Fiona Reid | “20 Women, 20 Stories” Women’s Portrait Campaign Experience
Fiona Reid
Visionary Lighting Designer, Partner & Owner of “Liquid Lighting”
Where are you from, and where have you settled?
Rooted in Pretoria, shaped by school days in the coastal winds of Port Elizabeth close to the Van Stadens Bridge where I have some of my fondest memories, my high school years were filled with beauty, growth, and lifelong friendships.
I am now grounded in Johannesburg. My journey has woven itself across cities. Today, my son and I call a warm, community-spirited suburb in the North our home; a place where connection and belonging live on every corner.
3 words your friends would use to describe you?
Resilient. Compassionate. Determined.
What is your big, hairy audacious dream?
To lead a business that’s known not only for its creativity and excellence in lighting solutions, but also for empowering young women in male-dominated industries. I dream of creating a mentorship hub where technical knowledge, business skills, and real-world experience come together to uplift the next generation of female leaders.
I also have a deep love for travel and envision taking my career across international shores, discovering exciting projects around the world that challenge and inspire me.
What does success look and feel like for you?
Success, to me, is freedom – the freedom to choose the work I do, the people I work with, and how I spend my time. It’s the ability to provide for my son while leading a business built on integrity, trust, innovation, and creativity.
It feels like balance, even in chaos. It feels like walking into a completed project and knowing, “I did this. I helped bring this vision to life.”
I also consider it a success when others seek to learn from me – when I see the spark of ambition in someone inspired by my journey.
How do you start your day? What does your morning routine involve?
My mornings are a dance of movement and intention. I rise early – sometimes for a Rebounding class in my home studio, other times for a run – both awaken my body and sharpen my mind.
Then it’s school lunch for my son, coffee for me, and a quiet 15 minutes carved out just for stillness. In that small pocket of time, I breathe, reflect, and sip slowly before the world rushes in.
Our mornings move with purpose – my son, grounded in his own routine, and me, following mine – side by side, readying ourselves for the day ahead.
What do you enjoy doing most and why?
Time with my son – without question. Whether we’re exploring new places or simply sharing stories over a quiet moment, it’s in those times that life feels most full.
He is my heart and compass, my calm in the chaos. Walking this world with him beside me is the greatest gift – he teaches me, grounds me, and reminds me what truly matters.
And then, there’s dancing.
It’s where I come home to myself – no expectations, no filters, just rhythm, release, and joy. Music moves through me like light through a prism, breaking open the day’s weight and turning it into something beautiful.
It’s my sanctuary, my spark, and sometimes, my secret language with the universe.
Is there a woman who inspires you and really stands out for you, and why?
I draw inspiration from women who lead with vulnerability, resilience, and a deep sense of purpose.
Brené Brown has shaped the way I understand courage. Not as the absence of fear, but as the willingness to show up, imperfect and all-in. Her work has helped me embrace my own journey with more softness, strength, and self-compassion.
In my personal life, I’m endlessly moved by the single mothers I know. Women who rise each day to build lives for their children and themselves. They do so quietly, consistently, without applause, yet with a kind of grace and grit that takes my breath away.
One woman who embodies this beautifully is Viola Davis. Her story – rising from hardship, breaking barriers in a demanding industry, and raising her daughter with fierce love and intention – is profoundly inspiring.
She reminds me that success and softness can coexist, that you can be powerful and still deeply present. Like Brené, she shows us that vulnerability isn’t weakness – it’s the birthplace of authenticity and connection.
These women – public and personal – remind me why I do what I do, and how I want to move through the world: with heart, integrity, and the quiet determination to keep showing up.
What is a personal mantra or quote that motivates you?
“Do not shrink to make others comfortable.”
This quote is a quiet rebellion and a daily reminder – especially as a woman in a male-dominated industry, where I’ve often had to fight for my voice to be heard and my presence to be respected.
There were times I was expected to step back, soften my stance, or diminish my strength to fit into spaces that weren’t built for me. But I’ve learned that shrinking helps no one – not my clients, not my son, and certainly not the woman I’ve fought to become.
Standing tall – even in the face of discomfort, doubt, or resistance – is how I honour the work I do, the people I serve, and the life I’ve built.
This mantra reminds me that I am allowed to take up space, to lead with confidence, and to belong exactly as I am.
What is the one thing you wish more people knew about you?
Beneath the surface of calm assurance, a quiet tide of self-doubt is always moving. I meet it every day, in every task; yet I keep stepping forward because service calls me higher. When I show up for my clients, my team, or my community, fear loosens its grip and purpose steadies my stride.
Self-doubt, I’ve learned, is not an enemy but a teacher. By daring to do, I invite discovery; by staying curious, I invite growth.
Each moment spent learning – admitting what I don’t yet know and reaching for what I might – refines me.
It is the daily practice of becoming, embracing imperfection, choosing progress over paralysis, and trusting that the willingness to learn is itself the measure of strength.
I also wish people realised that behind every strong woman is someone who still longs to be nurtured, loved, and understood.
Strength is often mistaken for not needing support, when in truth, we all do.
What personality characteristics do you love about yourself?
My empathy. It allows me to connect deeply with people, even in the most professional settings. And my tenacity – I’ll figure it out, even when the path isn’t clear.
What is your greatest strength, and how has it helped you on your journey?
My ability to problem-solve under pressure. In lighting projects, things go wrong – deliveries are late, designs shift, construction sites change.
I’ve built a reputation for staying calm, taking responsibility, and finding a solution that works.
What does self-confidence mean to you, and how have you cultivated it?
Self-confidence is knowing that you’ll show up – even if you’re scared or unsure. I’ve cultivated it by doing hard things, failing, trying again, and realising that my value doesn’t come from being perfect but from being real;
consistent and honest.
If you could share a piece of business advice for someone starting out, what would it be?
Build trust, not just a brand. Relationships are everything. Be honest, even when it’s uncomfortable, and back up your promises with action.
What is a piece of advice you would give to your younger self?
Stop waiting to be picked. Create your own opportunities. And don’t worry so much about what other people think – they’re too busy thinking about themselves.
How did you feel about being photographed?
Initially nervous, but surprisingly empowered. The experience reminded me that being seen – really seen – isn’t something to fear.
What feelings emerged when you saw your portraits for the first time?
Pride. Gratitude. A quiet moment of, “Wow, this is me.” It captured not just how I look, but how I feel in many seasons of my life – strong, soft, and wholly myself.
The whole day felt like a true ME moment – a beautiful expression of womanhood and empowerment.
If you have a website link, please share it.
https://liquidlightingsa.com/
Thank you, Fiona, for being part of “20 Women, 20 Stories”. Donna and I had such a fantastic time getting to know you. Your story will be an inspriration to many people.
Hair & Makeup by the lovely Donna Hay
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