Smart, kind, loveable, brave, clever, beautiful, funny and most importantly perfect just the way you are.
It’s International Women’s Day on March 8th and this month we’re celebrating all the incredible women we have in Surrey (and in our lives!) and thank them for all they have done for us. Mums, wives, sisters, friends… it is a day to celebrate and honour Women.
Surrey is definitely one of the most sought-after home counties to live in and we have a plethora of successful business women achieving amazing things day after day. These remarkable women are revealing all in this feature on what it’s like being a mum, wife, female boss whilst juggling family life and the obstacles they’ve had to overcome in a male dominated world. Plus their personal advice to women in Surrey.
Let’s take this month to really appreciate the amazing women we have in Surrey. Here are just a few….
CAROLINE LUNA WILLIAMS – FOUNDER OF THE LUXURY COLLECTIVE SURREY & THE THRIVE CLUB
Self-starter Caroline or Luna as she is known to friends and family is the founder of two successful Surrey based networking groups; the Luxury Collective Surrey and the Thrive Club. She is originally from Sweden, but Surrey has been her adoptive home for the last 15 years. With an impressive career, spanning 20 years in energy and commodities, she is also a full-time wife and mother. How does she do it all we hear you ask?!
“I love learning new things and meeting new people and I am always on the lookout for collaborations to explore new business avenues. Running my own business is exciting and gratifying and I am proud to have won the SME Surrey Business Award for “Best Networking Group” in 2023.
I have a large family and my husband also runs his own business so being organised is key, and I do love my colour co-ordinated google calendar… but of course even the best laid plans sometimes don’t work out and chaos ensues, I think any mum, working, entrepreneur or otherwise can attest to that! I take comfort in Michelle Obamas words: “you can have it all, just not all at the same time”.
I started my career in the early 2000’s in the energy business, first in sales & marketing for an industry publication, followed by a decade as a commodities broker. In this heavily male dominated, pre-me-too world, I had to grow some pretty thick skin and learn to put my stake in the ground, hard learned lessons which have stood me in good stead ever since.
I have “She means business” by Carrie Green on audible and I must have listened to it 20 times at least. I think she has done a fantastic job in breaking down and detailing the actual work required to run a business and some great strategies and tips. Through my business I meet inspirational women every day, listening to everyone’s individual stories, aspirations and achievements is hugely inspiring to me and I’ve yet to meet a boring business woman!
Entrepreneurship to me means having a viable business idea and the tenacity to drive the project forward and to make it happen. Not every business needs to become a million-pound enterprise to be deemed successful. Social media is terrible for comparing yourself to others. I am a big believer in only taking advice from people who have already lived and achieved my dreams, not those who haven’t. I would say confidence and self-forgiveness would be my biggest tips. We all make mistakes and bad decisions along the way and that’s life so, learn from the mistakes, forgive, and have confidence in yourself”.
CORAL YOUNG – FOUNDER OF CY HAIR
Coral is a proud single mum of three and started CY Hair Extensions to get back into the world of business in 2022. She could have taken the easy route out and been on benefits and handouts as a single mum – but wanted to show the world that she can thrive in business, be a good mum and a positive role model to other women and ultimately her kids.
“I’m Coral, an expert extensionist and the proud owner of CY HAIR, where we specialise in delivering hair extension excellence in Surrey. Juggling the intricate dance of entrepreneurship while caring for my lively trio of offspring – aged 2, 3, and 6, feels like starring in my own gripping saga!
Sending my youngest off to nursery three days a week may tighten the purse strings, but witnessing their radiant smiles as I dive into my work is truly priceless. Guided by my unwavering belief that “Where there’s a will, there’s a way, and Coral always finds a way!” I tackle each day’s challenges with steadfast determination.
Mornings kick off promptly at the crack of dawn at 5am sharp. With skilled multi-tasking, I orchestrate the morning hustle, ensuring each little one is ready to conquer the day. It’s a whirlwind of laughter, cereal spills, and superhero requests – a labour of love that sets the stage for the day’s unfolding adventures.
To all the bold, ambitious women out there ready to embark on their entrepreneurial journeys: Craft your strategy, seize the moment, and march forward with unwavering resolve. Amidst the peaks and valleys lies the electrifying journey, waiting for you to conquer it”.
MARIA ROMANO – SPAGHETTI TREE FOUNDER
After discovering an old building in the picturesque village of Walton-on-the-Hill by a pond adorned by swans, ducks and a heron in 2004; our first ‘Spaghetti Tree’ restaurant was born, a dream materialised by female founder Maria Romano. Fast forward 20 years, 8 Awards and 2 spin-off restaurants, the dream continues.
“Throughout my life, 3 passions have been constant: family, food and music. These pillars continue to shape the journey of our restaurant, Spaghetti Tree, turning a vision into a reality.
This year marks 20 years since opening & we’ve faced our fair share of challenges including a couple of recessions and the pandemic. During these uncertain times my children were the reason to keep moving forward.
I still believe the key to our longevity has been our ability to adapt and stay current with the times. We’ve embraced new trends and kept things fresh.
At some time or another over the years I’ve been fortunate to have all my children involved. Creating a family driven atmosphere. Whilst my boys have ventured into diverse career paths my daughter, Dana, has remained steadfast, evolving into my valued business partner. She has also brought her expertise in cocktails which has made our restaurant even more popular and with our vibrant atmosphere it has made Spaghetti tree a go to destination for many.
Together we have opened a further two sites. The key to my success as a female boss is rooted in leading by example – I never ask my staff to do anything I wouldn’t do myself! Balancing compassion for my teams needs with maintaining a professional boundary has been crucial. Recognising the fine line between being a boss and a friend has contributed to earning respect. My achievements in the industry including several awards for the restaurant, British Takeaway Awards, a Surrey Award and for community involvement have further solidified a reputation built on both leadership and accomplishment.
My advice to women is to pursue their dreams with determination and hard work. Success does not come easily. It requires giving 150% to everything you do. It’s about persevering and never giving up but also constantly learning and growing.
My daughter and I have been blessed with the support of our family and our partners Phil and Gemma. Without them we couldn’t do this.”
TINA TALBOT – AUTHOR OF THE SURVIVAL SUPER SQUAD
Tina is the Epsom-based author of the ‘The Survival Super Squad’ – a series of children’s books that are environmentally themed, educational and fun. She has written and published 7 books to date, with another 6 on the horizon. She has learnt so much from the children she visits in schools and the people she has been lucky enough to meet along the way, including Sir David Attenborough.
“Mahatma Gandhi said, ‘Be the change you wish to see in the world’. These are powerful words, and yet they can seem quite daunting. It’s easy to think that these words are just for politicians and world leaders, people with influence and power. But don’t be fooled. These words are for everyone. Making the change you wish to see in the world can be as easy as showing kindness, being tolerant and helping others. Live by example and inspire with your actions, and you will make a difference. This is how I felt when I set up Wildlife Whimsies Publishing almost 10 years ago. I wanted to make a difference, and the only way I knew how to do this was through story telling.
Something I share with every woman on the planet. Trying to keep all those plates spinning effortlessly so they don’t come crashing down can be stressful at best and overwhelming at worst. The concept isn’t new; women have been juggling since prehistoric times when they hunted, gathered, created art on cave walls and kept their babies alive. As women, we wear many different hats. We work, manage our homes, nurture relationships, bring up children and try to find time for our sanity, and if we do too much, sometimes these hats become slightly off-balance. Different aspects of our lives start trickling into each other as we attempt to do it all. And, if that’s not enough, the responsibility tends to fall on our shoulders to find the solutions.
On this note, the solutions I have found to achieving my work-life balance and the advice I would offer to other women are as follows. Firstly, learn to say no without feeling guilty about it. It’s the only way not to become overburdened and overstretched. Secondly, don’t be afraid to ask for help. I would not be where I am today without the help of my husband, my friends and all the wonderful people who have shown their support for my mission, including the talented, Surrey based artists who illustrated my stories: Judit Matthews and Karina Siba.
Lastly, create bonds with other women. Building authentic bonds can be powerful and rewarding and turn into life-long friendships. We need each other’s support because we can’t do it alone. Take it from our female forbears. Their collaborative endeavours ensured the survival of our species, and the handprints they left behind on cave walls is a message to us all that together, we’ve got this!”
- THEODORA BRAVIS – FOUNDER OF THAMES DENTAL & FACIAL CARE
Dr. Theodora founded Thames Dental & Facial Care back in 2007 when she made the brave decision to move her clinical practice from the heart of London, in Harley Street, to the beautiful area of Thames Ditton in Surrey. The practice started with a handful of patients; Theodora and her dental assistant, and now it has grown to a specialist clinic with 5 dentists, hygienists and assistants.
“Being a female boss is challenging as it involves a lot of hard work which goes beyond a 9 to 5 job and extends to the late hours of the day. However, there is a feeling of empowerment in breaking barriers and leading with confidence. It often involves navigating a complex interplay of professionalism, assertiveness, and empathy while striving to achieve goals and support team members. Overall, being a female boss can be rewarding, challenging, and an opportunity to drive positive change.
Being a mother and a female business owner also has its challenges as my kids grow up to know that their mummy works during most of their school half terms. I do need to manage my time as effectively as a I can, and I have a support system in place that allows me to work the hours that I do. I have learnt that setting boundaries, delegating tasks, and prioritising responsibilities has helped.
Additionally, fostering an understanding of workplace culture that values work-life balance can greatly help in managing these dual roles. It’s about finding a balance that works for both professional and personal commitments while being adaptable to the evolving needs of both spheres.
I haven’t had one specific woman who has inspired me. I generally admire women who have a positive attitude to life and work, like progress, and are enthusiastic. These are the type of women I like to have as my friends, and I do believe in being surrounded by like-minded people who will inspire you to achieve things.
The one thing that I would personally advise women that want to set up a business is to choose their team members and support staff at work very carefully. Compromise is not a good option as it can hold one back from achieving their full potential.”
MARINA IKONNIKOVA – FOUNDER OF ICON STYLE BEAUTY
Marina founded her own luxury beauty and aesthetics business, Icon Style Beauty, in Cobham 7 years ago and has consistently been recognised as one of Surrey’s leading practitioners in the field of beauty with a great local following and hundreds of 5 Star Reviews.
“When I arrived in this country seven years ago, my dream of opening a beauty salon ignited within me. However, I quickly learned that dreams alone are not enough; it takes meticulous planning, knowledge, and unwavering dedication to turn dreams into reality. Despite facing numerous challenges along my journey, I persevered, viewing each difficulty as a valuable lesson that shaped me into the entrepreneur I am today. Instead of comparing myself to others, I focused on surpassing my own limits. In a competitive beauty market filled with professionals, finding my niche became a personal challenge. I firmly believe that everyone possesses the magic to create the life they dream of; it’s a matter of holding onto your goals, working diligently, and maintaining honesty with your clients.
My source of inspiration comes from my beloved dog, Crystal, a positive and fluffy companion whose presence reminds me of the beauty of life. Walking her amidst nature allows me to appreciate the generosity of the universe and the countless extraordinary moments that lie ahead. I am fortunate to have found my dream job – one that fills me with passion and joy every day. Being my own boss grants me the freedom to travel regularly, explore the world, and create a schedule that allows me to spend time with my loved ones whenever I desire.
The positive energy I exude attracts wonderful clients and friends, enriching my life in ways I could have never imagined.
To those dreaming of starting their own business, I offer this advice: reflect on what sparked your passion as a child, when limits, logic, and negative experiences were absent. Avoid blindly following social media trends; instead, identify that unique interest that sets your soul on fire and dedicate yourself wholeheartedly to it.”
KATE GREGORY – CO-FOUNDER & DIRECTOR OF THE GIN KITCHEN
Kate was a real-life Kelly McGillis aka Charlie in ‘Top Gun’, graduating with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering she went onto run air combat projects for the UK government. After deciding to live the quieter life she started the Gin Kitchen Distillery in Dorking in 2016 and is now serving her premium gin around the world and to the local folk of Surrey in her award-winning Surrey Hills bar.
“As the Gin Kitchen started to grow, I found out very quickly that I was responsible for setting the company culture and I am really proud to have built a female-led business where women are truly valued.
For example, we can leave early to do the school run, or stay at home if we have a poorly child, knowing it won’t count against us. We can just focus on making fabulous gin.
Juggling work with family life can be tough as the workload is very high but I’m fortunate to have three very patient children. It is important for me to dedicate time with my family and so I always set aside the hours between dinner and bedtime. I can then get on with admin work without distraction when they’re asleep.
In my previous male-dominated defence career, I was at a meeting in Paris. The room was full of French men who asked me for coffee. I made them all coffees and after a while they started to wonder where the chair of the meeting was. I introduced myself, to some very flustered faces. But I haven’t experienced any real obstacles due to being a woman. When I decide to do something, I just focus on making it happen. I don’t waste any time worrying about barriers.
Nobody’s going to stand in the way of a bad-ass woman on a mission! So my advice for other women wanting to start a business is to find something you’re passionate about and just get on with it.”
NATASHA GORDANA MURRAY – OWNER EQLIBRIUM
Natasha is the proud owner of EQlibrium Clinics in Weybridge and Harley Street London and the winner of the ‘Best Beauty’ in the Surrey Awards 2023. She offers a range of beauty and aesthetic treatments including PDO Threads, Skin Boosting, Fat Dissolving and Injectables.
“As a single mother and business owner, the journey here has been a challenging and sometimes lonely one. There are times when I haven’t prioritised self-care or a work-life balance. Running a business can be all consuming, especially on your own.
Years later, EQlibrium has become more than just a business; it’s now a family affair.
I am fortunate to work alongside Beth my assistant who shares my passion for skin health and aesthetics.
Together, we love creating a welcoming and warm environment where clients can feel confident whilst knowing they are receiving the best care and treatments.
In addition, my son Theo heads up our sister company, our clinical supplies branch EQ Supplies.
It is a real team effort and I feel proud that we have built this all together. It’s a blessing to work everyday with the people I love, securing them a future and having a lot of fun on the way.
We are excited this year as we launch new locations for our clinics and academy in the United Kingdom and the UAE.
As we embark on this new chapter, I am grateful for the opportunity to inspire and help other women now to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams.
To women aspiring to set up successful businesses, I offer this advice: Stay true to your vision and never underestimate your capabilities. Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth. With determination and perseverance, you can achieve anything you set your mind to.”
MARIA HORNSBY-ODOI, FOUNDER AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR, HOUSE OF AFRIKA
House of Afrika was created by Maria out of a need for wider fashion options than the High Street offered; not only in style and design but also in sizing and fit. Maria designs and makes custom pieces that make House of Afrika customers feel amazing and begin a love affair for African prints and fashion.
“Whilst you have celebrities doing amazing things, I am mostly inspired by those whose private lives I have had the privilege of having access to. Seeing them first hand navigate challenges with resilience is motivating and inspiring.
In “Boss Lady” style, they exhibit fearlessness even through fear; they speak out against injustice and intimidation whilst others would remain silent for fear of backlash; they push through to find a way in the face of obstacles to achieve goals.
Being a boss does not mean you have to lord it over others and shout to be heard but their persistence, consistency and confidence sets them up to enter spaces denied to many. One of the greatest impacts these ‘Boss Ladies’ have is the willingness to serve and support those within their sphere of influence.
My advice to women wanting to set up a business is your mindset is everything; it’s important that you understand the nature of the beast before you start. The truth is you would never fully understand how tough it gets until you start engaging with your business. It does get hard and you would need to work hard on many levels. The effort is absolutely worth it. Learn to manage discouragement; you will get discouraged but you don’t need to stay there.
Be willing to take calculated risks; this is an inevitable aspect of business if you are to make any head way. Be your biggest cheerleader; only you know what it has taken to take the next step. Celebrate yourself with every step you take towards achieving goals no matter how small. It keeps you motivated. Sometimes we get caught up in the big picture we fail to see how far we have come. Avoid the sideways glance; discipline yourself to remain focused on your business and what you want to achieve. Being obsessed with what others in the field are doing is a great distraction. Prioritising is important. Although we have young adults at home, family life is very important and something I love to give attention to. So whilst working on my business, I am mindful of the needs of my home as a wife and mother. Some things may be pressing and would need more time and attention at any given moment, be it the business or home life. Thankfully, working from home and having my husband’s support, makes it easier to juggle competing demands. There are times when the juggling may go wrong but I don’t beat myself over it, just evaluate, learn and move on.”
LISA HARRIS – FOUNDER OF LISA HARRIS SKIN SCIENCE & HOLISTIC SKIN COACH
I grew up in Cardiff Wales, and from the age of 7 years I remember telling my mother that I would like to create my own skin care and help people feel happy, this little memory from my child hood has led into what I’m still practising today.
My story started over 30 years ago, after suffering from acne as a teenager I was constantly researching the best remedies to treat my skin. During this time I developed a deep curiosity for the subject of skin health and well-being.
I first qualified as an Advanced Beauty and Holistic Therapist to acquire my skills and quickly concluded that I wanted to educate myself further enhancing my skills all areas of electrical/energy therapies, holistics and mind energy to fully treat and offer skin treatments that work natural with your skin without any toxins that could cause more harm than good.
Following this, I moved to Canada, specialising in holistic therapies as healthy skin is a reflection of overall wellness, it is a balance of what you put into and on your body. During this time I gathered knowledge of the power of natural ingredients & therapies.
Upon my return to the UK, I deduced, if I were to peruse my own business, I needed to acquire business acumen and spent the next two years working for global brands; Johnson & Johnson and RoC, utilising my experience and ideas, along with demonstrating my facial exercises to support launches of new innovative products.
I founded Lisa Harris Skincare Science after I applied for a loan in the recession and I got it to my surprise, now it begins, initially focused on delivering natural skincare solutions, utilising uniquely curated experience and core beliefs. I started with one clinical salon – in Weybridge in 2009 and a second location in London which I opened in 2015, partnering with ITV Dr Hilary Jones MBE.
In 2018, I became curious in biotechnological advancements and quickly realised it was possible for skin care with proven efficacy that is cruelty free, vegan accredited and without negatively impacting our planet. And now have formulated my own skin care with proven efficacy to treat most skin concerns without any toxins, and really does work, it’s taken 4 years to develop and now I can offer my skin care knowledge in a bottle which I’m very excited to launch.
My journey has been so fulfilling and now I still continue in my message of natural beauty, I look forward to educating young girls/ladies in skin health from within and out, and that you don’t need to go down the botox, fillers and other toxic beauty routes to achieve younger looking skin, it’s not right for young girls to inject toxins or fillers into their young, beautiful faces. Beauty has lost its way somewhat and I hope that my knowledge and experience within beauty, as a mother and as a business woman I can now share some of my wisdom in helping woman achieve their goals in the most trying times be it skin or a business idea you would like to achieve, you can do it, just don’t follow the sheep follow your own idea it’s the only way and keep going you will get there eventually.
I’m looking forward to now appearing in Beauty Investigates (TBA on SKY TV) as a skin expert in a couple of episodes where I demonstrate transformational treatments for face and body using combination of advanced technology and skin care products. My inspirational people in business have been my mum and dad, I’ve seen the struggles they have had in business and taught me to be resilient and most of all always be yourself, be good at what you do, authenticity is everything.
