Figure 1. Mara founder and CEO Fiona Houston

As it's International Women's Day today, we thought we'd take a moment to reflect on our very own CEO and founder, Fiona Houston. From Oxford University graduate to New York Times journalist to "die hard campaigner for the use of seaweed" (Chef Cyrus Todiwala), Fiona has grown and nurtured Mara Seaweed with the passion and strength of a true business warrior.

Fiona "has the willpower just like the waves she defies and passionate to the core" according to Chef Cyrus Todiwala; she came back from a 'car crash' appearance on Dragon's Den last year and defied the dragons to secure over £520,000 of funding from Crowdcube. That money has allowed Mara to break into markets further afield, nourishing the bodies and souls of people all around the globe.

With a string of awards for the company, the products and herself, Fiona's efforts have definitely not gone amiss. Last year she won Scotland's Entrepreneur of the year in the BQ Emerging Entrepreneur Award. Mara Seaweed being a finalist at the BBC Food and Farming Awards the company won the Crown Estate Scottish Marine Aquaculture's Innovation Award.

When asked how it feels to be regarded as such an inspiration Fiona replied: "I am just doing what I am passionate about. I will feel like I deserve to be regarded as inspirational once I have built Mara into a sustainable global brand - it's still early days!"

Figure 2. Left - Fiona receiving the BQ Emerging Entrepreneur Award Fiona; Top right - Fiona receiving the Crown Estate Scottish Marine Aquaculture's Innovation Award 2015; Bottom right- Fiona receiving The edge Award 2015;