Who am I…?
A recent study linked self-visualising and goal setting to increased confidence, development and desirable behaviour.
A recent study linked self-visualising and goal setting to increased confidence, development and desirable behaviour. Yet only a fraction of people are thought to be self-aware (just 15%, if you ask organisational psychologist Tasha Eurich). Knowing how invaluable personality work is, we asked a cross-section of women to look in their mental mirrors and ask, ‘Who am I? Who do I want to be?’.
Candy Bowles, 49
Founder of artisan food and drink marketplace, Melted Inside
Who am I?
“A deep question. The obvious me: Candy Bowles (Oi Yan Leung is my birth name; Candy was added when I was eight and Bowles is my married name). A Christian, wife, sister, daughter, stepmother, cousin, granddaughter [and] an auntie. A Chinese from Hong Kong married to a Brit; a global citizen who’s been to 40 countries and lived in Hong Kong, London, Burwash, Shanghai, Paris [and] Fontainebleau. The founder of Melted Inside; previously a management consultant and a PLC senior exec; a business mentor; a trustee of my local RSPCA branch.
“The less obvious me: A perfectionist; an observer rather than the centre of attention; a ‘get it done’ person; a change-maker; a completer finisher (I don’t like unread emails); an animal lover. According to Myers-Briggs, I am right in the middle of almost all dimensions.
Who do I want to be?
“I am happy to be me, [but] I want to be a better wife, daughter, sister and stepmum – I don’t think I am too bad, [I’d] just like to do better.
“I want to be an inspiration to younger girls and boys, and a good role model. [I want to] show them there are opportunities that, if they are willing to work hard and not settle on what they are told, they can have.
“I want to be someone who can make the planet a better, healthier place – where humans and animals can live in harmony.
“One day, I want to be an artist or an author. And finally, I want to be someone who leaves a meaningful legacy.”
Nina Prisk, 35
Cosmetic nurse and independent prescriber
Who am I?
“I’m a highly trained cosmetic nurse and specialist in non-surgical advanced aesthetic procedures and rejuvenation treatments. I started off as a nurse in 2006. I worked in an NHS hospital until 2017 – in the emergency department as a senior nurse and also in a high dependency unit.
“I started working in cosmetic surgery part time, alongside the NHS. During this period, I was part of so many patient journeys and witnessed a lot of improved confidence, which is something that really stayed with me. That’s when I decided to train in facial aesthetics. Now, I focus solely on injectables to create bespoke tailored treatment plans, with a heavy focus on the lips.
“Having gained a steadfast reputation within the industry as the go-to prescriber for injectable filler treatments, I enjoy being able to bring a fresh perspective to non-surgical cosmetic treatments. As such, I’m regularly invited to lecture internationally on the subject of medical aesthetics.
“I see lots of patients who require corrective treatment and I pride myself on delivering results that are right for each individual, so clients feel like better versions of themselves.
“My work has earned me the title ‘The Lip Nurse’, and I see patients travel from across the country for my injectable enhancements.
Who do I want to be?
“I want to be someone who continues to use my work to empower women. I want to give them the confidence to achieve whatever they want and smash the glass ceilings that so many women encounter, in life and work.
“Although my work is seen as cosmetic, it goes much deeper than that. If a person is happy and comfortable in their looks then I believe that their mindset is a positive one. Through my work, I hope to help women enhance their natural beauty rather than strive to look like someone else; to deliver results that make clients feel like the best, most confident versions of themselves.
“In an industry that is often heavily impacted by the lack of regulation, I’m also keen to raise awareness of the importance of visiting qualified and experienced practitioners. I want to help educate people on how to find the right practitioner for their individual needs.”
Martyna Jovaisaite, 30
Sales representative at cocktail delivery service, Lollipop
Who am I?
“Now that’s a tough question. I guess the first thought that came to my head is just a little girl who keeps on dreaming and fighting for her dreams. I am just your everyday girl who grinds and lives for her family and keeps on saving for that Chanel flap bag. Having taken a few years off work to move to Miami and try and make a long-distance relationship work, I have realised just how important it is to me. There are moments when I want to just run, but I keep grounded and remember that once I have achieved my goals, I can help others achieve theirs.
“I enjoy helping others and spent a few years volunteering at Crisis, but, at the same time, I enjoy pleasures and luxuries in life. I love to stay grounded and always show appreciation for people around me. I strongly believe this is the way we can all grow and become better people.
“Currently, I’m working for @wearelollipop, a cocktail business which launched during the pandemic – they have been bringing fun to so many people. Being part of a strong start-up ethos and making people look forward to something during the pandemic has been really important to me.
Who do I want to be?
“I’m terrible at setting goals and always live in the moment. I never put too much pressure on myself because it just doesn’t work for me. I try to be the best person I can day-to-day and grow like that.”
Olivia Roseanna, 29
Owner of pre-loved luxury fashion site, The Modern Style
Who am I?
“I’m Olivia Roseanna, creative director and founder of The Modern Stye. I’m passionate about sustainability and on a mission to encourage more people to buy second-hand clothing by making it a luxury experience. I believe in buying less, buying better and making it last, and this philosophy runs through everything I do.
“For the past year, I’ve been working with a therapist to get to know myself better and basically figure out the answer to this very question. It’s an ongoing process but I think we are all constantly evolving, whether we are conscious of it or not, so the answer will always be different. Right now, I am a person passionate about creating change in the world, restoring meaning to the way we consume and using my creativity to leave this world in a better place than I found it.
Who do I want to be?
“I want to be an advocate for change in the fashion industry and beyond. I want to be the best version of myself every day, so I can show up fully for myself and for the people around me. I want to be the reason somebody makes a choice to shop more sustainably, even if it’s just buying one thing second hand instead of new. And lastly, I want to be an inspiration to anyone who wants to start a self-funded business – it is possible. Actually, anything is possible if you really want it to be.”
Camilla Cottle, 32
Founding designer at Lancashire-based jewellery label, The Silver Stable
Who am I?
“I’m Camilla Cottle, a mother, wife and the founding designer behind British jewellery brand, The Silver Stable. We embrace contemporary handmade jewellery design, with eco ethics at the very heart of our business. I am incredibly motivated and creative and take a hands-on approach to running my business, managing all aspects of the company. I feel so blessed to have turned a passion for jewellery design into a successful business with clients worldwide. I’m also immensely proud to have done all this while still being an active and involved mum to my toddler. I have a lifelong love of horses which is evident in many of my designs today. They feature classical equestrian aspects set in contemporary pieces.
Who do I want to be?
“As my business and brand continue to grow, I hope to inspire and mentor other women and mothers like me who are looking to take the leap from hobbyist to business owner. Taking the plunge is never easy, but I hope that my personal journey and experiences will, in turn, help others.
“My determination to drive the slow fashion movement and encourage others to ‘buy well, buy once’ sits with my ethos that beautiful jewellery can be ethical, sustainable luxury without compromise. I’d love to have my own standalone stores in the future, both here in the UK and overseas.”
Sonia Bainbridge, 33
Co-founder of plant-based beauty line, Raw Beauty Lab
Who am I?
“I am a beauty entrepreneur and co-founder of Raw Beauty Lab. I’m originally from Australia and I’m now living in London. I was lucky enough to be crowned the runner-up for Miss World Australia, which sparked my interest in the beauty industry. This also raised my concern about the amount of dubious practices and potentially toxic ingredients used by cosmetic companies.
“I majored in Pharmacology, so I had a good understanding about the power of natural ingredients and how wholefoods can be harnessed to provide essential beauty vitamins to restore youthful skin. My husband and I spent two years experimenting with superfoods and natural botanicals to create a 100% natural collagen-boosting supplement. We tested each iteration on ourselves, our family and our friends to create a recipe we were truly excited about, and our business Raw Beauty Lab was born. We’ve been incredibly fortunate to be able to build a successful business together, and it has “been incredibly rewarding to see the impact our beauty products have had on our customers. [They’ve] not just [transformed] their skin, but also supported overall wellness and a healthier approach to ageing.
Who do I want to be?
“I believe that business has the power to create tremendous social good. My particular passion is helping women to adopt a healthier approach to ageing. This is about both looking and feeling good using the transformative impact of wholefoods. I think this also extends to values, so I’m passionate about developing products that are vegan, 100% cruelty free and that minimise environmental impact, through initiatives like recyclable packaging and smarter supply chain choices. I would also love to be a key voice in the emerging nutricosmetic space, crafting game-changing formulas using only wholefoods which give demonstrable benefits to both skin and wellness.”
Steph Briggs, 43
Interior designer and co-founder of eco-friendly homeware store, La Di Da Interiors & Gifts
Who am I?
“Steph Briggs: Interior designer; creative director of the award-winning retailer, La Di Da Interiors & Gifts; entrepreneur; mummy to one little boy and three border terriers. My passion for interior design fuels both sides of the business, which I run with my husband. I am known as the ‘Upcycle Queen’; such is my passion for rejuvenating tired pieces of old furniture into fresh, statement pieces with my artistic makeover tricks. My interior design clients range from private individuals through to corporate and retail businesses. When I’m not working, I adore the British countryside and horses and spend as much time as I can with both.
Who do I want to be?
“I am driven to be kind, happy, focused and creative, and hope I will always retain these attributes. I love the buzz of running a busy retail business and helping people to transform their homes. From cherry-picking items for our interior and gifts emporium through to putting together a brief for a client – I love the variety that each day brings. I want to bring that positive energy into people’s lives with everything I do.
“Being creative is within my genetic makeup, and I would love to channel this further and continue to expand both businesses. I’d love to be more organised and strategic, but that’s still a work in progress!”