There are moments that remind me exactly why I started hosting women in business events back in 2017, and why our community has continued to grow across the globe over the years.
This June was one of those moments.
It marked our return to live, in-person events, where women stepped into the spotlight and fully owned their voice, authority, and leadership. Nearly 20 international speakers flew in from around the world to take the Women Thrive Live stage in London, and it was truly magical.
What humbled me most was not only seeing our speakers travel across continents to be there, but also watching attendees do the same. Women flew halfway around the world to sit in the room together, connect, learn, and be part of something bigger than themselves.
What started as a vision to create spaces where women in business could share ideas, stories, experiences, and insights has evolved into something truly special – a global community that champions women’s leadership, visibility, and empowerment.
After the event, one attendee said something that deeply stayed with me:
“There are many organisations that talk about women’s empowerment and women supporting women. But not many live up to that claim, and the rooms can still feel competitive. At Women Thrive, I feel seen, celebrated, and truly supported.”
Those words meant everything.
In my keynote, I spoke about the importance of creating safe spaces where women can take off the mask and show up as their authentic selves. Because when we do, we build genuine relationships. The conversations stop being performative and become real, honest, and supportive.
I know all too well what it feels like to hide behind a mask.
For most of my twenties, I felt pressure to present the perfect version of myself. It was exhausting. I lived with the fear of judgement, the fear of being found out, and the fear of not being accepted.
What I eventually learned was that I didn’t need to carry any of those fears.
Everything changed the first time I stood on our stage and shared a story I had struggled to accept – my failure story from my first business.
The moment I was willing to own my truth and openly speak about my failures, I released their grip on me.
That experience didn’t just empower me. It built a bridge between me and my audience.
People saw parts of themselves in my story. They realised they were not alone. They realised that perfection isn’t something we need to hide behind. Our humanity is often the very thing that connects us.
Another unforgettable moment came when I brought my youngest daughter onto the stage.
At just eight months old, she proudly joined her mamma in front of the audience.
I joked that I can be “bossing it up” all I want, but to her, I’m just a nipple.
The audience laughed, but there was a deeper message behind that moment.
For far too long, women have been sold the idea that motherhood somehow diminishes our ambition, our value, or our ability to succeed.
I completely disagree.
Motherhood has given me an even greater drive to grow, scale, and succeed.
It has given me a determination like never before to be the role model I want my daughters to see.
But more importantly, I want them to be part of the journey.
I want them to witness it in real time.
I want them standing beside me on stages, joining me on client calls, and growing up knowing that anything is possible when a woman owns her voice and believes in herself.
As the event came to a close, Lola, our Women Thrive Summit 2026 Speaker of the Year, left us with a powerful message. She challenged us to create a bigger vision for our lives, to focus on possibilities rather than limitations, and to recognise what becomes available when we stop holding ourselves back and step into our true potential.
As she spoke, I found myself reflecting on the vision I had for Women Thrive years ago.
Back in 2019, before the world shut down, I dreamed of hosting events globally and filling rooms with women from all walks of life.
When 2020 arrived, I had to pivot. But that pivot gave birth to Women Thrive Media, our summits, our magazine, our podcast, and so much more.
Now, standing in that room in London, it felt like a full-circle moment.
A return to the original vision.
A reminder of why this work matters.
To create global impact.
To help women believe in themselves.
To help them recognise their potential.
And to ensure they leave our events transformed, uplifted, empowered, and ready to step into the next chapter of their lives.
One of the highlights of the event was also the launch of my brand-new book, Speakers Rise.
Inside, I share my signature method for using your voice, story, and expertise to create greater visibility, build authority, and make a bigger impact in the world.
If you’re ready to become a more confident speaker and thought leader, I would love for you to grab a copy.
P.S. Tickets for our next event are now available. If you’ve never experienced a Women Thrive event in person, I encourage you to join us. The rooms we create are filled with connection, inspiration, support, and possibility – and the next one will be even bigger.
Come and experience it for yourself. Step into the spotlight. Own your voice. And let’s make an impact together.
Name: Raimonda Jankunaite
Professional Title: Visibility & Speaking Coach | Founder, Women Thrive Media | Helping women build their stand-out personal brands and become unapologetic, sought-after speakers.
Bio: Raimonda Jankunaite is a visibility expert, speaking coach, and mentor, as well as the founder of Women Thrive Media. She is an international speaker and publisher of the Women Thrive book series. Her mission is to empower women worldwide to step into their power, claim their spotlight, and speak their truth unapologetically. Raimonda specializes in helping women become confident speakers and influential thought leaders in their niche.
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