Rising up, Breaking Barriers: Celebrating the Women Who Are Changing the World

Women deserve to be recognised for their incredible accomplishments. As a woman in business myself, I know firsthand the challenges that we face and yet, I am constantly inspired by the women around me who are pushing boundaries and acing the game. Being a woman in business means being a trailblazer, breaking down barriers. We deserve to be acknowledged for the leaders we are and the leaders we are raising.

At Marketing Eye, we're honoured to work alongside some amazing women and believe in celebrating them every day. This International Women's Day, we want to take a moment to celebrate all the fantastic women out there who are making a difference in the world. So, we asked the women in our lives what they think of this day, and they gave us some of the most inspiring takes:

Mellissah Smith — Founder and Managing Director, Marketing Eye, Robotic Marketer, Insomnia

1. How do you use your platform as a female to advocate for women's rights and gender equality?

Push other women up. Give them opportunities that even they may not feel they are ready for. Create powerful networks and ensure that women are front and centre. Leverage women's business groups. Show empathy for women that are juggling all the different aspects of life and perhaps sometimes don't nail it.

2. What advice would you give to young women who aspire to become leaders in their respective fields?

Quite often women hold other women back and successful women are the biggest culprit. Give that public speaking opportunity to a younger person coming through. Stop hogging the limelight. If you have already achieved success, help others do so too. There needs to be more women at the table, and this is the only way to make it happen.

Julie-Anne Hazlett — Head of WFO Strategy, Call Design

1. What does International Women's Day mean to you as a female leader in your field?

For me, International Women’s Day is a reminder of how far women have come and it is a day to recognise and celebrate the achievements of women around the world.  It is a reminder of our resilience strength and diversity and to renew our commitment to creating a more equitable society for all.  It is also a day to inspire and empower other women to pursue their dreams and to advocate for greater opportunities for women in all areas of life.

2. What advice would you give to young women who aspire to become leaders in their respective fields?

• Believe in yourself: One of the most important steps is to believe in yourself and your abilities. Don’t let “imposter syndrome” take over.
• Be confident: Confidence is key when it comes to leadership.  Speak up, share your ideas and opinions, and take charge when necessary.
• Continue to develop your skills: Seek out opportunities to learn and grow whether that be through reading, podcasts, networking or attending conferences.
• Be supportive to others: Be a role model and use your leadership position to make a positive impact.
• Find balance: It’s important to have a life outside work too so make sure you also find time for you. 

 Emily Jackman — Founder, Kenter International Logistics

1. What inspired you to pursue a career in your field, and what challenges did you face as a woman in a male-dominated industry?

Shipping is pretty much all I have known, from carrying ladders for my Dad and plugging in refrigerated Containers, to walking around on large breakbulk vessels and wharves. Operationally, I am very secure.

The lesson I have learnt through my time in the industry, is that by trying to make some sense of some of the behaviour I have had to deal with, I have also had some amazing discussions with other male associates in the industry, with both corporate and sole traders, with both warehouse operators and transport providers, all male. I have been given some great support and understanding on what might be motivating disputable behaviour, but even better than that my bad experiences have enabled me to have better communication and dispute resolution with the terrific service providers. For me, that’s the silver lining.  Always improving by looking at the blind spots and seeing how we can do better.

2. What advice would you give to young women who aspire to become leaders in their respective fields?

Connect with women, become curious on the different communication styles between men and women.  Practice, or in my case learn to be assertive in a calm and direct way when there is a communication style that makes you feel uncomfortable. 

Find your supporters, connect, connect, connect!  I have an amazing support network of incredible men, who are both generous with their knowledge but also their support in business and, I also have an amazing tribe of women in both business and my private life that champion me, they hear and validate my feelings.  So, between the network and the tribe I am privileged to have amazing support to stay curious and keep improving as a person and in my chosen profession. Stay Curious!

Marissa Shipley — Co-founder and Director, CompliantERP

1. What inspired you to pursue a career in your field?  

IT was a relatively new career prospect, and I was inspired by the potential to use technology to solve real work problems and make a positive impact on society.  I have a genuine curiosity to always keep learning and growing – I believed that IT was the way of the future and I wanted to be part of that future.

2. What is the best piece of advice you have been given as a woman in your career? 

Be yourself and believe in yourself.  Never stop learning.

Anna D’Souza — Marketing Manager, Marketing Eye

1. What does International Women's Day mean to you?

Growing up, I always drew inspiration from my mum, and imbibing her headstrong, go-getter attitude has brought me to where I am today. I feel accomplished and owe that to the women in my life. So, to me, International Women’s Day is a way to support and uplift women to create a world of value and equal chances. 

2. What advice would you give to young women who aspire to become leaders in their respective fields?

Don't be afraid to take on new challenges and step out of your comfort zone. Confidence is key when it comes to leadership - believe in yourself and your abilities and don't be afraid to speak up and share your ideas. It's okay to make mistakes, as they are a natural part of the learning process.

Alice Crichton — Marketing Executive, Marketing Eye

1. What does International Women's Day mean to you?

It’s a day to celebrate the accomplishments of women across the globe and a reminder for me to personally thank my mother, sisters, grandma’s and friends who have inspired me to become who I am today. We are limited only by our own dreams, and we can achieve great things when we work together.

2. What is the best piece of advice you have been given as a woman in your career?

Take each challenge as a learning opportunity and a chance to advance your career. If you are determined, hardworking and care about what you do, anything is possible. Keep moving forward and never give up - there is always a way to take the next step towards where you want to go!

Abigail Holmes — Marketing Executive, Marketing Eye

1. What does International Women's Day mean to you?

International Women's Day is a day to celebrate women's progress and recognize the continuous struggle women face in fighting for gender equality. To me, it means encouraging women to continue striving for success and breaking down boundaries. It's about highlighting the fact that women are powerful and have the ability to achieve greatness in anything they may put their minds to. It's also a day to reflect and acknowledge all of the significant contributions to society women have made. On this day, remember the importance of empowering and supporting women in all areas of life, from education and career to personal relationships and beyond, always remember that anything is possible. 

2. What is the best piece of advice you have been given as a woman in your career?

As a young woman in marketing, one of the best pieces of advice I have been given is to “fail forward”.  To be successful, women cannot allow their setbacks to define them. Instead, they should “fail forward” and turn each failure into a learning opportunity. Embracing failure is part of the learning process. Without failure, there is no room for growth. By failing forward, you not only bounce back from setbacks but also use those setbacks to propel yourself further than you would have gone without them.

Vedika Nair — Marketing and Content Coordinator, Robotic Marketer

1. What does International Women’s Day Mean to you?

As someone who grew up as the older daughter in a family with two amazing and determined women, my mother and grand mum, I’ve always been motivated and inspired to push boundaries and set an example for my younger siblings. For me, International Women’s Day is a celebration of how far women have come all over the world, the importance of our dreams and the value of our voice in society.

2. What is the best piece of advice you have been given as a woman in your career?

As a woman who’s only just starting out in my career, the best advice that keeps me going, is this: Your failures are a steppingstone to your successes. If you feel like you’re stuck, it won’t be that way forever. Communication is everything, make sure you’re heard, and you’ve won half the battle!

As we celebrate International Women's Day, it's exciting to see what the future holds for women in the world. It's amazing to see the progress that has been made towards gender equality, but there is still so much work to be done. We need to continue to push for change, to support and uplift each other.

At Marketing Eye, we're proud to be a part of a community of women who are making a difference in the world. We're committed to doing our part to create a better future for women everywhere, and we know that together, we can make a difference. So, here's to all the amazing women out there. Keep rising up, breaking barriers and changing the world. You are an inspiration, and today we celebrate you!