What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a woman starting your own business? 

I think generally you have to just to prove yourself more as a woman in business. I think it's harder to be taken seriously because of our gender and that’s frustrating and something that we have all just accepted as the norm. 

What qualities do you believe we can lean into as women when it comes to leadership?

We kind of need to undo what we have learned. We need to undo hustle culture, we need to undo the idea that there needs to be a strategy for everything we do. We need to undo the need to invest in white older men to make things happen for us. We need to go back to why we created the things we created and just because we are new to leadership does not mean we dont have our internal guide. I strongly believe that intuitively, if we connect to ourselves, the whole pathway is laid out.

Who are some of the inspirational women in your life?

I was just reading the acknowledgments in my book that is coming out on April 2nd. Those are the women that are truly inspirational to me. Nina Karnikowski has been my friend for 36 years. She is a true activist, she's a true creative, a pioneer and she just makes the world better and everyone around her better. Flex Mami is also a true inspiration to me. She is a real trailblazer, a questioner, a thought leader, deep in her truth and she makes it easier to stand in your truth when you watch what she does. My godmother Annie rescues wildlife and raises wallabies on her land in Byron Bay, and her compassion, love, and wisdom for all things are inspirational to me.

How important is it to you to elevate other women in business? 

So important. I think there is this culture of sisterhood and women supporting women but there is still a lot of competition with women, which I hate to say and I wish that wasn't true. But I will always champion women, even in my field, especially in my field whether that's to platform them or collaborate with them or simply buy from them. I love supporting women because I know exactly how that feels. 

Do you have any words of wisdom for girls and women wanting to become entrepreneurs or enter leadership roles? 

Take your time because the energy in the world of being a leader is very masculine and very intense and I think it can be hard to be a woman in those positions. We really need to anchor ourselves in what makes us do what we do best and that can take time. There is no rush and everything is exactly as it should be. And it should also have pleasure, it doesn't have to just be a grind and you shouldn't be depleted and exhausted by the thing you love and want to put out into the world. You should still be living in spaciousness and bliss. 

Is there anything you wish you knew in your 20s that you now know as a woman? 

My 20s were the worst part of my life, so my career wasn't a priority and I was just trying to survive. I wish knew that it was all going to work out. I wish I knew that even though I wanted to give up it was worth staying around. I wish I knew how much resilience and strength I had because it felt earth-shattering at the time.

To quote Rick Rubin: “ We tend to think of the artist's work as the output. The real work of an artist is a way of being in the world.”  

What are some ways you tap into your creativity? Do you believe as women we can use our intuition to bring our creative and artistic talent into the world to inspire other women? 

I tap into my creativity by being slow. Slow when walking, meditating, making love, and making food. When I am slow and spacious, I get the best ideas, I feel the most creative when I can give myself over to source to create whatever is meant to be there for me. 

It's all intuitive, I think it's our source energy, it's our womb energy. It is all so sacred and so precious. They're the gifts, so that's why when we look at leadership and entrepreneurship, go into your femininity, don't go into your masculine, there is enough of that in the world. 

Who are some of the inspirational women in your life?

My mother. She taught me from a young age to be kind, and strong and follow my dreams with grace and determination. Also, my incredible girlfriends are all unique, and inspiring and offer so much value in my life personally and in business too. 

How important is it to you to elevate other women in business?

It’s incredibly important to elevate other women in business. So many great opportunities and collaborations I’ve been a part of have been created through elevating my colleagues and peers. 

Do you have any words of wisdom for girls and women wanting to become an entrepreneur or enter leadership roles?    

Definitely don’t hesitate when it comes to creating opportunities for yourself, whether that be in your own business or working for a company, back yourself 110%, and don’t look back. 

What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a woman starting your own business?

One of the biggest challenges has been navigating self-doubt and imposter syndrome. As women, we’re often conditioned to seek permission or validation before taking up space, and that mindset can be hard to shake. When I first started my business, there were moments of uncertainty—wondering if I was making the right decisions having walked away from my dream job at InStyle magazine to build a world-first in digital publishing. But I’ve learned that confidence is built through action. You don’t have to have all the answers; you just have to be willing to back yourself and take that first step. I've also learned change and evolution isn't just important, it's a necessity – and I'm very excited about this year as it signals a new phase in my career as a business founder.

What are you most proud of?

I’m incredibly proud of building a business that not only aligns with my values but also creates a platform for other women and places a spotlight on their businesses. Some of our production agency's biggest clients are female-founded. Seeing how the content we ideate and execute for them and how it has resonated with people—whether through storytelling, events or empowering conversations—reminds me why I started. But beyond professional achievements and landing huge names as Gritty Pretty magazine cover stars (like Miranda Kerr, Khloe Kardashian, Lily Collins, Turia Pitt, and Phoebe Tonkin to name a few), I’m mostly proud of the boundaries I’ve set to maintain balance in my personal life as a mother-of-two. It's taken me time to get there but I'm extremely firm about them because, for me at least, my family comes first. I truly believe success isn’t just about career milestones; it’s about feeling fulfilled in all aspects of life.

Who are some of the inspirational women in your life and why?

I’m inspired by women who lead with authenticity, resilience, and grace. My mother has always been a guiding force, teaching me the power of humility and kindness. I also deeply admire trailblazing women in media and business – such as Emma Lewisham, Elle Ferguson, Marianna Hewitt, Lauren Ireland, Zoë Foster Blake, Justine Cullen, Paula Joye, Edwina McCann, Danielle Gay, and countless other females– who have carved out space in industries that weren’t always welcoming to them. Their courage reminds me that our voices matter and that we can redefine the spaces we step into.

What qualities do you believe we can lean into as women when it comes to leadership?

Intuition is one of our greatest strengths. As women, we have an innate ability to read situations, understand people, and make decisions that go beyond logic and into something deeper—instinct. Creativity is another quality that allows us to innovate and approach challenges with fresh perspectives. And, of course, empathy. True leadership isn’t just about directing others; it’s about understanding them, creating space for different voices, and leading with both strength and compassion.

How important is it to you to elevate other women in business?

It’s everything. I firmly believe that success isn’t a solo journey—it’s about bringing others up with you. When women support women, we all rise. Whether it’s through mentorship, collaboration, or simply celebrating each other’s wins, we create a ripple effect. There’s enough space for all of us to thrive, and I want to be part of a culture that encourages abundance over competition.

What do you wish you knew as a young girl that you now know?

That perfection isn’t the goal—progress is. I used to think that success meant having a huge team and having everything figured out, but the truth is, no one has all the answers. You will learn, with time, that the price of having the financial freedom and flexibility to be with your family is priceless. Life is about evolving, learning, and embracing the unknown with curiosity instead of fear. Also, the way you speak to yourself matters. Be as kind to yourself as you would be to a friend.

To quote Rick Rubin: “We tend to think of the artist's work as the output. The real work of an artist is a way of being in the world.” What are some ways you tap into your creativity? Do you believe as women we can use our intuition to bring our creative and artistic talent into the world to inspire other women?

Absolutely. Creativity isn’t just about what we produce—it’s about how we see the world, the way we connect ideas, and the energy we bring into everything we do. For me, creativity comes from quiet moments—whether it’s being in nature, going for an ocean swim, sitting on a plane or simply allowing my mind to wander without pressure. And yes, I believe intuition is deeply tied to creativity. When we trust ourselves, when we stop overanalyzing and start feeling our way through ideas, that’s when our most authentic work comes through. Creativity isn’t about perfection—it’s about expression, and when we share that with the world, we give others permission to do the same.
 

JESSE ARIFIEN  | FOUNDER, IAMIBU

How important is it to you to elevate other women in business? 

If we can support one another and celebrate each other's milestones we are only strengthening the collaborative success for all women. It's become clear how powerful this can be since starting iamibu. We wouldn't have the business we have now if it wasn't for women collaborating with us and women so graciously offering their support in any way they can. Apart from the women in my field, I am also so grateful to be surrounded by a community who are always lifting me up, offering ideas to better the business, and inspiring me to always push forward with their ventures and encouragement. 

Is there anything you wish you knew in your 20s that you now know as a woman? 

I wish I knew how powerful my intuition was even as a young girl and that everything would work out if I trusted it. Success will look and feel different. Real success won't be measured by accomplishment, but rather by the peace felt within, and creating a career and life that you love at the same time. I now know that this 'pause' we take as women to have children is a beautiful invitation to experience immense personal growth, foster a community, and uncover our real passions. It is not a way of giving up or saying goodbye to the dreams we once had. Realizing what I was capable of as a woman once I stepped into the role of a mother was not only motivation to follow a more flexible career, but a meaningful one. Chasing my dreams became less of a challenge and more of an exciting adventure.