Art
Fiz e Fizemos
By Mary Whalley | @fiz_e_fizemos
I first witnessed Mary’s creativity through her adorable reversible hats for little ones, made using handmade stencils and fabric printing techniques. But her art with stencils goes far beyond—just as an example, she’s currently working on a stunning series inspired by traditional tiles. And if you’d like to get hands-on and create your own prints, you’re in luck because Mary is now hosting workshops in Coimbra! Follow her Instagram so you don’t miss the next one — or put together a group of friends and reach out to her to organize a private workshop.
Na Berma
By Beatriz Marques | @na.berma
Na Berma describe themselves as penplotter artists exploring abstract art and illustration. Their work is visually captivating, ranging from precise geometric compositions to more fluid, expressive pieces. I’m still waiting for them to sell me one—just putting that out there...
One of the artists behind the project is Beatriz, one of my oldest friends. In addition to her experiments with pen plotters, she’s a talented designer and photographer (@biawithfilm).
Nádia Domingos Illustration
By Nádia | @nadia_domingos_illustration
Nádia Domingos makes adorable pet portraits that capture the unique traits of each animal — a perfect way to celebrate our beloved pets with a unique and personal touch. We have a portrait of our cat Mimi which is rightfully the centerpiece of our living room.
Kids
Oh Ophelia Friends
By Nádia Domingos | @oh.ophelia.friends
Another project by Nádia, Oh Ophelia Friends is my go-to for the cutest handmade toys that everyone adores. From plush animals to rattle toys and printable activities, each piece is crafted with exceptional care and artistry. If we gathered all our friends’ kids in one room, they’d almost have the entire collection of animals.
Faz de Conto
By Sofia Correia | fazdeconto.pt, @fazdeconto
Faz de Conto is my favorite bookshop for children’s books (although I must confess I often want them for myself). Owned by Sofia, this charming bookstore has a wonderfully curated selection of books, including many you don’t find easily in conventional stores. If you time your visit right, you might catch Sofia’s weekend storytime sessions, a perfect activity to do with kids.
Technology & Design
Bloco
By Cláudia Acabado | bloco.io
Cláudia Acabado, co-founder of Bloco, an Android studio, has been one of the most influential mentors in my career. Bloco is currently developing its own bootstrapped apps, with my favorites including Large Text and QR Friend. Beyond her work at Bloco, Cláudia continues her mentorship work through Design Club sessions, where young creatives are getting their first contact with the world of design, coming together to brainstorm, design and prototype solutions to real-world challenges.
Unicorn Designer
By Sara Neves | unicorndesignerstudio.com, @unicorn.designer
Sara Neves is the creative mind behind Unicorn Designer, a branding and web studio dedicated to helping other women grow their businesses. I met Sara in college and can vouch for her skills and determination — it’s inspiring to see her focus on supporting projects she’s passionate about and helping them thrive.
Juliana Fernandes Design
By Juliana | julianafernandes.pt, Behance, @jufernandes_art
Juliana is another standout professional in the design world who focuses on graphic design and digital art. Check out her portfolio for a showcase of her creativity and versatility — branding, packaging, digital art posters, you name it. Plus, I just *know* she’s a pleasure to work with.
Fashion
Mariana Miaus
By Mariana Martins | @marianamiaus
I may know nothing about fashion, but I do know that if you’re looking for a custom-made outfit, you should look no further than Mariana. Cioga has plenty of shirts in his closet, but the most perfect one — hands down — was made by Mariana. If you’re looking for someone with both a sharp creative eye and impeccable attention to detail, you found her. Plus, Mariana doesn’t just create clothes from scratch — she can also adapt or bring new life into pieces you already own.
Mariana also launched a line with handpainted fabric, with unique items such as t-shirts, notebooks, and bookmarks: @marmorear_
Dainora Smelstoriute
By Dainora | dainora.xyz, @3dainora
In a different side of the fashion world, Dainora is a digital fashion freelancer who specializes in photorealistic 3D visualizations and AI-powered design exploration. She helps designers bring their ideas to life, test new fits and materials, and create marketing content — all without the need for physical samples. I am always amazed by the level of detail and realism in her works — but knowing how dedicated and passionate she is about this craft, it’s no surprise.
Sports
Wheel Aboard
By Glória Costa Ferreira | @wheelaboard, book tour on getyourguide.com
Portugal’s first Onewheel school, founded by my friend Glória, organizes lessons and guided tours in Figueira da Foz and Ericeira. With personalized coaching, they make sure every ride is both fun and safe — and a unique way to explore some of the gorgeous coastal and park landscapes of our country. Also, they recently started offering skateboarding lessons too, so there’s an adventure for every taste.
Catela Personal Training Studio
By Catarina Catela | catelaptstudio.com. @catelaptstudio
Looking for a personal trainer who prioritizes health and goes beyond the weight loss/muscle gain routine? Meet Catarina. She helps clientes improve mobility, posture, strength and overall well-being, while reaching whatever other goals they are pursuing. Plus, she’s also specially trained to support seniors and pregnant women. Her studio is a private, welcoming space where you can train with confidence and the dedicated guidance of a great professional.
Others
Madame Miaus Cat Sitting
By Mariana Martins | @madamemiaus
Her real name might not be Miaus, but she does love cats. If you need someone to take care of your cats while you're away, Mariana is also a cat sitter in Coimbra. I trust her completely with Mimi’s care, which is saying something about her reliability and love for animals.
If any of these projects caught your eye, I encourage you to check them out in more detail, follow their work, and, if you can, support them. Whether it’s through a purchase, a referral to a friend, or simply spreading the word.
Here’s to celebrating and championing women entrepreneurs—not just on International Women’s Day, but all year round! 💜✨