Insights
Meet the Stonehage Fleming XV - Sharmadean Reid
Sharmadean is the founder of The Stack World, a global community of mission-driven women. A serial entrepreneur, she founded her first business venture aged 24, an innovative salon space in Soho, London and created experimental pop-up versions in Tokyo, Moscow and New York. She then started a beauty tech company and created VR and AI experiences to push beauty booking forward. With The Stack World, Sharmadean is focused on closing gender inequities through learning and community.
Sharmadean holds a degree in Communication from Central St Martins. She was awarded an MBE for services to Beauty and Women.
BEST PIECE OF ADVICE?
“All anyone ever wants is for you to be you.”
This was told to me once by one of my advisers and it has been really important for me to hold on to as a mantra. You can go through life trying to work out how you’re supposed to be acting – thinking you should be like one of your bosses, looking for some sort of inspiration from others.
Actually, what really matters is finding that kernel of truth that is really ‘you’. Once you have found it, you must cultivate it.
WHAT DOES BEING SELECTED FOR THE SFXV MEAN TO YOU?
In business, women are hidden away. In finance especially, there are so few women in the room that it is essential to shine a light on as many as possible. Women entrepreneurs who have raised capital and scaled their businesses can stand as beacons to others.
For business owners, you often don’t stop to appreciate the milestones - no matter how small they are - so this award is a great way to feel a send of pride and gratitude for what we have achieved.
Cultivate that kernel of truth that is really ‘you’.