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Ethical - Value Business Practices – Women Founders’ Advice - Part 7

Writer: Women Story
Women Story
Sep 21
6 min read

Updated: Sep 22


In the Ethical Value Business Practices Series, we feature the insights of 10 women founders who share their lessons on building with integrity, trusting their values, staying committed to their vision, and creating businesses that are both meaningful and sustainable.

Featured Women Founders

  • Dr.T.Mythreyee  Follow your dreams with passion and integrity..

  • Vassudhaa K  Trust your inner wisdom as much as your strategy.

  • Tanya Hilts  My advice to early-stage women founders is simple: build with clarity, not chaos.

  • Deepti Gehani  Believe in your long-term vision.

  • Dr. Deepti Dyondi  There will be moments in your entrepreneurial journey when you feel, “ye kya haathi paal liya maine” and you’ll want to give up and take the easier path.

  • Swati Suri  Build something you genuinely believe in and stay patient with the process.

  • Anita Walker  My advice to early stage women founders is to back yourself wholeheartedly; your ideas, your instincts, and your ability to figure things out along the way.

  • Lyaman Khashmati  Embrace perseverance and passion as your foundation—draw from early lessons in hard work and integrity to fuel your journey, just as I did transitioning from international studies to building LFK Law Practice, P.C.

  • Deborah Southwick  Your journey will not be easy, but it will be fulfilling if you do something you believe in.

  • Penelope Trotman  Build it your way, not the way you think you “should.” Alignment creates sustainable success.


Dr.T.Mythreyee – Follow your dreams with passion and integrity..

Founder – MYTHRA

Advice

Follow your dreams with passion and integrity.. Vocal for Local always.


Vassudhaa K – Trust your inner wisdom as much as your strategy.

Company– Redefiine Destiny

Advice

Trust your inner wisdom as much as your strategy. Nurture your mind, body, and spirit alongside your business, because true success comes when growth is aligned, sustainable, and purpose-driven


Tanya Hilts – My advice to early-stage women founders is simple: build with clarity, not chaos.

Company– Cloud Business Services Inc.

Advice

My advice to early-stage women founders is simple: build with clarity, not chaos.

You don’t need to do everything at once, and you don’t need to earn your place by overworking or undercharging. Charge fairly, set boundaries early, and don’t confuse being busy with being sustainable.


Surround yourself with people who respect your work and your values. The right clients, partners, and mentors will help you grow. The wrong ones will drain you, no matter how much revenue they bring.


Also, don’t wait until you feel “ready” to lead. Leadership isn’t a title you earn later, it’s a decision you make early. Speak with confidence, learn continuously, and stay grounded in ethics.


And finally, remember that your business can be successful without becoming someone else’s version of success. Build something that supports your life, your family, your community, and your peace of mind.


Courage isn’t loud. Sometimes it’s simply choosing to keep going, with integrity, one step at a time.


Deepti Gehani – Believe in your long-term vision.

Company– Homes 4 Life Real Estate

Website: homes4life.ae

Advice

Believe in your long-term vision. Success does not happen overnight. Stay committed to your goals even when progress feels slow.


Build credibility through competence. Knowledge of your industry is your strongest asset. When you know your numbers, your market, and your strategy, confidence naturally follows.

Do not be intimidated by male-dominated environments. Let performance speak louder than perception. Consistency builds respect.


Invest in people. Whether it is your team or your clients, relationships built on trust will sustain your business during both good and challenging times.


Embrace challenges as learning opportunities. Every setback refines your leadership ability.

Stay ethical and disciplined. Shortcuts may give temporary gains, but integrity builds lasting success.


Most importantly, remember that leadership is not about authority—it is about responsibility, accountability, and inspiring others to grow.


Dr. Deepti Dyondi – There will be moments in your entrepreneurial journey when you feel, “ye kya haathi paal liya maine” and you’ll want to give up and take the easier path.

Company– Yogami.fit

Advice

There will be moments in your entrepreneurial journey when you feel, “ye kya haathi paal liya maine” and you’ll want to give up and take the easier path.


Those are the days to pause and ask yourself- why did I start this in the first place? If it wasn’t just for money, tags, or numbers, but because you genuinely cared about what you were building, stay true to that.


Choose people whose values align with yours, and don’t be afraid to rebuild when something no longer fits your vision.

Build slowly and sustainably. You’ll find your strength and joy in the small wins, and those little wins will keep you going on the hard days.


Swati Suri – Build something you genuinely believe in and stay patient with the process.

CompanyCompany– Nurturers Centre for Diverse Learners

Advice

Build something you genuinely believe in and stay patient with the process. Meaningful work takes time to grow and early challenges are a natural part of the journey. Focus on creating real value rather than chasing quick recognition.


Trust your instincts, continue learning and do not hesitate to take ownership of your vision. Surround yourself with people who align with your values and remember that consistency and integrity are far more important than speed.


Anita Walker – My advice to early stage women founders is to back yourself wholeheartedly; your ideas, your instincts, and your ability to figure things out along the way.

Company– Pearl Property Co

Advice

My advice to early stage women founders is to back yourself wholeheartedly; your ideas, your instincts, and your ability to figure things out along the way. You don’t need to have every answer before you begin. Starting is often the most powerful step.

Surround yourself with people who genuinely want to see you succeed. Seek out mentors, industry peers, and other women in business who understand the unique pressures we face. Their support, perspective, and encouragement can make all the difference during the inevitable moments of doubt.


Be prepared for hard work, but also give yourself permission to build a business that aligns with your values and your life, not someone else’s version of success. For me, that meant modernising an outdated agency, rebuilding culture, and doing it all while raising two young children. It wasn’t easy, I didn’t always get it right but it taught me that you can lead effectively and still honour your responsibilities as a mother, partner, or caregiver.


Invest in your learning early. Stay close to legislation, industry changes, and new technologies. Continuous improvement through external training, curiosity, and a willingness to adapt sets you apart as a leader.


Finally, prioritise your wellbeing and the wellbeing of your team. A business built on empathy, clear communication, and genuine care is not only sustainable, it thrives. You can’t pour from an empty cup, so don’t be afraid to ask for help, take breaks, and create boundaries that protect your energy.


Believe in your capability, trust your voice, and remember: there is no one right way to build a business. There is only your way, and that is more than enough.


Lyaman Khashmati – Embrace perseverance and passion as your foundation—draw from early lessons in hard work and integrity to fuel your journey, just as I did transitioning from international studies to building LFK Law Practice, P.C.

Company– Lfk Law Practice, P.C.

Advice

Embrace perseverance and passion as your foundation—draw from early lessons in hard work and integrity to fuel your journey, just as I did transitioning from international studies to building LFK Law Practice, P.C. after 18 years at a top firm.


Prioritize empathy and multitasking: Juggle litigation demands with deep client connections, treating every case personally in a boutique model that larger firms can't match—this builds loyalty and sets you apart.


Overcome startup risks through community ties (like BNI, Rotary, and trial lawyer associations) and ethical advocacy; your resilience will inspire peers and turn challenges into a legacy of accessible justice.


Deborah Southwick – Your journey will not be easy, but it will be fulfilling if you do something you believe in.

Company– Sparkling Clean Services

Advice

Your journey will not be easy, but it will be fulfilling if you do something you believe in. Remember to take care of yourself and not give up during the burn out periods, always listen and respect others while still holding to your core values, and never settle, always be improving and growing each day!


Penelope Trotman – Build it your way, not the way you think you “should.” Alignment creates sustainable success.

Company– Vu Ja De Accountancy Limited

Advice

Build it your way, not the way you think you “should.” Alignment creates sustainable success. Do not dilute your values to fit an industry and let your values shape how you lead.


Trust your gut, your instinct. Pay attention to how something feels. Listen to advice, but do not let it drown out your own judgement. Gather perspectives and then make the decision and back yourself. Remember that resilience is often built through the hard seasons.


Most importantly, define success on your own terms and pursue it unapologetically.

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