This week we are joined by sisters, Nafisa and Selina Bakkar the founders of Amaliah, a media platform that amplifies the voices of Muslim women to create cultural change.  Amaliah initially started as a modest fashion brand but later on took a turn when Nafisa and Selina realised they were not that into fashion and Amaliah had a bigger purpose. The turning point for them came when David Cameron said: “young Muslim men are vulnerable to radicalisation because of the traditional submissiveness of Muslim women”. The Muslim community instantly reacted on Twitter and created the hashtag #traditionallySubmissive. A hashtag to celebrate the many achievements of Muslim women. Selina and Nafisa felt the responsibility to stand up for their community and amplify the voices of Muslim women and to use their exposure to speak out on the issues that affected their community.  From this, Amaliah the online platform was born, now attracting over 3.2 million visitors a month. They have a roster of over 300 writers, writing on topics ranging from mental health and mosques to dating and current affairs. They were named by Forbes as one to watch and featured in CNN, Metro and WIRED, also recognised in The Evening Standard Progress 1000. In this podcast episode we discuss: Mindfulness. Using your brand's voice to create change. Growing your business and taking it in a new direction.  Social media: Amaliah: @amaliah_com (https://www.instagram.com/amaliah_com/?hl=en) For Working Ladies: @forworkingladies (https://www.instagram.com/forworkingladies) Elizabeth Ogabi: @elizabethogabi (https://instagram.com/elizabethogabi)

How I Made It Happen

7: Nafisa & Selina Bakkar, Co-founders of Amaliah.com: On using your brand voice and ac

On this weeks episode, I am chatting with Charlotte Williams who recently pivoted from being a freelance marketer to founder of SevenSix — a marketing agency. The agency focuses on bringing a balance of diversity into influencer marketing campaigns and social media with brands.  Charlotte works closely with brands to deliver purpose-led campaigns and to make sure they are reflective of the diverse world that we live in. She’s currently growing SevenSix agency as a one woman team but is surrounded by a team of freelancers who support her ever growing roster of projects. In this podcast episode we discuss: How to get your first couple of clients as an agency. The importance of creating diverse marketing campaigns. Lastly, What to do when your clients aren't paying on time. Social media: Charlotte Williams: @charlottesevensix (https://www.instagram.com/charlottesevensix/) Seven Six Agency: @sevensixagency (https://www.instagram.com/sevensixagency/) For Working Ladies: @forworkingladies (https://www.instagram.com/forworkingladies) Elizabeth Ogabi: @elizabethogabi (https://instagram.com/elizabethogabi)

6: Charlotte Williams, Founder of SevenSix Agency: On pivoting as a freelancer to founding a marketing agency

Today I’m in the studio with best friends and co-founders of OHNE, Nikki Michelsen & Leah Remfry. OHNE is a bespoke, organic tampon subscription service and also the providers of the UK’s first pro-period CBD oil. The start-up has partnered with social enterprise School Club Zambia which runs a Girl's Programme to focus on fighting period poverty in rural Zambia with education and sustainable methods. For every box of ON tampons bought, customers are directly contributing to the long-term change in rural schools.  Visit https://ohne.co/products/ to order some free tampons. Promo code is: FWLVIP  In this podcast episode we discuss: Why mainstream tampons and sanitary towels are bad for you. The rise of CBD across different industries. And lastly, the struggle of getting investors to invest in women focused products. Social media: OHNE: @im_ohne (https://instagram.com/im_OHNE) For Working Ladies: @forworkingladies (https://www.instagram.com/forworkingladies) Elizabeth Ogabi: @elizabethogabi (https://instagram.com/elizabethogabi)

5: Nikki and Leah, Co-founders of OHNE: On getting investors to invest in women focused products.

On the show today I have Chloe Adelia Watts, a woman connecting the world of fashion and tech together. In 2014 she founded chloédigital a technology startup which supports fashion bloggers and publishers with strategy, technology development and growth.  She currently has over 300 clients worldwide on a monthly subscription basis.  Chloe grew up loving magazines like Teen Vogue, Elle, and Grazia,  as well as technical magazines, she saw no reason why she couldn’t be feminine and also love technical things. Her biggest motivation in running chloédigital is having the opportunity to empower business owners with technology in order for them to run their business.   In this podcast episode we discuss: Managing teams remotely. The future of tech for influencers. And lastly, the power of building communities.  Social media: chloédigital: @chloedigital (https://www.instagram.com/chloedigital/?hl=en) Chloé Adela Watts: @chloeadelia (https://www.instagram.com/chloeadelia) For Working Ladies: @forworkingladies (https://www.instagram.com/forworkingladies) Elizabeth Ogabi: @elizabethogabi (https://instagram.com/elizabethogabi)

4: Chloé Adelia Watts, founder of chloédigital: On the power of email lists

Borrowing a clothing item from your sister, your best friend or even your mum is a tad bit normal, something we as women are maybe used to but how do we feel about renting clothing items from a stranger, wearing it out and then sending it back? Hurr Collective, the UK’s first peer-to-peer wardrobe rental platform wants to change that.  Today I am speaking to the co-founder & CEO of Hurr Collective, Victoria Prew. Forbes described Hurr as the Airbnb of fashion and despite people not being used to renting clothes, since their launch in March 2019, they can boast of over 10,000 women requesting to join the platform. Hurr is not not only encouraging consumers to move away from fast fashion but empowers you to start a profitable side hustle, some lenders are making over £500 per month by renting their wardrobes.  They have been featured in both local and international press such as Business of fashion, Financial times and most recently won the London Luxury Think Tank Sustainable Start-up Award.  In this podcast episode we discuss: How to start a tech platform without a tech background  The importance of getting traction before going to investors  And lastly, why sustainable fashion is more than just a trend.  Social media: Hurr Collective: @hurr (https://instagram.com/hurr) Victoria Prew: @victoriaprew (https://www.instagram.com/victoriaprew) For Working Ladies: @forworkingladies (https://www.instagram.com/forworkingladies) Elizabeth Ogabi: @elizabethogabi (https://instagram.com/elizabethogabi)

3: Victoria Prew, Co-founder & CEO of Hurr Collective: On being a non tech founder, gaining traction and sustainable fashion.

On the show today I have Sarah Akwisombe an interior Stylist, Design blogger and the founder of The No Bull Business School (https://www.nobullbusinessschool.com/) , an online business school for women.  Sarah has tapped into the online education market which is set to grow from $107 billion dollars and triple by 2024 (https://www.forbes.com/sites/tjmccue/2018/07/31/e-learning-climbing-to-325-billion-by-2025-uf-canvas-absorb-schoology-moodle/#5cd46eb73b39) . Based on the success of her online business school which turned over £160,000 last year, Sarah was recognised by Forbes and most recently Stylist magazine as one of the few women running a successful online education platform. Sarah has made quite a few career transitions and now spends her time supporting women in building their own businesses, attracting more money and finding fulfilment in their life. In this podcast episode we discuss: Career change and why it’s normal and a change of direction does not mean failure.  We also discuss how she balances a fast growing business whilst still being present with family and friends. Lastly, a healthy relationship with money and why it actually starts with having a good mindset. Social media: For Working Ladies: @forworkingladies (https://www.instagram.com/forworkingladies) No Bull School: @Nobullschool (https://instagram.com/nobullschool) Sarah Akwisombe: @sarahakwisombe (https://instagram.com/sarahakwisombe) Elizabeth Ogabi: @elizabethogabi (https://instagram.com/elizabethogabi)

2: Sarah Akwisombe, founder of No Bull School: On creating an online business school

One day Ade Hassan was shopping for nude tights that matched her skin tone but she just couldn’t find any. Out of frustration, she birthed Nubian Skin (https://www.nubianskin.com/) — a lingerie and hosiery brand which caters for women of colour. They launched back in 2014 with four staple shades, they ship worldwide and are stocked in House of Fraser (https://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/brand/nubian-skin/0.0.0.0036879.0.0.pl) , Fenwick of Bond Street and Asos (http://www.asos.com/women/a-to-z-of-brands/nubian-skin/cat/?cid=20208) , as well as retailers in the US, Nigeria and Caribbean.  As one of the pioneers of the "inclusive nude" fashion movement — Ade sees Nubian Skin as something that is “more than a fashion brand” but “It’s about empowering women to embrace their differences.”  In just a few years, the brand has achieved international recognition, with Ade winning Fashion Entrepreneur of the Year at the Great British Entrepreneur Awards and also being awarded an MBE for her services to the fashion industry.  In this podcast episode we discuss: The importance of executing your business right How to be strategic with limited time  Finding balance and hiring early Social media: For Working Ladies: @forworkingladies (https://www.instagram.com/forworkingladies) Nubian Skin: @nubianskin (https://www.instagram.com/nubianskin) Ade Hassan: @itsadehassan (https://www.instagram.com/itsadehassan) Elizabeth Ogabi: @elizabethogabi (https://instagram.com/elizabethogabi)

1: Ade Hassan, founder of Nubian Skin: On creating more than a fashion brand

Welcome to How I made It Happen — the podcast bringing you interviews with phenomenal women sharing practical advice on how to build the career of your dreams or grow a business. This podcast is hosted by Elizabeth Ogabi, founder of For Working Ladies. For more inspiring content visit www.forworkingladies.com to read advice, stories and tips from likeminded women. You can find us on social: IG: @Forworkingladies @ElizabethOgabi Twitter: @Fwladies @ElizabethOgabi_

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The “How I Made It Happen” podcast hosted by Elizabeth Ogabi, founder of For Working Ladies, speaks to phenomenal women who have gone through it all and are willing to share their stories of guts, glories and failures. Every episode will bring you lessons from female founders, innovators and movement makers on what it takes to create a successful career or grow a business. Expect honest, raw conversations, coupled with practical advice. For more inspiring content visit www.forworkingladies.com (http://www.forworkingladies.com) to read advice, stories and tips from likeminded women.

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How I Made It Happen

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