Happy International Women's Day to everyone! This is a day all genders should be celebrating the amazing things that women can and will continue to do, despite the lack of workplace parity still present in 2016. But let's remember that today isn't about congratulating females on their achievements
because they are women. It's about women who have made a difference to the world, however big or small, and tackled the world's inherent patriarchy, without hatred for another gender, but with the desire to be a good person.<br/><br/>So in the spirit of equality, no matter what gender, race, sexuality, ethnicity or creed you hold, here are...
Propercorn's top tips for start-up success
Just four years ago, the idea of healthy popcorn was nowhere to be seen. In stepped
Propercorn, the UK's fastest growing popcorn brand, and it all started in the kitchen of a fresh university graduate, just like yourselves (or almost).But how did she do it? The now 32-year old co-founder, Cassandra Stavrou (pictured), recently shared her Top Tips for Start-Up Success. We've chosen our favourites, and summarised them below. So if you're keen to learn how to, well, start up, here are some excellent pieces of advice:
1. Confidence
"Strive to be recognised as a successful person, not a successful woman" - this is such a brilliant message for anyone who feels even slightly marginalised by society. As Cassandra puts it, success should be measured in a "gender-blind" manner, because really, that's the only way to achieve true equality in the workforce - based on skills, not biology. This also extends to religion, race, sexuality etc.
2. Take risks
Your brilliant ideas are only 10% of the process, says Stavrou and "the success lies in the execution." Don't let doubt destroy your dreams before you even get started.
3. Start with "Why?"
Establish your values and beliefs about what your start-up brand must stick to, and what it can compromise on. Cassandra explains that every principle you start out with will get tested at some point along the way, and conviction is a must-have. By establishing why you want to build this brand, you know where you can and can't budge from the outset.
4. Assume Indifference
It's annoying, and often disheartening, but learning to accept that not everyone will care about your idea is very important. If you take others' indifference to heart, you run the risk of losing speed before you even gain it. Instead, use others' assumed apathy to drive and inspire you.
5. Tenacity
Cassandra, as "a young girl with no proven track record" explains that "it was difficult to get people to take me seriously." Her advice? If you demonstrate enough passion towards your idea, you shouldn't be dissuaded by what others might think of you. If anything, your success will be even sweeter.Check out the full infographic, provided by Propercorn, below:
