Food for thought
- “I’ve sat at tables where the men looked straight through me or they only directed their attention to my partner,” shared Khiara Mia, Co-founder of 500-backed ready-to-cook meal kit company Meals in Minutes.
- “The F&B industry has historically been very male dominated, but I wouldn’t say that deterred me at all. We had a concept that we believed would solve a lot of problems for both the everyday person as well as SME businesses. I recognized this potential value and found the drive to persevere,” she added.
- Khiara identified 2 main challenges women have to overcome: underrepresentation in leadership roles and decision making positions, which limit women’s visibility and influence, as well as work-life balance, especially for those with caregiving responsibilities and family commitment.
- “In order to overcome these challenges, I started seeking out supportive networks. I think that’s really important: building a strong support system of mentors, colleagues, and industry peers who can give you guidance and encouragement,” she explained.
- “Another really important thing was learning to challenge gender stereotypes and advocate for myself — you really have to be assertive and communicate your skills and accomplishments,” she shared.
- “In terms of work-life balance, I’ve really learned to prioritize self-care to prevent burnout because as an entrepreneur, it’s almost impossible to set boundaries around your working hours, but I’ve got better at delegating these tasks and seeking flexible work arrangements,” she added.
- Khiara shared that at Meals in Minutes, they prioritize empowering women at all levels by providing opportunities for growth, mentorship, and leadership development, thereby creating a more inclusive and supportive work environment while also driving innovation.
- And what can men do to push equality forward? “Don’t forget to speak up and support women’s voices and rights,” Khiara said.
- Listen to the full interview on MoneyFM.
