Beyond the table: The Brunch Movement redefining women's connections in Shanghai

In a world that often tells women to compete, Emma Johnson and Mikhaila Turner are rewriting the narrative – one brunch at a time. As the visionary founders of The Brunch Movement, they've transformed a simple idea into a powerful force for connection and empowerment. What started as casual gatherings over shared meals has blossomed into a vibrant community with purpose at its heart.

The Brunch Movement is more than just an event – it's a catalyst for change. By creating intentional, welcoming spaces, Emma and Mikhaila are cultivating a foundation where every woman feels seen, heard, and supported in becoming the best version of herself. Their philosophy is simple yet profound: When women come together, they don't just exchange stories – they uplift one another and spark a movement rooted in positivity and purpose.

And this effort is only the beginning. Join us as we dive into the journey of Emma and Mikhaila, exploring the passion that drives them and the community they're inspiring across Shanghai and beyond.

CNS: Before we talk about The Brunch Movement, would you please introduce yourself?

Emma: I'm Emma, from the UK. I've been living and working in China for nine years now. My biggest passions are animal welfare, holistic wellness, and, of course, empowering women. I'm a certified yoga instructor, and Mikhaila loves Pilates – we've always believed in 'moving' our bodies.

Mikhaila: And I'm Mikhaila, from South Africa. I've also been living and working in China for several years, and I'm deeply passionate about personal branding, women's empowerment, and living a well-balanced life. When Emma and I are together, we are always brunching. The name formed itself: The Brunch Movement. For us, it's a lifestyle. We brunch, We move, and we bring women together to do the same.

CNS: Why, after living in Shanghai for a few years, did you decide to strike out on your own to build up your own company?

Emma: You know what they say – every great idea starts over brunch. For us, that cliché couldn't be truer. After living in Shanghai for several years, we were captivated by the city's incredible energy, but we also felt its pace and transience. We found ourselves craving more authentic, meaningful connections. We were surrounded by people, yet seeking genuine community.

Shanghai's dynamic environment revealed a clear gap in the market for authentic, wellness-focused social connections for women. This insight ignited our core concept: brunching with a purpose. So, we took that simple, powerful idea from our brunch table and turned it into a movement.

Each of our brunches is a unique experience, carefully crafted around a specific theme. We feature expert keynote speakers who bring these themes to life with insightful and inspiring talks.

CNS: What makes Shanghai's business environment so remarkable?

Mikhaila: For a community-focused organization like ours, Shanghai's most remarkable asset is its powerful collaborative ecosystem. The city thrives on interconnected networks and a genuine culture of support. We've discovered that partnerships often build success here. Some of our most incredible opportunities and meaningful partnerships have come directly from introductions and recommendations within our own community. This network effect has been absolutely fundamental to accelerating our brand's growth and visibility in a way that would be difficult to replicate elsewhere.

CNS: What were you trying to bring to the local community?

Emma: Our mission is to bring the local community together by creating intentional brunch experiences where women can form genuine connections in a supportive atmosphere, while simultaneously championing the local economy by partnering with and uplifting other women-owned entrepreneurs and small businesses.

CNS: What are the biggest challenges to setting up a business here? How do you stay motivated?

Mikhaila: Professionally, it's been building brand awareness in a city that's so vibrant and competitive – getting our name out there and communicating what makes The Brunch Movement unique. On a personal level, a key learning curve has been navigating a business partnership as friends. It's forced us to be incredibly intentional about setting boundaries and separating work from personal time to protect both our partnership and our friendship.

But we stay motivated by one thing above all: our community. The ultimate fuel comes from the feedback we receive and, most importantly, from witnessing the genuine, powerful bonds formed at our events. Seeing a conversation spark a new friendship or a collaboration is the perfect reminder of why we started this endeavor in the first place.

CNS: What was the moment that made you proud?

Emma: Honestly, we feel most proud after every brunch when we see our mission come to life: Women openly sharing, supporting one another, and truly holding space for each other. It's an intangible sign that what started as a mere passion project has transformed into something truly remarkable and meaningful.

CNS: What are you working on?

Mikhaila: We're excited to be growing The Brunch Movement by expanding our event calendar with more thoughtfully curated collaborations, bringing you unique and memorable experiences. We are also exploring innovative ways to scale our community model to connect and empower even more women across the city.

And that's not all – we're always brunching and finding new projects dedicated to supporting women's well-being and fostering genuine connections right here in Shanghai. Stay tuned for what's next.

CNS: Which female role model inspires you?

Emma: Women in general. We're constantly inspired by the resilience, creativity, and support we see from the women around us every single day here in Shanghai. They are the true role models.

CNS: Do you have any advice for women entrepreneurs?

Emma: Honestly, take the leap of faith. Your first idea is usually your best idea, or at least it will give you the lessons and confidence to move on to the next.

Mikhaila: Stay true to yourself along the journey and always remember to be kind to yourself, especially when things don't go as planned.