Last week, I had a bit of a "pinch me" moment.

I was invited to be a guest panel speaker for a WOW Global event. If you haven't come across them before, WOW (Women of the World) is a brilliant global alliance driving an equal and inclusive future for women, girls, and non-binary people.

I actually attended one of their in-person events in Durham last year (WOW North East) and I can honestly say it was such an amazing day. I went with my Dad and niece, and the atmosphere was just beautiful. From talks on justice systems and reclaiming power through community, to costume dress-up, live music, and art classes, it was such an inspiring, joyful celebration of women in the North East.

So, when I was asked earlier this year to join a panel for their global community, it was an immediate "yes." It was an honour to contribute to a topic that is so close to my heart, sharing the digital stage with fellow panellist Aja Barber, with the session chaired by Gemma Cairney.

Being part of a conversation with women who stand so strong in their values and share them so proudly was a really special experience.

Spend It Like You Mean It ✨

The session, titled "Spend It Like You Mean It," covered a lot of ground. We dove into the embodiment of what we are wearing. Like how the clothes on our bodies can impact our mood and the deep sense of joy that comes from truly knowing who made them.

In my work helping brands find ethical partners, I see this daily; there is a tangible difference in the quality of a garment when the people throughout the supply chain are respected. During the talk, we kept coming back to the essentials: fair wages, fair wages, fair wages.

We also chatted about:

Changing our habits: Shifting how we consume, not just when it comes to apparel but in our day-to-day lives too.
Taking our power back: How we can vote with our wallets to decide which businesses grow and which don't.
Community over digital: The freedom of getting offline and investing back into our own local communities.

Collage image of Aja Barber, Sara Collins and Gemma Cairney

Bridging the Gap Between Vision and Reality

As consumers, we have so much more power than we think. But I also know that as independent brands trying to do everything right, it can feel really hard (and sometimes quite expensive).

In my production consultancy, I often meet founders who are overwhelmed by the "how." They want a transparent supply chain and ethical certifications, but they don't know how to talk to factories or navigate MOQs (Minimum Order Quantities) without losing their creative soul.

I am a big believer that when you really know what you stand for in your business, it helps everything else fall into place. Your brand values are what keep you firm and strong; they help you navigate those tricky decisions, like choosing between a larger factory with high compliance or a smaller, women-led co-operative that offers beautiful, artisanal craft.

A Note for Independent Brands

There’s something really special in creating products with true value. If this is you, I want you to feel empowered to shout about your work! When you find and work with suppliers that feel aligned with your soul, go for it. Your people are out there! They are looking for honest brands who they align with and who stand by their values. ❤

Want to join the conversation? The "Spend It Like You Mean It" session was an exclusive event for the WOW Global community. If you’d like to support their work and gain access to future sessions and recordings, you can find out more about becoming a WOW member here.

Looking for support with your production? If you’re looking for a bit of wisdom to find the right partners for your brand, here is how I can help:

Production Consultancy – For guidance on strategy, contacts, and emails.
Done-for-you Sourcing – Let me manage the complexities of production for you.
India Sourcing Trip – Join me in person to visit suppliers and see "the how" for yourself.

Or, simply download my Free Sourcing Template to get those conversations started.