Today is International Women's Day, a chance to celebrate the remarkable women who inspire us everyday.
From entrepreneurs to activists, and teachers to health professionals, we spoke to women from across the region who are inspiring the next generation with their work.
International Women's Day falls on March 8 each year and aims to celebrate the cultural, political and social achievements of women everywhere.
This year's theme is #BreakTheBias and calls for a world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination.
Maggie O’Carroll, chief executive of The Women’s Organisation in Liverpool, said International Women's Day 2022 should provide a “moment of positive pause after two years of turmoil and momentous change.”
Maggie added: “Let’s take a breath and then continue to break the bias in our workplaces and in our communities as we forge ahead in our collective pursuit for an equal, fair and sustainable future.”
Which woman has inspired you the most? Have your say in our survey
In a region full of incredible women, it was impossible for us to include everyone in this article - but here are just some of the inspirational stories of women who are making their mark on Merseyside.
Natalie Denny - writer, activist and founder of The Period Project Merseyside
Ever since she was a teenager, Natalie Denny has been keen to help and support others to reach their full potential.
First becoming a volunteer for Barnardo's at the age of 16, Natalie went on to university before joining Liverpool City Council’s youth engagement team.
Today, she works as a writer, activist, EDI consultant and as the Director of Skywriters, a creative writing initiative that supports communities to build self-confidence and personal development through writing, while combating social isolation.
The 36-year-old is also the founder and chair of The Period Project Merseyside, a charity campaigning to end period poverty and provides menstrual products to anyone in need.
Natalie told the ECHO: "For me it’s activism. It’s about bringing about change, it’s about supporting others.
"I think there’s so many amazing role models and organisations in the city that can support you, it’s just about finding the right one really.
"I feel like you should never have to do things alone. It’s finding the right community to be able to help you. If you’ve got an idea and you’ve got information behind it, research it well and then go for it.
"When I started The Period Project we had no money. It started off in my little living room with just a couple of us. At the last meeting we had a couple of months ago, over 100 people attended, so that idea went from a little idea to something that’s quite well known in Liverpool.”
As a cofounder of The Goddess Projects, Natalie also works together with other black women and women of colour to help empower, inspire and assist them to achieve their goals.
Natalie said: "It’s about supporting each other. I don’t want to look around the room and be the only black woman there. I want to be bringing all of my sisters with me.
“I feel my success could only be measured by how I’m supporting my community really.”
Claire Rigby - owner of 'community hub' Momo's café
Claire Rigby set up Momo's community café in St Helens in 2017 with the aim of creating a safe space for the community to combat loneliness in an area that has one of the highest suicide rates in the country.
But disaster struck when a series of floods forced her to close the premises, leaving Claire with a mountain of debt until she reached a point where she hit rock bottom.
After a difficult period suffering with her mental health and living on £3 a day, Claire said people from all over St Helens came together to help her get back on her feet.
In June 2019, Momo's opened its doors in a new premises on Westfield Street, where Claire now trains and employs a team of volunteers who have special educational needs or disabilities to help get them into employment.
Claire told the ECHO: "We just wanted to create a safe space so it's basically like walking into someone's house for tea. Every customer that comes in we treat them like family.
"We just wanted to be a really homely environment because Momo is my grandma and she passed away in 2016.
"I wanted to call it Momo's so we could all carry on saying 'let's go to Momo's for a brew.' She was the matriarch of the family and that's where all the problems got solved, so I wanted to emulate that there's a place you can go for a brew and you'll be able to see your problems and find a way out of it."
Claire and her team provide a range of different workshops at the café from local history talks to activity nights for children with autism. They also help to signpost customers to appropriate support services, whatever help they may need.
Claire said: "I hope that because I am open and honest about my own mental health issues people see me and say 'if Claire can do it I can do it.'
"I just want people to know that if Claire can get up in the morning and leave the house then so can I.
"It's the small, little things like that, just stepping over the front door that could change that whole person's day. And if I can inspire someone to step out the door then it's job done."
Michelle Langan - founder of the Paper Cup Project
Michelle Langan started out as a journalist writing for teen magazines in London, interviewing everyone from Girls Aloud to Busted.
But it wasn’t until she moved back to her hometown of Liverpool, that Michelle decided she wanted to help people living on the streets and challenge the stereotypes surrounding homelessness.
Michelle told the ECHO: "Obviously living in London I'd seen homelessness and a lot of rough sleepers but in Liverpool it wasn't really something I'd seen, so when I came back I was quite shocked to see that there was more people on the streets of Liverpool.
"I was interested in giving those people a voice because at that time I felt like they were just people on the streets and there was a lot of stigma behind homelessness and not really any one giving them a chance to share their stories.”
Michelle began offering writing workshops with the Whitechapel Centre to people who were homeless, which culminated in an exhibition showcasing the stories of everyone who took part.
It was from here that the Paper Cup Project was born - a homelessness charity whose volunteers are regularly seen offering support, food, clothes and company to some of the city's most vulnerable people.
The charity has recently opened a new coffee shop in Queens Square, with the aim of training homeless people and providing them with new skills to help them get a job in hospitality.
Michelle said: "It feels like such a blur that it's gone from an idea to actually being a reality and now we've got the shop and the shop is there and it's open. It feels amazing."
"I think we've got so many young women in Liverpool wanting to do things and make positive change, and I always call it being a positive disrupter. It's doing something that disrupts things in a positive way and I think that's always a good thing to do."
"I'd say to people if you see something you want to do, or if you see a cause that's important to you that you want to get involved in, just do it.
"Once you start something you're passionate about and you are passionate about making a positive difference in something, it definitely attracts other people. And once you've got people around you to support you then that's your spring board.
Michelle added: "I always think if you can help one person and make one person feel better about themselves then it's all worth it - and if you can do that for more than one person then it's definitely worth it."
Chantelle Lunt - activist, writer and founder of the Merseyside Black Lives Matter Alliance
Chantelle Lunt is an activist, writer, public speaker, entrepreneur and founder of the Merseyside Black Lives Matter Alliance.
The 34-year-old, from Halewood, also has a professional background in public service including her work in policing and children's social care.
She also chairs Merseyside Alliance for Racial Equality, a non-profit organisation aimed to promote racial equality.
Chantelle is passionate about inspiring women to make a change in spaces where inequality still exists.
Speaking to the ECHO, she said: "I think it's really important to be someone who inspires women across Merseyside because as a gender we are still facing a lot of challenges.
"Be it education, the workplace, in the community, in activism and it is really important to be kind of putting ourselves as women into spaces to make change.
"For me personally, activism is such an inspirational space because it is usually women and women of colour who are at the forefront of it. That's just so powerful.
"I think Liverpool and Merseyside are notorious for its resistance and standing up against the Tories or whoever is effecting us at any given moment, it's really important to keep inspiring to do that, especially given the incoming cost of living crisis and the incoming wage crisis, which we know will disproportionately impact women."
Chantelle's advice for young women who may want to go into business is to find organisations who can support you.
She said women who are thinking about going into activism should "not be afraid" to put themselves out there.
Chantelle added: "Don't be afraid to hold that space and say 'I can do this and I am going to do this'.
"Don't doubt yourself, don't wait for permission, don't wait to be told it's OK to do it now, just get out there and do it.
"If you think you can make a change and you can run your own business then go for it."
Chantelle said the biggest challenges she faces are related to being a woman of colour.
She said: "So quite often in business I will email people and my name is quite racially ambiguous, Chantelle Lunt, so people don't always think I am a black woman.
"There are so many spaces where you have nearly done a deal, we've had amazing emails and we're just going in to sign paperwork or to finalise things and I have walked into a room and it is like a white guy and I just feel his face like 'oh' and you can just tell their not expecting a black woman and it's gone downhill from there. So there is still oppressions faced particularly by women of colour.
"I have been in plenty of meetings where men have talked over me or muted me and I get less talking time. There is still a lot out there and still a lot to overcome."
Chantelle said growing up she was surrounded by "powerful" women including her foster mum Joan Edison, who sadly died five years ago, who raised many children in care all on her own.
Chantelle has many more projects upcoming, including one today which celebrates black women in the arts in partnership with National Museums Liverpool.
The 34-year-old is also launching Joan's New Pathway Project soon, a non-profit organisation that supports and advocates for looked after children.
Nicola Braddish - midwife at Whiston Hospital
Nicola Braddish knew she wanted to be a midwife since the age of 11, but it wasn't until she turned 30 that she plucked up the courage to enter the profession.
The 39-year-old, who previously ran her own business as a sports therapist, now works as a midwife for Whiston Hospital.
Nicola told the ECHO: "I thought 'if I don't do it now I'm never going to do it.' However, I've come across much older students than I was.
"When you're on a maternity ward most people aren't there because they are poorly, you're there for the next generation of life.
"You're there to support the women and bring that happy memory really, most of the time. There's no feeling like it when that baby takes its first breath."
The last two years have been extremely challenging for new mums and midwives alike, with coronavirus restrictions changing the way hospitals operate.
Nicola said: "I delivered women on their own and that was really sad but I felt like my job was even more precious to them because there was just us with them to support them. But 99% of the time they had partners there which was lovely. It was challenging because of the circumstances."
Nicola wants other aspiring midwives to know "you're never too old" to join the profession and hopes to encourage other women to achieve their dreams.
Lizzie Acker - Great British Bake Off star
Lizzie Acker made it to the quarter final of the Great British Bake Off while staying true to herself.
Lizzie celebrated her ADHD, dyslexia and dyspraxia in her final showstopper and now hopes to use her platform to encourage others to embrace who they are like she did on the show.
But the 28-year-old car factory worker from Hunts Cross admits she wouldn’t have appeared on the Great British Bake Off if it wasn’t for her friends encouraging her to apply.
Lizzie told the ECHO: "Baking is like my biggest stress relief.
"I'm one of those people that I wasn't really going to apply but my mates pushed me to do it and now I'm working with Nielsen Massey vanilla - and I just think like two years ago I was stood in a Tesco thinking 'should I actually spend that amount of money on vanilla?' Now I'm working with them. It's absolutely crazy.
"[Baking] is such a great creative outlet that relieves stress and you can build your own little world in there and sometimes that's what you need to escape the realities of the real world.”
Since her time on Bake Off, Lizzie has been keen to champion neurodiversity by visiting schools across Merseyside and speaking to children with special educational needs.
She has been working with regional charities like Strawberry Fields who help young people to get into the workplace.
Lizzie is planning to write her own cookbook tailored to people with special educational needs to encourage them to get involved in baking.
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Lizzie said: "It's so scary when you're neurodiverse as a child because you think what am I going to be able to do when I grow up and stuff, so to see adults that are openly like oh well look I'm doing this, it doesn't half spread confidence.
"My advice would be to never work yourself up in your head and limit yourself. Try everything and say yes to everything because the most bizarre outcomes come from things where you might meet one person that then knows someone else.
"If you just go along and don't be too rigid with your plans and stuff, just go along with it and some amazing opportunities will always come up."
Ladan Mofakham - owner of AVA Pilates Studio
Ladan Mofakham fell in love with Liverpool after moving to the city as a student and has never left.
She opened her own business, AVA Pilates Studio, based just off Bold Street in 2017, after noticing a gap in the market and was surprised by the phenomenal response.
The fully equipped STOTT Pilates studio allows its guests to take part in 1-2-1 sessions or classes to tone and sculpt the body using low impact but highly effective exercises.
Ladan has trained local stars including Jodie Comer and Joey Barton, as well as welcoming hundreds of clients through the doors of her studio, who are so eager to step inside there's a waiting list to sign up.
Ladan told the ECHO: "The biggest challenge so far has been the pandemic and lockdowns.
"Like so many other businesses, I was trying to survive by focusing on online platforms which was a big shift for me at the time but I managed to build my app and help some clients online through it."
Ladan said: "I’d say just go for it, believe in yourself. Get help, advice and support because it’s out there, you just need to reach out. Organisations are there to help you and give advice on how to get started, for example, The Women Organisation is one of them.
"Take a little step every day towards your goal and passion, the longer you take and leave it and do nothing, the harder it looks and further you go away from it.. Do it because if you don’t, someone else will!"
Naima Lacerna - owner of Closer Consultancy
Naima Lacerna launched her own business after struggling with anxiety and depression while on maternity leave with her daughter.
The 31-year-old, who lives in Liverpool city centre, said her feelings of isolation were exacerbated by the first lockdown in March 2020 and she reached a point where she didn't feel like herself anymore.
In the summer of 2020, Naima decided to get her life "back on track" by pursuing her passion of starting her own business while also juggling life as a single parent.
She signed up to do an enterprise court with The Prince's Trust and using her 10 years of experience in business development and sales, launched her business, Closer Consultancy, that September.
Naima told the ECHO: "The pandemic was incredibly hard for me mentally, especially as a single mum.
"I was worried about going outside and I couldn’t go to a baby group or socialise with other mums. I suffered from anxiety and depression, and I reached a place where I didn’t even feel like myself anymore.
“I decided I needed to become self-employed so I could choose my own schedule and be available for my daughter when I needed to be.
"I think it got to a point where I said 'you know what I'm going to get everything back on track now'.
"I went to the doctors, I eventually said how I felt and then started working on the business. It was step by step with both things, making the decision to take control of my narrative I guess, and that's exactly what I did."
Naima's business has gone from strength to strength and is projected to make six figures this year.
She added: "What I do for a lot of companies is come up with their sales strategy and apply to basically win more business, introduce them to the right people, and get them meetings with their dream customers.
"I built my business in the evenings and during my daughter’s nap times during the day. I want to let any young or single mums know it is possible to start a business and go for your dreams, even when you don’t have support around you.
"No matter where you find yourself or how much you think you can’t change your life around, it really is never too late.”
Carys Hammond - midwife at Whiston Hospital
Carys Hammond has spent the last 18 years working as a midwife across the North West and now works at Whiston Hospital.
The 39-year-old, from Runcorn, has risen to the challenges presented by the coronavirus pandemic and supported countless women to deliver their babies during this time.
Carys told the ECHO: "I focus on the actual delivering of babies so my focus is on delivery suite, that's mainly what I've done and I absolutely love it.
"I'm a feminist and I love women. I love talking to women, I love hearing women's stories, everyone has got an interesting story.
"I just admire the power of women when they're pregnant and giving birth, I just think it's the most amazing thing.
"I look after all the women as if they are my friends and that's my motivation, just to give them the best experience I can.
"Even when things aren't quite going to plan we can really make a difference to that woman by the care we give to her."
Carys would advise other aspiring midwives to do some volunteering with a women's or children's based charity and to reach out to a qualified midwife to get a full understanding of what the job involves.
She added: "I've been inspired by some amazing midwives that I've been able to work with over the years, right from being a young midwife like being nurtured and shown what to do and then as I've progressed through my career, some really amazing compassionate midwives that have really gone above and beyond to look after women.
"I just try and be myself and look after the women the best I can and use a lot of compassion, so if I inspire people that's great."
Emily Rudge - PE teacher and rugby captain for England and St Helens
Emily Rudge said her love of rugby got her where she is today as captain of both England and St Helens rugby teams.
However, not only is the 30-year-old an athlete, but she is also a PE teacher at Rainford High School.
She said the balance of everyday life, work life and rugby is the biggest challenge she and team mates face as a women in sport.
Speaking to the ECHO, she said: “As a woman rugby player, the biggest challenge is we don’t get paid and we are working full time and trying to train like a full time athlete. To do both at the same time is really difficult.
“It's a struggle to balance everyday life, work life and rugby and to try and be the best you can be in all that.
“I think the biggest challenge is balancing all that, making sure you’re not burning yourself out but still trying to achieve and be successful.”
Emily said the Women's League has come a long way and said it's great to see young women have role models in the sport.
She added: “When we first started playing, I don’t think we ever thought of ourselves as role models and inspiring people.
“But as the sport has grown and become a lot more visible on social media and TV, it's brilliant that young girls have someone to look up to.
“When a lot of us started playing we didn’t have that and only had the opportunity to look up to men. It’s great that young girls have so many role models now in women’s rugby league.
Emily said the best advice she has for young women is to “work really hard” in what they are passionate about and don’t let setbacks stop you.
She said: “Hard work has got us where we are today and if you're willing to work harder then the rest of the people around you, you’re probably going to come out on top.
“Definitely work hard and when there are setbacks and things don’t quite go your way, don’t let that knock you back just stay determined on what you want to achieve and your goals.”
Amy Gwynn - nightclub owner
Amy Gwynn, 34, is the owner of three venues in the city centre: nightclubs Avenue and Jaloux and the popular strip club Rude.
The former model was training to be an accountant when she embarked on a career change that altered the course of her life.
Amy told the ECHO: "I think for me the motivation behind starting my own business was the idea of being in control of my own life.
"I was able to create a workplace that truly suited me and my employees and it’s so liberating to be able to have such an impact on your own working life.
"I love having the freedom to create my own future, doing things on my terms and living a life without limitations."
Amy was 22 when she opened Rude and being in a male dominated industry she was keen to challenge the outdated attitudes people often had about strip clubs.
As mum to four daughters, Amy wants the new venue to be the best possible environment for her staff.
During all of her time in business, Amy said the biggest challenge she has faced is the coronavirus pandemic but both her and her business have emerged "stronger and more focused" than ever.
Amy said: "My advice to any woman wanting to embark on a new journey in life is simple - life is short and your youth is so precious.
"We all have such a value to add to something, many of us just don’t realise that yet. Don't let it pass you by, go for whatever your heart desires. You really don't need to have everything figured out, the truth is no one really does, you just get good at winging it."
Amy said: "I have always championed successful women and sought out powerful female role models, and just the thought of being able to pass some of that inspiration on is simply amazing.
"I started in a very male dominated industry nearly 12 years ago. Initially, I struggled to be taken seriously because I was female, as hard as it was at the time, I would never let that stop me.
"It's important that women keep coming forward and taking control, I want to see women competing on an equal footing with men for accomplishments.
"I am a mother to four young girls, and I want to make it clear to them with everything I do that they should never place limitations on themselves."
Carmel Donohue - owner of Poppy Belle Florals
Mum-of-two Carmel Donohue's floristry business started from her Prescot home where she made wreaths at her dining table and posted the designs on Facebook.
The 33-year-old previously worked as an inclusion coordinator at a school in Salford, dealing with behaviour management.
But when daughters Isabelle and Poppy came along, she decided she wanted to structure her work life around her family and started her own business, Poppy Belle Florals, named after her daughters.
In the space of a few years, Carmel has grown a large following on social media and attracted a wave of celebrity clients from Stacey Solomon to Mrs Hinch and Jonathon Ross.
Carmel told the ECHO: "It's gone from being almost like a maternity leave hobby to a full business with staff. I feel like it was pure determination really and hard work. I wanted to build a life that meant I could work and earn money.
"I think you can be quite punished for being on maternity leave sometimes - it's hard. You're either working or you're at home with the baby, I just didn't think you should have to choose.
"I thought I wanted to have that independence and earn money and have a good life for me and my kids but also still be with them and I was just determined to try and make that work."
Poppy Belle Florals has created floral installations for businesses across Merseyside and other parts of the country, with the business now operating from a 5,000 sq ft warehouse in Aintree.
Carmel now employs a team of full-time staff including her partner and is helping several young people to develop their employability skills through the government's Kickstart Scheme.
Carmel said: "I think imposter syndrome is a massive thing, I have it every day.
"I feel like the people in charge of all businesses in the world are going to come and find me and go 'right enough now you've been winging it for long enough' and I'd go 'sorry'. I think everyone feels the same.
"All of the other business owners I speak to feel the same. At one point everyone hadn't done it before. Everyone has the same worries and anxieties and things to learn and that shouldn't put you off.
"It's showing people that anything is possible because I would never in a million years, when I was sitting here making wreaths in my dining room on maternity leave, thought we would be in the position we are now.
"I think everyone should have the mindset that you absolutely can achieve anything that you put your mind to."
Jess Hanko - artist and illustrator
Jessica Hankinson, known professionally as Jess Hanko, is a self-employed artist and illustrator originally from Tuebrook.
Based in a design and print studio in the Bluecoat, Jess creates personalised commissions from portraits to cityscapes, which she sells through Instagram and Etsy.
The 28-year-old's unique style is born out of a love of architecture and has seen her draw some of the city's most loved venues from the Cavern Club to Keith's Wine Bar on Lark Lane.
She has also recently worked with the likes of INNSIDE Liverpool, designing staff uniforms and merchandise for their new city centre hotel.
Jess told the ECHO: "I started drawing houses for friends and family, I'd say that was the first step really and portraits for friends and family and it sort of snowballed.
"My main body of work is portraits and building cityscapes of Liverpool but I'm also working on some personal work for an exhibition that I've got coming up. I'm also working on some merchandising for global clients like INNSIDE by MELIA and creating content for a couple of different brands.
"Probably my best piece is one I did of the Crazy House. I really enjoy bringing lost venues back to life. I've recently done Quiggins and Probe Records as well. They're all my personal projects that I'm building the exhibition towards."
Jess studied Graphic Design and Illustration at the University of Salford and has been self-employed for the last six years.
She is currently designing her first wall mural for a beverage company and is set to create an exhibition of some of her work.
In terms of the challenges she's faced along the way, Jess said: "I'd say being self-employed, you are making a commitment to always hold yourself accountable even when no one is watching.
"Also sharing your art on social media it can feel really personal and scary especially if you are your own biggest critic, so it's really important to market yourself and make the most out of any free resources.
"I would say you can start from anywhere and always remember that a problem is a chance to do your best; so it's important to learn how to turn negative experiences into learning experiences and not to get disheartened if things don't work out straight away."
Vanessa Boateng - activist and Knowsley’s first black town councillor
Vanessa Boateng is a successful businesswoman and Knowsley’s first black town councillor.
She founded New Era Initiative which is geared towards social inclusion, integration and to create the awareness of the welfare and protection of children’s rights in the UK amongst migrants.
In 2014, Vanessa was also instrumental in the “Bring Back Our Girls” Liverpool movement, when 110 girls from Chibok in Nigeria were kidnapped by Boko Haram, which drew worldwide attention.
Conducting workshops for different roles and organisations, including the police and social workers, the charity has helped create less of a "barrier" in the community and propelled Vanessa to become the first female trustee and General Secretary of the Liverpool Commonwealth Association (LCA).
Not only is Vanessa busy with her activism, but she also runs her own business Creations By Viva Skincare which use natural ingredients but provide "quality skin, hair care and makeup products".
Speaking to the ECHO, Vanessa said her "manta" is "if you can think it, you can do it.”
Her best advice for young women is to never give up in their passions.
Vanessa said: "It means so much to me because I feel what I do can inspire others to do even better and that is why I get involved in the things I do, especially in business.
“Being creative in my business and being creative in the community that I find myself in.
“I am passionate to see women grow.
“What I would advise young people to do, especially young women, is not to give up to continue with their aspirations just because someone says no does not mean it is not possible.
“It is possible at all levels, all you need to do is be passionate in what you do, be tenacious, have a positive mindset and not giving up.”
Vanessa said the biggest challenge she's faced is people not believing or supporting her "dreams", but has used this as a "magic wand" to "achieve even more for myself and the community I serve or to do more for my business.”
Vanessa told the ECHO: “My biggest motivator as a young person was to solve problems and become a problem solver.
“That has always been with me right til today and always been my mantra in terms of my personal life, business and community.
“I believe I was born to be a problem solver, problems are inevitable, they are always with us and we need solutions to solve those problems.”
Georgia and Jade Morgan - owners of Propel PR
Georgia and Jade Morgan are celebrating three years in business this month with their company, Propel PR.
Georgia started her career as a journalist before moving into the PR industry, while Jade worked as fashion buyer for Boohoo and Matalan, creating national marketing campaigns and influencer collaborations.
In March 2019, the two sisters decided to combine their experience to launch their own PR and Event Management company, which has gone from strength to strength.
Georgia and Jade are keen to champion local talent and have worked with a range of different clients in Merseyside including Duke Street Market, GSG Hospitality, Salt Dog Slims and High Street Solicitors.
Georgia told the ECHO: "The pandemic was a huge challenge for many industries and it hit some of our clients and ourselves hard.
"With the world shutting down, we focused on the clients that were continuing, stayed positive and supported our hospitality clients as much as possible. It's amazing to see the world getting back to normal and everything back open and thriving again."
In terms of the advice they would give to other aspiring entrepreneurs, Georgia and Jade said: "Our advice would be to go for it! Believe in yourself and know that you can do it.
"There's never a perfect time to start a business so don't put it off. We'd much rather a "We tried"' than 'What if?".
"We want every girl to know they're in control of what they choose to do for their career and the most important thing is to be happy. You spend a lot of time working so make sure it's something you really want to do and that you love it!"
They added: "As a female-owned business, we're really passionate about seeing women supporting women and seeing other girls achieving their goals and succeeding, especially from Merseyside.
"We want to build as many female-owned businesses up and see them thrive and always try to use local ladies as our suppliers when working on events or client campaigns.
Leanne Prescott - owner of the Cake Corner
Leanne Prescott is self taught baker who now owns two cake shops at just 21-years-old.
The businesswoman opened her "dream shop" the Cake Corner on Liverpool Road in Birkdale in 2021 and opened a second outlet in Southport Market in November last year.
Leanne spent most her teenage life playing in different football academies across the North West from Manchester United to Everton.
After starting baking for family and friends, she soon started to pick up a clientele.
After just three years Leanne, along with her mum, Petula, and dad, Peter, the outhouse at their home was soon transformed into a workshop.
Following the massive success of her shop, finding herself regularly selling out of cakes each day, she opened a stall in Southport Market.
Leanne said her advice to like-minded women is "don't be afraid" to go for it.
Speaking to the ECHO, the 21-year-old said: "Don't be scared to do it, you have got many years and if it doesn't work out you can always try something else.
"I am not very good at being told what to do, I know it doesn't sound very good, but I like to be my own boss.
"I've liked the way it has helped my friends and we have all built it together really and I hope it just keeps growing and growing because I am happy with what I've achieved so far."
Leanne said the biggest challenge she faced was building up contacts.
Another hurdle she's faced is customers not realising she owns her cake shop, and sometimes assuming it's her dad Peter's business.
Leanne told the ECHO: "We had times where my dad was in the shop and they would speak to him rather then me because they think he owns it, so it is just nice to say 'no it is actually my business'."
Leanne's next ambition is to get a food truck to sell more of her delicious cakes and to open more shops.
Karina Molby - fashion designer and owner of the Molby the Label
Karina Molby is a fashion designer from the Wirral, who is loved for her signature colourful and mixed print and sees her designs sell out within minutes each week.
The 29-year-old has more than 90K Instagram followers with a number of celebrities and influencers now wearing pieces from her collection, Molby the Label.
Karina originally started creating all her designs from her garage at home, but now has her own studio and a strong team of seamstresses behind her making each item by hand.
Karina said online orders can sell out in minutes each week and she has customers as far as London, Australia and America.
The 29-year-old said her biggest advice for women who also want to set up their own business is to "believe in yourself."
Speaking to the ECHO, Karina said: "I think [my advice] is to believe in yourself and believe in the brand.
"I didn't have confidence for ages and didn't have confidence in the designs and stuff, once you're happy with what you are doing and confident in it, then I think that's when everything starts to fall into place.
"If you don't believe in what you are selling then it just can't work, believe in yourself and have the confidence to do what you want to.
"And be true to yourself."
Karina said her biggest inspiration was her grandma, who inspired the businesswoman to get into fashion.
She said: "My grandma had shops around Liverpool and Birkenhead, so I worked in the shops from when I was seven-years-old, so I was just brought up around clothes and she really inspired me.
"She was proper eccentric, used to dress absolutely mad, but she was fab.
"My grandma used to buy gloves and cut the fingers off and cut her own hair and cut holes in her tights and stuff.
"She inspired me mainly and got me into fashion and stuff, it's all down to her."
Karina said she wants her clothes line to "inspire women to dress however they want to dress and feel comfortable."
She added: "We like all our dresses to be accessible to everyone, any age, any size and we like women to feel comfortable in what they wear and confident."
Charlotte Donoghue - owner of Say It With Diamonds
Charlotte Donoghue started Say It With Diamonds with five necklaces and has since seen her business become a multimillion-pound company.
The 31-year-old, from Aintree, had entrepreneurial spirit from a young age, first selling children's pyjamas on Great Homer Street Market at the age of 14.
She went on to launch her own candle business before launching her jewellery company, Say It with Diamonds, through Instagram and Facebook in June 2016.
Charlotte said: "From the very beginning, we’ve focused on products of the highest quality. We’ve tried and tested different suppliers to get the best luxury jewellery possible. Going hand in hand with this, customer service has been at the forefront of our business and providing the best service is absolutely key for us.
“Like all businesses, at the start we had a few teething problems but it was our approach to those situations that really mattered. Our first complaint was about a full diamond initial necklace and we refunded the customer in full and recalled the others that had sold.
"We started as we meant to go on and this calibre of service is what would stand us in great stead to create a million pound company just two years later."
Charlotte, who is five and a half months pregnant, said nothing in business ever comes easy but the biggest challenge she has faced in her life was losing her dad at the age of 21.
Her motivation to start Say It with Diamonds came from a desire to want to provide the best life for her children.
Having worked from home to kickstart the business, by January 2017, Charlotte and her small team found their first office.
Networking, influencer marketing and social media has been fundamental to Say It With Diamonds’ success and Charlotte has now grown her team to 19 staff in house, as well as a huge team they outsource.
Charlotte told the ECHO: "I ask lots of questions. I'm so intrigued in people that are successful and going well. I think if you ask and you learn nothing that's fine but if you ask and you learn one thing you're onto a winner.
"If you don't ask you don't get so just don't be afraid to ask."
