Since starting the community in the spring of 2017, there’ve been quite a few transformations and developments. So many that it took us some time to whittle this list down to just 10! If you’ve only just discovered us, you might be interested to learn a little bit about the history of our journey so far!

Let’s start right at the beginning…

1. SHE was founded in May 2017 …

by Sarah Woods then a fitness and life style blogger and digital content creator Julia Perry. The pair had become committed to the project and in just a few weeks of talks they were preparing to launch their first ever SHE event!

2. Their first collaborator was …

young serial entrepreneur – Yasmin De Giorgio who, following an initial meeting with Sarah and Julia, offered a space to hold the SHE opening event gathering. Approximately 30 invitees were led into a cosy, zen-like space at Sanya Eco-Spa to learn more about what the Co-founders had in store for the future of the community as well as to connect with one another.

3. SHE held its first public event at …

the Lily Agius Gallery in Sliema on the morning of the 22nd June 2017 with guests – Art Gallery curator and magazine editor Lily Agius and CEO of talent advisory firm Baton & Baton Eliza Krantz. For the first time audience was given a real sense for what was to come within the SHE community. One particular collaborator Karolis Vitonis of Vitonis Media created the first SHE event video and later went on to producing a further two, the latest, at the community’s end-of-year event last November.

4. The first SHE workshop was …

introduced in collaboration with Swedish sales coach and shop owner Maria Moller who shared her expertise and offered some all-important tips which were very well-received that evening. The workshop was entitled “How to WIN at Retail” and Maria’s store, formerly Fly the Fly Vintage in Sliema was transformed on the lower floor to welcome a small group of attendees.

5. First ever guest panel consisting of …

four female entrepreneurs during a networking event in February 2018 at Active Spirit gym. Gracing colour-coded bean bags and addressing a crowd of 60 were magazine editor Sarah Kennard, founder of People and Skin clinic Dr Joanna Delia, psychotherapist and founder of A Life I Choose Emma Hogg and our host for the day and fitness entrepreneur Angele Satariano.

6. In June 2018 SHE welcomed for the first time over 150 female attendees at …

renowned luxury home and lifestyle store Camilleri Paris Mode. Seated comfortably were writer/editor/actress/presenter Jo Caruana, Fashion designer Carla Grima, Former director of marketing communications at the Corinthia hotels Vanessa Coleiro and fifth generation manager at Camilleri Paris Mode Mara Camilleri. As ever, the panel was wonderfully inspirational adding to the magic of this grand occasion.

7. Co-founder Julia Perry took on the role of mediator ….

the same year SHE celebrated a full-blown End-of-year event at the Phoenicia hotel in Valletta where to her right sat Interior designer Pippa Toledo, HR professional Mikela Fenech Pace, media personality and actress Claire Agius and Pat Vella, PA to the general manger at the Phoenicia hotel. It was an arrangement that would keep for the SHE events following and discussions would follow a more conversational path.

8. SHE’s first taster workshop at a larger event gathering ….

entitled “How not to suck at networking”. Enter Emma Hogg founder of A life I Choose who raised the bar high and delivered a most powerful presentation to a crowd of over 200 women seated inside the grand ballroom of the Phoenicia hotel in Valletta.

9. SHE’s first indie market …

was a feat in itself! 10 Women-led brands landed on to the scene with stalls decorated in sheer festive-style! Among the showcasers that day were Saz Mifsud, Sue’s Jewels, Munch a Bunch, Ellie & Carl Skincare, “We are The New Superheroes” – children’s books and The Blind Hedgehog.

10. Power circles session was introduced at …

the Xara Lodge in March 2019 which saw the audience divide into smaller groups for the purpose of forming closer connections and speaking more freely about a variety of topics. The feedback we received from the mentors who were assigned to each group, was that participants enjoyed the opportunity and indeed, are hoping for more sessions like this to be re-introduced at a future SHE event!

 

….And finally, after months in the planning the SHE website was launched where currently you can book event tickets, browse through our merchandise, read our blogs and sign up to our newsletter to stay up to date with the latest goings-on from SHE: Social Hub Entrepreneurs. Our next event is a business breakfast at one of our favourite hang-outs Emma’s Kitchen which is scheduled for Thursday the 20th February. If you are able to join us, we’d be delighted to have the opportunity to meet you and celebrate yet another first in our community’s history!

So there you have it! 10 SHE firsts which have laid the foundation beneath where we’re standing today. Several events later and a loyal online following, our community continues to grow and prosper. As always we can never sign off without giving gratitude to all those wonderful individuals, our husbands and family members included, whose patience and support has been instrumental in allowing us to raise a toast to our three year venture!

See which women-owned brands and communities are taking over this year’s events calendar.

Over at the SHE HQ we’re already at our desks and finalising plans to create more events and workshops of our own. Why? Well between one SHE gathering and the next, a gap is often felt among members of our community who tell us they need more! Now that the main festivities are over, we’re finalising our own schedule for 2020. In the meantime, we thought to fill you in on some hot-on-the scene businesses and communities that share our values and who are also preparing a colourful schedule of activities to welcome you in the forth-coming months.

So, without further a-do we’re proud to bring you this short-list of women-owned brands with BIG plans and only the best intentions for this year!

A Life I Choose

First up it’s The New Year Evolution Workshop by A Life I Choose happening on Saturday the 18th and Sunday the 19th of January. Here Psychotherapist and founder of A Life I Choose – Emma Hogg is preparing to welcome her largest audience yet while inviting us to take a closer look at ourselves and adjust to a more positive mindset. During the workshop, attendees will be encouraged to interact with one another, make new connections and set targets that are in alignment with their purpose.

“You’ll leave the workshop with a clear vision of the year you’re going to create, the strategy you need to make this a reality and the techniques to acknowledge your fear when it arises so that it never ever stops you from achieving.” – Emma Hogg

Join us as we too will be partaking in this experience! Click this link for more info!

Sanya Eco-Spa

A place of zen and blissful tranquility, here was the location for our very first SHE gathering back in May 2017! Founded by Yasmin DeGiorgio, a Yoga and meditation teacher and mentor, Sanya Eco-Spa offers clients the opportunity to unwind and find their inner peace whether enjoying a beauty treatment or massage, a yoga class or even a longer-stay retreat held at various locations around the island.

Coming up next at Sanya Eco-Spa – a 4 Week Stress RESET course starting on January 25th! This course will take you from the edge of burn-out to a state of inner balance, peace of mind and creative inspiration. Included in the package is a weekly workshop, yoga and meditation classes, massage treatment, Spa membership and online portal.

“Stress is one of the most destructive forces to our health, well being, productivity and relationships. Yet it also offers us an opportunity and sometimes a push, to go within, understand ourselves better and master our inner lives.” – Yasmin De Giorgio

Get more info about their upcoming event by clicking on this link.

Honey and Zest

Who doesn’t love a food blog? Especially one where is shared easy-to-follow recipes to create delicious eats which will buy you time in the kitchen and allow you to impress your family and friends when the time comes to entertain! Not only this, but Honey and Zest creator Stefy Cassar Reynaud is continuing her research into food nutrition and sharing healthy tips and more with her followers and subscribers.

“We owe it to ourselves to eat well and improve quality of life when it comes to food choices.” – Stefy Cassar Reynaud

If you’d like to start receiving tried and tested recipes courtesy of Honey and Zest subscribe to their online magazine. Simply head to www.honeyandzest.com
*Just remember, you can’t bite into the screen!

Carla Grima Atelier

Even before we had the pleasure of welcoming fashion designer and entrepreneur Carla Grima to our panel back in June 2018, we had been following her journey and marvelling at her unique and colourful creations! Hearing her story, we became fascinated by her plight to success and today, we remain in awe of Carla’s passion for the trade and her willingness to collaborate with other creatives locally. This year alone we are told to expect more collaborative shows and projects with local designers and creatives leading up to the year’s highlight which is always aimed at Spring/Summer!

“We are really excited to work on some new concepts that will bring our clients together for more informative events and workshops which will be focused around our boutique locations – Salt&C Ta’Xbiex and Phoenicia.” – Carla Grima

Check out www.carlagrima.com and stay updated with upcoming events on Facebook and Instagram

Malta Artisan Markets

Attracting makers and traders from around the island as the name itself suggests, these award-winning markets launched in May 2011 have become hot spots for discovering local artisans and shopping for an array of lovingly crafted creations. Organised by The Definitive(ly) Good Guide Co – publishers of The Definitive(ly) Good Guide to Restaurants in Malta & Gozo and The Malta Baby and Kids directory, the aim of this market is to “further promote high quality local arts and crafts and quality food products and good eating”.

This year Malta Artisan Markets will be organising four events at various locations, the first one being in the Spring. If you’d like to find out more about the MAM and be notified of upcoming events you can sign up to their newsletter via their website

* You’ll find the link at the bottom of their page!

Eco Market Malta

Born out of a passion for environmental sustainability and operating a 100% ban on all single-use plastics, these markets are steadily growing in popularity thanks to a truly dedicated team of change-makers! Founder and main organiser of Eco Market Malta Zen D’Amato Gautam was eager to fill us in on the project at its inception and ever since, we’ve continued to looked forward to the growth of a community which promotes a greener, more eco-conscious lifestyle.

The Eco Market is set to take place every month from March to December 2020. The first one will be held in Gozo, during the event ‘Lejl Imkebbes’ or “Festival of lights” on 28th March from 6pm onwards at the Cittadella, which will be lit with over 30,000 candles creating a truly magical atmosphere. The event also offers numerous activities for everyone with historic re-enactments, extended and discounted tickets to museums, live entertainment and kid’s activities.

Further announcements will be made as the event approaches, so keep a watch of Eco Market Malta on Facebook and Instagram and visit their site to  find out about their up coming events! Interested to attend? Subscribe to their newsletter receive a free e-book on 150 Tips on how to start living a sustainable life.

Oh and one more piece of info we’re told you should know- the Eco market offers free drinking water in large dispensers so visitors are encouraged to bring their own re-fillable water bottle!

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*If you are a female business owner or founder of a community we would love to hear from you! We are currently offering a special promotional package for small businesses and start-ups to feature on our channels as well as our website > shemalta.com

Write to us at [email protected] to find out more!

It’s been emotional! Another event has come to pass and we couldn’t be more thrilled with the feedback we’ve been receiving from members of the audience, as well as our wonderful participants. The day started off with a climb up the grand staircase at the historic Casino Maltese and as the very talented Thea Saliba sat down to play at the Petrof piano, guests were greeted in the hallway and treated to some delicious bites and breakfast smoothies.

The panel talks began a little later than planned since many of us were caught up in the surrounds, enjoying all of the colourful refreshments laid out by our hosts for the day- Corinthia Caterers. As soon as we were seated however, the spotlight shone brightly on stage where our dear friend Pat Vella opened the day with a heartfelt message as she filled us in on the history of the venue and brought to the fore the historic moment we’d created through bringing together 250 women inside a former men-only club. When our four panelists positioned themselves in front of the audience, silence descended on the ballroom and the mood was instantly set for a rather more sensitive topic of conversation, that of mental health and well-being in life and business. Here we welcomed hospitality professional, coach and mentor specialising in mind-set change Robyn Pratt, language school founding director Rebecca Bonnici, lifestyle blogger and cancer survivor Lorinda Mamo and consultant psychiatrist Dr.Rachel Taylor-East.

Our guests were met with questions pertaining to their own experiences and lifestyle and very bravely opened up to the challenges they face on a day to day basis both in the home and at work. With each guest taking on a different perspective of mental health, we were able to explore mental health from various angles as discussions took on a very personal slant. In so doing, we learnt a little more about the women telling their stories and more than likely found that these women spoke to us in ways which triggered more meaning for our own lives.

As the day ran on we continued with live entertainment by music teacher and pianist Thea Saliba, award winning sister song- writing duo The New Victorians and ending on a magical high with a choreographed piece especially for the occasion by the talented young ladies at Seed Dance Studios.

On this very special occasion we welcomed intuitive body worker Cat Moyle who opened our minds to changes in our monthly cycle and explained how these would affect our mental and physical health. Then, taking to the stage after an hour-long break, former diplomat and HR professional Mikela Fenech Pace held our audience’s gaze and gave a brilliantly executed talk about what should be done in ensuring staff members, whatever their issues and concerns, are properly and sensitively addressed by the company in which they are employed.

One particular observation we made from the many women we had the pleasure of meeting that day, was how well most were able to open up with one another and discover that actually the experience of making new connections at such an event as ours, was not as daunting as many would previously have anticipated. The idea of networking somehow gives off negative feelings including anxiety and insecurity especially, as we have found, among women. Taking these views on board therefore we have tried to create a space where there is something to be enjoyed by all, be it a conversation piece in the form of a refreshments banquet, a performance ensemble or even brief yet sincere greetings by ourselves and members of our team. Meeting all of you who attend our events, is by far the best part of our job and the most rewarding also.

This event also called for another milestone for the SHE community when we, as the Co-founders took to the platform to present what we’d been planning for months leading up to this monumental moment! In a nut-shell we have gathered experts in their field to conduct quality workshops during 2020 as well as selecting our favourite venues and locations to host our smaller events which will include a sumptuous business breakfast and a variety of informative and practical workshops designed to help women reach their entrepreneurial goals. Besides the high standards set and take immense pride in delivering, there’s much more on offer in the way of communal support and helping members make the right connections.

Events and official SHE merchandise can be purchased online via our secure payment system. Alternative payment options are available. Contact us at [email protected] with any queries you may have.

Warmest wishes and cheers to a brand new year!