Celebrated on March 8, International Women's Day is a day dedicated to honoring and bringing into the spotlight the achievements of women who have not only revolutionized the world across each continent, but have done so with grace and fortitude, standing strong while at the same time allowing themselves to be vulnerable in front of every single obstacle encountered. It’s a day for women from all different backgrounds and cultures to come together and once again fight for gender equality and women's rights.
While there are a multitude of accomplishments we can celebrate when it comes to women, according to the United Nations, not a single country in the world has achieved gender equality. Legal restrictions have prevented 2.7 billion women from having access to the same type of jobs as men and to this day one in three women have experienced gender violence.
International Women’s Day is a time to reflect on all progress that has been made, but also to call for change; to remember and celebrate acts of courage and determination done by so many ordinary women, who have decided to have extraordinary courage and to change the way women in their communities and all over the world are perceived. And women founders are at the forefront of this movement. From starting and leading global businesses to local ones where everything is still made according to ancient traditions, women are leading the way.
Averal’s Jennifer Revelo is one of those women founders and entrepreneurs that illuminates every room she walks in. And it’s not just because she uses Averal triple milled French soaps that make her skin look impossibly glowing and beautiful. It’s because she’s used her experience, her strength, her determination to build something amazing even in those moments when everything seemed lost. And she’s definitely not the only one - more and more women, whether driven by need or by desire have started new businesses and have thrived in fields that were only reserved for women.
At Averal, we decided to pair each of the secret weapons of women founders and leaders with its own triple milled French soap.
Vulnerability
For the longest time vulnerability was seen as weakness, yet the more we’ve learned about it, the more we’ve understood that only the strongest actually have the courage to open up and still be vulnerable regardless of their past experiences. And in a world where technology has done so much to bring people together and take them apart at the same time, being vulnerable is an act of courage.
We’ve paired vulnerability with the gentle, sweet scent of the Averal Monoi Soap. According to Tahitian legend, the monoi flower was created by Atea, the Oceanic God of Creation with assistance from Tane, the God of Beauty. A flower so perfect and so delicate, that not only smelled amazing, but also carried within itself the power to heal and nurture.
Emotional intelligence
Women are better at managing conflict, coaching, nurturing relationships, and influencing people, which in turn leads to greater company success as well as higher employee retention in the workplace.
There’s something incredibly amazing about the Averal Argan Oil Soap. It restores balance to the dry, dehydrated, and aged skin, nurturing it and keeping it protected from sun damage and other environmental factors.
Perseverance
There’s something in the genetic makeup of women that gives them the strength to persevere even in the most austere situations. We have examples of this perseverance throughout history from Amelia Earhart who flew solo across the Atlantic to Malala, the youngest Nobel Prize laureate who has been fighting for women’s education and human rights since she was 11 years old. Malala’s perseverance is so strong that not even an attempt on her life was able to stop her.
There are few things out there that make us think of hard work and perseverance as much as a bee and the products of their labor. The Averal Honey Soap has anti-inflammatory, antioxydant, antibacterial, and antifungal properties that wrap you in a warm scent, while soothing your skin.
Risk-taking ability
While men are always viewed as adventurous and risk-taking, according to research from the Centre of Entrepreneurship in the UK, 87% identify as financial risk takers, compared to 73% of men. And 80% of women can visualize opportunities when other people see risk. Only 67% of men felt the same way. These statistics show us that not only women are good at risk taking, but they are also able to assess the situation correctly and see when the risks are worth it.
The Averal Eucalyptus Soap is a breath of fresh air, a moment of inspiration that awakens all your senses to get you ready for the day and ready to take on the world.
Relationship building
Any good leader knows that they cannot lead alone. It takes a team to achieve the impossible and women have the ability to build strong teams, to give purpose, to lead with grace, and to make everyone feel seen and connected.
There’s something so comforting about the scent of the Averal Lavender Soap. It’s familiar, calm, and comforting like an old friend that you can just reach out to when needed, knowing they will always be there.
Compassion
Women understand the importance of walking a mile in someone else’s shoes, which is why they tend to be more understanding and tend to see all sides of the situation even when they don’t necessarily agree with the other person.
Known in ayurveda as a rejuvenating herb, aloe vera and, in turn, the Averal Aloe Vera Soap contains healing agents that cool down irritation and allow for a calm and soothing bathing experience.
Confidence and humility
Achieving that balance between confidence and humility is another asset that puts women at the forefront of great leadership. Knowing their value, yet at the same time leaving space for humility, for that understanding that every day there’s more to learn, more to accomplish, and to achieve.
Averal’s Goat Milk Soap might not be first on the list when picking a new soap, yet it’s exactly the one to define confidence and humility at the same time. It’s perfect for people with dry or sensitive skin, with conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, and it’s also amazing for non-problematic skin to avoid premature aging, discoloration, and irritation.