In my very first interview I had the pleasure of inviting the 3 co-founders of Pura Utz - Bernabela Sapalú, Elisa Sapalú and Anna Waller Andrés, into the studio for a talk about their Jewellery and Accessory brand, Pura Utz, and the impact that they are making for their employees in Guatemala - the majority of them being Mayan Women.

We talk about Bernabela's story and how her and Anna came to co-found Pura Utz and how Bernabela's daughter, Elisa now also plays a key role in their business. We also address the keywords Amor, Corazon & Familia (Love, Heart and Family) and how these words works as an integrated ethos in the everyday life in both their offices, in Santiago Atitlán in Guatemala and in Copenhagen in Denmark.

They also share how they work with transparency by educating not only their customer, but most importantly their team in Guatemala on everything around business and value-chain. This way they are proactively engaging with their employees to foster greater self-confidence, education, access and courage, with the aim of enabling more women in Guatemala to attain greater autonomy and independence.

This was a deeply humbling and inspiring conversation, and I am beyond grateful for the three ladies coming on The Female Effect and opening their world up to us.

I hope you love this episode as much as I did!

Love, Julie x

Pass on the goodwill:

Elisa: Luisito Comunica, Mexican Youtuber

A life hack you swear by:

Anna: Swearing by my morning-routine. Like, getting up early and making my bed, it's the best head-start of my day. Pave your own way for a good day everyday, inside your control-sphere.

Bernabela: Put god first. The first thing I do in the morning and the last thing I do before I go to bed. I practise gratitude and appreciate what has happened in life and for my family.

Elisa: If I am going through something difficult and hard, I remind myself that there is someone who is going through something harder. They have gone through that, so that measures me that I can also overcome the difficulty ahead of me.

A life lesson that has been life-changing / A saying to live by:

Anna: "Just remember that you get a thousand do-overs, it doesn't have to be perfect." + "Always treat people well"

Bernabela: "If you treat people well, it will come back around"

Elisa: "It's not a bad life, just a bad day." + "Always be grateful"

A book that has left a particular mark on you:

Anna: "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho, helped me to have the courage to start Pura Utz. + "The power of the now" by Eckhart Tolle.

Elisa: "Rich dad, Poor dad" by Robert Kiyosakis & Sharon Lechters.

Bernabela: The bible, here I find everything I need for spirituality and advice.

Your Go-to Podcast:Elisa: "En Cortinas con Luisito" by Luisito Comunica

Keep up with Pura Utz & Bernabela, Elisa & Anna:

Instagram: @purautz

TikTok: @purautz

Website: www.purautz.com

Keep up with The Female Effect:

Instagram: @thefemaleeffect_

TikTok: @thefemaleeffect

Artwork: Birgit Käsper

Jingle / Sounddesign: Søren Haahr