Here at Sussan, we have been celebrating the spirit of Australian women for more than 80 years.

Through our designs and brand partnerships, we are committed to supporting, empowering and championing women and are always looking for new ways to help our community thrive.

Now, we want to recognise the influential women of our Sussan family by sharing their unique and uplifting stories, from female cotton farmers and garment technicians to motivating members of our wider community, including Breast Cancer Network Australia.

With that, we give you: By Women. For Women, a new column featuring valuable and diverse insights from women who create, design, and inspire.

How does your role contribute to the world of Sussan? 

When customers leave a Sussan store, I want them to feel better than when they arrived, so I love mentoring and encouraging my team to be their best. I pride myself in empowering my team members to drive positivity.

How do you approach your role’s process? 

I lead with attributes I believe empower my team to succeed.

What excites you most about your role?/designing for women/ working for a female orientated company/ telling the Sussan story?

I love working for a female-orientated brand that constantly promotes women throughout the business.

What does ‘For Women. By Women.’ mean to you?

To me, ‘For Women. By Women’ means promoting, supporting and empowering women, allowing them to have a voice, lifting each other up and being each other’s number-one fan!

What have been your biggest learnings in your role?

-To be my team’s biggest supporter, challenger and coach
-That vulnerability is a sign of courage and strength
-That two-way feedback is key

What is the best piece of advice you have received from another woman?

It takes years to be an overnight success; have patience and stay focused. Try to keep sight of what your goals are. Keep perspective and stay positive.

How do you balance work and home life?

I believe I manage my work and home life well. I start my workdays by creating a list of priority tasks to complete during the day.
I find that a list helps me finish my work at a reasonable hour, keeps me focused, and also allows me to relax at home and switch off. I’ve been employing this strategy for a few years now and have found that this works best for me to achieve a healthy work-life balance.

What is the biggest challenge of being a woman today?

We live in a time when there are more equal opportunities than ever. We still have a way to go. Women have become the ultimate multitaskers.

How do you unwind at the end of the work day?

I like making a super delicious, easy meal. I love cooking! It reminds me of my Grandparents and what they taught me in the kitchen. Most nights after dinner, we walk our dogs or watch a good television series.

Who are the women you are inspired by?

Authentic, driven, passionate and kind women inspire me. I am often inspired by my friends, colleagues, family and mentors.
My mum is my greatest inspiration – she has taught me more than I could have learnt from any book.

This month, Sussan is shining a spotlight on “Everyday Icons”. Who is an Everyday Icon in your life who inspires you?

My 93-year-old grandmother inspires me every day. She still lives at home on her own, she’s fierce, and she taught me cooking skills that I will keep for life!

For our latest campaign, we are also looking at Everyday Icons in our wardrobes — the kind of hardworking pieces you trust time and time again and that always make you feel confident to go out and thrive when wearing them. In your wardrobe, what is your Everyday Icon? How do you feel when wearing it?

A Sussan blazer is my favourite Everyday Icon. These designs always make me feel comfortable and stylish. Layered with a ribbed tank or a cotton shirt, they are versatile and classic.