To celebrate International Women's Day, powerful women, and female empowerment, we are turning to the founders of some of the world's biggest beauty brands, with Omorovicza the first.
Last year, we ran a fabulous campaign; turning to our female employees to ask them about their inspirations and hopes for their future, as well as some of the country's top bloggers. This year, in collaboration with our Powerful Month, we have teamed up with various brands to ask their female founders just what it means to be a woman.
Empowering women is incredibly important, so we have asked these women in business for their top tips on starting out careers and maintaining a positive attitude when you need it the most.
So, let's go girls, it's time for some serious female solidarity.
A Q&A with Margaret de Heinrich, founder of Omorovicza
Margaret de Heinrich is undoubtedly one of the most glamorous women we have ever met. But more than that, she is one of the smartest and kindest ladies we have had the privilege of coming across. With her at the healm of the ship, the Omorovicza brand famed for its renowned skincare products, has become one of the leading spa and home brands in the world.
- Q How did you begin your career in the beauty industry?
- A It sounds like a cliché but it was at a basement flat in Budapest. Stephen (my husband) and I dreamt about creating a family business. We were a little naive (especially about the challenges we would soon face) but extremely excited and rather tenacious. It ended up being a happy cocktail, as to succeed in this business – you have to be persistent while appreciating that you need a bit of magic, or fairy dust, as well.
- Q What inspired you to create your brand?
- A When Stephen and I started to date – he would take me to the Hungarian healing waters, in particular the one his family built hundreds of years ago. He shared with me these waters’ history, how the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius noticed that his wounded soldiers’ skin would recover extremely quickly as they waded into the bubbling springs. There are numerous enchanting stories like that but what got me going back to these healing springs was the effect they had on my very troubled skin. It was rather miraculous. It was this sense of wonder coupled with a strong Omorovicza family heritage of belief in the waters’ curative powers, that inspired us to create Omorovicza.
- Q How do you begin your day with a positive attitude?
- A It may sound a little odd but I try and meditate. Having that bit of time to clear my head is a wonderful way to start the day on a positive and productive note.
- Q What has been the defining moment in your career?
- A I would say two things – both relied heavily on luck. The first was getting a random call about becoming a diplomat and moving to Budapest and the other was being introduced to my husband, Stephen.
- Q What beauty product is your source of power?
- A This is more of a mindset than a product - I think Beauty is Power…I feel empowered when I feel that I look my best. This is not about seeking someone else’s ideal of beauty or perfection; it is about doing small things, which help me reach my best potential (ideally exceeding my own expectations).
- Q What advice do you have for women starting out their careers?
- A I was quite anxious when starting my career post-university – I was keen to find out ‘truly’ who I was and what I was meant to do. Looking back on that time, I could not be further from where I thought I would be. And that is wonderful. My advice is to try and train you not to fall into the trap of seeing yourself through one fixed perspective or an imagined future based on who you are at that moment. Instead, make a point of breaking out of your limited perspective every day. Live spontaneously at every chance. Living spontaneously can be simply following an interest like guitar lessons, art classes, travel or music. Anything that can set you on a trajectory to expand your mind and your circle can be the secret to creating a memorable life.
- Q What future ventures are in the pipeline?
- A We have so many exciting plans though I would rather show them to you when they happen than sharing them in advance (as I am a bit superstitious).
- Q What, for you, is the best thing about being a woman?
- A There are so many wonderful things about being a woman but one I love is the sense of sisterhood – of support we have for each other as a community.
- Q Who is your female role model?
- A Aung Sang Suu Kyi, Florence Nightingale, JK Rowling, Rosa Parks…the list is endless.
- Q What advice would you give your 20 year old self?
- A If I could, I would give her a huge hug but not say a thing – as any struggles or worries I had, have made me who I am and I would not change a thing. Thus far, it has been a wonderful adventure and I so hope that it continues in future.
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