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.

    Steph Douglas

    Steph Douglas

    Founder

    Don't Buy Her Flowers

    I founded Don’t Buy Her Flowers in 2014, leaving a role in brand and marketing to offer a more personal and thoughtful gift initially for new mums; the idea came from receiving eight well-meant bouquets after having her first baby, that Steph saw were ‘another thing to care for when you’re doing more caring than you’ve ever done in your life’. The company now offers gift boxes for all occasions, for. Men, women, kids and workplaces, with ‘personal and thoughtful’ remaining key as 70% of customers opt to create completely bespoke gift boxes.

    Share an experience or challenge that has shaped you? I have a massive family – three brothers and two sisters, and my parents fostered when we were growing up. That exposed me to lots of people who had come from a different background and I would hope has given me more empathy, particularly for people who aren’t the ‘same’ as me. Growing up with that many siblings also meant I needed to fight my corner!
    Best piece of advice you have ever been given? ‘Just Do It’. No one starts with their final product. Don’t waste time waiting for it to be perfect. From Ben Jones, one of the founders of graze.com.
    What advice would you give to your younger self or a woman just starting her career? You are always going to be doing a better job than you’ll ever give yourself credit for.
    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? Because we’re still massively underrepresented, even though we have massive purchasing power.

    60 Seconds with Steph Douglas

    My inspiration is: From the women I know, who are compassionate and fearless and funny and daft and loyal and juggling so much – usually too much.
    My greatest fear is: Something happening to my family.
    The most courageous thing I have ever done is: Starting Don’t Buy Her Flowers.
    I am most proud of: My kids. They’re delicious. Exhausting, infuriating chaos, but delicious.
    Guiltless pleasure: Musicals, but I don’t feel at all guilty about it.
    Mantra I live by: ”What If I Fall?” Oh But My Darling, What If You Fly?’ - Erin Hanson. Either that or ‘nobody died’ when I need a dose of perspective.
    Female role model: It’s got to be Taylor Swift.
    Women-led brand I love: Ancient & Brave.
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