There is a distinct kind of audacity required to build something from nothing. Not the loud, performative kind but the quiet unwavering belief that what you carry within you is worthy of being seen, even before the world agrees. This is the essence of the modern female founders.
And in the case of Danica J. Thomas and Stephanie Brookes, it is the foundation upon which a bold new creative legacy is being built.
Stephanie Brookes a powerhouse of creativity, strategy, and a touch of sparkle, with 10 years of experience across TV production, talent management and digital marketing. Danica J Thomas a go-getter marketer with over 10 years of experience in the fast-paced online world. Danica’s strategic brilliance allows her to see beyond the surface of a brand, into its emotional architecture how it speaks, how it feels, how it connects and Stephanie, shaped by the fast-paced world of television and live production, understands energy how to translate ideas into lived, dynamic experiences. Together, the dynamic duo does not conform to the rigid frameworks of traditional agencies. They decided to build something fluid, responsive and deeply human, POAST.
The birth of POAST marks a defining shift not just in name, but in mindset.
It is a declaration that creative legacy in this era is not built through repetition, but through reinvention. Like many women-led ventures, it did not begin with abundance. There were no sprawling teams, no safety nets of capital, no guarantees. What existed instead was something far more powerful: proximity to culture and an intimate understanding of people. The name itself holds a powerful duality. It speaks to the immediacy of modern culture where stories are shared, consumed, and amplified in real time. Yet it also honours intentionality the act of sending a message with depth, care, and purpose.
POAST operates as a global Media and PR agency, moving across Public Relations, Online Media, Advertising, Studio Production, and Talent Management. But beyond its offerings, it represents a philosophy one that understands storytelling not as a transaction, but as a connection.
What makes this era truly bold is the normalisation of reinvention.
For too long, legacy was associated with permanence with staying the same, with holding onto a singular identity. But the new generation of female founders is challenging that notion. They are proving that evolution is not instability.
The transition from Salt n’ Light Creative to POAST was not an overnight transformation. It was a deliberate, six-month process of rebuilding from the inside out — refining structure, expanding vision, and aligning every aspect of the business with where it was headed.This level of intentionality reflects a deeper truth: women are not just building businesses. They are building with meaning.
Being named Business Women of the Year by Next Generation Business Connect in 2025 is a milestone worth celebrating. But beyond the title, it represents something far more significant. It represents visibility for a new leadership, one that is rooted in authenticity and one that values collaboration over hierarchy.
For Danica and Stephanie, the recognition is not the destination. It is a marker a moment that acknowledges the journey, while pointing toward everything that still lies ahead.
Perhaps the most compelling aspect of POAST is that its story is still unfolding.
This is not a finished narrative. It is a legacy Still in motion. And that is what defines a true creative legacy in this era not something static, but something dynamic. Something that grows, shifts, and responds to the world around it. For female founders, this is particularly powerful.
.
The future belongs to the bold and as the creative industry continues to evolve, one thing becomes increasingly clear: the future belongs to those who are willing to move with intention.
For Danica J. Thomas and Stephanie Brookes, POAST is not just a business. It is a vision in motion, a space for connection and a bold step into a future where storytelling is immersive, intentional and deeply human.
And in this bold new era for creative legacies, women are not just part of the story. They are writing it.