International Women’s Day is here, and what better time to celebrate the incredible women who are shaking things up, breaking barriers, and making a real impact? Today, we’re taking a moment to recognise the amazing women we work with, as well as those who inspire us every single day.
We’re lucky to collaborate with some seriously brilliant ladies who lead with passion, creativity, and big ideas. These women are building businesses, sparking fresh ideas, and leading the way with real impact. And honestly? We couldn’t be prouder to be part of their journey, supporting them every step of the way and helping bring their visions to life.
Beyond our own clients, there are so many female powerhouses out there proving that with the right idea (and a little bit of grit and gumption), anything is possible. Their stories remind us that when you work hard, persevere and go all in on your vision, incredible things can happen.
Now, let’s meet some of these inspiring women…
Whitney Wolfe Herd – Founder & Former CEO of Bumble
First up, we have the one and only Whitney Wolfe Herd! Talk about shaking things up, she’s the visionary behind Bumble, the dating app that gave women the power to make the first move. Whitney’s bold idea created a safer, more empowering space for women in the online dating world.
And although Bumble has since relaxed the “women-first” rule, Whitney’s original vision still shines through. Her journey shows that when women follow their gut, they don’t just follow the rules, they create their own.
Deborah Burrows – Founder of Healthy Pet Store
Next, we’ve got the amazing Deborah Burrows, founder and Managing Director of Healthy Pet Store. Since 2014, Deborah’s been on a mission to make high-quality, raw pet food accessible for all, driven by her love for dogs and a serious passion for they have #Onlygoodthings. As a proud caregiver to Woody, Flossy, Menios, and Storm, Deborah knows exactly what pets need, and she’s made it her mission to provide it!
Deborah spotted a gap in the market for affordable, nutritious and high-quality raw pet food, and got to work. Fast forward to today, and Healthy Pet Store is selling a massive seven tonnes of frozen pet food every week. Becoming the go-to for pet owners who want the best for their animals. With game-changing products like the UK’s first antler dog chew and 100% organic canned dog food, she’s always one step ahead.
We absolutely LOVE working with Deborah and supporting her growth. Helping her business thrive and make an impact in the pet world is something we’re grateful to be a part of every single day. (Plus, CG is full of animal lovers, so it’s certainly a dream client of ours)
Melanie Perkins – Founder of Canva
Now, let’s talk about an absolute legend, Melanie Perkins. She turned a simple idea into Canva, the platform millions of people use to design everything from social media posts to business presentations. What started as a university project to help students design their own yearbooks became a tool used by millions.
Melanie had to face rejection after rejection from investors in the early days, but she didn’t let that stop her. She wasn’t afraid to think outside the box (and outside what was “normal” for tech startups!). Fast forward to now, and Canva is a household name, used by everyone from beginners to pros.
Melanie had a simple idea, make design accessible and fun. Now, millions of people use Canva to bring their ideas to life. Her journey proves that with passion, a clear vision, and a bit of determination, even the biggest challenges can turn into something huge.
Rupinder Sodhi – Head of Marketing Europe, Moove
Let’s give a massive shout-out to Rupinder Sodhi, Head of Marketing Europe at Moove Lubricants. Her career is seriously impressive! She started at Comma Oil back in 2005 as a Marketing Product Controller and has worked her way up to lead the marketing function across a number of the Moove portfolios in the automotive sector. It’s pretty inspiring to see her thrive in an industry that’s been traditionally male-dominated.
Rupinder is an inspiration and a joy to work with and we’re incredibly proud to support Comma Oil in their marketing efforts across Europe and into the global market.
Lucie McLeod – Founder of Hair Syrup
Next up is Lucie McLeod, founder of Hair Syrup, a brand that’s totally taking the beauty world by storm. Lucie’s journey hasn’t been easy but that certainly hasn’t stopped her from building a thriving business.
Lucie McLeod’s journey with Hair Syrup is proof that a setback can be the start of something even bigger. Since her knockback on Dragons’ Den she’s given the brand a fresh new look, fine-tuned her products, and taken things to a whole new level. Hair Syrup has blown up on TikTok Shop, with sales jumping by a whopping 700%, and is on track to hit £6.5 million in revenue by 2025. Oh, and did we mention it? She just secured a spot in Boots, making her signature hair oils easier to get than ever.
Lucie’s story is a reminder that you don’t need a yes from everyone to make it happen. She’s built something amazing, and this is just the start. Lucie’s grit and resilience are an inspiration, especially to young female entrepreneurs who might be facing their own hurdles. At Carswell Gould, we love seeing women like Lucie rise above the challenges and continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible. She’s a true testament to the power of perseverance.
Martha Lane Fox – Businesswoman, Philanthropist, and Advocate
Next up, let’s talk about Baroness Martha Lane Fox, a British businesswoman, philanthropist, and advocate who’s made a huge impact in both tech and social change. You probably know her as the co-founder of lastminute.com, the travel platform that totally changed how we book trips. Back in 1998, when the internet was still in its early days, she helped create a website that made booking flights and holidays easier and faster. Lastminute.com became a massive success, and she played a big role in shaping the way we travel online today.
Martha Lane Fox has done so much more than build a successful business. She’s been a powerful advocate for digital inclusion, making sure everyone has the chance to access the opportunities technology offers. That’s where Carswell Gould came in. In 2012, we teamed up with her charity, Go ON UK, to help close the UK’s digital skills gap. At the time, millions were still struggling to get online and Go ON UK was on a mission to change that. As part of the partnership, Carswell Gould helped build digitalskills.com, a platform that gave people the tools they needed to build essential digital skills. The site quickly became a go-to resource for improving digital literacy, helping people with everything from online transactions to content creation. We were proud to support her mission by contributing to digitalskills.com, a platform that provided people with the tools to improve their digital literacy. It’s been inspiring to be part of her efforts in making technology more accessible to everyone.
Martha Lane Fox has always been focused on making a difference. She’s dedicated to helping the next generation, fighting for digital equality, and supporting causes that truly matter. Everything she does is about making sure everyone has the same opportunities to succeed. She’s a true inspiration, proving that one person can really make a big impact.
Read how Carswell Gould built digitalskills.com right here!
Gill Gould – Founder of Carswell Gould
Last but definitely not least, we have our very own Gill Gould, founder of Carswell Gould. Gill is a passionate leader who’s shaped the agency’s success with over 30 years of experience in marketing. She’s built a reputation for pushing creative boundaries, mentoring future leaders, and always focusing on meaningful, long-term impact. We’re lucky to call Gill our mentor, and her passion for storytelling and innovation continues to inspire us every single day.
(Read more about our legendary Gill’s journey here)
Celebrating Every Women
Today, we’re celebrating the women who are shaking things up and showing the world just what passionate dreamers can achieve. These incredible women inspire us to dream bigger, push our limits, and take bold steps towards something greater. They remind us to keep moving forward, keep growing, and never stop striving for what’s next.
Speaking of inspiring women, we can’t forget the amazing ladies right here at Carswell Gould. Each and every one of them brings something special, whether it’s their creativity, energy, dedication or discipline. Together, these sparks make Carswell Gould a truly special place.
Whether you’re just starting out, working through challenges, or figuring it all out, every step you take is a step forward. Your journey matters, and we’re cheering for you every step of the way.
Happy International Women’s Day!
