WHAT MAKES A 'TROUBLESOME' WOMAN?
People often ask us: why is it called The Trouble Club? The simple answer is that we believe all impactful change-makers have to make a little bit of trouble - sometimes a little and sometimes a lot. Think of everyone from the Suffragettes to Rosa Parks and even Taylor Swift. Okay, so there might not be an exact science behind what makes a troublesome woman - but we’ve realised there are a few key spicy ingredients that each of our members share in common.
Image by Trouble photographer, Kadeen Brown
REALISE THAT KNOWLEDGE IS POWER
Regardless of whoever originally coined the expression, “well-behaved women rarely make history”, we tend to find this to be true. However, it’s not just about stirring up trouble via louder means, such as protests and activism, if you’re more the quiet and introverted type. It’s more so about educating yourself on the troublesome happenings worldwide - good and bad (and American) - and facilitating conversations around it: either in the workplace, at home, with friends over coffee (you get the picture!). In today’s ever-changing world, the most powerful tool you can possess is knowledge, and understanding global news is more important than ever. Being aware of current events helps you stay engaged with the world around you, make informed decisions, and contribute to meaningful conversations. So, whether it be attending one of our Member’s Dinners hosted by renowned female journalists, diving into the world of literature, or merely networking, educating yourself is key to personal growth and the first step in making good trouble.
PASS THE MIC
At Trouble, we are quite literally passing the mic every week to a diverse group of fabulous women, such as Gloria Steinem, Gina Martin and Anne-Marie Imafidon, ensuring that our members are exposed to a vast number of opinions, and often leave our events with different views than they walked in with. But the same could be said for simply sharing content from other brilliant women through your online community (with accreditation). Reposting and re-tweeting women that you believe are creating impact is such small effort for a big win. Comparison and competition seek to destroy the sisterhood we painstakingly build each day, brick by brick. It is crucial to build each other up in the same way - *cue all Swifties screaming ‘fuck the patriarchy’* - we jest. But it’s worth questioning: Who inspires you? Yes, the Michelle Obamas of the world are doing incredible things, but so are the local community, especially in a city like London. Find your own local gems and tell everyone about them - hey, tell us! Who knows, we may invite them to speak. When we champion each other's successes, we create a ripple effect that encourages more women to step into their power and pursue their passions. Together, we can break down barriers, challenge stereotypes, and create opportunities that benefit us all. A lot of people, social media included, will have you believe that there simply isn’t enough space for us all - there is. We’ve seen it, and we will continue to build the platform to repeat it.
DON’T SHY AWAY FROM SPICE
Bringing the heat to every conversation, because life's too short for bland talk! Interviewing the likes of OnlyFans CEO Keily Blair, Mafia and Hitmen interviewer Jenny Kleeman, Sexpert Emma-Louise Boynton, and Domestic Abuse Barrister Dr Charlotte Proudman, Trouble steers into the difficult conversations. A troublesome woman, it must be said, does not shy away from hard-hitting, political, sexual and confrontational dialogue. She sees the listing for a talk with Playboy Widow Crystal Hefner, tells all her friends about it and joins the conversation. While it can be uncomfortable, discussing controversial topics with an open mind and respect for differing opinions is crucial for personal development and creating a more informed, empathetic society. Instead of shying away, let's lean into these conversations—because real progress often begins where comfort zones end. Hey, we didn’t say making trouble was easy. If it was, men would do it!
HAVE AN OPINION: NO MATTER WHAT IT IS
Okay, within reason! In a world where everyone’s got something to say—from the latest TikTok trend to breaking news or your friend’s hot take—it’s easy to get caught up in the noise. But let’s be real, there’s serious power in crafting your own opinion, whatever it might be. Independent thinking? That’s what makes you, you. It’s how you connect with the world in a way that actually matters. But here’s the thing—being strong-minded doesn’t mean being stubborn. A truly bold woman knows when to stand firm and when to adapt. One of our favourite moments at a Trouble event is when our members challenge our speaker (respectfully). I mean, if we didn’t, we’d all be sitting in an echo chamber and nobody wants that. If you disagree with the majority, don’t be afraid to say so - who knows, other people may change their view because of you. Now wouldn’t that be cool.