Celebrating Women Of The Cave
International Women's Day serves as a call to action for achieving gender parity sooner rather than later. City Cave is proud to have over half of our Franchisee and HQ team consisting of powerful women, and we want to use this week as an opportunity to celebrate women’s achievements. We interviewed some of our Franchise owners for the blog this month, in the hope to encourage more women to take on leadership roles!
Josie Wakim
Director of City Cave North Strathfield
What attracted you to become a Franchisee with City Cave?
Firstly, the opportunity to be empowered and in control of my own future. Living in a pandemic and a year of uncertainty, I felt it was a time in my life to step out of my comfort zone and to not only own my own business but to be a part of helping people better their lives. During covid, the need for self-care became more evident and City Cave was a product I believed in. Another factor was meeting some of the first women franchisees and being inspired by their stories.
What is some of the advice you share with young women entering a male-dominated profession?
Don’t let gender stand in your way. Women are built strong and resilient and can bring a different approach to the workforce. Society is changing in terms of equality in the workplace and it’s important to reflect on these changes and to not be afraid to step up and take charge.
As a female leader, what has been the most significant barrier throughout your career?
As a female the most significant barrier throughout my career would have to be juggling family, motherhood, domestic duties and all the additional roles that being a mother brings, as well as being able to find that balance. Fortunately, I haven't experienced too many gender-related roadblocks but I do occasionally have to deal with the assumptions that it is my husband that owns the business and not myself.
Why do you think companies would benefit from having more women at the top?
Women bring a different culture into the workplace. They are able to multi-task and adapt due to their nature. Their leadership approach is the perfect balance between compassion, empathy, strength and power.
How should businesses support other women in their organisation?
They should support them by allowing them to speak up and giving them the same opportunities as men. Allowing them flexibility and support to step forward and to overcome barriers that are holding them back, to be able to succeed in their position. Giving them the same opportunities as men and levelling out the field. No one is better, just equal.
Are there any females in business or leadership positions who have inspired you throughout your life and why?
I am inspired by any female in business or leader that is also a mother. I believe that motherhood is the hardest job and being able to juggle a career and a family is inspirational. I am also inspired by any female leader that inspires and supports other women to achieve.
Kathy Rees
Director and Multi-Site owner of City Cave West Ipswich & City Cave Springfield
What attracted you to become a franchisee with City Cave?
I have been using Float Therapy for many years prior to becoming a part of the City Cave family. I am passionate about health & wellbeing and found that Float Therapy offered a natural alternative to keep my stress levels at bay, to relieve those aches and pains and give me a chance to disconnect from the everyday and connect with myself.
What is some of the advice you share with young women entering a male-dominated profession?
I seem to have mostly worked in sectors dominated by men so I learnt fairly early on that I needed to be more assertive and not be afraid to voice my opinions. I also found it invaluable to connect with other women in similar roles and/or industries to create a supportive network.
As a female leader, what has been the most significant barrier throughout your career?
I believe that the most significant barrier for me, especially in the last 15 years, was the fact that I was a single parent with 2 young children. Trying to fulfil the role of mum and dad, and being able to juggle the logistics of building a career and a future for my little family was quite stress-inducing and there were times I did not step forward for roles due to the demanding pace required and extracurricular responsibilities.
There was one role in particular that I was told, to my face, that I did not belong, and was not welcome due to the fact I was a woman.
Why do you think companies would benefit from having more women at the top?
There have been many studies demonstrating that companies led by women have a higher employee job satisfaction rate, higher retention of staff and produce better overall results.
I think this is because women leaders may be more approachable, empathetic and willing to take the time to get to know their team and understand their family dynamics and how best to support everyone individually instead of a one-size-fits-all approach.
Also, in my experience, women tend to be more collaborative and work together in teams for a common goal, thereby fostering a positive work environment.
How should businesses support other women in their organizations?
Covid has demonstrated that it is possible to work from home and/or explore other flexible working arrangements. I would like to see this option retained in the future so rather than having to take a "sick day" to stay at home, be given the opportunity to investigate other options to enable the workflow to continue whilst also fulfilling parental or family obligations.
Lastly, are there any females in business or leadership positions who have inspired you throughout your life, and why?
My mum has been the biggest inspiration to me, showing me that you can have a career and a family too. She always encouraged me and told me I could do anything I set my mind to.
My other inspiration has been a friend of mine who has her own successful business in the financial planning space which is a very male-dominated sector. She is dynamic, confident, leads from the heart and inspires me to be a better person and a better leader.
Ally Jones
Director of City Cave Wynnum
What attracted you to become a franchisee with City Cave?
A passion for natural therapies, a yearning to get out of my comfort zone and challenge myself, and an all-around fantastic business opportunity!
What is some of the advice you share with young women entering a male-dominated profession?
I've actually learned a lot of really positive pointers from working with and for men over the years that I have personally adopted, and that I think would be worthwhile for all young women to keep in mind when jumping into the business world. Firstly, we have to acknowledge that we are wired differently, and as women (particularly passionate creative ones!) we can feel everything quite deeply, and sometimes have a different level of emotional investment than our male counterparts. My advice would be: don't take things personally, if it's not generating profit it's not worth your while, and get comfortable with failing; the best business people aren't perfect, they simply know how to get back up again after being knocked down.
As a female leader, what has been the most significant barrier throughout your career?
I think I experienced this the most when I was not only a woman but a young woman who had stepped in as Acting Editor of one of the lifestyle magazines I worked for (I was 21 at the time!). Some days were tough; directing experienced industry people during photo shoots, pitching ideas to the publisher, following up deadlines with far more experienced team members... although it was at times an anxiety-ridden, challenging experience, it also showed me how incredibly powerful and uplifting support from your fellow woman can be. I had a sisterhood backing me the whole way.
Why do you think companies would benefit from having more women at the top?
I think once we've completed our apprenticeship, we can be very nurturing and forward-planning leaders with brilliant attention to detail.
How should businesses support other women in their organizations?
They should educate themselves about women's cyclical natures, and work alongside their female employees to support them throughout all four very different stages of their cycle. The go-go-go hustle mentality isn't suited to how we ideally should live as women, so having a flexible approach to when and how women work is guaranteed to result in the most productivity and work satisfaction.
Lastly, are there any females in business or leadership positions who have inspired you throughout your life, and why?
I would say my first boss and the publisher of the suite of lifestyle magazines I worked for, Rhonda. She was the director of the company, but when she had to sign her first commercial lease in the 80s, her husband had to sign on her behalf as she was a woman. She went from being doubted and undermined to becoming a powerful, inimitable leader, who faced every situation with control, calm and tactic, something I admire very much.
Sarah Williams
Director of City Cave Rocklea
What attracted you to become a franchisee with City Cave?
I have loved working in the health and wellness industry for many years, and City Cave is such an amazing brand that has the ability to help such a wide range of people in their goals to relaxation and wellness; It was really a no brainer for me!
What is some of the advice you share with young women entering a male-dominated profession?
Don't focus on your gender or the gender of those around you. Just be the best you you can be and don’t take no for an answer. No doesn’t always mean no in business - it just means no for now!!
As a female leader, what has been the most significant barrier throughout your career?
I have tried not to label barriers in my career as gender (or any other related) roadblocks, just simply an opportunity to overcome. There is always another means to an end. If you have strength and tenacity, you won’t be blinded by these issues.
Why do you think companies would benefit from having more women at the top?
Women tend to have an innate ability for compassion, strength, intelligence and time management. Companies who harness these strengths in their women leaders will no doubt see many benefits.
How should businesses support other women in their organizations?
Be flexible where you can and harness and develop strengths to upskill the females in your workplace to give them the confidence to do the things they always wanted to but might be too scared to ask for.
Lastly, are there any females in business or leadership positions who have inspired you throughout your life, and why? This one is easy!! I have owned 4 Boost Juice Bars since 2007 and Janine Allis is an absolute legend. I have chatted to her at conferences whilst our children played and she took business phone calls on the side. If she can do it, so can I - so I aspire to have the strength and tenacity she has every day in my own businesses and in life.