Being part of the Buy Women Built movement is much more than just a label. It’s about mobilising a future where women founders thrive and their visions of change—like inclusive dancewear—become the norm. Their success at Musical Con is just the beginning of their mission to ensure that every dancer, no matter their skin tone, has access to the right dancewear and feels empowered to take centre stage!

So, why are female founded businesses are so important? Here’s five bad facts that need changing for good:

1 – We don’t have enough women starting businesses in the UK – we are 30% behind other developed countries.

2 – A staggering 80% of 11-18 year olds are unable to name a single female entrepreneur.

3 – Children are four times more likely to think of a man than a woman when they hear ‘entrepreneur.’

4 – Women have a lack of confidence in their abilities to start a business.

5 – If women start businesses at the same rate as men, £250 billion will be added to the UK economy. 

*All economic stats above are from The Rose Review.

And how do we change these bad facts for good? 

GROWTH MINDSET: We believe in the power of continuous learning and personal development.

HONESTY AND INTEGRITY: We do the right thing by people and the planet.

TRUST AND MUTUAL RESPECT: We honour the value of each and every human being.

COLLABORATION: We believe in lifting each other up and creating win win situations.

INCLUSIVITY: We celebrate differences and believe that uniformity doesn’t breed creativity. 

Shades Dancewear is committed to its values of growth mindset, honesty, trust, collaboration, and inclusivity, which align perfectly with the Buy Women Built movement. This movement empowers consumers to support women-led businesses, fostering a fairer, more equitable economy. Together, these values aim to transform industries for the better—celebrating diversity and creating a more inclusive future for all.