Girls with Goals

There’s nothing quite like the power generated when a group of women get together. Quite frankly, we’re unstoppable.

Throughout my life, I’ve always looked up to women. This likely started with being the youngest of two daughters. My older sister was so cool and so different from me. When I was choosing what clothes to wear to school the night before, my sister was picking up whatever she could find off the floor of her bedroom and smelling it to see if it was still appropriate. What a badass! We were so different, and I loved it.

That contrast between us taught me something profound early on: there’s no single way to be a woman. There’s no template we need to follow, no prescribed path we need to walk. My sister showed me that authenticity trumps perfection every single time. She was comfortable in her own skin in a way that seemed almost magical to my teenage self.

Having a big sister has taught me that women are a powerhouse of energy and information, and I’ve carried this knowledge with me throughout my life. When I launched my career as a designer, I was introduced to yet another mentor who is still a good friend to this day. As the Account Manager of the design studio we both worked at, this beautiful woman directed me, kept me on track, and was that friendly voice over my shoulder whispering words of encouragement. Her guidance and belief in me fueled my confidence to become a freelancer over a decade ago. Now, we both run our own design collectives. Look at us go.

Later in my career, I moved to Melbourne and found myself in a completely different environment—an all-male design studio. Don’t get me wrong, it was incredible in many ways. The creativity was electric, the productivity was through the roof, and honestly? Australian men have a banter game that no other nationality can touch. I was surrounded by brilliant minds, sharp wit, and the kind of collaborative energy that makes great work happen. I learned so much from those guys, and I genuinely enjoyed the experience.

But here’s the thing nobody talks about—I never quite felt like “one of the guys,” and I wasn’t supposed to. There were moments when conversations would shift in subtle ways when I walked into the room. Inside jokes I wasn’t part of, references I didn’t catch, a certain kind of camaraderie that felt just slightly out of reach. It wasn’t malicious or intentional—these were good people who respected my work. But there was an invisible line, and I was always aware of where it was.

That experience taught me something crucial about the unique value of women supporting women. It’s not that men can’t be incredible mentors, collaborators, and friends—they absolutely can be. But there’s something irreplaceable about the understanding that comes from shared experience, the permission to be fully human that exists when you don’t have to constantly navigate unspoken gender dynamics.

I’ve had the pleasure of working with many female business owners throughout my career. These women are something to aspire to—organized, driven, creative, and intuitive. My clients all have the same thing in common—a deep desire to make positive change where it matters. Whether it’s stirring up flavourful gluten-free baking recipes for celiac families, delivering alternative formulas for infants with sensitive tummies, or creating functional superfood beverages for women who are focused on wellness, the women I work with are rolling up their sleeves and striving to make a difference in ways that feel authentic to them.

Outside the office, I am fortunate to have a committed friendship group of women too. I am constantly in awe of their drive to cultivate lives of purpose by continually developing their emotional intelligence. Who needs a therapist when you can fill a room full of women who love you?

Our group chats are equal parts business strategy session and emotional support network. One moment we’re celebrating a friend’s promotion, the next we’re collectively brainstorming solutions to another friend’s work-life balance crisis. We share everything—job opportunities, book recommendations, the up’s and down’s of our love lives, and yes, the occasional existential crisis at 2 AM.

There’s something sacred about these connections. We’ve learned to ask for help without apologizing for it. We’ve mastered the art of lifting each other up without dimming our own light. We understand that success isn’t a limited resource—when one of us wins, we all do.

These friendships have taught me that mentorship doesn’t always look like a formal relationship between a senior executive and a junior employee. Sometimes it’s your college roommate sending you a voice note full of encouragement before a big presentation. Sometimes it’s your neighbor offering to watch your kids so you can attend that networking event. Sometimes it’s a stranger on LinkedIn sharing an opportunity that’s perfect for your skillset.

So, why am I sharing all these thoughts? Well, simply put—I’m passionate about supporting women.

When women unite, we can collectively challenge societal norms and barriers that hinder progress in various areas. Female networks can drive change and promote equality. By supporting one another, we also increase the representation of women in leadership positions; this representation can highlight diverse perspectives and inspire future generations.

But let’s get specific about what this looks like in practice. It’s amplifying women’s voices in meetings instead of letting their ideas get lost or co-opted. It’s making introductions that matter—connecting women with opportunities, investors, collaborators, and customers. It’s sharing resources generously—whether that’s a favorite business book, a trusted service provider, or insider knowledge about company culture.

It’s also about normalizing the conversation around money. Women often undervalue their work and struggle with salary negotiations. When we share salary ranges, freelance rates, and pricing strategies openly, we help each other recognize and claim our worth. Knowledge is power, and financial transparency is a radical act of sisterhood.

When women support each other, we reduce feelings of isolation and promote emotional well-being. Every one of us goes through many of the same doubts and fears. By being there for one another, we remind ourselves that we are not alone.

When I look at the women in my life, I see something else entirely. I see innovation happening. I see glass ceilings being shattered one crack at a time. I see women creating the change they want to see instead of waiting for someone else to hand it to them.

And here’s what I’ve learned: our feminine energy isn’t just nice to have—it’s essential. The world needs our emotional intelligence, our collaborative approach, our ability to see systems and connections that others might miss. We bring empathy to industries that have been lacking it. We ask different questions, propose different solutions, and create different kinds of success.

My ask of you:

I encourage you to find ways to support the women in your life in whatever way feels right for you. This could include mentoring, collaboration on projects, sharing resources, or participating in women-focused events and organizations. Our collective empowerment creates a ripple effect that extends beyond individuals, enhancing families, communities, and society as a whole.

But I want to get practical here too. Start small if you need to. Reply to that woman’s LinkedIn post with an encouraging comment. Share an article written by a female expert in your field. Recommend a woman-owned business to your network. Take a younger woman out for coffee and really listen to her ambitions and challenges.

And if you’re looking for mentorship yourself, don’t be afraid to ask for it. The worst someone can say is no, and you’ll be surprised how often they say yes. Women understand the journey because we’ve all walked versions of it. We know what it’s like to feel simultaneously powerful and vulnerable, confident and uncertain.

Remember that mentorship is a two-way street. Even if you feel like you’re early in your career, you have something valuable to offer—fresh perspectives, new technologies, different experiences. Reverse mentoring is real, and it’s powerful. Sometimes the person you think you’re learning from is learning just as much from you.

The goal isn’t to create a world where women only support women—it’s to create a world where supporting each other is so natural, so ingrained, that we do it without thinking twice. Where collaboration is our default mode instead of competition. Where we understand, deep in our bones, that there’s room for all of us to succeed.

Let’s collaborate, not compete. Let’s support one another knowing that our collective strength is the key to making meaningful change.

Because here’s what I know for sure: when women rise together, we don’t just change our own lives—we change the trajectory of future generations. We model what’s possible. We create new normals. We build the world we want our daughters and nieces and mentees to inherit.

After all, we’re not just girls with goals. We’re women with vision, and together, we’re writing the future.