A jewellery maker in Northamptonshire received a cruel email advising her to lose weight and improve her appearance to boost sales of her brand. Leah Sigsworth, the owner of Ethereal Jewellery, found the message in her business emails and described it as ‘savage’. The unsolicited advice suggested she should consider hiring a model to represent her brand instead of herself. Leah, who struggled with weight-related bullying in the past, felt initially hurt by the email but has since brushed off the comments due to her self-confidence.
Leah started her jewellery business in 2020 during lockdown to keep herself occupied and mentally healthy. She was inspired by her mother’s mantra of being proud of oneself. Despite the hurtful remarks, Leah remains steadfast in her belief that one’s size should not determine their worth or success. The email, signed off by someone named Helen, advised Leah to align her appearance with her brand aesthetic for better sales growth. The message concluded with a comment that implied a desire to see Leah’s business flourish, not her personally.
Upon sharing the email on TikTok, Leah received support and validation from her followers. While she hasn’t received any further correspondence from the sender, Leah remains puzzled by the intention behind the unsolicited advice. Reflecting on her journey of overcoming weight-related insecurities, Leah remains resilient and focused on her business goals. The incident has reinforced her belief in ignoring negativity and focusing on self-empowerment and positivity.