Discover the INCREDIBLE journeys of the women in our community.
In our Member Stories, we hear from our members about the experiences that have shaped them, the challenges they’ve overcome, and how they are driving impact in their industries and beyond.
Maggie Smart
Co-founder
FOLK
I am an experienced entrepreneur and commercial director with 20+ years experience in SME fashion business encompassing wholesale, distribution, retail and e-commerce. I am the Co-founder of Folk, offering quietly stylish clothing enriched by subtle details Their collections are approachable, the name Folk implies something democratic, for everyone.
Share an experience or challenge that has shaped you? My parents died when I was in my early twenties. The experience provided me with resilience and strength that I still draw on today. It taught me that life is short and not to be afraid on failure and instead I chose to reframe failure as useful experience.
Best piece of advice you have ever been given? Failure is useful experience. It is better to chalk things up to experience than look back and wonder “what if?”. Wisdom shared by my mother before she passed away.
What advice would you give to your younger self or a woman just starting her career? Be clear, don’t feel the need to over explain yourself and treat others as you would like to be treated. Join The Women's Chapter to meet like minded souls who will support you and lift you up when you are a little weary, it happens to the best of us and entrepreneurship can at times feel lonely.
What does success mean to you? ~
How do you handle challenges and changes? What's in your toolkit? ~
Why is it important to support women in business and women-led business? Gender parity, innovation, overall economic growth and female economic empowerment.
60 Seconds with Maggie Smart
My inspiration is: My family.
My greatest fear is: Living with regrets.
The most courageous thing I have ever done is: Taken on cancer and won.
I am most proud of: My son.
Guiltless pleasure: Milk duds.
Mantra I live by: Better to look back and reflect than look back and regret.
Female role model: My Mum’s best friend Lorna who lives life to the full even at 75.
Women-led brand I love: Wilder Botanics.
SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER
for the latest offers, brand stories and inspiration.