Balance September 2019 - 41

BODY & SOUL
WOMEN ON TOP

events, talks, gym facilities, dining options),
these members-only clubs offer their clientele
something your kitchen table can't: a whole
load of workplace perks.
More importantly, co-working offers a sense
of community and support from like-minded
business people and entrepreneurs. Katrina
Larkin, Co-founder and Head of Experience at
Fora explains, "Co-working has proved there is a
better way of working. It's about a collaborative
environment in which you're empowered, no
matter what sector you work in."
In particular, Katrina shared the way in
which she believes co-working can benefit
women, but also warns of potential drawbacks.
"Co-working provides an environment for
women, if they want to spend time together,
talking to female colleagues and people within
other businesses, and form friendships. What's
also important is there's an environment where
we can all work together and share problems
and issues, and support each other. If we're
going to have a positive, balanced future with
equal opportunity, we need to learn how to
work together and understand our differences."
That said, if you're looking for a new work
space, consider whether you would like to join
a female-only club, or a more gender diverse
space. Either way, you'll reap the benefits.

SOURCES assets.ey.com, allwork.space, gutsytraveler.com

APPY DAYS
For far too long, the powers that be have failed
to acknowledge female-specific needs and
issues. This has helped to create a self-care
revolution in the form of femtech. Created by

BY 2020,
WOMEN WILL
CONTROL
75% OF
DISCRETIONARY
WORLD
SPENDING

women for women, apps, clothing and wearable tech, among other products, have been
specifically designed to "solve" women's problems, from contraception and fertility, to
menstrual cycle tracking and networking for new mums.
According to Melinda Nicci, founder of Baby2Body, a health and wellbeing
coaching app for pregnancy and motherhood, it was only a matter of time before
technology was developed to serve the growing demands of women. "The rise in
popularity of technology with women has been driven by three key trends: the
growth of wellness and prevention; the proliferation and lower costs of devices,
(such as sleep and activity trackers); and the
trend in personalisation. Consumers are
seeking new and innovative ways to live more
healthily, and generic products don't address
women's needs specifically".
Natural Cycles, the world's first app approved as a valid
form of contraception by the EU, now has over 500,000 users
in 161 countries, with a study showing 93 per cent effectiveness
(compared to a 91 per cent success rate for the oral pill). Telling the
user when they are most fertile, on a "red day" and when they are
least likely to fall pregnant, on a "green day", this "natural" alternative
allows women to track and manage their fertility without chemical
interference, a solution many have been looking for for years.
For the seven per cent that Natural Cycles didn't come through
for, or those intentionally trying for a baby, it can come as a bit
of a shock once the child arrives as to how quickly you can
become isolated. Peanut is an app that makes it easy to meet
"like-minded mummas" in your area. Acting like Tinder, the
networking app works to connect women in their community
with similar aged children, creating a community for communication and support.
WOMEN WITH WANDERLUST
When it comes to female travel, although a spa weekend is great, women are craving
wanderlust-inducing trips and adrenaline-pumping adventures. More and more are
seeking excitement, whether that be surfing in California, exploring the Galapagos,
climbing Everest or trekking through the Amazon. Evidencing this is the 67 million
participants and the market exceeding $19tn annually.
With the desire for epic adventure and solo/female-only travel on the increase (the
number of women-only travel companies has exploded by 230 per cent in the past six
years), companies such as Elle Voyage, a female-only tour operator, is providing a muchsought after service. Its founder, Dawn Simone, believes female travel has boomed for
several reasons. "Women are waiting longer to start families, are taking more demanding
and higher paying jobs and are generally becoming more independent than 10 years ago.
We are prioritising ourselves now more than ever, and this includes following a passion
for travel."
Like many companies of this kind, Elle Voyage is conscious of the risks involved and
is also innately aware of the need to support female-run businesses in the destinations
it offers. "Having worked in the UK, Barbados and Greece, I'm familiar with some of the
struggles women can encounter in countries where they aren't deemed as equal", says
Dawn. "I'm passionate about supporting other female-run businesses wherever we travel,
so we can make our trips authentic and ultimately unique. We are always on the lookout
for women-owned hotels, restaurants, wineries, artists and guides, and feel it's important
to be able to include their stories and passion into our itineraries."
Whether it's taking health into their own hands using the latest tech, having a
much-needed break, or working on their hustle, in no uncertain terms, sisters are doing it
for themselves. So what's next for female wellness?
Just watch this space... B

http://www.gutsytraveler.com http://assets.ey.com

Balance September 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Balance September 2019