As we celebrate Women’s Day, I reflect on my own journey – one that has been anything but conventional. From being an engineering student navigating a male-dominated field to becoming an entrepreneur, my path has been shaped by challenges, growth, and self-discovery.

Stepping into engineering was stepping into a battlefield where I constantly had to prove my worth. I remember walking into classrooms where I was one of the few women, feeling the weight of expectations and unspoken doubts. In the workplace, I faced the same biases – subtle dismissals, assumptions about my technical skills, and the ever-present challenge of making my voice heard.

But I refused to let these challenges define me. Instead, I chose to use them as stepping stones. I learned to assert myself, to speak with confidence, and to embrace my unique perspective as a strength, not a weakness.

The truth is, the world doesn’t hand us a seat at the table – we have to build our own.

And so, I did.

The greatest shift in my journey wasn’t external; it was internal.

It was in the way I began to see challenges, not as barriers, but as invitations to grow. I had to rewire my thinking, push past self-doubt, and cultivate resilience. How do we respond when the world tells us we can’t? We prove that we can.

Every failure, every rejection, and every setback became fuel for my growth. I studied relentlessly, sought mentors, and honed my skills. I understood that success isn’t about having a smooth journey but about how we navigate the rough patches. More importantly, I realized that success isn’t defined by society’s standards but by our own terms.

And that for me was starting my own entrepreneurial journey, or better said, my journey as an inspiring businesswoman.

Transitioning from an engineer to a businesswoman wasn’t just about career change; it was about reclaiming my power. It was about proving to myself that I could build something meaningful, that I could turn my vision into reality.

The road hasn’t been easy. Entrepreneurship is a test of patience, resilience, and unwavering belief in oneself. There were days when doubt crept in, when rejections felt personal, when I questioned whether I was making the right choices. But with every challenge, I reminded myself: I am not here to fit into someone else’s definition of success. I am here to create my own.

My own journey as an independent businesswoman forced me to face and overcome my insecurities, not only in the professional sphere but on a personal level too.

Long before I battled stereotypes in engineering, I battled self-image issues as an overweight teenager. The world has a way of making us feel like we’re not enough—not thin enough, not pretty enough, not worthy enough. I carried that weight (both physically and emotionally) for years, allowing others’ opinions to shape my self-perception.

But one day, I asked myself: Whose standards am I living by? That question changed everything. I stopped seeking validation from others and started focusing on self-respect.

I didn’t lose weight for approval; I did it to honour my body. I didn’t change how I looked; I changed how I saw myself.

Learning to love myself was the most powerful transformation of all and it fuelled my learning experience as a businesswoman too.

Today, when I look in the mirror, I don’t just see a businesswoman. I see a woman who has defied expectations, who has broken free from the chains of societal judgment, who has built a life on her own terms. I see a woman who has embraced growth, not as a punishment but as a privilege.

Success is not a title, a salary, or a number on a scale. It is waking up every day knowing that I am true to myself, that I am constantly evolving, and that I am using my journey to uplift others.

So, as we celebrate Women’s Day, I ask you: What does success mean to you?

Is it about meeting external expectations, or is it about honoring your truth? Is it about competition, or is it about lifting each other up?

We are strongest when we support one another. When we break barriers, we make it easier for the next generation. When we embrace our growth, we inspire others to do the same. When we rewrite the narrative, we pave the way for others to follow.

Today, I stand tall, not because I have reached a final destination, but because I am constantly moving forward. And that, to me, is success.

To all the incredible women out there: Keep growing, keep challenging, and above all, keep being unapologetically you.

Happy Women’s Day!

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