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Since founding The Design Files in 2008, Lucy Feagins has become one of the leading voices in Australian design. With over 14 years of experience covering the ins and outs of the industry, she is driven by her passion for supporting local talent and is uniquely positioned as a trusted expert. As a regular contributor to Domain Magazine (Fairfax), Lucy frequently speaks at design industry events and appears in the media.
International Women's Day is important because we still have a long way to go in terms of gender equity in Australia. IWD is an opportunity to celebrate how far we have come, but more importantly, to highlight the many issues that still require urgent action and advocacy. We need a greater representation of women in government and in leadership positions, we need equal pay across genders, we need equity in our parental leave system to ensure working women are not limited in their career opportunities, we also need to urgently address gender-based abuse and domestic violence in Australia.
As a female founder and business owner, I feel I have created a safe and progressive workplace for myself and my female staff. However, in previous roles, I certainly have felt limited, underestimated, and even patronised at times by male bosses or male colleagues. I guess I've always been quite feisty and opinionated (!) - I tend to be outspoken if I experience or see inequity in action. However, that is a position of privilege - not everyone can question authority or risk their job to speak up.
Looking back, I ended up leaving my previous career and starting my own business because essentially, I wanted to build a career that would be on my own terms.
Mission accomplished!
I feel over the past decade the support networks for female founders/business owners have hugely increased, which is really encouraging. I've just joined a small group for female business owners who support one another and offer amazing advice - that sort of group wasn't around when I first started my business.
I think the path forward for female entrepreneurs and business owners is certainly better now than perhaps ten or twenty years ago. That said, I think women still struggle for equal treatment in business negotiations or when it comes to business funding.
There are still plenty of meetings I attend and negotiations where I feel that I am in the minority as a woman. There is still a lot to work on!
I'm inspired by so many incredible women business leaders. Lately, I've been really inspired by Kate Morris, Founder, and Director of Adore Beauty - Australia's first beauty e-commerce site, which Kate launched in Melbourne in 1999 and has built from the ground up into a multi-million dollar publicly listed company. Last year, Kate also launched Glow Capital Partners which is a private equity firm focused on backing purpose-led entrepreneurs and business founders.
I would really like to reimagine what parental leave looks like in Australia and address the challenges parents (usually mothers) face when returning to the workforce after having children.
I would encourage all business owners, managers, and workers to push for flexibility for working parents in the workplace. It's crazy that in 2022 women still face so many obstacles when it comes to working and having a fulfilling career after having children.
Unfortunately, as women this means we must keep asking (loudly!) for what we need (paid parental leave for both parents, flexibility, the ability to return to the same role at reduced / flexible hours after having kids) - and business owners, please support your staff who are parents, so they can bring their best selves to work. The rewards for creating an inclusive and supportive workplace for women are limitless!
Editor, The Design Files
