ISSUE 001 | APRIL 2025 Active wear designer SARAH HALL TELLS HER STORY NEW PRODUCT LAUNCH.... SSHHH GET TO KNOW JOURNALIST Claire Hannah T H E F E M A L E YOUR GUIDE TO SUCCESS, STYLE AND STRATEGY
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Lindsey Stephens An introduction to the founder of Female Boss Magazine Passion, persistence, & peanut butter Pip Murray's journey to building a brand Helen Dimmick Meeting a true diamond and leading Gemmologist How losing everything helped Sarah find herself and build a thriving business An interview with Sarah Hall, founder of Well Fit Active – an activewear brand with purpose Finding the solution Rachel Watkyn OBE – The Tiny Box Company How to have it all as a high achieving woman The amazing career & a love beyond your dreams! A menopause SOS How are you feeling today? If the answer is ‘not great,’ could this be the perimenopause? The truth about ‘that’ social media platform How to find and connect with your ideal clients Building a dream from the ground up Rozz talks love, flowers, and the road to entrepreneurship In conversation with… Claire Hannah Property girl Turning chaos into confidence and building a legacy of freedom How I turned setbacks into strength and visibility Owning your story is the most powerful thing you can do for yourself and your brand Product review New La Gioiosa cans launch into supermarkets Product review Discover the power of luxuriant’s herbal haircare innovations K18’s 4-minute miracle A hair revamp at Manchester’s Sassoon salon Contents 6 38 42 44 46 47 48 8 16 12 20 22 28 32 34 4 The Female Boss
The Female Boss 5 8 16 34 20 48 38 12 22
Lindsey has worked in the publishing / magazine industry for over 25 years, she is a self-confessed magazine geek. During her 25 years she has worked on some amazing publications including Cosmopolitan, She, Lancashire Life, Best and many more. She says that when she came into local magazines she began to feel the magic happen, why? Because editorial and commercial came together and that didn’t happen as much on bigger national titles back in the day. She has many stories to tell from her journey so far, like running the London Marathon for Cosmo’s 30th birthday issue (her husband jokes about this being the world’s most told story), Lindsey can literally weave this one into any conversation! There was also the Best supermarket of the year awards at Claridge’s, she was young and excited by this! She got to go in the same toilet block that Madonna had used! We could go on but we want to focus on where Lindsey is now on her journey. She left the shiny corporate world back in 2023 after a really tough personal year in which she felt a little deflated by her then employer and the direction they wanted to go in, they didn’t feel the same love for magazines as she did. Unsure what path to take next she embarked on the journey into self-employment and started by helping independent publishers to monetise their magazines. Despite her passion, this sadly became something she knew deep down that she couldn’t continue with as she would have to spread herself too thinly. That simply just didn’t sit right so she did what she knew best and launched her very own magazine. Having looked at the market she felt there was a gap – no high end luxury wedding magazines existed anymore so she fixed that with her first launch – Red Carpet Weddings. Something inside was still bursting to get out and it was after she attended some networking with the Women in Business Network (WIBN) that she understood what it was…. She loved helping and elevating other women! So she bought her own WIBN franchise and alongside that has launched this magazine – The Female Boss. This launch marks a really exciting time for Lindsey and with it she wants to tell all the amazing stories of female founders, business owners and women in great jobs too. The hope is to inspire, elevate and motivate so have a read and see if you think she succeeded. To help support you can email feedback to Lindsey.stephens@redcarpetconsultancy.co.uk And you can subscribe to the magazine here …. https://pay.gocardless.com/BRT0003PQWQTNBT Lindsey Stephens Let’s introduce our founder 6 The Female Boss
This launch marks a really exciting time for Lindsey and with it she wants to tell all the amazing stories of female founders, business owners and women in great jobs too. The Female Boss 7
Tell us what did little Pip want to be when she was at school ? When I was very little, a vet, although I don't think this was particularly linked with anything except my love of animals as a young girl! As I got older I mainly pursued what I found interesting, rather than a specific plan. My advice to anyone at school or at the start of building your career is to follow your passions, and pursue things that intrigue you, rather than being bogged down in where exactly a career will take you. When you're young it's hard to have an understanding of the world of work and what opportunities are available to you, and it takes the pressure off doing the 'right thing' if you accept that life will lead you in different directions. What jobs did you do before you launched Pip and Nut? I started setting up Pip & Nut 3 years after leaving university, so my career before it was short. During my degree, studying anthropology and geography, I loved learning about material culture and what our objects say about our culture and society - which was why I pursued a career initially in the arts. I worked at Rich Mix, an arts centre based in East London, initially working in arts programming before taking a permanent role as an EA. After that I worked at the Science Museum, where I stepped into an assistant theatre producer role, helping put on productions for both adult and children audiences to educate and entertain about science through the medium of theatre. Pip Murray's journey to building a brand Passion, Persistence, & Peanut Butter 8 The Female Boss
What sparked the idea? I was training for a marathon way back in 2013, and my go-to post workout snack was peanut butter. One day I looked at the back of the jar and was shocked to see there was palm oil in it. Palm oil is a leading cause of deforestation and habitat loss, and also just not needed, so I went to the supermarkets and tried to find a brand that didn’t use it. I couldn’t. So I decided to make my own. Where did you get started? I started making my own peanut butter at my kitchen table, and roped my family and friends into being taste testers! Then I started selling the jars at Maltby Street Market as a side hustle. It was there that I realised how much people seemed to love the product and began to think that I could turn this into something bigger. In 2014 I entered a competition run by Escape the City, where the winner would live rent free in their ‘garden shed’, so they could focus on building their business. Incredibly I won. I quit my job as a theatre producer and moved in, and it was there that I launched my first crowdfunder and started really looking for a distributor. How was the process? I initially started in the most practical way possible - developing products in my kitchen and taking batches to market stalls. It was a great way to test and learn and get feedback from consumers. After 3 months at market stalls, I decided to scale up the process, having made the decision that I wanted P&N to be a brand that sold through retail, with sights on being a household brand. It took 18 months from that point to develop the products and find a manufacturer. This particular step required building my network to help me understand the technical side of food manufacturing, whilst at the same time speaking with lots of manufacturers to understand capabilities. A lot of these early conversations were uncomfortable and exposing -however, the process of doing and throwing yourself in the deep end was a key part of upskilling myself. The final stage was raising the capital. I initially tried to raise money via private high net worth individuals but after unsuccessfully trying to raise the money I needed, I turned to crowdfunding. Once that was complete it enabled me to press go on production, and the rest was history... Did the scale up scare you? What things did you have to learn about at this stage? Aspects of it did. The financial commitments were significant for me at the time as a 25 y/o - I took personal loans and had a number of credit cards in those early start up days. However in the early days I was mindful of taking calculated risks. For example, I only quit my job when I knew how to manufacture our products, and had pushed the development of the brand as far as possible - this was about six months pre launch. Given it took two years to get from idea to retail I'm glad I didn't pull the plug immediately - things always take longer than you think! What has been the most difficult obstacle to overcome? Developing the products, brand and sales came naturally to me, however manufacturing was an incredibly steep learning curve. Not only because there's a certain level of ‘know how’ you need to understand all the jargon and operational context – but there are also things in foreign exchange rates and commodity markets that were very challenging at the time when I launched. I started making my own peanut butter at my kitchen table, and roped my family and friends into being taste testers! The Female Boss 9
Would you do anything different if you were starting again in business ? Making sure to keep as close to our consumer as possible. Probably some of my bigger product mistakes over the years have largely arose when we didn't stay close enough to them. However, I'm a believer that you need the mistakes to help you figure out what to do next, so to some degree those mistakes were needed as we learnt a huge amount through them. Developing the products, brand and sales came naturally to me, however manufacturing was an incredibly steep learning curve. Who do you look up to and why? I am hugely inspired by fellow female entrepreneurs and business owners who are building incredible brands and businesses in the same sector as me. Emma Heal the MD of Lucky Saint, Vivienne Wong co-founder of Little Moons and Lucy co-founder of Nice Wine, are all women that I am grateful to call friends - and who I hugely admire and learn a lot from. Building a brand in FMCG is an incredibly challenging at the moment with inflation, retailer dynamics, and the level of competition, so I respect anyone that's managed to get traction and cut through given the landscape. 10 The Female Boss
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We were delighted to meet Helen Dimmick from award-winning Ainsworth Jewellers and whose passion and knowledge for jewellery simply sparkles with every word! Helen is a global figure in the jewellery world with her love for diamonds, gemstones and fine jewellery taking her all over the world as a consultant and speaker. You may even recognise her from ITV’s show ‘Bling’ alongside host, Gok Wan. Helen specialises in finding rings that match her client’s personality, their colouring, their eyes, their style and of course, their budget. She has Helen Dimmick Meeting a true diamond and leading Gemmologist 12 The Female Boss
nurtured her love for both people and the pieces they wear through a 20-year-strong career that has taken her from the busy delights of the auction house to senior roles in respected jewellery retailers Tiffany & Co. and Green + Benz and so is perfectly placed to offer some key advice for our couples as we sit down with Helen and discuss how to choose your perfect set of wedding bands that will adorn your left hand for life. First things first… Exchanged as a symbol of love and commitment, wedding rings are an unbroken circle of precious metal; with no beginning and no end, they represent everlasting love. In terms of appearance, first of all think about your skin tone, what will complement and look like it most ‘belongs’? There is no hard and fast rule as everyone is individual; you may wish to contrast a cool white against your complexion, or the yellow tones of gold may add some warmth. Try on all options and keep an open mind. Just like when choosing your dream dress – try something you wouldn’t normally pick up as you just never know! Shape When the head of the engagement ring sits higher above the band from the underside it allows a perfect fit with the wedding ring. If it doesn’t then you would need to opt for a curved or shaped wedding band. When choosing your engagement ring, always check how this sit alongside a wedding band so you know what your options are in future. Curved bands come in a variety of profiles and you should always check you also like the way the ring looks on its own. Adding diamonds to a shaped band will make it look prettier when sat on its own but I would recommend 50% coverage or a ‘half hoop’. Full hoops encrusted with stones can’t really be resized in the future and most women’s hands change over time. You could still opt for 75% coverage which allows enough precious metal to resize. The Female Boss 13
If the engagement ring is very unusually set might you may need to look for a ‘perfect partner’ service whereby a cast is taken of the engagement and a bespoke wedding band is tailor made to fit. To match or not to match When selecting your wedding ring, it is always advisable to stick to the same precious metal as your engagement ring. For gentlemen, a wedding ring is often the first and only piece of jewellery worn and so my advice is to consider complementing a favourite watch for example. The golden choice… This choice is a payoff, as when the percentage content of gold increases, so does the price. 22ct gold has a beautiful ‘buttery’ appearance but is relatively softer. By contrast the advantage of 9ct gold is the cost, but can seem ‘brassy’ in appearance. 18ct gold often strikes the balance and is the fineness of choice for quality jewellery, having an ideal balance of beauty, strength and durability. The rise of coloured Gold… Rose gold is often a luxurious choice of setting as it provides a beautiful contrast to white diamonds. The addition of copper, which provides the red tones, also adds strength and durability. Platinum & White Gold As platinum is the rarest and purest of the precious metals it is normally the most expensive option. However, with gold prices being so inflated at the moment, it is actually the most cost effective at this particular time and boasts so many positive attributes and desirable properties to justify the investment. In its pure form platinum is harder than even alloyed gold. Its superior strength makes it perfect for delicate and intricate jewellery, in addition inherent whiteness is an ideal setting for diamonds. It is also truly hypoallergenic, so will not irritate ladies or gents with sensitive skin. Fashion or Future? A wedding ring is the one piece of jewellery that should last a lifetime so I would advise avoiding fashion statements and opt for a metal that will last a lifetime. However, style is always appropriate and something a bit different but highly durable is Zirconium. These are cost effective, stylish and extremely resistant to scratching, the dark appearance makes a real statement but one that will stand the test of time. Ask the expert Buying wedding rings is an incredibly special time, which is why I would always recommend going into a jewellers and seeing and feeling these 14 The Female Boss
I love people and I love jewellery, my role is to bring the two together metals with your own hands, trying them on and taking the opportunity to talk to the experts in store. This is an experience to be cherished in the run up to the wedding day and ultimately is a lifelong physical symbol of your love – there are rings to suit every budget and every taste, so take the time to find the right ring for you and make it the moment in time it should be. Visit the store and meet Helen yourself! Helen Dimmick is one half of the husband-and- wife team that owns fifth generation family jewellers, Ainsworth Jewellers, set in the heart of the Cathedral Quarter in Blackburn, Lancashire. A destination store of choice offering the finest quality in jewellery at reasonable prices, with professional customer service and advice in stunning surroundings and of course, a glass of fizz in hand! Join Helen to choose your bridal jewellery, engagement ring and wedding bands as she proudly says: “I love people and I love jewellery, my role is to bring the two together.” www.ainsworthjewellers.com The Female Boss 15
An interview with Sarah Hall, founder of Well Fit Active – an activewear brand with purpose. helped Sarah find herself How losing EVERYTHING and build a thriving business
Every brand owner has a story of why they started, and Sarah is no exception. As a graphic and web designer with zero experience designing clothing, how and why did Sarah launch an activewear brand? Can you share a bit about your personal journey and what led you to create Well Fit Active? My life in 2012 could beat any soap opera plotline, although I can’t reveal all the details, the combination of divorce, bankruptcy and quitting my job resulted in a period of severe clinical depression, which not only took hold of my mental health but affected my physical health too. After a few years of denial about my depression, I sought help and began to rebuild my life including signing up with a personal trainer to help me lose the massive weight gain and reignite some self- confidence. The trouble was, at the size I was, I couldn’t find any gym wear that fitted my body and made me feel confident in the gym. When did the idea for Well Fit first come to you? Was there a specific moment of inspiration? I would say that it wasn’t an instant spark, I had been working out 3 times a week at a group HIIT class for nearly a year and each week I would be wearing layers and layers of clothing that sucked me in, underneath a baggy top that hid my rolls and generally made me feel invisible on purpose. I was hot, uncomfortable and my outfit hindered my workout. I just kept thinking that there has to be something out there for women in bigger bodies to workout in, and after a lot of research and not being able to find it, I designed it myself. Can you describe the early days of starting Well Fit Active — what were the biggest obstacles and how did you overcome them? Having never designed clothing before and not actually having a budget to even begin, I would say the first few years were challenging. I had drawn and redrawn the design for the training tops over and over and then decided that if I wanted to bring this to life I needed to earn some money and ask for help. My parents were extremely supportive and I worked extra hours with clients in my other business to afford to put money into starting Well Fit. I hired an expert in sportswear, Lily Rice, who I just kept thinking that there has to be something out there for women in bigger bodies to workout in, and after a lot of research and not being able to find it, I designed it myself. The Female Boss 17
was an award-winning designer and business owner based in Bristol (a long way from The Wirral), so we managed to make it work through email and Zoom calls to finally get the designs nailed and create all the documents needed to get the garments to sampling stage. This was the worst bit for me and where I learned most of my lessons. In my heart, I knew I wanted the garments made in the UK and for the fabrics to be performance-based but sustainable, the fabric was the easy bit, however there are very few UK manufacturers who specialise in activewear (it requires a special machine and a lot of skill to work with stretch fabrics)! I worked with a factory in Bali, at great expense, who were the industry leaders in sustainable activewear, but as my designs were unique, they really struggled to grasp the concept and sent back the most awful sample set. I then had a chance to work with the incredible SimplyBe who loved my concept and were willing to produce on my behalf (this would mean I would only get a small sum per sale – but I would be working with the best-known brand for plus-size women). Having received the quotes for production, it was deemed that China was the best place to produce, thus going against everything I had set out to create. Then the pandemic hit, and shipping container prices escalated by 10x the original fee, meaning that my garments were not worth the investment by SimplyBe and I had to start again. By this point I am about 5 years in since the initial idea. Who knew sampling and design could take so long! I asked my professional network for help and was given the recommendation for a UK manufacturer based in Newcastle, who totally got the concept and became Well Fit’s production studio for several years before having to close. I would love to share all my lessons of starting a fashion brand, there are many, so maybe one day I will write a book! What sets Well Fit Active apart from other activewear brands? So many things, but at the core of Well Fit is that the garments are specifically designed for women in bigger bodies who want to move. Whether that’s in a yoga class or HIIT workout, a dog walk or as a professional athlete in a variety of sports, Well Fit offers a unique option for activewear. 18 The Female Boss
Looking back, what are you most proud of on your journey? Meeting Alison Hammond and her raving about Well Fit and how it makes her feel. Thanks to her stylist, Stevie B, who introduced Alison to the brand, I had the opportunity to fit Alison with Well Fit kit for a Jason Vale Juice Retreat. Seeing an icon in what you have designed is a ‘pinch-me’ moment for sure! What advice would you give to other women who are rebuilding their lives and considering entrepreneurship? Always ask for help, professionally or personally. I find online networks such as Buy Women Built and the Female Entrepreneur Association are so valuable as they have a very diverse range of members, from large corporate CEOs to small business start-up owners. I am not great at networking in person, or I thought I wasn’t until a fellow entrepreneur dragged me to some local events, and now I will happily talk to anyone about my business with passion and pride. Get out there, mingle and find your tribe. All photography by Dan Bentley. Danbentleyphotography.com @wellfitactive I would love to share all my lessons of starting a fashion brand, there are many, so maybe one day I will write a book! The Female Boss 19
A Difficult Start, A Resilient Spirit Rachel’s early life was so filled with hardship that it reads like a novel—except every word is true. Her full story is chronicled in her book The Baroness, available for pre-order here. But rather than dwell on the past, Rachel has channelled her experiences into resilience, adaptability, and a drive to make a difference. Her career began with aspirations of becoming an accountant, even securing a role at John Lewis. But life had other plans. A chance opportunity took her to Sierra Leone, a country at war, where she witnessed unimaginable suffering. That moment changed her course— she was determined to build a Fairtrade business that made a real impact. The Birth of Tiny Box Company Rachel initially launched a Fairtrade jewellery business, but sourcing sustainable packaging was a struggle. No one in the market offered small order quantities, high quality, and variety in one place. Spotting this gap, she decided to fill it herself—and so, Tiny Box Company was born. Starting with a small office and investing everything she had, Rachel quickly found success but lacked direction on how to scale. A chance encounter in her local village led to a business partnership with Robin, a man looking for a fresh start. What Rachel didn’t expect was Robin secretly applying for Dragons’ Den! When the call came inviting them onto the show, she was stunned—but took the leap. I had the privilege of sitting down with the powerhouse that is Rachel Watkyn. Open, honest, and deeply inspiring, she shared her extraordinary journey—from a turbulent childhood to building a multi-million-pound business. This is her story. Rachel has channelled her experiences into resilience, adaptability, and a drive to make a difference. Finding the solution Rachel Watkyn OBE – The Tiny Box Company 20 The Female Boss
From Dragons' Den to Market Leader Their pitch resulted in securing investment from two Dragons, and Rachel went on to become the most successful female entrepreneur in the show's history. Today, Tiny Box Company turns over £10 million a year, employs 100 people, and offers over 1,400 products to 100,000 customers worldwide. The journey, however, hasn’t been smooth. Rachel has faced fire, flooding, cyberattacks, a global pandemic, and several battles with cancer. Yet, she refused to let these challenges stop her. Her perseverance has turned Tiny Box into an award-winning brand with its own factory and a growing reputation for sustainability. A Legacy of Empowerment Tiny Box Company has evolved from only jewellery packaging to the largest off the shelf gift packaging company in the UK, and has scaled to also offer bespoke branding solutions. Helping small businesses thrive is at the heart of Rachel’s mission. Her achievements have led to appearances on BBC Radio, The Daily Mail, and prestigious recognitions, including the 2020 NatWest Everywoman Award. Most recently, she was awarded an OBE in the 2024 Honours List for her commitment to sustainability. Rachel recently appointed a new CEO, someone she mentored for ten years from the factory floor to the boardroom. This transition will give her more time to focus on her next venture—an innovative alternative to dating apps, an idea she conceived years ago but put on hold to grow Tiny Box. Words of Wisdom When asked about her biggest business lesson, she didn’t hesitate: “Being nice is different from being kind.” And what advice would she give her younger self? “Trust your gut and believe in yourself.” With a track record like hers, it’s safe to say the world should keep a close eye on whatever Rachel Watkyn does next. The Female Boss 21
The amazing career & a love beyond your dreams! How to have it all as a high achieving woman
For much of my early career, I believed love was a game I wasn’t meant to win. It wasn’t that I didn’t want it. I did—desperately. But I also feared it wasn’t possible for a woman like me. I was ambitious, driven, and building a successful career. And the more I excelled, the more I wondered: Do I have to choose between love and success? Everywhere I looked, I saw proof of my fears…. My female friends, just as brilliant and accomplished, were either single or in relationships where they felt unseen, unheard, or settling for less than they deserved. And when I did date, it felt like a constant uphill battle. Men were intimidated by me. At least, that’s what I told myself. I was too much—too smart, too independent, too ambitious. I thought, there just aren’t any good men out there who can handle a woman like me. Then I met someone who could… He was successful, kind, emotionally open, and completely comfortable with my achievements. For the first time, I felt like I didn’t have to shrink myself to be loved. And yet… 2 months in, my heart all involved, it still didn’t work out. When he told me he wasn’t feeling the connection, I was crushed. If even a man like him—one who celebrated strong, successful women—didn’t want to stay, what did that say about me? It was a humbling moment. I had spent years believing that men were the problem. But now, for the first time, I had to ask myself: Could it be me too, at least PART of the problem? That question terrified me. But it also set me free. As painful as it was, I knew I had to face myself. I had been so busy blaming men for my failed relationships that I had never looked deeper. And when I finally did, I saw the patterns I had been blind to for years. I was constantly in my masculine energy—doing, leading, proving, giving. It worked in my career, but in love, it left me exhausted. I was comfortable being the one who made things happen, but I was deeply uncomfortable receiving love. And as much as I longed to be adored, cherished, and pursued by a loving masculine man, I had no idea how to allow it in… I had convinced myself that I had to work for love the way I worked for success. But love doesn’t respond to effort the way a career does. It doesn’t reward you for trying harder, doing more, or proving your worth. I had convinced myself that I had to work for love the way I worked for success. But love doesn’t respond to effort the way a career does. The Female Boss 23
This realization changed everything! I started unlearning my old beliefs about love and success. I began softening—not by giving up my ambition, but by allowing myself to receive. I let go of the idea that being strong meant always being in control. And most importantly, I stopped believing I had to choose between love and success. Within a year of these inner shifts, I attracted my amazing husband. Today, 12 years later, we have two beautiful boys, and he is my biggest cheerleader. He celebrates my ambition, but he also cherishes the parts of me that once scared me to show—the parts that crave love, care, and deep emotional intimacy. Looking back, I now see that my greatest fear— that I had to choose between love and success— was never real. The real issue wasn’t that men were intimidated by me. It was that I didn’t know how to let love in. And I know I’m not the only woman who has felt this way. So many high-achieving women struggle in love— not because they’re not worthy, but because they’ve been taught to succeed in a way that doesn’t translate into relationships. We learn how to be independent, self-sufficient, and high-achieving, but we’re never taught how to receive, how to trust, or how to let a man lead without losing ourselves. In 2014, I left my career in economics and trained as a love coach for high achieving women who were just like me—brilliant, accomplished women who refuse to settle but also refuse to be alone. Since then, there’s been no looking back. I’ve built an 8 figure, global love coaching empire, worked with over 18,000 women across 90 countries, been featured in Forbes, Time Magazine, BBC, and more. And more than anything, I’ve seen thousands of women rewrite their happy love stories by following my methods, just like I did. I am so excited that now, I get to bring this conversation to the Female Boss Magazine. In the months ahead, I’ll be sharing the secrets to having it all—love, success, and a relationship where you feel cherished, seen, and adored. If you’ve ever felt like you had to choose between your career and love, I want you to know: you don’t have to. Love is a skill. And just like any skill, you can learn it. I can’t wait to show you how! Sami Wunder 24 The Female Boss
Looking back, I now see that my greatest fear—that I had to choose between love and success—was never real. The Female Boss 25
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13 million UK females are currently going through the perimenopause. That’s around 1 in 5 women. And 8 out of 10 are currently working. Yet in 2022 over 900,000 women had quit their jobs due to menopausal symptoms. How sad is that! I’m a great advocate for good menopause care and would very much urge anyone suffering from perimenopausal symptoms to seek professional help. So much can be done to improve these symptoms. What happens at menopause? Until you go through the perimenopause yourself, you don’t know what to expect and how you will feel. Everyone’s experience of menopause is different. Some lucky women seem to sail through it. How are you feeling today? If the answer is ‘not great,’ could this be the perimenopause? By Dr Deborah Lee, Dr Fox Online Pharmacy But for others, the enormity of the symptoms and the negative effect on their life can seem impossible to bear. Women have likened the menopause to an ‘earthquake, shaking your deepest foundations.’ It’s also been described ‘as having a campfire constantly burning inside of you.’ One lady said ‘it’s the way your body is crying out for love, help and attention.’ I distinctly remember seeing a lady in my menopause clinic who felt so low and had such violent mood swings she wanted to commit a murder. (She didn’t by the way!) What are menopausal symptoms? NHS Inform states there are 64 menopausal symptoms. That’s a long list but probably not a full list. The common symptoms include psychological symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, mood changes, emotional lability with crying spells, and brain fog. Common physical symptoms are hot flushes and night sweats, headache, migraine, insomnia, tiredness, loss of libido, vaginal dryness, recurrent UTIs, palpitations, hair thinning, tinnitus and joint pains. Less commonly known symptoms include, for example, dry eyes, increased light sensitivity, and an increased risk of cataract and glaucoma. In fact, almost any new symptom that is troubling you could be due to fluctuating hormone levels, and in particular, the precipitous drop in oestrogen levels during the perimenopausal period. Oestrogen levels fall at this time by 90%. What’s the prognosis for menopausal symptoms? Most often, menopausal symptoms creep on gradually over the age of 40. However, they tend to A Menopause ‘SOS’ 28 The Female Boss
get worse in the 5 years or so just before just after the last menstrual period. Of course you never know when that is going to be until after it has happened. Some women carry on having periods until the are 55 or 56, and rarely to age 57. Please take note that a premature menopause (premature ovarian failure POF) is a menopause occurring in anyone under 40. This is a separate condition from a natural menopause and needs careful management by a specialist gynaecology/ endocrinology team. Menopausal symptoms usually settle considerably within a couple of years of the last period. Although 5% of women will carry on having hot flushes for life, meaning some women are taking HRT into their 80’s and 90’s. Menopausal symptoms usually settle considerably within a couple of years of the last period. The Female Boss 29
Key advice - Remember managing the menopause is a marathon and not a sprint. It’s an ongoing process and things will naturally fluctuate over a number of years. There is no ‘quick- fix’ solution. It’s a question of trying something, if it’s working, carry on. If not try something else. You may need more than one treatment/therapy. Natural treatments - Many women like using natural products such as isoflavones (natural plant oestrogens) – such as Red Clover. Also, complementary therapies such as massage, acupuncture or aromatherapy can help manage symptoms. Research shows that Cognitive Behavioural Therapy( CBT) – a type of talking therapy - can be highly effective in reducing menopausal symptoms including hot flushes and night sweats. Non-hormonal treatments - Strange as it sounds, antidepressants such as fluoxetine, citalopram, sertraline and paroxetine are a good option for What to do next? Keep a record - I would suggest you start by keeping a record of your symptoms. Write them down in your diary every day for a month. You can then see the nature of the problem. See your GP - Next, make an appointment for your GP. Not every GP has an interest in menopause and you might like to inquire at the GP surgery who is the most appropriate doctor to see. You may be asked to see a Menopause Nurse Specialist. NHS Inform questionnaire - Why not fill in this questionnaire from NHS Inform before you go and take it with you. This is a very helpful way of documenting what your worst symptoms are and how these are impacting on your life. Get informed - There is a lot of helpful information about the menopause, how to manage your menopause, and all about HRT on the Women’s Health Concern website. 30 The Female Boss
women with hot flushes and night sweats who do not want or cannot take HRT. This is because they are serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), meaning they raise brain levels of serotonin. They are thought to reduce hot flushes because the serotonin pathway is somehow involved in the production of a hot flush. They also improve mood, and calm anxiety. There are several other nonhormonal treatments such as clonidine, gabapentin and oxybutynin. A new drug called Fezolinentant is likely to be available soon. HRT - However, don’t be afraid of HRT. Medical evidence shows that HRT is the most effective way of reducing hot flushes and night sweats, and with the correct HRT preparation these should disappear completely. Much of the research that underpinned the negative publicity about HRT has been re- evaluated and the British Menopause Society (BMS) have declared HRT is safe after all! For the vast majority of perimenopausal women, using HRT for symptom control around the age of 50, this will confer benefit and not harm. The BMS regards HRT as a first-line option for most women suffering from menopausal symptoms. The BMS have produced an excellent document for women at higher risk of breast cancer, or for those before and after a breast cancer diagnosis. Speak to your manager at work - They have obligations to make changes at work which may be needed to help you through this difficult time. This could include flexible working hours, allowing time off for appointments, and arranging psychological support. Referral to an NHS menopause clinic - The NHS has a number of secondary care clinics run by Gynecologists with a special interest and qualifications in menopause management. If you are having difficulty getting help with your menopausal symptoms or need a specialist opinion you can ask for a GP referral. Final thoughts The menopause is real and can be frightening, as well as threatening jobs, income and relationships –which can have devastating consequences. Please don’t suffer in silence. There is help out there. I’ve outlined how to go about accessing this above. I’m saddened when I hear of women battling their symptoms and unsure or unwilling to seek assistance. - What small step could you take today to start managing your menopause better? The Female Boss 31
How to find and connect with your ideal clients So many people tell me that they’re confused by LinkedIn or, in some cases, that it seems so complicated that it strikes fear into them! I’ll be unravelling some of the mysteries of the platform for you, starting with a good reason why you should join the ranks of those who have fully embraced the power of it … Let’s get straight to the point – your potential clients are very highly likely to be there. Five things you need to know to find them: GROUPS ARE DEAD! But here's why you might want to join them anyway. With one or two notable exceptions, by and large they are a dumping ground for posts that read like adverts. But hear me out. There are groups for just about everything. If you know what kind of job or industry your ideal clients are in - or even what hobbies they are likely to indulge in - go and have a look for a group that matches that criteria. Once accepted for membership you will be able to:- • See who every member is and connect up with them • Comment on their posts in the group – stand out by being the only one PEOPLE TALK! Bear in mind that in networking you need to educate your contacts on what to look or listen out for that might indicate a potential referral for you. By Pam Case The truth about ‘that’ social media platform 32 The Female Boss
Okay, so now think about what they might say in a social media post that would show you they need your services. What words and phrases might they use? Yeah - people talk about ALLSORTS of stuff on LinkedIn. Life events, aspirations, the lot. • type those words and phrases (between speech marks, mind) into the search bar. • hit "enter" - which will reveal your filters • choose "posts" • toggle to "latest" • scan all the recent posts that LinkedIn will show to you and find the most relevant ones DO NOT Jump into the comments on those posts with a sales pitch! Maybe leave a helpful tip or some words of support - then send a connection request – but don’t immediately follow up with a cold sales pitch. BE A BORROWER! To ‘borrow’ your competitors’ audiences you are going to have to know what your ideal clients are going to want to learn about. For example, if you are looking for people who might want to re-brand, they'll probably want to know about HOW to CREATE a great brand. So get into that search filter and type in a keyword. In this example, "branding" then choose the “Events” filter to find all the appropriate events (live or virtual) that have been set up on LinkedIn. Go on..... click "attend" you’ll then be able to see every other person who has accepted the invitation. By showing an interest in the subject they’re probably showing you that they care about their branding. GET INTO BED WITH THE RIGHT PEOPLE! Seek out people who have the same target clients as you, but don't offer the same product or service as you do. For example, anyone supplying the wedding industry will want to be networking with others who do. In particular, a jeweller - who is in at the beginning and will often be the first person to know a couple are heading for the altar! Look at the posts of other people who work with the type of clients you seek. You'll often find them claiming bragging rights to the recent job they did at (insert company name) and then you'll know that that company is probably in the market for what you do. KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN! Imagine you are chatting to someone and they ask "So what might I hear or see that would indicate a good lead for you?" You have to educate people to spot potential referrals for you and, if you don't know the answer - how can you tell them? What if you hear of a company that... * Receives a large cash injection * Is relocating/expanding * Has plans to extend their building * Reports a fantastic profit * Is making redundancies You can all this info on the internet - and some of the best places are business news sites and online trade magazines. So often the news pieces will even carry the names and photographs of the key decision makers. Don’t send more than 100 connection requests in a week – you’ll incur a penalty! Remember that the first time anyone will look at your profile is often when you send them a connection request. Make it look professional and be clear about how you can help people. Tune in next time for some tips on that! In the meantime – get hunting (deerstalker and magnifying glass optional)! READY TO DELVE IN? The Female Boss 33
Tell us what did little Rozz want to be when she was at school? Growing up, I never really knew exactly what I wanted to do. I wasn’t someone who was particularly focused in school and always felt more at home outdoors than stuck in a classroom. After school, I decided to pursue a Level 3 Diploma in Childcare, which led me to work in schools, nurseries, and eventually as a nanny for a private family. I absolutely loved it. But as life went on, I found myself drawn to a completely different passion—flowers. I decided to follow this love, enrolled in a Level 3 Floristry course, and worked in a flower shop to hone my skills. That’s when I took the plunge and created Rosaline’s Flowers. Since then, we’ve truly blossomed in every way and little Rozz would not believe who she would be today. How was your education? I did okay in school, though I always preferred being Building a dream from the ground up Rozz talks love, flowers, and the road to entrepreneurship 34 The Female Boss
outdoors. While I didn’t always give my full attention to class, I understood the importance of learning and educating myself. If I could give advice to my younger self, it would be that everything works out, but a bit more focus would’ve been helpful. I definitely plan to encourage my children to approach education in the same way my parents encouraged me. When did you decide to work for yourself? I made the decision to work for myself after completing my floristry qualifications. While working at a shop, I realized, "I can do this!" Self-employment hasn’t been easy—it’s definitely not for the faint- hearted—but it’s been so worth it. Every penny, every drop of sweat, and every tear has been worthwhile. Building a flexible business has also allowed me to create a lifestyle that fits beautifully around my growing family. Tell us what made you apply for MAFS? At the time, I was feeling fragile. I had just gone through a tough breakup and was devastated after losing my horse. I felt lost, and everything seemed uncertain. I applied for Married at First Sight as a form of escape—a way to bring some hope into my life. It was like a spark in my mind, a glimpse of something good. That thought got me through each hour, and before I knew it, those hours turned into days. I never truly expected it to happen, but when it did, it was life-changing. I grew so much through the experience. I realized how far I’d come and how much I’d changed. It helped me break free from the “little Rozz” mentality, giving me confidence, new opportunities, and, most importantly, it gave me wings. It truly was a lifesaver and a life changer in every way. My confidence has grown, not just in myself but in my ability to run a business. I developed a thicker skin when it comes to people’s opinions of me, and I realized that it’s okay not to please everyone. My mentality shifted from seeing a closed door as a setback to viewing it as a chance to find the next opportunity. I now understand that even when life brings challenges—good, bad, or ugly—there’s always something valuable to learn. I truly feel blessed for everything that’s happened in my life, because it’s all shaped who I am today. How was the process? At first, it felt exciting—like I had been reborn with a fresh perspective on life. Everything seemed colorful and new again. Being in London, away from my reality, felt like living in an unrealistic bubble. There were no responsibilities, no routines, and no reminders of the devastation I had felt at home. But the experience came with its own pressures. The biggest obstacle I’ve had to overcome—both in life and business—is learning to trust, believe in, and have confidence in myself. The Female Boss 35
There were cameras 24/7, strangers all around, and constant questioning of my own feelings and intuition. We couldn’t contact home unless approved by welfare, and that isolation was tough, but it pushed me to grow, change, and become someone I had never needed to be before. The hardest part was always having to talk about my feelings, being surrounded by strangers in an unfamiliar setting. As time went on, I began to see cracks within myself. The turning point came when we went home to see my family as part of the experiment. That’s when everything started to unravel. I realized that in my true environment, I needed to be honest with my groom. It didn’t feel right, and I knew I still had work to do on myself. The most important lesson I learned was that I wasn’t going to drag someone along just for the sake of it, like I had been in the past. I called it off because I knew deep down it wasn’t the right choice for either of us. People judged me for it, but I want my children to know that doing the right thing for yourself—listening to yourself and speaking up—is always the right thing, especially when emotions are involved. Tell us more about your flower farm and how that came to be? I ventured into becoming a British flower farmer, and I’m incredibly lucky that my parents have a farm in Crewe, Cheshire. They graciously allowed me to use a small piece of land to create The Flower Paddock. This is now my fourth growing season, and it’s been an amazing journey. This year, we introduced a wildflower meadow, and I’m thrilled with the variety and abundance of flowers we’re growing. The business has diversified beautifully. We now offer not only general flowers, but also wedding flowers, flower buckets, wholesale options, and flowers for all occasions—while proudly supporting a British business. We also host classes and workshops in the paddock, which has been a wonderful way to connect with others. It’s also become a space for other businesses to collaborate, from wellness and yoga to sound baths, Pilates, and even art workshops. The possibilities are endless! If anyone needs a space to hire, don’t hesitate to reach out— I’d love to hear from you! 36 The Female Boss
Anything about weddings ? I’m lucky to work with the most beautiful brides— many of whom find me because they love the style of flowers, the paddock, and the charm of British- grown blooms. Our meetings feel more like catching up with friends than business consultations, and I truly cherish those moments. Watching each bride’s vision come to life is so rewarding. Every wedding and bouquet is unique, and I love seeing how each couple’s personality shines through in their flower choices. What has been the most difficult obstacle to overcome? The biggest obstacle I’ve had to overcome—both in life and business—is learning to trust, believe in, and have confidence in myself. Married at First Sight taught me that it’s okay if not everyone likes you or agrees with you. If people don’t want to support your business, that’s fine—it doesn’t make you a failure. We’re all individuals with different tastes, views, and opinions, and the most important thing is to stand by who you are. Would you do anything different if you were starting again in business? Starting a business has definitely been challenging for me. I’ve struggled with confidence and often found myself thinking I wasn’t the typical "businesswoman"—not savvy enough, not hard enough, not driven enough. But over time, I’ve realized that being soft and approachable isn’t a bad thing. It makes me relatable, friendly, and easy to connect with. The clients who resonate with that energy are the ones I attract, and they’re the ones I want to work with. If I had to start again, I’d embrace this side of myself sooner and trust that it’s an asset, not a limitation. Whats the one piece of advice you would give someone wanting to launch a business themselves? Believe in yourself and your vision. Who do you look up to and why ? I look up to my family—my parents and my sisters— because of everything they’ve achieved. They’re all incredible in their own ways. Each of them is hardworking, focused, and driven, consistently reaching and surpassing the goals they set for themselves. I’m constantly inspired by their determination and success.they are all truly amazing!!! Whats next ? Next, I’m focusing on growing the business, providing for my new family, and sharing all the love and support I have with my partner, Jordan. We’re also excited to welcome our first child into the world this summer. There’s so much love around me, and I’m incredibly grateful for everything that comes our way. Thank you to everyone who has followed my journey—I can’t wait to share what’s to come! www.rosalines.co.uk The Female Boss 37
Claire Hannah “I’m delighted to be joining the team on ‘The Female Boss’ magazine, and looking forward to sharing the stories of some incredible women… and talking about the power, we have AS women, when we work together. “As the saying goes…’Behind every great woman.. is another great woman’. The Female Boss is over the moon to welcome TV and Radio journalist Claire Hannah on board, who will be ‘In Conversation with….. ‘ inspirational women, from across all industries each month, and Claire is a bit of an inspiration herself. For the past 26 years, she has been a familiar voice and face for thousands of people across the North West as a newsreader, reporter and presenter on both radio and TV, having covered some of the biggest local, regional and national stories over the past quarter of a century, along with directly supporting some of the brightest lights in the industry. She says “I knew from a very early age I wanted to be a journalist, ever since I saw Kate Adie on TV, reporting live from the scene of the Iranian Embassy siege in London. I was 9, and this was the first time I’d seen a woman doing anything like that, so I think I was a feminist very early on! I saw her, and I thought ‘I want to do that’. My auntie used to call me ‘little Kate Adie, and even bought me pearl earrings.” It was quite a journey to her first time in a radio station, as keen to see a bit of the world before settling down into her career, after going to art college, along with spending weekends at warehouse parties in Blackburn, at the age of 21, Claire bought a 12 month ticket to Israel, packed up her rucksack, and off she went. “I ended up on a kibbutz near Nazareth, working in a cowshed, where I had a calf named after me, after I helped it being born on New Year’s Eve when I was on the late milking shift. And still made it to the disco in time for midnight! That was a really In conversation with… 38 The Female Boss
carefree time in my life. We worked for our keep, every month we went on volunteer trips, to places such as the Golan Heights, Eilat, Jerusalem, water- ski-ing on the Sea of Galilee, etc, and I also learned to speak Hebrew while I was there. I didn’t see the point in being in a different country if I wasn’t going to learn anything, so I asked the Israelis not to speak to me in English so I could pick it up. I also spent many happy times in Sinai, in the Bedouin villages of Dahab and Nuweiba, snorkelling in the Red Sea and playing backgammon at sunrise with the locals”. Falling in love was another part of Claire’s journey, and she married one of the men from the kibbutz (in the glamorous setting of Wigan Registry office!). Together, they spent spent time between England and Israel, including a year in Eilat, where her husband worked as a scuba diving instructor at the Dolphin Reef. “I saw dolphins every single day, along with the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets, all the family came over to see us, but we decided to come home when things were getting even more volatile in the region. It hurts my heart to see what is happening there now.” Back home in England, Claire finally began her journalistic career at Tower FM in Bolton in1999, when a couple of days work experience led to her being given a trainee position, which ended up in the coveted Breakfast show news presenter role. That was the start of 22 years in commercial radio, which has seen Claire work at, among others, Juice FM and Radio City in Liverpool, Rock FM, Wish FM, Wire FM, Tower FM, Capital FM, Heart, Smooth FM, and Key 103. During her career Claire has interviewed everyone from Prime Ministers to sport stars (she presented Mike Tyson with some Uncle Joe's mint balls in Wigan) families of murder victims, bereaved families, and everyone in between, has slept in her car to cover an armed siege, and once spent a day going down water slides with soldiers for a world record. She has been News Editor for two radio groups, and trained and mentored dozens of journalists who’ve since gone onto bigger things. PLUS, still gets recognised regularly for her voice, particularly in Liverpool where she worked on the breakfast show in 2001. “The time at Radio City was magical, watching sunrise from St John’s Beacon every single morning. We were there really early, so when the 9- 5 staff used to get in, they’d pull the blinds down, saying the sun was too bright. I’d always tell them off for blocking the view of that beautiful city, and open the blinds again, then challenge them to a I knew from a very early age I wanted to be a journalist, ever since I saw Kate Adie on TV, reporting live from the scene of the Iranian Embassy siege in London. The Female Boss 39
sack race round the tower..yes, those were the days when we used to get mail bags!”. In 2021, Claire made the switch to TV, after doing ad hoc freelance shifts at Granada Reports, she was offered a three month contract, so took the plunge and left radio. That contract was rolled over again, and again and turned into three and a half years, both reporting and presenting, and picking up almost every skill in a TV newsroom. “When I moved to TV, I got a lot of messages from people telling me I’d ‘made it’ because I was on television. This kind of annoyed me in a way, radio was a solid 22 years of my life, and I would never have left if the industry hadn’t changed so much with commercial radio groups networking and recording programmes/news bulletins and cutting jobs. When I was Head of News at Rock FM, I had to re-interview the newsteam and choose which three to make redundant..it was horrendous. I know times change, and it makes business sense, I suppose, for the big radio groups, Global and Bauer to do what they are doing, but the good thing to come out of this is all the new independent local stations which have started up. In Demand, in particular, on Merseyside is doing really well, and I occasionally co-present on Liverpool Live, a fabulous station right in the heart of the Baltic Triangle in Liverpool. Radio is magical. It gives you a licence to paint pictures in people’s minds and emotions in their souls, and there is nothing more powerful than our imagination. In TV, you don’t have to paint pictures, because they’re there on the screen. The fact people still recognise my voice, decades on, is a testament to how people connect with you when you’re on the radio. I’m pretty easy to recognise from the TV, due to my ginger hair, but having people remember you just from your voice, ,that’s a different connection”. In August last year, never one to let the grass grow, and keen for a new challenge, after three and a half years there, Claire left the relative safety of Granada Reports, and took the plunge, again, to leave and go freelance, with NO work set up. Either stupid, or very brave! “It was scary leaving regular paid work to go to nothing, with no real plans, and also with the words of one former colleague ‘no-one wants to see a middle-aged woman from Wigan on TV’ ringing in my ears. I must stress here, this was from someone I really respect in the industry, I really don’t believe he was being nasty, I think it was his take on the industry. But, I have so far proved those 40 The Female Boss
It’s empowering, energising and inspiring to spend time with women who are smashing life every single day. words wrong, with freelance work on Channel 5 News as a reporter and presenter, where I went viral on social media for a report I did on wrestling in a church. Obviously, I body-slammed a wrestler from the ropes for my piece to camera! It even ended up on The Last Leg on Channel 4, with a wrestling ring being built in the studio, so Alex Jones, who presents The One Show could replicate it. Adam Hills called it ‘her signature move’. I dispute that.. I think it’s mine!” Over the years, due to her sunny personality, distinctive voice and energy, quick thinking and excellent way with people, Claire has built a reputation as a confident and trusted face and voice, and has now established a further reputation as an accomplished public speaker and events host. Most recently, she has given talks at a number of events for International Women’s Day, along with an incredibly successful ‘In Conversation’ event with Sacha Lord in Manchester, with many more events on the cards. And, she says all these opportunities have arisen due to the power of women. “Around a week after I left Granada, one of my friends encouraged me to go to a women’s networking event. I’d never been to one before, I had never felt the need to, I worked in news, and that was it. So, I’ve spent 25 years being tunnel- visioned, only focusing on my news career, but what a revelation it was being in a room full of women! Magical things happen. Women supporting women and building you up. I now have a new bunch of fabulous friends, (to add to the fabulous friends I already have), a whole load of new opportunities, and a whole lot of support. It’s empowering, energising and inspiring to spend time with women who are smashing life every single day. So, from feeling a tad nervous when I left Granada, I now feel like I can take on the world, and then some! I wouldn’t be speaking to The Female Boss if it wasn’t for that one networking event, and would never have considered writing for a magazine before, but I now say YES to everything.” Along with events hosting, and freelance TV work, Claire is building an impressive portfolio of businesses she’s working with on a PR consultancy basis, to help tell their story, build their brand, and get their story out there, by using the storytelling skills she’s honed over her years as a journalist. She also offers media training, crisis communications training, and is a visiting lecturer in journalism/voice training for a number of universities. On top of all that, she hosts a podcast and co-presents regularly on Liverpool Live radio. “At a recent radio station anniversary party, one person said to me “we always thought you’d be really successful” meaning he didn’t think I was. I’m not sure how people measure success, but the fact I’m still here, I’m happy, I’ve always stayed true to myself and stood up for what I believe in, I’m still learning, I’m still pushing myself, and I’m still excited about what comes next, I’d say that’s a success”. The Female Boss 41
Turning chaos into confidence and building a legacy of freedom I finally chose me. At 41 years and 147 days old I put me first. Halle-bloody-lujah! I’d found the strength to walk away from a love that was so powerful, so addictive, but just as dangerous. We first met when we were 17, a relationship we’d joke was more off than on. I thought we’d grown up. Three marriages, four children between us, none together. Experience. Life. Growth. Some things don’t change. But then some things do change. I’d changed. Numb. Exhausted. Sad. I listened as I was told how life was going to be, but somewhere inside, that sassy girl was screaming ‘Oh hell no!!! Giiirl, you didn’t fight for your freedom only for another man to dictate your life. You’ve got properties, you’ve got options. This does not have to be your story.’ I found my power. I stood. I packed a bag. I left. I’d finally broken the cycle, but this wasn’t my first rodeo. The journey to find this strength was messy and chaotic, but knowing I had property gave me the courage to walk away. I’m living proof of why I started Property Girl. But if you’d told young Rebecca that Property Girl would become her mission, she’d have, with hand on hip, and with a little sass, given you an eye roll and told you she had big, juicy dreams of becoming the next Ally McBeal. (And she very nearly did. She got the law degree and ended up strutting her stuff in LBD’s on red carpets, living her best life in LA for four and half years). You see, I rocked the hi-vis and hard hat before I could walk. I grew up on building sites, weekends spent drawing floor plans with my dad and racing my brother to the top of piles of muck declaring myself ‘Queen of the Castle’. Yet, I was adamant that property was not my jam. It’s funny how life takes you right back to where you started. Passport, suitcase, divorce papers and a one-way ticket back to the UK ready for a do-over, life was about to get wild and anything but predictable. A brief stint in corporate confirmed what I already knew. I was far too rebellious and non-conformist to play by someone else’s rules. So I wrote my own. I launched a wildly successful property management company, doing things differently, doing them better. Property Girl 42 The Female Boss
Then love came knocking again. The man who would give me my greatest gift, my daughter. The one who would pull me back into the world of development, but also the one who would test me in ways I could never have imagined. He was charming, magnetic, the kind of love that sweeps you off your feet. But passion became control and devotion turned suffocating. I was lost, broken, and I had no idea that the next five years would test me in ways I never imagined, court battles, near financial ruin and the darkest of times. But it was also my becoming. Learning to be a single mama, building resilience, and proving to myself that I could stand on my own, create homes when I was told I wouldn’t be able to do it alone. Behind the scenes, I was trying to make sense of my own reality. I joined support groups for domestic abuse, and that’s when I grasped the weight of financial dependence. So many women weren’t staying by choice; they simply had no way out. They had no financial means, no safety net, no options. I’ve always considered myself one of the lucky ones. It cost me almost everything I had, but I had the resources to fight for my freedom and again, two years ago, but some are not so lucky. I still want the fairytale and happily ever after, but I've learnt that financial independence isn’t a luxury, it’s essential. It doesn’t take away from your relationship, it empowers it. Because when you’re secure in yourself, when you know you’ve got your back no matter what, it enhances everything else. Love, life, the whole lot. It gives you confidence, security, peace. Protect yourself, because while we all dream of ‘forever’, life can throw some unexpected twists, and being prepared: that’s the ultimate act of self- love and strength. I started Property Girl to share my knowledge and love for property, helping women just like you to feel confident and empowered to invest in a simple, straightforward way to build a future where security replaces uncertainty, because life is complicated enough. This is exactly what I’ll be sharing with you over the coming months and I can’t wait I’ve built homes, flipped unloved properties, styled showhomes and become a Landlord myself. Not bad for a girl who said property wasn’t for her! I still want the fairytale and happily ever after, but I've learnt that financial independence isn’t a luxury, it’s essential. rebecca@propertygirl.co.uk www.propertygirl.co.uk Rebecca Topham @Property_girl The Female Boss 43
I’m Patrizia but you can call me Patz and for over two decades, I’ve been helping brands and experts show up, be seen, and make an impact. But here’s the truth, I’ve had moments where I doubted myself too. Imposter syndrome? Oh, we’re well- acquainted. There were times I questioned whether I was good enough, whether I belonged in the rooms I had worked so hard to step into. But I’ve learned that those doubts don’t define us, our actions do! So, as I step into this exciting role as a columnist for The Female Boss magazine, I want to share not just my PR expertise, but also the real, raw and empowering lessons I’ve learned along the way. Let’s talk about building confidence, resilience and a personal brand that truly reflects who you are. The Moment Everything Changed Picture this: after years of building my business, things were finally taking off. Then, the pandemic hit. Overnight, I lost all my clients. Every bit of security I had worked for just... disappeared. And let me tell you, I panicked. But after the initial shock, I had a choice: let the setback define me, or use it as an opportunity to evolve. I asked myself: What do I have to offer? What do people need right now? The answer was clear, people needed visibility, connection and guidance more than ever. So, I pivoted, expanded my services and built something even bigger than before. Hey, you! Yes, you, the woman who’s chasing big dreams, building something incredible, or maybe just trying to figure it all out. I see you because I am you. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned on my journey, it’s this: owning your story is the most powerful thing you can do for yourself and your brand. Visibility is Power And It Starts With You One of the biggest things I teach in PR is that visibility isn’t just about getting featured in magazines or landing TV interviews (though that’s a pretty great bonus). It’s about owning your story and putting yourself out there in a way that feels authentic and empowering. That’s why I launched my PR Concierge Service & Brand Consultancy, to help businesses and experts amplify their voices. I also created the PR LIKE A BOSS! eCourse, so that women like you could learn to handle their own PR with confidence. Because here’s the thing, media opportunities are amazing, but the real power comes from believing that you and your message matter. And because I wanted to create a space where PR felt accessible, inspiring and real, I launched my PR LIKE A BOSS! podcast. It’s a space where I chat with industry leaders, PR experts, journalists, and brand founders about media wins, strategies and the lessons we all learn along the way. It’s fun, insightful and packed with golden nuggets to help you boost your media visibility and credibility - because let’s be honest sometimes we just need to hear from others who have been there and done it. How I turned setbacks into strength and visibility 44
1. Stop Waiting for Permission If you’re waiting for someone to tell you you’re good enough, let me save you some time, you already are! You don’t need a fancy title, a perfect strategy, or a certain number of followers to start making an impact. Start where you are. Share your expertise. Tell your story. People connect with real more than they connect with perfect. 2. Talk Back to Imposter Syndrome That little voice that says, Who do you think you are? it’s lying to you. Every single successful person I know has felt like a fraud at some point. The difference? They didn’t let it stop them. So the next time doubt creeps in, remind yourself: you’ve worked for this, you deserve to be here and you bring something valuable to the table. 3. Build a Brand That Feels Like You Forget trying to fit into some cookie-cutter idea of what success looks like. The most successful brands (and people) are the ones who show up as themselves, quirks, flaws and all. Whether you’re creating content, networking, or pitching yourself to the media, make sure your brand feels genuine to you. 4. Surround Yourself with the Right People Success isn’t a solo journey. Find mentors, peers, and friends who lift you up, challenge you and remind you of your brilliance on the days you forget. Community is everything. And if you don’t have that support system yet? Start building it. Reach out, connect and don’t be afraid to ask for help. 5. Take Up Space - Unapologetically Women are often told to be humble, to shrink themselves, to not be too much. But here’s the truth: the world needs what you have to offer. Take up space. Share your wins. Celebrate yourself. Visibility isn’t about vanity, it’s about impact. And when you show up fully, you give others permission to do the same. Let’s Do This Together This is just the beginning. In each issue of The Female Boss, I’ll be sharing PR tips, confidence-building strategies and insights to help you step into your power and get the recognition you deserve. Whether you’re building a brand, growing your career, or just looking to show up more boldly in life, I’ve got you. Because your story? It’s worth telling. And I can’t wait to see you own it! Patrizia Galeota PR Specialist | Coach | Podcast Host @patriziagaleota @prlikeaboss Whether you’re running a business, working towards a big goal, or just trying to show up as your best self, here are five things I’ve learned that will help you shine: My Top 5 Lessons on Confidence, Visibility, and Impact The Female Boss 45
La Gioiosa is adding some extra sparkle to supermarket shelves, for the first time unveiling its famous Italian bubbles in 20cl cans. On shelf now, cans of LA GIOIOSA WHITE FIZZ (10.5%) and LA GIOIOSA ROSEA FIZZ (10.5%) are available exclusively from Waitrose, RRP £3.50 each. To celebrate this launch, look out for promotions of ‘4 cans for the price of 3’. Convenient, portable and environmentally friendly, cans of WHITE and ROSEA FIZZ are set to be a hit with festival goers and people attending social gatherings from picnics to parties. Comments Kim Wilson, managing director of North South Wines, UK distributor of La Gioiosa wines: “As we say goodbye to the darker days of winter, La Gioiosa’s new sparkling wines in cans are perfect for so many year-round occasions. They are handy enough to fit in your handbag or cool bag – this is fizz for all events, from a springtime brunch or picnic with friends to hitting the summer’s hottest festivals.” Quick to chill down in the fridge and easy to take with you – especially to outdoor activities and events that prohibit glass containers – La Gioiosa FIZZ in cans are compact and durable. These single-serve cans of sparkling wines are ideal for portion control, promoting responsible drinking while retailing at an affordable price. Made of aluminium (and so recyclable), these cans benefit the environment as well as their contents – the latter by protecting the La Gioiosa sparkling wines inside from light and oxygen, keeping the fizz as fresh as the winemaker intended. LA GIOIOSA WHITE FIZZ (10.5%) is a pale straw yellow colour with a minute and persistent perlage of bubbles and a fruity and flowery aroma. Fresh and lively with a pleasant and persistent length on the palate, this aperitif wine is also a super pairing for vegetable and shellfish starters or other lighter first courses. LA GIOIOSA ROSEA FIZZ (10.5%) is a light and bright rose colour with a fine and delicate perlage of bubbles and a fruity, flowery bouquet with delicate notes of unripe golden apple and small mountain flowers. The flavour is dry, fresh and zesty, with a fruity and harmonious aftertaste. This aperitif wine is also delicious when accompanying hors d'oeuvres of cured meats and white meat dishes. RRP £3.50 per 20cl can, exclusively from Waitrose. Product review Double Fizz can sparkle in Waitrose New La Gioiosa cans launch into supermarkets 46 The Female Boss
Product review Luxuriant’s plant-based solutions are a winner Discover the power of luxuriant’s herbal haircare innovations Luxuriant is a trailblazer in plant-based haircare that seamlessly fuses centuries-old Asian herbal remedies with cutting-edge technology to transform scalp and hair health worldwide. Luxuriant’s premium line up is crafted in Thailand using sustainably sourced herbs celebrated for their therapeutic properties, including Litsea Glutinosa, Houttuynia, and Ginger. These powerfully potent blends not only promote hair growth but also enhance vibrancy, reduce frizz, and address common concerns like dandruff and dryness. Luxuriant’s innovative formulations tackle thinning hair for women, delivering visible improvements in hair density and strength and this range has also had remarkable results in addressing men’s patterned baldness. Hair thinning/loss is a common concern and while treatments like Minoxidil are widely used, their harsh chemical formulations often lead to scalp irritation, unwanted hair growth in unintended areas of the body, systemic absorption causing dizziness, light headedness, chest pain or a rapid heartbeat and other side effects. Luxuriant offers a gentler alternative, combining nourishing botanicals and scientifically backed ingredients to promote hair health without compromising scalp comfort or long-term sustainability. What sets Luxuriant apart? Science Meets Tradition: Advanced production techniques retain the highest concentration of active ingredients for maximum efficacy. Sustainably Sourced, FDA-Approved Ingredients: Every product is enriched with natural herbs in higher concentrations to deliver unmatched results. Innovative Formulations: Cutting-edge extraction methods boost nutrient absorption, ensuring healthier hair from root to tip. Lindsey’s Verdict Loved this shampoo – it smells amazing and feels thick and luxurious, you don’t need a lot and it soaps up well. After a few days use my hair definitely feels stronger, I am going to continue to use this so watch this space ! If you want to get your hands on these products visit - https://luxuriant168.co.uk Hair Nutrient Shampoo (250ml, RRP £22) A handmade blend of 16 powerful herbs, including Litsea Glutinosa to nourish follicles, Houttuynia to combat dandruff, and Ginger to boost circulation. Hair Nutrient Conditioner (250ml, RRP £20) The Female Boss 47
A hair revamp at Manchester’s Sassoon salon Well its been many years since I have dealt with the struggle of trying to park in Manchester during the day time, it took me back to my agency selling days – and things have not changed much – king street was a road block. But finally, and just in the nick of time I found a spot! I hotfooted it out of the car and into the Manchester Sassoon Salon – I was really looking forward to a relaxing treat after all that stress. The salon was inviting and bright, the lady on the desk greeted me warmly. I watched as I waited and it looked like the staff knew their clients really well, they chatted and laughed together. I was greeted by a senior stylist and taken upstairs – after investigating my hair ( which is a little neglected ! ) she decided I needed the K18 treatment. K18 – this hair treatment is designed to strengthen and repair the hair, it’s a 4 min miracle cure! I was washed over the sink by a young apprentice who was friendly and very appreciative of having a place in such an iconic salon. The treatment was applied and left for 4 mins. And whilst that works its magic.. K18’s 4-minute miracle 48 The Female Boss
A bit more about K18 • Unlike traditional treatments, K18 works on a molecular level to repair damaged hair from the inside out, restoring strength, softness, and elasticity. K18 is quick, effective, and can make even the most chemically damaged hair look healthy again. If you want to know even more about the science try here. K18 is said to work from the very first treatment and I have to agree as once washed off and blow dried I felt the difference immediately, hair was sleek and smooth – I felt like a new woman Much thanks to the great team at Sassoon Manchester Lindsey xx This hair treatment is designed to strengthen and repair the hair, it’s a 4 min miracle cure! The Female Boss 49
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