Honoring International Women’s Day 2025
March 8 marks International Women’s Day (IWD)—a day to recognise and celebrate the achievements of women around the world while continuing to push for progress and empowerment. This year’s theme, "Accelerate Action," is all about taking bold steps, making real change, and uplifting those around us.
At Caci, we believe that empowerment starts with self-care, confidence, and community. Whether it’s through skincare rituals, personal growth, or the women who inspire us, taking action—even in small ways—can have a powerful impact.
To celebrate International Women's Day 2025, we asked some of the incredible women in our community—including our Founder, Acting CEO, National Skincare Expert, and our Caci friends —to reflect on their journeys and share their insights.
Here’s what they had to say.
Jackie Smith, Founder of Caci
As the visionary behind Caci, Founder and entrepreneur Jackie Smith, has dedicated her career to helping women feel confident in their skin. Her passion for beauty and self-care goes beyond treatments—it’s about empowering women to embrace themselves fully. This International Women’s Day, she shares the rituals, habits, and wisdom that have shaped her journey.
What’s one skincare or self-care ritual that always makes you feel your best?
"Sunscreen every single day of the year. If you can only do on thing for your skin, make it this. Small things done consistently always win".
If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?
"Recognise the things you can influence and let the rest go. Don't waste precious energy and bandwidth on things you have no control over - particularly other peoples behaviours".
What’s a small but powerful habit that has changed the way you see yourself?
"Buying books. I always have more books to read than I have time for (And now it is blogs of vlogs to listen to) I save fiction books for holidays, because I know I wont stop until the story is finished! Otherwise I love to read about how other people solve problems and spring board off that".
Which women inspire you the most, and why?
"Goodness that is a big question! There are so many. I am inspired by women who are prepared to stand out from the crowd, and to voice their opinion, - in board rooms, in the media and at events. Women are still expected to speak less and less forecfully. Therefore they must shout louder to be heard or taken seriously. It takes real courage to do that. One woman who comes to mind who does that is Julia Gillard, former Prime Minister of Australia"..
Nicola Hart, Acting CEO
Leading a team of passionate individuals, Nicola Hart is a firm believer in empowering women—both in the workplace and in their personal journeys. She began her Caci journey as Chief Operations and Growth Officer before stepping into the role of Acting CEO, and has seen firsthand how confidence, self-care, and taking action can transform not just how we look, but how we feel. Here’s what she had to share.
What’s one skincare or self-care ritual that always makes you feel your best?
"I now adore my nightly skincare routine...at my very first Caci treatment (a sonophoresis), my Skin Therapist informed me my skin needed some nourishing so she ended my treatment with the Murad Intense recovery cream. I was really surprised when I woke the next morning with my skin feeling the best it ever had! You can guess my first Caci skincare purchase and how quickly I rebooked another treatment".
If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?
"As Baz Luhrmann told us, wear sunscreen! Skin cancer is NZ's most common cancer and including sunscreen in your morning routine is so easy to do".
What’s a small but powerful habit that has changed the way you see yourself?
"We live in a world that can often position ageing as a negative. However, to see ageing as a privilege and embrace everything that comes with that it is a hugely powerful tool and one that has changed my outlook on ‘getting older’".
Which women inspire you the most, and why?
"So many women! I try and surround myself with women who challenge the status quo, women who lift up other women around them, and of course women who laugh with me as we all try to navigate the highs and lows".
Linda Sharrem, National Skincare Educator
With a deep passion for helping women understand and love their skin, Linda Sharrem has spent years educating and building confidence through self-care. She believes that skincare isn’t just about appearance—it’s about feeling good in your own skin. Her insights remind us that small habits can lead to powerful transformations.
What’s one skincare or self-care ritual that always makes you feel your best?
"My self-care/skincare ritual is to take some time out for my-self to focus on me. I call them Pajama Days! Sometimes after an intense week and I know I have hit a wall, I start slow with coffee in bed, watch a movie and while I do that I do an eye mask and a hydration treatment., followed by an LED Treatment . Not only have I recharged my body but my skin is full of vibrancy and glowing ready to start the beginning of the week with confidence".
If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?
"I would tell myself even though you think you are when you are young, you are not invincible. You think you are never going to age, and that we are always going to look young but if I knew things change dramatically after 45yrs old I would have looked after my skin and body earlier on. I would also eat better and think about health from inside out."
What’s a small but powerful habit that has changed the way you see yourself?
"I have started to change my thought patterns about how I "think" people see me as most of the time comments are not personally directed at me but an overall observation. We can blow things out of proportion and read things that are not there and stress ourselves out. By thinking like this is makes me a calmer , less stress person and I am not so hard on myself."
Sharyn Casey, Caci Friend, Radio & Podcast Host
A familiar face and voice in New Zealand and a long-time friend to Caci, Sharyn Casey brings energy, humor, and heart to everything she does. Whether she’s on-air, hosting events, or embracing everyday life, Sharyn is all about empowering others, building meaningful connections, and celebrating women.
What’s one skincare or self-care ritual that always makes you feel your best?
"Every Sunday night, once my kids have gone to bed, I have what I like to call an ‘admin shower.’ It’s where I do everything—exfoliate, body scrub, shave my legs, wash my hair, the full works. On those nights, I love using the Murad Vitamin C Exfoliating Mask, followed by the Skinsmiths Hydrating Sheet Mask—all while eating ice cream and watching trashy TV!"
If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?
"Your gut feeling is always right. And quality over quantity when it comes to friends—you don’t need to be friends with everyone. Having one amazing, supportive friend is way better than ten who don’t truly have your back."
What’s a small but powerful habit that has changed the way you see yourself?
"Whenever I feel imposter syndrome creeping in—whether I’m hosting an event or stepping into a new space—I remind myself: You wouldn’t be here if someone didn’t want you here. You wouldn’t be here if you weren’t the best person for the job. That’s my mantra, and it helps me push past self-doubt."
Which women inspire you the most, and why?
"This might sound cliché, but honestly—my mum and my sisters, Jocelyn and Megan. Our family has always been raised to take action rather than wait for opportunities to come to us. My mum and grandma taught us that hard work and kindness go hand in hand—they never pushed others down to succeed, and they always lifted women up. That’s something I try to live by too."
Megan Mansell – Caci Friend & Radio Host
You might know Megan Mansell as the voice behind The Edge Afternoons, where she’s been a radio powerhouse for years—bringing laughter, real talk, and a whole lot of heart to the airwaves. Beyond the mic, she’s a fierce advocate for keeping it real in media, juggling life as a mum and wife, and embracing self-care with humor and grace.
What’s one skincare or self-care ritual that always makes you feel your best?
"I love using a really amazing oil—my favorite is Murad Multi Vitamin Infusion Oil—and doing a really good facial massage or Gua Sha morning and night to drain and de-puff. I find it makes a huge difference in my face, and I notice when I stop."
If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?
"Sunblock. Sunblock. Sunblock. I was a teen in the sunbeds and tanned Nicole Richie era—unlucky! Now I know sunblock is so, so key for good skin later in life. I wear my Murad Perfecting Day Cream SPF 30 every day."
What’s a small but powerful habit that has changed the way you see yourself?
"Reminding myself of where I come from—my parents and grandparents and how much I love their faces. I look at my daughter, who I see as perfection, and I remind myself that if I’m being unkind to myself, I’m being unkind to her because she is my genes. That perspective shift has made a huge difference."
Which women inspire you the most, and why?
"Whoever I see living as authentically as themselves!"
Celebrating Women, Every Day
The wisdom shared by these incredible women is a reminder that empowerment comes in many forms—from daily skincare rituals to the lessons we learn along the way. As we celebrate International Women’s Day 2025, let’s remember that every action we take—whether for ourselves or others—helps drive real change.
Here’s to strong, confident, and empowered women—today and every day!
