she.grows London inspires shesaid.so Amsterdam/ADE mentoring programme

With the London launch event of she.grows happening this week, shesaid.so Amsterdam has collaborated with ADE University in an exciting mini-mentoring programme.

To kick off the new shesaid.so mentoring scheme, she.grows London are hosting a launch event at The Ministry, tomorrow Wednesday 17th Oct, open to all shesaid.so members (rsvp shegrows@shesaid.so, see end for more details).

shesaid.so Amsterdam / ADE University mini-mentoring programme

Inspired by the London she.grows mentoring scheme, shesaid.so Amsterdam have teamed with ADE University to host a mini-mentoring programme during ADE this week. Their aim is to link aspiring female professionals, producers or artists with established female professionals from across the globe to meet and greet during the wonderful week at ADE and help each other grow. Choosing five professionals to match with five mentees selected by ADE University, the programme involves:

#1. Hour meet & greet. This is an opportunity for the mentee to ask questions about the job, journey and challenges the Mentor has faced within her professional career.

#2. Mentor puts the Mentee on 1 guestlist for a networking drinks / showcase somewhere during ADE week. To get the real ADE vibe, to network and meet new people!

#3. Mentor introduces the Mentee to 1 other person.A new person to add to their growing network, someone within their area of interest/expertise, and who they can meet with during the week or have a call /meeting with after ADE.

Sarah Stam shesaid.so Amsterdam

Sarah Stam of shesaid.so Amsterdam said about the project:

“When getting involved with shesaid.so and starting shesaidso.ams the main purpose has always been to connect people and make an actual change within the industry, achieving diversity and equality in a real way. Not just by talking about it and meeting up, but also by inspiring a next generation and making sure we are creating a better tomorrow in the scene. Whether this is by creating more collaborations between women, by sharing experiences and advice, or by helping each other grow.”

“I was honoured to be part of the she.grows mentorship program in the UK by the london shesaidso team, and I was so inspired and touched by the real opportunities at hand within a mentor program. The connection that is made between a mentor and a mentee, the clear boundaries such a relationship creates in which there is a safe space to express your challenges, struggles and day to day thoughts is very powerful. When we might feel we can’t bother our friends and loved ones with these questions related to our work/life balance, or even when we might feel we have to put on a good face to our surroundings and hide our fears, anxieties and problems, a mentor relationship can break through those barriers. Because the relationship is so clearly set to discuss, inspire and help each other on the level of work and life in general, it’s easier for a person to open up and really get to the core of what’s at hand within their work and personal life. This depth and true connection is what makes a mentor program so special.

“The fact that we can connect the next generation of female professionals with established women within the industry is so important. When I went to university or did my internships, most of the ‘mentors’ and role models I encountered were white men. And although there is nothing wrong with respectful, professional and inspiring men within the professional scene, you are unconsciously then thinking that higher up, key positions in the scene are only there for those men. As a young, aspiring female professional it is so powerful to be connected with a senior, female role model. To see what she has accomplished, hear about the opportunities she has seized and learn about the ups and downs of her journey is something that can resonate with the next generation like nothing else can. That’s what I believe to be the essence of she.grows, the opportunity to achieve real change together.”

Jesler Amarins (Project Manager & Conference Curator, Amsterdam Dance Event): “As a curator for ADE University, our official conference aimed at the next generation of music professionals, it’s amazing to see that every subsequent year, there are more women in the audience. One of my favorite parts of ADE University is to connect young professionals to the established scene, so the SheGrows! Initiative is right up our alley! I hope that, with she.grows, the music industry will become more accessible as a workfield by introducing students to some of the most awesome women in the business.”


London launch event details

The event will consist of an official welcome from founders Harriet and Holly, followed by interviews with previous mentors and mentees + lots of time for mingling!

What you need to know

Date: Wednesday October 17th 2018

Time: 7:00–9:00 PM

Location: The Ministry, 79–81 Borough Rd, the newly opened private members club by the Ministry of Sound Club. Note: as this is a private members club everyone will need to bring a piece of ID and only plus 18’s are allowed inside.

We really hope you can join us and can’t wait to start off this years program! — please RSVP to the email shegrows@shesaid.so with the subject ‘Launch Event’ by no later than the morning of Wednesday October 17th to let us know if you are coming!

Sarah Stam is an Amsterdam based Music enthusiast who focuses on Marketing, Branding & International Relations within the (electronic) music scene. Having worked for Spotify and Armada Music in the past, Sarah consults artists and labels on their branding, identity and marketing strategies under the umbrella of Set The Tone. Working with clients like the AEI Group in London, known for (YouTube) labels like UKF, NCS and TheSoundYouNeed, and Dutch electronic indie label Future House Music, working closely together on their brand strategies, marketing campaigns and international relations, to managing up and coming producer and UK based DJ Ellis. Sarah spearheads the Dutch department SheSaidSo.Ams.