It’s that time of year when the internet is flooded with performative posts from organisations that think posting a photograph of the women in their teams is sufficient, a mere tick in the box for International Women’s Day. We believe IWD is about highlighting women’s experiences and gaining their perspectives to drive improvements that benefit everyone.
There have never been more opportunities for women in the industry, but it’s equally a really tough time to be a woman in business.
Whether it’s the sudden demand to “get back into the office full time” from several businesses for no real reason, or a lack of support for working parents that mean women’s careers are disproportionately impacted (otherwise known as the Motherhood Penalty, which is responsible for driving a quarter of a million – and counting – women out of jobs!), it’s tough out there.
As an agency with a 60% female workforce and co-founded by a powerful female, equal opportunities and providing people with the environment to do their best work are incredibly important.
We offer our team hybrid, flexible working, a shorter working week (35 hours), and an advanced maternity and paternity package, making our agency a supportive place to work, whether you’re a parent or not.
Another part of IWD for us is supporting initiatives on our doorstep that help women. This year, we’ve decided to show our support to Hull Sisters, a fantastic organisation that supports women and children in Hull.
“Hull Sisters is not just a charity, but a sisterhood.”
Hull Sisters believes every woman has the right to live a happy and fearless life. They offer a safe, empowering, all-female space where the people they support can build relationships and access the help they need.
The charity supports women facing violence, abuse, discrimination, oppression, poverty and issues with immigration, health and welfare rights, providing specialist, culturally appropriate support and is fully equipped to help those with complex needs. It is a lifeline for women uncomfortable using mainstream services and a vital source of confidential support to help Black and minority women feel safe, confident, and part of their community.
We’re donating £500 to support the charity, and will be looking for more ways to support this incredible organisation over the course of 2025 as part of our 5th Birthday pledge.
We also wanted to share insights from the women in our agency, specifically around their experiences in their careers to date, their advice to others in the industry and what we can all do to support and empower women in digital in the coming years.
Thank you to all the brilliant women in our team who shared their views and advice for this feature.
Let’s get into it, shall we?
Emily Falkingham, Co-founder and Performance Marketing Director
What’s one piece of advice you would give to women starting out in marketing?
Don’t be afraid to be heard!
Speak up and share your thoughts and ideas. You might get it wrong, but you might contribute something brilliant.
Have you faced any challenges as a woman in this industry, and how did you overcome them?
The challenges I have faced are not necessarily specific to the industry but probably specific to the world of work for females.
Running and growing a business is challenging. Combine that with parenting a six-year-old while trying to socialise, exercise, and be your best self 24 / 7 – it’s exhausting.
It’s a daily struggle, but I’m trying to be kinder to myself and tell myself to pick my battles and not be so tough on myself.
What’s something you wish you’d known earlier in your career?
You can do anything you put your mind to.
Be brave and go for it. Every mistake is a lesson learned, and it’s all part of the journey.
Which women in our industry (or beyond) inspire you, and why?
Karren Brady is a woman in business that I admire – becoming the MD of Birmingham City at the age of 23 and ripping everything up and starting again takes some nerves of steel.
What do you think businesses in our industry could do better to support women?
Making it easier for women to continue progressing through their careers after having children. Offering flexibility and support when they’re juggling, and making sure everyone is given equal opportunities.
Natalia Mrozec, Performance Marketing Executive
What’s one piece of advice you would give to women starting out in marketing?
Be yourself. Know that your perspective and ideas are valuable and that you are capable of amazing things. Don’t fall into the trap of comparing yourself to others; your journey is unique, and that’s what makes you stand out.
Have you faced any challenges as a woman in this industry, and how did you overcome them?
One of the biggest challenges is feeling like you must constantly prove yourself. But the truth is, you do have expertise and are capable. I’m still learning to do this, but it’s so important to check yourself if you second-guess yourself. Trust your knowledge, back your ideas with data, and stand by them confidently. 
What’s something you wish you’d known earlier in your career?
I wish I had realised sooner how important it is to value my own self-esteem and worth. That you bring value to the table, and you deserve to be here, especially with imposter syndrome looming over.
Which women in marketing (or beyond) inspire you, and why?
There are so many women who have changed the world and the rules we live by. But I think it is important to take inspiration from all the women around us, including colleagues, friends, and family, as well as women we meet on a daily basis.
Their support, ideas, and encouragement shape our growth. Empowerment comes from those around us, and it should be our main motivation to do the same for others.
What do you think businesses in our industry could do better to support women?
We need to advocate for women and put complete trust in them, as much as we do for men.
Validating women’s ideas, giving them space to lead, and ensuring their voices are heard isn’t just a “nice to have”, it’s necessary.
Phoebe Carrick, Performance Marketing Executive
What’s one piece of advice you would give to women starting out in our industry?
You don’t need to shrink yourself; you’re in that room and part of the conversation for a reason. I’d also say, wherever possible, support and uplift the women around you.
Have you faced any challenges as a woman in this industry, and how did you overcome them?
I’ve experienced moments where I have been dismissed or interrupted by men who felt their opinion was more valuable than mine, especially at university. Over time and through building my confidence, I’ve learnt to stand my ground and back myself.
What’s something you wish you’d known earlier in your career?
The importance of advocating for your worth. It’s crucial to recognise your value and be confident and unapologetic in communicating that.
Which women in our industry (or beyond) inspire you, and why?
Krissy Cela inspires me. I admire her values, work ethic, and consistent support of women and girls. She promotes the importance of movement for reasons beyond aesthetics, which is such an important message. At 24, she launched her first company, which has since grown into two multi-million-dollar businesses.
I also find daily inspiration in the women I work with. Their drive, compassion, and support push us all to strive for more.
What do you think businesses in our industry could do better to support women?
I’d love to see more representation of women in senior and leadership positions – not just for the sake of ticking a box, but because they’ve earned it and deserve to be in those positions. There have been great strides so far, but as a society we still have a lot of work to do, especially in the response to a world that’s increasingly resistant to initiatives that drive diversity and inclusion.
Georgia Garnett, Client Services Director
What’s one piece of advice you would give to women starting out in our industry?
Remain unapologetically yourself.
Simply get stuck in and be honest. You don’t know what you don’t know, so be honest and proactive. You will quickly earn the respect of your peers, and from there, you can’t go far wrong.
Have you faced any challenges as a woman in this industry, and how did you overcome them?
Being a mum of three, I have certainly felt that people think less of me for working part-time. I am very fortunate to have the opportunity to do so supported by Green Ginger Digital, and the importance of flexibility is recognised across the agency.
To overcome this stigma, I always try to ensure that my workload is realistic to the days that I do work so as not to affect my team and that handovers are clear and fair while I am out of the office. I also remain available while I am out of the office, where possible, should the team or client need me, demonstrating my commitment.
What’s something you wish you’d known earlier in your career?
I wish I had known in advance that hard work really does pay off. Working full time alongside my university degree, I missed out on your typical Uni experience and had to work long days to complete my assignments.
Doing so, however, allowed me to get into the industry at a very young age, and experience a range of roles all of which have led me to my current role as Client Services Director, working with a fantastic team and set of clients.
Which women in our industry (or beyond) inspire you, and why?
I am so proud of and inspired by my female peers. Those around me who have taken risks starting up their own businesses in a very competitive and difficult industry, those women who completely changed their career direction at the age of 30+ to make it work for them and their families, and those women who manage to balance work and home life with young families in order to have a career, following the dreams which they have worked hard to make a reality.
What do you think businesses in our industry could do better to support women?
It would be wonderful to have additional opportunities to meet like-minded women in the industry. I also believe greater understanding and consideration of women’s mental health and wellbeing would be beneficial, enabling employers to comprehend how to better support women throughout various stages of their lives and careers.
Samantha Bray, Content SEO Executive
What’s one piece of advice you would give to women starting out in our industry?
Don’t be afraid to share your ideas or ask questions. You bring immense value to the team as well.
Have you faced any challenges as a woman in this industry, and how did you overcome them?
Green Ginger is the first full-time job I’ve held after successfully completing my apprenticeship, and I’m fortunate that they treat everybody fairly and equally!
What’s something you wish you’d known earlier in your career?
Making a mistake won’t make the world explode. Just learn from it and take the steps to improve.
Which women in our industry (or beyond) inspire you, and why?
Emma Watson – She’s a prominent advocate for gender equality and women’s rights.
What do you think businesses in our industry could do better to support women?
Showcasing the achievements of women in the industry through blogs, podcasts, videos, social media, and case studies could empower others.
That’s a wrap on our IWD feature for 2025, but keep your eyes peeled for more exciting updates on this blog. These include client announcements, new case studies, a fresh look, and more information about our charity initiatives for the year ahead.
If working for a supportive agency, recognised by Prolific North as one of the Independent Agencies to Watch, sounds appealing to you, head over to our Careers page to see what we have to offer. We’re always eager to hear from talented individuals and have significant growth ambitions for the next five years, making it a great time to join.
