Vision, Grit & Creativity: Inside the Journeys of Six Female Founders
In celebration of International Women’s Day we meet with just six incredible women shaping industries with passion, creativity, and resilience. These female founders are redefining success on their own terms. From architecture and interiors to PR and functional beverages, these women share insights into their daily lives, inspirations, and the lessons they’ve learned along the way.
Whether it’s balancing motherhood with entrepreneurship, pushing design boundaries, or trusting the process, their journeys are a testament to hard work, vision, and unwavering belief in their craft. From the moments that sparked their businesses to the women who inspire them most, we hope you enjoy this look inside the minds of those leading with purpose and passion.
EMMA LOWE – Co-founder and Managing Director at Lowe Living
What does a typical day look like for you?
I always start with a morning workout, either PT or reformer Pilates, before dropping the kids to school and heading to work. My workdays are varied and could include design meetings/workshops with our architectural partners, site walks, real estate sales meetings, business strategy sessions, partner meetings, philanthropy support, PR meetings and a million conversations with the team at the office. I usually arrive home around 6.30pm and spend time with my two children before they go to bed.
How would you describe your aesthetic in three words?
From a design perspective – Tonal, textured and timeless
What’s inspiring you right now? A book, a space, a person?
I am working on a couple of incredible cutting-edge projects at the moment (residential and multi res) and am drawing inspiration from our incredible design partners (each unique for each project vision) as well as an industry leading wellness provider where we are developing a European Style bathing house.
A piece of advice you’d share with someone starting out in business?
Don’t listen to ‘it can’t be done’. Don’t take no for an answer. Every problem can be solved, you just need to be prepared to work hard to find the right solution.
And because we love the details—what’s currently on your desk?
Haha not much on my desk. A laptop, physical notebook (because I am old school), my phone, monthly project reports, beige Frank Green drink bottle and a framed sketch of our Lowe Living team from our last Christmas party. However, I have a huge, framed photograph on my office wall which sums me up. It is the silhouette of a woman in beautiful gown, looking out her apartment window of her traditional Parisian residence, looking at the Arc de Triomphe – which represents my love for beautiful historic architecture, travel and fashion.
GEMMA SAMPSON – It’s All G Founder & Director
Can you tell us a little about your journey—what led you to start It’s All G?
I started my career in PR agencies, gaining invaluable experience working with a wide range of clients. I then spent seven years at Myer, working my way up to the role of National PR Manager. After I had my second baby, Angus, I felt it was time for a change. I started freelancing, which allowed me to find a balance between my career and my growing family. What began as a solo venture quickly evolved into It’s All G, a boutique PR agency that’s now turning five at the end of this year. It’s been such a rewarding journey, and I’m so proud of how organically the business has grown.
What’s inspiring you right now? A book, a space, a person?
I’m really into podcasts at the moment. I love listening to The Business of Fashion podcast—it’s a great mix of industry insights and inspiring stories from global fashion leaders. It keeps me feeling connected to the broader industry while offering fresh ideas and perspectives. I’m also a big fan of Sty-lish Podcast. It’s such a great blend of style and substance, with conversations that delve into fashion, creativity, and entrepreneurship. I find it so inspiring to hear from people who are not only making waves in their industries but also sharing the real stories behind their success. I love that mix of practical insights and genuine storytelling—it’s a reminder that behind every brand or business is a person with a vision and a lot of hard work.
I’m also constantly inspired by visual platforms like Pinterest and Instagram too. I love how a quick scroll can spark an idea—whether it’s a creative concept for a client campaign or a fresh styling perspective. I’m drawn to accounts that balance aesthetic beauty with substance, and I always save things that give me that ‘lightbulb’ moment.
A piece of advice you’d share with someone starting out in business?
Embrace every experience—the good and the not-so-good. Some of the most valuable lessons come from moments that didn’t go as planned. I’ve learned that setbacks aren’t the end of the road; they’re often where growth really happens. It’s important to treat every challenge as an opportunity to learn, listen, and refine your approach. And above all, respect everyone you meet along the way—you never know where a connection or conversation might lead. Success isn’t always a straight line, and often, those twists and turns end up being the most rewarding parts of the journey.
Who are the women that inspire you most?
I’m constantly inspired by my female clients—so many of them are working mums who are building incredible businesses while juggling family life. I think of women like Lana Wilkinson, Nadia Bartel and Jessica Nguyen, who I not only work closely with but also share real, honest chats with about the juggle and the balance. We’re constantly leaning on each other, sharing advice, and celebrating the wins—big or small. They inspire me, both in business and at home, and remind me how powerful it is when women support women.
And because we love the details—what’s currently on your desk?
My office space and my desk is a bit of a sanctuary—it’s got a beautiful Trit House travertine tray that keeps everything feeling organised, a chic lamp, a Diptyque candle that adds a bit of calm to the chaos, my go-to Emi Jay clip, and usually some sort of lip gloss.
CONNIE YIN – Furnishd Co-Founder & COO
What does a typical day look like for you?
My day starts with some time with my dogs, then I try to fit in Pilates (but sometimes sleep wins). After that, it’s straight to coffee from local cafes in Collingwood, where my studio is, to get things going. From there, I dive into creative brainstorming for design projects, meet with clients, and connect with suppliers and showrooms. I love staying hands-on, whether it’s fine-tuning design proposals, collaborating with my team, or making sure everything is on track with clients. It’s the perfect mix of creativity, strategy, and keeping things moving forward!
Who are the women that inspire you most?
I’m constantly inspired by the women in this industry—their work, vision, and design philosophies. They continually push the boundaries of what’s possible and inspire me to keep evolving. But as I’m learning to give more time to myself, I’m also inspired by women outside of the industry, including my family, friends, and my team. They show me that resilience, balance, and embracing a positive attitude toward life are just as important as professional success. It’s a reminder to keep growing not only as an entrepreneur but as a person.
Can you tell us a little about your journey—what led you to start Furnishd?
My journey to starting Furnishd has definitely been shaped by my upbringing. Both of my parents are architects turned developers, so I was always surrounded by discussions about spatial planning, buildings, and the balance between aesthetics and functionality. Growing up, I learned that spaces need to be not only beautiful but also practical and thoughtfully designed. After spending several years providing end-to-end FF&E solutions for business clients, my partner Wayne and I realised there was a real need for a service that combined beautiful design with a seamless, personal experience for end clients. We wanted to create something that wasn’t just about aesthetic appeal, but about designing spaces that truly reflect who people are—while making the process as smooth and enjoyable as possible. This vision led us to co-found Furnishd, where we focus on creating tailored and accessible design experiences that balance functionality, style, and our clients’ unique needs.
What’s one lesson you’ve learned as a female founder?
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned as a female founder is the importance of trust—trust in myself, in my team, and in the process. In the beginning, I often doubted myself, thinking I needed to prove my worth over and over. But I’ve learnt that being authentic and confident in my decisions, while also empowering my team to do the same, has been key to success. It’s also essential to embrace the support network around you, whether it’s fellow entrepreneurs, mentors, or even the people who just get what you’re trying to achieve. Building that trust and knowing when to lean on others has made all the difference.
And because we love the details—what’s currently on your desk?
Right now, my desk has a stack of electrical plans and design drawings for our Clifton Hill project, as I just finished an on-site visit with the electrician and joinery maker. There’s also a Muji notebook, my laptop, my favourite hand balm from Aesop, and a calculator. It’s a mix of practical project materials and a few personal essentials!
SOPHIE HOOD – Seoul Tonic Founder
Can you tell us a little about your journey—what led you to start Seoul Tonic?
Seoul Tonic started in the depths of COVID from a passion for Korean skincare. However, what started with importing niche skincare brands from South Korea, resulted in an interest in the specific ingredients that were used in these products. Korean skincare is known to be very natural – with many products including local plants, fermented foods and herbs to hydrate the skin in a safe way.
Skincare ingredients quickly turned to a deep dive into Korean culture discovering the giant ‘hangover relief’ and broader functional beverage category contributing billions a year to the local economy. With natural, niche liver tonics marketed as ‘pre drinking’ and ‘post drinking’ in every 7-Eleven in Seoul, I couldn’t believe how little these ingredients were utilised in the market here.
That was the moment I knew I had to fly to Seoul to create my own product – capitalising on these scientifically proven, all natural, liver detoxifying ingredients, but do it differently. Now, we have 2 different tonics in the market, using a patented extraction method and formulas that don’t exist anywhere else in the world!
How would you describe your aesthetic in three words?
minimal, androgynous, timeless
What’s one lesson you’ve learned as a female founder?
Issues will constantly come up in your business journey but the real strength is finding ways to move forward without those issues becoming blockers. The growth / strength of the business is always revealed in these moments!
A piece of advice you’d share with someone starting out in business?
Set up your business from the getgo like it’s a global company. The backtracking after and cutting necessary shortcuts in the early days, can really impact you down the track.
And because we love the details—what’s currently on your desk?
Classic Tort The Penny reading glasses from Bailey Nelson, Laneige lip mask, a 1L Yeti, smart diet protein bar (cookies and cream flavoured) & Apple Cider Vinegar Seoul Tonic of course!
KOWSH RAWSON – Creative Director Kiko Design
What’s inspiring you right now? A book, a space, a person?
I do have moments where subjects such as people, books or spaces inspire me but my constant source of inspiration comes from being a Buddhist, I was born and raised into Buddhism and it’s a philosophy that I believe in heavily. In moments of dispair or hopelessness I’m able to draw inspiration to keep moving forward, to remain disciplined and true to my set of morals and ethics even if that means short term pain for a longer term benefit.
How would you describe your aesthetic in three words?
Minimalistic, warm and earthy
What has your journey in business been like?
A gradual ascent would be an accurate description. Josh and I are not extremely risky individuals and therefore have always erred on the side of caution when it comes to the growth of Kiko and the decisions we have made surrounding this. I’ve always been a firm believer in slow and steady wins the race and though I’ve definitely had moments where I’ve felt frustration surrounding the speed at which we were expanding or the volume of work we were taking on, I’ve tried to lean back to that notion of “slow and steady” to ground that anxiety.
What’s one lesson you’ve learned as a female founder?
That success looks different to everyone, therefore, to have a very clear definition of what “success” looks like to you. In turn, not to let society, people and social norms dictate what your capacity as an individual is. Allow yourself to pave your own way and create a life that you want, whether that means you are a working mum, traveling the world, living where you wish and how you wish and with whom you wish to have in your circle. My hope for not only female founders but for females alike is that they realise early on that the sky is the limit, however, take the time out to define for yourself what that said “limit’ looks like and then let no one hold you back. This inadvertently will upset people in your life, but get comfortable with upsetting people for those are not the people you need in business or in life.
What does a typical day in your world look like?
Mostly a rushed morning, as we have a toddler and this adds a certain level of chaos to the morning routine. A brisk walk to work with my dog Finn, straight to my large soy cap which is luckily next door to the studio and then the day is thrown to the gods as one day is always different to the next. Our days are dictated by the events that we may have that day or that week, it could be filled with meetings or sourcing, shooting content or boring old admin.
HOLLY IRVINE – Holly Irvine Studio Stylist & Creative Director
What does a typical day look like for you?
My day always starts with coffee and some quiet reflective time to get me ready for the day, followed by a walk with my dog. My working days are predominately made up of showroom visits, visiting artists studios and galleries and a stop by the local florist, sourcing all of the products and pieces that bring together a photoshoot. My shoot days are always an early start, spent working alongside some of Australia’s best photographers, interior designers and architects, working collaboratively to create and capture the imagery that tells the story of the project.
Who are the women that inspire you the most?
The women who inspire me the most are those closest to me, the women in my family and my close friendships – a collective of strong women navigating family, motherhood and work – and all that life throws us in between.
How would you describe your aesthetic in three words?
Warm, considered and minimalistic
What’s one lesson you’ve learned as a female founder?
One lesson that I have learned as a female founder is that you can’t go it alone, building supportive industry relationships are the key to successfully running a business, connecting with clients and enjoying the process along the way.
And because we love the details – What’s currently on your desk?
The Atley & Co leather desk mat, a vessel from Katarina Wells Ceramics and my chocolate Frank Green water bottle (that I can’t be without).