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Visionary Leadership – Women Founders’ Advice - Part 21
In the Visionary Leadership Series, we feature the insights of 10 women founders who share their lessons on trusting their vision, starting with purpose, and moving forward even when the path is uncertain. Their advice highlights the importance of credibility, resilience, continuous learning, strong networks, financial awareness, and staying grounded in values while building meaningful and sustainable businesses.
Featured Women Founders
Jenny Woldt Pray.
Elizabeth Dodson First, build from conviction — not validation.
Maria Laura Rojas Muñoz Build credibility early.
Patrina Moore Pierre Be clear on your mission.
Chahna Gupta My advice to aspiring women founders is to start with purpose and begin even if everything is not fully figured out.
Tatiana Novikova-Yamshchikova My advice to women entrepreneurs is to trust your vision, even when the path is not obvious to others.
Linda Tsang Believe in your vision and don’t wait for everything to be perfect before you start.
Dr. Mariam Shaikh
AMANDEEP KAUR Believe in your vision, even when the path feels uncertain.
Nisha My primary advice is to build a network that serves as both a safety net and a sounding board.
Jenny Woldt – Pray.
Company– Splash Box Marketing LLC
Website: https://www.splashbox.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennywoldt/
Advice
Pray. Be thankful. Give your business journey to God.
Then...
Let necessity become your fuel, not your fear. You don’t need perfect timing or perfect confidence, you need a reason that’s bigger than your doubt, and the willingness to keep going.
Stay debt-free (or debt-light) as long as you can. Cash flow gives you options. Grow at a pace you can sustain, keep overhead lean, and don’t confuse “looking big” with being stable.
Build your circle on purpose. Find a few solid business people who will lift you up, tell you the truth, and open doors. Don’t try to do it alone—mentorship and community compress the learning curve.
Be successful because you have to be—then learn to be successful because you choose to be. Early on, survival is a powerful motivator. Over time, shift into intentional leadership: values, boundaries, and long-term vision.
Protect your reputation like it’s your most valuable asset, because it is. Deliver on what you promise. Be known for quality, reliability, and integrity. Word of mouth can build a business faster than any ad spend.
Ask for help without apologizing. You’re not “less capable” because you need support, you’re building something real. Delegation and guidance are leadership skills, not weaknesses.
Redefine balance by season. Some seasons are heavy. Give yourself permission to do what’s required now, while still building a future you and your family can enjoy.
Build something your kids can be proud of, and if they join you, lead them well. If family becomes part of the business, treat it with the same professionalism as any leadership pipeline: clear roles, accountability, and respect.
Elizabeth Dodson – First, build from conviction — not validation.
Company– HomeZada
Website: https://www.homezada.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edodson/
Advice
First, build from conviction — not validation.
If you are waiting for unanimous approval, funding before traction, or perfect timing, you may never begin. Many of the most meaningful companies are built ahead of market awareness. When we launched HomeZada, the category didn’t exist. We had to believe in the need long before the market could articulate it.
Second, focus on building real value — not just visibility. It is tempting in today’s environment to chase press, awards, and social metrics. Sustainable companies are built on solving real problems deeply and consistently. Depth creates durability.
Third, understand your numbers. Confidence in your financial model, margins, and long-term scalability is one of the strongest equalizers in rooms where bias may exist. Competence creates authority.
Fourth, protect your energy. Entrepreneurship is endurance. There will be economic cycles, product pivots, and moments of doubt. Surround yourself with people who strengthen your resolve rather than question your vision.
And finally, do not underestimate the power of female leadership. Women bring strategic patience, empathy, long-term thinking, and resilience to business. Those are not soft traits — they are competitive advantages.
The goal is not simply to build a company. It is to build something that meaningfully improves lives. When your mission is clear, obstacles become temporary, and impact becomes lasting.
Basically, like Nike says, Just do it!
Maria Laura Rojas Muñoz – Build credibility early.
Company– CRDC Materials
Website: https://www.crdcmaterials.com/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/marialaurarojasm
Advice
Build credibility early. In complex or technical industries, competence and preparation are your strongest leverage. Master your numbers, your product, and your regulatory landscape and confidence must be backed by rigor.
Choose partners strategically. Growth is not only about capital; it is about alignment, governance, and shared long-term vision.
Finally, separate resilience from overextension. You will face resistance, especially in traditionally conservative sectors. Stay focused on execution, protect your standards, and remember that leadership is not about being louder, it is about being consistent, disciplined, and clear in your direction.
Patrina Moore Pierre – Be clear on your mission.
Company– YEG Parents Magazine & Community Support Services
Website: www,yegparents.ca
Advice
Be clear on your mission. Your clarity will guide decisions, partnerships, and opportunities.
Build relationships before you need them. Community is currency.
Start before you feel fully ready. Growth comes through action, not perfection.
Learn the business side early. Vision is powerful, but sustainability requires strategy.
Protect your confidence. There will always be doubts—externally and internally. Stay anchored in your purpose.
Most importantly, understand that leadership is not about having all the answers; it’s about being willing to serve, adapt, and keep moving forward.
Chahna Gupta – My advice to aspiring women founders is to start with purpose and begin even if everything is not fully figured out.
Company– Namaskar Foundation Corporation
Website: namaskarfoundation.org
Advice
My advice to aspiring women founders is to start with purpose and begin even if everything is not fully figured out. Many impactful initiatives begin as small ideas driven by passion and service. Consistency and commitment over time can transform those early efforts into meaningful organizations.
Do not wait for perfect conditions or complete resources before taking the first step. When I began offering community wellness programs, the work started with small gatherings and volunteer efforts. Over time, through persistence and community support, those efforts grew into larger initiatives and eventually a formal nonprofit organization.
It is also important to build strong relationships and collaborate with others who share your vision. Partnerships with local organizations, practitioners, and community leaders can significantly expand your impact and open doors to opportunities you may not achieve alone.
Most importantly, remember that building something meaningful is not just about individual success, but about uplifting the community around you. One philosophy that guides my work is: “When the community vibes, we all thrive.” When people support each other, share knowledge, and work toward a collective purpose, the impact becomes far greater than anything we could achieve alone.
Finally, trust your voice and your mission. Women founders bring empathy, resilience, and community-centered leadership to the table, qualities that are incredibly powerful in creating lasting and positive change.
Tatiana Novikova-Yamshchikova – My advice to women entrepreneurs is to trust your vision, even when the path is not obvious to others.
Company– Xiongmao Digital
Website: https://xiongmaodigital.com/
Advice
My advice to women entrepreneurs is to trust your vision, even when the path is not obvious to others.
Building a business often means stepping into uncertainty, especially when you are entering new markets, industries or cultures. There will be moments of doubt, but those moments are also where resilience and leadership are built.
I would also encourage women to invest in knowledge, global perspectives and strong professional networks. Opportunities often emerge at the intersection of different cultures, industries and ideas.
Most importantly, don’t wait until everything feels perfect before taking action. Progress comes from moving forward, learning quickly and adapting along the way.
When women lead with confidence, creativity and purpose, they don’t just build successful companies — they open doors for the next generation of leaders
Linda Tsang – Believe in your vision and don’t wait for everything to be perfect before you start.
Company– Elite College of Business and Healthcare
Website: elitecollege.school
Advice
Believe in your vision and don’t wait for everything to be perfect before you start. Many women hesitate because they feel they need more experience, more resources, or the right moment. In reality, entrepreneurship is a journey of learning as you go.
Be resilient and stay focused on your purpose. There will always be challenges, setbacks, and moments of doubt, but persistence and determination are what move you forward. Every obstacle is an opportunity to learn and improve.
It is also important to surround yourself with supportive people—mentors, partners, and a strong team who believe in your mission. Collaboration and community can make a big difference in your growth as a leader.
Most importantly, remember that success is not just about building a business. It is about creating impact, opening doors for others, and inspiring the next generation of women to believe that they can lead, innovate, and succeed.
Dr. Mariam Shaikh – 1.
Company– MS Education Consulting FZ LLC
Website: https://mseduconsultants.com/
Advice
1. Own Your Vision Boldly
“Your idea, your conviction, your voice — never let anyone dilute them. Believe fiercely in your vision.”
2. Embrace Reinvention
“Leadership is not linear. Every pivot, every setback is an opportunity to refine your strategy and grow stronger.”
3. Build Your Tribe
“Surround yourself with mentors, allies, and peers who challenge you, celebrate you, and push you forward.”
4. Lead with Values
“Profit and impact can coexist — your integrity and purpose are your greatest differentiators as a founder.”
5. Take Up Space
“Don’t shrink to fit expectations. Your ideas, ambition, and leadership belong at every table you aspire to sit at.”
“Don’t wait for permission — create the legacy only you can lead.” Dr Mariam Shaikh
AMANDEEP KAUR – Believe in your vision, even when the path feels uncertain.
Company– GAURAV PROPERTIES
Website: https://gauravproperties.com/
Advice
Believe in your vision, even when the path feels uncertain. As a woman founder, your resilience, empathy, and ability to multitask are powerful leadership strengths. Invest continuously in learning, build a strong support network, and never hesitate to take your seat at the table. Most importantly, stay consistent—success is not just about big leaps, but about showing up every day with courage, clarity, and commitment.
Nisha – My primary advice is to build a network that serves as both a safety net and a sounding board.
Company– Paradise Groups of Resort & Hotels
Website: www.paradisegroups.in
Advice
My primary advice is to build a network that serves as both a safety net and a sounding board. In high-stakes industries like hospitality, your 'soft skills'—empathy, communication, and intuition—are actually your strongest strategic assets; never feel the need to diminish them.
Be unapologetic about your vision, stay data-driven to back your decisions, and remember that leadership is not about having all the answers, but about empowering your team to find them together.
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