Women + Innovation #7

On Thursday, 27th February 2025, Studio Wood joined forces with SharkNinja London, once again to host the seventh + Innovation event. Set against the striking backdrop of SharkNinja’s Battersea Power Station HQ, the event brought together various creatives, founders, and entrepreneurs for an evening of inspiring conversation and connection.

This time, we had the pleasure of welcoming an incredible lineup of speakers, including female founders and senior design managers: Laura, Founder of Seep; Kavya, Founder of Sensei; Christina (Tina) - Senior Design Manager at SharkNinja; and Katy, Founder of Luna Daily. Each brought their own unique perspective, offering invaluable insights into their journeys and careers.

The evening kicked off with drinks and delicious food from Bournemouth’s very own Kara’s Vegan Supper Club, setting the perfect tone for relaxed networking. It was fantastic to see both familiar and new faces to the event, with attendees joining us from consultancies and in-house teams including; Brompton, Sop, Suri, Kenwood, Kingfisher, Icandy, Pulsio, Layer, PriestmanGoode, Omlet, Sky, and Unilever.

Just before 7pm, Sophie (Managing Director of Studio Wood) welcomed everyone with an introduction to the evening, sharing the idea and vision behind the + Innovation series and what to expect from the evening. From there, each speaker took the stage to share their career journeys, offering advice and practical takeaways for the audience.

Once again, demand for the event was overwhelming - tickets were snapped up within 24 hours of going live. We’re always inspired by the energy, engagement, and diversity of our audience, and we’re so grateful for the thoughtful feedback we receive after each event. Women + Innovation was created as an open and accessible event space - one that sparks meaningful conversations and drives greater diversity within the creative industries. Our goal is to cultivate a space where bold ideas are shared, connections are made, and aspiring innovators leave feeling empowered to take their next step with confidence.

Sophie kicked off the evening with a warm introduction, sharing personal connections to the speakers and the stories behind their selection. Each guest brought a fresh perspective and an unconventional path into their business and/or industry - something we’re always keen to spotlight. By showcasing journeys shaped by different backgrounds and experiences, we hope to inspire new ways of thinking about innovation, creativity, and career growth.

First up was Laura, Founder of Seep, who introduced her brand, her mission, and the driving force behind it all. She shared how Seep is redefining the way we clean, eliminating single-use products and championing eco-friendly tools that are better for the planet. With honesty and energy, Laura took us through her journey, from launching Seep to stepping into Dragon’s Den, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges and wins along the way. The impact of Seep is undeniable, with thousands of plastic-based cleaning products already replaced since launch and this is just the beginning.

Sophie (Studio Wood) introducing speakers to the floor

Next up was Kavya, Founder of Sensei. As the youngest speaker to take the stage at Women + Innovation so far, Kavya’s story is truly unique - she’s the only speaker to have launched a product and business directly from her university final-year project.

Kavya shared the challenges she faced in bringing Sensei to life, navigating roadblocks and breaking down barriers to develop an innovative, low-tech way-finding solution. Designed to help schools and businesses meet accessibility standards without disruption, Sensei uses tactile surfaces to create intuitive navigation for visually impaired people. The impact of her work has already gained widespread recognition, with features in Dezeen, the panels are also installed in spaces such as the Design Museum, and a growing number of schools.

Kavya’s passion for improving accessibility is nothing short of inspiring - and it’s exactly what led us to invite her to speak. As she shared how personal experiences shaped her journey, the audience was captivated. It was clear that for Kavya, this isn’t just a business- it’s a mission she couldn’t ignore.

Our third speaker was Christina (Tina), SharkNinja’s Senior Design Manager. When we began planning this edition of Women + Innovation with the SharkNinja team, Tina was the unanimous choice to join the panel.

Tina shared her journey from her upbringing in New Zealand, where she worked with various companies, to her move to Europe - a transition that was initially temporary but has now lasted just under a decade. She spoke candidly about her rollercoaster career, including relocating for job opportunities and her love for travel. Tina expressed how her current role at SharkNinja aligns perfectly with her aspirations and how much she enjoys it.

Finally, we welcomed Katy Cottam, Founder of Luna Daily, to the stage. Katy had been on Sophie's radar as a potential speaker for some time, thanks to an introduction by long-time Women + Innovation advocate Anna, who now works at Luna Daily.

Katy shared how Luna Daily was born from a personal experience that highlighted the need for open conversations about women's health. At 19, after an intensive course of antibiotics disrupted her gut and skin microbiome, she developed thrush and found herself unable to use traditional body products. This experience led her to question societal stigmas surrounding 'feminine hygiene' products and the associations they carry. Katy’s talk was filled with eye-opening facts, sparking reactions of surprise and recognition among the audience. Luna Daily's catchy phrase, "Head, vulva, knees, and toes," resonated with attendees, encapsulating the brand's mission to normalise conversations about intimate care.

The feedback we have received since this Women + Innovation event has reflected the impact of the speakers' stories. Attendees left feeling inspired and hopeful with a new-found enthusiasm to be connected to people. We had several notes about how networking is always so “dull”…, but for lots this event didn’t feel like traditional networking.

Following the speakers' individual presentations, we took a short break so everyone got to mingle and meet new people, and a play with some of the SharkNinja products on display including the new CryoGlow Face Mask.

Everyone then returned to their seats for the panel discussion, where we explored key learnings from the past events, including the significance of taking risks, actually showing up and looking for green lights. Everyone discussed the low chances of raising funding as a woman and Laura shocked the audience with the fact that only 2p in every £1 spent in the UK goes to a female founded business. She urged the room to spend more money with female founded companies.

Sophie also shared the Studio’s recommended reading list for the past quarter, as well as some noteworthy podcasts. The panel then eagerly answered questions from the engaged attendees which included talking about Femtech, negotiating and what is next for some of the speakers.

The panel discussion (from left: Kavya, Laura, Katy and Christina)

Once again, we are so grateful for the support and feedback this event series has gained. We cannot thank our speakers enough for sharing their stories, answering difficult questions, and openly discussing the challenges they have faced.

Katy (Luna Daily) giving some Luna Daily products to a attendee

Special thanks goes to the SharkNinja team who helped us organise the event, opened up their HQ to us and supported the event from the get-go, especially Clara, Anthony and James as well as the Studio Wood team, including James, Hayley, Celine and Bret. Kara’s Vegan Supper club for the amazing food (as per usual). Massive shout out to Celine and Bret for taking photos on the night.

While we do not disclose the guest list before or after the event, we had the pleasure of hosting a diverse range of professionals in the room, including designers, creatives, product managers, founders and entrepreneurs. If you wish to stay connected or secure tickets, click on “stay in the loop” on our website, to subscribe to our newsletter where we release event tickets 24 hours before social release or be sure to follow us on the Studiowood Instagram or LinkedIn.

Creative Escape 2024