Selflessness – I never truly understood what that meant until I became a mother. It’s an all consuming kind of love where you experience their pain more sharply than your own.
It’s also a huge responsibility, not just from a practical point of view, but sharing lessons and teaching values. Trying to raise two little people who want to make the world a better place, who feel like they can change the world.
Don’t pluck your eyebrows! Which of course I ignored and now regret! That and the idea I could do anything. “There is nothing you can’t do”.
Your work ethic is everything! Both of my parents were incredibly hard working and it’s something I’ve always had too. I want them to understand that working hard is how you get that sense of achievement, how you build things and how you make changes.
There is no ‘all’. Sometimes I’m a brilliant CEO, sometimes I’m a brilliant mother, sometimes I’m the best wife. Rarely (read never) does that happen on the same day at the same time. And that’s OK! If I pretend to ‘have it all’ what message does that send to the women who work for me (and the men for that matter), to the women who use Peanut, to my son and daughter?
I started life as a corporate lawyer, moved into the dating industry (where I was Deputy CEO of Badoo, and founding member of female focused dating app Bumble), and then went on to found my own company, Peanut.
I was always taught that you pull another woman up the ladder once you get up, [I believe] it’s my job to pay it forward. From hiring to building products for women, I’ve always had that grounding and I believe it.
Pictured: Introducing the mothers behind our Hey Mama campaign. (Left to right) Katie Impey, Michelle Kennedy & Portia Prince and their children.
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Use whatever your point of difference is to your advantage. Disarm people. Be exactly what they expect you not to be.
For the longest time we haven’t had it! Simple as that. We need a safe space, to connect, to discuss issues which are deeply personal, private, without fear of targeted ads, or judgement.
Accessories are everything. You can scoop your hair up in a clip and add a new bag and you’ve already changed your outfit. It effectively makes your wardrobe capsule without you realising!
A beautiful earring and something elegant on your wrist finishes your outfit, whatever the occasion. Oh, and keep a change of jewellery in your handbag!
Shop Michelle’s Edit
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