Claiming Our Worth: A Woman’s Journey to Independence and Entrepreneurship

Growing up, I saw how roles and expectations shaped the way people were treated. Some voices carried more weight, while others quietly held everything together. It made me question what value really meant—who got to take up space and who was expected to support from the sidelines.

I was born with a strong will, an independent spirit, and a mind that questioned everything. I pushed back against the status quo, resisting the idea that my worth was predetermined. Moving to Canada was a chance to break free from those biases and start fresh—building a life on my own terms. It wasn’t always easy. I arrived with no support, no money, and no mentors, no business experience, just a determination to create something of my own.

Looking back, I suppose I was becoming a feminist—learning that independence isn’t just about standing up to the system but about forging a new path entirely. The journey wasn’t always smooth, but every challenge reinforced the lesson that value isn’t assigned; it’s claimed.

Today I celebrate all women and am highly supportive of all who go into business and make a difference to their families. At Indaba we have an all-women staff, and I respect them for their commitment, enthusiasm, and willingness to be their best while they balance their personal and work responsibilities and try to find the equilibrium. Some are new mothers and wives, struggling to get ahead, managing households, supporting husbands and the challenges of childcare. The women who supported me in the early days of Indaba are heroes. They empowered me to grow and learn and build a business, giving their time and love and support for very little in return. We came together in an extraordinary way to survive and then to flourish.Those were days when it was fairly uncommon for a woman to start a business; it was a landscape of men who didn’t take us seriously. Bankers wouldn’t lend a penny without a man to sign security, and without that man, they pulled their loans.

But most women have it in their nature to be resilient, strong, and imaginative. We are problem solvers and creative thinkers. Those qualities coupled with integrity and a strong moral compass are essential to survive in business. We need to be willing to learn from our mistakes, acquire new skills, and stay curious, all the while being creative and inspired and not afraid of a challenge. Our instinctive gut and our passion are our strength.

With the horrors unfolding south of the border and the US on a path to return to the 19th century, putting women back in the kitchen and taking away their right to self-determination, their reproductive rights, and their freedom of expression, we have to stand firm on who we are and who we have become. We aren’t there to support other people’s life plans and be a tool for population growth. We’re never going back.

Let us not sink into total despair but proceed with gentleness, decency, bravery, and grace. Let’s support all women and now more than ever, Canadian women in business.