Sussex


<p>As women we are often our harshest critics, we constantly question our power and are frequently riddled with imposter syndrome. Well not today! These local business woman from across the county have overcome many hurdles and heartaches to achieve great, no, make that amazing things. <br><br>Here&#8217;s how they did it. Happy International Women&#8217;s Day Sisters!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ruth-spivey-writer-and-wine-consultant"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/ruthspivey_/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ruth Spivey</a>, writer and wine consultant</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/Untitled-design-92-1000x667.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-63237" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/Untitled-design-92-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/Untitled-design-92-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/Untitled-design-92-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/Untitled-design-92-788x525.jpg 788w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/Untitled-design-92.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Ruth is a prodigiously intelligent highly sought after Wine Consultant. An accomplished author, she is writing a book about her road trip around Britain&#8217;s vineyards in a camper van &#8211; (sounds amazing). Oh, and she&#8217;s the founder of <a href="https://www.winecarboot.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wine Car Boot</a> and an ex top model. She also cares for her mother who has advanced dementia. A true force of nature is Ruth.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-it-that-roots-you-in-sussex">What is it that roots you in Sussex?</h2>



<p>Chance and place. In 2020 I set off on a long wine themed road trip which included several weeks roaming around Sussex. A relationship led me to living on a vineyard, and although that’s now thankfully dead, I decided to stay. If Sussex didn’t have a coastline or wonderful countryside to walk amongst, it would be a different story, however. I love the changing landscape as you move along the coast, from Camber in the east to Chichester in the west. I came for the wine and stayed for the sea.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-are-the-advantages-of-being-a-woman-in-your-business">What are the advantages of being a woman in your business?</h2>



<p>I’ve always felt welcome in wine and in any case, you don’t have to look far to see women working across all areas from production to service. Which is a good thing as I believe mixed groups are crucial in business. They&#8217;re reflective of society and foster an equitable and harmonious environment, which brings resilience and adaptability.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-tips-do-you-have-for-other-women">What tips do you have for other women?</h2>



<p>Ideas don&#8217;t exist unless you execute them. Let go of ‘perfect’ &#8211; it can be utterly paralysing. Note to self: Take your own advice.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-louise-budgen-life-coach"><a href="https://www.louisebudgen.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Louise Budgen</a>, life coach</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/Untitled-design-84-1000x667.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-63173" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/Untitled-design-84-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/Untitled-design-84-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/Untitled-design-84-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/Untitled-design-84-788x525.jpg 788w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/Untitled-design-84.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>As a Life Coach Louise has done some serious work on herself and others. Realising that not everyone can afford the luxury of her services, she wrote a book that delivers her wisdom via the page. She is one of Sussex&#8217;s finest assets and we are celebrating her here today.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-it-that-roots-you-in-sussex-1">What is it that roots you in Sussex?</h2>



<p>We were searching for a feeling of more space and tranquility in our life and certainly found it when we landed in Sussex 13 years ago with our boys, 11 and 9. We all love the countryside and Sussex offers so many amazing walks in wide open spaces, forests and by the coast. There are so many amazing places to visit and food options available.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-are-the-advantages-of-being-a-woman-in-your-business-1">What are the advantages of being a woman in your business?</h2>



<p>As a life coach and spiritual mentor for ALL women over 40, my work is helping women to create more self-confidence and understanding of the bigger picture of their life. I work with a variety of female clients as an older midlife woman, I have walked the same path, over come many personal midlife challenges. As a twice cancer thriver, I know how precious life is and I offer women a non-judgemental place to explore themselves, their deep desires, dreams and time to embrace the right actions for them going forward. I believe everyone deserves to be happy and fulfilled. &nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-tips-do-you-have-for-other-women-1">What tips do you have for other women?</h2>



<p>Get out of your own way is my top tip &#8211; life really is too short! Don’t die with any regrets!&nbsp;We often arrive in midlife holding onto so much “life stuff”, we need to declutter and reboot our physical, mental, emotional health. I know from personal experience how different life looks on the other side of a honesty audit. I appreciate not everyone can work one to one with a Life Coach,&nbsp; so devised a 6-week programmed,  ROCK Midlife AVOID The Crisis  for all women over 40 looking for vibrant health, harmonious relationships and more happiness.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-olga-and-alex-polizzi-hoteliers"><a href="https://thepolizzicollection.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Olga and Alex Polizzi</a>, hoteliers</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/Untitled-design-88-1000x667.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-63205" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/Untitled-design-88-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/Untitled-design-88-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/Untitled-design-88-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/Untitled-design-88-788x525.jpg 788w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/Untitled-design-88.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Olga Polizzi is the legendary owner of The Polizzi Collection of Hotels. <a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/travel/uk/hotels-inns/alex-polizzi-star-inn-alfriston-east-sussex-review/">The Star </a>in Alfriston is her first joint venture with her daughter Alex, whom many of you will know as the irrepressible <em>Hotel Inspector</em>. Both women showed true grit opening The Star in 2021 and it is flourishing post Brexit and pandemic. Olga lives in Friston and Alex kips at The Star during the week. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-it-that-roots-you-in-sussex-2">What is it that roots you in Sussex?</h2>



<p>Olga: My husband, William Shawcross, spent all his childhood in Sussex and loves and knows it well. &nbsp;I came late to Sussex. I love walking and there is nowhere better, certainly near London, where you can walk for miles, hardly seeing a soul and discovering different walks every day.&nbsp;Gardening has also become a passion and I love my Sussex garden. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>Alex: I am very attached to Alfriston, having opened The Star here.&nbsp; This is one of the most undeveloped areas in England, and the walking here is fantastic, and something I am yet to find anywhere else.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-are-the-advantages-of-being-a-woman-in-business">What are the advantages of being a woman in business?</h2>



<p>Olga: I love working with women but they are still few and far between in the top jobs in our business. All the usual things have been said about women in business but on the whole they are true. &nbsp;Women come to the point quicker than men who can drone on for hours while women want to sort things out immediately. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>Alex: I don’t know that there are advantages to being a woman in business, it is tough for us, as many industries are still male-dominated.&nbsp; I think women tend to support each other in business though.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-tips-do-you-have-for-other-women-2">What tips do you have for other women?</h2>



<p>Olga: Be determined. Learn as much as you can. &nbsp;Be confident. &nbsp;Nothing is easy for either sex but on the whole, it is harder for women. &nbsp;Success depends on hard work as well as inspiration. &nbsp;</p>



<p>Alex: It takes a lot of bravery to change career and do something different.&nbsp; It is the most important thing to love what you do, so if you don’t love what you do, you should be thinking of changing career.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dr-olivia-hum-gp-and-menopause-specialist"><a href="https://www.womenshealthsussex.com/about" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr Olivia Hum,</a> GP and menopause specialist</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/Untitled-design-13.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-63289" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/Untitled-design-13.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/Untitled-design-13-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/Untitled-design-13-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/Untitled-design-13-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/Untitled-design-13-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Dr Olivia Hum is an essential addition to any woman over 40s address book. She is a GP and a British Menopause Society accredited Menopause Specialist. She has been an NHS GP at Foundry Healthcare Lewes for the last 16 years. She is the co-director of Myla Health which runs women’s health clinics in Hove, Haywards Heath and Sevenoaks, and provides education and corporate menopause services. She sits on the BMS Medical Advisory Council and is involved with the design of menopause care at a national level.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-it-that-roots-you-in-sussex-3">What is it that roots you in Sussex?</h2>



<p>Like many other Sussex residents I escaped down here from London and have now been here for 23 years, first in Brighton and then in Hurstpierpoint. I never tire of the scenery- the Downs and the sea- and the wonderful creative buzz of Brighton. I have been lucky enough to be a GP in Lewes for 16 years which has a unique energy and incredible sense of community.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-are-the-advantages-of-being-a-woman-in-your-business-2">What are the advantages of being a woman in your business?</h2>



<p>I have spent decades talking to women about their health and have grown with my patients. Mid life is an age of multiple challenges; teenage children to elderly parents, change in identity and, for many, the sudden betrayal of their body at menopause. I feel constantly humbled at what many women are dealing with. It is a privilege to be able to support them through this time in their lives.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-tips-do-you-have-for-other-women-3">What tips do you have for other women?</h2>



<p>Women at mid life are pulled in so many different directions and have so many caring responsibilities. Many have never had a chance to take the time to stop, think, and work out what is best for them. I seem to spend so much time gently urging women to prioritise themselves and their health. It&#8217;s about putting your own oxygen mask on first.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-samantha-trace-founder-and-director-trace-cosmetics"><a href="https://www.samanthatracecosmetics.com/about-1">Samantha Trace</a>, founder and director, Trace Cosmetics</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/Untitled-design-4.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-63361" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/Untitled-design-4.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/Untitled-design-4-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/Untitled-design-4-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/Untitled-design-4-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/03/Untitled-design-4-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>With 22 years in her industry and many roles within business taking her all over the world, what Samantha doesn&#8217;t know about the beauty industry isn&#8217;t worth knowing. Specialising purely in eyebrow design including Microblading, Samantha has worked with celebrities including Lorna Luxe, Lily Melrose, Lottie Moss and Olivia Newman-Young. She&#8217;s also partnered with Nuffield Health to help clients suffering with hairloss conditions such as Alopecia and Cancer. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-it-that-roots-you-in-sussex-4">What is it that roots you in Sussex?</h2>



<p>I&#8217;ve lived in Sussex my whole life and have been extremely fortunate to have grown up with countryside roots. Having had a childhood on a farm with horses, I have loved growing up here and now with two young boys, we live opposite a National Trust property with incredible walks, and have great local eateries. I really believe Sussex is one of the best places to live in the UK, and having my business located by Haywards Heath station allows us to be in the best area with great routes into London.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-are-the-advantages-of-being-a-woman-in-your-business-3">What are the advantages of being a woman in your business?</h2>



<p>In every avenue of my career I have always been confident being a women because I know the demographic of clientele and what women want. I treat thousands of clients a year, and with women facing so many hurdles of hormonal challenges, stress, anxiety, hair loss, trying to juggle it all &#8211; I feel a real empathy and can relate to women to help them. Being a Browologist, I help women especially with eyebrows to recreate the most natural hair restoration with my Microfeathering technique to re-empower their confidence and it&#8217;s incredible being a women myself and seeing that glow on clients when they look in the mirror.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-tips-do-you-have-for-other-women-4">What tips do you have for other women?</h2>



<p>Have confidence in yourself, even if you don&#8217;t truly believe it at first. Always say yes to everything, even when you don&#8217;t know how to do it, just say yes and learn it later. You never regret the risks you take, only the risks you don&#8217;t. And mostly, believe in yourself and manifest your dreams it&#8217;s never too late to change your path. My biggest saying is &#8216;until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate&#8217;.</p>


International Women’s Day: Meet the warrior women of Sussex

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