Women's Stories Archives

In Inspiration September 26, 2026 By Women of Rubies

Women of Rubies at 11: From One Column to Global Impact

Eleven years ago, Women of Rubies began with a simple but important conviction: women doing meaningful work deserved to be seen, heard and recognized.

The journey started with a newspaper column created to document women’s experiences, ask thoughtful questions and give their stories the attention they deserved. At the time, there was no complete picture of what the platform would eventually become.

There was simply a commitment to begin.

Today, Women of Rubies has grown into a global media and visibility platform that has spotlighted more than 3,000 women and reached an audience of over 12 million through storytelling, media features, educational programmes, strategic partnerships and community initiatives.

As Women of Rubies celebrates its 11th anniversary, this milestone offers an opportunity to honour the women, stories, lessons and relationships that have shaped the journey.

How Women of Rubies began

Esther Ijewere, founder of Women of Rubies, celebrating the platform’s 11th anniversary — Esther Ijewere founded Women of Rubies in 2015 to amplify women’s stories, expertise and impact.

Women of Rubies was founded by media strategist and Guardian columnist Esther Ijewere in 2015.

Its foundation was built through years of interviewing women and documenting their journeys. Those conversations revealed that many women were building businesses, leading organizations, creating solutions and supporting their communities without receiving the recognition their work deserved.

The challenge was not always a lack of expertise or impact. In many cases, women did not know how to communicate their value, position their work or access platforms that could amplify their stories.

Women of Rubies was created to help close that gap. What began as a storytelling platform gradually developed into a wider visibility ecosystem providing media features, brand visibility support, practical education and opportunities for women to share their expertise.

Women of Rubies at 11: Measuring the impact

Over the past 11 years, Women of Rubies has worked with women across industries, cultures, career stages and geographical locations.

The platform has:

Spotlighted more than 3,000 women globally
Reached an audience of over 12 million
Produced five cohorts of the Media Visibility Bootcamp
Hosted more than 40 speakers and visibility experts
Created media and learning opportunities for entrepreneurs, professionals and community leaders
Developed strategic partnerships with organizations supporting women’s advancement
Published stories that have helped women strengthen their credibility and expand their reach

Behind every number is a woman whose story, work or expertise was given space to be recognized. That remains one of the most meaningful measures of the platform’s impact.

Eleven lessons from eleven years of building Women of Rubies

1. Start before the entire vision is clear

Women of Rubies did not begin with every programme, partnership or opportunity fully planned. The vision became clearer through action. Many meaningful ideas remain unrealized because people believe they must understand the entire journey before taking the first step. Progress often begins with using what is available and allowing experience to shape what comes next.

2. Consistency builds credibility

Visibility may attract attention, but consistency builds trust. Showing up repeatedly, maintaining a clear message and delivering meaningful work have been essential to the growth of Women of Rubies. Credibility was not built through one successful feature or campaign. It developed through years of sustained service.

3. Every woman has a story worth telling

A woman does not need to be famous before her story becomes valuable. Some of the most powerful stories published by Women of Rubies have come from women building quietly, overcoming personal challenges, serving their communities or creating solutions without widespread recognition.

Their experiences deserve to be documented.

4. Visibility must be intentional

Being visible is different from being strategically positioned. Effective visibility helps the right audience understand who you are, what you do and why your work matters. It should strengthen credibility, support professional goals and create relevant opportunities.

This principle has shaped the visibility education Women of Rubies provides.

5. Storytelling can create access

A well-told story can introduce a woman’s work to new clients, partners, employers, collaborators and communities. Storytelling is not simply about publicity. It is a bridge connecting expertise and impact with the people who need to know about it.

6. Community must be built on trust

A strong community is not created by numbers alone. It grows when people feel respected, represented and supported. Women of Rubies has continued to prioritize responsible storytelling and the dignity of every woman whose story is shared.

7. Collaboration expands impact

Much of the platform’s growth has been strengthened through partnerships with speakers, writers, organizations, media platforms and community leaders. Collaboration allows ideas to travel further and gives more women access to resources, knowledge and opportunities.

8. Reinvention is part of longevity

The media landscape has changed considerably since Women of Rubies began in 2015. Social platforms have evolved, audience behaviour has shifted and new technologies have transformed how stories are produced and consumed. Remaining relevant has required learning, adaptation and a willingness to improve established approaches.

9. Challenges can clarify the mission

Building a platform for 11 years has included difficult seasons, unexpected changes and moments that required strategic restraint. Those experiences have reinforced the importance of protecting trust, documenting the journey and remaining focused on the long-term mission.

10. Recognition should lead to opportunity

Visibility is most meaningful when it leads to something useful. A feature should help people discover a woman’s work. A conversation should provide practical insight. A programme should leave participants better equipped to communicate their value and pursue opportunities.

Recognition should not end with attention. It should create a pathway for growth.

11. Legacy is built through service

The Women of Rubies journey has never been about one person or one platform. It is about the women whose stories have been documented, the communities that have supported the work and the opportunities created through consistent service. Legacy is built through the people who are encouraged, equipped and remembered because someone chose to create space for them.

Building the next chapter

The next chapter of Women of Rubies will continue to focus on practical visibility education, strategic storytelling, reputation management and meaningful opportunities for women.

The goal is not simply to help women become more visible. It is to help them communicate their expertise with clarity, strengthen their credibility and build visibility that supports their professional and business goals.

This commitment is reflected in initiatives such as the Women of Rubies Academy, the Media Pitch Challenge and the Media Visibility Bootcamp.

Celebrating 11 years with the Media Visibility Bootcamp

As part of the 11th-anniversary celebration, Women of Rubies has opened a special seven-day access offer for the Media Visibility Bootcamp 6.0.

The virtual bootcamp will take place on October 17 and 18, 2026, bringing together experienced speakers and professionals for practical conversations about visibility, communication, leadership, business growth and reputation.

Media Visibility Bootcamp 6.0 $50 anniversary access offer for the October 17–18, 2026 virtual event — 11 years of Women of Rubies with $50 live access to both days of the Media Visibility Bootcamp 6.0.

The $50 Anniversary Access provides live access to both bootcamp days, including speaker sessions, panel discussions, fireside conversations and attendee community access.

The anniversary offer ends on October 2, 2026.

To reserve your access, visit womenofrubies.com/mvbc2026.

Thank you for being part of the Women of Rubies story

Eleven years of Women of Rubies would not have been possible without the women who trusted the platform with their stories, the readers who shared those stories, the speakers who contributed their expertise and the partners who supported the vision.

Every feature, conversation, collaboration and lesson has contributed to this milestone.

As Women of Rubies celebrates 11 years, the mission remains clear: to amplify women’s stories, strengthen their visibility and help more women receive the recognition and opportunities their work deserves.

The journey continues.

In Inspiration August 14, 2026 By Esther Ijewere

Monica Kretschmer: Championing Women’s Stories on a Global Stage

Founder and CEO of Universal Womens Network™, Monica Kretschmer is redefining how women are recognized, celebrated, and empowered through storytelling, leadership, and global collaboration.

In a world where visibility often determines opportunity, few leaders have dedicated their life’s work to ensuring women’s stories are seen, heard, and celebrated as intentionally as Monica Kretschmer.

As the Founder and CEO of Universal Womens Network™, Monica has built more than a media company. She has created a global platform that recognizes women’s achievements, elevates their voices, and fosters meaningful connections through storytelling and leadership.

From Personal Resilience to Purpose-Driven Leadership

Behind Monica’s professional accomplishments is a deeply personal story of resilience.

Her vision for Universal Womens Network™ was shaped by years of personal hardship, including navigating more than 4,800 hours of family litigation, a 22-day trial, and rebuilding her life as a single mother. Rather than allowing those experiences to define her, Monica transformed them into a mission dedicated to ensuring women are seen, valued, supported, and recognized for the impact they create.

That journey has become the foundation of a movement that continues to inspire women around the world.

Monica Kretschmer supporting women leaders and changemakers through Universal Womens Network. — Universal Womens Network™ has celebrated more than 1,200 women leaders and changemakers whose stories continue to inspire communities around the world.

Building More Than a Brand

Monica describes storytelling as the heartbeat of Universal Womens Network™. Over the past decade, the organization has created a growing collection of stories that reflect the leadership, resilience, innovation, and lived experiences of women from diverse industries, cultures, and generations. Its mission extends beyond celebrating accomplishments to changing how women are perceived and represented globally.

Through media, publishing, events, strategic partnerships, and emerging technologies, the organization has built an ecosystem where stories become opportunities for connection, recognition, and lasting impact.

Creating Platforms That Inspire

Universal Womens Network™ is home to several internationally recognized initiatives, including:

Women of Inspiration®
Global Women of Inspiration® Summit
SupportHER™
UWomen Magazine™
Women of Inspiration® Podcast
Women of Inspiration® Books

Together, these initiatives create spaces where women can share their experiences, celebrate achievements, and inspire future generations while engaging men as visible allies through the SupportHER™ movement.

A Decade of Celebrating Women’s Leadership

Over the last ten years, Universal Womens Network™ has celebrated more than 1,200 entrepreneurs, executives, professionals, founders, creators, and changemakers whose stories continue to inspire communities worldwide.

Today, Monica continues to expand that vision by building what she describes as one of the world’s leading media and experiences companies focused on putting women into the spotlight through storytelling, thought leadership, and global collaboration.

Monica Kretschmer speaking about women’s leadership, storytelling, recognition, and global impact. — Through storytelling, thought leadership, and global experiences, Monica Kretschmer continues to redefine how women are seen, recognized, and celebrated.

Leading Through Storytelling

For Monica, storytelling is far more than communication; it is a catalyst for transformation. Her philosophy is reflected in the organization’s belief that:

Stories create visibility. Visibility creates connection. Connection creates opportunity. Opportunity creates impact. Impact inspires the next story.

This approach continues to shape how Universal Womens Network™ develops original media, leadership experiences, and recognition programs that help women increase their visibility while inspiring meaningful change.

Looking Ahead

Monica Kretschmer’s vision extends beyond building successful brands. Her goal is to create a future where every woman recognizes her potential, every story has the power to create change, and everyone has a role to play in supporting women’s success.

Through purpose-driven leadership, global collaboration, and an unwavering belief in the power of storytelling, Monica continues to champion women’s voices and build platforms that leave a lasting legacy for generations to come.

To learn more about Monica Kretschmer and her work, connect with Universal Womens Network™ and follow its global initiatives celebrating women in leadership, entrepreneurship, and innovation. Through its media platforms, events, and recognition programs, the organization continues to amplify inspiring stories and create opportunities for women to be seen, celebrated, and supported. Whether you are a founder, executive, professional, or changemaker, Monica’s work offers a powerful reminder of the impact storytelling can have in shaping lives, communities, and the future.

In Interviews&profile July 28, 2026 By Esther Ijewere

10 Lessons From Building Women of Rubies and Amplifying 3,000+ Women’s Stories

When I launched Women of Rubies in 2015, I wasn’t trying to build a media company. I was trying to solve a problem.

Every day, I encountered remarkable women doing extraordinary work, building businesses, leading organizations, creating opportunities, transforming communities, and quietly changing lives. Yet very few people knew their names.

The media landscape often celebrated the same voices while countless women with equally powerful stories remained invisible. I believed visibility should never be reserved for a select few. It should be accessible to every woman with a meaningful story to tell.

That belief became Women of Rubies.

Today, more than a decade later, our platform has amplified the stories of over 3,000 women, published more than 500 editorial features and columns, trained over 600 entrepreneurs and professionals through our Media Visibility Bootcamp, and built a global community that spans Canada, Nigeria, the United Kingdom, the United States, and beyond.

Looking back, I realize this journey has taught me far more than how to run a media platform. It has taught me about leadership, purpose, consistency, trust, and the true power of storytelling.

Here are ten lessons that shaped everything.

1. Start with a problem, not a platform

Many founders begin by asking what they want to build. I started by asking what needed to change.

Women of Rubies was never about creating another website. It was about creating opportunities for women whose expertise deserved greater visibility. Purpose creates staying power. Platforms evolve, but purpose keeps them relevant.

2. Storytelling is one of the most valuable business assets

People rarely remember statistics. They remember stories.

Throughout my career as a journalist and communications strategist, I’ve learned that the most influential leaders are not always the most accomplished; they are often the ones who communicate their ideas clearly and consistently.

Every interview, feature story, and founder profile reinforced one truth: Stories build trust faster than credentials alone.

3. Visibility creates opportunities

One of the greatest misconceptions I encounter is that visibility is about fame. It isn’t.

Visibility is about discoverability. When people know who you are, understand what you do, and trust your expertise, opportunities begin to find you.

Over the years, many women featured on Women of Rubies have gone on to secure speaking engagements, board appointments, media interviews, partnerships, grants, awards, and new clients because someone discovered their story.

4. Consistency matters more than perfection

There were seasons when publishing content felt easy. There were also seasons when it was incredibly difficult.

Life changes.

Businesses evolve.

Resources fluctuate.

But consistency compounds.

Publishing one meaningful story after another eventually became thousands.

The lesson?

You don’t build authority overnight. You build it one piece of content at a time.

5. Relationships are your greatest marketing strategy

Women of Rubies has never relied solely on advertising. Our growth has been built through genuine relationships.

Journalists.

Authors.

Founders.

Corporate leaders.

Community organizations.

Partners.

Sponsors.

Every meaningful collaboration began with trust. In communications, relationships remain one of the strongest forms of long-term marketing.

6. Great content serves before it sells

As the digital landscape has changed, I’ve become increasingly intentional about creating educational content that answers real questions. Whether we’re writing about media visibility, personal branding, Google Knowledge Panels, AI search, storytelling, or communications strategy, our goal is simple:

Help people first.

Search engines have changed.

AI has changed.

But valuable content continues to outperform promotional content because it solves problems.

7. AI is changing discoverability, but authority still matters

One of the biggest shifts I’ve observed is how people search for information. Increasingly, entrepreneurs are asking ChatGPT, Google AI, Perplexity, and other AI assistants instead of typing simple search queries.

That means digital credibility matters more than ever. Brands that consistently publish accurate, well-structured, trustworthy content are more likely to be cited and recommended.

This is why I believe digital footprint has become one of the most valuable business assets any professional can build.

8. Your reputation is built long before people meet you

Most people will Google your name before they schedule a meeting.

Potential employers.

Clients.

Conference organizers.

Journalists.

Investors.

Your online presence has become your first introduction.

Every article, interview, LinkedIn post, podcast appearance, and media feature contributes to the story people form about you.

Build that story intentionally.

9. Success isn’t measured only by numbers

Yes, I’m proud that Women of Rubies has featured over 3,000 women. I’m proud of the awards.

The partnerships.

The global reach.

But what matters most are the messages that say:

“Your story gave me hope.”

“I finally felt seen.”

“That interview opened a new opportunity for me.”

Those moments remind me why this work matters.

Impact will always outlast impressions.

10. Keep building, even when no one is watching

Every platform has quiet seasons. Every founder experiences doubt.

Every entrepreneur wonders whether the work is making a difference.

The truth is this:

People often see the results long before they see the years of consistency that created them.

Keep publishing.

Keep improving.

Keep serving.

Your next article, interview, conversation, or opportunity could become the one that changes everything.

Final Thoughts

Building Women of Rubies has never been about creating content for the sake of publishing. It has been about creating opportunities through storytelling.

As communications continues to evolve through artificial intelligence, changing search behaviour, and new digital platforms, one principle remains unchanged:

People trust authentic stories.

Whether you are building a business, leading an organization, launching a nonprofit, or growing your personal brand, never underestimate the power of being intentional about your visibility.

Because when the right people discover your story, new opportunities become possible.

About Esther Ijewere

Esther Ijewere is a Canadian-based media strategist, brand visibility consultant, journalist, and Founder of Women of Rubies. Through strategic storytelling, communications, and media visibility initiatives, she has helped amplify the voices of more than 3,000 women globally while training hundreds of entrepreneurs and professionals to communicate with clarity, confidence, and impact.

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Join the Women of Rubies Media Visibility Bootcamp, explore our communications resources, or subscribe to receive practical insights on storytelling, personal branding, and thought leadership.

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