Women + Innovation #4
Last Thursday we hosted Sophie’s 4th women + innovation event in Ashley Cross, Poole. We opened the door to the public and invited 5 female speakers from @Lush, @RNLI, @Bare Creative and our very own designers here at the studio, Hayley and Céline.
Each of the speakers took us on a personal journey about their backgrounds, careers to date and their current businesses/roles. The talks were all so open, honest and as always, ended with some inspiring personal tips and lessons.
Sophie Godfrey (Studio Wood) introducing the event and first speaker.
Jules Lawrence - Founder/Designer of Bare Creative
“You are going to die anyway so you may as well try…” Jules – Founder of Bare Studio.
We welcomed a mix of local professionals, creatives, and students so a nice dynamic group, which is always great to see. We had several packaging and R&D experts from Lush giving support to Brigitte who was talking on their behalf. And local creatives and business owners from Pretty Clever, Pier Journal, Nude Nutrition and The Bide.
Some of the attendees from the night discussing the talks.
Attendees travelled from London, Portsmouth and the South West to attend the IRL event.
Brigitte Marxmueller - Manager of the Packaging and R&D team @ Lush
“Are you angry enough to do something…or are you just going to get angry?” Brigitte (Lush)
We were delighted to hear from attendees that it was the best event yet, which just further inspires us to run more events later this year. The main subjects which were covered were quite personal to each speaker. Topics included relocating nationally for work, changing career directions entirely, changing your environment to give you true reflections, navigating an entire career whilst entering the menopause in your 20’s, finding a way through divorce and work, finding your true passion, and the anxiety and journey of going freelance and setting up your own creative studio.
The panel line up from left (Brigitte (Lush) Anna (RNLI) Céline + Hayley (Studio Wood) and Jules (Bare Creative).
After the talks - attendees are encouraged to discuss the talks and make connections with others.
For those that are wondering why we don’t record these events – it is due to the intimate nature of some of the content discussed (IVF, miscarriages, issues with past companies/bosses). We find creating the space for these discussions to happen in a safe place, without repercussion can truly benefit everyone involved.
Céline + Hayley (Designers from Studio Wood)
Sophie normally shares a reading list of books she has read or been recommended in the past quarter and some podcasts – see below.
We’re super proud to be a 50%/50% female/male studio. We are one of only two we know of in the UK within Industrial Design (alongside Morrama). We have a female at every level in our business and our whole studio is proud to support women in their businesses. We have experience working with female owned brands in the medical, sports, lifestyle, and homeware sectors. We are excited to see what our female clients do next. Studio Wood wants to ensure women are heard and are given the space to share their stories and life lessons which can help inspire others and potentially encourage other women into creative businesses.
Thanks to those who supported the event with either their time, their cooking or even by coming. Shout out to Kara (Vegan Supper Club) in Bournemouth for making the best vegan brownies possible, the whole Studio Wood team for helping on the night, Evolve for letting us host our event with you and for the talented photographers who sent us the images above - Alex (Alexandra Szigeti /@alexandraszigetiphotography) and Liv (Liv Kelly/@liv___kelly).
After the talks - women flocked to Anna (Sustainability Manager for the RNLI) to hear more about her career and story.
