Meredith | Co founder and Director of : Brave New You Apparel and Brave New You Tribe and Hepner PR | broadcaster and BBC radio social commentator | brand ambassador for several business and charities focusing on alternative health, environmental issues, well-being and mental health | TeaAholic |
Tring Hertfordshire, UK
Instagram: @meredithhepnerchapman | @bravenewyouapparel | @bravenewyoutribe
Website: brave-new-you.com
1) THE BEST THING THAT HAPPENED TO YOU IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS? Our business @bravenewyouapparel getting to “tipping point” as my wonderful partner Lou Hamilton describes it as being on the precipice of something magical, along with @bravenewyoutribe and a few incredible collaborations Brave New You has really started to get noticed and we seem to be on people’s radars. We also shifted to organic and Eco wear in our pledge to the planet. Seeing our clothes out and about on people will never get tired and I have to use all my resilience to not run over to some poor unsuspecting woman in one of our tees and hug her! On a personal level I’ve loved (and experienced enormous pride) spending one to one time with my daughter looking at prospective universities. . . 2) THE WORST THING THAT HAPPENED TO YOU IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS? My husbands health. My husband suffered a breakdown and didn’t work for two years - he was the main breadwinner but the fear of giving up dreams of a successful business to get a 9-5 to pay the bills drove me every day. I’ve pretty much worked 7 days a week 16 hour days for the last 24 months - without a day off or a holiday and at times it nearly broke me. . . 3) YOUR BIGGEST WISH FOR THE NEAR FUTURE? Health and happiness-my grandparents had money, but we were all taught to work hard for it and nobody got trust fund handouts. My grandfather died suddenly in his sleep next to my grandmother at just 56 which devastated her - she had all the material things she could dream of but not her beloved husband and with my husband not being well I stand by that I’d rather sleep in a skip with him than in a 4 poster on my own. I also wish for our business to continue in helping to motivate and inspire people to face their fears and discover a Brave New You . . 4) YOUR BIGGEST WORRY FOR THE NEAR FUTURE? Aside from the planet, I hope I did enough for my children, that I got the balance of working hard to give them a better life and being a good mummy right. It’s constant battle with guilt. . . 5) A CONTEMPORARY WOMAN YOU CURRENTLY ADMIRE? Unapologetically en trend but Greta Thunberg. I have ADD and didn’t really understand who I was growing upI was just the weird kid in wacky clothes who couldn’t concentrate. In a world of selfies and contouring- a bright articulate informed 16 year old girl standing up to world leaders is incredible. . . 6) A ONE-SENTENCE MESSAGE TO OTHER WOMEN? You don’t have to be friends with everyone . Quality over quantity. I’m always very dubious of women with a new “bestie” each month. Find your tribe. I’m very blessed with mine.