International Women's Day: A Cuppa & Catch Up With the Secret Linen Store Team
Pull up a chair and join us at Secret Linen Store where we're celebrating International Women's Day with the warmth of a well-loved quilt. Born from the dreams of two sisters, we've grown into a tremendous team where a stonking 78% of us are women, and the people steering the ship in the senior leadership team are 71% women. Now, isn't that something?
We’re immensely proud of our entire workforce because, aside from their utter brilliance, without them there would be a lot fewer splendid sleeps in Secret Linen Store sheets. We're all about finding folks who've got the skills to join our dream team, but do you know what really seals the deal? It's when someone's values cosy up perfectly with ours. This is why the Secret Linen Store team is bursting with fabulousness.
Today, we wanted to introduce you to more of our wonderful, wonderful team and share what International Women’s Day and working in a predominantly female environment means to them. So, let's get to it, shall we?
“What does it mean to you to work for a female founded business?”
Laura, our Marvellous Merchandiser, wraps it up nicely, saying it makes her feel comfortable and content, kind of like wearing your comfiest pyjamas all day. Jonny, our Head of Product & Merchandising, tunes in with a note on harmony, talking about how empowering it is to see every voice valued, every contribution celebrated.
Molly and Hatty both expressed their pride to be female founders of Secret Linen Store. Hatty said, “I'm grateful that the opportunities that I had before starting this company gave me the courage to believe that my gender didn't define my skills. I felt seen in the workplace for my value, and I'm proud to have continued that at Secret Linen Store. We've defined a culture that focuses on people.”
Rosie E, our Senior Marketing Manager, Alice, our Head of Sustainability, and Sofia, our Office Manager, all mentioned that Secret Linen Store being a female-led company was one of the main motivators for applying for their roles. Kitty, our fabulous Marketing Executive, feels inspired to be starting out her career as a young woman in business at Secret Linen Store.
We especially enjoyed Rosie F, the Managing Director and another sister to our founding sisters, answer: “To me it is completely the norm as I have only ever worked in female owned businesses, for the last 25 years. Admittedly, I owned most of them… ;)”
Sian & Sarah spoke as both our fabulous team members, and proud mothers. Sian said, “It means everything to me as a single, independent mother… it gives me motivation. Girl power!” and Sarah mentioned how it inspires her to show her daughter what women are capable of.
“Which women, living or historical, have inspired you and why?”
This question inundated us with a long, long list of truly inspirational women. Female athletes that have and are still pushing boundaries in sport were mentioned a whole lot. Serena Williams inspired Jonny & Alice, Nicola Adams got a shout out from Danny, our Head of Operations, and Rosie is looking up to Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, “She defied a lot of odds and became Olympic Champion, World Champion & European Champion. She’s also been on the podium before and after having children, showing personal ambition and success don’t stop when you become a mother! AND she’s done a whole lot of other important work surrounding women’s health. Need I say more?”
Emily, our Wordsmith Wonder, thought immediately of Rosa Parks, and how her bravery in a small, individual action, led to a whole lot of meaningful change. Molly thought of Josie Naughton, the founder of Choose Love, who is tirelessly campaigning and raising money for the terrible things that are happening in the world right now.
Kitty considered the women who inspired her in business and mentioned Aimee Smale, the founder of Oddmuse, who is blazing trails in fashion, ecommerce and marketing, and encouraging us to sprint right behind her.
A lot of our team started closer to home, with Hayley, Amy, Olivia, and Kiera immediately gushing about all the amazing family and friends that they have had the privilege of knowing. Mums, grandmas, aunties, and perfect pals – thanks for raising us to be just as lovely as you!
Caroline, our Head of People, had a slightly different take on this question: “I'd like to suggest that, as a female, running my own business and working for a female led business, I would like the places I work or support to be inspirational, which leads to the people that work there giving their best.” Hear, hear!
"Which female figures, living or historical, would you like to invite to a dinner party?"
We asked our team who they wanted to spend an evening sharing delish food with, and they delivered quite the party…
Picture this: a table where Sharon Osbourne shares a joke with Judi Dench, while Katie Piper recounts a tale of resilience. Michelle Obama offers wisdom with a side of hope, and Maya Jama and Victoria Wood raise a glass to strength and laughter.
Then, in walks Aisling Bea with a quip that lights up the room, Sue Barker reminiscing about a match that had us all on the edge of our seats. We’d be fascinated by the stories of Brene Brown, Simone Biles and Tara Westover, whilst belly laughing with Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders, Ruby Wax, Sara Pascoe and Miriam Margolyes.
Musically, we’d be completely spoilt for choice with Adele, Amy Winehouse, Dolly Parton, Annie Mac, Paloma Faith, Whitney Houston and Aretha Franklin.
Lastly, we couldn’t ignore the response, “I'd like to get all of Henry VIII six wives round the dinner table (with their heads still on).”
This dinner party would certainly be eclectic, but wow oh wow would it be a powerful and interesting bunch!
So, here's to the dreamers, the good doers, and everyone in between. Happy International Women's Day from your friends at the Secret Linen Store. Let’s keep dreaming big, laughing loud, and the tea hot.
