Lately, we have been so immersed in crafting digital campaigns, storytelling and championing visionary projects that our own marketing has taken a bit of a backseat. But when you’re surrounded by extraordinary people doing extraordinary things, the stories write themselves.
A night of trailblazers, triumphs and transformation
Last Friday, we found ourselves in the hallowed halls of the House of Lords, attending the Inspirational Business Women in STEM and Construction Celebration Event, an evening that truly deserved a chapter in the grand saga of change-makers. More than just attendees, we had the privilege of delivering the digital campaign for the event and cheering on our very own Vanya Milovanovic, who sat on the judging panel. Her task? Selecting the winners from a phenomenal group of women who are redefining male-dominated industries. No small feat, considering the sheer brilliance of every nominee.
Standing in the UK’s highest temple of tradition, dignity and progress, we couldn’t help but feel proud that we merited our place there because of the values we uphold and the work we do.
A very London journey
It all started, as many great London journeys do, on the Jubilee line from Finchley Road station. The silver snake of the Underground rumbled beneath the city as we squeezed into a carriage, bound by the quiet camaraderie of Londoners at rush hour. Silent, efficient, pretending not to notice each other.
As the train hurtled towards Westminster, we felt the city’s pulse, history and industry pressing against the windows. The air thickened with significance as we stepped off, climbed the stairs and then there he was. Big Ben, cheeky as ever, standing tall and imperious above the city. That golden clock face, glowing with quiet authority, never fails to steal our breath away. We have seen it a thousand times, yet it feels new every single time. A perfect simulacrum. Baudrillard was onto something… The moment you step into Parliament Square, history does not just surround you. It performs for you.
From broom cupboards to the House of Lords
But for all the grandeur, we could not help but think of those who came before us, the women who had to fight to even step foot in these halls, let alone be recognised. Emily Davison, brave suffragette, once hid in a broom cupboard inside Parliament so she could officially record her presence in the seat of power that had, for centuries, denied women a voice. Today, there is a plaque in that very spot, a quiet yet resounding reminder of the battle fought so we could stand here freely.
A century ago, we would not have been allowed in these halls. Today, we gathered in the House of Lords to celebrate women, their achievements, their resilience, and their future. What once seemed impossible had become inevitable.
From clearance to celebration
The evening began with passing security clearance, because all epic quests require a threshold guardian, followed by a reception of drinks and exquisite small plates. The energy in the room was electric. Smiles, laughter, meaningful conversations and admiration for each other’s achievements filled the space.
And let us not forget the male advocates in attendance, the true champions of inclusivity. Among them was Stellar & Rose’s own senior adviser and advocate Rupert Cruise. Expressing our gratitude to Rupert in just a few lines feels impossible, so stay tuned for a dedicated blog post on his incredible support.
Then, like legendary figures stepping onto the stage, the event’s architects of change, Dr Roni Savage and Baroness Sandy Verma, took the floor. These two remarkable women do not just talk about the future. They build it. Their message was clear. Resilience, the power of role models and the urgent need to break down barriers for female entrepreneurs in STEM and construction.
A panel to remember: Zoe the deep diver
Enter Michael Cook, the brilliant facilitator of the evening’s panel discussion. A lineup of powerhouse speakers, Jacqueline O’Donovan OBE, Julie White, Zoe (Yiting) Lu, and Professor Priti Parikh CEng FICE, had the room spellbound with their insights, experiences and war stories from the trenches of industry.
One story in particular stayed with us. Zoe’s tale of a non-swimmer transforming into a deep diver was a perfect metaphor for overcoming fears, pushing boundaries and taking the plunge into uncharted waters. Thank you, Zoe, for that powerful reminder that impossibilities exist only until we challenge them.
And the winners are…
Then came the moment that every great story leads to: the crowning of heroes, the recognition of those who dared to defy the odds and the celebration of women who stepped into arenas not built for them and claimed their rightful place.
Seeing these phenomenal women step up, own their achievements and receive their well-earned recognition was nothing short of exhilarating. Were we secretly wishing that every nominee could win? Absolutely. Because every single woman there was a trailblazer, a disruptor, a force of nature.
But every great adventure has its chosen champions and these extraordinary women stood as beacons of what is possible when courage, talent and perseverance converge.
The winners are the Marie Curies of engineering, the Rosalind Franklins of construction, the Ada Lovelaces of STEM. These remarkable omen are the ones who stepped into the unknown, who took the quest no one thought they could complete, who faced the dragons of doubt, bias and imposter syndrome and came out victorious. They are the Inspirational business women in STEM and Construction.
A century ago, women like Emmeline Pankhurst had to chain themselves to railings, endure imprisonment and fight for the most basic right to be heard. Today, we stood in the House of Lords celebrating women as leaders, innovators and visionaries shaping the future. Yet, despite this progress, the journey is far from over.
Barriers remain. Biases persist. Women still fight to be seen, heard and valued equally in STEM, construction and beyond. The final battle has not yet been won. This night was about the momentum of change, the voices that refuse to be silenced and the footsteps that will leave a path for future generations to follow.
As Emmeline Pankhurst so powerfully put it:
“We have to free half of the human race, the women, so that they can help to free the other half.”
If there is one rallying cry that echoed through the halls last Friday night, it was this:
“Do not let imposter syndrome or fear hold you back. Just do it.”
Rest assured, Stellar & Rose will continue to support the Inspirational Business Women in STEM and Construction initiative in every way we can. Because the story is still being written. And we will make sure it ends with victory.
A second adventure: the Tesla Venture Studio saga
While the House of Lords event was a tale of recognition and empowerment, another chapter of our journey is unfolding with Tesla Venture Studio. A fellowship of bold entrepreneurs, they are on a mission to accelerate economic growth, drive technological advancements, and build vibrant startup ecosystems globally. And, as if written by fate, most of them are women.
After setting the stage with the Tesla VS website, we have been working closely with their team, crafting The Tesla Current, their official newsletter and delivering marketing workshops to the first cohort of their startups. In January, we journeyed to Belgrade, where the halls of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce became our meeting ground for visionary founders and business leaders.
What we found was extraordinary. The energy, the ambition, the sheer brilliance of these entrepreneurs was nothing short of spellbinding. These are the minds shaping not just Serbia’s future, nor just the Balkans, but the world’s. Their ideas, their grit and commitment to innovation are the foundation of a prosperous new era.
It has been an exhilarating ride, one that we suspect is only just beginning. Our deepest gratitude goes to Katarina Galic and Helen Ciric, whose dedication and collaborative spirit have made this journey all the more meaningful.
At Stellar & Rose, we believe that every great innovation starts with a story. Whether it is on the floor of the House of Lords or in the incubators of groundbreaking startups, we will keep telling these stories, amplifying voices and creating impact.
Because every great hero’s journey needs a storyteller.
Onward!