‘It’s inspirational for children to see their mums grafting and achieving’

THIS year is very special for the Women in Business Awards as it is celebrating its 10th anniversary.

The awards were launched in 2009 to recognise successful and inspirational women from across the Swansea Bay region. 10 years ago, just under 100 guests gathered in the Mermaid, Mumbles, but this year over 450 people are expected to be in attendance at the event in October.

Due to this significant growth, the awards will be taking place in Brangwyn Hall and the awards will once more celebrate hardworking women leading the way for the next generation.

Speaking of inspirational women, Caprice Bourret, pictured, will be a guest speaker at this year’s Women in Business Awards. Ms Bourret has appeared on more than 350 magazine covers around the world, including her breakthrough Vogue cover in the 1990s.

Today, Ms Bourret is known for her business acumen, having founded By Caprice in 2006 which has become a hugely successful brand in its own right.

Ahead of the awards, Ms Bourret shares her thoughts about the challenges facing women in business today and how she achieves a healthy work-life balance.

In Europe, it’s very different to the USA. It’s still

aman’s world here. It’s changing, but the concept is still prevalent. As women we have better intuition, but we have tendencies to make decisions and act emotionally which can be detrimental. It’s important as women to not be victims but rather play to our many strengths. We’re multi-taskers, we’re leaders, we’re fighters and we’re grafters.

There isn’t a formula. It’s difficult, especially after having kids. Children need their mothers more than anything as youngsters and instinctively we’re nurturers. We tend to feel guilty if we don’t fulfil that innate characteristic. Nobody’s perfect but I think it’s particularly inspirational for children to see their mothers working, grafting and achieving.

I simply can’t put my opinions on this into a couple of sentences. I think some women use this as a vehicle to start a crusade because they’re too lazy to earn the same amount as their counterparts. On the other hand, if you’re deserving of a pay rise, and they refuse you, then it’s time to stop playing the victim and decide that maybe the role isn’t for you. You will likely be happier and get paid more somewhere else. Change can be very scary, but if you consciously create change in your life, it will be better and more rewarding in the long run. No, I wanted to be governor of California! Life is full of twists and turns and when I turned 35 I made a total career change. Most people would think that’s too old and too scary, but it was the best thing I did. Women who are fearless. Women who aren’t afraid of change. Women who are strong, yet kind and charitable. Women with ambition. Women in business who are also mothers. My answer is, other women inspire me every day of my life.

What

From a conscious level, success is kindness, choosing love over hate, philanthropy and creating positive change in the world. From a business point of view, success is building, succeeding, making money as a reward for all your hard work, but with that power and that money you use it to change the world and make it a better place.

I would say cash flow is your bible, so understand it and learn it. Also, don’t be greedy and look after your team. It’s also important to find a niche in the market and then cater for your target market. Have passion for what you do because you’re going to live, eat and breathe it. I would say to utilise all social platforms for marketing and once you start making a return on your investment, give back.

My mistakes. Pick yourself back up once you fall as you will fall quite a few times. Learn from it, move forward and never make that same mistake again. To not date a quarter of the guys I did in my youth. Being a mother. My babies are my happiness.

Hopefully… healthy, happy, successful and again making the world a better place by giving back to humanity.

Nominations for this year’s awards are now open for the 12 categories, which this year include new categories such as Best Boss, Best Networker, Champion for Change and Inspirational Woman of the Decade.

This year’s event will be held on Friday, October 11 at the Brangwyn Hall, Swansea.