In celebration of International Women’s Day, we have asked our eight most inspirational floral friends to share their most important life lessons with us.

Gucci Westman is the celebrated American makeup artist and recent founder of Westman Atelier, who counts Gwyneth Paltrow and Jennifer Anniston as clients and friends. She launched her clean make-up collection, Westman Atelier, two years ago after over two decades in the beauty industry and has quickly gained a following of clean-beauty loyalists. Westman Atelier focuses on the tag-line “Consciously Crafted Beauty,” and we are pleased to speak with this inspiring entrepreneur and floral friend about her views on business, family, life and the importance of women supporting women.
Gucci Westman

Gucci Westman
 

Advice for women starting their careers?

Resilience and intuition are really powerful tools. You have to keep an open mind and be a good listener but know when to stick with what feels right.

What would you tell your younger self now?

Believe in yourself. There will be failure along the way, but if you don’t fail then you’re not taking risks. And if you’re not taking risks, then you’re not learning. You have to learn everyday. Pushing yourself to do new things grows your confidence.

Key to success:

Don’t take no for an answer. There’s always a possibility.

Three qualities you look for in people you work with:

Passion, self-awareness and problem-solving abilities.

What has been your biggest challenge in being a woman in business?

When I was working really heavily in editorials, I really wanted a family but I also wanted to be the top in my field. The industry doesn’t make it easy on women. There’s so much stigma around wanting to have both of those things. And in the fashion world, if you’re out of sight, you’re out of mind. When I was pregnant with my first child, I only took 8 or 10 days off and then jumped right back to work because I was so worried that if I took the time, then that would be it. All the hard work, all the long hours would be for nothing. I was super stressed, constantly hiding that I needed to pump and breastfeed while being on set. You’re not made to feel like hey, you’re a new mom, do what you need to do, it’s important… it’s the complete opposite of that. I was always feeling so personally and professionally pulled. I was trying to balance it all but I never felt like I could make the right decision.

What do you hope for the future of women in business?

Equality and more support around childcare and motherhood in general.

How do you empower women within your business and in life?

By listening and supporting.

“My dream is that sourcing and using clean, safe ingredients becomes the standard in the industry.”
Gucci Westman
 
 

Gucci Westman
 

Your leadership style in one word:

Empowerment.

What would you like your leadership legacy to be?

I hope that it’s about recognizing the strengths of others and empowering them so that as a team, we can succeed.

Mothering style?

I try to approach mothering with the best of intentions and remind myself just how difficult it is to grow up. Kids and teens are going through so many emotions and just trying to figure it out all out. Truly, I think I learn the most from them. They’re really here to teach us.

Favourite quote:

“The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud.” - Coco Chanel

Zoom background accessories:

Always flowers. Nowadays, there’s always a chance that one of my three kids will also make an appearance.

If you were a flower, what would you be, and why?

Peonies. They are the happiest flower.

Most inspiring woman:

My mom. She’s always there to listen no matter what. She tries to assess and never be one-sided. She’s always loving and supporting no matter what.

You sign off correspondence with:

Xx

In a bid to support women across the UK who are struggling to find a job or losing hope for the future, we're donating £5 from every bunch of yellow flowers we sell to the Prince's Trust #ChangeAGirlsLife campaign in the lead-up to International Women's Day (February 16th - March 8th), because no woman should feel left out. They will receive vital help and support to re-build lost confidence and move forward into employment, further education or to become self-employed, working with a mentor for a fresh start and a much brighter future. The Prince's Trust (registered charity England and Wales 1079675 and Scotland SC041198).

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