Last week found us back in London for another Common Matters event – this time, the lineup featured three founders who have seriously walked the walk of their talks.
‘Truth & Dare’ by Emily Jeffrey-Barrett, Founder of Among Equals
When you start something – a business, a project, a new job – it’s easy to listen to the noise.
‘I can’t do this.’
‘That’s not right.’
‘I need someone to help me.’
‘Are you sure you want to do that..?’
‘I don’t know what I’m doing.’
‘It’s a terrible time to do this.’
‘I should play it safe!’
From the work we do to the career-defining decisions we make, these voices have the power to delay, derail and destroy opportunities.
So why do we listen to them? Emily old us the story of the lies we tell ourselves – and how the truth makes daring possible.
And if that sounds easy to you, know that it’s not – especially in a world where only 0.1% of agencies are founded by women. It’s an uphill climb, and Emily’s at the top of her game.
Next up, Sane Seven took the stage. As an award-winning photographer (she regularly shoots covers for The Sunday Times) she’s known for capturing powerful images of women leaders in spaces where they are often underestimated.
You’d be right to assume that Sane’s Little Black Book is impressive, having shot superstars for publications like Time, Harper’s Bazaar, and Forbes. But it hasn’t always been that way. Just a few years ago, she was working in a care home, with big aspirations but limited connections.
What changed? Nothing around her, but within her. Sane proves that a determined attitude is the difference between a life you live and a life you love. She shared networking skills from the simple (open questions) to the advanced (knowing where the VIP entrance is at events!) – and how these things have taken her career to the next level.
It was a joy to see people networking with more confidence in the Common Matters interval at this point. Our fave question? “What makes you happy?”
Our final guest was the wonderful Simon Dixon, Co-Founder of DixonBaxi. A seasoned speaker, the audience really leaned in to learn what makes DixonBaxi the long-term success story it is today. Well, according to Simon, three things guide everything he does. People. Creativity. Money. In that order.
He is behind brand strategy, identities and design systems for some of the most iconic names in sport, entertainment, lifestyle, health, media and technology.
“We don’t create the same way we did when we started. But we think the same way.”
Showcasing behind the scenes of their studio as well as work for F1, tubi, and roli, Simon shared some of the principles that keep their team growing, inspired, and given the time and space to think.
The future isn’t predicted, it’s made.
Talent it’s rare. Access is.
Design should be generous.
Be the optimism in the room.
Another inspiring room of people: thank you to everybody who joined us, our awesome speakers, and a special shout-out to Sane for gifting over 200 attendees a beautiful book!
On the night, we also secured our next speakers for London (a clue: they were in the room…) so we’ll see you on 29th April 2026.
