My Cup is Full: The Power of a "Hype Squad" for Women Leaders
I’m walking away from this weekend with a full cup.
My last few days have been filled with events celebrating and supporting my sister entrepreneurs, professionals, and academics. As a female entrepreneur, surrounding myself with other women from a variety of industries isn't just important. It's essential.
This feeds my curiosity and my creativity, all while grounding me with people who understand my specific challenges. It’s a powerful reminder that I’m sane, on the right path, and have a community with whom I can share both the joys and the struggles.
This energy was on full display Friday night.
The Power of the Hype Squad
Hype squad at the BBA
I had the joy of sharing a table with my dear friend and co-coach Helen Iwata and an absolute powerhouse gathering of women at the British Business Awards (BBA). We were there to celebrate the achievements of our colleagues in the British Chamber of Commerce. (Congratulations again to Francis, so well deserved!)
Our table stood out for two reasons: it was the only women-only table, and it was definitely the loudest and most enthusiastic when it came to cheering for others. Every room should have a hype-squad of intelligent, powerful, creative, and warm women.
I wasn’t feeling my best physically that night, but I have zero regrets about going. The energy was exactly what I needed.
Putting Our Heads Together
Thanks to Mari Ono for the clear and inspiring keynote!
The inspiration continued on Saturday. I made my way to Institute of Science Tokyo to attend and facilitate discussions at the Women in Science Japan (WISJ) annual flagship event.
It was extra special because my wonderful friend Mari Ono was delivering the keynote, and I had the pleasure of co-facilitating with one of my besties, Katie Marple. We led discussions on networking, community building, mentorship, and what financial literacy and stability mean to all of us. This is a crucial conversation for a room full of entrepreneurs and researchers.
(I’m deeply grateful to Joe Baz for introducing me to Elizabeth Oda and Iris Jang. Their organization was outstanding!)
This is why I do what I do. I am privileged to coach both women and men in sustainable leadership and expression, and these experiences reinforce just how vital community is for that work.
My Key Takeaways from the Weekend
I’m leaving this weekend with a few reminders:
Slow Down to Connect. Sometimes in community building, the best approach is to take a step back, be present, and simply enjoy the meal and conversation. Opportunities often arise when you aren't actively seeking them.
Find Excuses to Shine. Dress up. Celebrate. It’s refreshing, and it's one way of honoring your hard work and making your efforts feel worth it.
We Thrive When We Share. This is the big one. Women leaders thrive when we share space, put our heads together, and cheer each other on.
I'm incredibly grateful to be part of and lead powerful communities of women.
