I set up Pretty Brave 5 years ago, living in a small village in Spain, whilst trying to break into a new culture and language and being mum to my kids Skye and Blake.

I had an idea to bring something back to New Zealand that the Spanish were passionate about and I knew there was a gap in the market for fashion inspired, high quality childrens footwear. I would pack the kids in the car and drive to where I heard was the heart of the footwear industry, a few hours south of Valencia. I would literally door knock, introducing myself in Spanish, as a girl from New Zealand who wants to make baby shoes.

The journey took me from leather merchants to tanneries to manufacturers, from Spain, to Morocco, London, Copenhagen and Asia and eventually home to New Zealand, where Pretty Brave launched in 2015. Today we are stocked in over 250 amazing stores around the world, employ an amazing, growing team of women in New Zealand and Australia and work alongside leading podiatrists and footwear designers. In 2018 I launched kids rainwear brand Crywolf.

Throughout this journey I have been inspired by and supported unconditionally by so many amazing women, including my sister, my mum, my daughter, my staff, my customers and my girl gang - to whom I am eternally grateful. On International Women's Day, thank YOU to all amazing women who empower other women.”

xx Natalie