Shweta Pradhan
Founder and Designer, Aziiiza
As women, we often hesitate to talk about our achievements, thinking they might come across as boastful or self-centred. However, as an entrepreneur, I firmly believe it’s time we step up and share our stories with proud. When we talk about what we do and the impact we create, we aren’t just promoting ourselves we are representing the ethos of our brand, the values we stand for, and the resilience that got us here.
We, as women, often prefer to work quietly, letting our actions speak louder than words. While this approach is admirable, the world today thrives on storytelling. Talking about your brand and your journey isn’t merely about self-promotion; it’s about inspiring others, especially women, by showcasing how challenges and limitations can be overcome. Every achievement we share, every milestone we celebrate, becomes a beacon of hope and empowerment for someone else.
As the founder of Aziiiza, sharing my entrepreneurial journey is not just about promoting ethnic wear; it’s about celebrating cultural diversity and modern traditions while breaking stereotypes. Years ago, I stepped up by deciding to share my stories and speak up. This created a sense of authentic connection with my brand and so many clients come to me as they resonate with the thought process behind my designs. Further, I realised that by telling our stories, we normalise ambition, resilience, and success in a world where women’s achievements often go unnoticed. So yes, it’s time to “toot our own horn.” Not for vanity, but for visibility because when we speak, we pave the way for others to dream, dare, and achieve. After all, the next generation of women is watching, and we need to create the world they deserve to work and thrive in!
Neetu Shrestha (Jenny)
Co-Founder, NS byJenny
President, NYEF Lalitpur Chapter and BOD,
Hotel NANSC
While entrepreneurship is often applauded, women in business continue to hesitate when it comes to showcasing their achievements. Despite breaking barriers and leading with vision, the question lingers: do women entrepreneurs shy away from celebrating their success?
From an early age, many women are taught to be humble, to let their actions speak louder than their words, and to avoid appearing boastful. This deeply ingrained belief can create a barrier to openly celebrating success. Another reason for this hesitation is the fear of backlash. Women who confidently share their accomplishments are sometimes judged as haughty or overambitious, while the same behavior in men is often viewed as confidence. The fear of facing criticism can discourage women from highlighting their accomplishments. Even after achieving success, many women are plagued by self-doubt and uncertainty about their deservedness of recognition. Imposter syndrome often prevents women from owning their accomplishments. Women frequently face the challenge of managing their entrepreneurial aspirations while fulfilling family and caregiving duties, which can reduce the time and effort they can invest in their businesses.
In industries dominated by men, the absence of visible women leaders who confidently embrace and celebrate their successes can keep others silent. Without accessible role models, women may feel disconnected from their achievements. When women don’t share their success stories, it diminishes the visibility of women leaders, leaving fewer examples for those who aspire to lead. Self-promotion is crucial for progress. By remaining silent, women risk missing valuable partnerships, collaborations, and growth opportunities for their businesses. I firmly believe that celebrating achievements is not a matter of arrogance, but empowerment and fostering a ripple effect that motivates others. When women entrepreneurs openly share their journeys, they inspire others to recognise their potential. We must normalise the celebration of success, and dismantling the stigma around self-promotion is key to demonstrating that acknowledging accomplishments is essential for growth. Moreover, by taking ownership of their narratives, women can defy stereotypes and redefine society’s view of leadership and success.
Media outlets, like WOW magazine, play a critical role in amplifying the voices of women entrepreneurs. Sharing stories through articles, podcasts, or events highlights their achievements and helps shift cultural mindsets. The reluctance to share successes among women entrepreneurs is driven by both societal norms and personal factors. By cultivating a supportive environment that celebrates their accomplishments, we can challenge these norms and inspire emerging leaders. Every woman entrepreneur has a story worth telling. It’s time to assert ourselves, honour our accomplishments with confidence, and showcase the outstanding contributions of women in the business world. When women embrace and celebrate their success, they not only change their own lives but also create a ripple effect that impacts the world.
Alisha Shah
Director, Rhino Leathers
One of the main reasons women often refrain from highlighting their achievements is the lack of platforms to share their stories. Society and the media frequently fail to take women seriously. When our work is undervalued or overlooked, it becomes challenging to speak openly about our successes or failures. Although there are platforms available, they are predominantly occupied by men. For instance, in interviews or business discussions, men tend to dominate the scene, and male entrepreneurs are often given more credibility than women. Women entrepreneurs face significant hurdles in scaling their businesses due to limited financial support, restricted access to bank loans, and inadequate family backing. Many banks require patriarchal property as collateral for loans, and since property ownership is typically passed down to men, women have limited resources to secure financial assistance. Networking opportunities for entrepreneurs are also scarce, which further hinders their ability to promote their work. Women don’t often boast about their accomplishments because they aren’t given the opportunities or platforms to achieve and share at a comparable level.
In today’s era of personal branding, it is crucial to effectively showcase our achievements—not only to enhance our businesses but also to inspire others who are embarking on similar journeys. By sharing our stories, we can encourage people to reconsider migrating abroad and instead pursue entrepreneurial opportunities in Nepal. Setting examples can motivate others to follow suit. Colleges, for example, should invite diverse entrepreneurs to share their experiences and success stories, creating awareness and fostering inspiration. Sustainability and patience are vital for any business. These days, we see numerous new brands emerging, only to merge or disappear within a few months. Building a brand takes time, and entrepreneurs must dedicate several years to establishing their businesses instead of expecting instant profits. Men often have the advantage of fewer household responsibilities, whereas women must juggle domestic chores alongside their professional work.
Sahanshila Sharma
Executive Director, National Institute for Career Development
Women hesitate to talk about their achievements and successes, not because they lack confidence but often because they do not know where and how to express themselves. Many women tend to underestimate their work, thinking it is a small-scale activity, and thus do not speak about it openly.
There is a saying, “The flour of those who speak sells; the rice of those who don’t remains unsold.” The situation of women is somewhat similar. Numerous women have established themselves as successful entrepreneurs by running small businesses, but they lack knowledge on how to showcase their success and expand their capital. Many women entrepreneurs are not literate, which also contributes to their hesitation to speak out, causing their efforts and achievements to go unnoticed. Nowadays, local councils and wards are offering various training programs to help women become entrepreneurs and self-reliant. These include training sessions on making shoes, liquid soap, pickles, bead necklaces, and bags. However, such training often misses out on teaching vital skills such as branding, market access, investment strategies, loan procurement, teamwork, public speaking, and networking for market expansion. Without this knowledge, women often hold back, falling behind despite having good products and skills. They continue to work within a limited scope, unable to reach broader markets.
It is now time for women to bring their struggles and achievements to the forefront, to establish their identity. At the very least, they should use social media platforms to promote their businesses and share their endeavours. This is also the time to share success stories through the media, inspiring other women to pursue their dreams. For this, support from family, neighbours, and relatives is crucial. The media should actively seek out genuine entrepreneurs who have been left behind due to their inability to express themselves and bring them forward. This collective effort can create an environment where women entrepreneurs are recognised, encouraged, and supported.
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