At StartUp Terminal, we believe our diversity is our strength. As International Woman’s Day grows near, we celebrate the achievements of women around the world.
To kick off our celebration, we’ve asked Australia-based Suzie Mcintosh, Cosmetic Tattoo Artist & Trainer, and founder of Suzie Mcintosh Brows, few questions on her experience achieving success in the field of entrepreneurship, and what advice she has for women entering the workforce today.
Excerpts:
ST: Please tell us briefly about you.
Suzie: I am a qualified cosmetic tattoo artist trainer and small business owner. I own two salons, one in Melbourne and another in Sydney. Having spent over a decade shaping brows, I now have the opportunity to travel the world training other artists as well as my staff, my own specialised technique.
My passion is building confidence in women and empowering them to better themselves and live courageously. Whether it be my staff, students, family or friends…
There are so many capable women out there that just need that one person that believes in them, in order to make power moves. I want to be that person! That person for me is my sister and business partner, Rochelle. Without The support of her, I would not be as successful as I am today. We all feel invincible when we have that one person supporting us.
ST: Who is a woman that inspires you the most and why?
Suzie: My sister inspires me the most. Rochelle is courageous, loyal, kind, loving and selfless. These are the qualities I admire in all people. There are also two other women that inspired me in business, my close friends Ash London and Diana Johnson.
These women are strong and fearless, if you tell them they ‘can’t’ do something… They will work twice as hard to prove you wrong. These women are loyal and they have integrity. Both are so extremely successful, yet they are so down to earth and humble. They don’t change for anyone or grow egos alongside their success. That is who I want to be and who I want to surround myself with. Good souls are not just successful ones. You can have both without compromising.
ST: How are you celebrating this year’s International Women’s Day?
Suzie: I plan on sharing and celebrating this day with my amazing team, and maybe having lunch and some quality time together! Love my girl time.
ST: What is the most important message you want to send out to all the women around the world on this occasion?
Suzie: I want to tell them that if they believe they can or they can’t do something, they are right. I just hope they believe that they can and they have that support network to help them follow it through. The most important thing is to back yourself and know exactly what you want, make a plan and go for it.
Die with memories, not regrets. Be authentic and be an ‘A grade’ version of yourself rather than a ‘B grade’ version of someone else.
ST: What according to you is ‘women empowerment’?
Suzie: To me women empowerment is being authentic and living to your fullest potential, fearlessly, in order to inspire others to do the same. I love the quote by Marianne Williamson:
“It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.
Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking
so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.
We were all meant to shine as children do.
It’s not just in some of us, it’s in everyone.
And, as we let our own light shine, we consciously give
other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our fear,
our presence automatically liberates others.”
ST: What would you say are the main challenges facing women at present globally?
Suzie: I feel as though with social media, the biggest challenge that women face at the moment is comparison, even though they are comparing themselves to smoke and mirrors! I feel as though everyone is losing their authenticity and moving with what they think is trending on social media rather than living through their hearts whilst using their heads. Women are measuring their self-worth by likes and comments which is so unhealthy. Stay true, and love yourself first.
(Email us: editorial@startupterminal.com)
