Building self-belief and confidence in girls
We are changing the trajectory for teens
Research shows that between ages 8–11, the habits formed can shape confidence, resilience, and well-being for years to come. We combine proven international research with a uniquely New Zealand approach—empowering girls to build strong foundations of confidence, resilience, and connection before and during their teenage years. Over the past five years, we’ve mentored nearly 1,000 girls with proven results.
Our impact
We mentor young girls through our transforming in-person programs, retreats and events, tackling the issues pre-teens and teens are facing by creating space for connection, confidence, and the tools to navigate growing up. Our free 10-week mentorship programme is like a school for building confidence and self-belief, supporting girls to thrive in their mental, social and emotional well-being.
After school programme
Holiday Retreats
School programmes
Accessible to all, our foundational programme is free
Why Pretty Bold Works. Backed by Research, Built for Kiwi Girls
Around the world, Social & Emotional Learning (SEL) programmes have been proven to help children thrive, boosting confidence, reducing anxiety, and improving relationships and academic success. Research shows the skills children learn can shape their teen years and beyond.
But here in New Zealand, there are few programmes designed specifically for this crucial stage. That’s where Pretty Bold comes in.
Pretty Bold takes the five core elements of SEL and makes them real, relatable, and fun for Kiwi girls:
Self-awareness → journaling, check-ins, self-belief, values, affirmation cards.
Self-management → breathwork, movement, caring for self, calming rituals
Social awareness → peer circles and group discussions
Relationship skills → friendship-building and communication activities
Decision-making → exploring media, peer pressure, and self-image
We combine proven international research with a uniquely New Zealand approach—empowering girls to build strong foundations of confidence, resilience, and connection before their teenage years.
Meet the founder
Hi, I’m Elle.
Supporting girls through the pre-teen and teen years isn’t just my work, it’s my passion.
Growing up, I faced my own struggles with mental health, feeling overwhelmed, misunderstood, and isolated. The lack of support and self-belief during those formative years led me into over a decade long battle with mental illness and addiction. That journey shaped me and it’s exactly why I created Pretty Bold.
Pretty Bold is a space where girls can learn mental, emotional and social skills that truely support a positive future. A place where they learn what’s actually happening in their brains and bodies, and grow into confident, connected versions of themselves.
Over the past 10 years, I’ve dedicated myself to understanding the adolescent experience. And after working with thousands of teens, I’ve seen first-hand what they’re up against and where they need support most.
There’s nothing more powerful than watching a girl begin to believe in herself — those lightbulb moments when something clicks, a truth resonates, and she starts to discover who she truly is, with the confidence to back herself.
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I honestly can’t thank you enough, my heart is so full to see my girl so happy to just ‘be’. To be her authentic self and feel proud of that. She felt connected, worthy and understood. What a gorgeous and fulfilling experience, we are so grateful.
-pre-teen retreat parent
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The course is amazing! It teaches you tools and skills to put you on the pathway to growing and healing, how to celebrate yourself which I have learnt is so important. It is lead by some incredible women. They are so inspiring and I am happy I got to be apart of it.
-Izzy, Brave Minds participant
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What you ladies do, does make a difference. I feel stoked as a Mum to be able to give my daughter this opportunity. This is the way forward, I truly believe it, thank you!
- Parent of Teen
