Cinthia Fehling

I wanted to do things that others considered difficult, and to take advantage of opportunities that others passed up as difficult. In companies I’ve worked for, I always quickly reached a glass ceiling and I knew that my curiosity and my inner geek would always be in search of nurturing me with more knowledge and experience. When you focus first on the purpose and then on monetizing it, the equation changes. When a problem represents a challenge and your actions reflect a solution, resilience increases. When each step leaves a green mark on the world and a smile on people, the perspective is different.

Eco-Friendly Solutions, FashionGirlTable AdminMay 12, 2022Argentina

Jaya Saha

After working for 10 good years in the corporate world, I felt something was missing in my life. I could not find a purpose in life which makes a real change in the lives of people. When I was visiting my native area during one of the festivals, I visited this weaver’s belt near my home - that is when I decided to work for the handloom weavers, to spread and create awareness, to build a sustainable model, and to uplift them.

Fashion, SustainabilityGirlTable AdminMarch 1, 2022India

Masumi Mewawalla

Growing up from being a child actress, I thought acting would be my mainstream career but eventually, I stepped into dancing as a choreographer, after which I started my catering company. These were my passions and my skills but I could not visualize them being my career or I being able to make it big there. Hence, after I decided to try to make a saree on my parents’ anniversary; and getting confidence in the process - and also seeing my love for fashion, I decided to pursue it as my career. Today, when I am mentoring at Fashion colleges, the students make me realize that it was the right decision, and I can inspire more and more enthusiasts.

FashionGirlTable AdminJanuary 4, 2022India

Thobile Ntuli

My inspiration came from Dr. Esther Mahlangu when she painted that BMW, and the particular thing that pushed me to start was unemployment, and to combine the two, I figured, since we are no longer sitting around a fire for the elders to pass on the richness of our culture, why not do it in a modern, fashionable way?

Design, Fashion, Handmade Products, Personalized ProductsGirlTable AdminApril 23, 2021South Africa

Celine Hajjar

In 2015, I had the great opportunity to go to Dubai where I began my journey in the fashion industry. Although it was very insightful, I was quickly made aware of the detrimental impacts the [fashion] industry has on the environment and the people behind our clothes. That's when I began researching alternatives and learning about sustainability in the industry - and eventually applied these learnings to launch NAFSI.

Fashion, Eco-Friendly SolutionsGirlTable AdminMarch 30, 2021Canada

Gennevieve Awino

I have been making stuff for myself from my childhood. My passion for design was driven my my creative ability but was largely influenced by lack of access. The "good things" and the "beautiful things" were out of my reach financially so I found a way to create my own replicas and its a craft I carried through to my adulthood and birthed this business.

Fashion, DesignGirlTable AdminFebruary 23, 2021Kenya

Dilayla Kopuz

I believe that fashion is currently going through tremendous changes, and that we as designers and creatives have to find the most innovative and engaging ideas to make sure we produce the most sustainable options and remember that we are part of nature. [IM]perfectionists will be a great representative of sustainable living, conscious fashion, and art. My designs are timeless, seasonless, and trendless.

Fashion, Eco-Friendly SolutionsGirlTable AdminJanuary 7, 2021Denmark

Mpho Raseroka

I believe I somehow always knew that one day I would like to own a clothing brand. It was on my vision board for many years until I pinned a name to it in 2015. The name and the motive behind the brand were something that I considered for years. I worked on the concept of the Jlove Brand for four years prior to its launch. I started spending a lot of time watching business videos and my relationship with God was also maturing. I figured, anyone can start a brand of their own with a fancy name, but I needed something that was beyond me.

FashionGirlTable AdminNovember 7, 2020South Africa

Teboho Nthabiseng Letseli

Growing up chubby, I've always had to succumb to what was available for me in stores. I couldn't choose what I wanted, as a result, I had such a mature sense of dress at such a young age because of the clothes available in stores. Growing up, I knew, I couldn't wait for the fashion industry to give me a seat at the table, I had to create my own table.

FashionGirlTable AdminApril 15, 2020South Africa

Milena Marchetti-Kozlov

Growing up, I always had an entrepreneurial passion but I also knew I wanted to make a difference in the world. I knew I wanted to create clothing that did more than dress people. It was always about more than just clothing for me.

FashionGirlTable AdminApril 13, 2020Mexico

Chinelo Duprim Ikegbune

During my final year at the university, for some reason, I kept telling my sister I wanted to start making footwear. I didn’t get the concept from anywhere, it was just laid in my heart somehow. The inspiration came from wanting to be more than just another existing human being on earth. I wanted to be more and do more…

FashionGirlTable AdminJanuary 15, 2020Nigeria

Mercy Oseyi

When I was little, I would wear my mother’s jewelry and carry her purse, of course she would scream, go and keep it! But I didn’t care. I was fascinated and intrigued by how beautiful they were and how [accessories] made every outfit different. When I became an adult, I would tell my friends, “one day I’ll own a jewelry shop”, but I didn’t know how to go about it. A few years ago, I resigned from the firm I worked with. My employer owed me months of salary and I was devastated. I had no idea what to do, then it hit me, I ought to pursue this dream. So I begun - with just $10 dollars.

Fashion, RetailGirlTable AdminJuly 17, 2019Nigeria

CELEBRATING women entrepreneurs ACROSS THE GLOBE

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The GT Story Project