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6 Women On The Females That Inspired Them To Achieve Their Dreams

Who is the most influential woman in your life, and how has she made your dreams a reality? In partnership with Olivia Burton, six powerhouse women tell AllBright about the females that inspire them to dream big.

Inspiration comes in many forms, but it is often our role models that shape our dreams and aspirations. As women, the female role models in our lives are particularly important – not only do they help guide our hopes and dreams for the future, but they can also be the trailblazing forces that help us to make those hopes and dreams into a concrete reality. When it comes to our careers in particular, our role models can help us to believe that anything really is possible. This is something that best friends Jemma and Lesa, the co-founders of British accessories brand, Olivia Burton , know to be true. The brand is named after Lesa’s great aunt, whose motivational energy and spirited approach acted as an inspiration to the duo when they quit their jobs in 2011 and took the leap to launch their own accessories brand. Now, their beautiful watches and thoughtful pieces, including those in the Rainbow Bee collection, are highly coveted across the globe. More importantly, the brand remains passionately dedicated to its mission to inspire other women to achieve their dreams.

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In celebration of the power of female role models, we hear from six formidable women who have enjoyed incredible success in their careers, to learn who has inspired them on their unique journeys.

Why not treat yourself, or the women who inspire you, to a timeless accessory from the Olivia Burton collection? The brand has shared an exclusive 20% off site-wide with our AllBright community – simply use the code ALLBRIGHT20 and shop the collection here .

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Nina Westbrook is a licensed marriage and family therapist and the founder of beloved lifestyle brands, Minibrook and The Little Ark . Who is the most influential female role model in your life? I would definitely say that my mom (Jennifer Lyons) has been the most influential role model in my life. She has always been such a beautiful, strong, and loving force in my life. Not only has she been such a supportive and loving mom, but the woman that she is, and the things that she was able to accomplish outside of being my mother, have been quite remarkable. My mother is now retired after working as Physician's Assistant for the county of Los Angeles for many years.

Headshot_Nina and mum

Why does she inspire you? My mother has always been such a trooper. She's a tough cookie, but she is also one of the kindest and warmest people you will ever meet. As a child, I remember watching my mother go to college, complete medical school, complete her residency, and begin a new journey as a Physician's Assistant. Prior to that, my mother had a dependable and good paying job at the phone company. My father and mother were able to help provide my three brothers and I with a stable and happy life before deciding to divorce well before I can remember. As a single mother with four children, my mom made the decision to go to medical school to become a Physician's Assistant. At the time, I was in elementary school. I remember seeing my mother struggle with the challenges that came along with being a single mother trying to provide for her kids, and attend medical school. I remember attending my mother’s graduations, running around as a small child, and not really understanding what those achievements signified. I remember getting to visit my mom every so often during her residency, and I remember her sneaking my brothers and I into the giant pool that was on the campus that she was required to live on, so that we could swim. It wasn't until I became a mother myself that I realised how truly difficult it must've been, and how brave she had to have been to switch careers and go back to school as a single mother with four children, to be away from her kids with limited time for visits during her residency, and the sacrifices that she made to make a better life for my three brothers and I. I am still amazed by her just thinking about it now.

Headshot_Nina and mum 2

Is there anything you have achieved today that you owe to her support and guidance? Sports were a really big deal in my home growing up. I had three brothers, so naturally sports became a major past time for us. My mom, on the other hand, was never really impressed or into sports. She was very much an academic. No matter what I was able to accomplish growing up, my mom made sure to emphasise the importance of education, and how my education was going to have a huge impact on my life. Growing up as an athlete, it is very easy to get consumed with your sport, and overtaken by the routine of it all. My mom taught me at a young age, that there was so much more to life than sports. It opened me up to other experiences, and it freed my mind up to believe in the endless possibilities that were outside of the sports arena. So I believe that I owe my mom so much of the credit for her guidance, because I'm not sure how far I would've pushed myself to pursue my masters and licensure as a marriage and family therapist.

"Along with all of the amazing experiences, there were lots of moments of worry, and so many obstacles and challenges. My mom has always been the calming and comforting place for me in the midst of difficult times"

Nina Westbrook

What is the best piece of advice she has ever given you? I have gained so much knowledge from watching my mom live her life. She is not quick to offer advice, but she leads by example. There are many things that stick out to me that we've discussed over the course of my life, but what stands out the most is my mother's continued reminders to pray and trust in God that he would take care of me. I always joke that I'm like an old lady and that is not necessarily by choice. I have lived and experienced so much life for my age. I've always gravitated towards older friends, and had this certain level of maturity at such a young age. I credit this to the fast paced, non-traditional life that I was sort of thrust into at such a young age. Along with all of the amazing experiences, there were lots of moments of worry, and so many obstacles and challenges. My mom has always been the calming and comforting place for me in the midst of difficult times. The way she prays for me encourages me to cast all of my worries and doubt away, and to just be free. Nina-westbrook.com @ninawestbrook

Tobi Asare is the founder of My Bump Pay, an inspirational online platform helping women to smash the glass ceiling, with a baby on the way and beyond. Who is the most influential female role model in your life? This has to be my mum. It is quite hard to describe how amazing she is and how much she means to my family unit and I, but I will do my very best. Many know her as Bola, but to me she has always been mum. She was born in London in the 60s, but spent most of her childhood in Nigeria, before returning back to the UK in her late twenties with a tiny baby (that was me!). She is a Clinical Pharmacist by background, an Executive Coach, and she also runs a number of businesses with my Dad.

Headshot_Tobi and mum

Why does she inspire you? My parents are living legends and my mum is no exception. Everything I have achieved is down to how my parents raised me, and having watched how my mum navigated life with such poise and grace. Moving to the UK as qualified pharmacists meant that my parents had to re-qualify to be able to practise here. So when I was about 21 months old, and my sister was 6 weeks old, my parents drove almost 300 miles to Sunderland to take their final qualifying exams. Now I’m a mum, I couldn’t even begin to imagine how one mentally and physically prepares to sit such an important exam six weeks postpartum. Just thinking about it I am full of awe, admiration and deep gratitude. It’s only now that I can really appreciate the daily juggle that my mum undertook. Growing up, my sister and I did almost all the activities under the sun after school – piano lessons, swimming, athletics, netball, tennis and gymnastics. My mum ferried us around armed with snacks, cheered us on and never complained. In fact I remember one occasion that my mum was taking me to an athletics competition and we got lost on the way, and I ended up missing my race despite her huge efforts. I sulked and complained, with little thought about just how much she’d tried that day to do her very, very best to get me there on time. In all of my years competing in sports and extracurricular activities she was never late (apart from this one instance), nor did she ever miss me compete or perform. Mum, if you are reading this, I’m sorry for being such a brat. I cherish the fact that you have always gone the extra mile to help me succeed, and for that I am truly grateful.

"Throughout that time my mum and my dad made sure I never doubted my ability to achieve. Without a doubt they are my biggest cheerleaders and my mum has played a special role in all of my achievements to date"

Tobi Asare

Is there anything you have achieved today that you owe to her support and guidance? Everything, but I can think of two clear examples of when my mum’s support was pivotal. The first was during my A-Levels, when I had put a lot of pressure on myself to get the three A’s I needed to study law at the university of my choice. One night in particular, I was up late finding revising hard, draining and doubting my ability to complete my exams. My mum got her pillows, made herself comfortable and stayed in my room, eventually falling asleep in the early hours of the morning. But at that moment I knew that she believed in me, and she reminded me over and over again that I could truly accomplish anything I put my mind to. Throughout that time my mum and my dad made sure I never doubted my ability to achieve. Without a doubt they are my biggest cheerleaders and my mum has played a special role in all of my achievements to date. The second has to be my journey into motherhood, especially when I became a mum myself for the first time. With the birth of both of my children, my mum has stopped whatever she had going on and moved in with us to help us acclimatise to life with a new baby. During the birth of my son, my mum was there for almost all of it, helping me walk the pain away during contractions, right through to cutting the umbilical cord. One day, my son had to have a very minor procedure in hospital when he was a week old, and I’m honestly not sure what I would have done without my mum on that day to help me through it. When we became parents for the first time, we knew very little but my husband and I quickly learnt everything we could from my mum’s excellent guidance and help. She not only walked us through practical tips and tricks, but she helped us through long hard nights, always made sure we were fed and shared her wisdom with us regarding all things parenting. We always say that she set us up to be the best parents we could be.

"I seek to live life committed to leave a positive imprint on everyone I come into contact with, as I have watched my mum do so beautifully"

Tobi Asare

What is the best piece of advice she has ever given you? My mum has taught me the power of commitment; that commitment is a choice, and whatever you choose to commit to, you should give your very best. This includes relationships, work, family, friends and your community. I see that in my mum – she is fiercely loyal, compassionate and giving. These are values that she has committed to and are evident is everything that she does. So I seek to live life committed to leave a positive imprint on everyone I come into contact with, as I have watched my mum do so beautifully. mybumppay.com @mybumppay

Noëlla Coursaris Musunka is the founder and CEO of Malaika, a non-profit organisation in the Democratic Republic of Congo that provides primary and secondary education to 370 girls, as well as a community centre that offers education to over 5,000 adults. Who is the most influential female role model in your life? It has to be my mother. I would not be where I am today without her sacrifices and generous heart. I was born in the Congo but I spent most of my childhood without my parents. My dad died suddenly when I was aged 5, and my mother made the painful decision to send me to live with relatives in Europe. I can’t imagine the loss she must have felt at that time but she made that decision so that I would have an education and the chance to have a positive future. I was reunited with her at the age of 18 when I went back to Congo for the first time.

Headshot_Noella and mum

Why does she inspire you? Life has not been easy for my mother, yet she has such an open and generous nature. She works hard and has a lot of wisdom to share. She puts others before herself and without that example, perhaps I would not have such strong values about giving back.

"My mother’s commitment to my education enabled me to get a business degree and then set up this foundation, which is now an incredible community-driven ecosystem"

Noëlla Coursaris Musunka

Is there anything you have achieved today that you owe to her support and guidance? Malaika, the non-profit organisation in the DRC that I founded in 2007,and lead voluntarily, would not have come about without her influence on my life and her support. Malaika provides 370 girls with a free holistic primary and secondary education.

Headshot_Noella and ladies

We also have a community centre that provides education for over 5000 adults and youth. We also built and refurbished 20 wells that provide water to 30,000 people. My mother’s commitment to my education enabled me to get a business degree and then set up this foundation, which is now an incredible community-driven ecosystem that can be duplicated in any context and has an amazing team of Congolese staff. What is the best piece of advice she has ever given you? To work hard and put all of my passion into my dreams. malaika.org @malaikadrc / @noellacoursaris

Tai Beauchamp is an award-winning media personality and co-founder of Brown Girl Jane, as well as an internationally renowned public speaker, director and confidence coach. Who is the most influential female role model in your life? The most influential female role model in my life would have been my grandmother. She was a woman of substance, intelligence, integrity, faith, dedication, resilience and fierce determination. From an identity and character perspective, I am who I am because of my grandmother, Mary, my mother, Tywanda, and my maternal grandmother, Sarah. Each of them seeded within me a deep understanding of my power as a womxn. I knew I was magic without a slogan. I knew that there was a calling and a purpose for my life before I was exposed beyond the parameters of our homes. Beyond my mother and grandmothers, I'm inspired by my tribe of girlfriends. I attended an all girls’ high school, Saint Vincent Academy in Newark, NJ, and then went on to an all-womens’ college, Spelman College in Atlanta, GA. I was surrounded, ensconced even, by women who helped me to stand taller, and stand more firmly in my truth, while appreciating the differences and truths of other women. I am certain that these experiences helped me to not only build my own confidence as a woman, but allowed me to also have an unwavering and firm appreciation for the truths of others.

Headshot_Tai and BROWN GIRL Jane FOUNDERS

Today, having been exposed to so many different types of women globally, I find inspiration and am enlightened on so many levels, and beyond the peripheral experiences of high school, college, and even my early career days. But to that end, today, I would have to say the women who inspire me year after year, time after time, are women who don't rest on their laurels. They are women who are committed to evolving and levelling up. At times they are women with monikers we all know and appreciate, like Oprah, Beyonce, Michelle Obama, Ariana Huffington, Jonetta B. Cole, Tamika Mallory, Sarah Jakes Roberts. And at other times they are my best friends and sisters, Yasmeen Sampson, Nadiyah Bradshaw, Natalie Guy, my business partners Malaika and Nia Jones, and my goddaughters Kayla, Madison and Zara, or even the women who are committed to showing up for my Daily IG Live Series, #MorningMindsetwithTai. Sometimes they are my business partners and my assistants. I find inspiration all around me. That is my motivation to keep going.

Headshot_TAI BEAUCHAMP

I encourage women to not only have those dynamic sheroes that we look up to – the women who have been acknowledged publicly because of the titles they hold – but to find inspiration in the woman who lives down the block. Her story, her journey, and her experience can be as illuminating and mind opening as a name that the world reveres. I'm drawn to everyday sheroes, because that is how I see myself.

"Here's what I know: I'm super. I may be a super woman. But my turbo boost has come from other woman who never questioned my power or ability"

Tai Beauchamp

Why do they inspire you? Is there anything you have achieved today that you owe to their support and guidance? I wouldn't be who I am or where I am without my sister circle and tribe. I named a few earlier, but there are more. I think about my friend Monica who, as I was transitioning between NYC and LA, said, "stay here with me until you are sure!" I think about my friend Gracia, who I spent the first two months of Covid with. Here's what I know: I'm super. I may be a super woman. But my turbo boost has come from other woman who never questioned my power or ability. It's the women who saw my purpose and promise at times I didn't recognize it. There are really too many to count. So when I encounter women who say, "women don't support or like me", I of course don't condemn or criticize them. But it is then that I want to extend my own tribe to them. What is the best piece of advice they have ever given you? 1. What you believe today as your truth... is only part of your truth tomorrow. Embrace your truth as you know it and be open to the possibilities. 2. Everything is not a priority at the same time. 3. My own wellness is the seed of wellness for others. browngirljane.com  @taibeau

Kate Home-Roberts and Hannah Walters are the co-founders of online interiors and homewares store, CharlesTed Who are the most influential female role models in your life? Hannah: Both of us would say that our mums have been a huge inspiration to us. My mum began working for an interiors business not long after I was born and within 5 years she’d bought the local branch and developed a reputation in Shropshire for her striking displays and merchandising. At Christmas, she would travel the county decorating customers’ Christmas trees and once I was old enough I would join her. Mum worked around our school hours and spent Sundays book-keeping for the business. I grew up spending Saturdays in her interiors shop and at the age of 21 I left my job and took over 50% of the business. It was time for a change in direction for retail, and we moved the shop to the main high street and set up online. Kate: Over the years working together, Hannah and I have reflected on growing up with working mums. We both grew up in single parent families who worked hard around bringing us up. When we have evenings working late together or weekends back in the warehouse packing to try and catch up with orders, we often say how we were brought up to work hard and show commitment to our jobs and the companies that we have worked for. I think this is one of the reasons we work well together. We have a very similar set of beliefs when it comes to work ethic and how we want our team at CharlesTed to support each other and work together. Nobody in the team (including Hannah and myself) is too good to pack boxes or do the washing up. We want everyone to be able to step in and step up to the task that needs doing the most, and we both think that we learnt this from our mums.

Headshot_Hannah and Kate

Why do they inspire you? Hannah: Mum’s work ethic and commitment to her customers has been an ongoing inspiration to me. Growing up within the business meant my ambition was to be able to do the same once I was old enough. It also gave me an insight into the commitment that working for yourself brings. From the outside it looks like a glamorous life - buying trips, opening events and meeting customers. But the reality is that running your own business is by no way an easy ride. Long hours and sleepless nights with little rewards in the early days are a truer picture, but the long-terms benefits if you remain committed to your ambition outweigh this and something keeps you going. For me, seeing what my mum achieved and how she was able to build a career from something she loved keeps me going. Kate: My Mum is the most tenacious person I know. She keeps us on our toes in the office, she drives things forward and she doesn’t give up until a job is complete and the goods are on the water! Her eye for detail and analysis of information is formidable and whilst this is most definitely not my strength, I admire her and take inspiration from how she transfers these skills to support us in the growth of CharlesTed.

"When I first started visiting trade shows and showrooms with mum she would encourage me not to ever feel pressurised by a sales pitch and that saying ‘no’ was not a personal rejection"

Hannah Walters

Is there anything you have achieved today that you owe to their support and guidance? Hannah: Mum’s existing relationships with suppliers when we first started meant that we already had a head start amongst the interior trade. Over 30 years she had built long-standing accounts and even friendships with lots of suppliers who were able to guide us in the early days. Kate: My mum gave us the confidence to start importing directly. Her experience and understanding of shipping from the Far East is invaluable to us. She now works as a consultant for us managing all worldwide imports and scheduling of shipments. Without her support in this area of the business we would undoubtedly still be finding our feet! What is the best piece of advice they have ever given you? Hannah: Mum was once told by a salesperson that she should always follow her instinct when buying and that you must stay true to your brand and products that inspire you, not just fashion. When I first started visiting trade shows and showrooms with mum she would encourage me not to ever feel pressurised by a sales pitch and that saying ‘no’ was not a personal rejection. Kate: To plan ahead always. Mum drives us crazy in the office – she’s constantly calling in to discuss future plans, cash flow and ordering ahead. When things are crazy busy in the office and we are trying our best to keep things running smoothly day-to-day, it’s hard to think so far ahead. But she’s so right, we’re so incredibly lucky to have her thinking about the future and making us do the same. charlested.com @charlestedinteriors

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