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The Women of Mocka

8th Mar 2021

The Women of Mocka

To celebrate International Women's Day, we've interviewed some of the amazing women that have shaped Mocka into the business it is today.

What does International Women's Day mean to them? #choosetochallenge


Emma (left) - Co-Founder & Director & Kate (right) - Visual Content Manager

Marketing manager and co-founder

Emma

It's been a journey with Mocka and I feel extremely privileged to have experienced this amazing ride surrounded by some fabulous woman. And now, 14 years on, I am incredibly proud and love the fact we have such a diverse group of women leading the way in nearly all aspects of our business - from supply chain, product design and development, warehouse management, customer service, finance and marketing. It's a fabulous environment for women to share, learn and collaborate their ideas, experience and knowledge. 

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Kate 

What does International Women's Day mean to you?

This day represents the opportunity to celebrate the powerful female role models who have shaped my world, women I know and cherish, women who have guided me professionally, women who have encouraged and supported me, women who have inspired me and those I have only read about in history books, but all of which have influenced my self worth, career achievements and personal growth.

On this day, I say thank you. Thank you, to the brave women who have paved the path to equality, to the strong women who have led by example, to the courageous women who have inspired me, and to the supportive women who have encouraged me.


Who are some of the women who have inspired you in your life?

I am grateful to be raised by a hard working, driven, fiercely supportive and successful mother who has led by example raising three daughters and working full time, she has taught me the importance of loving the work you do and the satisfaction of working hard to achieve your goals.

As a creative, I seek constant inspiration and support from the female role models in the creative industry, those I have only read about in art history books, and those who have offered continuous mentoring and guidance throughout my career.

Women who have inspired me creatively and professionally include photography greats such as; Margaret Bourke-White, Diane Arbus, and Annie Leibovitz, all of whom have demonstrated talent and success through creating deeply inspired and driven bodies of work throughout their careers, and are responsible for carving a path inside the creative industry for female creatives and photographers.

How does International Women's Day impact you in your role at Mocka?

Working alongside female founders and board directors, with women running distribution, women building furniture and driving forklifts, women in customer service, women developing product and managing teams of staff, women creating aesthetics and women working across brand and marketing.

I am proud to know and stand alongside the strong women of Mocka. Intelligent and educated women with a wealth of knowledge, talent, inspiration and experience. 



Marianthi (left) - Buyers Assistant & Christine (right) - Product Assistant

Buyer assistant and product assistant

Marianthi

#choosetochallenge - choose to challenge inequality, call out bias, question stereotypes, and help forge an inclusive world.

As one of four girls of an immigrant Greek family, my mum always brought us up to believe that we could be whatever we wanted to and to her the way to achieve that was through education. From a patriarchal culture that did stereotype women’s roles both within the family and work, she chose to challenge the status quo and we all went to University and gained degrees. Like many immigrant families in the 1960’s she had to work and work hard, overcoming both language and cultural indifferences to succeed and eventually set up her own business in clothing manufacturing.

So this is the only example I ever knew and I’m so grateful for this.

Her motto/ my motto is to always choose to challenge.

After a rich work history in fashion, furniture and homewares it has been a goal of mine to be part of a buying team and thanks to my determination and the foresight of two amazing women (Emma Smith and Peta Lacy) who could see that my skill sets would be suited to the position, I’m now working in that role.

I am so proud to be working for and with an amazing group of women who blow me away with their capabilities every day.

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Christine

What does International Women's Day mean to you?

International Women’s Day is a day for all women to collectively share and celebrate their successes, achievements, stories, and accomplishments. This day is important to me because it provides a platform to inspire the next generation of females whilst challenging myself and other women to voice our opinions, share our stories and become more visible in our communities, homes, and workplaces. By working together, we can make an impactful change for females everywhere.


Who are some of the women who have inspired you in your life?

I find inspiration in women that are progressive thinkers and use their voice to enact change and to challenge gender stereotypes. Creative women such as furniture designer Ray Eames, architect Zaha Hadid and interior designer Kelly Wearstler are all women I look up to creatively and professionally.



Jessie (left) - Furniture Product Assistant & Katherine (right) - Buyers Assistant

Furniture product assistant and buyers assistant

Jessie

What does International Women's Day mean to you? 

IWD is the perfect day to acknowledge and appreciate the generations before us who stood up for equality. A day to celebrate the women who smashed glass ceilings so that we could walk through. It is a day to celebrate how far we have come, while also continuing conversations about the challenges faced today and how we can make the path moving forward a little clearer and a little easier for the next generation.


Who are some of the women who have inspired you in your life?

At the core of IWD for me is the next generation. It is for my daughter. Every time I speak up for what's right it is for her, so that hopefully she can work and live in a world where her gender will not be a barrier to her success. She inspires me to do better, to ask more questions and challenge the status quo, especially if it doesn't make room for everyone at the table.

How does International Women's Day impact you in your role at Mocka?

My career is important to me, just as being a mother is and I am incredibly grateful to work with a business that embraces the messiness that can be a working mothers world. I have always felt support and acceptance from everyone at Mocka. If I say I love work, I feel a twinge of guilt that by saying that it could be taken that I don't love being with my children as much, and it's not that way at all. I love being a working Mum. When I am at work I am driven and focused and I feel proud to show my children that Mum can do it all. I truly do have the best of both worlds.

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Katherine

What does International Women's Day mean to you?

International Women’s day to me is about celebrating women in all aspects of what they do. Whether it’s a stay at home mum or a CEO. I feel all women should be celebrated and appreciated. A day that allows women to thrive.


Who are some of the women who have inspired you in your life?

I’ve been lucky enough to be surrounded by inspiring women in my life, in my family and close friends.

My late Mum was an inspiration of strength, love and determination. Raising four children these days is no easy task and to still push to get herself back out in the workforce so many years later.

Another woman that inspires me and many others is Jacinda Ardern. She's such a strong and intelligent woman who is not afraid to challenge. As a young women and mother who has worked her way up to such an important role for New Zealand and respected worldwide. I feel she is paving the way and inspiring so many young people today.



Gina (left) - Product Assembly & Ashlin (right) - Distribution Centre Manager

Product assembly and distribution centre manager

Gina

What does International Women's Day mean to you?

To appreciate the courage, tenacity and endurance influential women must have had and contributing members of society in an age where women were considered as a possession. Most importantly this day is to celebrate women today that are hard working and living their lives so many missed out on throughout history. 

Who are some of the women who have inspired you in your life?

I've found inspiration from many women, however it is because of the women in my life, like my mother who has been through adversity and has come out a strong, capable woman, showing me how to provide and support love ones and guiding me to be the best parent I can be.

What advice would you give to your 13-year old self?

Work hard for the things you want and need, that way you're not relying on anyone and are fully independent.

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Ashlin

What does International Women's Day mean to you?

International Women's Day is a day to celebrate the contribution women make to the world, to raise awareness for gender equality, to celebrate how far we have come and acknowledge how far we have to go.

A day to celebrate women and to inspire and encourage the younger generation, reminding them they can achieve anything they put their mind to.

Who are some of the women who have inspired you in your life?

I was very blessed growing up to be surrounded by strong women that set amazing examples and standards for me. My mum and mother figures both had adversity in life but faced every challenge with dignity, strength and grace. They, along with some amazing teachers, taught me inner strength, self belief, and the ability to trust myself and follow my passion.

They taught me that I will fall, but the most important lesson is to pick yourself up, dust yourself off and try again.

What advice would you give to your 13-year old self?

Don't let anyone else's negative opinion of you shape your opinion of yourself. You can do more than you think you can. Life will throw many curve balls at you, but how you choose to handle them and face them says more about you than the issue itself. If you want something - go get it.

How does International Women's Day impact you in your role at Mocka?

I love that Mocka is a diverse and inclusive company offering many opportunities for women. I am lucky to have the support of the company in my role to allow me to lift women up, provide them with training and working opportunities without gender bias, inside an industry traditionally dominated by men.



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