In a world where women in business are often underestimated, Chantal Khoueiry and Elizabeth Marsh are defying the odds by building businesses that don’t just make the world more beautiful, but also more hopeful.
Whether it’s through stunning floral arrangements or dreamy pre-loved wedding gowns, both women are committed to ensuring that future generations of girls have the chance to complete their education and decide for themselves when and whom to marry.
Their collaboration began during a creative photoshoot, where they quickly realized just how much their brands aligned. This spark of connection led to the creation of the Petals Of Purpose Bouquet. For every bouquet purchased, 5% of the proceeds are donated to help end child marriage and support education for young girls worldwide.
In celebration of the International Day of the Girl on October 11th, Chantal and Elizabeth are sharing their personal motivations behind this partnership.
Entrepreneurship is rarely a straight path, but it becomes a beautiful journey when fuelled by passion and purpose.
For Elizabeth, her work needed to be something she was passionate about. Though floristry wasn’t always part of her plan, when she started working with flowers, it felt like she was “dancing” with them. Over time, she discovered that she could channel her values and emotions into her designs.
Chantal’s inspiration for Brides Do Good stemmed from seeing the devastating effects of child marriage in parts of Africa, India, and even the UK. She wanted to create a solution within the wedding industry—an industry built on love—that could help combat this issue. That was why Brides Do Good was born; to give pre-loved wedding dresses a second life, with part of the proceeds going to programs that protect vulnerable girls and help end child marriage. For every wedding dress sold or donated, a portion of the funds goes toward educating girls and protecting them from the dangers of early marriage.
But as with any mission-driven work, there were challenges. For Elizabeth, it was about understanding how to overcome the fact that “men have a natural advantage, certainly in the way the system has worked until recently.” However, she soon realised that running a business aligned with her values allowed her to truly express herself while creating opportunities for future generations of women and men.
Chantal faced a different challenge: shifting the narrative around preloved wedding dresses. "Many brides are used to the idea of buying a brand-new gown, so changing that mindset has required education and careful storytelling," she explains.
Storytelling has indeed played a vital role in highlighting the positive social and economic impact of supporting women and girls. While Elizabeth hadn’t initially focused on child marriage, she soon realised how closely her mission of promoting female leadership tied into the fight to end child marriage. For Chantal, the importance of girls’ education had always been deeply personal. She was fortunate enough to experience the privileges of education and face the heartbreaking reality of child marriage through her travels. Meeting young girls forced into marriage—some as young as 12 or 13—left a lasting impact on her.
"Every day, 38,000 girls are forced into marriage, often losing their chance at education and a future. These statistics translate into millions of futures being stolen every year. It’s not just a violation of their rights—it’s a violation of their potential," Chantal emphasises. The place for girls is in schools, and both she and Elizabeth believe in the importance that girls everywhere have the opportunity to develop themselves and shape their own futures.
“The reality of child marriage isn’t just about numbers; it’s about girls being forced to leave behind their dreams. When you hear a girl say she wishes she could go to school instead of becoming a bride, it changes something inside of you.” —Chantal Khoueiry
Once Elizabeth learned more about the issue, she knew she had to join forces with Chantal. This aligned perfectly with her commitment to helping people reach their full potential. "I’m involved with the International Women’s Forum, a network of female leaders who actively support and encourage leadership among women, and this ties in neatly with the work we’re doing to advocate for female equality and leadership opportunities,” she explains.
"In societies where women have active roles, there is more stability, prosperity, and a positive culture."—Elizabeth Marsh
Together, Chantal and Elizabeth are offering people the chance to join the fight against child marriage.
As women, we know the strength that comes from community and shared purpose. We’re not just focusing on one girl at a time; we’re creating waves of change for generations. It’s easy to follow the crowd. It’s much harder to forge your own path, but those who have the commitment, endurance, and passion to keep going will find incredible rewards along the way, they add. Giving girls access to education isn’t just about schooling—it’s about giving them control over their lives, a freedom many of us take for granted.
The journeys of Chantal and Elizabeth as female leaders have been marked by resilience, determination, and a belief in lifting others up. For them, leading by example shows how combining passion with purpose can be a powerful force for change.
For every Petals of Purpose bouquet purchased, 5% will go to Brides Do Good. These funds directly support grassroots organizations that provide safe spaces, education, and support for girls at risk or affected by child marriage. This model allows you to make a real impact through a simple purchase, at no extra cost to you.
Your support doesn’t end with the bouquet. Follow @EMFDLondon to keep up with their latest offerings, and @Brides_Do_Good to donate or shop for pre-loved wedding dresses—combining purpose with style.
Every small action brings us closer to a world where every girl is free to write her own story. Let’s make change happen together!
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