Monica Vinader

Alison Loehnis
 

Advice for women starting their careers?

Be curious, network like crazy, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to cast the net wide – you never know what you might catch!

What would you tell your younger self now?

You’re doing a great job, continue to enjoy the ride.

What has been your most pivotal career moment?

Joining Net-a-porter over 14 years ago.

How do you balance your work and life? Is this important?

For me, the key to balancing work and life is to understand what your priorities are. Your priorities, not those you think you should have. Once that is clear, decision-making and the requisite balance is relatively easy. In my case, my family has always come first and I have been unwavering in that.

What has been your biggest challenge in being a woman in business?

I am fortunate to work in an industry that is filled with so many great women. I would say a challenge for all of us is the pressure we put on ourselves to juggle everything fantastically well all the time. I’m not saying men don’t have this pressure but I know for women it’s an, at times, acute one.

What do you hope for the future of women in business?

Parity of remuneration and opportunity.

"Enjoy the moment and the here and now."
Alison Loehnis

Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years' time?

Despite being a planner, I have never had a 5 or 10 year plan. That said, I would like to see myself happy, engaged, and still learning.

How do you empower women within your business and in life?

Firstly, I hope I do – I really aim to. I try to lead by example and offer my team both autonomy and lots of support. For my friends, I am always available, I am loyal to a fault and a constant cheerleader.

Next move?:

Enjoy the moment and the here and now.

If you were a flower, what would you be, and why?

Bougainvillea. I adore the color and I’d have to live somewhere warm by the sea.

Quick Fire Questions

Your leadership style in one word

Cheerleader

How would your team define you in one word?

Diplomatic

Key to success?

Do what you love

Mothering style?

Warm and loving, and a stickler for manners.

Favourite quote?

“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." - Maya Angelou