Women driving transformation: An exploration with entrepreneurs in the Fresh Studio

Even in the world of impact entrepreneurship, we see the field still dominated primarily by men. Encouraging more women to jump into building a business that can have lasting change is however not just about equity and balance. At Fresh, building a systemic venture is about bringing together diverse viewpoints, embedding principles of care and balancing feminine and masculine energy. 

Instead of writing a blog about the topic ourselves, we decided to sit down with two of the women developing ventures within Fresh – Zuzanna Zielinska (LinkedIn), Founder of HarvestCare, and Annigje Jacobs (LinkedIn), co-founder of Springtail – and ask them what they thought and explore how we can further remove key barriers.

‍

Why, in your view, is it important to bring more women into entrepreneurship?

Zuzanna

I believe that women live through different life experiences than men. We are often more aware of societal, communal, and natural environmental suffering, and I think we’re generally less driven by financial reward. Many of us see entrepreneurship as the most efficient way of tackling the problems that governments fail to address. I think the more we have women using the tools and resources of business, the higher chances we have in addressing the climate crisis.

‍

Annigje

To me, it’s important to increase diversity in entrepreneurship in general. For example, when I google “entrepreneur” (which I actually did), I see photos of 30-50 year-old men. Only the 19th image is a woman. I think it’s about time we stretch our definition of what an entrepreneur is and make sure more people recognize themselves in that role. After all, more diversity increases resilience.  On top of that, I believe more diverse teams will come up with more innovative and more interesting ideas. 

‍

The principles of systemic entrepreneurship are arguably more feminine than those of typical business. What do you think the field could do with more female energy?

Zuzanna

Women are often natural systems and circular thinkers which equips them with the right mindset to work with system transitions. I believe that more feminine energy can catalyze a deeper impact that addresses critical challenges in our society. Women lately dominated the social innovation startup scene, which focuses on food accessibility, education, and care. I would love to see fewer leisure/entertainment tech solutions and more people working on solutions that help to address our basic needs.

Annigje

We’re working on complex issues where more female energy can help to 1) create a wider set of approaches / solutions and 2) create more focus on connection – finding shared values and long-term partnerships. I feel a more feminine approach will look at the best for the whole (as opposed to the few) – for example through creating collaborations with a more equal distribution of profit.

Are there barriers that you have experienced (or still do)--which you are willing to share--in terms of getting started as a female entrepreneur?

Zuzanna

There is of course self-doubt as one of the biggest challenges. Questioning: Can I really build a startup that addresses inequality, power structures, and aims to change the system to be more kind? In general, as a woman working with a systems change mindset on a daily basis, I can feel how the structures we have created have not been designed by people who would represent the real diversity of our society. Just take an example of 'only for profit' organizations; no woman could come up with such a bad idea.

When you work with systems change, you tend to take on the mission of your company as also your own personal mission, which can be very risky. It is a very demanding environment, with limited stability, and there are many financial barriers, all of which put lots of pressure on your mental health. All this adds up as impacts to your health, especially your hormonal health, which can get de-regulated very easily.

Annigje

External barriers not so much. Personally, it was quite a big step to leave my 1-year-old daughter in France and move to Rotterdam. I felt that joining Fresh was the best thing I could do for her and my own future – but it was tough and I’m happy that we’re living in the same house again.

What would you say to other women considering systemic entrepreneurship and becoming an entrepreneur?

Zuzanna

I would tell them: we need you, so come and join us, but only if you feel that you are ready to make the sacrifices. You need to feel very deeply passionate about the problem you are trying to solve, to have something to keep you going during the difficult days. You will find kind people to help you, and you will be able to express your creativity by bringing the change you envision into reality, but it will be hard at times, and you need to be sure you know why you are doing this.

Annigje

If you are looking for a way to use your talents and create a positive impact, entrepreneurship is a great route. Even if you are not confident that you have all the skills required, consider applying anyway. It’s a team of talented people here at Fresh and if they think you got what it takes: believe them. If you want to hear how it was from me personally: please do reach out, I’m happy to share.

Call for applicants

Do you know of any female entrepreneurs that could or should be building a transformative organisation within the food system? Please share this blog with them! 

Do you have thoughts on how we can remove barriers and see more females step into systemic entrepreneurship, do give us a shout.

‍