Building a business takes passion, resilience and a deep love for what you do. This International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating three inspiring female entrepreneurs who have embraced the meaningful journey that comes with running their own businesses.
At VistaPrint, we’re committed to supporting women-led businesses by providing the tools and resources they need to grow and thrive. In this exclusive feature, we asked the women behind Eyepicturedthis, The Oddative™ and Petite Treats to share their journeys — from how the business started to what they love most about the work. The three also reflect on this year’s theme, Accelerate Action, the women they look up to and share advice to aspiring female entrepreneurs.
Eyepicturedthis
Tell us about your business. How did it start and what do you love most about it?
I’m an artist and illustrator, and my work focuses on creating layered paper art that’s inspired by nature and little everyday moments. It started out as something I was just doing for fun – cutting and layering paper as a creative outlet. I started sharing it online, and it grew from there into a small business. What I love most is the creative freedom and seeing how my work connects with people. It’s amazing that something I love doing has turned into a business.
What experiences and achievements as a female entrepreneur are you most proud of?
I’m really proud of how my business has grown in an organic, authentic way. Collaborating with big brands has been a highlight, but honestly, I’m just as proud of the little things – like building a community that connects with my work and staying true to my creative style. Creating work that feels real to me, while also resonating with others, is something I’m really grateful for.
What does this year’s theme “Accelerate Action” mean to you as a female entrepreneur?
For me, “Accelerate Action” is about recognising how far we still have to go to reach gender equality and the need to keep pushing for change. I’ve seen how women’s work can be undervalued and the challenges we face within the creative industries. This theme is a reminder to support and lift each other up, share information, and opportunities. It’s about making small, intentional steps that help drive change.
Who are the women that inspire you, and what have you learned from them?
I’m constantly inspired by women who are out there doing their own thing – from artists and small business owners to close friends, I’ve learned a lot from watching how they navigate their creative passions and businesses. One of the biggest lessons is that there’s no one right way to succeed, you have to figure out what works for you and trust that.
If you could give one piece of advice to women looking to start their own business, what would it be?
Back yourself. You don’t need to have everything figured out before you start, just take it one step at a time. Stay open to learning as you go, there’s always something new to learn whether that’s in your craft, or in the business side of things. And find your people – the ones who genuinely support and encourage you to keep going!
The Oddative™
Tell us about your business. How did it start and what do you love most about it?
I started The Oddative in 2021, at a time where I was searching for a creative outlet outside of my full-time role as an E-Commerce & Digital Marketing Manager. Growing up I was always guided by the right side of my brain, while I loved my job, I felt like I needed something more to fuel my creative spirit. During lockdown, I found myself experimenting with various art mediums to pass the time, and it was when I discovered acrylic resin that everything changed. That moment turned a simple hobby into a true passion, and eventually, The Oddative was born.
I love that the business allows me to combine creativity with purpose. Working with acrylic resin allows me to create timeless, mindfully made pieces that help people curate spaces they truly love. Seeing how my work can transform a room, bring a sense of calm, and reflect someone’s personal style is incredibly rewarding.
Beyond the creative process, I love that it allows me to connect with people and other makers who value thoughtful design and intentional living. It’s really not just about making home decor–it’s about contributing to the feeling of home and well-being for others, which is what keeps me inspired everyday.
What experiences and achievements as a female entrepreneur are you most proud of?
After launching The Oddative as a side hustle in 2021, I decided to pursue it full time in 2023 which was definitely a big step with many moments of doubt along the way. Leaving behind the security of a steady job to pursue something unknown wasn’t easy. The obvious questions came to mind about whether I was making the right move or will it work out. It took a lot of courage to push through the fears and trust in my creative vision.
However, trusting my instincts and taking that leap has been incredibly rewarding and I’m proud to have taken the chance on myself. It’s taught me that self-doubt is natural, but it doesn’t have to hold you back. Creating intentional and mindful pieces helps me stay grounded, and knowing that my work contributes to making others’ spaces feel calm and comforting adds the extra layer of fulfilment. I’m proud of not just of where the business is today, but of the resilience, confidence and balance that I’ve gained through this journey.
Who are the women that inspire you, and what have you learned from them?
When I take a look back at my journey, I’ve always been inspired by the incredible mentors and leaders I’ve had the privilege of working with.
I’ve learned so much from them and I still apply all those learnings into my day to day as a small business owner. They’ve taught me about the importance of leading with both strength and empathy, teaching me that a balance of assertiveness and kindness is key to building trust and creating a supportive work environment.
In addition, the women I’ve built wonderful relationships with through my Instagram community don’t fail to inspire me daily–they show up driven, creative, and passionate about what they do. They’ve taught me the power of collaboration, the importance of staying true to your values, and how a sense of community can build growth and resilience.
Collectively, all these women have shown me the importance of supporting one another, trusting our intuition and never underestimating the power of persistence.
If you could give one piece of advice to women looking to start their own business, what would it be?
Three words, move without fear. There have been so many times, both in personal and business, where I’ve let fear of failure hold me back. Failure is often seen as something to avoid, and yes, it’s nothing but a natural reaction, however it’s actually one of the most valuable learning tools.
Every setback is an opportunity to grow, adjust and just get better! When you start to open up to embracing the process and trust that the challenges you face along the way are part of your unique journey–you’ll soon realise that failure is not something to fear.
The most important thing is to take action, keep moving forward, and know that each step—whether it’s a success or a lesson—is progress.
What does this year’s theme “Accelerate Action” mean to you as a female entrepreneur?
As a female entrepreneur, this year’s International Women’s Day theme resonates with me in a sense where it’s not just a moment to acknowledge the barriers women face in business but to work towards dismantling them–no action too small, whether that’s through advocating for equal opportunities, mentoring other women or challenging the outdated norms that limit our overall potential.
For me as a small business owner, it means pushing forward with passion and purpose. It isn’t just about creating pieces, but also about inspiring others to take bold steps towards their goals, dreams and ambitions. At the end of the day, change happens by doing, and as women in business we have the power to lead that charge with purpose, even when the road ahead is unknown.
Petite Treats
Tell us about your business. How did it start and what do you love most about it?
Let me set the scene. The night is silent and as the world is still during the pandemic, we all hope to forget, there is a primary school teacher who is busy baking up a storm in her suburban kitchen.
On a mission to revisit the ever so humbling French patisserie known as a macaron (not macaroon). Something which she has baked many times before. By day she wore her mum cape and by night she stepped into the delightful world of baked goods, of which she ate all.
Long story short, her friends and family grew tired of seeing the delectable bakes on her socials and asked her to share them with the world…and so Petite Treats was born.
The part that was loved the most was that she was sweetening everyone’s day with her treats all across
Melbourne, during what seemed like dark times.
What experiences and achievements as a female entrepreneur are you most proud of?
As a business owner, wife and mum to three little ones, I must admit, I don’t usually get a chance to stop and smell the roses. Life is non-stop, which means I have to keep moving, shifting and adapting.
I think the day I discovered the term “mumpreneur”, I felt like I had unlocked a new level in the game of life. I never would have thought that I was one to break the norm, by leaving my teaching career, becoming a stay-at-home mum and turning my creative outlet into a business.
Although my journey has been unconventional, I hope to be a positive role model to my children, the students I have taught and to women who want to take the leap and try something different.
What does this year’s theme “Accelerate Action” mean to you as a female entrepreneur?
Women have been achieving incredible things from the beginning of time. We still have a while to reach our goals and the only way to get there is to work together. Since starting Petite Treats I have been introduced to a whole new world of incredible female entrepreneurs through the baking community. This community consists of some of the kindest and most talented women I have ever met.
The women in this community have one thing in common, besides their love for all things sweet. They are constantly cheering each other on, where a win for you is seen as a win for me and this is the type of sisterhood we need to help us “Accelerate Action”.
Who are the women that inspire you, and what have you learned from them?
Although there are some astounding bakers who I admire and aspire to be like. The women who have inspired me to be who I am today include my mum, her two sisters, my sisters, and my best friend.
My mum, a dedicated homemaker, taught me the essence of nurturing and perseverance. Farzana Aunty, with her focus and discipline, showed me that the hard work will pay off. Zaria Aunty, a true go-getter, gave me the confidence to just go for it and do what I enjoy. My sisters and best friend have been my unwavering support system, cheering me on every step of the way.
If you could give one piece of advice to women looking to start their own business, what would it be?
You have to try it once, otherwise you wouldn’t know if you’re good at it. Embrace the unknown, take calculated risks, and don’t be afraid to fail.
Every setback is a learning opportunity that brings you closer to success. Believe in yourself and surround yourself with a community of incredible like-minded women that will uplift and support you through this journey.
Ultimately, the journey of entrepreneurship is not just about reaching a destination, but about the growth and experiences you gain along the way.
Ready to bring your vision to life? VistaPrint is here to help with a range of marketing materials, branded merch and more – all customised to your unique business. For more small business success stories and marketing inspiration, follow us on social at instagram.com/vistaprintaustralia.
