Articles Tagged with: women business owners

Personal Needs Can Drive Community Impact: The Story of Haley Queen and Sustainable Rituals

When Haley Queen of McMinnville, OR, decided to embrace an eco-friendly lifestyle, she quickly discovered an unsettling reality: the choices for local, sustainable household and personal care products were either too limited or inaccessible.

But rather than give up, Haley turned her frustration into inspiration.

Fast forward nearly five years, and she’s the proud owner of Sustainable Rituals, an eco-friendly oasis housed in a retired Airstream trailer at Mac Market in McMinnville.

“Why isn’t anybody starting an eco-friendly shop?” Haley says, reflecting on her journey.

It all started with feelers at Zero-Waste McMinnville to see if there was interest in the idea of a shop that sold curated, eco-friendly cleaning and personal care essentials and offered bulk refills.

The idea took root, and with a lot of trial, error, and determination, Haley launched her business.

Building a Business, One Refill at a Time

Setting up a bulk refill system was no easy feat. Haley reveals that the bigger challenge of her business is figuring out how to make this system work and efficiently transfer products from her containers to her customers’ bottles.

It took a lot of trial and error, but she kept refining the process, always prioritizing quality and usability.

True to her values, Haley doesn’t stock anything she wouldn’t use in her own home. Every product goes through a meticulous testing process. If she can’t use it, it’s not going on her shelves.

Her community has been her biggest collaborator. Haley listens and tries to give them what they need. She credits active listening to Sustainable Rituals’ growth.

Shifting Perspectives

Despite her challenges in perfecting her refill system or launching her business, Haley recognizes they’re not her real breakthroughs.

It was shifting her mindset.

Haley realized that she could have spent forever worrying if people would love her products. She just needed to get out of her own way and get started. She trusted her community and learned as she went.

Over the years, Haley has seen a growing shift in consumer awareness. People are paying more attention to what’s in the products they buy and how they’re packaged.

But balancing expectations can be tricky. Not every customer agrees on what’s the best. So, instead, she offers options and focuses on making it easier for beginners to embrace a plastic-free lifestyle.

Her ultimate dream? To transform Sustainable Rituals into a full-fledged, plastic-free grocery store. While that vision is still on the horizon, Haley remains laser-focused on her mission of providing her community with high-quality, sustainable products that make a difference.

The Power of Connections: Launch Mid Valley Startup Bootcamp

Haley’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of community and mentorship.

That’s why she’s passionate about events like the Launch Mid Valley Startup Bootcamp. She credits the event for giving her the push she needed back in 2020. The mentors, the connections, and the shared energy were transformative for her.

Today, Haley still leans on some of those mentors who continue to provide her with invaluable guidance.

Haley’s story is a reminder that significant change often starts small.

With a dream, a little courage, and a lot of heart, she’s proving that sustainability isn’t just a trend – it’s a movement. And in McMinnville, it’s rolling forward on wheels.

For anyone considering launching their own business, the new Launch Mid Valley Startup Bootcamp Weekend is from January 31 to February 2, 2025, at Linfield University’s W.M. Keck Science Complex.

It can be the game-changer you’re looking for. Register now.


Authentic Storytelling: The Heartbeat of the Digital Economy

In today’s fast-paced digital world, a quiet but powerful force shapes how brands connect with their audiences. This force? Storytelling.

Storytellers – writers, designers, and videographers – bring brands to life, elevating them from mere businesses into something meaningful and unforgettable.

Think about the last brand that left an impression on you.

It probably wasn’t just because of a product or service. You felt yourself form a deeper connection with the brand. It expressed a greater purpose that aligned with your values.

Behind that connection is a creator weaving a story that spoke to you and built trust, creating a lasting emotional bridge. 

In this digital economy, where attention spans are fleeting, and competition is fierce, creative minds don’t just sell products – they forge connections that turn casual interactions into deeper relationships through storytelling.

At Launch Mid Valley (LMV), storytelling plays a key role in how our partners reach their audiences and grow their businesses. LMV is the regional innovation hub for central Willamette Valley in Oregon. An initiative of the Strategic Economic Development Corporation, LMV’s purpose is to catalyze business growth by helping startups and entrepreneurs connect with the training, mentorship, funding, and other resources they need.

Here’s how some of Launch Mid Valley’s partners created their impact through storytelling. 

HelloCare: Communicating compassion

HelloCare provides caregiving services that allow seniors to age in place at home. To communicate its values of compassion, connection, and community, founder Helen Anderson openly shares her personal stories of her grandparents and a great-grandparent who would have had a better aging experience if they had caregivers at home. 

Helen’s and other HelloCare client stories reinforce the importance of caring for our loved ones with dignity. Through these genuine, heartfelt, shared experiences, HelloCare nurtures trust and reminds families and caregivers alike that they’re not alone in this emotional journey. 

Indy Commons: A space for community building

At first glance, Indy Commons seems like a simple coworking and events space in Independence. It has desks for remote workers, a kitchen for food entrepreneurs, a marketplace showcasing local crafts, an events space, and a podcast studio. But in truth, Indy Commons is a hub for connections and collaborations in a rural community setting.

Founder Kate Schwarzler believes that people don’t need to leave their rural hometowns for the bigger cities to find opportunities. They can create their opportunities right where they are. She demonstrates this through the success stories of the individuals and businesses using her space. Through Kate’s work, Indy Commons has become a place where collaboration and innovation thrive.

CreativiTEE: Expressing identity through apparel

Storytelling is a means of self-expression. And self-expression can take on many forms through different mediums – including T-shirts. This is what Roanna Gingrich of CreativiTEE offers her customers: the means to express themselves through her space and the materials she provides.

Roanna believes that every piece of apparel tells a story, allowing individuals to share unique aspects of their identities. Through CreativiTEE, she encourages the people in her community to express themselves freely, fully using their imagination and individuality. By turning each garment into a narrative, Roanna gives her customers a way to wear their stories and celebrate who they are. 

Why is storytelling a powerful tool for brand-building?

Why do the stories of HelloCare, Indy Commons, and CreativiTEE resonate well with their audiences? Their stories are authentic, making them powerful tools for building bridges with their audiences.

Here’s why authentic storytelling is an effective brand-builder:

1. It creates trust and credibility.

People are more likely to trust brands that are open and transparent. Authentic stories highlight the real journey, challenges, and values behind a brand, making it easier for customers to relate to and believe in its mission.

2. It fosters emotional connection.

Stories evoke emotions. And when customers feel an emotional bond with a brand, they’re more likely to stay loyal. Brands that share personal, heartfelt stories help customers see themselves reflected in the brand’s journey, forming a lasting emotional link. 

3. It differentiates the brand in a crowded market.

In a competitive landscape, a brand’s story is a unique asset that competitors can’t replicate. Authentic storytelling reveals the brand’s personality, history, and purpose – helping it stand out.

4. It creates a sense of community.

Authentic storytelling fosters a sense of belonging among people who identify with the values shared in the story. This community-building can transform customers into advocates who organically share and promote the brand.

5. It engages and holds your audience’s attention.

Humans are naturally drawn to stories. An engaging narrative captures attention far more effectively than simple product descriptions or sales pitches, making audiences more receptive to the brand’s message.

6. It boosts brand recall.

People remember stories better than facts or figures. A brand with a memorable story stays top-of-mind, making customers more likely to return or recommend it to others and enabling the brand to grow further.

How can you tell your brand story with purpose?

Content creators aren’t just artists – they’re strategists who balance beauty with data-driven insights. They craft every detail of the story to make connections that matter.

Here’s how you can tell your brand story with purpose:

  1. Define your brand’s core values. Identify what matters most to your brand. This foundation will guide how you tell your stories.
  2. Engage with your audience. Use surveys, social media polls, or feedback sessions to understand your audience’s values and interests and how they intersect with yours.
  3. Create a compelling narrative. Weave your brand’s values into a story that reflects your mission. Use real experiences and testimonials to enhance authenticity.
  4. Use multiple channels. Share your story through various platforms, from social media to blogs and videos, to reach a broader audience. Tailor your presentation to the platform.
  5. Measure impact. Track engagement metrics to see how your storytelling resonates with your audience. Then, refine your approach based on feedback.

In today’s digital economy, authentic storytelling gives brands a distinct edge. They communicate their values, build bridges, and create an impact.

Every business has a unique story with the potential to inspire, connect, and transform. So, how are you telling yours?

Check out our TikTok and watch more brands share their authentic stories.


Reimagining Exit Planning: Hannah Sandmeyer Guides Entrepreneurs Toward the Next Stage of Their Journey

At some point in their professional journey, entrepreneurs will realize one thing – that it’s time to exit their business. The reason can be anything – retirement, a desire to return to the corporate world, or simply to start a new and more exciting chapter to their story.

The question is, how can they approach exiting their business as painlessly as possible?

That’s a question that Hannah Sandmeyer provides answers to through her work as the founder and CEO of Up & Over Advisors. She and her team help business owners secure their legacy as they enter the next stage of their entrepreneurial journey.

The Vision: People, Planet, and Profits

Hannah built Up & Over Advisors around what she calls the triple-bottom-line approach: people, planet, and profits. Her commitment is clear: people come first, and while profit is surely a desired outcome, social responsibility and sustainability are never sacrificed in its pursuit.

Among Hannah’s goals is to connect businesses with acquisition opportunities that share their values and vision for positive impact. For entrepreneurs planning their exit strategies, this means exploring the possibility of merging their company with another whose values and mission match theirs.

By focusing on mission-driven sourcing for mergers and acquisitions, Hannah and her team provide customized growth and exit strategies that align with their clients’ ethical commitments.

A Journey Rooted in Impact

Hannah’s career is built on a foundation of service and global understanding. Her professional journey began as an HIV/AIDS volunteer with the US Peace Corps in Mokubilo, Botswana. This transformative experience instilled a deep empathy and a desire in her to create meaningful change.

Her outlook was further enriched by time spent in Copenhagen in Denmark and Siena in Italy, where she gained valuable insights into diverse cultures and business practices. With nearly 20 years of expertise in M&A sourcing, enterprise sales, and leadership, Hannah has closed over $400 million in revenue while championing integrity and empathy in every deal.

A Business for Good

Hannah’s experiences have led her to believe that businesses can be a significant force for good. It’s a principle that she and her team practice at Up & Over Advisors, setting the company apart with its unwavering commitment to mission-driven partnerships.

Aside from offering services designed to foster meaningful and sustainable growth, Up & Over Advisors dedicates 5% of proceeds from successful transactions to funding early-stage impact entrepreneurs. Through this endeavor, Hannah contributes to regenerating the business ecosystem and empowering a new generation of changemakers.

As a woman- and LGBTQ-owned business, the company is deeply committed to advancing racial justice, equity, and inclusivity. It honors community and collaboration and is on track to becoming a certified B Corporation.

Hear Hannah Tell Her Story at the LMV Startup Bootcamp

From January 31 to February 2, 2025, Hannah Sandmeyer will bring her expertise to the Launch Mid Valley Startup Bootcamp, where she will share insights on how businesses can grow with integrity and impact and become a force for good.

Save these dates and stay tuned for details on this opportunity to learn what it really means for businesses to have a lasting positive impact on their communities.


Is Your Brand Ready for the Coming Transformative Cosmic Shift?

The stars are aligning – quite literally – to create an unprecedented opportunity for brands and businesses to grow with purpose, authenticity, and creativity. At Sacred Fire Creative, we’re inspired by a fascinating alignment of cosmic energies reshaping how we approach relationships, self-discovery, and creativity.

These shifts aren’t just esoteric ideas. They offer real, actionable insights that businesses can use to thrive in the digital age. Here, we explore three cosmic shifts and provide an action plan to help you leverage these shifts to create a brand that truly resonates with your audiences.

Quantum Relationships: Building Deeper, Purposeful Connections

By 2027, we’ll enter what’s known as the Cross of Sleeping Phoenix, a period where people will increasingly seek connections based on shared values, authenticity, and purpose rather than quick, transactional gains. This shift represents a powerful movement towards quantum relationships, where brands can create meaningful, lasting connections.

How to Leverage Quantum Relationships

  1. Identify and clarify your core values. Definite what your brand stands for – sustainability, inclusivity, innovation, or integrity. Align these values with your mission and ensure they are present in every aspect of your branding, from your messaging to customer interactions.
  2. Create purpose-driven content. Share stories and content that echo your audience’s values and demonstrate how your brand aligns with their ideals. Authentic, relatable stories highlighting your brand’s commitment to these values will attract a loyal audience.
  3. Nurture long-term relationships. Rethink your approach to customer relationships by investing in loyalty programs, personalized interactions, and follow-up engagement. Encourage long-term loyalty rather than focusing solely on immediate sales, as the power of a dedicated audience far outweighs the benefits of quick transactions.
  4. Collaborate with like-minded brands. Partner with brands and influencers who share your values to expand your reach and credibility. Look for partnerships that can create a win-win scenario where both parties enhance each other’s mission and values.

Inner Power and Self-Reliance: Trusting Your Vision for an Authentic Brand

The Age of Aquarius is more than a hippy Fifth Dimension song – it’s a call to shift inward, encouraging us to trust our intuition and allow our vision to lead us forward. This era emphasizes the importance of inner power, self-reliance, and authenticity. It’s a reminder that your brand’s unique identity should come from within.

How to Build a Brand Fueled by Inner Power and Self-Reliance

  1. Strengthen your brand story. Your brand’s story should reflect its authentic purpose and vision. Why was your business created? What impact do you aim to make? Articulate this story clearly and consistently across all your communications to foster a genuine connection with your audience.
  2. Encourage team creativity and autonomy. Empower your team members to contribute ideas, embrace creativity, and take ownership of projects. By creating an environment that values individual contributions, you’ll foster a culture of innovation and authenticity.
  3. Invest in self-discovery and growth. Just as we look inward for personal development, business leaders and teams should continuously work on developing their understanding of the brand and its purpose. Consider regular strategy sessions focused on the brand’s vision, where team members can realign with the purpose and share new insights.
  4. Be true to your unique voice. Allow your brand’s voice to reflect its true personality, whether playful, inspiring, or innovative. Consistency in your brand’s voice will attract an audience that resonates with your message and sees your business as a genuine, relatable entity.

The Age of Intuition and Technology: Balancing Strategy and Creativity.

According to Chinese feng shui, we’ve entered Period 9, or Jiu Yun, a time that values creativity, intuitive technology, and the empowerment of feminine energy. In this era, AI, cloud-based solutions, and collaborative creativity will shape the future, making it essential to balance the strategic with the intuitive for optimal growth.

How to Leverage Intuition and Technology for Your Brand

  1. Adopt AI and automation thoughtfully. Invest in AI-driven tools that free up time for creative and strategic work. Use technology to enhance customer experience, streamline processes, and provide insights, but don’t let it replace the human touch that builds connection.
  2. Embrace intuitive creativity in strategy. Go beyond data and metrics by listening to your gut when exploring new ideas. Host brainstorming sessions that allow for a mix of structured and free-flowing creativity, encouraging your team to think outside the box.
  3. Integrate empathy and feminine energy into leadership. Feminine energy in business means emphasizing collaboration, compassion, and intuitive thinking. By balancing this with strategic decision-making, you’ll foster a culture that appeals to today’s values-driven customers. This approach creates a brand that feels deeply connected to its audience.
  4. Use technology to create personalized experiences. Harness the power of AI to gather insights and deliver customized experiences to your audience. Personalized recommendations, targeted email campaigns, and tailored interactions can make your customers feel truly seen and appreciated.

These cosmic shifts we’re experiencing are more than just trends – they signal a new way of doing business. Embracing them can transform your brand from just another business into an impactful entity that resonates with audiences on a deeper level. Brands emphasizing purpose-driven relationships, authentic identity, and intuition balanced with tech will thrive and stand out as leaders in this new era.

Ready to make the shift? Sacred Fire Creative supports entrepreneurs with a clear vision they want to translate into reality. Contact us today, and let’s see how we can collaborate.


Community Catalyst: How Kate Schwarzler Fires Up Innovation in Independence

All across the US, we tend to hear stories of small rural towns shrinking and fading away. There are few opportunities to grow, so residents often move to bigger cities for better jobs and better ways to live.

That’s not the story of Independence in Polk County, Oregon. Far from being a quiet little spot amid the state’s wine country, Independence is buzzing – with thriving small businesses and a lot of exciting things for residents to get into.

Independence is a city where innovation is alive, thanks to its tight-knit community and dynamic, forward-thinking leaders.

Kate Schwarzler is one of these leaders who keep Independence moving forward. The owner of the co-working space Indy Commons, Kate’s had a direct hand in the vitality the city is enjoying.

On its homepage, Indy Commons describes itself as “not just a workspace; it’s a community, a catalyst for change, and a celebration of rural innovation.” Kate started this business as a way for Independence residents to create opportunities for themselves. That way, they don’t have to leave just so they can find better jobs or opportunities elsewhere.

Through Indy Commons, Kate has created a space for people to work remotely, build businesses, collaborate with like-minded partners, and be one with community. Aside from desks and work areas, the facility boasts a kitchen, an events space, a marketplace showcasing local products, and even a podcast studio.

Kate’s community contributions extend beyond Indy Commons. She’s also the executive director of Indy Idea Hub, a non-profit organization that provides support to entrepreneurs, individuals, and communities in Polk County.

Indy Idea Hub’s projects include technical assistance to tribal and Latinx small businesses, digital skills training for remote workers, and training for individuals looking to start a food business. The goal is to empower rural communities through entrepreneurship and innovation.

Kate is also on the Advisory Board for Launch Mid Valley (LMV), the Regional Innovation Hub for Polk, Marion, and Yamhill counties. Part of her work for LMV is leading the Indy Coffee Club for Startups and Entrepreneurs at Indy Commons. Through the Coffee Club, Kate extends her passion for building community and facilitating connections that can lead to resource sharing and fruitful collaborations. If you’re in Independence, you can join by RSVP’ing here

Kate Schwarzler believes that people can create opportunities where they are. The passion for empowering rural communities through innovation that she shares with other community leaders makes the future exciting for Independence.


SFC Congratulates Pallavi Pande of Dtocs LLC for Placing in SEED SPOT’s Retail Brand Accelerator

Green, sustainable, environment-friendly – these are just some buzzwords that brands often use to market their products to eco-conscious consumers.

Unfortunately, the reality is that not all brands that spout these words actually walk their talk.

Not Pallavi Pande, though – she’s an entrepreneur who really walks her talk. As the founder of Dtocs LLC, she produces disposable tableware that is 100% safe for the environment. The production process itself is sustainable and supports communities in the US and India, Pallavi’s home country. 

So, it’s not surprising that Pallavi has secured a place in SEED SPOT’s Retail Brand Accelerator. It’s training that will take her brand far and strengthen Dtocs LLC’s community impact even more.

Congratulations, Pallavi!

SEED SPOT empowers founders to succeed in the mass retail market.

The SEED SPOT Retail Brand Accelerator is a dynamic program designed to nurture established founders looking to scale their business in mass retail. The program focuses on founders in the consumer-packaged goods market and provides them with an intensive 10-week training.

This training helps participants refine their sales approach, expand their supply chain and inventory capacities, comply with regulations, and build a standout brand. Virtual workshops and personalized one-to-one mentorship make up the bulk of this training.

The Retail Brand Accelerator is funded by the Walmart.org Center for Racial Equity, Walmart’s philanthropic endeavor to uplift BIPOC communities in education, finance, health, and criminal justice.

Dtocs LLC offers more than just sustainable tableware.

With Pallavi joining the SEED SPOT Retail Brand Accelerator, it’s clear that her Dtocs LLC brand is headed for growth. And if there’s a company that should grow as big as it can and gain as much attention as possible, it’s Dtocs LLC.

Why? It’s because the company greatly impacts the community it serves.

Dtocs LLC manufactures single-use tableware. But they’re nothing like the disposable tableware we see in supermarkets, typically made with plastics and other toxic materials.

Here’s why they’re different:

  1. They’re made using the fallen leaves and shed sheaths of Areca palms. These are usually considered waste materials. Instead, the local farmers in India with whom Dtocs works collect them to be processed into tableware. No part of the living Areca palm is harmed or cut during the process.

  2. They’re processed using an eco-friendly system. From drying to shaping to packaging, the process that these Areca shedding goes through to become single-use tableware poses no harm to the environment. Renewable energy sources power the machines used. The raw materials are cleaned with fresh water. The products are packed with sustainable cardboard.

  3. They’re durable and stylish. Many factors prevent the typical consumer from using eco-friendly disposable tableware. Many consider them not as durable as plastics. People who are conscious of plating and dining table aesthetics may not like how these disposables look. Because they’re made with Areca palms, Dtocs tableware doesn’t crumble easily, even when holding liquids. They also come in stylish shapes and forms.

  4. They’re biodegradable. After you’ve used these palm-leaf dinnerware, you can safely throw them in the bin or even add them to your compost. They will degrade in a few days. So they won’t contribute to the growing garbage problem that the world is facing today.

Their products are not the only things that set Dtocs LLC apart. The company employs women artisans in India to manufacture their products, empowering them to provide for their families and live better lives.

Additionally, Dtocs LLC uses a portion of its earnings to give back to its communities. They’ve partnered with non-profits in India to provide livelihood for women and fund the education of underprivileged children. They also contribute towards equal education opportunities for underrepresented students in Portland. 

Pallavi Pande is an inspiration to women entrepreneurs.

Without a doubt, Pallavi embodies the definition of a successful business owner. Her company is thriving and scaling for further growth. Her brand is solid and gaining recognition. And she fulfills her role as a leader by giving back to her communities.

Pallavi’s achievements are more remarkable because she did all of these as a woman from a minority group. While much has been accomplished to secure women’s place in business in the last few decades, it goes without saying that women entrepreneurs still face challenges that men don’t. The stakes get even higher when she is also a woman of color.

Pallavi overcame these challenges. A self-described mompreneur, she also found a way to balance building a successful company and nurturing a family. That’s not an easy feat.

We salute and congratulate Pallavi Pande of Dtocs LLC for her current and future successes. She’s someone we can all admire and emulate, no matter what stage we are in our respective entrepreneurial journeys.

Sacred Fire Creative helps women business owners maximize their entrepreneurial potential through innovative digital marketing strategies and authentic relationship-building with their audiences. Contact us today, and let’s see how we can collaborate.

 


Little Nestlings Early Learning Center to Be Featured on KOIN

What do you do when a good friend tells you they will be on TV? You get excited for them and save the date of their appearance on your calendar, of course.

Well, that’s what the Sacred Fire Creative team feels right now. We’re so thrilled to announce that our client, Little Nestlings Early Learning Center, will be featured on the KOIN network soon.

The details are still being worked out, but we can’t wait to see Colleen Cleary and the Little Nestlings team on TV. Stay tuned!

At Little Nestlings, the environment plays an essential role in learning.

Little Nestlings Early Learning Center is a new preschool that opened in Fall 2024 in West Linn, Oregon. Headed by veteran educator Colleen Cleary, the school offers a curriculum inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy.

In the Reggio Emilia philosophy, children are seen as capable of directing their learning, and the environment acts as a teacher. The little ones are encouraged to be curious, explore their surroundings, observe their senses, and ask questions. Much of the study time takes place outdoors.

Through this model, children get to develop a sense of discovery and a deep love for learning. They get to build a solid foundation that will serve them throughout their school years and later in life.

Little Nestlings’ TV appearance is part of an ongoing branding campaign.

We’re happy to say that Little Nestlings’ upcoming TV appearance results from Sacred Fire Creative’s ongoing campaign to bring awareness to the school’s brand.

Since early 2024, we’ve been on a multi-tier marketing campaign for the school. This campaign included designing and search-optimizing their website and populating their social media channels. We’ve also been conducting mainstream media and community outreach. 

We believe in the impact that Little Nestlings Early Learning Center will bring to early education and the community as a whole in West Linn. It’s an honor for us to be part of their journey.

Your brand is your legacy. At Sacred Fire Creative, we can help you build a legacy that will leave a lasting and positive impact on your community. Contact us today and discover how we can collaborate.


Josie Natori: Filipino Fashion Trailblazer

“I just don’t like to settle. Good enough is never good enough.” – Josie Natori

Josephina Almeda Cruz, also known in fashion circles as Josie Natori, is considered one of the most outstanding women business owners in the Philippines. This Filipino-American entrepreneur runs The Natori Company, an international women’s fashion brand. Her products retail in the U.S.’s most prominent department stores, including Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdales, and Neiman Marcus. Her products are available worldwide today through her brand’s website

All in the family

Josie grew up in a matriarchal society surrounded by her close-knit Filipino kin. “Women are encouraged to be entrepreneurs,” Josie says of her family. This encouragement stayed with her throughout her life. Even when she was a child, her grandmother would remind her that she should never be in a position where she had to depend on anyone. This upbringing gave her the motivation and inspiration to start her own business.

When she was younger, Josie didn’t plan to enter the fashion industry. Artistically talented and naturally inclined to play the piano, Josie performed in a solo concert with the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra. She was only 9 years old. At 17, she left for New York and pursued an economics degree from Manhattanville College. 

From banking to fashion

After graduation, Josie embarked on a career in banking. Eventually, she became the first female vice president of investment banking at Merrill Lynch. There, she met and married Ken Natori, a fellow executive in the banking world. She then gave birth to her son Kenneth Jr. in 1976,

The following year, Josie found herself looking for new challenges and wanting to start her own business. Before entering the fashion industry, Josie opened several different ventures, from a McDonald’s franchise to a carwash.

Josie’s namesake company began when she brought an embroidered garment from the Philippines to a buyer in Bloomingdales. The buyer advised her to turn it into a sleep shirt; the rest was history.

In the early years of The Natori Company, many of Josie’s friends and relatives pitched in to help her make her vision a reality. For example, an uncle pitched in to sew labels onto clothes. Other family members once gathered to help make a small trim cut on a special order of a thousand blouses. In 1985, Josie convinced her husband, who was still working on Wall Street, to help run her growing business. He became chairman of The Natori Company.

An international empire

More than four decades later, The Natori Company has transformed into a lifestyle brand that includes popular lingerie collections, ready-to-wear apparel, home items, eyewear, and fragrance. Aside from being the founder of an internationally successful fashion business, Josie works to give back to society. She sits on the board of several organizations, including the Asian Cultural Council and the Fashion and Design Council of the Philippines. Her factory in the Philippines handles over 60% of her company’s production and employs 500 workers.

Josie Natori is an admirable example of a woman who pursued her dreams and achieved success with the help of family and friends. From a single sleep shirt, she has built an international empire now seen as one of the world’s top lifestyle brands. “Now, as the company grows, we grow our sensibility too, taking our concept and making it a whole world. As we say here, Natori is ‘where life meets art,’” she shared.

Sacred Fire Creative honors visionary women who forged their own path to success in this #WomenWhoMatter series. If you see yourself as a visionary, who wants to create a lasting, positive impact on your community, come work with us.


3 Key Leadership Lessons from Women CEOs

Did you know that, as of 2018, 12.3 million businesses in the U.S. are women-owned? That’s roughly 42% or four out of 10 of all companies in the country. Interestingly, these women-led enterprises generate around $1.8 trillion in earnings every year.

Judging by these figures, the current notion that men are better at leadership and women should emulate them is becoming obsolete. Women generally have a distinct leadership style that their male peers can actually learn from.

What leadership lessons can we learn from female CEOs? Let’s spend some time pondering these three:

Know your strengths and limitations.

Women tend to be more self-aware, and they’re usually not prone to bluster. This tendency for self-awareness gives women a deeper insight into their own strengths and limitations. They build on their capabilities and lean on others to make up for their weaknesses.

What does this mean for you? If you want to be a good leader, you need to learn more about yourself. Know the traits that make you strong and acknowledge your weak points. Use your strengths to grow your business and surround yourself with a competent and inspired team to make up for your limitations.

“It’s OK to admit what you don’t know. It’s OK to ask for help. And it’s more than OK to listen to the people you lead.” – Mary Barra, General Motors CEO

Put your team first.

Women are often stereotyped as too compassionate and relationship-oriented to be competent leaders. But the fact is that these traits are now seen as indicators of high emotional intelligence, which in turn has become a desirable trait among leaders.

As mentioned earlier, a woman business leader tends to surround herself with a team to augment what she lacks. But this relationship is rarely one-sided. Female leaders often serve as mentors and cheerleaders to their team. They encourage and empower their team to grow professionally and personally through validation and empathy.

“I think about: ‘Have I been bringing enough people along?’ You can help a peer become a CEO… This is not a competition or a race.” – Rosalind Brewer, former CEO of Walgreens

Be a transformational leader.

Perhaps one of the best leadership lessons we can learn from a woman CEO is the art of transformational leadership. A transformational leader is someone who leads by example. Their sense of purpose and values inspire their followers to change their own beliefs, bring out their best selves, and positively impact their world. Women CEOs tend to be gifted transformational leaders.

How can you become a transformative leader? It starts with yourself. You need to be a model of integrity and principle. You have to have a clear vision and measurable goals. And you have to win your team’s trust, be ever-reliable, and inspire them to serve the higher good rather than their self-interest.

“Leadership is service to others.” – Denise Morrison, Campbell Soup Co. President and CEO

These are only a few leadership lessons we can learn from women CEOs. Spend some time meditating on these lessons and see how you can apply them to your own business.

Sacred Fire Creative is a digital marketing agency that positions itself as a force for good. Reach out to us today and let us help you build a solid, authentic brand that matters to your audience.


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