As the Across Women's Lives team reports on women making career moves in Kenya this week, we are highlighing female business owners from around the world.
Our week-long She Made It project features a different woman each day. And they're some badass entrepreneurs.
The women we spoke to include artists, a leather worker and an environmentalist. Their backgrounds are different — our spotlight will touch down in Burma, Ethiopia, Los Angeles, Prague and New York City. But their advice for young women with similar dreams of becoming self-employed has a common theme — just keep going.
If you know a female maker selling her wares online, let us know! Just message us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook using the hashtag #SheMadeIt — or leave a comment below —and we'll amplify your pick. By the end of the week, we hope to create a crowdsourced database of women worth giving your business to.
Below are the women we're talking to. Check back as new interviews are posted.
Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu: Founder & CEO, soleRebels
"The most crucial lesson I have learned as an entrepreneur is that you must have a never-say-die attitude. There will be many times every single day while you are creating or running your business where it will be easy to stop rather than continue. But do just that — continue."
READ OUR FULL INTERVIEW WITH BETHLEHEM HERE.
Mia Anter: Metal worker & owner, Plutonia Blue
"Don’t forget to make time for play. Remember why you started in the first place, and keep that fire burning." READ OUR FULL INTERVIEW WITH MIA HERE
Ei Ei Khin: Founder & Seed ball builder, Seedles
"Do what you're best at, and hire other people to do other aspects of the business you're less proficient at. Sometimes you will have to do it all, but often it is better to get help." READ OUR FULL INTERVIEW WITH EI EI HERE
Faye Orlove*: Artist, FayeOrlove.com
"Just do it. Ya know? Like no one is going to hand you money and say, 'start a store.' If you want to make candles or movies or lanyards or dog houses, you just should. If you're waiting for a sign or for someone to motivate you, you might be outta luck." READ OUR FULL INTERVIEW WITH FAYE HERE
Andrea Janoudova: Founder & artisan, SOJKA
"If you believe in what you are doing, go ahead." READ OUR FULL INTERVIEW WITH ANDREA HERE
*Full disclosure: We've hired Faye Orlove to do the branding artwork for this and a couple of past series. She's a breeze to work with and we love her work.