Samata

Occupation: Founder THE TRIBE and CEO of Red Carpet Green Dress

Website: www.the---tribe.com

Instagram: iam_samata

WHYITRIBE (THE REASON YOU THINK IT’S IMPORTANT TO CELEBRATE WHO YOU ALREADY ARE):

I am so exhausted of never feeling enough! We live like hamsters on a wheel, we beat ourselves up over anything and everything. We doubt our worth regularly, without fail. I thought enough is enough. It is time to celebrate who we are and realised that I could not be alone in feeling this frustration. I had no idea so many other women would feel the same way too. I am so glad this is happening!

NAME A TIME RECENTLY WHEN YOU SAID SOMETHING GOOD ABOUT YOURSELF / HOW DID THAT MAKE YOU FEEL?

At the last TRIBE gathering I joked about embracing my high forehead. It might seem small (no pun intended) but I was always self-conscious about it growing up, being able to move beyond a personal insecurity was powerful for me because it represented so much more than an aesthetic thing, it represented the idea that I am really starting to accept who I am completely. We are who we are, let’s love all of our bits! Also, turns out in my Ghanaian culture, a high forehead is the sign of nobility, so I will take that any day!

WHY DO YOU THINK WOMEN SHY AWAY FROM CELEBRATING OR PRAISING THEMSELVES SO MUCH?

We do not want to seem arrogant. I think we believe that if we celebrate ourselves, we seem self centered or narcissistic. We aren’t allowed to talk about ourselves, god forbid we should actually like ourselves! It’s tiring to keep restraining your joy for the comfort of others. It needs to change!

HOW DO YOU OVERCOME THE TENDENCY TO DISCREDIT COMPLIMENTS YOU ARE GIVEN?

I take a breath and count to three. And then I respond. My first reaction is usually to explain why I don’t deserve. My second is to say thank you!

WHY IS THE TRIBE MOVEMENT IMPORTANT?

As a little bit of background, I have been in the fashion industry for a good few years now and whilst I truly enjoy my work, what has become painfully clear to me is that real growth of any kind – personal or professional – only feels good when I have had the chance to celebrate what has already been accomplished. These days we work like hamsters on a wheel and rarely get the opportunity to celebrate our ‘wins’ – personal or otherwise. It’s always “What’s next?” instead of “What’s now?”.

THE TRIBE encourages you to celebrate who you are today, and not alone either, but in the company of other empowered and inspiring women. My desire is to provide a space for women to meet, get together, vibe, celebrate ourselves and encourage each other to do the impossible.