As part of the Morning Lazziness series about empowering women who encourage and do incredible things with their ideas in society, I had the pleasure of interviewing Gitanjali Rao.

Author of “A Young Innovator’s Guide to Planning for Success”, Gitanjali Rao is an inventor, aspiring scientist, speaker, and active worldwide promoter for STEM. She was recognized as America’s Top Young Scientist and received a President’s Environmental Youth Award (PEYA) from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for her patented invention of a lead contamination detection tool. Gitanjali is also the inventor of Epione, a device for early diagnosis of prescription opioid addiction through genetic engineering, and Kindly, an anti-cyberbullying service that uses AI and Natural Language processing.

She was honored in Forbes’s “30 Under 30 in Science” in 2019 and as TIME’s “Top Young Innovator” and “Kid of the Year” for her innovations and STEM workshops she conducts globally, which has inspired over 75,000 students across six continents and forty-five countries in the last three years.

In 2021, she was appointed a UNICEF Youth Advocate because of her work in using science to solve social problems such as cyberbullying and developing solutions for environmental protection. She recently received a Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award for her selfless service for the Kakuma refugee camp students in Kenya. She will be attending Massachusetts Institute of Technology starting in fall 2023.

Here’s what we found out about Gitanjali’s daily routine, followed by an exclusive Q+A.

1. Can you share the story behind your journey as an entrepreneur and what inspired you to start your own business?

I started the Vervient Foundation with the goal of reaching as many students as possible when trying to achieve my mission of establishing a K-12 innovation curriculum. What started out as a journey to just work with a few students turned into a global movement of young innovators. I realized how important innovation and problem solving is, especially inside of a classroom environment, so I soon made it my goal to make it normalized across the world.

2. What challenges have you faced as a woman in the business world, and how have you overcome them?

It’s very difficult to be taken seriously in the field of innovation and education not just as a woman, but also as a young South Asian woman. One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced is a lack of support and understanding of what my mission is, specifically hatred towards the bigger goal and skepticism about reaching it. My biggest way to overcome it is by identifying those whose opinions do matter vs. those who don’t. It’s much easier said than done but some people will always look down upon you but there will be the select few that will act as your biggest mentors and role models.

3. How do you balance your professional and personal life as an entrepreneur?

As a college sophomore at MIT, I find myself caught up in managing school, my workshops, my social life, and my other extracurriculars. A tip that I keep in mind is that everything I’m doing is something I want to be doing and not necessarily something I need to be doing. This makes managing my time a lot easier. I’ve also realized the importance of prioritization and commitment. It’s been a goal of mine this year to stick to commitments and realize what is important in the grand scheme of things. 

4. What strategies have you found most effective for networking and building connections in your industry?

Since I mainly work with educators, students, and executives of organizations- I’ve realized that we need to make a stronger effort to connect all three groups. The best solutions and the way that we’re going to make the best strides forward in innovation is by taking a multi-disciplinary approach towards problem solving. This means introducing more internships for middle and high school students, more hands-on learning and partnerships with organizations in the classroom, etc. 

7. In what ways do you prioritize diversity and inclusion within your company or startup?

I make an effort to work with students from all backgrounds especially because every student learns differently. For example, a student from a girls school in Afghanistan learns very different from a young boy in the Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya who learns differently from a high schooler in NYC. I believe that every student has a passion that needs to be fostered and everyone should play their part when it comes to innovating. 

8. How do you stay motivated and resilient during tough times in your business?

I’ve grown up in a household that has pushed this idea of “if you don’t like the way something is, fix it.” I have always gone out of my way to “fix it” no matter what the situation may be. At the end of the day, I try to look at the bigger picture to realize that if I’m not going to take a stand and focus on the importance of innovation in today’s education system, nobody else is. 

9. What advice would you give to other aspiring women entrepreneurs who are just starting out?

I believe I am where I am because of the risks that I took along the way. If I had any piece of advice to give aspiring women entrepreneurs and changemakers, it would be to take the risk regardless of how big or small the reward is. It’s important to fail and try again because failing forward alows us to grow as individuals. 

10. What is one quote you live by that has guided you in your entrepreneurial journey?

My favorite quote is an Albert Einstein quote and it’s “It’s not that I’m smart, it’s just that I stay with the problem longer.” I find myself repeating this quote to students when I work with them.

11. Can you share a memorable success or milestone that you’ve achieved in your entrepreneurial career?

A memorable milestone was reaching about 90k students that I’ve had the opportunity to work with across 6 different continents in the past 6 months. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from this experience of creating the Vervient Foundation and spreading the importance of innovation, it’s that everyone has the drive to solve problems that are personal to them- it’s just about fostering their ideas and bringing their dreams to life.

As part of the Morning Lazziness series about empowering women who encourage and do incredible things with their ideas in society, I had the pleasure of interviewing Sangeeta Sengupta.

Sangeeta Sengupta, a visionary leader with over 25 years of experience transforming lives through innovative training and employment initiatives. From tackling worklessness to championing health equality and supporting those with disabilities, Sangeeta’s impact is far-reaching. As the founder and director of TiffinWalli CIC, she’s reimagined community support, and through her leadership of a charity for Deaf individuals, she amplifies the voices of those often unheard.

Sangeeta is also an accomplished author, having penned the insightful book Mother and Baby in Bengali, aimed at empowering Bengali mothers. Her evocative short story, Sound of Silence, featured in the Human Stories and East India Company project, speaks to her deep understanding of diverse narratives. Before her journey brought her to England, Sangeeta made her mark as a journalist in India.

Now, as a property investor, she continues to build and nurture in every sense. Sangeeta’s story is one of passion, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to making a difference.

Here’s what we found out about Sangeeta’s daily routine, followed by an exclusive Q+A.

Can you share the story behind your journey as an entrepreneur and what inspired you to start your own business?

TiffinWalli CIC was born out of a desire to address a pressing need: empowering women from marginalized communities by providing them with opportunities to achieve economic independence. Our focus spans from migrant women with limited skills and qualifications to those seeking flexible work hours around their caregiving responsibilities. The common thread among them is a passion for cooking. We came up with the idea of TiffinWalli to provide them a pathway to entrepreneurship, enabling them to build sustainable livelihoods and gain financial freedom. This initiative is about turning a love for cooking into a powerful tool for personal and community empowerment.

What challenges have you faced as a woman in the business world, and how have you overcome them?

While I’ve been fortunate to receive much support as a woman in business, the real challenge lies in balancing social impact with financial sustainability. It’s a delicate balance to strike, ensuring that our efforts to empower women and uplift marginalised communities remain sustainable while also maintaining financial viability. This dual focus requires constant innovation and dedication—a challenge I embrace every day

How do you balance your professional and personal life as an entrepreneur?

To be honest, I still struggle to balance my professional and personal life. In fact, my personal life has nearly diminished. Even after six years as an entrepreneur of a social mission organization, I find that it demands an enormous amount of time and energy, as I constantly juggle the dual goals of creating social impact and generating profit. I became an entrepreneur accidentally, driven by the desire to empower women. When you’re accountable for the well-being and livelihoods of others, it becomes difficult to carve out time for yourself. It’s a challenge I’m still learning to navigate

What strategies have you found most effective for networking and building connections in your industry?

There’s no one-size-fits-all strategy for networking—it varies depending on your business and needs. In the first few years, I did very little networking due to time constraints. However, I soon realised the importance of connecting with others and started attending various events. Over time, I realised the power of strategic networking and began attending events where I could build meaningful connections. I prefer smaller group settings where I can genuinely connect with people, Entrepreneurship can be a lonely journey, so I use my time wisely to connect with the right people rather than trying to network with a large number of people

Can you talk about a specific setback or failure you’ve experienced in your business and how you bounced back from it?

Yes, I’ve faced several small setbacks along the way, each of which has been a learning experience. However, one of the more significant setbacks occurred when a subcontractor failed to deliver on their responsibilities as required. This situation had a direct impact on our business, particularly on the trust we had built with our clients and partners. It took time and effort to regain that trust. As the lead organization, you can’t simply wash your hands of the issue or pass the blame to the subcontractor, especially when they are working under your banner. We took full responsibility, addressed the issue head-on, and implemented stricter oversight and quality control measures to prevent such incidents in the future. This experience reinforced the importance of accountability and the need to carefully select and manage partners who align with our values and standards

In what ways do you prioritize diversity and inclusion within your company or startup?

Our enterprise was built in response to the needs of a diverse range of women. We prioritize diversity and inclusion by focusing on women from various backgrounds who are determined to achieve economic independence. Our approach is to provide opportunities and support to women who may face unique challenges, whether due to cultural, social, or economic barriers. By fostering an environment that values their individual experiences and strengths, we help them turn their aspirations into reality, ensuring that diversity and inclusion are at the core of everything we do

How do you stay motivated and resilient during tough times in your business?

Staying motivated can be challenging, but responsibility drives action. Even when motivation is low, fulfilling your duties often sparks renewed energy. Remember, sometimes the act of doing reignites your passion

Additionally, taking on challenges and working toward positive outcomes also drives motivation, as the process of overcoming obstacles and achieving goals can be incredibly rewarding. Ultimately, it’s the sense of responsibility and the desire to make a difference that keeps me resilient and focused, even when things get tough

What advice would you give to other aspiring women entrepreneurs who are just starting out?

If you’re considering entrepreneurship, ask yourself: ‘Am I driven by a passion to solve a problem or create value?’ Start with a clear purpose, and success will follow.

I’ve learned not to compare my journey with others, focusing instead on my own path and progress. This mindset shift has been crucial in maintaining my motivation and resilience.”

What is one quote you live by that has guided you in your entrepreneurial journey?

One quote that has consistently guided me in my entrepreneurial journey is by Abraham Lincoln: “The best way to predict your future is to create it.” This mantra reminds me that my success and the direction of my business are in my hands. It’s about taking proactive steps, making deliberate choices, and shaping the future I envision, rather than waiting for it to unfold. This mindset has been instrumental in driving my efforts and keeping me focused on my goals

Can you share a memorable success or milestone that you’ve achieved in your entrepreneurial career?

I have experienced many milestones in my journey, as I became an accidental entrepreneur to create opportunities for others. I cherish every small achievement along the way. However, two significant milestones stand out. The first was when I successfully created the product design for Doiee-Yogurt. The second, and perhaps even more rewarding, was when we were able to bring the final Doiee-Yogurt product to life exactly as I had envisioned it. These moments were not just milestones but confirmations that my vision could be turned into reality

As part of the Morning Lazziness series about empowering women who encourage and do incredible things with their ideas in society, I had the pleasure of interviewing Thayer Sylvester.

Thayer co-founded Carve in 2003. As the Chief Executive Officer, she is focused on Carve becoming an iconic American lifestyle brand. Thayer’s operating motto is to make data-driven decisions across all functional areas. She has successfully grown the business into an omnichannel, nationally known swimwear and apparel brand. 

Prior to founding Carve, she served as a Managing Director for Alpine Investors, LLC, a mid-market private equity firm for whom she managed a portfolio of companies. There, she specialized in financial planning and analysis, implementing sales and operations processes and strategic plans. Thayer launched her career at The Gillette Company in its undergraduate management training program. 

Thayer grew up in the suburbs of Cleveland, Ohio, and holds a Bachelor of Arts from Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut. Thayer lives with her family in Northern California and is actively involved in her children’s schools and Compass San Francisco, a non-profit focused on preventing homelessness. She loves to surf and is an avid world traveler.

Here’s what we found out about Thayer’s daily routine, followed by an exclusive Q+A.

Can you share the story behind your journey as an entrepreneur? What inspired you to start your own business? 

I started my career within a large consumer product company at Procter and Gamble. I found it enormously frustrating that you could not influence change. Even when you identified something inefficient or flat-out not working, changing anything was unbelievably difficult. That drove me crazy. From then on, I always wanted to work on my own, because then as soon as you identify something’s wrong you can fix it. Fast forward to when I was on a surf trip to San Pancho, Mexico with my co-founder Jennifer Hinton. As we lounged in a hammock waiting for the waves to roll back in, we lamented how hard it was to find boardshorts that could keep up with us – real women with real bodies and a real passion for adventure. This led us to Carve Designs. While we started as a surf apparel company selling rash guards and boardshorts in 2003, we have grown into a complete beach lifestyle brand.

What challenges have you faced as a woman in the business world, and how have you overcome them?

Particularly in fashion or apparel, people sometimes view this space as not very serious or not business minded. Some think we’re just kind of playing Barbie doll dress-up. I’ve always approached it as “How do we create and scale successful, profitable business?” When people make assumptions about the type of business that you’re growing, it can feel like they’re undermining what you’re doing. I consistently approach those conversations with a lot of confidence and knowledge that we’re running a great business and never let the detractors get me down.

How do you balance your professional and personal life as an entrepreneur? 

You just have to make it happen. It’s easy to let work take over your life. What you realize is that leads to creating an unbalance. You perform better when you maintain balance in your life. I always make room to exercise, volunteer, take a vacation, and raise my kids. Lately, I’m addicted to F45. It’s super fun with a great community there with people of all ages and it keeps you fit.

What strategies have you found most effective for networking and building connections in your industry? 

It’s important to put yourself out there. You have to attend conferences to meet people in your field. Then after the event, make sure you follow up and nurture those new contacts into meaningful relationships. Particularly, I’ve enjoyed attending Shoptalk events in the past and connecting with retail changemakers.

How do you approach mentorship and seeking guidance in your entrepreneurial journey? 

When you meet somebody that you’re impressed with, you can’t be afraid to ask them for help. Typically, entrepreneurs like to help other people. They know personally how difficult the journey is. Then, they can become your mentors. I’ve found myself finding mentors and in return serving as a mentor to different people across different spaces of the business.

Can you talk about a specific setback or failure you’ve experienced in your business, and how you bounced back from it? 

I think the hardest thing in any business is hiring the right people. And from time to time we don’t hire the right person, learning to recognize that quickly and having open dialog around why a certain person is not the right fit is critical to the organization’s success, and then moving on and hiring the right person.

How do you prioritize diversity and inclusion within your company or startup?

The vast majority of our employees are young women who are of child-rearing years. These women have typically been marginalized in the workplace, either being prevented from climbing the corporate ladder or from being given bigger roles, because employers assume their attention is divided between their full-time job and raising their children. We work very hard to keep women in the workplace and do everything we can to support their motherhood. We also recognize that it’s hugely important for them to contribute to the workforce for their economic independence and for the greater cause of having women achieve better equality.

How do you stay motivated and resilient during tough times in your business? 

You make sure that you have downtime. Whenever it gets challenging, it’s important to take time to meditate, take time to exercise, take time to go for a walk with a girlfriend, or whatever it is that diverts your focus away from the business to then have the best focus when you’re working on it.

What advice would you give to other aspiring women entrepreneurs who are just starting out? 

It’s important to create achievable goals and then hold yourself accountable to those goals. If you’re not able to achieve them, ask yourself why or why not. An achievable goal is not to start a business and sell and achieve a million or billion dollars worth of revenue in a year. Instead, it might be “My goal in the next six months is to sell $25,000 or $100,000” and then from there, you set up another bigger goal. If you miss a goal, then really look at what prevented you from missing that goal and why.

Can you share a memorable success or milestone that you’ve achieved in your entrepreneurial career? 

The pandemic was super challenging for everyone. Carve Designs was not spared its challenges early on. In March 2020, 80% of our revenue was canceled for the remainder of the year. Nevertheless, we were able to navigate through that and have come past that challenge. We are now exceeding our revenue from prior to the pandemic and have kept the lights on.

As part of the Morning Lazziness series about empowering women who encourage and do incredible things with their ideas in society, I had the pleasure of interviewing Nellie Akalp.

Nellie Akalp is a passionate entrepreneur, business expert and mother of four. She is the CEO of CorpNet, the smartest way to start a business, register for payroll taxes, and maintain business compliance across the United States.

Here’s what we found out about Nellie‘s daily routine, followed by an exclusive Q+A.

1. Can you share the story behind your journey as an entrepreneur and what inspired you to start your own business?

I have always looked up to my grandparents, who were business owners and started an antique shop. I loved working in their shop and seeing them turn a hobby into a thriving business. While in law school, I knew that the typical path of becoming a lawyer was just not in my future. When my then boyfriend (now husband) and I thought of a business idea in law school, we both had the passion and drive to jump at the idea and make it happen. That was in 1997 with our first company. We’ve never looked back since! 

2. What challenges have you faced as a woman in the business world, and how have you overcome them?

As a woman, I’ve found the most challenging thing is for people to expect me to say ‘yes’ to everything and go with their vision instead of mine. It has taken years of experience working tirelessly as a dedicated entrepreneur to learn how to stand my ground. Once I gained that trait, I became a more confident CEO and helped take my company into the success it is today.

3. How do you balance your professional and personal life as an entrepreneur?

Since I am married to my business partner, this gets challenging. We also have four children, some of whom now work for my company. So our personal and professional lives often intertwine. Over the years though I have learned its just not for me to completely separate the two and I’ve accepted them as one. My business, my kids, my husband, my business partner, while all separate, are all key parts of my life and they all make me who I am. I try not to worry about a perfect balance of everything, because that can add to the stress. 

4. What strategies have you found most effective for networking and building connections in your industry?

I really enjoy getting out there and having a presence at tradeshows. While it is a lot of work and can be exhausting, in the end getting face to face interaction with our many partners is so motivating. I get to learn how my company has helped their businesses grow and expand and it gives me the boost I need to get back into the office and hit the ground running with new ideas!

5. How do you approach mentorship and seek guidance in your entrepreneurial journey?

My biggest mentor is my husband/business partner. We both motivate one another and have been the main drivers of our entrepreneurial journey. Where I lack, he thrives and vice versa. So when I feel I need guidance or am stuck, I go to my husband and we figure out the path forward together.

6. Can you talk about a specific setback or failure you’ve experienced in your business and how you bounced back from it?

Absolutely. Starting a business and growing it from the ground up is no easy feat. Our first business was a huge success and it was relatively painless. Our second company CorpNet, however, has had challenges that we never faced the first time around. Specifically I would say our biggest challenge has been trying to complete with our big-name competitors. We thought we had to stay on a certain path and do what they are doing, but in the end that only kept us in the red. It wasn’t until we identified an opportunity, focused there while also extending our service offerings that we blossomed into what seemed an overnight success. Going from possibly having to shut our doors to then growing 200% within just a few years was really an amazing thing to be a part of and lead!

7. In what ways do you prioritize diversity and inclusion within your company or startup?

Embracing diverse perspectives is what enriches company culture and fuels innovation at my company. I am committed to lead a team and company that creates a sense of community where everyone feels valued, respected and empowered to contribute their unique talents. 

8. How do you stay motivated and resilient during tough times in your business?

My team motivates me to keep going when the times are tough. I have a lot of people who depend on me to provide them with a stable income to support their families. As a parent, I know the important of providing stability in a  household for growing children. So when times are tough at business, I never give up and walk away. I regroup and think of a better way, a new idea or a new approach to get us back on track.

9. What advice would you give to other aspiring women entrepreneurs who are just starting out?

My advice to other women starting out is to stick to your plan and do not derail no matter what. I think its easy, especially for women, to take other people’s opinions to heart and that can easily distract us from our true vision. You have to be motivated within to find success and get through those tough times. So staying with your goals and visions will help you push through, even when others may say otherwise.

10. What is one quote you live by that has guided you in your entrepreneurial journey?

When I need some extra motivation, I always find great advice from Arianna Huffington. In particular:

“Failure is not the opposite of success; it’s part of success.” –Arianna Huffington

11. Can you share a memorable success or milestone that you’ve achieved in your entrepreneurial career?

Yes, to date, my greatest accomplishment as an entrepreneur is growing my current company from our small 10-person team in Westlake Village to what it is today. Now we have close to 200 employees that are located all across the United States. I am so proud that both my husband and I have created something that has now given support and stability to so many people. And my hope is to grow CorpNet even more in the years to come!

As part of the Morning Lazziness series about empowering women who encourage and do incredible things with their ideas in society, I had the pleasure of interviewing Inaas Abdalla.

As the CEO of InêSKN, she is passionate about revolutionizing the beauty industry with innovative skincare solutions. Her journey in this field is driven by an unwavering commitment to excellence, inclusivity, and the well-being of her clients. With her upcoming skincare line for Skin of Colour (SOC), she aims to set new standards by offering transformative products tailored to diverse skin needs, addressing the unique challenges faced by those with SOC.

Her expertise extends beyond skincare, as she is also the founder of Inês Cosmetics, a brand celebrated for its premium eyelash extensions. She takes great pride in her meticulous attention to detail and her insistence on using only the finest materials. This dedication has earned Inês Cosmetics a loyal following among beauty enthusiasts who seek natural yet glamorous enhancements. Her ability to blend science with beauty ensures that her products not only enhance appearance but also promote overall skin health.

In her role as co-founder of Intelhive, she is dedicated to integrating technology with beauty. By leveraging advanced data analytics and AI, Intelhive provides personalized skincare solutions that reflect her forward-thinking approach. This innovative platform embodies her strategic vision and commitment to harnessing technology for the benefit of her clients.

Her leadership is characterized by passion, creativity, and an unwavering focus on quality and customer satisfaction. She strives to be a trailblazer in the beauty industry, consistently pushing the boundaries of what is possible. Her diverse skills and relentless drive make her a formidable force in the world of beauty and skincare, setting new benchmarks for excellence and innovation. Through her work, she aims to inspire and empower others to embrace their unique beauty.

Here’s what we found out about Inaas‘s daily routine, followed by an exclusive Q+A.

Can you share the story behind your journey as an entrepreneur and what inspired you to start your own business?

Growing up, I was often told that I was different from my siblings because I always sought my “whys” in unconventional places. This curiosity and drive to explore beyond the norm is much like the approach Eric Ries describes in “The Lean Startup,” where innovation and questioning the status quo are key to starting a successful venture.

What challenges have you faced as a woman in the business world, and how have you overcome them?

As a woman in the business world, I have faced more “no’s” than “yes’s.” Overcoming these challenges required constant trial and error, much like the Gibbs Reflective Cycle. By analysing each situation, learning from it, and trying again, I was able to navigate through obstacles and find success.

How do you balance your professional and personal life as an entrepreneur?

Balancing my professional and personal life as an entrepreneur is challenging because I truly love what I do. However, I make a conscious effort to take ten hours off on Saturdays to catch up with my family. During the week, I maintain balance by sticking to a routine that includes going to the gym, ensuring I get enough rest, and avoiding evening work unless absolutely necessary.

What strategies have you found most effective for networking and building connections in your industry?

There is nothing better than face-to-face networking events. Call me crazy, but I attend a minimum of three each week. This helps me expand my contacts, nurture my current connections, and find general inspiration.

How do you approach mentorship and seek guidance in your entrepreneurial journey?

I was fortunate to start my entrepreneurial journey by enrolling in the Oneday mentorship program. There, I was assigned a mentor in my niche—a successful entrepreneur with years of experience—who helped shape my ideas. Currently, I am enrolled in the Oneday MBA program, which offers in-depth mentoring combined with an MBA curriculum. This program allows us to apply what we learn directly to our businesses, ensuring success in both our ventures and our educational pursuits.

Can you talk about a specific setback or failure you’ve experienced in your business and how you bounced back from it?

Absolutely. Initially, I wanted to start a mineral makeup brand that offered a range of chemical-free, healthy powder products. However, I struggled to achieve the quality I wanted for my customers because there were no suitable suppliers in the UK, and outsourcing was too expensive for a startup. I pivoted to focus on skincare and the science of skin, eventually obtaining CPD certification and a licence as a skin specialist consultant. This shift allowed me to build a more feasible and impactful business.

In what ways do you prioritize diversity and inclusion within your company or startup?

As a woman of multiple races from three continents who has flourished in England, diversity and inclusion are my strong suits. Having experienced bullying growing up, I understand the importance of fostering an inclusive environment. My strategy involves actively engaging with employees and celebrating their holidays and important dates. Additionally, I have created a virtual community that includes my employees, where I offer support, mentoring, and various resources through both free and paid memberships. This approach ensures everyone feels valued and supported.

How do you stay motivated and resilient during tough times in your business?

I stay motivated and resilient during tough times by constantly seeking new inspirations. Whether it’s through meeting new people, networking, observing daily life, or simply listening to my favourite song and dreaming about the future, I always find ways to envision what lies ahead for my companies. This proactive and imaginative approach keeps me driven and hopeful.

What advice would you give to other aspiring women entrepreneurs who are just starting out?

My advice to aspiring women entrepreneurs is to leave behind anything that makes you feel upset and embrace your entrepreneurial journey. Although it’s not easy, the challenges you face will pay off in the end. Also, network, network, network. Make it a priority to meet new people—they could become your new friends, co-founders, or key connections in your journey.

What is one quote you live by that has guided you in your entrepreneurial journey?

One quote that has guided me in my entrepreneurial journey is: “Love what you do to do what you love.” This mantra reminds me to find passion in my daily efforts, which ultimately leads to doing what I truly love.

Can you share a memorable success or milestone that you’ve achieved in your entrepreneurial career?

One memorable success in my entrepreneurial career is the formation of two shareholder companies alongside three partners. In these ventures, I serve as an artificial intelligence teacher. We have witnessed remarkable growth, and I am thrilled to see our hard work paying off.

As part of the Morning Lazziness series about empowering women who encourage and do incredible things with their ideas in society, I had the pleasure of interviewing Sarah Marie. 

Sarah Marie is an industry expert in the realm of finance, investing and creative business solutions, working as the founder of SMHavice Investments. She has experience for the last 22 years in real estate, commercial and residential property investing, digital assets and crypto currencies. She is a female entrepreneur rewriting the rules, as a single mother, she has beaten all the odds as the underdog, proving people wrong. Shining in the face of adversity.

Here’s what we found out about Sarah‘s daily routine, followed by an exclusive Q+A.

Can you share the story behind your journey as an entrepreneur? What inspired you to start your own business? 

My journey as an entrepreneur began with a deep desire to create a meaningful impact while balancing my roles as a mother and a professional. The inspiration stemmed from witnessing gaps in the market that resonated with my personal values and experiences. Motivated by a drive to innovate and a commitment to family, I embarked on this journey, fueled by the belief that entrepreneurship could empower not just myself but also contribute positively to my community and beyond. 

What challenges have you faced as a woman in the business world, and how have you overcome them? 

Face-to-face networking is by far superior to social media, in my opinion, but it can be tough to do. But in saying that, I also recognize that social media is like a personal resume and so many people from various industries can see your content, and that can be huge in the realm of business. To be taken seriously in this industry, I recognized that in some cases, you have to pay a high ticket price at conferences to get in front of the right people,  get into the inner circles. It also helps to invest in yourself and your mentors to further your connections and knowledge so that you can meet the right people.

How do you approach mentorship and seeking guidance in your entrepreneurial journey?

I always ask for help. I hire coaches for all areas of my business and life, such as life coaches, fitness coaches, finance coaches, business coaches, mindset coaches, and even spiritual mentors. 

It’s important to surround yourself with people who are better than you because you can learn so much more that you can incorporate into your own life. 

Can you share the story behind your journey as an entrepreneur? What inspired you to start your own business?

I lived with my mom and two sisters, and we were raised in extreme poverty. My dad was a successful entrepreneur and owned his own business as an electrical engineer. I worked with him in the summers, pulling wire, climbing in attics, drilling concrete, and also seeing him run this business. I learned about the hard work, dedication and grit it took to own and operate a business, and I also saw the lifestyle that always drew me in because I had nothing if I didn’t work.

Being self-employed was a way of life that I wanted for myself. I would always find a way to make money, and as I became older after college, I started looking into ways to invest to try and set myself up well financially. At the time, I was living in an extremely expensive foreign country.

So, on a trip I took when I was just 24, I found a house, put in an offer, signed paperwork for closing at the US embassy, and rented it out 2 weeks later. And it made sense to me to continue to do this as a business. 

What challenges have you faced as a woman in business, and how have you overcome them? 

The biggest challenge of mine is not being taken seriously and being overly sexualized. Men try to blur the lines in business, and you have to hold your ground. I have had to walk away from contracts, deals, partners and jobs in order to maintain integrity, purpose and my right to work. I also meditate and pray daily as well as work out to keep my head clear from negative feelings associated with these life experiences.

How do you balance your professional and personal life as an entrepreneur? 

I make sure that all my tasks have allotted time as part of my daily routine. In the busy years of my life I have pulled my kids from school to homeschool to be able to have more time with them. I make adjustments as needed, as being somewhat flexible also helps with time management.

My Pillars for the day are: (1) Time with God, (2) Time with yourself, (3) Time with family/ friends. (4) Focus on your big rocks for the day.  If you can master those 4 things, you can be proud and know that it is a successful day.

Can you talk about a specific setback or failure you’ve experienced in your business, and how you bounced back from it?  

Over leveraging assets, with a high risk tolerance there have been situations in my life where the investment deals or things do not go as planned, a closing gets pushed out, partnerships being tested, deals falling through etc and when you overleveraged you put unnecessary stress on yourself , business and others.  I have learned to consult for bigger decisions and utilize clear systems and structure with investing and making decisions.

In what ways do you prioritize diversity and inclusion within your company or startup? 

I hire and work with people based on heart and soul. Hire for the soul, Train for the role. Culture and community are everything.

How do you stay motivated and resilient during tough times in your business? 

Morning affirmations and strong faith in God and the abilities he has given me and an unshakable knowledge that I have a real purpose and goals helps. Knowing that if I can just tackle my to-do-list in a day then I am another day closer to winning and achieving the dream.

What advice would you give to other aspiring women entrepreneurs who are just starting out? 

We are better together. It can be isolating at the top. It’s important to remember that the competition is not with other women or businesses, it is only with yourself. Enjoy the journey.

Can you share a memorable success or milestone that you’ve achieved in your entrepreneurial career? 

A few stand out more than others. Working my way from the bottom, and being able to work with celebrities and royalty as clientele is certainly at the top. It’s a pretty fun job perk to meet some of the most famous people and get to work alongside them.