We have some amazing and inspiring women in our network and it's great to connect them with the girls we work with. For a recent online workshop two of our ambassadors got to interview Lynne Ashcroft Griffiths from AG Comms and Dr Sam Bunting from Dr Sam's Skincare about their incredible careers and the advice they'd give to young women just starting out. Thanks to Theresa and Ishrat for this blog post about their conversation. You can also watch the interview in-full at the end of this page.

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We had the exciting opportunity to interview two incredible women in business - Lynne Ashcroft Griffiths who founded the international communications agency AG Comms and Dr. Sam Bunting founder of Dr. Sam’s Skincare. This interview was a part of our role as Ambassadors with The Girls' Network, where we continue to explore ways to help girls and young women access better opportunities in education and employment. 

We became Ambassadors because we took part in The Girls’ Network Mentoring programme when we were both at school.

Our discussion, which covered topics ranging from entrepreneurship to leadership, gave us valuable insights into the challenges and successes both Lynne and Dr. Sam have experienced throughout their careers.

Starting Out: The Early Challenges
We began by asking both women about the biggest hurdles they faced when starting their businesses. Lynne shared how the early days of AG Comms required an intense focus on brand identity and clarity of vision, while Dr. Sam spoke about navigating the highly competitive skincare industry. Both of them emphasised that perseverance and a commitment to their core values were crucial to overcoming these obstacles. Lynne and Dr. Sam also highlighted the importance of building a strong support network and maintaining resilience in the face of setbacks.

As young women aspiring to make an impact ourselves, it was inspiring to hear how they turned challenges into opportunities for growth.

Innovation and Staying True to Values
One of the standout moments of the interview was when we asked how they manage to stay innovative while holding on to the core values of their businesses. Dr. Sam shared that her brand was built on transparency and efficacy, and staying connected to these principles has allowed her to innovate without losing sight of her mission. Lynne echoed this sentiment, explaining that keeping customers at the heart of her work helps her team at AG Comms adapt to change while maintaining integrity.

The advice they offered for someone our age wanting to start their own venture was simple but powerful: Find your passion and stick to it, but remain flexible enough to adapt to new ideas and trends.

Leadership and Team Motivation
In discussing leadership, we were particularly intrigued by their approaches to managing teams and keeping everyone motivated. Both women stressed the importance of clear communication, empathy, and fostering an environment of collaboration. Dr. Sam explained how empowering her team to take ownership of their work has led to stronger team dynamics, while Lynne highlighted the value of recognising the unique talents that each team member brings to the table.

For us, it was an essential takeaway that leadership isn’t just about guiding others—it's about creating a space where everyone feels valued and able to contribute to a shared goal.

Adapting to Change: Trends and Challenges
We also touched on how their work has evolved over the years. Lynne spoke about the rapid pace of change in marketing and how AG Comms has had to stay ahead of digital trends. Meanwhile, Dr. Sam reflected on how the beauty and skincare industry has shifted toward inclusivity and evidence-based products. Both emphasised the importance of staying informed and being willing to pivot in response to industry changes.

Reflections on the Interview
At the close of the interview, both Lynne and Dr. Sam shared their reflections on the conversation. They expressed admiration for the next generation of young women like us, who are eager to learn, grow, and contribute to positive change in their communities. They noted that our curiosity and passion for issues like education and leadership are vital to shaping the future of these industries.

For us, the experience of speaking with these accomplished women was not only informative but also deeply motivating. We came away from the conversation feeling more inspired and better equipped to pursue our own ambitions.

Here’s what Lynne and Sam thought of the interview:

Meeting ambassadors, Theresa and Ishrat highlighted the passion and focus these young women have about their future careers and the fact that The Girls' Network support doesn’t end after the mentoring relationship finishes. I hope sharing a little of my experience in business helps ambassadors realise that listening to your body and trusting your gut helps you navigate challenges that owning your own business can bring. My business coach told me that we already hold the answers within, so what do you already know now, that you’ll learn in 12 months? Good luck ambassadors. 

Lynne Griffiths, Founder AG Comms.

As a passionate advocate for young women in STEM, it was a pleasure to share my journey as a doctor and entrepreneur. Theresa and Ishrat asked all the right questions and are simply brilliant ambassadors for the Girls' Network.

Dr. Sam Bunting, founder of Dr. Sam’s Skincare.

What’s Next?

If you've enjoyed reading about our interview you can watch it in full on our YouTube Channel. 

Stay tuned for more updates, and if you are an ambassador feel free to drop by our Instagram account to engage with the content. The future is bright, and it’s in our hands!

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A huge thank you to Lynne and Dr Sam for being part of this interview - it was wonderful to hear about their journeys and the advice they shared was incredibly useful for Ishrat and Theresa, and we hope, for the rest of our ambassador community too.