INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S WEEK: LOLA HOAD

To celebrate International Women's Day, we've decided to turn it into a week full of celebrating women we admire and who we think are really making a difference. Every day this week, we're going to be bringing you one powerhouse a day.

In the second segment of this series, we got to interview Lola Hoad, founder of One Girl Band, a co-working space that brings women together. 

I’m the founder of One Girl Band (a collective and co-working space for self-identifying female entrepreneurs), writer, podcaster and creative business coach. 

What inspired you to start One Girl Band?

OGB started in 2015 as a ‘passion project’ of mine to help with the feelings of isolation and loneliness I was facing as a female entrepreneur who works for and by herself. The name came from a blog series I was writing at the time about my journey and what I was learning along the way. Spending a lot of time on social media (as most modern creative business owners do!), I started connecting with amazing women who were doing their own thing but were also feeling incredibly isolated and full of self-doubt. I knew I needed to get them into the same room to show that we really are all in the same boat when it comes to the trials and tribulations of self-employment. So, I hosted a meet up in a small restaurant in Brighton which sold out instantly and became a monthly occurrence. The need for One Girl Band became apparent fast and that need was that female entrepreneurs needed a space where they could feel supported, become empowered and connect with other women who were also working for and by themselves. Fast forward to now and One Girl Band is my full time business next to my coaching practise (LH design shut down last year to allow full focus on the collective/coaching). It now has a community of thousands of female entrepreneurs from all over the world (UK, Europe, US, Australia and more), monthly events and workshops all over the UK, as well as a co-working space in the North Laine of Brighton.

What’s the best thing about bringing people together via your community?

The magic you can feel in the room (whether that’s physical or in an online space). When people are buzzing off of one another’s ideas and getting support and connection from each other - there’s nothing quite like that.

What’s the best idea you’ve seen come to life in the OGB Space?

Ooh that’s a hard one! We have some amazing girls doing some amazing things ranging from wedding photographers, graphic designers, lawyers, shop owners - I couldn’t possibly pick. 

What’s your best advice for girls wanting to start a business now?

If it’s what you truly want, it will all work out. It’s going to be hard (and even that’s an understatement) but the key thing is to keep going and be 100% you. Don’t do things because the noise out there is telling you to do it or everyone and their mum seems to. Do the things that bring you joy and work towards your version of success. 

What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?

You’re not going to be everyone’s cup of tea and not everyone will be yours. You can’t let that stop you from being who you are and getting to where you want to be.

Any upcoming exciting projects you can tell us about?

I feel like everything in my career is going up a level this year. Things are changing in the best way it can and I’m excited. We’ll have to see!