Tina Søgaard launched the skincare brand “Ecooking” in 2015, which quickly became a major success in Denmark and internationally. Tina Søgaard has many years of experience making skincare for young people and adults and has worked in the industry for a long time. She felt there was a lack of clean, certified skincare products. Ecooking's vision is to create effective products that contain as much natural and organic content as possible - with care for the environment and at prices most people can afford.

Why did you choose to take the leap into entrepreneurship?

It's in my blood. I was only 11 when I started my first business with my maternal grandfather. I've probably always been the one to take the lead and go first: when someone got a penalty throw after time was up in handball, I was the one who took it.

Although no one in my family has been self-employed, my family members have always been strong personalities. Both my maternal grandparents and my mother and father helped create community life in the small town where we lived. They created an environment around sports, summer parties, and other events that generated income for the town. So creating things has always been in the family.

Have you faced any challenges as a female entrepreneur?

I actually think it's been an advantage for me. That's probably also because I've never been afraid to ask for help. And when you ask for help, people very rarely say no. So many people have helped me get the company and the brands under it to where they are today.

What advice would you give to women considering taking the leap into entrepreneurship?

But get started - yesterday. Don't make too many plans about how it should be; instead, take things as they come. Opportunities arise when you're underway, through working, meeting new people, and networking. You have to seize those opportunities when they come along.

I’ve followed my intuition. It has carried me a long way. And I believe that if, from the very beginning, there’s “a stone in your shoe” - when I meet a person, a situation, or a task - it will keep being there. Then it’s better to go around it and move on.

What does balance in the world mean to you?

For me, balance in the world means treating each other well. That’s why compassion for others is so important - showing care for others, both those you’re close to and those you meet along the way. That way, you help create balance for yourself and those around you.

A world in balance is, of course, also a world without war, poverty, famine, and the like, and it’s awful and heartbreaking that so many people are affected by these disasters. You feel very small in the face of it all, but if we all do just a little to help another person or a family, that should bring a positive shift in the right direction.

Ever since my girls were little, I’ve reminded both them and myself many, many times how lucky we are to have been born in Denmark. It’s a winning lottery ticket that comes with obligations, and something we should remember when we complain about small, insignificant things.

What does balance in life mean to you?

Being in balance is among the top five things that matter to me. It’s stability on the journey we’re on through life. I feel that I’m in balance when I can help others.

I’m also only in balance when I know that the people close to me, especially my daughters, are doing well. It’s equally important to me that the company - and all its employees - are balanced and on the right track, because it’s my baby. And taking care of myself and spending time on and for myself also help bring balance to my life.

"I feel that I’m in balance when I can help others. I’m also only in balance when I know that the people close to me, especially my daughters, are doing well."

- Tina Søgaard