Independent Oxford has partnered with the University of Oxford’s IDEA Programme to bring you a special online panel discussion for International Women’s Day 2022 with an inspiring line up of female independent business owners from across Oxfordshire, discussing this years’ theme #BreakTheBias: Imagining a gender equal world, and how social impact indies are helping to create a world where difference is valued and celebrated.

The session will be chaired by Ashley Cavers, co-founder and director of Oxfordshire indie, The Wonky Food Company. Ashley has a background in print and broadcast media (SKY, BBC, The Sunday Times Fast Track) with more recent experience in business communications, network building, and enterprise support, with a focus on small business, start-ups and impact ventures. Since 2018 she has worked as a business adviser for the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (OxLEP) providing 1:1 support for hundreds of businesses and she currently manages an OxLEP programme, eScalate, supporting charities, social enterprises and purposeful businesses. Ashley is also an experienced entrepreneur herself, having previously built and sold a successful business and is currently involved in another start-up, as the co-founder and director of The Wonky Food Company, which makes products from imperfect and surplus fruit and vegetables. In 2019, Ashley was a semi-finalist in the Enterprise Nation Female Start-up of the Year competition.

Ashley will be joined by panelists from socially conscious indies in Oxfordshire including:

Tess Taylor, co-founding director at Tap Social Movement

Tess is one of the founding directors of Tap Social Movement, a social enterprise brewery and hospitality organisation that provides training and employment to people in prison. In the five years since opening, Tap Social has grown to a commercial wholesale brewing operation with 3 hospitality venues, offering training and employment to more than 40 people from prison and advocating for prison reform through its branding, talks, and brokerage work. Tess is passionate about social justice, community, and good beer.

Sarah Edwards, co-founder of The Herberowe Candle Co

The Herberowe Candle Co makes natural wax candles that are hand poured in small batches in Lower Heyford. Using a blend of sustainable rapeseed and coconut wax, Herberowe products contain essential oils and support wellbeing, as well as adding natural long-lasting aromas to our homes. The apothecary inspired candles are free of soy, toxins, paraffin and other chemicals, and Sarah and Colin also make eco friendly wax air fresheners, which have been hugely popular. All their packaging and jars are reusable or recyclable. The company is named after a local ancient landscape feature and the candles are inspired by the heritage and flora of the local area. For every candle sold, a donation will be made to MIND.

Veena V, founder of Oxford Creators

Veena V is a former Channel 4 award winning radio presenter who started her radio career at the age of 16 in Oxford. She went on to present for various media outlets including BBC Essex, MOBO TV and hosted events to thousands of people at venues such as Trafalgar Square.

She now helps people achieve unstoppable confidence through her hypnotherapy practice and video marketing courses. Her podcast ‘Mum To Millionaire’ was awarded ‘Best Business’ by Jacqueline Gold CBE (CEO of Ann Summers)

In 2022, Veena plans to launch ‘Oxford Creators’ an alternative provision not-for-profit, based in Didcot. This was inspired by her son, who was blocked from going to school. It will support 11-16 year olds who are at risk of exclusion and help them thrive through therapy, mentoring and acquiring life skills that will prepare them for the world of work.

Sarah Jordan, founder of YOU Underwear

Made from super-soft organic Fairtrade cotton and PETA-approved vegan, Y.O.U underwear is as good for the world as it is for your wardrobe. Y.O.U is the highest-scoring B Corp in the UK, proving it’s commitment to putting purpose above profit.

Nuha Abdo, founder of Syrian Sisters

Nuha is a community leader who set up Syrian Sisters in 2016 and now advises and supports other community groups. As a refugee herself, she is able to walk alongside other asylum seekers and refugees which has been a passion for the last nine years. Her strengths are in partnership development, teamwork and supporting vulnerable people, based on social work and research experience in both Syria and the UK. Nuha speaks Arabic, Kurdish, and English fluently.

Following the discussion there will be a chance to ask questions.