International Women’s Day & My Journey with Inked Badger

Alright, let’s get into it. It’s March, which means International Women’s Day is here again, and honestly? It’s got me reflecting on my own journey - how I went from a girl obsessed with ancient Egypt (fully convinced I was gonna be an archaeologist) to running my own creative business.

Spoiler alert: there were no clear, easy paths, but that’s what makes it worth talking about.

Growing Up & Figuring Sh*t Out

I had zero clue what I wanted to do when I got older. No big “lightbulb moment,” no dream career mapped out - just vibes. The only thing that stayed consistent? I loved being arty. Painting, drawing, sticking things together - if it was creative, I was into it. But I still felt lost, especially starting secondary school. I wasn’t the smartest in the room (or at least, that’s how I felt), and while I don’t think that was because I was a girl, I definitely got my fair share of unsolicited life advice from random men. Like the guy on a train who told 12-year-old me that tattoos would ruin my body. Or the Tesco customer who told me studying art meant I was “going nowhere.”

Yeah. Cheers for that, pal.

But despite all the noise, I stuck with what I loved. I went to college for Art & Design, fell head over heels for photography, and dabbled in storytelling and set design. That led me to Cumbria University to study photography, which ultimately brought me to where I am now. It wasn’t a straight road, but it was my road, and I wouldn't change it.

The Inked Badger Era Begins

I didn’t start Inked Badger because I had some huge, groundbreaking business plan. I started it because I got made redundant. Twice. Back to back. And I hated the feeling of being let down like that. I’m stubborn as hell, and I decided then and there that I’d rather bet on myself than rely on someone else to decide if I had a job or not.

So, I threw myself in. No clue if it would work. No clue who (if anyone) would take a chance on a brand-new business. But here’s the thing- women back women. Female-led businesses lifted me up in a way I never expected. The downside? I often felt completely overlooked by a lot of male-led businesses doing the same thing. Not always, but often enough that I noticed. And then, there was the absolute killer moment when someone turned down a recommendation for my services because I had fewer Instagram followers than him.

(Seriously, what?)

But I pushed through, and slowly, surely, Inked Badger became something real.

Lessons, Growth & Not Burning Out

Here’s the biggest thing I’ve learned: your business is not your entire life. Yes, work hard, build it up, but for the love of God, take a break. You’re not going to be an overnight success, and that’s okay. Growth takes time, and the best thing you can do is let it happen organically.

Also? Being surrounded by women in business has been one of the most empowering parts of my journey. Watching women absolutely smash it, and being part of events like H&H’s Ladies Lunch has been incredible. It reminds me that success isn’t just about numbers or followers; it’s about community and the people you connect with.

What International Women’s Day Means to Me

To me, this day is about feeling powerful and seen. It’s a reminder that women deserve space, recognition, and support in whatever they choose to do. If I could give one piece of advice to anyone thinking about starting their own business?

Do it.

It won’t be easy, and there will be moments of doubt, but if it’s what you love - if it makes you happy, go for it. You’ll find your people. You’ll build something that matters. And honestly? You’ll shock yourself with what you’re capable of.

The Future of Inked Badger

I want Inked Badger to keep growing. I want to keep helping people build their businesses, keep meeting amazing people, and keep proving to myself that I can do this. I want my business to be recognised, not just for the work I do but for the person behind it.

So, here’s to the women making their own paths. Here’s to the messy journeys, the stubborn decisions, and proving people wrong. And here’s to never letting a random man on a train decide what we do with our bodies.

And because I love this quote by Nikita Gill, I’m leaving it here as a reminder for anyone who needs it:

“You are not small. You are not unworthy. You are not insignificant. The universe wove you from a constellation. Every atom, every fibre in you comes from a different star.Together, you are bound by stardust, altogether spectacularly created from the energy of the universe itself. And that, my darling, is the poetry of physics, the poetry of you.”

Happy International Women’s Day. 💜