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The marvellous energy and excitement of MAD//Fest was back in East London this week and we were delighted to be part of the action once more. It was even more thrilling this year, as we brought The Empower Club along with us to be integrated into the Female Leaders Club stage.
One of the standout moments from the three days of panels, networking and downright fun? “From Pitch to Power: Female Founders Unfiltered” was a raw, inspiring session featuring three incredible women who’ve built brands on their own terms. Hosted by our Chief Client Officer Rose Bentley, the conversation featured:
→ Sachini Imbuldeniya, Founder, House of Oddities
→ Adele Lewis-Bridgeman, Founder, Responsible Resourcing Agency
→ Julie Oxberry, Co-Founder & Group CEO, Household
This wasn’t an overly polished, or overly-rehearsed session. This was the good stuff, honest talk about starting from scratch, making tough calls, dealing with doubt (especially when it comes from others), and building something that actually matters.
Each founder brought their own spark. For Sachini, it was the frustration of being overlooked in big agencies and realising she didn’t need to wait for a seat at someone else’s table. She could just build her own. In January 2024, with zero funding and a kitchen table setup, she launched House of Oddities, a creative agency for those who don’t quite fit the traditional mold.
Adele’s story started with representation. Growing up watching TV and not seeing anyone who looked like her, she dreamed of joining the creative industry, but on her own terms. Her agency, RRA, is rooted in purposeful work, wellbeing and a commitment to doing things differently. Her advice? Look after yourself first, put on your own oxygen mask before helping others.
Julie laughed when admitting that on Household’s launch, the group of co-founders didn’t even clock that they were all women. “We kind of just forgot about the patriarchy,” she said. There was no agenda, just a shared vision to bring strategy and creativity together and build a human-first brand experience agency.
The conversation also explored the reality of support and what happens when it’s missing. Sachini spoke about the irony that some of her biggest supporters have been white male allies, while a senior woman once told her she’d never succeed in business because she came from a creative background. Spoiler: she proved her wrong. Adele reminded the audience that while it’s good to take advice, ultimately, you have to trust your gut. Julie added that showing up authentically is often what draws the right people to your side.
So, what’s the one piece of advice they’d pass on?
Don’t worry about doing the same or being the same as everyone else. Sachini summed it up best:
“Why are you fighting so hard to get a seat at their table when you can build one of your own?”
Unfiltered, unapologetic and unforgettable, this panel reminded us that women are already shaping and building a future for themselves, they’re not waiting for anyone else to create a space for them.