In conversation with Sapphire Bates, founder of The Coven
Calling all ladies, girls, female business owners! If you’ve not heard of The Coven yet, you seriously need to get googling. The Coven is essentially a website and membership programme that offers self-employed women, freelancers and female founders a space to support each other and collaborate. As they say on their website, ‘running a business doesn’t have to be lonely’.
We were lucky enough to be able to have a chat to their founder, Sapphire Bates, about why she started the business, rolling with the punches and the launch of her new sleepwear brand, Lucky Cat Sleeps. You can find The Coven on Instagram, as well as Sapphire herself for some inspiring and motivational content (should you want to have a liking frenzy) and join the waitlist to become a member via the button below.
What was your reason for starting The Coven?
I started The Coven because I felt lonely! I'd had lots of insight and warnings about being self-employed but the amount of isolation wasn't really mentioned and it was hard to adjust too. I missed having a team and having a network of people to talk to about work so I wanted to create something that would give me that back.
Why did creating a platform for female founders become something that was important to you and how has it developed since launching?
As I said, I started this because I was lonely and from my market research I could see that lots of the people felt the same, especially female founders so this is why the group has been targeted as non-binary and self-identifying females. To be honest not much has changed since we launched. We are always trying to improve the platform and add new features but the core of what we do hasn't changed.
What inspires you/where does your inspiration come from?
Anywhere but the internet! I find I get most of my inspiration when I'm not working. Walking, in the shower, watching tv, reading - anywhere that my mind can wander.
What advice would you give other women looking to take the plunge and start their own business?
Go for it! You really don't know unless you try. There is no perfect time, if you want to do it then go for it and see what happens.
What other women do you admire?
So many! Anyone trying new things and following their heart.
What’s been the lowest point and the highest point you’ve had as a female entrepreneur and business owner?
To be honest, there are no real defining moments. I find that it's a lot like a rollercoaster, it's really, really good and you have lots of wins then something will go wrong or you will fail at something and it feels like it's over until you get another win. That happens on a daily basis and it's something you just have to adjust to and roll with. You can't have the highs without experiencing some lows.
You are starting a new business, Lucky Cat Sleeps - can you tell us anything about this?
Hmmm, there's not too much I can say right now. I've created a sleepwear brand but it's sleepwear that you can wear 24/7 inside or out. Instead of day to night in the traditional party sense this is from sleep to the streets.
Here’s a fun one, what do you bring to a party? (in non-COVID times, that is)
A sorry I couldn't make it card? I don't really like parties. I'd rather go for a low-key brunch in the sunshine.
What’s next for The Coven in 2021?
It sounds a little boring to say the same as 2020 and the previous years but it's true. We've got a mission to make business less lonely and we're sticking to that. Who knows what might happen in 2021!?
