used as other channels such as Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. That being said, user base has been growing year on year since its launch in 2010 and this presents an opportunity, an opportunity to build a solid community on Pinterest before it becomes as saturated as other names mentioned previously.

 

Pinterest offers several advantages for businesses, namely:

– increasing brand exposure: get more eyes on your brand by creating shareable pins that sell your product or services

– driving traffic to your website: possibly one of the best things about Pinterest is that it drives traffic to your website. The interface makes it incredible easy for users to click through to a page on your site or article, simply by clicking on the pin itself

– increasing brand authority: by creating pins that clearly follow the same branding and colour scheme, users will begin to recognise your brand’s pins as being distinctly yours, and once you’ve established your brand’s authority and expertise in a relevant subject, pinners will recognise your brand, and that it is the place to go for said topic

– helping to convert browsers into buyers: since 95% of top searches are unbranded searches (for example – red sole shoes rather than Louboutins), every brand has the chance to be discovered

 

All of the above are great reasons to start promoting your business on Pinterest today! And so, if you are considering opening a Pinterest account for your business here are some tips and tricks to get you started on the right note:

1. Open a Pinterest Business account (not personal) and verify your site. This ensures you are in line with Pinterest’s terms and conditions, as well as allow you to access Pinterest analytics and ads.

2. Enable Rich Pins. Rich Pins pull titles and descriptions from your website and show this information directly on the Pin.

3. Create 3 to 5 boards for the area your business falls under, to make the subject matter of your brand and its products or services clear to users. This, however, is just the start. As content for your website increases and you become more familiar with pinning, you can (and should) pin each piece of content you produce for your website to at least 3 relevant boards.

4. Remember quality is critical and is applicable to pin quality, website quality, your overall account quality and the optimisation of boards and pins

>>Pin quality – pins should always be vertical and use dimensions of 1000 x 1500px (aspect ratio of 2:3)

>>Website quality – ensure site is verified and Rich Pins are enabled

>>Account quality – consistency with pinning and overall quality of your boards and pins in terms of SEO and engagement. Accounts consistently creating new content are considered of a higher quality

>>Optimisation of boards and pins by using relevant keywords (see next point)

5. Pinterest SEO. Just like with the search engines we are all familiar with, SEO is just as important for Pinterest. Keyword research still needs to be carried out, albeit not in exactly the same way (it’s actually much easier on Pinterest!).

6. Keywords should be used wherever possible to clearly indicate what your page and profile is about. Keywords should ideally be placed in your display name, profile description, board titles, board descriptions, pin titles and pin descriptions! Always, of course, in a natural fashion so as not to keyword stuff as this can come across as spammy!

>> Written by SHE member; Sarah Borg Barthet. Sarah is the founder and editor of  Dukes Avenue – a luxury lifestyle online resource for the modern woman.

Sarah also seeks to educate readers and aspiring entrepreneurs on the world of SEO, and all of the undiscovered opportunities and possibilities that come with it. She offers an online course, private sessions or group trainings.

Follow Dukes Avenue on Pinterest here.

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]]> A Story About Right Timing https://www.shemalta.com/business/a-story-about-right-timing/ Mon, 14 Jun 2021 07:26:24 +0000 https://shemalta.wpx.onl/?p=4601 Malta became my second home nearly 15 years ago. I had a string of tunes hit the Maltese charts back in 2006 and travelled a lot performing all over the world in that time, but as my Gozitan manager of ten years will confirm, there was always an unmistakable pull to return here. Who knew I would later call the little island he grew up on, home.

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Written by; Andrea Britton – Mother, Singer, Songwriter, Brand & Marketer and the Founder of Gozo In The House – A Digital Platform For Gozo.

Malta became my second home nearly 15 years ago. I had a string of tunes hit the Maltese charts back in 2006 and travelled a lot performing all over the world in that time, but as my Gozitan manager of ten years will confirm, there was always an unmistakable pull to return here. Who knew I would later call the little island he grew up on, home.

Over those years, I raised a son, got married and began a second career in preparation for when I hung up my touring shoes. I learned a lot. I was always working on projects, businesses and events – mine and other peoples, and in March 2012, I launched a project in Malta, called GETMALTA, aimed at uniting Maltese businesses and creatives in one online space. The first glimmer of what has now become Gozo In The House. There was very little in the way of online hubs and resources on Malta at that time – especially when it came to the arts, culture and lifestyle. The project had huge potential and great support from all the right people, but it just wasn’t the right time.

Not long after the launch, I was asked to support Kylie Minogue on a global tour and as a young, ambitious artist, I jumped at the chance to travel around the world singing my heart out with a superstar! Leaving the GETMALTA project felt like such a big deal but it became clear my energy was required elsewhere and I knew I had to follow what had presented itself, no regrets.

By 2017, I felt I had finally reached a place in my career when I could be proud of myself. All the blood, sweat and tears were finally paying off! I was busy, I was earning. That equals success, right? [shakes head]

But at that very time, I burned out. I had reached the point of no return and felt completely lost.

The truth of it was, I hadn’t stopped for twenty years. Consistently pushing forward with little reflection had resulted with me at the bottom of my own list. I have always been firmly rooted in my heart but somehow I had found myself up in my own head and rarely in my body and at the height of this crash, I decided to follow in my husbands’ footsteps, literally, and walk the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage. By the end of that painfully exhilarating but life-altering 300k hike, I knew I had to make some hefty changes. My London life was no longer serving me and after lots of soul-searching we ended up moving to Gozo.

Finding myself at the beginning again was such a scary process. I had to re-think my whole identity and leaving my grown-up son, and my wonderfully (comfortable) internal and external family was a big deal.

I spent the next two years, in the bosom of Gozo’s healing energy, understanding and tending to my wounds and learning to know and love myself again. Mainly, I learned the essential art of putting myself first. Having always been heavily invested in the evolution of the collective, and a feeler of energy, this was one of my biggest life lessons to date. The oxygen mask simply has to go on me first, before I could even attempt to help anyone else and deciphering the intricate differences between my own energy and the energy of others is ongoing and wonderfully fulfilling practice. Now – it makes total sense that this learning had to take place far away from everything and everyone I knew!

“Timing is everything. If it’s meant to happen, it will, at the right time for the right reasons.”

I am so grateful to Gozo, for the opportunities for such intense growth. It was time to give back. Fast-forward eight years (almost to the day) from the birth of GETMALTA, I launched Gozo In The House. The rest is a short history to most, but a long one for me! In those eight years, a lot had happened, enough it seems, for the project to be birthed and do what it needs to do now…at the right time. Looking back, especially when I feel challenged, I realise I have numerous examples of when I had to trust my inner compass. Of course, I made mistakes and circumstances were learned from, but these have proved vital for my personal and professional growth.

The classic question echoes through my mind; ‘What advice would you give your young self today?’. My answer is simply to trust your intuition, as it will never let you down. All I had to do was reconnect and start listening, once again – to mine.

That being said, it has been no easy ride starting a business in a foreign country, especially launching when the world was shutting down and the horrific effects of the Covid 19 virus were sweeping across the globe like a steam train. I have found difficulties with slowing down my pace, relearning a culture I thought I knew well, not to mention finding the right people to believe in me and help me on my journey, this part has felt almost impossible at times. There have been countless days when I wanted to give up, throw my laptop out the window and cry in a heap on the floor! But, always, within those moments, I am reminded of all the things I already know and all the things I don’t and more importantly – that my instinct is never wrong. So I stop the self-sabotage, give myself a warm inner hug (and most probably reach for the chocolate) until the storm clouds pass and I have the spring back in my step to face another day.

I have always been a deep believer in alignment, cycles and things happening for a reason. There has to be times of both light and shade, night and day, good and bad and along with the bad, there will always be a silver lining somewhere. If things are meant to be, they have a habit of finding their own way through don’t you think?

It could seem unfitting to speak about such things when we have lost so many of our loved ones due to Covid, but a bright side does exist that can honour the pain and I have found focusing on the positive aspects will no doubt cultivate more of those brighter moments. Everyone on the team at GITH started their own project during the pandemic. Aligned with heart and love, our collective aims are to serve our communities, work together and create positive change where we can.

Personally, I get butterflies at the thought of the numerous people who have aligned with their true purpose through these dark times and who have created heart-led projects and businesses. To think of the positive effects these will have on our collective future is nothing short of joyful.

To summarise, I am so incredibly grateful for the opportunity to give this old idea new life on Gozo. Timing is everything. If it’s meant to happen, it will, at the right time for the right reasons. I feel aligned with the island on an intensely deep level and will continue to work from a place of heart with the amazing GITH team to do it justice.

>> For more about Andrea, find her here; Website | Facebook | Instagram | Video

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]]> How to build trust with transparency https://www.shemalta.com/community/building-trust-with-transparency/ Wed, 21 Apr 2021 09:44:02 +0000 https://shemalta.wpx.onl/?p=4403 Transparency is the foundation of any sustainable business. The invisible nature of supply chains has allowed consumers to become total strangers to them, and fashion among other industries often reiterates this.

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Transparency is the foundation of any sustainable business. The invisible nature of supply chains has allowed consumers to become total strangers to them, and fashion among other industries often reiterates this.

IN REALITY, Transparency has been linked with long-term consumer loyalty*, be it through the breakdown of costs or the time and wo/man-power it takes to manufacture a product. Knowing there are humans behind a brand resonates with people. Transparency by itself is not enough and it must come hand in hand with the pursuit of growth – an acknowledgement of faults and showcasing active efforts to improve.

Any company that provides a manufactured product is inevitably making an impact on the environment, and addressing imperfections through public disclosure, invites trust and exhibits a culture of accountability. Although transparency isn’t the be-all and end-all of sustainability and ethics, it does create room for conversation and allows consumers to exercise their right to know. Non-disclosure on the other hand, perpetuates bad behaviour in practices and treatment of workers.

In 2013, when the Rana Plaza factory collapsed in Bangladesh killing over a thousand garment workers & injuring another two thousand five hundred, people had to dig through rubble to find out who should be held accountable. When industries perpetuate a culture of profit over people, there needs to be fundamental and institutional change in the way the industry operates as a whole.

Fashion Revolution has pioneered a movement of this sort, by mobilising consumers and expecting more from brands. This is why the hashtag #WhoMadeMyClothes was invented. The social media campaign encouraged people to show their clothes label, and ask brands a simple question – Who made my clothes? – a question that puts pressure on companies to know and share information about their workers.

Fashion Revolution’s Transparency Index ranks the world’s largest fashion brands according to transparency about their social and environmental practices, policies and impacts. Through this transparency index, indicators of animal welfare, environmental impact, forced labour, waste and working conditions are evident. The most recent index revealed that a majority of brands still lacked transparency on social and environmental issues, however, brands that participated in the index through a questionnaire, have been influenced to disclose more information year after year. This makes one thing clear, accountability encourages improvement.

The coronavirus has shed a light on the value of transparency, many companies have halted production and payments, or cancelled orders, with little to no regard to the livelihood of workers across the supply chain. Due to a lack of transparency, as stakeholders, it is increasingly hard to hold brands accountable.

The importance of Fashion Revolution’s Transparency Index is that it creates room for constructive conversations with some of the world’s largest fashion houses and how they can be more transparent. By measuring progress across the industry, Fashion Revolution can push brands harder and faster towards transparent practices, in the hopes that social and environmental responsibility ensue. This attitude can be applied to every industry, and it must be.

Here are 5 steps on how your business can more transparent:

 

1. Get to know your supply chain

The first step is to map it out. List out your supply chain & understand the different tiers it may have. Get to know who your suppliers are & where they are coming from – ask yourself whom do you have most contact with from your known supply chain?

2. Get insights & Build Relationships

Once you have mapped out your supply chain that you have access &/or knowledge of, start to understand if you can go deeper within your chain. Make contact with the suppliers that you have relationships with, if you have none then begin forming them – relationship building is a crucial step towards more transparency.

3. Publish your supply chain & communicate about it

Publish any information that you have about your supply chains: factory names, websites, people, working conditions etc. Then find different creative ways on how to integrate this information into your marketing strategies. Feature the people behind your supply chains, celebrate them and begin to make those invisible ties visible.

4. Create criteria & standards

Once you get more information about your supply chain (where & who) begin to lay down criteria around the kind of suppliers that you want your brand to be associated with. Set certain standards that you expect from your suppliers & use them in order to guide you when it comes to on boarding new suppliers.

 5. Relationship building is key

Remember, a lot of suppliers might not be willing to disclose their information about the deeper tiers. That is why building & maintaining honest relationships with your suppliers is extremely important for this shift in transparency. It takes trust & willingness, which is not built in a day.

Follow @fashrev_mlt to find out how you can be a part of the #FashionRevolution

Written by Roberta Micallef; Fashion Revolution Malta volunteer.

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]]> Top tips for re-igniting your mojo in pandemic times https://www.shemalta.com/business/reigniting-your-mojo/ Sun, 18 Apr 2021 14:13:13 +0000 https://shemalta.wpx.onl/?p=4377 As the pandemic drags on, many of us are feeling like our tanks have run dry and our energy and motivation have been drained. The term ‘COVID fatigue’ has been bandied around and many are definitely feeling tired by endless hours stuck to computer screens at home, living with restrictions, and not being able to engage in work and personal life as we used to.

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As the pandemic drags on, many of us are feeling like our tanks have run dry and our energy and motivation have been drained. The term ‘COVID fatigue’ has been bandied around and many are definitely feeling tired by endless hours stuck to computer screens at home, living with restrictions, and not being able to engage in work and personal life as we used to. Some of our businesses have been impacted and uncertainty about the future may weigh upon us. And with the end not yet in sight, we do wonder how much more we need to contend with? We know there will be an end, but we don’t know when, and living in limbo seems to drain our energy and enthusiasm, leaving us feeling somewhat demotivated.

Often after a long-term illness, where there is physical tiredness and lack of energy, patients are prescribed some kind of revitalizing tonic to help them recuperate and build up their strength again. In a similar fashion, what are some useful strategies we can engage in to positively boost our emotional energy, motivation and morale as we continue to deal with the challenges of this pandemic? How do we get our mojo back? Here are some top tips to inspire you:

1. Reconnect to purpose and vision

It is easy to lose track of why we are doing what we are doing, as well as where we are headed, especially in this ever-changing landscape of the pandemic and the uncertain future we face. Use this time to reflect and to remind yourself of what you are passionate about in your work and the ‘why’ that guides what you do. What do you love most about what you do? What motivated you to enter into this work in the first place? What meaningful contribution do you make to your colleagues, team, organization, customers and society as a whole? How does that contribution make a positive difference to each of these? Connecting to meaning and purpose is known to be one of the main pillars to wellbeing and a great driver of motivation. And if you want to be even more inspired watch this great TED talk by Simon Sinek, the author of “Start With Why”.

Also review where you are heading with your work or business. If things can work out well, if you can navigate the challenges of this pandemic successfully, where do you want to see yourself and your business in a year or two? What does your best possible future look like? One strategy I found particularly useful in past challenges was to create a Vision Board. I answered the above questions and then created a visual representation of my answers on a board, adding pictures, phrases, colors, quotes, strengths and mottos to create a collage of my aspirations for my work. I placed this vision board on the wall above my desk and every time I felt disheartened or discouraged, I would look at that board and it would excite me and remind me to keep persevering to accomplish my dreams!

2. Set SMART goals

When I work with organizations I often get them to set some BHAGs (Big Hairy Audacious Goals). These goals are linked to setting the vision for the future direction of the company. I tell them to dream big! But then over the following months we work at breaking those BHAGs down into smaller, more accomplishable goals, taking a step-wise approach to achieving the dream.

In this pandemic, the wider, more long-term goals can feel almost unreachable at times or else like they will require us to overcome big hurdles, and sometimes this can feel overwhelming and deflating. Instead, break down the goals into smaller chunks, making sure they are realistic and can be achieved in a shorter time span. Think about how you will measure successfully accomplishing these and then when you do, ensure that you reward yourself for each milestone you overcome. Breaking down bigger goals into more tangible, achievable steps can help you stay focused and on track, and is a great way to boost your motivation and keep going!

3. Create new routines

When one day seems to morph into another, it is often easy to aimlessly drift through our days on auto-pilot. Mixing and matching your daily routines, so that each day is different is a great way to re-energize yourself and create more interest in your day. One day you might start your day with a vigorous walk, another day may begin with some mindfulness meditation, or perhaps some stretching and yoga. Alternatively change the time of day that you might engage in these.

Some days you might choose to have a virtual lunch with your colleagues, other days you might make a packed lunch and drive to the sea or countryside and take a relaxing break in nature.

The important thing is to create a different schedule each day, building in some self-care daily, to counteract the stresses of these difficult times we are living and working in. You will soon see how revitalized you feel and ready to plow this renewed energy and zeal back into your business!!

4. Invest in social connection

‘No man is an island’ yet this pandemic has left many struggling with social isolation, especially those who are solo-preneurs and running their own business. Even if you are not working alone, working remotely can be lonely too and many say they are missing the camaraderie that we experience at the office when we can chat and connect in the coffee room, during lunch breaks or going off for drinks after work. This too can really dampen our motivation.

So what do we do? Try to set up a virtual lunch with colleagues once or twice a week, or else virtual cocktail hour at the end of your working week, where you all get glammed up even if it’s just for an online drink together, you will be surprised at how much something simple like this can uplift you, especially if you each play one of your inspirational songs to really motivate you!

Another option I have tried and loved is creating virtual ‘accountability workgroups’. Myself and some other business owners set up regular slots in the week where we want to focus and get work done, and we create a zoom room to work together in, which makes us feel like we are in an office, and helps us focus better and be accountable. We set targets for each half hour sprint and check in with each other to see what we have accomplished and support each other if someone gets stuck.

And finally one of the biggest motivators can be joining a community of like-minded people with regular events where you can get together to support and encourage each other. The SHE hub members group has been one of those for me, and getting to connect to others who are on a similar mission, as well as learning new things from each other or from guest experts has been inspiring and uplifting! The atmosphere has been so genuine and authentic, everyone wishes the best for each other and cheers each other on, and hearing other people’s challenges and successes has encouraged me to keep going and ploughing on. So if you have not already joined, I highly recommend it – it’s definitely got the essential ingredients to revive your mojo!

 

>> Written by SHE member; Mireille Pellegrini Petit. Mireille is a Positive Psychology Coach and Trainer. She has completed a combined Masters degree in Positive Psychology and Coaching Psychology, and has a special interest in Positive Organizational Psychology. Mireille is the founder of Thrive Positive, a practice that offers positive, strengths-focused leadership and team coaching programs with a mission to help businesses, organizations or teams to develop positive leadership and workplace practices, so that they and their employees can thrive and flourish.

Beyond helping leaders and their team members optimize their performance to materialize their full potential, Mireille has a mission to “humanize” workplaces, by helping businesses prioritize the wellbeing of their workforce and empowering them to build “cultures of care”, where people feel valued and appreciated.

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]]> Christmas feature: 4 SHE friends and where they are today! https://www.shemalta.com/business/christmas-feature/ Sat, 05 Dec 2020 20:53:55 +0000 https://shemalta.wpx.onl/?p=3785 "What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future.” Agnes M Pharo

Can you feel the Christmas spirit yet? Here at SHE we wanted to take advantage of the festive season to catch up with a few valued members of our community. Here we will be shining a spotlight on 4 wonderful women to see what’s new in their entrepreneurial world and to marvel at how far they’ve come since we last met.

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“What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future.” Agnes M Pharo

Can you feel the Christmas spirit yet? Here at SHE we wanted to take advantage of the festive season to catch up with a few valued members of our community. Here we will be shining a spotlight on 4 wonderful women to see what’s new in their entrepreneurial world and to marvel at how far they’ve come since we last met.

We’ll also be highlighting what their businesses have on offer for you this Christmas and you may be inspired with some unique gift-giving ideas along the way.

Let’s dive right in …

Yasmin Degiorgio

Founder, Director and CEO of Sanya Eco Spa and Theobroma – A Raw Cacao Collective, Coach at Zen Entrepreneur.

SHE history; Yasmin was the first person we ever collaborated with, welcoming SHE for its launch with open arms at Sanya Eco Spa in Naxxar. Here she featured as one of our guest speakers back in May 2017. Yas returned to give a workshop at the SHE networking event held at the Xara Lodge in March 2019 where she also led one of the SHE power circles. Both her businesses; Theobroma and Sanya, featured in the SHE market with Theobroma selling delicious eats and Sanya carrying out stress tests for attendees. More recently, Yas led a SHE online workshop entitled “Grow yourself: How to find opportunity in Crisis” in June this year.

What she’s up to; In true entrepreneurial style Yasmin is constantly coming up with new ideas and projects to carry out her mission of assisting individuals to journey within themselves. Along with the Sanya team, she is busily planning one day retreats for January centering around “Aligning for 2021” and “Going Within”. Sanya will also be hosting another of their renowned 3.5 day “Go Within” retreats in the beginning of March. These retreats have the power to plant a seed of inner fulfillment and happiness that nothing can quite compare to. It’s truly amazing to see how Yasmin helps people become “more whole” by constantly thinking up programs and methods to assist with their inner work. Yas has also set up online sessions under the name of “Sangha” within her Zen Entrepreneur Community where she helps conscious entrepreneurs grow their businesses so that they can have greater impact and purpose.

Christmas gift idea; Sanya has just launched a 2 tier yearly VIP Membership. The perfect gift for those of you that are looking to maintain health but are too busy to organize it. Their VIP concierge service will make sure that you fit wellness into your routine every month. Massages, unlimited sauna, steam room and pool access and even discounts to their workshops and retreats are included in the membership. The top tier also has some juicy extras such as a free head massage on the 3rd month, free private yoga or meditation class on the 6th month AND a free Ayurvedic massage on the 12th month. Sounds dreamy right?


Janet Grech

Owns and runs the loveliest online store for kids called GRECH & CO. that focuses on sustainable and eco-friendly materials.

SHE history; I met Janet back in 2017 when she eagerly sponsored one of our earlier SHE events and has been regularly attending ever since and up until she moved to Denmark.

What she’s up to; It’s been such a thrill to watch this enterprising young woman grow her business with grace and style into such a popular lifestyle brand. Lucky for us, Janet has recently moved back to the island and is now living in Gozo with her gorgeous family. GRECH & CO. started out by selling natural teethers and Baltic Amber & Gemstone jewelry for kids as well as adults. The brand now stocks a wider range from pretty hair clips and whimsical artworks to eco-friendly toys and lots more unique products that are patiently waiting in the wings!

Christmas gift idea: Newest additions to the GRECH & CO. family include umbrellas made from sustainable, eco-friendly and recycled materials, rubber boots made from eco-friendly natural latex rubber, cotton inner lining and environmental printing ink, sustainable sunnies and GOTS Certified organic cotton socks and tights. We have our eyes set on ALL of these to gift this Christmas. If you feel the same way, you’re in luck; our generous friend is offering 20% off store wide for all our SHE family – Use promo code SHE2020 to avail of this offer.


Rebecca Pisani

The face behind “Alaria”, an international online marketplace that connects ethically sourced artisanal products from around the world to conscious buyers.

SHE history; Rebecca invited SHE to the beautifully orchestrated launch of her business “Alaria” back in August 2019. All was set for Alaria to feature in our May 2020 event but unfortunately COVID had other plans.

What she’s up to; Nonetheless, we kept following her entrepreneurial journey, which has recently seen the opening of a beautiful new store right in the heart of Naxxar. Every item is carefully handpicked, curated and has it’s own unique story. Stories from hardworking, marginalized and vulnerable communities – giving them a voice, offering opportunity!

Christmas gift idea: We especially love the beautiful handmade journals that hail all the way from Rajasthan, India and embrace the traditional Indian art of cotton paper making passed on for generations. Other top SHE picks from the site include the following; Jamandi Khadi Scarf, Black Sun Gemstone & Charm Necklace, Air Yoga Mat, Jayanti Earrings, Mary layered tassel earrings and the Reach Indukala Journal.

As our gift to you, Rebecca is offering the SHE community 10% off the above-mentioned items handpicked by us. Use code Christmas2020 at checkout to avail of this offer.


Ġulja Holland

A most talented Visual Artist specializing in figurative painting. Recurring themes in her work are self-identity, environmental destruction and existential anxiety. Ġulja’s aesthetic is shaped by a vast array of artistic influences ranging from Edvard Munch to Andy Warhol.

SHE history; Fun fact – SHE’s first public event was held at The Lily Agius Gallery in Sliema with Ġulja Holland’s solo exhibition “From a Distance” as its beautiful backdrop. Ġulja has attended quite a few of the SHE networking events and went on to appear on the SHE panel in June 2019. Attendees were also given the rare opportunity to browse through Ġulja’s work and purchase one of her pieces on site at this same event.

What she’s up to; Ġulja is currently reading for an MA in Painting at the Royal College of Art 2019-2021. She has recently featured in Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year (2020 edition) heat 4. This ambitious young artist is currently represented by Lily Agius, Malta, Rise Art, London & Saatchi Art.

Christmas gift idea; This Christmas Ġulja is selling a selection of Limited Edition prints from her ‘From a Distance’ Abstract Series. We love the idea of gifting art this Christmas and supporting the local art scene, these prints make such a fantastic present and are affordable too. Now available to order locally & internationally via: https://www.guljaholland.com/shop – What’s more Ġulja will be offering 10% off to the SHE tribe through promo code SHE2020

And there you have it!

Before we sign off, we’d like to take this opportunity to wish you and your families a wonderful and blessed Christmas. Make sure to cherish quality time together whilst taking care of yourselves and each other.

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]]> Have you heard about Lela Land? https://www.shemalta.com/business/have-you-heard-about-lela-land/ Wed, 25 Nov 2020 10:16:50 +0000 https://shemalta.wpx.onl/?p=3714 Ewelina Szynkarek chats to SHE about her new business venture; an online shop for kids with a difference. Gracing the web during the pandemic, this family-run business sells clothes, toys and accessories for kids. Nothing out of the ordinary there you might say. But wait! The clothes are, for the most part, second hand, the majority of the toys wooden and the accessories crocheted by a member of the family. We couldn’t resist finding out a little bit more ….

The post Have you heard about Lela Land? appeared first on SHE.

]]>

Ewelina Szynkarek chats to SHE about her new business venture; an online shop for kids with a difference. Gracing the web during the pandemic, this family-run business sells clothes, toys and accessories for kids. Nothing out of the ordinary there you might say. But wait! The clothes are, for the most part, second hand, the majority of the toys wooden and the accessories crocheted by a member of the family. We couldn’t resist finding out a little bit more ….

Ewelina, tell us a bit about yourself and how Lela Land came to be?

I am Polish. I’ve been living in Malta since 2012 and my partner is Maltese. We love traveling and bike rides. In April 2019 our baby girl was born and our life became more exciting than any ride we ever took. We started to realize that it was, for the most part, challenging to source certain baby products and quality toys locally. We had been thinking about opening a business for quite some time now, so with mummy’s business mind and daddy’s creativity, we decided we could make a difference by finally starting something of our own.

Is there a story behind the name for your online shop?

Oh yes! Our little one can’t pronounce her name “Leia” properly yet. Instead she happily calls herself “Lela”. We had many brainstorming sessions to find a suitable name for our online shop but nothing really felt right until one morning whilst asking my sweet pie her name and hearing her sound the word “Lela” so sweetly – I couldn’t think of a better fit – so we named the shop after her .. “Lela Land”.

You say that Lela Land is a family business. Which family members are involved and what roles do each of you play within the business?

I’m the business mind behind the project; the company is also registered on me as a sole-trader. However, as previously mentioned, daddy plays a big part, he is the creative one and helps to source many of the products, he handles some of the marketing, which helps me immensely since he is Maltese. He is also our main delivery person! We love the fact and are very proud that Leia’s nanna does all the crochet herself. Finally, we can’t forget Leia herself! She is our photo model and plays a big part in the testing process. Usually we buy a particular toy for her first, so we can test how she takes to it before we decide to stock it online.

Would you say the Covid19 Pandemic has played a role in pushing you towards your goal of running your own business?

Yes it did, definitely. First of all, since we had our daughter, I realized that my previous career in tourism was no longer making me happy and didn’t allow me a good work-life balance. I felt like I needed to make a change. The time to find a new job wasn’t ideal, so I was slowly exploring my options. Due to the pandemic, we had to start taking our vacation leave and since March we only worked around 3 days a week. Thanks to that, we finally had more time to dedicate to brainstorming our new business idea and to begin the process of bringing it to life. They say the first step is the most difficult and I totally agree. Little by little we worked at our idea and finally we managed to go live in May. The shop started off more as a hobby and I am aware that it takes time to actually start seeing some return, but actually having it, made me re-think where my priorities lie and pushed me to start changing my life. This is what lead me to leave my previous job. I had a good 2 months where I could fully focus on family and the shop, which was an amazing period. It finally felt right! Meanwhile, I was searching for a new, full-time job, which I started this October. I love my new job and it allows for a better work-life balance. Working remotely also helps. I can dedicate time to my job, to Lela Land and to my beautiful family as well.

You have recently started your own family. Has having a child altered your approach to business in general?

Yes it did. Most of all, it inspired the direction for Lela Land. We had many ideas before that but nothing felt right. I always wanted to do something in collaboration with Polish suppliers, but was never convinced until we had our baby girl and then the idea felt obvious.

Reusing of clothes is both practical and Eco-friendly. Would you say it is a relatively new concept in Malta and do you envisage any barriers due to peoples’ perceptions about reusing clothes?

Oh definitely. I can see that the trend is not that popular in Malta yet. All around Europe people are proud of giving clothes a second life, reusing, being Eco-friendly and trying to follow a more sustainable approach. Here it seems like people prefer to buy cheap quality and new, rather than good quality branded clothes that are second hand. I really want to change this perception! Especially when it comes to children’s clothing, the quality is so important and since kids grow out of the clothes so quickly, the clothes are literally like new. Why pay so much for new clothes, when you can spend the money elsewhere. Our second-hand collection is all branded, imported, washed and handpicked by the Lela Land Team. We stock loads of brands such as Ralph Lauren, Lacoste, Tommy Hilfiger, H&M, Zara, Reserved, Petit Bateau etc. Unfortunately there aren’t lots of nice, second hand shops in Malta, like the ones I am used to in my hometown. We, at Lela Land are trying to change that by bringing you a vast selection which you can browse in the comfort of your own home.

Tell us more about the types of toys that you stock?

Toys sold in the shop are mostly wooden, the ideal for child’s proper development. The organic experience of touching, sensing the surface, shape, volume, and weight of the wooden toys develops complex neurological connections in the brain and strengthens their memory. Besides the sensory development, wooden toys support exploring and playing with products made from organic materials. The majority of them align with the Montessori concept, which is based on self-directed activity, hands-on learning and collaborative play. Last, but not least, wooden toys support the sustainable, Eco-friendly concept of the shop.

We also collaborate with a Polish brand with 38 years experience, producing sensory toys for the youngest. Sensory toys are not only fashionable, but serve as proper development for a child. From the first days of life, our children need properly selected stimulation to develop their senses. At first, children are not able to notice colours other than white and black, only with time red comes into play and slowly new colours as well. That is why specialists recommend black and white toys, which we have a large selection of.

A small, but unique part of the shop are our handmade, crochet toys and accessories, made by a family member, with 30 years of experience in crochet.

Would you say Malta is a good place to initiate a startup of this type?

It’s not bad, the procedure for setting up a sole-trader is rather easy and the costs aren’t that high compared to other countries. There are lots of new small businesses coming up, so that’s also proving my point (and also increasing the competition, but well, the competition drives the market after all).

Can you describe/outline your typical day?

I get up at around 6-6:30am, morning chaos of trying to get Leia ready for childcare, then I start my full-time job. I then pick Leia up from school and spend quality afternoons fully focused on the family. I put Leia to bed at around 7pm and then Lela Land time starts. I love to work in the evenings, I’m not a TV person at all so I’ll spend a couple of hours on the business each day during the week (and put more time in on the weekends) and finally we enjoy some mummy and daddy time.

What motivates you?

My family, my ambition and my desire for a happy and satisfying life.

Do you have anything special lined up for Christmas? How is Lela Land getting ready for the biggest holiday of the year?

We love handmade, eco-friendly, personalized items. We Included some of these like; handmade, crochet Baby Yoda and BB-8 (we are a bit crazy about Star Wars, mostly daddy), personalized wooden baubles and 2021 calendars.

Our wooden story blocks make the perfect gift already packaged in eco-friendly boxes, no wrapping required.

And finally some cute Christmas clothing. We also had wooden advent calendars and felt Christmas Trees, but these are already sold out!

What do you hope to achieve with Lela Land in the medium to long-term?

I hope Lela Land will be recognized as a user-friendly online shop for kids that sells great quality second-hand clothes, beneficial wooden and sensory toys and room interiors.

Customer service is really important to us and we want to go the extra mile to make ourselves available for our customers to discuss any special requests and to make sure that our client base is happy and satisfied with our service.

We are currently working on including more products that will help children with SPD- Sensory Processing Disorder. We already have a selection of sensory toys, but would like to spread more awareness and include products that help kids with SPD in everyday life; like weighted blankets, squishy, tactile toys and oral sensory toys. These should be added to our shop in the coming weeks.

Check out Lela Land and visit them on facebook and instagram to see how their entrepreneurial journey develops.

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Like what you see? Need to get the word out about your new project? If your business would like to feature on our SHE platform; contact us at [email protected]

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]]> Rising with the falls: Interview with local fitness entrepreneur Leanne Bartolo https://www.shemalta.com/business/interview-with-leanne-bartolo/ Wed, 04 Nov 2020 13:13:08 +0000 https://shemalta.wpx.onl/?p=3598 With every success story we hear about, we are inspired to get back on our feet and carry on despite the situations we are dealt. Standing at the forefront of her game is personal trainer, gym owner and WFF European Bikini Champion, Leanne Bartolo. In this interview, we hear from “Malta’s fitness sweetheart,” about her determination to realize a life-long dream and then adapt to the ever-changing world we are experiencing.

The post Rising with the falls: Interview with local fitness entrepreneur Leanne Bartolo appeared first on SHE.

]]> With every success story we hear about, we are inspired to get back on our feet and carry on despite the situations we are dealt. Standing at the forefront of her game is personal trainer, gym owner and WFF European Bikini Champion, Leanne Bartolo. In this interview, we hear from “Malta’s fitness sweetheart,” about her determination to realize a life-long dream and then adapt to the ever-changing world we are experiencing.

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Leanne, you are a familiar face locally having appeared in the media a number of times. Tell us more about where you’re at in your career right now? 

At the moment, I’m fully focused on launching my second 6 Weeks Strong Challenge, which kicks off tomorrow Saturday 7 November. I created the first one back in September, and the response was overwhelming – I couldn’t stop even if I wanted to! So by popular demand, registrations are currently open to join this next cycle. I’ve been sharing some of the reviews and transformations on my socials these past few days, all from the team that I now call my second family. The team spirit on our Facebook group is infectious and so motivating, and having them see results in as little as six weeks is something I’m very proud of.

In a nutshell, summarize your plight to get to this point. What were some of the obstacles you encountered along the way? 

The biggest obstacle was definitely back in 2017 – taking the decision to start my own business by opening Warehouse. I had definitely underestimated what owning your own business entails. Until then, all I’d known is being a teacher at school and a trainer in other gyms – both of which are demanding jobs in their own right of course. However, I very quickly realised that running your own business brings a whole host of other elements to the job which I had to get up to speed on!

What has been the most rewarding part of your journey so far? 

Seeing my community grow at Warehouse. It’s my own space, which I’ve opened up to such a wonderful team of people who have made it their second home.

So yes, the most rewarding part of my journey is watching that community grow and watching my clients achieve their goals. That’s what makes it worth the lack of sleep and the stress.

Another, more recent moment that was quite rewarding came as a direct result of the Covid lockdown. This made me face my biggest fear as a business owner: not being able to pay my loan from monthly income. The thought had always kept me up at night, and sure enough, that time came when all our income dried up. It was a terrifying experience, but also so rewarding – it came, and went, and I’m still here, and I now know that I’m the only person standing between myself and my obligations. I’ve become immune to petty stresses, and I now understand that the bigger picture is so much more important. The lockdown gave me a whole different vision and perspective on how to tackle daily situations and obstacles.

Who or what has been your greatest inspiration? 

My mother. Ever since I was a young kid, I used to see so much potential in her, but she was never given the opportunity to shine. She was always into sport, waking up before everyone else to fit in her walk, still being back in time to have everyone’s breakfast ready (we’re five siblings).

She inspires me because I want to make her proud of me. The way I see it, my mother is living vicariously through me and my siblings to achieve all that she wants for us, so I want to make that happen for her. Our success is her success.

She takes such pride in the work that she does, whether it’s raising us, her grandkids or earning her keep on the farm. She’s hardworking, had a lot of obstacles come her way, and was always strong and determined. This was always inspiring to me – especially seeing her work hand in hand with my dad. The two of them have been my inspiration from a very young age.

Later on, when I met David, I started to realize that it is possible to be a good team with someone else in life because I had seen my parents do it for so many years. They started from scratch, and their teamwork was something that amazed me. I never wished to become rich or famous, I only wished to find that someone that I can be a team with, to make anything work.

Sure enough, Dave has been the one who pushed me to open Warehouse and grow my business. Nowadays he’s taken over as my daily source of motivation and inspiration from a business perspective.

You were crowned the 2018 AND 2019 WFF bikini champion. How did this come about? What reactions did you receive from the public?

Honestly? Sometimes I need to remind myself that it happened. I’ve won twice so far. Both times, I was overwhelmed by emotion not only because of my personal achievements but also because I was flying the Maltese flag – something I never thought I’d manage to do for my country. However, ever since I won the first time, I’ve always felt a responsibility to constantly motivate and inspire those around me, both at my gym and people I meet day to day, to better themselves and reach their goals.

Your passion for fitness has led you to explore many paths, what events helped shape your lifestyle and career? (i.e. your charity work, teaching)

What immediately comes to mind is the first public challenge I ever took on which was joining the KC9 team for the Kilimanjaro Challenge which I loved doing. Soon after I opened my own studio, Warehouse, which is now my second home. From then on, it’s been a roller coaster of competitions – it all started with participating and winning the WFF National Championships in Malta. Then I took on Europe, and still defend that title today as WFF Bikini Pro Champion. Competing in World Championships and placing in the top 5 twice were also huge milestones.

In what ways does your new lifestyle brand “Team Leanne” service your clients? What are some of the results you’ve seen come from this? 

It all started because I constantly speak to clients and friends who are not happy with what they see in the mirror. I’ve been there myself, and I know that with the right structure, inspiration and motivation, anyone can see the results they long for. I also wanted to create a safe environment and a supportive community to help every individual work towards – and reach – their potential. So far, I’m thrilled with the way people have gravitated towards the concept, and the daily boost we give each other on the Facebook group is addictive!

How have you adapted to the changes brought on by Covid? 

Three words: I went online! It all started with giving free Instagram Live classes every day during April and May. This was important for me because I didn’t want to suddenly drop all my clients mid-way through their training – I wanted to stay in touch and support them through the uncertainty in my own way.

During this time, I bought the equipment and set myself up to host Zoom classes on my usual Warehouse schedule. Nowadays I have sessions at Warehouse and on Zoom simultaneously, offering everyone both options (while obviously following all health regulations for Warehouse).

Finally, I designed (and have just wrapped up) my first fully virtual 6 Weeks Strong Challenge, which supported all participants with daily motivation, meal plans, weekly shopping lists and of course, daily workouts.

I had never felt comfortable speaking to a camera before, but it’s quickly become my main approach and I love the flexibility that it offers my team!

A sense of community is what many of us (if not all) need right now. How would you say your business manages to achieve this? 

This sense of community is what inspired the name “Team Leanne.” The vibe at Warehouse, Field Fitness and in our online group is always team-driven. It’s never about “me” teaching “them”. It’s always about “us”. We train for and compete in races together. We share recipes. We motivate each other (they support me as much as I support them!). We are a team, in the true sense of the word.

Somehow, this sense of community has managed to grow organically with the business – we’re a team of hundreds of individuals, but we’ve never lost that vibe.

Do you have any advice for those who are looking to follow in your footsteps and start up their own fitness brand?

Don’t overthink it. If you feel it and believe that it has potential, go for it.

*Follow Leanne Bartolo on Facebook, Instagram, youtube and check out her website here.

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]]> Empowerment for business owners: An interview with “Shaw Legal” founder – Jennifer Shaw https://www.shemalta.com/business/interview-with-jennifer-shaw/ Fri, 09 Oct 2020 08:01:55 +0000 https://shemalta.wpx.onl/?p=3519 Some weeks back we had the pleasure of meeting with Jennifer Shaw, a charismatic Master of law (LL.M) graduate whose passion for helping creatives in business has led her to start up a law firm with a difference. Their goal: “To offer personalized legal support and advice to creative start-ups, small businesses and entrepreneurs at affordable and transparent prices.” In this interview, we learn about the young entrepreneur as she embarks on a new venture to offer services which deviate from traditional law firms and in ways we’ve been tempted to discover!

The post Empowerment for business owners: An interview with “Shaw Legal” founder – Jennifer Shaw appeared first on SHE.

]]> Some weeks back we had the pleasure of meeting with Jennifer Shaw, a charismatic Master of law (LL.M) graduate whose passion for helping creatives in business has led her to start up a law firm with a difference. Their goal: “To offer personalized legal support and advice to creative start-ups, small businesses and entrepreneurs at affordable and transparent prices.” In this interview, we learn about the young entrepreneur as she embarks on a new venture to offer services which deviate from traditional law firms and in ways we’ve been tempted to discover!

In a nutshell Jennifer, tell us a bit about you. What’s your background?

I started off my legal career eight years ago as a court lawyer, during which time I practiced mainly in family and general civil law. Six years ago, I made a transition to corporate law and practiced mainly company law and banking and finance. I have worked on a number of large transactions including advising on the acquisition of a Maltese bank, advising a major hotel in Malta on its bond issue and advising directors of listed, regulated and private companies on regulation, corporate governance and best industry practice. It all sounds more grandiose than it actually is in practice!

You’ve worked for large companies including BNF Bank plc as company secretary. How has the experience helped your career so far?

Working with large companies has given me the experience of having to analyse and solve day-to-day issues that companies face. This helped me gain exposure on a whole range of legal problems that any business may encounter on a daily basis. Apart from the legal perspective, it also revealed how different management styles could impact a whole business and how important it is to empower and value each and every employee. When employees feel disillusioned and undervalued, the whole business suffers and is not able to grow effectively.

What made you decide to go it alone and set up your own legal firm?

It became obvious to me that small businesses, creatives and entrepreneurs have difficulty in accessing quality legal advice at transparent rates. Cost certainty is essential at the start-up phases of a business, as is affordability. I therefore wanted to create a firm that is focused on my key values which are providing legal services based on transparency, simplicity, approachability and empowerment.

My goal is also to change people’s mindsets about approaching a lawyer such that a business should be proactive in getting legal advice rather than reactive. Being proactive means that problems are nipped in the bud and are not left unsolved until they become bigger issues. I felt that bringing about this change of mindset couldn’t be done in a traditional law firm setting, and so, I have set up a modern law practice based on these four values.

Have there been any influential figures who’ve encouraged you to follow your entrepreneurial ambition?

My parents have always encouraged me and supported me to follow my passions and instilled values of hard work in me that have allowed me to pursue my goals.

What makes you stand out from traditional law firms?

Shaw Legal moves away from the traditional hourly billing model and places emphasis on being proactive. We create tailored-made packages with the aim of offering support which is personalised to the client’s business. The packages are the business set up package, the contract package and the brand protection package which are all designed to enable business owners and entrepreneurs to be more proactive in managing the legal implications of their business.

We also offer a subscription service at a fixed monthly flat fee at a price that small businesses can afford. Apart from cost-certainty, clients can be rest assured that they have a lawyer who is by their side to ensure that legal issues are solved before they become a problem.

We work remotely and therefore are able to offer flexibility to clients to communicate with us without having to visit an office.

Why do you think creatives and small businesses need more support with legal issues?

Mistakes of a legal nature can wipe out a small business. This is often overlooked when starting a business as there is a lot of excitement around the idea, growing that idea and making it successful. Creatives and small businesses are in a position that larger companies do not encounter, and that is not having the constant access to a legal team or a lawyer. In my experience I noticed that businesses who do not have access to a legal team hesitate to contact a lawyer, and this sometimes makes small problems worse.

I created the subscription model precisely to remove this uncertainty, so that when a legal question arises, or clarity is needed on a particular legal issue, it is easy to get in touch with a lawyer. Apart from needing this ongoing legal support, small businesses also want a more predictable legal budget. Being able to budget legal expenses makes it easier to plan and grow a business.

You say you would like to focus on the female market specifically. Tell us more.

Female entrepreneurs face more barriers than men in business. I myself have been in situations where I have been treated differently to male counterparts. This is often not intended to be malicious as people do not even realise they are doing it. The problem is still there however. Having experienced this myself, my goal is to provide legal support that helps to empower women in business through education on their legal position and through providing a compassionate sounding board. I too am in the start-up phase of my own business and I have found a lot of support from women who understand the subtle biases that women in business face. My goal is to pass on my support to female entrepreneurs so that they can feel confident and know and understand the value of their work. Through this support and in collaboration with networks such as SHE, women can feel inspired to grow their business in an authentic way!

Do you have any advice for small business owners who feel they have been pushed back by the pandemic and are not sure where to start from a legal stand-point?

Small business owners should ensure that their legal positions are safeguarded, and this could be as simple as having solid legal foundations to help them run their businesses as smoothly as possible. A small business lawyer can actually help grow a client’s business in this respect. This may sound counterintuitive as lawyers are typically resorted to when a problem arises, and this is where a mindset change is needed. However, having a strong legal basis actually helps businesses to avoid problems. Education for small business owners is also paramount and my goal is to assist clients by explaining the law in such a way that the business owner feels confident and able to understand his / her legal position. This enables the business owner to make solid decisions about their company and helps to create maximum growth at a minimum risk.

One of the challenges that is faced by small businesses / entrepreneurs at the moment is ensuring that clients pay on time. A good business lawyer would be able to assist with this. First of all, creatives and entrepreneurs must always value the work that they do – this sets the right tone with clients and paying on time becomes easier. Another important point is setting clear expectations, and this can be done by having a strong contract in place. A contract should be a mutual agreement between parties and should not be overly biased to one party’s favour. Clear expectations ensure that there is less chance of conflict, or if there is a potential conflict, this can be fixed early on.

How do you foresee small businesses evolving in a post-Covid world?

Although the pandemic has created uncertainty for businesses, this does not mean that they won’t thrive in a post-Covid world! There are several support schemes being offered by the Government, and are based on reducing business costs, stimulating domestic consumption and providing direct support for businesses. Support ranges from rent and utility bill subsidies, real estate schemes such as tax and duty cuts as well as more direct support such as the wage supplement scheme. It is clear that governments are investing heavily in domestic businesses and the pandemic has opened people’s eyes to a different way of working, away from the confines of an office. The post-Covid world will probably see people become more innovative and authentic with the businesses they wish to create.

What is the best way for potential clients to reach you?

They may schedule a free consultation on my website https://shaw.legal or send an email on [email protected]

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]]> Pathways to success: An interview with Little Isle Studio founder Becky Kamsky https://www.shemalta.com/business/interview-with-little-isle-studio-founder-becky-kamsky/ Fri, 18 Sep 2020 11:35:09 +0000 https://shemalta.wpx.onl/?p=3383 On the 30th September, we’ll be welcoming digital marketer and social media strategist Becky Kamsky to lead an exclusive online workshop “Your Brand in a World of others”. Becky is no stranger to the SHE platform. Last November she photographed beautifully, our end-of-Year event capturing the day’s most memorable highlights.

The post Pathways to success: An interview with Little Isle Studio founder Becky Kamsky appeared first on SHE.

]]> On the 30th September, we’ll be welcoming digital marketer and social media strategist Becky Kamsky to lead an exclusive online workshop “Your Brand in a World of others”. Becky is no stranger to the SHE platform. Last November she photographed beautifully, our end-of-Year event capturing the day’s most memorable highlights.

Over the past decade, she has worked internationally creating ROI focused digital strategies encompassing every channel in the digital space.

In this interview, we explore more about the woman behind the brands Rebekah Kamsky Photography and Little Isle Studio whose passion for helping female start-ups is what drives her.

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You are the sole founder of a photography and digital marketing business, how do you manage to stay on top of the load?

The beauty of working in digital marketing and photography is that they are very complementary of each other. So, often when I work with a client I can give them a complete experience where together we can take a seed of an idea and turn it into a brand, a website, a photoshoot, social media campaign and bring all of the elements to life. There is no getting lost in translation from one provider to the other and this is something that most clients really value when working with me.

I’m regimental with my working day and working hours and have set up efficient processes and use several tools which I have learnt over the years to ensure I have the best time management in place. I have a good morning routine which keeps me sane and ensures that I remain creative and up to speed with what’s going on, and furthermore allows me to disconnect. It wasn’t always easy and at times it still isn’t easy, but I am constantly learning and growing and finding new ways of doing things.

I never over commit and always accept work that I know I can deliver on and will enjoy doing as it will align with my own values. When you’re enjoying the work it some how keeps things in flow.

What are the kinds of services you offer at Little Isle Studio?

At Little Isle Studio we are intentionally working with passionate, committed and driven businesses, creatives and entrepreneurs to outfit their business with stunning, timeless and functional design and all types of digital marketing support. This includes digital marketing strategy development, social media planning and content creation, website design and development, branding as well as photography. While it is lead by myself, I have now built a team of creative freelancers who are called in on a project by project basis. Our studio is also listed as an accredited supplier of the EU Scheme. Which means we can also support businesses and startups in getting funding for website creation through EU projects such as the ERDF business grant scheme.

Furthermore, In the last two years I’ve also added mentorship to the list of my services and it’s a space that I’m really passionate about and excited to see grow.

Something that a lot of people don’t know also is that every year a percentage of our profits contribute towards https://theschoolfund.org/ and OneGirl.org to help fund scholarships for high potential students who can’t afford to attend school. We are also working closely with the founder of a school for a rural community in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Thus when someone chooses to work with Little Isle Studio they are contributing and having a direct impact on helping out someone else in the world.

Who are some of the female brands you’ve worked with. What is it that draws you to this particular clientele?

Probably because I am a female founder myself, I’m extremely passionate about supporting and uplifting other women. I love knowing I can help someone realize their dreams because I also know what it feels like when someone helps me achieve my own.

Some female driven brands I have worked with, whether in photography, digital marketing or website design include: Pippa Toledo, L’Allee, The Dressing Room Malta, Bijou Michiko, Alaria, Saz Mifsud, Active Spirit, Cycle Seeds, Gaia and Nina, and Amy Camilleri Zahra.

You’ve worked internationally throughout your career of over 10 years. What are some of the skills you’ve learnt and implement in your work today?

Having worked in Melbourne, Australia as Head of Digital for a large agency for several years on very large and varied accounts, I really learnt a lot about the creative process, people management and how to find ways to deal with maximising time and budgets as efficiently as possible. I’ve been extremely lucky to have worked with some brilliant minds and incredible creatives over the years in all parts of the world.

The digital marketing world moves at a frightening speed with new updates and changes taking place daily. You need to be prepared for (and willing to embrace) change in your career too. To succeed it’s best to be someone who is not only open to change, but someone who thrives on it (and almost fears being stagnant).

Has Covid affected the way you do business? How so?

Yes, it hasn’t been easy. I obviously had to pivot quite a bit and focused all of my energy in helping support my clients get through this hard time.

Also, it’s been quite hard being a mum of a toddler and having to cope with working with 101 distractions a day. I’ve had to shift my hours to early morning and late evenings and find ways to cope with it all.

In some ways it has been extremely rewarding too as I have helped businesses who had to shut shop – re-open online and regain losses they would have otherwise incurred.

What would you say has been a win for you this year, given so much uncertainty?

When Covid first started I sort of resided in the fact that I would lose a lot of clients and that work would be hit hard. I’m quite a positive person, so I decided to shift my energy early in the day to opportunities that may exist even in times of crisis and challenge. That was a huge win for me because I was pleasantly surprised by the outcomes of my efforts to think outside the square and grow in times when I would have otherwise thought I might not even see any growth at all.

The biggest win of all though is as I mentioned earlier, is knowing that I could be of help to those facing extremely challenging times. Knowing that I offered some value and helped some businesses survive is a massive win for me personally.

You’ve often described what you do as a “holistic experience”. Tell us more.

The importance of digital strategy is not seeing things in ‘silos’, but seeing the holistic experience a consumer has on their customer journey and the many touch-points they can encounter your brand. Knowing these touch points means knowing how many opportunities there are out there for you to grow and succeed in each channel.

I’m a firm believer that digital marketing is not limited to just paid campaigns, and that an effective marketing strategy is not just one funnel, but a virtuous circle, where each part of the strategy feeds into the next.

Having studied business, graphic design, photography and having the experience of working in various digital roles means I can genuinely give my clients the comprehensive holistic insights and experience they need to really get the most out of every strategic workflow and campaign.

What is often the result (or results) of combining your skills in photography and graphic design?

It’s extremely helpful when you have someone who can combine the aesthetics of graphic design with the creative eye of photography. In today’s world most especially its absolutely crucial, when social media and digital, require so many visual elements and content. You simply need an extremely practical mindset to think ahead of all the elements you will require, with all the variations you will need your assets to include. For example, when doing a shoot at the back of my mind, I will not only be thinking about the beauty of the photo, but also about the clients needs for their website, their social media, the size variations of where they will have to upload their shots (e.g instagram, instagram stories, website landscapes, etc), the space they may need for graphic design elements and so many other aspects. It’s something my clients always say they are so grateful for having worked with me because I take a big bulk off their workload.

You’ve suggested having goals you’re consistently working towards, what are these?

I always set myself yearly goals, but pivot when I think they are unrealistic or when things change. Right now, my goals are to continue working with businesses that bring me joy and that I feel I can add value to. Also, to grow my mentorship programme and work closely with more female entrepreneurs. I’m also hoping to start a podcast at some point too.

In much the same way, my goal for the next year is to invest in myself, and take some further risks in my business which means growing the team and learning to delegate, and work with my own business mentor and build trust to maximise my own potential.

When I set my goals, I always check in with the following – Why am I doing what I do, does it bring me joy, does it meet my current lifestyle needs, is it aligned with my values, does it allow me to give back, and does it make me feel positive?

Our online Workshop – “Your Brand in a World of others” is coming up on the 30th September. What can participants expect from this live and interactive session?

Here’s what you can expect from this wonderful workshop:

? The Algorithm – Why is it always changing? Is it always changing? Why is it so hard? What should I be doing?
? Brand Assessment – Identifying your voice.
? The importance of knowing your content pillars in social media
? Understanding how to use these pillars in the context of your brand presence on social media
? Using competitor insights to your advantage
? How to be consistent and make the best use of time management
? How to overcome content blocks
? Influencers – Should I work with them? How can I work with them? What approach to take.
? When you hit a content block – hacks to overcome
? The importance of video
? Tools I use constantly and why I think they can be valuable for you too
? Your other digital components – tying into your core brand and digital strategy
? The importance of having a holistic strategy

What is your biggest marketing obstacle at the moment? Let’s tackle it together! I’m excited to see you all at the workshop!
Thanks again to SHE for this wonderful opportunity.

Get your tickets for “Your Brand in a World of Others” online workshop here.

The post Pathways to success: An interview with Little Isle Studio founder Becky Kamsky appeared first on SHE.

]]> Where Focus Goes, Energy Flows: Interview with A Life I Choose Founder Emma Hogg https://www.shemalta.com/business/interview-with-emma-hogg/ Thu, 27 Aug 2020 17:38:57 +0000 https://shemalta.wpx.onl/?p=3251 Meeting Emma and later her participation as a special guest in a number of our events are some of the most wonderful moments in our community’s history. Through her, we were able to open our senses to what truly needed to be learnt...ways to focus our energy, discover our drive, build on ambition and gain confidence in the process.

The post Where Focus Goes, Energy Flows: Interview with A Life I Choose Founder Emma Hogg appeared first on SHE.

]]> Meeting Emma and later her participation as a special guest in a number of our events are some of the most wonderful moments in our community’s history. Through her, we were able to open our senses to what truly needed to be learnt…ways to focus our energy, discover our drive, build on ambition and gain confidence in the process.

As we prepare to welcome Emma back to lead a virtual workshop – Charge Up Your Ambition on the 16th September 2020, we put to her a set of questions to gain more insight into the woman behind A Life I Choose and the influence she has and indeed has had, over many of us the last few years.

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Emma, you’ve come a long way since first appearing on our panel back in February 2018. Tell us what it was like for you to start up at the very beginning. What inspired you to do so?

That panel was a lot of fun and I met so many wonderful people!

Starting up at the beginning felt like a lot of experimenting. I hadn’t yet developed a clear vision for A Life I Choose – it was more of a gut-feeling and I followed that all the way and I still do. All I knew was that I wanted to share what I had gained through my own journey of personal development with others. I had no thought of a business at the time or of how to make money, I just wanted to dialogue with people about all things therapy and personal growth.

What events have been the most transformational in your career so far?

There was a time when A Life I Choose was starting to become more recognizable, but I struggled to make it financially profitable, and I felt so dis-empowered and frustrated by this that I committed to myself to find a way, whatever it took, to transform A Life I Choose from a blog into a thriving business.

I had no idea what I was doing as I had never done it before, so I got mentors. I invested more money than I had into seeking guidance from the best mentors I could possibly find, I flew overseas to work with them and I researched people who were successful and I studied their stories.

Following my intuition, I applied the strategies that I felt would work best and within 1 year, my practice was full and I had increased my income by 800%. So, the most transformative events have been those moments when I’ve made a decision to change something; those moments when I committed to myself to figure out something that I’ve never done before. There’ve been several of these events. This is just an example.

Do you believe that mentors are needed to support budding entrepreneurs?

Absolutely. Entrepreneurship is a game of constant learning. A business is either growing or dying, and in order to grow, you need to be on the edge of your comfort zone, stretching yourself, learning new things. To learn, you need teachers – whether virtual or in-person. This is where mentors come in.

So, mentors aren’t just necessary for budding entrepreneurs, they’re necessary even for seasoned entrepreneurs.

It’s important that you choose your mentors wisely. Don’t just settle for whoever is closest to you; choose the people who are generating the results that you want and then go learn from them. Also, be willing to pay for their input whether it’s through your time, your energy, or your money. Giving to them, ultimately is an investment in yourself, because you’ll be learning big time. And choose mentors who challenge you. Being challenged by someone who wants to see you succeed is a real gift.

Are there any particular individuals/mentors who have helped guide you along your path?

Tony Robbins is a massive mentor for me; especially when it comes to personal transformation and business. I’ve invested a lot into learning from him and being mentored by his coaches. Other mentors of mine include:

Esther Perel, who I’ve learned from in her online supervision sessions – she’s taught me immensely about the process of therapy and relationship dynamics.

Lidija Pecotic who is local, was a game-changer in my life. I wouldn’t have got to where I am today without her teaching me the processes of healing and therapy.

Alex & Mimi Ikonn, Seth Godin, Joe Dispenza, Sara Blakely…the list goes on and on. There are so many amazing people to learn from, and we have access to some of the greatest minds on our planet thanks to the internet, so we’re never limited. Anything we need to learn, we just have to look for it and it’s out there.

Personal development and mindset change are themes which feature prominently in your work. Why so?

80% of success is due to mindset, 20% is strategy. You can have the most amazing strategy, but if your mindset focusses on “problems” (which the majority of people do), you’ll have one hell of a hard time growing your business.

50% of businesses die in their first 4 years, and another 40% die in the next 5. And the ones who survive aren’t necessarily thriving, many are just surviving. A lot of people put not reaching the results they want down to luck and circumstance – they’ll say that they had a bad year, or that the economy wasn’t right or no one was listening to them. But if you are fully committed to your outcome, you’ll find a way no matter what. What’s important is that you constantly train yourself to shift your focus from “problem” to “solution”.

Your mind will go to problems and that’s not a bad thing; it’s important to identify what’s not working. But whatever you focus on grows, so when you get stuck on the problem, you create more of it. You need to get into the habit of asking yourself, “Even with this challenge, what’s my outcome and how am I going to get there?” And whenever your mind tells you, “I don’t know”, you answer it with, “If I did know, what would I do?”

Your work mostly involves helping others to discover their potential and develop a healthier way of thinking and living. Can you think of a time when you needed this guidance/healing yourself?

For sure. I study what I study because I needed to learn it. When I was in my teens I had an eating disorder and I struggled with anxiety and depression. In my 20s, I was diagnosed with a chronic physical condition and the general medical consensus was that there wasn’t much to do about it but live with the agony and take medication. At 30, I had a stroke.

I found myself feeling very lost at several moments in my life, and my way out was always through learning and growth. It became really clear to me at a young age that my life was my responsibility and that no one was going to bring me the results I wanted on a silver platter. I had to go out and create them for myself. Also, my parents have a kick-ass work ethic and that rubbed off on me.

I’m super grateful that life has challenged me in every way that it has because I’ve learned not to take it for granted. It could end at any moment, so I’m not going to waste it.

What advice would you give to others who’ve experienced similar?

Don’t stay alone. Get the best mentors you can possibly find. Whether in person, or virtually, choose people who will challenge you to find the strength within yourself to create the quality of life that you want. That’s what you want ultimately – you don’t want someone else to save you, you want to save yourself.

We’ve always been in awe of the energy your bring to your audiences, so much so that you almost make it look effortless. Tell us in a few words, what it takes to plan your annual event the A Life I Choose “New Year’s Evolution”?

Thank you! It’s not effortless! 😀 It takes a lot of energy and months of planning, but it’s totally worth it every time someone tells me, “I set this target at your workshop and I achieved it.” I’ve seen people participate in races they never thought they’d be able to, I’ve seen people start their own really cool businesses, I’ve even seen people on the verge of relationship breakdown, recommit to and reignite their passion for each other. The transformation is incredible, and the fun we have together is infectious!

How do you intend to transfer some of this knowledge and passion into your upcoming SHE workshop – Charge Up your ambition on the 16th September?

Through my work (and my own experience of building A Life I Choose), I know that people struggle most when they don’t have a clear vision for what they want. When we haven’t chosen a desired outcome for our work, we end up reacting to everyone else’s demands of us and we end up exhausted, frustrated and unfulfilled.

There’s nothing that gives me more satisfaction than guiding people to connect with themselves and their big dreams and creating a pathway to the career they desire. I’m super excited to share this with you all at the workshop and also to meeting all the passionate people there!

For tickets to Charge Up Your Ambition Online! Click here.

Do you have any words of wisdom for those searching for a better life plan during these times of grave uncertainty?

Remember that it’s not our circumstances that determine our fate, it’s our psychology, so always shift your focus from problem to solution. Ask yourself, “Even with these limitations, how can I deliver utmost value so that I can generate the results that I want?” Then, commit to your outcome no matter what, and when your strategy doesn’t work, no problem, adjust it and have fun.

**Towards the end of 2020, Emma will be launching her first digital course through A Life I Choose that will lead you to create a kick-ass career you’ll love! To stay up to date, follow her on her socials; Instagram, Facebook and Youtube

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