When Cherish Reardon steps onto the iconic TEDx red dot in Tamworth on 16 April 2026, she will carry a powerful message about belonging, leadership and the strength of quieter voices.
The Nuneaton-based co-founder and creative director of Popsy Clothing will deliver a talk titled Too Quiet To Lead? Take Me As I Am, inspired by her grandmother and challenging the outdated rhetoric that leadership belongs to the loudest voices in the room.
She is proof of this as what began as a simple dream to create clothes that make women feel confident, comfortable and joyful has grown into something far bigger than a fashion brand.
Today Popsy Clothing, known for its colourful prints, practical design and dresses with pockets, has become not only a vibrant wardrobe staple but a supportive community.
With more than 250,000 women now part of the Popsy network, customers regularly take part in modelling campaigns, design collaborations and community meet-ups across the country, helping shape the brand and its creative direction.
“What we’ve built isn’t just about dresses,” Cherish says. “It’s become a safe space where women support each other, celebrate confidence and feel seen for who they are. We want everyone to feel good and included so offer unique pre-dispatch alterations, including garment shortening, sensory label removal and discreet medical device adaptations, ensuring clothing works for real life and confidence.
For Cherish, speaking at TEDx represents an opportunity to explore a different kind of leadership, one rooted in empathy, listening and connection rather than volume or visibility.
“So many people carry the quiet worry that they’re too shy, too quiet or not confident enough to lead,” she says. “This talk is for anyone who has ever stood at the edge of the room wondering if they truly belong there. It shows that quieter personalities can still create powerful impact by listening, by being genuine and by creating spaces where people feel they belong.”
The moment will also carry a deeply personal connection for Cherish as she will deliver her talk wearing a dress she designed especially for the talk, inspired by a phrase often used by her grandmother, “Take me as I am,” and her favourite flowers, roses.
At its heart, the message of the talk is simple.
“Belonging begins when we stop trying to change who we are,” she concludes. “Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is simply say: take me as I am. I can’t wait to take the women in my world, and the legacy of my nan, with me to Tamworth.”
For full details of the event and to buy tickets visit https://www.tedxtamworth.com and for more information about Popsy Clothing visit https://www.popsyclothing.co.uk