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The Perfumer
Asma Sharapova
Founder of Ascetic Aesthete
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What inspired you to start your business?
Ever since I was a child, I’ve been fascinated by scent. When my mum went into hospital and lay unconscious for days, I wondered how I could reach her and whether she would come back. I decided to capture her favourite flowers in a perfume and took it to her bedside. She nodded in appreciation. It was my final gift to her. That was the turning point - and how Ascetic Aesthete was born.
What problem does it solve?
Each perfume is designed to uplift, to create lasting memory and to help you embrace your true self, exactly as you were created to be.
What would you tell your 16-year-old self?
Trust your inner voice. The world may try to define you, but your intuition already knows who you are. Stay courageous enough to honour it - and remember, patience gains all things.
In the spirit of this year’s IWD theme – Give to Gain, share an example of support that helped turn ambition into action.
I have been fortunate to receive generous mentorship from Ray Lavery and Helen Roberts who run Ignite, the Council’s free business support programme. Their support has helped to accelerate my business growth.
@asceticaesthete
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The Community Builder
Meg Fry
Founder - Home Community Cafe
Earslfield
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What inspired you to start your business?
I set up Home Café to create a space where everyone feels welcome - a place where local residents can meet people they might never otherwise have the chance to know. A space that is inclusive, intergenerational and participatory, bringing together the resources already present in our community with the needs people are experiencing.
What problem does your business solve?
Social isolation, loneliness and lack of belonging are just a few of the issues we try to solve. We strive to be a place where challenges within our community can be discussed and addressed.
What would you tell your 16 year old self?
To have a go! The worst thing that can happen is that you won’t succeed - but there is so much learning in not getting it right the first time around. Failure opens new doors.
Share an example of support that helped turn your ambition into action.
Home Cafe may have been my brainchild - but it only exists because of the support, care, love and generosity of those around me. They have provided practical support, all hands to the deck, emotional support when times have been hard and also laughed and celebrated successes with me. It really does take a village - and I am so grateful to mine.
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The Council Officer turned Fashion Designer
Valerie Lawrence-Hylton
VLH Fashion.
Unit T5 Tooting market
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What inspired you to start your business?
I’ve always loved making things, with early memories of sewing dolls’ clothes on my toy machine. After school, I dreamed of becoming a fashion buyer, but like many in the 80s, I took a regular job and later became a mum. At 29, I left my job and completed a fashion degree - one of the best decisions I ever made. I loved it, but when I became pregnant again, paying the bills came first.
During Covid I started creating again. I then met an incredible woman, Kay Avery, who became my mentor and inspired me to keep going.
While continuing my full-time job at Wandsworth Council (where I've worked for 24 years), I began making patterns and garments for friends and colleagues. Eventually, I reduced my hours and in May 2025, started selling clothes for curvaceous women at Tooting Market.
What problem does it solve?
My boutique is a small space away from the high street, designing clothes for women juggling life but refusing to shrink or apologise for who they are today.
What would you tell your 16-year-old self?
Believe in your dream and never let anyone tell you that you can't.
Share an example of how support, collaboration, advice or generosity that has helped turn your ambition into action.
Meeting my mentor Kay Avery made me realise that I was where I needed to be.
@lets.blossomtogether
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