FEMALE FOUNDERS FOR IWD '26 - Helen Barker from Fika
We feel incredibly lucky to be surrounded by brilliant women every single day. We’re constantly inspired by their creativity, in awe of their drive, and so proud of everything they set out to build and achieve.
With International Women’s Day just around the corner, we wanted to take a moment to celebrate them properly. You already know and love these brands, but we thought this was the perfect time to introduce you to the wonderful women behind them, the founders, the makers, the dreamers doing it all.
What's your name?
Helen Barker
How many years have you been in business?
3
How many employees does your business have?
5
What inspired you to start your business?
My moment to slow down came during the pandemic. After 15 years in the fashion industry, I was furloughed from my role at a global fashion supplier. For the first time in decades, everything paused and I realised the fashion world needed to change.During those months, Friday night Zoom quizzes became little pockets of joy. We’d dress up as if we were going out, and I noticed how much wearing colour lifted my mood. That simple act of dressing for myself made such a difference and I knew that joy and positivity had to be at the heart of what I created.
Starting my own business was completely out of my comfort zone. But my father-in-law, who was terminally ill at the time, encouraged me to take the leap. Being made redundant shortly after gave me the push I needed, and I decided to go for it and here we are today.
Our aim is simple: to use the experience we’ve gained over the years to build a slower-paced, responsibly sourced brand. One that makes women feel amazing, empowers them with confidence, and lets them focus on the good things in their life.
What is the best business (or life) advice you’ve ever been given?
Always do good things and good things will come to you.
What is your definition of success?
Our definition of success is happiness.Not growth at any cost. Not chasing numbers or trends for the sake of it.
For us, success means building something we’re proud of, a brand rooted in our values, that respects people and the planet, and supports a balanced way of living.
Happiness looks like creating with purpose. Like seeing a woman put on one of our pieces and stand a little taller. Like choosing quality over quantity, and longevity over speed. Success isn’t just about milestones for us it’s about impact. If we can create clothing that brings joy, builds confidence and is kinder to the planet, that’s success to us.
What boundaries have you had to establish to protect your mental health and personal time?
This is something I still struggle with as a business owner. When you care deeply about what you’re building, it’s hard to switch off... the lines between work and life blur so easily. This year, I’ve been trying to set clearer working hours and actually stick to them, giving myself permission to properly step away.
Pilates has become a non-negotiable for me. It’s my time to completely zone out and reset.I’m also consciously working on not comparing myself to other brands. Comparison is constant in this industry, but it rarely helps. Protecting my mindset means focusing on our own pace and values.It’s not perfect, but I’m learning to build a business that supports my life, not one that consumes it.
Who is your dream customer?
Our dream customer is a woman who dresses for herself.She values quality over quantity and chooses pieces she can wear again and again. She loves colour because it lifts her mood and reflects her personality.She’s busy and doesn’t want to overthink her wardrobe - she wants ease, versatility, and to feel effortlessly put-together.Most of all, she wants to feel confident and comfortable in her own skin. She believes in buying less and wearing longer, and she chooses Fika because it aligns with her values and how she wants to feel.
What has been your worst business moment?
I once put a top into production in the totally wrong colour...and didn’t even realise until it arrived here in the UK. It was one of those “how did I not notice that?” moments!It was a little embarrassing at the time, but looking back, it’s hilarious and a reminder that running a business is full of these small, human mistakes. They don’t break you, they just make the journey more memorable!
Tell us a joke…
What do you call fake spaghetti? An impasta!
Big, big thanks to the amazing Helen for taking the time to tell us all the insights of being a female founder!
Shop Fika clothing here.
