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· Lucy Allen & Sinéad Millard - Be Persistent, Build Support
· Tripti Sharma - Support and Unite with Fellow Founders
· Jenika Kidd - Cultivate a Supportive Community
· Tina Gilbert - Embrace Resilience and Support
· Shalu Singhal - Embrace, Support, and Advocate
· Ankita Sinha - Choose Supportive Partners
· Jane Emma - Vision, Mentorship, and Failure
· Mitali Purkait - Mentorship, Funding, and Balance
· Leslie Hyman - "Believe in Yourself and Network
· Mita Sanghavi - "Achieve Balance and Compassion
. Sonia Chugh - Navigating Challenges and Learning
. Katie Connolly - Collaborate for Success
Be Persistent, Build Support
If you are persistent, believe in what you’re doing, and have emotional intelligence, you’ll find your way. Use everyone around you and be direct and specific in asking for their advice and help. Create a support network and be thoughtful about who to bring into it. A team of advisors is invaluable, and a business partner makes the whole thing more fun and less stressful. Be honest with yourself about your emotional awareness, behaviors, and where your gaps are. A coach is a must. Obviously!
Lucy Allen & Sinéad Millard, Founders, theMakings
Support and Unite with Fellow Founders
To all the young women out there embarking on their entrepreneurial journey or already navigating the startup landscape, I'd offer this personal advice: Never lose sight of your career aspirations. Your professional path is your sanctuary, your "me time" amidst life's challenges. Don't allow personal struggles to derail your ambitions. Additionally, let's rally behind our fellow women founders with unwavering support. Unity among women is paramount; together, we can amplify our voices and pave the way for each other's success. So, pursue your dreams relentlessly and stand strong in solidarity with one another!
Tripti Sharma, Founder, High Hopes Communications
Cultivate a Supportive Community
Community is everything! It’s important to surround yourself with supportive people as well as people who challenge you.
Jenika Kidd, Founder, True Wine
Embrace Resilience and Support
For all the aspiring women entrepreneurs ready to embark on their entrepreneurial journey, I would share this advice: While venturing into business certainly comes with its challenges, the rewards are immeasurable. Embrace the journey with resilience, determination, and a willingness to learn from both successes and setbacks. Surround yourself with a supportive network of mentors, peers, and allies who can offer guidance, inspiration, and encouragement along the way (this is your board of directors). Remember that every obstacle you overcome is a stepping stone toward your goals, and each accomplishment is a testament to your strength and perseverance. Stay true to your vision, believe in yourself, and never underestimate the power of your dreams. With passion, dedication, and a relentless pursuit of excellence, you have the potential to achieve greatness and leave an indelible mark on the world as a woman entrepreneur.
Tina Gilbert, Founder, Next Level Training Solutions Group
Embrace, Support, and Advocate
Becoming an entrepreneur as a young woman can be an incredibly rewarding journey filled with challenges and triumphs. In a world where entrepreneurship has traditionally been dominated by men, young women face unique hurdles but also possess extraordinary strengths. Here are some empowering pieces of advice tailored to young women who aspire to be entrepreneurs or are already on their entrepreneurial path:
Embrace Your Unique Perspective: Recognize the value of your diverse perspective and experiences as a woman in the entrepreneurial landscape. Your insights and approach can offer fresh solutions and innovative ideas to existing problems.
Build a Support Network: Surround yourself with mentors, peers, and advisors who believe in your vision and can offer guidance and support. Seek out communities of fellow female entrepreneurs who understand your journey and can provide encouragement and solidarity.
Cultivate Confidence and Resilience: Believe in yourself and your abilities, even in the face of adversity. Confidence and resilience are essential traits for navigating the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. Embrace failures as opportunities for growth and learning, and never let setbacks deter you from pursuing your goals.
Prioritize Self-Care: Remember to prioritize your physical, mental, and emotional well-being amidst the demands of entrepreneurship. Nurture healthy habits and boundaries to prevent burnout and maintain balance in your life. Self-care isn't selfish—it's crucial for sustaining your passion and productivity in the long run.
Continuously Learn and Adapt: Stay curious and committed to lifelong learning. Embrace new technologies, trends, and skills relevant to your industry. Be adaptable and willing to pivot your strategies as needed in response to market dynamics and changing circumstances.
Advocate for Yourself: Don't be afraid to speak up for your ideas, accomplishments, and worth. Negotiate confidently for fair compensation, opportunities, and recognition of your contributions. Champion diversity and inclusion in entrepreneurship by advocating for equal representation and opportunities for women in business.
Celebrate Your Successes: Acknowledge and celebrate your achievements, no matter how small. Take pride in your accomplishments and the impact you're making through your entrepreneurial endeavors. Celebrating milestones and victories along the way can fuel your motivation and inspire others.
Being a young woman in entrepreneurship is both a challenge and an opportunity to redefine norms, break barriers, and create meaningful change. By embracing your unique perspective, building a strong support network, prioritizing self-care, and advocating for yourself, you can navigate the entrepreneurial journey with confidence, resilience, and determination. Remember, the world needs your voice, your ideas, and your leadership now more than ever.
Shalu Singhal, Founder, Right Advisors Private Limited
Choose Supportive Partners
My key advice is to carefully choose your partners and team in both personal and professional aspects of your life. Given the added challenges that women entrepreneurs often face due to societal expectations and pressures, it's crucial for them to navigate efficiently. Surround yourself with individuals who not only support your aspirations but also understand your dreams and vision. Seek people who recognize your potential, offer guidance, and provide constructive criticism when necessary. Build a team that cheers for your successes while helping you stay grounded.
Ankita Sinha, Founder, MiCoB
Vision, Mentorship, and Failure
To young women aspiring to be entrepreneurs or those who have already embarked on this journey, my advice is threefold: First, believe in your vision with unwavering conviction. The path of entrepreneurship is replete with challenges, and it's your belief in your mission that will carry you through tough times. Second, seek mentors and build a supportive network. Entrepreneurship is not a solitary journey, and having guidance from those who have navigated similar paths can be invaluable. Lastly, embrace failure as part of the learning process. Each setback is an opportunity to refine your approach and emerge stronger. Remember, leadership and success are not defined by the absence of obstacles but by the ability to overcome them. Keep pushing boundaries, and don't let societal expectations limit what you can achieve.
Jane Emma, Founder, The Good for Company
Believe in Yourself and Network
There are so many lessons I have learned. First and foremost, always believe in yourself. Don’t let others tell you, you are worth less than you are. It’s okay to ask for what you want and walk away from things that don’t serve you. Build and interact with your network. These are the people that will help you along the way. As women, we need to support one another lift each other up, and celebrate other successes. Be honest and stay true to yourself even in the face of adversity. These were the keys to my career and help me to achieve what I have along the way.
Shoot for the stars you can reach them! Have faith because everyone deserves good things! You are capable of more than you could ever dream!
Leslie Hyman, Founder, Circa Labs
Achieve Balance and Compassion
It may hard for women to have a work life balance but it’s not impossible some years of struggle would lead you a strong career so follow your instincts and be compassionate
Mita Sanghavi, Founder, M P Sanghavi and Associates LLP
Navigating Challenges and Learning
For those embarking on a similar journey, here's some advice based on our experiences:
- Stay True to Your Vision: Challenges will arise, but staying committed to your core mission and values will guide your decisions and actions.
- Embrace Flexibility: Be ready to adapt your methods, curriculum, and operations based on feedback and the evolving needs of the children and families you serve.
- Invest in Relationships: Building strong, trusting relationships with parents, staff, and the wider community is foundational to your success.
- Prioritize Safety and Well-being: No compromise on safety and the well-being of the children and staff should ever be made.
- Never Stop Learning: The field of early childhood education is always evolving. Stay informed about the latest research and best practices to continually enhance your offerings.
Sonia Chugh, Founder, Happy Minds International Educational LLP
Collaborate for Success
Working together we can do so much more!
Katie Connolly, Founder, gloWithin
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