While many of us search for the inspiration to succeed, we often ignore the inspiration found in failure. Though failing or not fulfilling expectations can be an uncomfortable feeling, there is comfort in the lessons that we learn.
According to the Harvard Business Review, women often “undersell themselves and point out their own weaknesses rather than promoting their strengths.” In a culture where women are penalized for their mistakes, Her Agenda wants to change that narrative and encourage women to use missteps as stepping stones.
Check out these major keys from visionaries, including CEOs and entrepreneurs across various industries on what they learned from failure.
1. Create Your Own Opportunities
Desireé Talley is an entertainment lawyer and podcast host who acts as the principal of her own entertainment law firm, Talley Law Group. Besides being the Vice President Legal & Business Affairs at REVOLT, she aims to educate Black creatives on the legal system through her entertainment law podcast, POPLAW. In our interview, she discusses starting her own private law practice and one big mistake that she sees creatives make. Learn more about how Desiree uses the law to educate creatives, here.
2. Use Fear As Your Strength, Not Your Weakness
Ghislaine León is an executive at REVOLT Media & TV who focuses on the authentic representation of brown and Black voices. Besides using hip-hop as a medium for knowledge, Ghislaine advocates for wellness and healing in women of color. In our interview, she discusses being a Latina in media, curating for the culture, and the power of hip-hop. Learn more about how Ghislaine uses storytelling as a tool, here.
3. ‘No’ Is A Complete Sentence
Eden Bridgeman Sklenar is the CEO and owner of Ebony, the first Black-oriented magazine in the United States to attain national circulation. Eden is determined to spotlight Black voices while evolving the brand’s legacy to shine within a multimedia landscape. In our interview, she discusses leadership and carving your own path. Learn more about how Eden uses leadership to positively represent Black voices, here.
4. Take It One Step At A Time
Nanette Medved-Po is a founder and executive who focuses on healing the world by helping businesses turn plastic into plastic credits. In our interview, she discusses her organization, being an entrepreneur, and what we can do as businesses to decrease plastic use. Learn more about how Nanette is positively creating global change, here.
5. Enjoy The Journey
Angie Nwandu is a founder and CEO who is credited for reinventing celebrity news with her brand, The Shade Room. In our interview, she discusses bouncing back, the power of writing, and the backlash that comes with running The Shade Room. Learn more about how Angie took control of her brand and changed the media landscape, here.
6. It’s Not Where You Start, But How You Finish
Tamera Mowry-Housley is an actress, TV personality, and author whose talent has unapologetically represented women on screen. In our interview, she discusses overcoming internet trolls, mental health, and her return to acting. Learn more about how Tamera authentically navigates her career, here.
7. It’s Okay To Start Over
Chef Liz is a celebrity chef & founder of Creamalicious, the only African-American-owned ice cream brand in mass production nationwide. Chef Liz is now on a mission to help other women entrepreneurs achieve success with their ideas. In our interview, she discusses overcoming internet trolls, mental health, and her return to acting. In our interview, she discusses being a woman in a male-dominated field, the journey of success, and getting started. Learn more about how Chef Liz used her passion to make history, here.
