Charity of Focus for 2025 - IT’S NOT OK

Each season Shekinah House moves through, a Charity of Focus will be chosen. The charity chosen will align with our values in uplifting women through building spaces and building futures.

I’m so pleased to announce our Charity of Focus is the SHE Rescue Home in Cambodia, by IT’S NOT OK Projects. This is a cause that has been on my heart for some time, and I am thrilled to finally be able to share it with you all and shed some light on the important work the team at INO Projects do.

The SHE Rescue Home by INO projects opened a safe haven in Cambodia for girls aged 5 - 16 years who have been trafficked or sexually exploited. INO projects exist to restore, educate, equip, and provide hope to the oppressed, the trafficked, the vulnerable, the impoverished, and the at-risk. 

There are two primary ways Shekinah House will be giving back in 2025.

Firstly, we will be supporting the SHE Rescue Home through a direct donation with a 10% of all profits made with our first product launch in late-2025 going to INO and the SHE Rescue Home in Cambodia. The launch of our online store will include some of their beautiful handmade products as part of our first offering.

Incorporating their products in our first offering is the second way we will be giving back and supporting their work in 2025.

INO's microprise program is a big part of how they work towards safe reintegration of survivors by ensuring girls and families have a safe and sustainable way to make a living. The products in their shop are handmade by survivors and families and mean we can all help to alleviate poverty, educate families, and reintegrate girls safely. Shekinah House is proud to support such a worthy cause and to integrate these items into our first, exciting product release later this year.

With the upcoming release of Anthologia 2, a book I am thrilled and honoured to be contributing to, there has not been a better time to launch Shekinah House in fullness. I’m excited to share more of the plan as it unfolds in the coming months.

What an exciting chapter to be in, thank you for being here!

Mission.

Welcome, S. Jo-Anne here. Curious about how Shekinah House came about? Let’s me introduce you to this little slice of the digital world that I hope will become a space you love to spend some time in too.

The vision for Shekinah House started over a decade ago now, in 2014. I was just 19 at the time and navigating my first real heartbreak, while juggling my first executive role, and this insatiable need to find my purpose in the world.

I’ve always believed that creativity and purpose shouldn’t have to live in separate worlds. Especially when it comes to career choices. I have always believed, even when I struggled to see how, that it’s possible to build a career that feels both meaningful and sustainable. That in fact, the real magic happens for you when you can find a way to fuse both of these together - the creative and the strategic, the imagination and the logical.

Coming from a career in marketing and journalism, a journey that now spans many industries and roles, I’ve learned it’s up to us as individuals to create the balance we crave. From being a founder, running a successful media platform and magazine, to bootstrapping start ups and forging a career in the cut-throat fintech industry, I’ve seen it all, felt it all, experienced it all. For too long, I felt like I had to choose between doing work I loved and making a real impact.

But I’ve come to see that the most powerful work happens at the intersection of artistry, advocacy, and community.

That’s why I created this social enterprise, Shekinah House. It’s a space where I can share stories through the books I write—each one will be launched with intention, in partnership with small businesses and charities I admire and want to champion, to amplify.

Shekinah House will also become a growing digital resource hub to support other women in creative industries—offering tools, guidance, and collaborative wisdom to help you build careers you’re proud of.

And, the cherry on top, this space will also serve as a seasonal e-commerce store that gives back 10% of profits every year, featuring beautiful, purposeful products created in partnership with like-minded makers.

At its core, this work is an extension of my heart and values, and serves to remind women—myself included—that we’re allowed to take up space, to lead with heart, and to shape careers that reflect who we are.

Creativity is not a luxury. It’s a form of leadership, ownership, and the truest kind of expression of self. Doing what you love can be a force for good. So, let’s do some good together.

Stay tuned, as we prepare to officially launch in September 2025!

Digital Careers.

In 2025, digital careers are no longer niche or taboo, they are central to innovation, economic growth, and cultural influence. Now more than ever, it’s important for women to understand that there are career options that exist outside of the traditional and often limiting 9-5.

And no, these options don’t require you to start a small business, join a pyramid scheme or forfeit executive roles.

I work completely remotely, and have done so for 4 years now. This has afforded me flexibility in times of need, and granted me greater control of my schedule, which has allowed me to create work-life balance.

I know there is a lot of unrest and uncertainty in our world right now, but there are still plentiful opportunities to carve out a career for yourself and secure stable income, without succumbing to circumstances which are out of your control.

If you’re wondering how to secure income or a role for yourself in 2025, here are some ideas and accessible entry points into the digital world that you can lean on. If you have administration skills, bookkeeping skills, customer service skills or any other skills related to these, it is possible for you to find a career path in a creative industry which provides stability regardless of your location or situation.

What do you need to get started? A laptop or computer, Wifi, a space to plug in, and this ultimate guide to creating a career in a creative industry.

Why Creative and Digital Industries Matter

As technology reshapes major industries and the economic landscape, the need for inclusive, diverse digital workforces is more urgent and prevalent than ever. Factually, women remain underrepresented in many of these spaces—only about 35% of tech roles are held by women, with even lower participation in AI (around 30%) and cryptocurrency (just 15%). As these sectors expand rapidly, increasing female representation is essential not only for equity but for building technology and media that reflect the full spectrum of human experience. Creative industries—design, branding, storytelling, content creation—are vital drivers of how we understand the world. We only need to look back at the evolution of social media from the early 2000’s to present day, to appreciate the impact creative and social industries can have.

Right now, we are at a crossroads, where creative industries are infiltrating traditional finance, fintech and technology. There are boundless opprtunities for women across the globe to translate their skills into industries that were previously hard to penetrate without an MBA or ivy-league stamp of approval on your resume.

Creative roles and industries influence consumer behaviour, shape social movements, and give brands cultural relevance. At the same time, new digital industries like artificial intelligence, Web3, and marketing automation are generating unprecedented demand for multidisciplinary thinkers who can bring both technical and creative skills to the table. And you know who are fantastic innovators, problem solvers and creatives at heart?

Women.

This intersection is exactly where women can thrive—if given the tools, opportunities, and support to enter and grow.

Four High-Growth Digital Career Pathways for Women in 2025

1. Creative Technology and Digital Media

• Typical Roles: UX/UI Designer, Motion Graphics Artist, Digital Content Strategist, Illustrator

• Pathway: Build a portfolio using tools like Adobe, Figma, or Canva. Learn how to combine visual storytelling with data-informed design.

  • Emerging Tools: Generative AI (e.g. Chat GPT, DALL·E, Midjourney) to enhance workflows, transform art and produce content at scale.

2. Artificial Intelligence and Data Science

• Typical Roles: Prompt Engineer, Machine Learning Analyst, Data Storyteller, Administration

• Pathway: Learn the basics of Python, SQL, or even use no-code AI tools. Participate in public projects, join WiDS (Women in Data Science), and publish findings online.

3. Cryptocurrency, Blockchain, and Web3

• Typical Roles: Community Manager, Operations and Administration, Marketing Assistant or Strategist

• Pathway: Learn blockchain fundamentals via educational platforms or communities such as SheFi or EvolvH3R.

• Opportunity: While women are 37% of crypto holders globally, only 15% work in the sector. The growth of decentralised platforms opens new ground for leadership opportunities and career growth pathways for women.

4. Marketing Technology and Growth Strategy

• Typical Roles: Digital Marketer, Marketing Automation Specialist, Growth Analyst

• Pathway: Gain proficiency in tools like HubSpot or Marketo. Combine performance marketing with creative strategy to show ROI on content and campaigns.

• Trend: The Martech industry continues to scale rapidly, blending creativity with data analytics to drive business decisions. And don’t feel discouraged if you have no formal qualifications in marketing, there is still a need for administration and customer service support, which are fantastic entry points for newcomers in the industry.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Launching Your Digital Career

Step 1. Learn and Certify

Start with foundational courses through platforms like Udemt, edX, or industry-led certifications.

Step 2. Create a Portfolio

Use Canva to make a deck, GitHub to showcase coding skills, Behance, or a personal website to showcase your work. Prioritise clarity, results, and creative process.

Step 3. Join Women-Centered Communities

Networks such as SheFi or EvolvH3R offer mentorship, exposure, and collaboration opportunities.

Step 4. Freelance or Intern

Gain real-world experience through part-time work, open-source contributions, or agency collaborations.

Step 5. Translate Skills into Metrics

Frame your creative work using tangible results: engagement metrics, user growth, or conversion rates.

Step 6. Practice Negotiation and Self-Advocacy

Use evidence-based language to clearly communicate your value and confidently ask for fair compensation. Want some hot tips on negotiating? Check out our guide on Powerful Negotiation here - a must-read for career driven women.

Creativity Unlocked.

In a world driven by technology, money, data, and constant change, creativity is not a luxury, it’s a necessity; an essential expression. It’s how we make meaning of our world, how we shape culture, spark innovation, and imagine new futures.

The creative industries, traditionally seen as niche or unstable, are now central to the global economy and social transformation. And yet, too many women have been led to believe that creativity and career satisfaction are at odds.

If you’ve ever felt like you had to choose between security and creative expression, or been told that art, storytelling, or design aren’t “real” career paths, this article is for you. Because in 2025, not only is it possible to thrive creatively; you are needed.

Creativity Is an Economic Engine

According to UNESCO, creative industries generate over $2.25 trillion annually and employ nearly 30 million people worldwide. From film to fashion, UX to content strategy, podcasting to AI art, creative careers are powering both economic growth and cultural relevance. As the technology evolves, and our socioeconomic climate changes, the demand for human-centered, emotionally intelligent, and design-forward skills is rising rapidly.

Even in AI, data science, and blockchain, traditionally technical spaces, creativity is a key differentiator that can turn code into connection.

The Many Mediums Where Women Can Create and Lead in 2025

You don’t have to be a painter or a poet to be creative. In fact, creative thinking takes many forms and there are many careers and role types that fall into this category; and the modern economy needs all of them. Here are just a few ways women are shaping the world through creative careers in 2025:

1. Digital Storytelling & Content Creation

• Roles: Social media strategist, content creator, video editor, content producer, podcast host, narrative designer

• Why it matters: Storytelling influences buying behavior, community building, and brand loyalty. It’s how audiences connect emotionally in a digital world. An example of forging creativity with digital story telling and creating a content creation ecosystem is As Ever by Meghan, as explained in her recent interview with Emma Grede where she says all of her work is an ‘extension of me’.

2. Design & User Experience (UX)

• Roles: UX/UI designer, web designer, web design strategy, product design strategist

• Why it matters: Good design isn’t just aesthetic, it improves accessibility, usability, and user satisfaction across apps, websites, and platforms. This is a creative role type that directly supports technical development.

3. Brand and Creative Direction

• Roles: Brand strategist, creative director, art director

• Why it matters: Brands are no longer just visual, they’re emotional. Women can bring empathy and insight that resonate deeply with audiences.

4. Fashion, Craft, and Sustainable Design

• Roles: Textile artist, ethical fashion designer, product creator

• Why it matters: Conscious consumerism is on the rise, and creatives who know how to blend ethics with innovation are driving real-world change and reform.

5. Music, Audio & Podcast Production

• Roles: Composer, audio producer, voice artist, podcast strategist/curator

• Why it matters: Audio is one of the fastest-growing formats, and women’s voices are transforming how stories and experiences are shared globally.

6. Generative Art & AI Creativity

• Roles: Prompt engineer, AI-assisted artist, creative technologist

• Why it matters: As tools evolve, women are reclaiming space in tech through AI by infusing tech with perspective, emotion, and responsible design.

7. Marketing and Campaign Strategy

• Roles: Creative campaign lead, digital marketing designer, performance creative

• Why it matters: Marketing is where psychology, design, writing, and business intersect. It’s one of the most versatile creative paths, and it’s a growing vertical.

Why Women Belong in These Spaces

In 2025, things are shifting. More women are leading agencies, launching creative startups, and redefining what "professional success" looks like on their terms.

But internal and external barriers still exist. Many women still struggle with confidence, or the false idea that creativity is “indulgent.” and not a sensible career avenue. That’s why visibility and permission matter. Seeing other women succeed in creative careers reminds us that fulfillment and financial freedom are not mutually exclusive; and you can do it all.

What You Can Do Today

• Start Where You Are: Whether you're simply doodling in your journal, editing videos for fun, or curating a great Instagram feed, these are valid creative expressions with career potential.

• Upskill With Intention: Learn tools like Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, or podcast editing software. There are countless free and low-cost resources available.

• Build a Portfolio: Start documenting your work, even passion projects or concept mockups. Employers and potential partners want to see how you think.

• Find Your People: Join women-focused creative communities online or locally. Collaboration and connection will take you further, faster.

• Give Yourself Permission: You do not need to be “chosen” to create. You get to choose yourself. That’s where it begins.

Final Thoughts

Creative work is not fluff. It’s not just a ‘good idea’. It’s not just an alternative option. It’s the blueprint for how we engage with the world, and in 2025, it is one of the most important forms of leadership.

Whether you're writing, designing, strategising, directing, or dreaming, you are contributing something powerful and your work matters.

There is room for you in the creative industries. Not just as a participant, but as a leader. Not just for income, but for impact. You don’t have to settle for a job that feels like the second best option.

Powerful Negotiation.

The world needs creative industries now more than ever. These are the spaces where ideas become movements, where culture is shaped, and where stories have the power to shift hearts and spark action. Yet within these vital, visionary fields, women often face a quiet uphill climb. Despite driving innovation, shaping brands, and leading teams, their contributions are frequently undervalued or overlooked—especially when success can't be neatly measured in spreadsheets.

Imagine this: Macy, a really gifted creative strategist, sits across from her manager in her annual performance review. She’s led high-impact brand campaigns, elevated customer engagement, grown the social media accounts and nurtured her design team through upskilling and redefining the company brand with success… yet many of these are classified as perceivable ROI and she feels she lacks neat ROI figures to quantify her impact.

It’s not the same as Mark in Sales, who is charismatic and can prove right down to the dollar what he has brought in this quarter, right?

Macy believes she deserves more, after all she is the head of her department—but in the face of seemingly vague performance metrics and fear of being labeled "too aggressive," or “too big for her shoes”, she hesitates to negotiate her rate when her manager says, “Your work added a nice touch this year, thanks.”

Macy’s story is all too familiar for career driven women in creative industries; I’ve been there too. So much time, energy and resources goes into crafting compelling campaigns and narratives, social media impact, creating new communication and distribution channels, and more.

Advocacy isn’t just about fair pay or promotion; it’s about ensuring women’s voices are heard, their creative leadership recognised, and their space at the table secured in industries that influence how we see the world.

If you’re a woman seeking a career, or yearning to progress your career, in a creative industry then this article is for you. Learn how to negotiate for the best outcome, an important step to establishing a career where you are valued and fairly treated for bringing all the wonderful ideas and experience you have to the table.

The Value Gap in Statistics

• Women in marketing earn 17.8% less on average than their male peers a study found—despite women often holding similar roles and qualifications.

• In creative leadership, a recent report showed that only around 29% of creative director positions are held by women, even though design graduates are typically 60–70% female.

• Lastly, female graphic designers earn just 94¢ for every dollar their male counterparts make; about $3,800 less annually.

These disparities aren’t merely abstract, they directly impact confidence and negotiation power in fields where outcomes are subjective and hard to quantify. This is especially true for creative industries and those who have roles that are typically classed non-essential to revenue.

It’s important to note that the value gaps addressed above are not only related to gender disparities, but they can be circumstantial. There are other scenarios where negotiation skills may be required, depending on the work dynamics, for example if you are a contractor or work in an agency environment.

Wherever self advocacy is needed, use the following tips.

Bridging the Gap with Strategic Self-Advocacy

To negotiate effectively in creative roles, focus on translating your contributions into tangible value:

1. Craft ROI-Driven Narratives
   Use storytelling backed by metrics: share client feedback, show growth in engagement, or improvement in brand sentiment as evidence of your impact. Explain how these were achieved, and what can be done to continue the momentum.

2. Broaden Your Lens
   Highlight business outcomes tied to your creative work and strategy, like improved lead quality or campaign-generated visibility, this can be done even without tracking charts.

3. Own Your Worth Calmly
   Research shows emotional composure leads to better negotiation outcomes in ambiguous roles, especially creative ones. Remember the 3 P’s! Be prepared, poised, and persuasive.

4. Use Assertive, Inclusive Language
   Confidence is key, preparation is important: “I led three major campaigns this year which achieved XYZ. I'd like to discuss aligning my role and compensation accordingly so that I can continue this trajectory for the company.”

Dismantling the Agreeable and Likeable Trap

Afraid of coming across too abrasive or unlikable in negotiation? You’re not alone. Here are some tips for navigating negotation powerfully and confidently:

• Reframe Negotiation as Mutual Gain
  Present your ask as benefiting the broader team: “This adjustment could help me take on bigger client projects, amplifying our impact and improving our bottom line.”

• Bolster Your Ask with Proof
  Use campaign results, industry benchmarks, or peer comparisons to show you're grounded in data.

• Cultivate Relationships Year-Round
  Negotiation shouldn’t come out of nowhere—ensure decision-makers and key stakeholders understand your contributions before reviews begin.

• Minimise Passive Language, Speak Intentionally
  Swap “I think, maybe” for “I delivered,” without losing warmth.

Final Word

Remember, negotiation is not only reserved for pay raises. These negotiating skills can help you to create real organisational change, policy reform, or create more inclusive pathways in the workplace. In creative roles where impact isn’t always quantifiable, your voice is your currency.

Translate your creative vision into real business outcomes, ground your requests in evidence and statistics, and speak with clarity. Because true value isn’t just about numbers, it’s about the influence you exert, the audiences you shape, and the change you spark.