Promoting Women’s Empowerment – Advice from Women Founders - Part 7

From building bold legacies to leading communities forward, these inspiring women share their perspectives on how women can empower themselves and others.

Featured Women Founders

• Vijayalakshmi – Trust Through Discipline

• Victoria Mulwa – Knowledge Over Pity

• Laura Terra – Stand Strong Always

• Prachi Puri – Uplift Fellow Women

• Archana Misal – Inspire With Wishes

• Dr. Lesley Steele – Grow Through Learning

• Jessie Dhaliwal – Power in Heritage

• Pooja Arora – Build Bold Legacies

• Luisa Sebastiao Hussene – Lead Africa Forward

• Chhavi Mehta – Believe and Inspire

• Smt Aradhna Painuly – Bold Farmer Empowerment

Vijayalakshmi – Trust Through Discipline

Founder – Vijayalakshmi Tanjore Art Gallery

“Time keeping creates trust in our business. The key to success is SMART work & confidence level.”

Victoria Mulwa – Knowledge Over Pity

Founder – Arope Group Limited

“Be ready and equip yourself with the necessary knowledge, acquired/required certifications and licenses. Stand out by merit, not by pity. Never compromise.”

Laura Terra – Stand Strong Always

Founder – BEEL FILMS

“To not feel intimidated, to believe in their potential, to show their value, and to stand firm in their decisions—regardless of how those actions may be judged. Strong women intimidate the market, so we must strengthen ourselves, believe in our power, and stand together.”

Prachi Puri – Uplift Fellow Women

Founder – Giftytales

“We have inspired many women to start their business from home and we support them totally by making them our vendors. Supporting small business women owners is very important and necessary. Advice for young women is that just go for it, things will follow.”

Archana Misal – Inspire With Wishes

Founder – Creative Corporation

“I don’t consider myself someone great enough to advise any woman who is carving her own path as an entrepreneur. Each of them is already strong, courageous, and incredibly inspiring in their own right. But from the bottom of my heart, I want to extend my best wishes to every woman chasing her dreams, building something of her own, and facing challenges with determination.”

Dr. Lesley Steele – Grow Through Learning

Founder – Steele Veterinary Group

“Throughout my career, I have embraced lifelong learning as a cornerstone of both personal and professional growth. True advancement comes from stepping into spaces where you feel small—where challenges push you to grow and where you can learn from others who inspire you.”

Jessie Dhaliwal – Power in Heritage

Founder – Solidarity Therapy

“As women, including women of colour, we are born worthy of entrepreneurship. You have the strength and wisdom of the women that came before you, your ancient matriarchs. By stepping into your power, you send a ripple effect of healing to the women who came before and those who will come after.”

Pooja Arora – Build Bold Legacies

Founder – Furever Kare

“Women entrepreneurs are not just building businesses; they are building legacies. Stay bold, trust your vision, and embrace every challenge as a stepping stone. The world may doubt us but that should fuel our fire!”

Luisa Sebastiao Hussene – Lead Africa Forward

Founder – Doce Sal Serviços

“To those who wish to start a business but are still hesitating: remember the responsibility we have as young African women to build and improve our continent. Let’s create sustainable businesses, be innovative, and lead the change we want to see. The future is ours, and it begins now.”

Chhavi Mehta – Believe and Inspire

Founder – Young Authors Launchpad

“Success doesn’t happen by chance; it happens by change. Believe in your vision, take bold steps, surround yourself with mentors, and own your story. Dare to dream, work tirelessly, and never let fear define your limits.”

Smt Aradhna Painuly – Bold Farmer Empowerment

Founder – Himalayan Fresh Juice Private Limited

“The Apple Project aims to strengthen the bargaining capacity of small apple farmers in India and increase their income levels substantially—through organising, providing financial means, professional handling, and ensuring profits flow back to farmers. This intervention changes the local power balance in the apple value chain in favour of small and marginal farmers.”