Laure & Marine of Top Secret Communication (Members of Boitsfort)

Marine Verdussen and Laure Van Tuyckom, respectively partners and owners of the top secret communication agency. Top secret is a communication agency specialized in press, influencer marketing, social media, media planning, graphic design and events.

What does power mean to you?
"Power is not about owning things... but more about having the freedom to direct our lives as we want and to give them the desired meaning by developing our projects, by having the ambition that we can always surpass ourselves, and above all, to bring our respective private and professional lives towards inspiring horizons."

Do you consider yourself to be a powerful woman?
"Yes, it's not our determination to step back! A year a ago, in the midst of the covid crisis, we bought top secret communication together, a company in which we have been working for 15 and 10 years respectively. What a long way we've come in one year... We have the audacity to dare to move forward, to not look back and to believe that tomorrow will be better! Today, many women are at the top of successful companies with innovative ideas, and we are happy to be part of it!"

Which powerful woman do you admire the most?
"The Queen of England. She has a natural aura and she always cashed in without letting anything show through, following her line of conduct. A woman of character, of power, who despite everything is still at the helm and who has sacrificed her personal life for her country."

What do you think is the biggest issue that women face today?
"The biggest challenge for women is to combine private and professional life.... At the age where women want to develop their career, it often goes hand in hand with growing children and work/life balance is not always easy to find... So I would say that the woman is challenged in her daily life whether private or professional, and it's not always easy for the mind."

April Van de Mieroop (Member of Alfons)

As founder and director of Q-support, April is an inspiration not only to women, but also to her customers and employees. Gathering a team of pharmaceutical experts, she recently set up her pharmaceutical consultancy firm and has since been powering ahead with her mission to be the trusted partner for quality support or tailor-made quality solutions. Her passion is endearing not to mention contagious!

What does power mean to you?
"Power is a mentality. If you believe in yourself, your ideas or vision, others will follow and
believe in you too. That goes a long way in achieving your goals."

Do you consider yourself to be a powerful woman?
"That depends on the context. In the business world, I would say yes, I feel empowered. I
only set up my business last year, but it feels right and it’s doing well. My feet are firmly on the ground and I definitely feel like I’m on the right track."




Which powerful woman do you admire the most?
"There are a lot to choose from! So many women who I admire and who give me energy. One person whose passion and attitude inspires me is Beyoncé. One song from Beyoncé and I feel like nothing can go wrong. Her music creates a positive vibe, makes you feel like a woman, brings out your inner Beyoncé…! Let’s not forget my mother too. I admire her efforts and the way she approaches things, not to mention everything she has missed out on."

What do you think is the biggest issue that women face today?
"There are so many issues that women are facing today. In fact plenty of things can be improved for women and minority groups around the globe. If we focus on women in Belgium for a moment, I believe the key issue lies in our society. Women are under great pressure to be superwoman: a good mum, wife and friend, a great cook, with a beautiful and clean home, up to date on social media, with fashion,… There’s so much pressure. How much easier it would be if we could simply focus on the things that make us happy or successful. So come on ladies, let’s be brave enough to do what we love and show the world what we’re made of!"