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Professional Networking Essentials – Women Founders’ Advice - Part 15
In the Professional Networking Essentials Series, we feature the insights of 10 women founders who share their lessons on building meaningful communities, owning their expertise, and creating strong professional networks. Their advice highlights the importance of mentorship, resilience, self-belief, continuous learning, taking action, and surrounding yourself with people who support both personal and business growth.
Featured Women Founders
Jessica Taylor Find your community and take it seriously.
Jeannett Taku To be resilient and go for what you think will impact your life and that of the community
Dr. Sharon Jones My advice to women founders is built on the philosophy that has driven my 20-year journey: Own your expertise and build your own table.
Mariana Quintero Torres Start before you feel ready.
Rajnita Chowdhury Believe in your vision and trust your ability to build something meaningful, even when the path feels uncertain.
Khushbu kothari Keep networking,because network is net worth
Raksha Pujari Build a strong network
Maryke Swarts Your network is your net worth
Monika Sinhmar Start with a problem you truly understand—your strength lies in your lived experience.
Paulita Pappel To be patient, to be focused on your work and not spend too much time listening to the haters, to seek advice, mentors, coaches, to keep learning.
Jessica Taylor – Find your community and take it seriously.
Company– Pleasant Hypnosis
Website: https://pleasanthypnosis.com/
Advice
Find your community and take it seriously. The people I have met through networking, mentorship, and shared stages have opened doors, changed my thinking, and reminded me on hard days why this work matters. No one builds anything alone. And do not mistake visibility for vanity. Showing up: on stages, in rooms, online, in conversations, is not self-promotion. It is service. The people who need what you offer cannot find you if you are hiding.
Jeannett Taku – To be resilient and go for what you think will impact your life and that of the community
Company– Vision Community Support Services
Website: www.visioncss.org
LinkedIn: Vision Community Support Services
Advice
To be resilient and go for what you think will impact your life and that of the community
Dr. Sharon Jones – My advice to women founders is built on the philosophy that has driven my 20-year journey: Own your expertise and build your own table.
Company– the dot Consulting
Website: https://thedotconsulting.co/
Advice
My advice to women founders is built on the philosophy that has driven my 20-year journey: Own your expertise and build your own table.
Don’t Wait for Permission to Lead: In tech and business, there is a tendency to wait until you have every single certification or "perfect" data point. I learned early on that my unique perspective as an educator-turned-technical-strategist was my greatest asset, not a liability. If the industry hasn't built a space for your specific vision, don't just try to fit in, build the "dot" that connects the gaps.
Invest in "Community Capital": Your network is more than just a list of contacts; it is your ecosystem. Whether it was co-founding Carolina Women in Tech, opening the dot Consulting or founding and launching the Dottie Rose Foundation, I found that resilience is easier when you have a community that reflects your values. Surround yourself with people who don't just celebrate your wins, but who understand the specific hurdles of being a woman founder and will help you navigate them.
Focus on Agency over Consumption: My mission has always been to help people understand, question, and create with technology. Apply that same mindset to your business. Don't just consume the trends or advice of others; question the status quo of your industry and use your unique voice to create the positive change you want to see.
Mariana Quintero Torres – Start before you feel ready.
Company– Catatumbo Publishing House
Website: https://letrascatatumbo.com/
Advice
Start before you feel ready. Trust your vision, build strong networks, and don’t wait for perfect conditions. Take up space, value your work, and remember that growth comes through action and persistence.
Rajnita Chowdhury – Believe in your vision and trust your ability to build something meaningful, even when the path feels uncertain.
Company– Uzi World Digital
Website: https://uziworlddigital.com/
Advice
Believe in your vision and trust your ability to build something meaningful, even when the path feels uncertain. Start with what you have and take consistent action instead of waiting for the perfect moment. Focus on learning, adapting, and improving every day. Build strong networks, seek mentorship, and surround yourself with people who support your growth.
Do not be afraid to take calculated risks or step outside your comfort zone. Challenges will come, but resilience and persistence will set you apart. Stay committed to your purpose and remember that your journey can inspire many others to follow.
Khushbu kothari – Keep networking,because network is net worth
Company– Khushi Innovations
Advice
Keep networking,because network is net worth
Raksha Pujari – Build a strong network
Company– Morpho Design Studio
Advice
Build a strong network
Maryke Swarts – Your network is your net worth
Company– PMRI
Website: www.pmri.co.za
Advice
Your network is your net worth
Monika Sinhmar – Start with a problem you truly understand—your strength lies in your lived experience.
Company– F2DF PVT LTD
Website: https://www.f2df.com/
Advice
Start with a problem you truly understand—your strength lies in your lived experience. As a woman, especially in challenging sectors like rural and agriculture, you may face skepticism, but consistency and ground-level execution build trust over time. Don’t wait for perfect conditions—start small, learn fast, and adapt.
Build strong networks, seek mentorship, and never hesitate to take space in decision-making. Challenges will come—financial, social, and emotional—but resilience is your biggest asset. Most importantly, believe in your purpose, because when your mission is clear, you will find the strength to keep going and create real impact.
Paulita Pappel – To be patient, to be focused on your work and not spend too much time listening to the haters, to seek advice, mentors, coaches, to keep learning.
Company– Lustery
Website: lustery.com
Advice
To be patient, to be focused on your work and not spend too much time listening to the haters, to seek advice, mentors, coaches, to keep learning.
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