International Women’s Day 2023
08 March 2023
In honour of International Women’s Day, we spoke with four incredible women in business across our centres. The International Women’s Day 2023 theme is #embraceequity, thus supporting gender equity. At Venaspace Offices, we believe that gender equity belongs in all facets of life, including the workplace.
We asked four women in business what success meant to them, their most significant barrier, and what advice they would give the next generation of women entering the workplace.
Venaspace Bournemouth
Charlotte Green
Charlotte is the Senior Human Resource Advisor at Learn Direct Limited and has had an extensive career in HR services. She excels in performance management, communication, recruitment, HR management, as endorsed by her peers.
What does success mean to you?
Seeing a positive difference happen and being a part of the change. Having full confidence in my abilities while progressing in my career, continuing to achieve my milestones, and setting new ones.
As a woman in business, what has been the most significant barrier for you in the workplace?
Being taken seriously. Especially with being a woman of a younger age, I have, in the past, experienced dismissive cultures from men in the workplace who do not think I am experienced or able, not listening to my input or passing off opportunities to others. I have had to work hard to surpass their expectations; first impressions are everything.
What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders entering the workplace?
Continue to challenge the norm. We are heading in the right direction, and the more women are able to break the traditional barriers, the more impact we can have. Do all of this with a smile on your face and have confidence in your abilities, don’t stop striving.
Roxy Gabula
Roxy was recently promoted to Principal Consultant at Venator Broadcast. as a testament of her hardworking and success. In the lead up to her promotion, she won the Consultant of the Year award for 2022 and Consultant of the Month for January 2023.
What does success mean to you?
Success, for me, is a threshold of growth that is reached. There is nothing more exciting than celebrating the hard work, long hours, and resilience it takes to achieve goals set. Perhaps, what is even better is the period after when it is time to set anew, more ambitious targets and start the cycle of growth all over again.
As a woman in business, what has been the most significant barrier for you in the workplace?
For me, the barrier that has and sometimes still is substantial, is fear of failure, which can be stifling. However, the alternative of not doing or changing is most definitively a much worse outcome. Change of perspective on what barriers is a key to success. They are not obstacles that stop your growth and success. They are simply indicators of what you have achieved so far and what is yet to overcome.
What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders entering the workplace?
If there are no other females in the space, be the first one. If there are, be better. Be for others the person who you wish you had to look up to.
Venaspace Exeter
Cory Elliott
Cory is the Operations Manager at Berry Recruitment Exeter, an all-female team helping candidates find their dream roles. With an extensive background in recruitment, Cory and her team covers a variety of sectors in both temporary and permanent positions.
What does success mean to you?
Success to me is working in a team that respects each other and wants everyone in the team to do well. So often, people will define success with figures; yes, these are very important, but working in a team that supports and cheers you on is the definition of success to me.
As a woman in business, what has been the most significant barrier for you in the workplace?
Jealousy. I think, as women, this can really be our worst trait. I have experience jealousy from other males and females in the work place, which can be disheartening when you know you are doing a good job. These have created barriers in the past.
What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders entering the workplace?
Be yourself! Always beg for forgiveness instead of seeking permission.
Venaspace Plymouth
Wendy Codner
Wendy is the founder and director of Forget-Me-Not Services, providing top quality and individualised care to individuals living with dementia.
What does success mean to you?
Success for me is to develop a good reputation with the clients we look after, staff, CQC and Adult Social Care.
As a woman in business, what has been the most significant barrier for you in the workplace?
Fear of failure due to delay in registration with CQC causing a knock on effect for recruitment of staff and clients, which leads to lack of cash flow and frustration.
What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders entering the workplace?
Show passion, thoroughly research your business area. Have the Knowledge, skills to develop the business. Ensure good cash flow and try and prepare for every eventuality. Have a good support network in place.
Conclusion
While International Women’s Day is only one day, the work to fully embrace gender equity in the workplace is year round. At Venaspace, we are proud to have so many women in business taking steps towards viable change.
