Her Story Edition 11: Finding Strength in Seasons of Change
How women leaders are transforming challenges into opportunities for deeper alignment.
Hello, Denyse here, and a very warm welcome to We Are Mimosa, a place for female founders building brands which are aligned with their purpose and values, and who care about making the world a better place.
In my allotment this week, I've been engaged in what feels like a perfect metaphor for our times: figuring out how to protect tender plants I've been nurturing all season while simultaneously creating new raised beds for winter greens. It's a delicate balance - knowing what to shelter, what to let go, and where to create space for new growth even as the season turns challenging.
This balance - between protecting what we've built and finding new ways to grow - feels particularly relevant as we process recent events and their implications for women's leadership globally. While it's natural to feel discouraged by setbacks, nature reminds us that what looks like an ending often contains seeds of evolution.
Understanding the Landscape
We're in a moment that demands both protection and evolution. As we explored in Thursday's profile of Safia Minney, true resilience often comes not from resistance to change but from staying aligned with our deeper purpose while remaining adaptable in our approach.
This week has brought fresh evidence of the challenges women leaders face globally:
Political setbacks threatening women's autonomy
Economic headwinds impacting women-owned businesses
Growing backlash against diversity and inclusion initiatives
Yet simultaneously, we're seeing remarkable examples of women leaders who are transforming these challenges into opportunities for deeper alignment and more purposeful action.
Founder Spotlight: Evolution in Action
Let's look at three remarkable women whose stories we've explored recently in depth, each showing us different ways to evolve through challenges:
Safia Minney's Journey
As we discovered in Thursday’s profile, when People Tree UK entered liquidation this year, Minney could have seen it as the end of her mission. Instead, she evolved her approach, launching Fashion Declares and deepening her work on regenerative practices. Like my tender plants that need protection but also adaptation to thrive, she's found ways to preserve her core purpose while growing in new directions.
Jane Shepherdson's Transformation
In our recent exploration of Shepherdson's remarkable career, we saw how her departure from Topshop led to even greater alignment with her values. After creating her famous "protective dome" and eventually leaving when conditions became untenable, she didn't just move on - she evolved. Her journey from fast fashion to championing sustainable practices at My Wardrobe HQ shows us how what looks like a setback can actually be an invitation to greater authenticity.
Vice President Harris's Response
As we discussed in last week’s edition, Harris's speech at Howard University demonstrated how political setbacks can strengthen rather than diminish our commitment to change. Her message wasn't about defeat but about evolving our approach while staying true to core values - much like creating those raised beds for winter greens, finding new ways to nurture growth even in challenging conditions.
Leadership Insights: The Art of Purposeful Evolution
Let's talk about what these women teach us about transforming setbacks into opportunities for growth. Because here's the thing: evolution isn't just about survival - it's about becoming more fully aligned with who we are and what we're here to do.
Think about those tender plants I'm trying to protect in my allotment. Some need sheltering exactly where they are, while others might actually grow stronger if I move them to a more protected spot. It's the same with our work and leadership - sometimes we need to protect what we've built, and sometimes we need to transplant our efforts into new soil.
Here's what I'm learning about this delicate dance:
Stay Connected to Your Why
When things get challenging, it's tempting to grab at quick fixes or copy what others are doing. But just as every plant in my allotment has its own needs, your path forward needs to align with your unique purpose. Use challenges as invitations to reconnect with why you started this journey in the first place.
Protect What Matters (But Know What to Let Go)
Yes, create those protective spaces - for your team, your community, your core work. But also be willing to let go of what's no longer serving your mission. Sometimes, like with my winter garden, clearing space is as important as protecting what's already growing.
Create Space for New Growth
I'm learning that even as I protect some plants, I need to keep creating new beds, trying new approaches. In your work, this might mean exploring new ways to serve your community or express your mission. Stay curious about unexpected directions.
Build Community Resilience
Just as plants grow stronger in healthy soil full of beneficial relationships, we thrive when we're part of resilient communities. Share resources, support others' growth, celebrate collective wins. We're all growing this garden together.
Women in the World: Triumph and Urgency
There's cause for celebration in Colombia this week, where a 17-year campaign has finally succeeded in outlawing child marriage, marking a significant victory for girls' rights and demonstrating how persistent advocacy can create lasting change. This achievement reminds us that sustained effort, even in the face of seemingly immovable obstacles, can lead to transformative outcomes.
Yet elsewhere, we're reminded of the ongoing challenges facing women human rights defenders. Sandra Domínguez, an Ayuuk indigenous lawyer from Oaxaca, Mexico, who dedicates her work to litigating cases of violence against women, is currently missing. Her disappearance highlights the risks faced by women who stand up for others' rights. Amnesty International is calling on Mexican authorities to dedicate all necessary resources to finding her.
Consider adding your voice to this urgent call for action here.
These contrasting stories show us both the progress possible through persistent advocacy and the ongoing need to protect those who defend women's rights. Each of us can play a part - whether celebrating and supporting positive changes or speaking up for those who face danger for their advocacy work.
Inspiration in Action
This week, I'm finding inspiration in:
Rebecca Solnit's reflections on hope and transformation in "Hope in the Dark," particularly relevant as we navigate uncertain times.
A stunning showcase of what's possible when passion meets purpose: Paris Alma & Milli Proust's cottage garden, featured in Huw Richards' latest video. These remarkable women aren't just growing beautiful gardens - they're preserving biodiversity through seed saving and creating spaces of extraordinary beauty. Their work reminds us that even in challenging times, we can create something that nourishes both soul and soil.
An extraordinary story on Earth Hope about how one woman and a tiny ocean refuge helped save sea otters from extinction. It's a powerful reminder that even small actions, when guided by clear purpose, can create ripples of positive change that extend far beyond what we might imagine.
Looking Forward
As we move deeper into this challenging season, remember that evolution often happens gradually, like those winter greens slowly establishing themselves in new soil. What matters isn't the speed of change but our commitment to remaining both grounded and growing.
Over to You
How are you balancing protection and evolution in your own work? What are you nurturing through this season of change? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
If this resonated with you, please take a moment to "❤️" and share this post. Your story matters, and sharing it helps build the supportive community we all need.
Until next time,
Denyse
About Leadership Evolution: Research shows that organisations led by women often demonstrate greater adaptability during periods of change, particularly when leaders maintain strong alignment with core values while evolving their approaches. This "adaptive authenticity," studied by leadership researchers, proves especially powerful in times of uncertainty and transition.
About me
If you’re new to my work, it might be helpful if I explain who I am and what I do!
I’m Denyse Whillier, a former Chief Executive with more than 25 years of business experience under my favourite Sézane belt. I upcycle my skills and experience to provide business mentoring and strategic support, reimagined for female founded businesses.
My mission is simple. It’s to make it easier for women to build thriving brands which are aligned with their purpose and values and to close the gender gap in entrepreneurship, one female founder at a time.
To find out how I can support you on your business journey, check out this link. And if you’d like to know more about the results my clients get, here are some of my case studies.
One-off advice | 3-hour intensive | Ongoing monthly business coaching | Done-for-you business audit