From the very beginning our goal has been to create pieces that focus on a feeling instead of fashion trends, designing pieces that help women of all ages and body types live as their most confident selves. In addition to creating clothes that look good, feel good and last.
Throughout the years we have found ways to actively be involved in our community and support causes that go beyond a woman's wardrobe.

This Women’s History Month, we spoke with five women we admire about their work, how women coming together changes everything for the better, and their style.

Jen Rainnie broke the rules for becoming an entrepreneur: no savings, no prior experience, and no detailed action plan before getting started. And yet, MALVADOS flourishes as a women-owned and operated business in Vancouver, that emphasizes local design and meaningful values (sound familiar?).
Keep reading to learn how Jen finds inspiration after success, and how her style reflects her freedom.

Tell us a bit about your current role (or career) and how it uplifts women around you and in your industry

I am the founder and creative director of MALVADOS. I have worked for many brands over the years in various sales and management positions working with and for many other women.

I feel that the courage I had to start my own brand in my 40’s as a single mother, with no financial backing and very little experience in operations and manufacturing was inspiring for my daughters, other women in my industry and women in my community.

What achievement are you most proud of, personally or professionally?

Personally, I am proud of raising three wonderful children who are now young adults.

I am so grateful for them and I learn from them every day. Professionally one of my greatest achievements was being nominated for the Association of Fundraising Professionals as Outstanding Volunteer in 2019. I was nominated by the Heart and Stroke foundation for the work I had done for them as a Provincial Advisory Board Member and Gala Chair over several years, raising more than $1.8 Million for The Heart and Stroke foundation.

If you could give your 20-year-old self-one piece of career advice, what would that be?

Find your Ikigai. It is the intersection of what you are good at, what you love, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. Focus on developing skills and abilities, be very good at it, and the joy and passion will come.

What do you think women-led companies should encourage in their industries and why?

I don’t know that a women led company should encourage anything different than a male led company. 

All companies should offer equal leadership training and opportunities, support and encouragement for mat/paternity leave and return to work.

I am also a big believer in supporting community volunteerism during paid working hours.

How does style factor into your career?

My brand is authentically created from my life’s adventures.

My lifestyle inspired my brand. How I lived my life, traveling to various beaches while I was a competitive windsurfer and living in Hawaii to train during the rise of surf culture influenced my bohemian beach style. You can see this inspiration in every collection that I design because I am always thinking of that young vagabond me when I am designing and testing new styles.

Please finish the sentence: "When women work together____."

When women work together, we get s*** done!

I choose myself sounds nice, and includes a lifelong process of navigating the many obstacles that get in the way of your dreams. Women are told how things are “supposed” to look, including going into business. If we can also follow Jen’s example and find space to be our most free, authentic selves (especially fashion-wise), we are halfway there to making our dreams come true.

Speaking of dreams, our final interviewee for this series is Tomeka Cherry @cherrypickedstyle,  who gives her own insight to following her dreams as a digital content creator, and being a proud mother.