Zimt

Zimt creates high-quality plant-based chocolate with the goal to produce as ethically as possible for the planet, animals, and our health! Founded by young entrepreneur Emma Smith who started Zimt in her home kitchen! Zimt is made with ethically sourced cacao and coconut sugar. 1% of all Zimt profits are donated to charity.

What does international women’s day mean to you? 

I appreciate that it seems to be getting a bit more press. I went to an all girls school and I don’t know that it was even talked about there- hopefully times are changing. I’d like to see it in action, and year round. We have some catching up to do.

Who is your female role model? 

I think my fiancé’s mum, in many ways. I only got to know her for a short while, but as I’ve learned more about her over the years, I am increasingly floored with what she accomplished in her life. You wouldn’t find her on the cover of Fortune or on some top X under X list, because she just lived life honestly, was an incredibly hard worker, and navigated tricky situations. She worked with what she had, and materially, that wasn’t a lot, and never for bravado. I think you have to be some next level brilliant to achieve what she did. 

Why do we need more women in leadership? 

Hopefully to water down the crazy…! Women have been shown to be statistically stronger in certain leadership skills, but I always think of this on a case-by-case basis. That being said, it is really powerful and critical for women to know that they can achieve what they set out to achieve (within scientific reality- no organism nor matter, in general, is immune to science!)- and that something as trivial as gender won’t create impossible barriers. Variety is the spice of life, as they say- so let’s throw in all us spice girls. (!)

What is woman’s empowerment moment that you’ve had or one that that inspires you? 

I think I’m starting to understand the gift that is getting out of your twenties. Women navigate a lot then- well, we often tend to- but it is really refreshing to be out of that decade. It’s kind of wonderful to see your own value beyond what society usually proclaims as being finished once you hit 29- especially from the perspective of not having human kids. So, I suppose it would just be- getting to know who I am as a person, and finding what makes sense and what is nonsense. Feels impowering to be a little wiser. 

Have you faced any challenges in your career due to being a woman? How have you overcome them? 

I probably have. Snide remarks, people refusing to believe I own the company, intimidation tactics- that sort of thing. 

What is one message you would give to any young woman or girl reading this post? 

You are important- but you aren’t the centre of the universe. Be kind and compassionate toward others, and never forget about how much of a difference you can make- because it’s a big one. 

If you could have dinner with 3 inspirational women, dead or alive, who would it be? 

Probably just a few of my friends and family members. Many people are more inspiring than we often realize- a good chat over dinner can be a good reminder. 

Favorite charity supporting woman or female-owned company/product?

I really like the Dandelion Africa- it is honestly incredible that FGM is still practiced in parts of the world. A brutal representation of how women are broken down to a sum of their parts- not so. I appreciate organizations like Dandelion who do not shy away from the harshest of realities.