Una Rozenbauma
film director
Creative Director for 20 years, worked in all biggest advertising agencies in Riga, in DDB Nordic, Not Perfect, etc. She is the writer and director of TV series, TV programs, documentaries and films.
Being a woman for me means…
Being a woman means a lot to me, it involves various role changes. I can be anything — a jester, a mother, a wise woman, a fighter, a guardian, a bookworm, a lover, a beauty, a cook, a director, a writer, a friend, a teacher, a learner, a gardener, a stylist, a therapist, and a comedian all at once. Because only women can do that, and for us, it’s easy.
What fascinates me most about Latvia is…
Latvia is a fascinating place because we are incredibly close to nature. Where else do people drink tree sap, are ready to get married just to discover future family mushroom spots, spend weekends digging soil, and believe that plants grow best if stolen from a neighbor?
Your most surprising discovery about the world…
The world is a bit cracked and it needs fixing. The only way we can do it together is by listening to each other and to the planet, to hear rather than to respond. To help, not to instruct.
Dana Isarova
paediatrician
The same woman who took on the responsibility of leading the infection control service of Covid-19 Children’s Hospital at the start of the pandemic. Winner of the Young Doctor 2020 award from the Latvian Association of Physicians.
Spring is a time for…
waking up those butterflies in the stomach. It doesn’t really matter what or who gives those butterflies to you — a certain person, your job, trip to another city or abroad, taking that dance class you were afraid to take or unapologetically wearing heels or red lipstick on a daily basis. Whatever that makes you glow.
What fascinates me most about Latvia is…
that everyone seems to know everyone. Either you have met people yourself or they are friend’s of your friends — somehow here we are all connected. You might use it only for gossiping, but a smarter way would be to use it for networking, building connections and relationships which can lead to unexpected collaborations and experience opportunities.
The main lesson your business has taught you…
is that you don’t have to be in the music or entertainment industry to be fearless and flawless like Beyonce — pick your profession and be Beyonce in that field!
Lotte Tisenkopfa-Iltnere
founder of VAIRO and Madara Cosmetics
Co-founded MÁDARA in 2006 and currently works as the brand’s Creative Director. A person who creates safe and honest beauty products, one of the top industry players in Northern Europe, pioneering in scientific research and innovative ingredient discoveries based on plants from the Nordic and Arctic regions.
Spring is a time…
when I contemplate the amazing evolutional life force — how everything sprouts out and blooms both in nature and in our hearts. All of a sudden I want to rearrange my garden, my interior — so much inspiration and joy appears just as nature turns its cycles.
Being a woman for me means…
being whatever I want to be every single day. Totally free, totally aligned with how I feel. I can snuggle at home one day and drive a project on another.
The main lesson your business has taught you…
Every business should deliver something good to people and the planet, it can’t be only about money. Value-driven business gives more inspiration to the team, creates more loyalty among customers.
Zane Grēviņa
Food lover & blogger, cooking book author
Better known as Našķoties Zane, Zane wrote her first book “Našķoties” in 2019, which turned out to be the bestselling book of that year in Latvia. Author, food researcher and home baking connoisseur.
Being a woman for me means…
Being a woman — for me means .. skirts? got ‘em. assembling IKEA furniture with one hand? Like a pro. Flowers? Adore ‘em. Cooking? No problem. Pumping my bicycle’s tires? Consider it done. Just your typical lady.
What fascinates me most about Latvia is…
religious belief that “caurvējš” is a cause of sickness.
The main lesson your business has taught you…
You can do it all and more!
Egita Poļanska
CEO of Startups at Startup House Riga
Since 2013 Egita has worked with more than 15 international startup accelerator batches with Startup Wise Guys and Techstars. She also plays a key part in the Latvian startup ecosystem, formerly designing EU support projects at the Ministry of Economics, running TechHub Riga and organizing TechChill, taking the position of chairwoman of the Latvian startup association, and being part of the SXSW Accelerator Pitch Event Advisory Board of 2018.
What fascinates me most about Latvia is…
the talent. Our biggest natural resource is humans and their talent. Latvians can do and achieve amazing things!
Your most surprising discovery about the world is…
the influence and power of social media. How a simple post or hashtag can make big movements and changes.
The main lesson your business has taught you…
Adaptability is non-negotiable; staying relevant requires constant innovation and a keen eye on industry shifts.
Agnese Drunka
journalist
Agnese works for Latvian Radio and TV3, and you will definitely recognise her as the face of “Bez Tabu”. Agnese also produces the TV3 programme “Ko neteikt? (“What Not to Say”) and is the presenter of the new programme “Zilonis studijā” (“Elephant in the Studio ”).
Being a woman for me means…
the awareness that I am, that I can, that I have opportunities which a man doesn’t have… I have the opportunity to be a mother, I have the opportunity to not be able to do something, to be both weak and strong at the same time. By the way, being a woman also means that I can prove – multitasking is possible, even though clever people say it’s not. And furthermore, it means the opportunity to dress up, to wear red lipstick, sometimes to indulge and allow myself to not be able to do or know everything.
What fascinates me most about Latvia are…
the opportunities. We are a land of possibilities; we might be small, but we are so strong and mighty, in the words of former President Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga. Latvia’s nature is wonderful, and only here can we experience four seasons and within twenty minutes reach nature that elsewhere in the world would be an almost impossible mission.
The main lesson your work has taught you…
is that it is so diverse, unpredictably unpredictable, enticing, and thrilling. Television and radio are my passion, and it is the place from which I draw strength, encountering so many different and wonderful people every day who attest to the magic and possibilities of life. Working in the media has taught me that everything is possible, even the impossible!
Anete Bilzēna
Riga ZOO board member
A board member of the Riga National Zoo, and a business leader with over 20 years of experience in various industries, like General Manager at Porsche, Chairman at LifeStyle Alliance GROUP.
Being a woman for me means…
allowing myself to experience the broadest range of emotions and feelings.
Your most surprising discovery about the world…
is related to the diverse and untouched nature across different continents. If only everyone had the opportunity to look into the eyes of an animal or a person in their authentic environment and understand whether we are truly ready to say goodbye to this splendor in the coming decades.
The main lesson your business has taught you…
is that without people, there is no process, without a process, there is no result, but without results, the first two have no future. The ideal balance both in life and in business is only achieved by equally focusing on all three: people, process, results.
Baiba Prindule-Rence
event designer
Journalist and a qualified psychologist with a master’s degree in the field of art, TV show host, author of the book “Let’s Celebrate” (“Svinam”), and one of the most popular decorators in Latvia, also known as a fairy, who transforms the environment, as fans lovingly call her.
Being a woman for me means…
to create, and regardless of what is created, to create joy, inspiration, celebrations, projects, children, or peace.
Your most surprising discovery about the world…
is that it’s round. Everything you let go of will eventually come back around. It returns to both poles, carrying both the positive and the negative.
The main lesson your business has taught you…
is adaptability. Adaptation to partners, colleagues, and clients alike. And within a team, there is strength, no matter how talented you are as an individual — true power is formed by combining knowledge.
Elena Zakharenko
founder of Glückauf
Her project is not just about having fresh pastries every day, but how German technology and French recipes live under one roof.
What fascinates me most about Latvia are…
people. When I came to Latvia, to Kurzeme for the first time 18 years ago, I was struck by the coldness of the people, but that is only at first glance. Eventually, endless warmth and humor opens up to you.
Your most surprising discovery about the world…
People are all different, but at the same time we have a lot in common. And if we really want to, we can quickly unite and make the world around us even better.
The main lesson your business has taught you..
to never give up, never stop. Do not expect immediate benefits. Act, act, act. Results will definitely follow.
Elīna Garanča
Latvia’s most famous opera singer
She gained worldwide fame with her role as Carmen in Bizet’s opera “Carmen.” Her successes in 2009 earned her both the Echo Klassik Award from the German Phono Academy and the MIDEM Classical Music Award for the world’s best female singer.
Being a woman for me means…
to be empowered and inspired to break stereotypes, move barriers, and pursue your dreams without limitations.
What fascinates me most about Latvia is…
It’s nature, dense forests, untouched lakes, and the Latvian ability to sing songs about anything and everything.
Your most surprising discovery about the world…
How differently people can see and interpret the same thing in various ways, depending on their background, goals, and morals.
Ieva Plaude-Rēlingere
entrepreneur
She is a Latvian entrepreneur. representative of the Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Bavaria, as well as the chairperson of the board of the Latvian Cosmetic Manufacturers Association.
Spring is a time for…
everything to awaken simultaneously with nature.
The main lesson your business has taught you…
Work! Work is the foundation of everything!
Your most surprising discovery about the world…
It is constantly changing and evolving.
The article is adorned with beautiful works by the Latvian artist Helēna Heinrihsone.
